Also: Mitt Romney and the middle lane politicians running retiring or running for reelection.
Good morning! Here are today’s temperatures: Logan: 25 - 40° ⛅ Salt Lake City: 30 - 46° ⛅ St. George: 36 - 57° ⛅ Jay Evensen's New Year's editorial piece wrapping up 2023 has been on my mind since I read it Friday morning. "New Year’s Day forces us to come face-to-face with who we have become and how we can be better," Evensen writes. "That’s hard in a century where the pressure is to blame others for our troubles." I recommend a read if you've been reflecting on the last year and pondering what changes you could make to improve 2024 in comparison. Also on our mind: What Deseret News reporters read in 2023, why some are concerned about where AI is headed, why data challenges the ‘spiritual but not religious’ mantra and how Utah’s offense performed this season. |
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| How 2023 reshaped the water world in Utah and the West |
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If you are ready for some holiday cheer, just look to the record snowpack Utah received in the last water year. It broke records. On average, reservoir storage currently stands at 78% full statewide. This is around 20% higher than normal reservoir levels for this time of year. For the most part, reservoirs will likely stay near these levels until spring runoff. The good news is that current reports show that precipitation in Utah’s valley locations was above normal for the month of November. |
Read more how the West is reckoning with the water shortage. |
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Sen. Mitt Romney’s exit from Congress in January leaves the already shrinking moderate bloc in Congress one man short. For the Republican conference, his seat is safe in Utah, a deeply red state. But it may not be occupied by a centrist like Romney. He is one of the few Republicans in the Senate who voted to impeach former President Donald Trump. And Trump held that against Romney, jumping to call him “RINO,” or Republican In Name Only, a criticism leveled by conservatives against members of their party for being liberal. In September 2023, Romney said he won’t run for reelection and will finish serving in office in January 2025. At the time, he said, “I’m hoping that in the year and a half I have left that we’re going to be able to take on some of those issues, particularly as it relates to the deficit and debt and immigration,” he said. His retirement coincides with many other moderate senators bowing out of running for reelection or facing an uphill battle to victory. The middle lane in Congress has been shrinking for decades, political science professor Michael Lyons at Utah State University told the Deseret News. He said only five states have “split” Senate delegations but “From 1973 to 1994, there were never fewer than 20 such delegations.” Read more middle lane lawmakers in the U.S. and their plans for reelection. More Politics: 6 political stories that surprised me in 2023 (Deseret News) Maine secretary of state disqualifies Trump from 2024 primary ballot (Deseret News) Want to vote in Utah’s GOP presidential, primary races next year but aren’t a registered Republican? Better hurry (Deseret News) |
FROM VOICES Carlos Boozer is back! Join us Jan. 31 for an exciting evening featuring Carlos Boozer. Hear his captivating story and a lively Q&A session, as well as a memorable photo opportunity. Purchase tickets today. |
Health Did you know the Mediterranean diet does more than lower risk of diabetes? (Deseret News) 7 of the biggest medical breakthroughs in 2023 (ABC News) Faith How a Sikh Marine made history with the help of a 30-year-old religious freedom law (Deseret News) Temples in 2023, Part 1: President Nelson announces 35 temple locations for 2nd straight year (Church News) Entertainment Video: Watch Miley Cyrus perform a Journey cover at the Chateau Marmont (Deseret News) A look at Mayim Bialik’s ‘Jeopardy!’ exit — and what Ken Jennings had to say about it (Deseret News) Taylor Swift ties with Elvis Presley for most weeks on top of the charts for a solo artist (Deseret News) The Nation and World More monster waves will collide with the California coast after injuring onlookers and causing serious flooding (CNN) Tens of thousands flee central Gaza as Israel's offensive expands (CBS News) Google settles $5 billion privacy lawsuit over tracking people using ‘incognito mode’ (Associated Press) Sports What Jaren Hall said about making his 2nd NFL start with playoff implications on the line (Deseret News) Who will win the NFL’s wacky MVP race? (Deseret News) How Jordan Clarkson helped Keyonte George find value during injury (Deseret News) |
That's all for today. Check your inbox tomorrow morning for more news from the Beehive State and beyond! And reply to this email or email newsletters@deseretnews.com to tell us what you think of Utah Today. Thanks for reading! — Sarah |
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