This is Utah Today, a daily newsletter where we bring you the news you need to know about the Beehive State.
If you’re a returning subscriber, you may recognize this newsletter by its previous name, Morning Edition. Utah Today looks a little different, but it still has all the things you love.
You can expect a dose of important local, national and international news — everything you need to navigate your day more informed and enlightened. We’ll scour news sources across the internet for you and point you toward the news you need to know.
I’m Ashley Lee, one of the writers behind Utah Today. I previously helped curate the Deseret.com home page on nights and weekends, and I’ve called Utah Valley home for six years. You'll hear from me Monday through Friday and then from other talented Deseret News staff on the weekends.
Thank you for starting your morning with us! If you have any feedback, we’d love to hear it — just reply to this newsletter or email us at newsletters@deseretnews.com.
What's happening: The West is already straining under the region’s worst drought cycle in 1,200 years. Further complicating matters are false claims that cuts in water use are part of an elaborate government plan to starve and depopulate the earth.
Why it matters: Scarcity has long created conflict over water in the West, where seven of the driest states in the country are located. And false conspiracies could prolong conflict and possibly lead to violence.
What's next: “Leaders need to meet these folks on their own level. They need to understand their perspective and where they’re coming from,” said Joe Vitriol, a researcher at Stony Brook University. “They need to use the trust that those individuals invest in them to challenge their willingness to ignore facts and evidence.”
Read more about how experts and government officials are addressing conflict over water rights in the West.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., announced the Senate will vote on filibuster rule changes to advance stalled voting rights bills that Democrats say are needed to protect democracy, according to Reuters.
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, said Schumer’s “rash, partisan power grab should be seen for what it is — desperation and a failure to do what Joe Biden and Democrats ran on: unify.”
A city ‘forged by fire’: Halfway through her term, Salt Lake City mayor reflects on the highs and lows so far (Deseret News)
Salt Lake City's most diverse council ever is ready to go to work (Salt Lake Tribune)
Devin Nunes officially resigns from Congress, clearing way to helm Trump’s social media company (Los Angeles Times)
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COVID
How to tell the difference between omicron variant, common cold and the flu (Deseret News)
The FDA authorizes a Pfizer booster shot for children ages 12 to 15 (NPR)
Faith
Coaches forced a teen to eat pizza against his religion, he says. Now he’s suing (The Washington Post)
A film captures Jewish life in a Polish town before the Nazis arrive (The New York Times)
Southern Utah
New Angels Landing permit lottery in Zion National Park opens for applications (St. George News)
Iron County Sheriff's Office mental health unit team has positive response (KSL.com)
Man in jail after thousands of suspected fentanyl pills found in roof lining of pickup on I-15 (St. George News)
Northern Utah
Logan to begin 'conditioning' process for new $150 million sewer plant (The Herald Journal)
Japanese food company mulling $350M Weber County development (The Standard-Examiner)
Wasatch Front
Latter-day Saint church building in Park City vandalized with rocks in possible hate crime (ParkRecord.com)
Rep. Keven Stratton and Conserve Utah Valley to host Utah Lake Summit (Daily Herald)
The West
Colorado’s Marshall Fire expected to be 10th-costliest in U.S. history (Fox31)
Displaced by Marshall fire, thousands scramble to find homes in tight housing market (The Denver Post)
That's all for today! Check your inbox tomorrow morning for more headlines from across Utah and beyond.
We really do want your feedback, so please let us know what you think about this newsletter by just replying or emailing us at newsletters@deseretnews.com.
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