What's new: The International Panel on Climate Change’s Sixth Annual Assessment underscores what millions of residents, water managers, farmers and power generators in Northern America already know — the situation is dire and the fixes aren’t easy.

Why it matters:

• According to the report, crop yields and suitability are predicted to decrease amid the warming temperatures and a more arid climate.
• Agriculture takes up 80% of the water use in Utah and the rest of the Colorado River Basin, and Utah and other Western states have already seen shortened growing seasons due to hot temperatures and drastic water reductions.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has recommended $20 million in his budget for grants farmers and ranchers can apply for to boost efficiencies in water delivery, including the installation of advanced technology or lining of canals.

Resolution urges FDA to reconsider requirements for blood donation

What's happening: A joint resolution at the Utah Legislature urges the federal Food and Drug Administration to change "outdated and discriminatory protocols" for blood donation regarding gay and bisexual men.

Context: The FDA banned gay and bisexual men from donating blood in 1983, during the early years of the HIV epidemic. In 2015, the ban was lifted, and instead donations were allowed after donors had abstained from sexual activity for one year. In 2020, the waiting period was adjusted to three months amid growing pressure and a national shortage of blood donations.

Arguments for changing the policy:

• The American Medical Association said the policy "singles out and bans blood donors based on their inherent attributes rather than the risk factors they present."
• The AMA also said all donated blood is tested and that donors can be screened.
• State Sen. Derek Kitchen, D-Salt Lake City, pointed out that anyone can contract HIV, regardless of their sexual orientation.

Arguments against changing the policy: 

• Others argue that the screening process may not flag all infected people.
• Blood tests can remain negative for a period of 7 to 10 days after someone has been infected, according to the American Red Cross.

Read more.

More in Politics

• Governor orders Ukrainian flag be flown over the Utah Capitol (Deseret News)
• Utah lawmakers vote down school choice proposal (Deseret News)
• Poll: Utahns feeling inflation the most when it comes to basic life necessities (Deseret News)
  
• Ukraine’s Fight ‘Stirs Our Souls’: Utahns Stand In Solidarity, Denounce ‘Mad Man’ Putin (Deseret News)
  

COVID

• Why new COVID-19 variants evolve so quickly (Deseret News)
• Salt Lake County unveils new COVID-19 prevention guidelines (KSL.com)

Faith

• Religion in Ukraine: What Orthodox Christians in the U.S. are praying for (Deseret News)
• Perspective: What many people don’t understand about feasting and fasting (Deseret News)
• The remarkable story of an Olympic swimmer and surfing pioneer headlines LDS Film Festival (Deseret News)
  

Education

• Amid outcry over 'pornographic material,' Canyons School District revamps its book review policy (KSL.com)
• Timpanogos High School unveils Sacred Images Mural sharing area’s history (The Daily Herald)

Police

• Utahns honor police K9 killed in the line of duty (KSL.com)
• Syracuse artist puts focus on brightening police, fire departments (The Standard-Examiner)
• Officers allegedly recover $56K in cocaine during traffic stop on I-15 in Washington City (St. George News)
  

The West

• Could the rural West’s ‘culture of self-reliance’ help it survive the next imminent disaster? (Deseret News)

The Nation

• Five dead, including three children, in Sacramento County church shooting (The Los Angeles Times)
  Can mindfulness cure chronic pain and opioid addiction? Clinical trial finds success (Deseret News)
• Target raising minimum wage to $24 in some areas of the country (Deseret News)

The World

• Disney to delay releases in Russia over Ukraine crisis (Deseret News)
• Google disables map data to protect Ukrainians (Deseret News)
• Russian currency sinks 30% as sanctions are imposed (Deseret News)
  
• Elon Musk says Starlink satellite internet service is activated in Ukraine (Deseret News)
  
• Russia-Ukraine live updates: Americans shouldn’t worry about nuclear war, President Biden says (Deseret News)
  

How the International Olympic Committee is punishing Russia for invasion of Ukraine

The International Olympic Committee called Monday for athletes from Russia and Belarus, the countries involved in the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, to be barred from competing, a recommendation quickly endorsed by backers of Utah’s bid for another Winter Games.

“In the spirit of world peace, we stand behind decisions by the International Olympic Committee and international sports federations,” said Fraser Bullock, president and CEO of the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games that’s bidding on behalf of the United States for the 2030 or 2034 Winter Games.

“The tragedies in the conflict in Ukraine have a far-reaching impact,” Bullock said.

Read more.

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• Utah Utes: How Utes’ Kennady ‘Lightning’ McQueen went from small-town Utah to a big-time season in the Pac-12
• Utah Warriors: BYU’s Jaren Hall, Kingsley Suamataia and Chaz Ah You and Utah’s Britain Covey now have NIL deals with the Utah Warriors