Madelyn Allen was found alive and her kidnapper arrested, BYU loses, USU wins their respective Bowl games | | | The Utah Policy newsletter is your one-stop source for political and policy-minded news. Send news tips or feedback to editor@utahpolicy.com. | | |
Situational Analysis | December 20, 2021 Today is Monday and work is winding down as Christmas looms. Today is also National Go Caroling Day, so tune up those pipes. Do you have a favorite Christmas memory? Send me a paragraph and I'll share it in Thursday's special Christmas edition. Be in the Know Karen Peterson is the newest member of the House, after winning the special election to replace Paul Ray on Saturday. She won on the first round with 64% of the vote. She has been a city council woman, an education advisor for Governor Herbert and Legislative Affairs Director for the Cox-Henderson administration. Madelyn Allen, who was reported missing from Snow College on Monday, was found on Saturday. Her kidnapper and attacker was arrested and is being held without bail. The details in the arrest affidavit are horrifying. Her family said they are "overjoyed" that she has been found and the long road of healing can begin. BYU fell in their bowl game on Saturday, while USU prevailed. Number 12 BYU lost 31-28 to UAB, ending the season with a 10-3 record. Utah State beat Oregon State 24-13, to end their season 11-3. | | |
Utah Headlines General Southern Utah women are helping other women and girls thrive through the Three Corners Women's Giving Circle (St. George News) How Utahns are filling the gaps supporting Afghan refugees (Deseret News) Ogden firefighter suing the city over medical cannabis policy (ABC4) 2 popular Lagoon attractions a total loss after crews battle pair of blazes (KSL) A religious upbringing may reduce divorce risk â but probably not for the reason you think (Deseret News) Politics The IUP Panel on Olympic boycotts, tax cuts and January 6th latest (ABC4) Did Utah lawmakers do the right thing with redistricting? Hereâs what Utahns think (Deseret News) Republicans resist saying three simple words: âJoe Biden won.â (Salt Lake Tribune) COVID Corner Fauci says omicron variant is `just raging around the worldâ (AP) New Zealand links death to Pfizer COVID vaccine: 'it remains safer to be vaccinated' (The Hill) Israel bans travel to US, citing omicron (The Hill) Sens. Warren and Booker test positive for breakthrough coronavirus (Washington Post) Whiplash on U.S. Vaccine Mandate Leaves Employers âTotally Confusedâ (New York Times) Moderna: Initial booster data shows good results on omicron (AP) Education Schools embrace social and emotional learning to help 'overwhelmed' students (NPR) Social media threats cause uproar at Utah schools (KUER) Harvard waives SAT and ACT requirement for next four years (Deseret News) National Headlines General The âCowboy Cocktailâ: How Wyoming became one of the worldâs top tax havens (Washington Post) Buying influence: How China manipulates Facebook and Twitter (New York Times) Stock Futures, Oil Prices Fall on New Covid-19 Curbs (Wall Street Journal) Politics Manchin undercuts Biden, leaving his agenda in limbo (The Hill) White House lights up Manchin after he crushes Biden's megabill. The West Wing accused Manchin of "a breach of his commitments to the president and the senatorâs colleagues in the House and Senate," in a blistering statement Sunday. (Politico) Schumer vows vote on Build Back Better legislation despite Manchinâs opposition (Washington Post) Kinzinger says Jan. 6 panel examining whether Trump acted criminally (The Hill) Courts Closing arguments are set to begin today in the Ghislaine Maxwell trial (CNN) International Former student activist Gabriel Boric, 35, wins Chile's presidential election (Washington Post) Typhoon deaths in Philippines top 140; mayors plead for food (ABC News) Turkeyâs Currency Crisis Slams the Nutella Global Supply Chain (Wall Street Journal) Chinese spies have penetrated Taiwan's military, case documents reveal (Reuters) | | |
News Releases Utahâs job growth and low unemployment highlighted on Salt Lake Chamber dashboard The Salt Lake Chamberâs Roadmap to Prosperity Coalition, in partnership with the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, has updated the Economic Dashboard for December to help business leaders know where Utah stands in the overall recovery. This tool tracks the stateâs path to a complete economic recovery from the pandemic recession and provides actionable context for decision-makers. âUtahâs economic recovery into stable growth through the pandemic continues to shine a light on our fundamentals and strong economic playbook,â said Derek Miller, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber and Downtown Alliance. âThe December dashboard shows how the economy is continuing to expand in the construction, financial and trade sectors while facing headwinds with leisure and hospitality and health services. Our consumer confidence remains stable with retail sales continuing to grow year over year. As coronavirus variants evolve, Utahâs robust economic rebound shows what smart planning, public health awareness, and strong fundamentals can achieve, an economic revival to lead the country.â (Read More) Sens. Romney, Kelly applaud establishment of Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission U.S. Senators Mitt Romney (R-UT) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) released the following statement after the Administration announced the establishment of a Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission, fulfilling a key provision of the bipartisan infrastructure bill that will help combat the Westâs wildfire crisis. Senators Romney and Kelly first introduced legislation to establish this Commission earlier this year, and advocated for its inclusion in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. âOur states are facing historic numbers of wildfires and desperately need assistance with fire prevention, mitigation, and response. Earlier this year, we introduced legislation to establish a Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission because existing fire policies must be adapted to meet todayâs challenges. A commission that brings experts from local communities and the private and public sectors will help improve strategies to prevent future wildfires from becoming catastrophic disasters across the West. We are proud that this Commission is now a reality, and look forward to seeing the recommendations it puts forth.â (Read More) Sen. Lee honors âCandy Bomberâ with Veterans Center rename Sen. Mike Leeâs (R-UT) bill to rename the Provo Veterans Center to honor Colonel Gail S. Halvorsen has unanimously passed the Senate. Col. Halvorsen is affectionately referred to as the âCandy Bomberâ for his unique and effective efforts distributing candy to the impoverished children of Berlin during the 1948 Berlin Airlift. Halvorsenâs compassion, humanitarianism, and community service did not end in 1948. Halvorsen started the Utah-based Gail S. Halvorsen Aviation Education Foundation and regularly participates in community celebrations and re-enactments of the events. Sen. Lee is joined by Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) as a Senate cosponsor. Rep John Curtis (R-UT) leads the effort in the House and is joined by Reps. Chris Stewart (R-UT), Burgess Owens (R-UT), and Blake Moore (R-UT). Of Col. Halvorsen , Sen. Lee said, âCol. Gail Halvorsen represents the best of Utah and the best values of the Armed Forces. In times of darkness and despair, Gail Halvorsen brought light and kindness, and his work and legacy continues to this day. It is an honor to sponsor this bill and to rename the Provo Vet Center after a great Utahn.â (Watch More) | | |
Upcoming 2022 Legislative Outlook - Utah Taxpayers Association â Jan 12, 2022, 9:00 am. Register here Utah Economic Outlook & Public Policy Summit 2022 - SLC Chamber â Jan 13, 2022, 8:30 am - 1:30 pm. Register here Utah legislative session begins â Jan 18, 2022, 10:00 am Utah legislative session ends â Mar 4, 2022, midnight | | |
ho isOn This Day In History From History.com 1812 - Sacagawea, Shoshone interpreter for the Lewis and Clark expedition, dies at age 24. 1946 - Christmas classic "It's a Wonderful Life" film premieres in New York 1954 - Sandra Cisneros is born. The internationally recognized author and poet is best known for her novel The House on Mango Street. 1962 - The Osmond brothers debut on Andy Williams show 1963 - Berlin Wall opened for the first time 1971 - Doctors Without Borders is founded 1989 - The US invades Panama and ousts Manuel Noriega 1995 - NATO assumes peacekeeping duties in Bosnia 2012 - Intercontinental Exchange purchases the New York Stock Exchange, the largest in the world, for $8 billion 2019 - Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana granted US federal recognition, providing the right to certain legal and government benefits Wise Words âRemember, no man is a failure who has friends.â -Clarence, the angel Lighter Side Q: Who is Santa's favorite singer? A: Elf-is Presley! | | |
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