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Utah Business

Gov. Spencer Cox said on Tuesday he supports the aims of Sen. Mike Lee’s public lands proposal that has ignited national debate, but he said previous versions of the legislation were too broad, Brigham Tomco reported.

After some backlash, Lee submitted more restrictive language for his initiative, limiting the lands that can be sold for private home development to include only Bureau of Land Management lands within 5 miles of a population center.

Cox believes Lee’s bill can still be a great opportunity to balance community concerns with housing needs if it recognizes that federal land sits at a “public nexus” that requires public “support and trust,” Tomco writes.

“It works,” Cox said. “It can help lower the price of housing, and we desperately need more space for housing in places like Utah and all throughout the West.”

Here are three key points:

Meet Molly Hart — Utah’s new school superintendent of public instruction

Molly Hart is Utah’s new state superintendent of the Utah State Board of Education.

For over four years, Hart was a USBE member, most recently serving as its vice chair. Now she’s sitting in the board room seat reserved for the state superintendent of public instruction, Jason Swensen reported.

She’s already been on the job for a couple weeks — at a time of historic disruption in education happening in Utah and across the country.

“I feel very lucky and privileged to be able to serve in this way,” she said. “But I’m also tired. I want to do all the things — but most of all, I want to listen and learn.

“I am trying to be in as many positions or places that I can where I can listen and learn.”

Here are three things to know about Hart:

She’s been a teacher and an administrator at both a traditional public school and a charter school.

Hart’s also an avid quilter and reader, and she relishes any opportunity to polish her golf game on one of Utah’s links.

Hart’s not afraid of school choice. It’s a reflection, she said, of the freedoms valued in American society. “Choice, when managed, is something that can strengthen the system. Choice is opportunity.”

Read more about the new superintendent.

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Utah

Why these 100 elephants ‘migrated’ through Utah (KSL.com)

Utah Olympians bring smiles to young patients at Primary Children’s Hospital on ‘Olympic Day’ (KSL-TV)

‘I was scared’: Utah student releases statement, describes ICE detention (KSL NewsRadio)

The Forsyth Fire is ‘heartbreaking,’ says a Pine Valley resident who stayed behind (KUER 90.1)

A historic Garfield industry rises from the ashes (Utah Business)

These 5 SLC hikes are on public land proposed for possible sale (Axios)

France Canyon Fire swells to 25,550 acres; power outage scheduled for portions of Southern Utah (St George News)

Wildlife officials warn of the dangers of approaching free-roaming bison at Antelope Island State Park (Standard-Examiner)

Health

FDA approves HIV drug based on University of Utah biochemist’s findings (KSL.com)

Why prior authorization for some medical procedures might be going away (Deseret News)

2 more adults diagnosed with measles, Utah health department says (KSL.com)

Faith

Dallas Jenkins says ties between ‘The Chosen’ and Angel Studios are officially severed (Deseret News)

Should public school teachers be allowed to lead students in prayer? Here’s what Americans think (Deseret News)

Practical advice for first-time temple goers (LDS Living)

Ground broken for 1st temple in Hungary (Church News)

Politics

‘Fire up the deportation planes’: Supreme Court backs Trump immigration push (Deseret News)

Iran-Israel ceasefire holds so far — but only after Trump swears in frustration (Deseret News)

Democrats accuse Republicans of ‘hiding facts’ after abrupt cancellation of Iran briefings (Deseret News)

Why Trump’s labor secretary says it’s ‘America First’ to expand the migrant workforce (Deseret News)

The Nation and the World

Millions swelter as heatwave descends on North America (BBC)

ICE holding a record 59,000 immigrant detainees, nearly half with no criminal record, internal data show (CBS News)

4th of July travel likely to shatter records: What to expect (ABC News)

Detectives narrowing timeline of missing Idaho teens (Cache Valley Daily)

Sports

Landing of 5-star QB Ryder Lyons should be a seminal moment in BYU football history (Deseret News)

Ryder Lyons commitment illustrates changes in how BYU sells itself (Deseret News)