Biden signs executive order on police reform, Utah FanX co-founder charged with making bomb threats | | | The Utah Policy newsletter is your one-stop source for political and policy-minded news. We scour the news so you don't have to! Send news tips or feedback to Holly Richardson at editor@utahpolicy.com. | | |
Situational Analysis | May , 2022 Good morning - it's Thursday and National Blueberry Cheesecake Day. Did you know that in spite of the many stores that sell blueberry plants in Utah in the spring, blueberries don't really grow here? The soil is way too alkaline. Blueberries need a soil acidity of around 4.5, up to as high as 5.5. Utah soils are typically above 7.5. ð« Be in the Know Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt on Wednesday signed into law a near-total abortion ban, prohibiting the procedure from the moment of fertilization except in cases of rape or incest reported to law enforcement, or if deemed necessary to save the life of the mother. The law does not restrict access to morning-after pills or any type of contraception, and authorizes doctors to remove a fetus in cases of miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy. Because the law is structured like Texasâ SB8 to be enforced by civil lawsuits rather than criminal prosecution, it will likely be allowed to take effect immediately. President Biden signed an executive order Wednesdayâthe second anniversary of the police killing of George Floydâcreating a national accreditation system for police departments and a database of federal officers with disciplinary records or misconduct complaints, and requiring federal officers to wear body cameras and investigate uses of force. Police groups say the order codifies changes local departments have already made restricting practices like chokeholds and no-knock warrants. | | |
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Utah Headlines General FanX co-founder, Utah entrepreneur charged with threatening to bomb places in Salt Lake (KUTV) These are the safest cities in Utah (ABC4) Anti-Asian hate on Twitter spiked during pandemic, new U of U study finds (Fox13) Utah Shakespeare Festivalâs artistic director abruptly steps down (Salt Lake Tribune) 10 hidden food treasures along your Western road trip (Deseret News) Politics Utah Senate candidates talk background checks after NBA coach's comments go viral (KUTV) After Texas shooting, Utah lawmaker proposes raising minimum age for buying a gun (KUTV) Mitt Romney received $0 from the NRA during his 2018 senate campaign, not millions (Salt Lake Tribune) Two elections for one Utah House seat, less than a month apart (Fox13) Curtis, Moore, Owens, Romney â but not Lee â among Utah politicians blacklisted from Russia (Deseret News) What Mitt Romney says about gun laws in wake of Texas school shooting (Deseret News) Jay Evensen: Texas politicians, like most Americans, retreated quickly to their partisan foxholes on Wednesday. The parents of children killed in Uvalde on Tuesday deserve so much more (Deseret News) Education Ogden attack caught on video raises questions about punishments for bullies (KUTV) State legislature continues to fund mental health resources for Utah schools (KUTV) State safety specialist calls Utah schools 'generally safe spaces' (KUTV) How Utah schools handle threats (ABC4) Too many texts: Cellphone experiment shows impact on learning (KSL) First period product dispensers installed in Utah school (ABC4) West Valley students get a glimpse into their professional dreams (KSL) Granite School District discusses safety after Texas shooting (Fox13) Utah parents explore homeschooling after deadly Texas school shooting (Fox13) UEA President on Texas school shooting: âWe cannot accept this as the world that we live inâ (KSL TV) âThereâs an overall feeling of powerlessness,â how Utahns can help Uvalde victims (KSL TV) Many Utah schools werenât built with security threats in mind, but renovations are costly (KSL TV) Environment $250 million in federal money is coming to help Utah, other states plug pollution from leaky wells. Moab oil and gas wells long abandoned will be plugged (Deseret News) Patrice Arent: Putting new gravel pits next to densely populated areas will worsen our air quality (Salt Lake Tribune) Family Mother of Sandy Hook shooting victim is 'brokenhearted all over again' after Texas massacre (KSL) Why â and how â parents should manage their anxiety after school shootings (Deseret News) How this Utah doctor suggests talking to your kids about a school shooting (Salt Lake Tribune) Health How a community can address mental health, questions amid mass shootings (KSL) 2 Utah children treated for hepatitis; no known cause (Fox13) CDC confirms two Salt Lake County monkeypox cases, officials say (Deseret News) National Headlines General Paris: Ex-leader of Louvre charged with money laundering (AP) Female CEOâs pay rose 26% in 2021, but ranks remain small (AP) U.S. weekly jobless claims fall; first-quarter economic contraction confirmed (Reuters) High inflation will persist into next year, CBO projects. A new report also showed the federal deficit falling this year as covid aid expired (Washington Post) Long-hidden ancient pyramids, settlements discovered in remote Amazon region. Archaeologists using laser technology discovered settlements built by the Casarabe culture at least six centuries ago (Wall Street Journal) Politics 'Trump picked this fight': Why heavyweight Republicans no longer fear Trump. Bold-face GOP names have never been so comfortable crossing Trump as in recent weeks. (Politico) Patty Davis: How Ronald Reagan grappled with abortion (Salt Lake Tribune) The NRA announced that firearms and weapons of any kind will not be allowed at Trumpâs speech during its forum on Friday (Deseret News) EXPLAINER: What Turkeyâs Erdogan could gain in NATO debate (AP) Board may find Michigan GOP governor candidates ineligible after they failed to file enough signatures (AP) Jan. 6 panel is told that Trump indicated support for hanging Pence during insurrection (Washington Post) Senate Republicans poised to block bill intended to combat domestic terrorism (Washington Post) In Republican midterm election ads, images of guns have become a visual shorthand for hard-core conservatism. (New York Times) Georgia deals critical blow to Trumpâs kingmaker status (The Hill) Uvalde False claims started to spread online shortly after the killings. Here are three viral rumors, debunked. (New York Times) A grisly checklist and a sickening rampage: Inside the Uvalde massacre (Washington Post) Beto OâRourke interrupts briefing, echoing US debate on guns (AP) Beto O'Rourke heckles Texas leaders at shooting news conference (Reuters) While the gun control debate amplifies, the overwhelming emotion in Uvalde is grief (NPR) As Uvalde grieves, thousands gather for prayer vigil (Wall Street Journal) What New Zealandâs Prime Minister said about the Texas school shooting (Deseret News) Horrifying. The Uvalde school massacre reportedly lasted at least 40 minutes (NPR) For five years, they were co-teachers. Then they were gunned down. (Washington Post) Robb Elementary had security. It didnât stop a massacre. (Politico) Ukraine ðºð¦ Portugal approves sale of Chelsea by Abramovich (AP) Ukraine savages idea of concessions to end war, evokes appeasement of Nazis (Reuters) Ukraine health emergency sparks rival resolutions at WHO assembly - one from the World Health Organization, one from Russia (Reuters) As Russian forces retreated, mock executions and beatings increased in Ukraine (Wall Street Journal) Russian forces expand Donbas assault, heavy losses on both sides (Wall Street Journal) | | |
News Releases Gov. Cox orders flags to be lowered in honor of the victims who lost their lives in the Uvalde school shooting Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox has authorized the lowering of the flag of the United States of America and the flag of the state of Utah on all state facilities in accordance with President Joe Bidenâs proclamation honoring the victims who lost their lives in Uvalde, Texas. Flags should be lowered to the half-staff position immediately and return to full-staff at sunset on Saturday, May 28, 2022. (Read More) Larkin Mortuary to host Memorial Day program with Congressman Stewart Larkin Mortuary will host its annual Memorial Day Program on Monday, May 30, 2022 at 10:00 am at Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road in Sandy. The featured speaker will be U.S. Congressman, Chris Stewart, along with the Hill Air Force Honor Guard, Minuteman Brass Quintet, Alta High School Madrigals, and the Utah Firefighters Emerald Society. (Read More) Office of the State Auditor releases high school graduation rates dashboard With graduations happening across Utah, the Office of the State Auditor (Office) today announces the release of its High School Graduation Rates Dashboard as part of the Officeâs Project KIDS. These dashboards are intended to provide insights for the public, education officials, teachers, parents and decision makers into high school graduation rates across the state. Statewide graduation rates have risen from 83% to 88% between 2014 and 2021. (Read More) At Senate hearing, Romney introduces nominee to be U.S. Ambassador to Kenya U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) introduced Meg Whitman, nominee to be U.S. Ambassador to Kenya, at her nomination hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. It is my great honor today to introduce Meg Whitman to the committee and offer my full support for her nomination to serve as our nationâs next Ambassador to Kenya. Iâve known Meg for more than 40 years. We first met at Bain and Company early in her career. Throughout these past four decades, Iâve watched Meg build an extraordinary career.... (Read/Watch More) Romney, colleagues urge Biden to swiftly advance NATO applications for Sweden and Finland U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) today joined his colleagues, led by Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation and co-chair of the Senate NATO Observer Group, and Senate NATO Observer Group co-chair, Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), in a letter to President Biden urging him to expedite the Executive Branchâs process to advance Sweden and Finlandâs applications for NATO membership and pledging to work with the Administration to ensure swift ratification of the Washington Treaty. (Read More) Lee amendments push for American energy
Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) and other Republican members of the Senate Commerce Committee offered over 70 amendments to a bill further regulating American energy companies. While Lee introduced dozens of amendments, those that Lee offered for votes focused on reversing the Biden Administrationâs moratorium on energy leases on federal land and countering a proposed SEC rule targeting energy producers with sweeping Environmental Social Governance (ESG) criteria obligations. Gas prices in Utah and across the United States are currently at historic highs. Democrats led by Chair Maria Cantwell (D-WA) objected to the amendments. Sen. Leeâs efforts to overturn Chair Cantwellâs rulings against the amendment were defeated on party-line, 14-14 votes. (Read More) Mason Baker appointed as UAMPS CEO/General Manager Mason Baker has been appointed as the new chief executive officer and general manager of Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems (UAMPS) by the UAMPS board of directors. The appointment is effective January 1, 2023. Baker will replace Douglas Hunter, who will retire at the end of this year after 27 years as CEO/general manager and a total of 39 years with the association. Baker joined UAMPS in 2011 as Chief Legal Office & General Counsel and has spent the last 11 years involved in every aspect of UAMPSâ operations and its electric generation projects. Besides overseeing all UAMPS legal functions, including oversight of outside attorneys, Baker has played a key role in development of UAMPSâ Carbon Free Power Project (CFPP), which is on track to become the first small modular nuclear reactor project in the country. (Read More)
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Upcoming "Defenders, Bullies & Victims: The Social Ecology of Adolescence" with Diana Meter â June 7, 2022 RSVP here Ballots are mailed â June 7 Primary election day â June 28 General election â Nov 8 | | |
On This Day In History 1647 - Alse Young becomes the first person executed for witchcraft in the American colonies when she is hung in Windsor, Connecticut. 1805 - Lewis and Clark first spot the Rocky Mountains. 1857 - US slave Dred Scott and family freed by owner Henry Taylor Blow, only 3 months after US courts ruled against them in Dred Scott v. Sandford 1868 - President Andrew Johnson acquitted in impeachment trial. 1896 - The first copies of the classic vampire novel Dracula, by Irish writer Bram Stoker, appear in London bookshops. 1924 - President Calvin Coolidge signs into law the Immigration Act of 1924, the most stringent U.S. immigration policy in the nationâs history up to that point. 1927 - Henry Ford and the Ford Motor Company produce the last (and 15th million) Model T Ford 1930 - US Supreme Court rules that buying liquor does not violate the Constitution 1951 - Sally Ride is born. She became the first American woman to go into space in 1983 and the youngest, at age 32. 1972 - US President Richard Nixon and Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev sign SALT accord 1984 - US President Ronald Reagan rules out US military intervention in Iran-Iraq war 2018 - Ireland votes to repeal their 8th amendment to allow legalized abortion, 66.4% vote yes Wise Words "It isn't enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn't enough to believe in it. One must work at it."
â Eleanor Roosevelt Lighter Side Q: What did the vampire say at his high school graduation? A: I would like to fang everyone for supporting me. | | |
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