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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.

 

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Situational Analysis | June 4, 2024

It's Tuesday and National Cheese Day! 🧀

Happy birthday to Utah Sen. Gregg Buxton and US Sen. Mike Lee 🎈🎂 🎉

What you need to know

  • Utah’s primary election ballots to hit mailboxes beginning today. Republicans will be voting on a number of high-profile statewide and federal races, picking candidates to move forward against Democrats and third-party candidates. Democrats have no statewide primaries but do have county-wide and local races. It’s too late to switch political parties, but if you’re an unaffiliated voter, you can still affiliate as Republican or Democrat before June 18. Ballots must be postmarked by June 24, the day before the primary.

Rapid relevance

On the Hill Today

 

Looking for balance in Utah’s redrock country: the motorized vehicle dilemma

Much of what makes Utah’s redrock country so special is at risk from a dramatic increase in off-road vehicles. There is work underway to strike a balance between ensuring access to trailheads, overlooks, and recreation opportunities, while protecting our wildest places. Learn more.

 

Utah Headlines

Political news

  • Utah alleges TikTok knowingly profits off sexual exploitation of young users in new suit (Deseret News)
  • Supreme Court could limit rulemaking power of federal agencies. What Utahns in Congress have to say (Daily Herald)

Election news

  • 4 Republicans are running for Utah's open Senate seat. Can any of them stand out? (KSL)
  • Ahead of GOP primary, AG candidates talk about Trump verdict and more (Deseret News)
  • Curtis looks forward to building new relationships if he should win the U.S. Senate race (Cache Valley Daily)
  • Voter's guide to the GOP primary candidates for attorney general (KSL)
  • Utah Senate GOP primary voter guide: What to know about Curtis, Staggs, Walton and Wilson (KUER)
  • Utah governor GOP primary voter guide: What to know about Spencer Cox and Phil Lyman (KUER)
  • 1st Congressional GOP primary voter guide: What to know about Paul Miller and Blake Moore (KUER)
  • 2nd Congressional GOP primary voter guide: What to know about Colby Jenkins and Celeste Maloy (KUER)
  • 3rd Congressional GOP primary voter guide: What to know about Bird, Dougall, Kennedy, Lawrence and Peay (KUER)
  • Attorney General GOP primary voter guide: What to know about Derek Brown, Frank Mylar and Rachel Terry (KUER)

Utah news

  • The mysteries of the Wild West — the Utah towns that were abandoned (Deseret News)
  • Katherine Heigl credits living in Utah as the inspiration behind her ‘Mother Nature’ art exhibition (Deseret News)
  • Eight NHL logos trademarked as possible branding for Utah team's inaugural season (KUTV)

Business/Tech

  • Utah’s defense and aerospace industry is booming amid global conflicts (KUER)
  • A study says college grads can’t find jobs. Here’s what they should do (Deseret News)
  • Gail Miller inducted into University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business Hall of Fame (Deseret News)
  • Swig snags Dutch Bros Coffee exec as it eyes nationwide expansion (KSL)
  • Utah's new 'flagship' liquor store features 37 refrigerator doors, 2 stories and interesting history (KSL)
  • Musk’s X is allowing users to post consensual adult content (AP)

Crime/Courts

  • Utah wife, mom shares positive side of federal prison (Fox13)
  • Epoch Times executive accused of laundering $67 million (New York Times)
  • Kane county commissioner and former wildlife official investigated for alleged big game baiting (Salt Lake Tribune)

Culture

  • For National Doughnut Day on Friday, Krispy Kreme is giving out free doughnuts and $2 dozens (Deseret News)
  • Princess power: ‘Tuacahn’s Tiara Takeover’ breaks world record, official says (St. George News)

Education

  • Nonprofit seeks to reduce student lunch debt with Rockin’ Ogden benefit concert (Standard-Examiner)
  • Harvard’s largest faculty division will no longer require diversity statements (New York Times)

Environment

  • Feds designate 4 new national trails, including 1 in Utah (KSL)
  • Drought-prone southern Utah county lands $20.5 million grant to help build water-reuse system. The cash infusion is coming courtesy of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed in November of 2021. (Salt Lake Tribune)

Family

  • Making the most of this summer with children (Deseret News)
  • Robert P. George: Why I’m celebrating fidelity to God, family and country this month (Deseret News)

Health

  • Mediterranean diet linked to a 23% lower risk of death for women. Brigham and Women’s Hospital study followed 25,000 women for 25 years (Deseret News)
  • Nearly a thousand fewer doctors applied to come to Utah this year. The state’s abortion rules may be to blame. (Salt Lake Tribune)
  • Research finds significant racial disparities in Medicaid re-enrollment (New York Times)
  • How a son's quest to help his mom led to stronger memories (Deseret News)
 

National Headlines

General

  • A couple fishing in New York pulled up a safe with $100,000 inside (Deseret News)
  • How reporters covered the D-Day landings and lost a photographer in the battle for Normandy (AP)
  • Hawaii’s Kilauea erupts again in a remote area (AP)
  • Battlefield medicine has come a long way. But that progress could be lost (NPR)
  • Massive melon-size hail could be a Texas record (Washington Post)

Political news

  • Lisa Halverson: Government is ‘the last great experiment for promoting human happiness’ (Deseret News)
  • Congressman’s son steals show on House floor, hamming it up for cameras (AP)
  • The Kansas Supreme Court has ruled that voting is not a fundamental right. (AP)
  • Biden and Trump share a faith in import tariffs, despite inflation risks (Washington Post)
  • Biden expected to announce new asylum restrictions at border (Washington Post)
  • Merrick Garland, three special counsels and a Justice Department under fire (Wall Street Journal)
  • GOP chair reprimands Greene for refusing to call Fauci ‘doctor’ (The Hill)

Election news

  • Sen  Bob Menendez of New Jersey to seek independent reelection bid amid federal corruption trial (AP)
  • Biden rips ‘convicted felon’ Trump, says ‘something snapped in him’ (The Hill)
  • Trump urges Supreme Court to act before his sentencing (The Hill)

Ukraine 🇺🇦

  • Russia warns US of ‘fatal consequences’ over miscalculations in Ukraine (Politico)

Israel and Gaza

  • Israel’s seizure of Gaza border zone strains ties with Egypt (New York Times)

World news

  • Why — and how — some Greek villagers walk on fire each spring (Deseret News)
  • Security tight in China and Hong Kong on Tiananmen crackdown anniversary (Reuters)
  • US veterans get heroes' welcome in France ahead of D-Day anniversary (Reuters)
 

Number of the Day 

Number of the Day, June 4, 2024

 

News Releases

Utah sues TikTok for raking in millions from virtual strip clubs involving minors

Utah Governor Spencer Cox and Attorney General Sean Reyes announced a lawsuit today that alleges TikTok Inc. has consciously allowed young people to be sexually exploited on the TikTok platform in exchange for money. The suit contends that a live streaming feature on the TikTok app, called TikTok LIVE, lets adult users give TikTok currency to young users in exchange for sexual solicitation and exploitation while the company takes a cut of each payment. (Read More)


Rep. Moore introduces bicameral legislation to deter Chinese aggression against Taiwan

Congressman Blake Moore (R-UT) introduced the Deterring Economic Aggression Through Retaliation (DETER) Act, a bicameral piece of legislation with Senator James Lankford (R-OK) to counter the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) aggressive behavior and use economic leverage to prevent an invasion of Taiwan. (Read More)


Crystal Bayat Foundation rebrands as Hope for Her International

The Crystal Bayat Foundation, a prominent, refugee-led nonprofit  dedicated to empowering women worldwide through education, micro-business, and health support,  announced today its rebranding as Hope for Her International. This change reflects the organization’s  expanded mission to provide comprehensive support and protection to women and girls globally. As  part of the rebranding effort, Hope for Her International has launched a new website, enhanced support  programs and new corresponding fundraising campaigns. (Read More)


Mayor Wilson praises Salt Lake County’s fiscal strength and new programs

Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson will address the county council on Tuesday, June 4th, at 10:45 am, to discuss annual budget adjustments. The request follows budget and cost-cutting efforts last fall. Now, Mayor Wilson is proud to announce that, thanks to good management, structural balance has been achieved. It’s time to restore service levels. Mayor Wilson, acknowledging the benefits of prudent financial decisions, will encourage the council to release previously restricted funds to restore essential services to their former levels. (Read More)


Gov. Spencer Cox appoints Jeff Buhman to the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole

Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox has appointed Jeff Buhman as a pro tempore member of the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole. Appointments require approval by the Utah Senate. 

Buhman currently serves as the executive director for the Statewide Association of Prosecutors and Public Attorneys of Utah. He is a partner at Partner, Buhman & Waldron, P.C. Previously, he served as county attorney for Utah County and as a deputy county attorney in the Utah County and Washington County Attorney’s Offices. Since 1997, Buhman has served as a colonel in the Utah Army National Guard. (Read More)

 

Tweet of the Day

Screenshot 2024-06-04 at 6.45.34 AM

 

Upcoming

  • June 5 — Farewell party for Martha Hughes Cannon (at least her statue), South steps, Utah Capitol, 5 pm - 8 pm
  • June 6 — Bolder Way Forward 2nd Annual Summit, Zions Technology Campus, 9:00 am-2:00 pm, Register here
  • June 18-19 — Interim Days
  • June 25 — Primary Election Day
  • August 14 â€” Hatch Foundation "Titan of Public Service" recognizing Sen. John Thune, Grand America
  • August 20-21 — Interim Days
  • September 17-18 — Interim Days
  • October 15-16 — Interim Day
  • November 19-20 — Interim Days
 

On This Day In History 

  • 1070 - Roquefort cheese created in a cave near Roquefort, France
  • 1784 - Élisabeth Thible became the first woman to fly in an untethered hot air balloon. Her flight covers four kilometres in 45 minutes, and reached an estimated 1,500 metres altitude.
  • 1913 - English suffragette Emily Davison dies after throwing herself in front of King George V's horse Anmer during the running of the Derby at Epsom
  • 1919 - Congress passes the 19th Amendment
  • 1940 - Winston Churchill's speech "We shall fight on the seas and oceans"
  • 1942 - Battle of Midway begins
  • 1949 - Georgia Neese Clark is nominated as the first female treasurer of the US. She was confirmed unanimously.
  • 1989 - Tiananmen Square Massacre as Chinese troops begin firing on protesters, killing an estimated 1000. Even Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev declared that he was saddened by the events in China.
  • 2018 - Saudi Arabia issued its first driver licenses to women

Quote of the Day

"Service really helps with our mental health. It helps with connection and belonging and coming together and building community."

—First lady Abby Cox


On the Punny Side

I bought some new electric garden trimmers.

They’re cutting-hedge technology.

 

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