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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 | April 26, 2024

It's Friday and National Pretzel Day. Here's how to get free ones. It's also Arbor Day!

Happy birthday tomorrow to Sen. Don Ipson and Rep. Rex Shipp! 🎈🎂 🎉

What you need to know

  •  The Utah Republican and Democratic parties are holding their state conventions tomorrow, where delegates will cast their votes for multi-county candidates, statewide candidates and federal candidates, including open seats for U.S. Senate and CD3. Candidates who successfully come out of convention will either be on the primary ballot or the general. Candidates with enough verified signatures will also be on the primary ballot. 

Rapid relevance

 

Drones, E-Bikes and Self-Driving Cars – What’s the future of transportation, and what does it mean for our cities?

Have you ever wondered how advances in transportation will affect our city planning and development? Join Envision Utah at Little America on Thursday, May 16, at 7:45 a.m. to be a part of the conversation on the future of our cities and towns. Tickets are available at envisionutah.org.

 

Utah Headlines

Political news

  • Mitt Romney profiled in YouTube series about inspirational people. Here’s what he says is important (Deseret News)

Election news

  • Republican delegates to vote on who they want to replace Sen. Mitt Romney Saturday (Deseret News)
  • Democrat Brian King running for governor says faith drives his politics (Deseret News)
  • Carson Jorgensen taps Utah Parents United founder as GOP running mate in 2024 gubernatorial race (Salt Lake Tribune)
  • Guest opinion: A vision for Utah: Why I’m running for the US Senate (Standard-Examiner)

Utah news

  • Utah playing crucial role in Biden administration's plan to expand, modernize electrical grid (KSL
  • State Records Committee 'disgusted' by Utah Co. Sheriff's Office withholding Tim Ballard criminal report (Fox13)

Crime/Courts

  • Alleged Utah employee charged with sexual battery after skirt-dispute video goes viral (KSL)
  • Rural jails turn to community health workers to help the newly released succeed (KUER)

Culture

  • For the first time in 15 years, a Utah singer has made the ‘American Idol’ top 10 (Deseret News)
  • Museum collaborates with descendants of Moab internment camp survivors (Fox13)

Education

  • Elder Gerrit W. Gong encourages 7,198 graduates to ‘become their best BYU gospel self’ at university commencement (Deseret News)
  • West Haven teacher a top 10 finalist in America’s Favorite Teacher competition (Standard-Examiner)
  • Colleges are now closing at a pace of one a week. What happens to the students? (Washington Post)

Environment

  • Opinion: Scuttling fossil fuels could harm national security (Deseret News)
  • Done with crowded Wasatch canyons? More trails soon will open on the other side of the valley. (Salt Lake Tribune)
  • Finding fungus: Scientists investigate ‘Valley Fever’ in southern Utah (Fox13)
  • Celebrating the Natural World with Writer Rick Bass (RadioWest)
  • This young environmental advocate’s message to decision-makers: Let teens lead the way (Standard-Examiner)
  • Happy Arbor Day! These 20 books will change the way you think about trees (NPR)

Family

Health

  • New school lunch rules limit sugar for first time (Deseret News)
  • Utah has a youth mental health crisis. Meet the young leaders dedicated to saving their peers’ lives and eliminating stigma. (Salt Lake Tribune)

Housing

  • Family homelessness is a growing problem in Utah. What should be done? (Daily Herald)
 

National Headlines

General

  • Famed explorer wrote a poignant letter to his wife before dying on Mount Everest (Deseret News)
  • Here’s why Harvey Weinstein’s New York rape conviction was tossed and what happens next (AP)
  • These are the countries where TikTok is already banned (AP)
  • Criticism, praise of Texas governor after dramatic use of troopers on protesters (Washington Post)
  • A year later, Florida businesses say the state's immigration law dealt a huge blow. (NPR)
  • Federal judge rejects Trump’s latest bid to drop $83.3M E. Jean Carroll defamation ruling (The Hill)

Political news

  • Net neutrality restored as FCC votes to regulate internet providers (AP)
  • A Ukraine-born congresswoman voted no on aid. Her hometown feels betrayed. (Washington Post)
  • Takeaways from the Supreme Court argument on Trump’s immunity claim (Washington Post)
  • McConnell argues against presidential immunity for criminal prosecution (The Hill)
  • Republican Jewish Coalition takes on GOP who voted against Israel aid (Washington Post)
  • DeSantis: Florida ‘will not comply’ with new Biden Title IX rules (The Hill)
  • Alito reignites fetal rights debate in Idaho abortion case (The Hill)

Election news

  • Melania Trump unlikely to have heavy presence on campaign trail (The Hill)
  • Can an independent candidate like RFK Jr. win the presidency? (Washington Post)

Ukraine 🇺🇦

  • In western Ukraine, a community wrestles with patriotism or survival (New York Times)
  • Ukraine pulls US-provided Abrams tanks from the front lines over Russian drone threats (AP)

Israel and Gaza

  • Premature baby girl rescued from her dead mother’s womb dies in Gaza after 5 days in an incubator (AP)
  • José Andrés mourns World Central Kitchen workers during National Cathedral service (Politico)

World news

  • Refugee planet. The precarious state of displaced people around the world (Deseret News)
  • Ferrying voting machines to mountains and tropical areas in Indian elections is a Herculean task (AP)
 

Number of the Day 

Number of the Day, April 26, 2024

 

News Releases

Rep. Maloy hosts veterans roundtable in southern Utah with Army veteran, Rep. Miller-Meeks

Today, Congresswoman Celeste Maloy (R-UT) hosted a Veterans Roundtable alongside Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) at the Southern Utah Veterans Home in Ivins, UT. The Roundtable discussion brought together local veterans’ organizations, state and federal agencies, and dozens of veterans from Southern Utah. Congresswoman Miller-Meeks shared her experience as a U.S. Army veteran and member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

“Representative Maloy is a workhorse, not a show horse. She isn’t endlessly self-promoting herself, she’s behind the scenes getting the job done. And for those of you in the military, let me tell you: She’s got your six. You know what that means,” said Rep. Miller-Meeks. (Read More)


Clark D. Ivory honored as 45th Giant in our City

The Salt Lake Chamber honored Clark D. Ivory, CEO of Ivory Homes, as the 45th Giant in our City on April 25, 2024. This award, widely recognized as the most prestigious business award in Utah, honors those with exceptional and distinguished service, as well as extraordinary professional achievement. 

In partnership with the Utah Community Builders, the Salt Lake Chamber also recognized Carol Hollowell, executive director of Switchpoint, with the 6th annual Lane Beattie Utah Community Builder Award. This award recognizes an inspirational individual who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to address critical community needs. (Read More)


Hatch Foundation to honor Sen. John Thune (R-SD) with “Titan of Public Service” award

Today, the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation announced that it will recognize Senate Republican Whip John Thune (R-SD) with the “Titan of Public Service” award during a special gala event at Salt Lake City’s Grand America on August 14th.  The award, inspired by the Foundation’s namesake, Senator Orrin G. Hatch, is given to leaders who have shown extraordinary dedication to civic leadership throughout their careers. (Read More)


Sen. Lee endorses Colby Jenkins for CD2

United States Senator Mike Lee announced today that he is enthusiastically endorsing Colby Jenkins for Utah’s 2nd congressional district, issuing the following statement: “Too many Republicans in Congress have voted to expand the size, scope, and cost of the federal government, in many cases deferring to congressional GOP leaders bent on advancing the Democrats’ agenda. Now more than ever we need bold conservatives in Congress." (Read More)


Cyprus High senior named Granite District “Absolutely Incredible Kid”

Granite School District, alongside the Granite Education Foundation and dedicated partners, celebrates the triumph of the human spirit through the “Absolutely Incredible Kid” award. Year after year, this honor recognizes students who defy the odds, surmounting obstacles with unwavering strength to soar in their educational pursuits.

This year’s beacon of inspiration is none other than Kalia Gomez, a remarkable senior from Cyprus High School whose journey embodies the essence of resilience. In the face of profound loss following her mother’s passing in 2022, Kalia found herself navigating uncharted waters, yet she refused to let adversity define her. (Read More)

 

Tweet of the Day

Screenshot 2024-04-26 at 7.35.26 AM

 

Upcoming

  • April 26 — Strengthening Families webinar with Sutherland Institute, 8:00 am-9:30 am, Register here
  • April 26 — YWCA Leader Luncheon, Grand America Hotel, 11:30 am-2:00 pm, Purchase tickets here
  • April 27 — State GOP and Democratic Conventions
  • May 7 â€” Election Trust Forum, UVU, 8:00 am-11:30 am, Register here
  • May 8 — BioHive Live conference, Hale Centre Theatre, Register here
  • May 13-15 — Interim Days
  • May 29 — Northern Utah Conference to End Violence, USU Logan campus,  8:30 am-4:30 pm, Register here
  • June 6 — Bolder Way Forward 2nd Annual Summit, Zions Technology Campus, 9:00 am-2:00 pm, Register here
  • June 18-19 — Interim Days
  • 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 

  • 1777 - Sybil Ludington rides 40 miles on horseback through the night to alert American militia of British attack.
  • 1927 - Anne McLaren is born. She became a leading figure in developmental biology and became a pioneer in human IVF (in vitro fertilization). 
  • 1954 - Polio vaccine trials begin, involving 1.8 million children.
  • 1984 - President Reagan visits China.
  • 1986 - Test triggers the world’s worst nuclear disaster at Chernobyl.
  • 1994 - First day of voting in first ever multi-racial elections in South Africa.

Quote of the Day

“Winning and losing an election, that really doesn’t define who I am. My relationship with my family, my wife, my God, that defines who I am."

—Sen. Mitt Romney


On the Punny Side

What do you get when you plant kisses?

Tu-lips

 

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