Guest opinion: Your city, your voice; meet Ariel Defay, Utah's newest Rep.-elect; Walmart making noticeable changes for morning shoppers
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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.

 

Situational Analysis | Nov. 9, 2023

It's Thursday and National Fried Chicken Sandwich Day

What You Need to Know

  • Rep. Blake Moore won a crowded race to become the vice-chair of the Republican conference, replacing now-Speaker Mike Johnson. He prides himself on being an optimist, quick to build bridges and even quicker to get in the weeds on the most pressing policy issues of the day and says that this new role will be helping other members "nail down what message is best for them and their districts and how to go about leveraging the tools that we have to best communicate that message." His leadership spot also grants him a spot on the House Ways and Means Committee, the first Utahn to sit on that powerful committee.
 

Carlos Boozer is back!

Join us December 4 for an exciting evening featuring Carlos Boozer. Hear his captivating story and a lively Q&A session, as well as a memorable photo opportunity. Purchase tickets today.

 

Utah Headlines

Political news

  • Utah Rep. Blake Moore — a ‘rising star’ — wins Republican conference leadership position (Deseret News)
  • Rep. Blake Moore hopes new leadership role will help GOP ‘go out and win the future’ (Deseret News)
  • Meet Ariel Defay, Utah’s newest representative-elect (Deseret News)
  • Video: Mitt Romney confronted by protester asking for cease-fire between Israel, Hamas (KSL)

Election news

  • Gen Z voting turnout could have a big election impact (KSL Newsradio)

Utah news

  • Veterans Day events this week at USU start Thursday (Cache Valley Daily)
  • Free Utah fun for veterans and families on Veteran's Day (Fox13)
  • The Peaks art feature is now open at Salt Lake City International Airport (KSL TV)

Business/Tech

  • Walmart is making noticeable changes in every store for morning shoppers. Here's why (KSL)
  • Why USU’s Space Dynamics Laboratory is sending a telescope to the International Space Station (Salt Lake Tribune)
  • With layoffs hitting Homie, what’s going on with the Utah-based real estate business? (Salt Lake Tribune)

Crime

  • Charges: Utah man put tracking device on estranged wife's car, then killed the man she was with (KSL)
  • Teen in custody after shooting at Antelope Island State Park (KSL)
  • Provo therapist arrested after sexual abuse allegations and standoff with police (KSL TV)

Culture

  • Heber Valley Utah Temple approved. See why the church agreed to dim the lighting (Deseret News)

Education

  • We asked Utah parents if they are satisfied with their neighborhood schools. Here’s what they told us (Deseret News)
  • Charter schools fight for school zone student safety measures (KSL TV)
  • Former east-side elementary to become soccer field, tennis courts for Highland High students (Salt Lake Tribune)
  • Ben Lomond High School in Ogden transports you to Scotland (Fox13)
  • Utah’s test to certify teachers know the science of reading is ‘stronger’ than most (KUER)

Environment

  • Utah just lost an important future energy source. Here’s why (Deseret News)
  • Utah program helps farmers grow crops with less water. Is it helping the Great Salt Lake? (KSL)
  • Construction on 'vital' new southern Utah reservoir now underway (KSL)
  • Utah will get some help in the fight against its national monuments — from Arizona Republicans (Salt Lake Tribune)
  • The $2 million coal mine that might hold a $37 billion treasure. Wyoming discovery could be America’s first new source of rare-earth elements since 1952 (Wall Street Journal)

Family

  • Simple math: 2 parents at home equals more resources for kids (Deseret News)
  • Is marriage an economic proposition? Researcher notes decline of marriage, economic impacts (KSL)

Health

  • Could you be suffering from adrenaline fatigue? (Deseret News)
  • Ultra-processed foods are 60% of the average American diet. Are whole foods the solution? (Deseret News)
  • Winter inversion leads to more heart attacks, Intermountain study says (KSL)
  • More than 60% of Utahns delayed or skipped health care because of cost. Utah has a plan to help. (Salt Lake Tribune)
  • Weight loss drugs transforming healthcare, may help with addiction (Reuters)
 

National Headlines

General

  • Court cites clergy-penitent privilege in dismissing child sex abuse lawsuit against Mormon church (AP)
  • Hunter Biden sues former Overstock.com CEO, Patrick Byrne for defamation (Politico)
  • The man charged in last year’s attack against Nancy Pelosi’s husband goes to trial in San Francisco (AP)
  • Holocaust survivor recalls ‘Night of Broken Glass’ horrors in interactive, virtual reality project (AP)
  • 3 are charged with running sex ring that catered to politicians, military and others (NPR)
  • Colorado funeral home owners arrested following the discovery of 190 decaying bodies (NPR)
  • Transgender people can be baptized Catholic, serve as godparents, Vatican says (Reuters)

Election news

  • What Jon Huntsman Jr. saw at the GOP presidential debate (Deseret News)
  • Republicans address abortion, Israel, Social Security and the border in 3rd debate (Deseret News)
  • GOP candidates hit Trump and back Israel. Here are highlights from the Republican debate (AP)
  • The most memorable lines from the third Republican presidential debate (Washington Post)
  • How presidential elections affect the price of gold (Deseret News)
  • Liberal and moderate candidates take control of school boards in contentious races across US (AP)
  • Abortion-rights supporters rack up victories, putting GOP in bind for 2024 (Wall Street Journal)

Ukraine 🇺🇦

  • Zelenskyy says Ukraine will hold off elections during wartime (Deseret News)
  • Russia reportedly is using Ukrainian POWs to fight in their homeland on Moscow’s side (AP)
  • Russia steps up efforts to lure Wagner veterans back into Ukraine war (New York Times)
  • Ukrainian forces hold line in shattered eastern town of Avdiivka (Reuters)

Israel 🇮🇱

  • Why is support for Israel lower among Gen Z and millennials? (Deseret News)
  • ‘Nothing is left’: Thousands of Palestinians flee south as Israel steps up Gaza City offensive (KSL Newsradio)
  • Israeli strikes pound Gaza City as ground forces battle Hamas near major hospital (AP)
  • Death toll in Gaza likely ‘higher than is being reported’: US official (The Hill)

World

  • Sudan’s civil war triggers an ‘unimaginable’ humanitarian crisis (Washington Post
  • Groups linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State take root on the coast of West Africa (AP)
 

Number of the Day 

Number of the Day, Nov. 9, 2023

 

Guest opinion: Your city, your vote

by Cameron Diehl

It isn’t a presidential election, but your vote this November will guide how your city will grow and progress for the next two years.

City elections often have low turnout even though city decisions have a high impact on your life. Cities work to ensure your quality of life. When you drive on your neighborhood road, walk on your sidewalk, turn on your tap, flush your toilet, take out your garbage can, play at the park, call 9-1-1, or go to a 4th of July parade, you are connecting with your city.

As the Executive Director of the Utah League of Cities and Towns, I’ve had the honor of interacting with more than 1,500 mayors and council members across the state in our 255 municipalities. From Scofield (population 28) to Salt Lake City (population 200,000+), our mayors and council members today are constantly chatting with their neighbors about the challenges and opportunities we face...

This election has many important questions for cities of all sizes. How do we plan for Utah’s rapid population growth in a way that still fosters a sense of community and maintains an outstanding quality of life? How do we fund infrastructure—water, sewer, roads, sidewalks, streetlights, utilities, and more—in a responsible way? How do we invest in public safety to make sure that our communities remain safe places to live and work? How do we ensure that we have housing, parks, recreational opportunities, transportation options, and educational and employment opportunities for today’s and tomorrow’s residents? How do we build on the good work to date to preserve the Great Salt Lake and to improve air quality?  How do we act locally in our cities in ways that partner with other stakeholders and benefit our region and our state?

You have a say in answering those questions because you can vote! Here’s the silver lining to the delayed election: you have extra time to learn about your candidates! With Thanksgiving approaching, I am thankful for the women and men who sacrifice their time and talents to run for city office and offer to serve. The decisions that occur at City Hall have an impact beyond the city’s boundaries. Your vote matters! (Read More)


News Releases

Congressman Blake Moore elected as Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference

Congressman Blake Moore released the following statement after being elected Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference:

“I decided to run for the role of Vice Chair because I believe that an optimistic, conservative message is how we can best win the future. We have a strong and dynamic conference, and the future of our country depends on us rallying as a team around the policies that help make the American Dream possible for more families. I can’t wait to hit the ground running and work hard to amplify the many amazing voices of our conference alongside Chairwoman Stefanik and the rest of the leadership team.” (Read More)


UAMPS and NuScale Power agree to terminate the Carbon Free Power Project

Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems (UAMPS) and NuScale Power Corporation (NuScale) (NYSE: SMR) announced today that they have mutually agreed to terminate the Carbon Free Power Project (CFPP). Despite significant efforts by both parties to advance the CFPP, it appears unlikely that the project will have enough subscription to continue toward deployment. Therefore, UAMPS and NuScale have mutually determined that ending the project is the most prudent decision for both parties. (Read More)


UVU expands mental healthcare services to students

Utah Valley University (UVU) has expanded its well-being and mental healthcare services to students by partnering with TimelyCare, a free 24/7 virtual comprehensive mental healthcare program designed to support student health. (Read More)

 

Tweet of the Day

Screenshot 2023-11-09 at 7.29.12 AM

 

Upcoming

  • Air quality in Utah's oil country with USU Research Landscapes — Nov. 9, 4:00-5:30 pm, O.C. Tanner HQ, Salt Lake City, RSVP here
  • Interim Day — Nov 14-15, le.utah.gov
  • Celebrating 30 years of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, with the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation — Nov 16, 10 am, MST, Register here
  • General election — Nov. 21
 

On This Day In History 

  • 1851 - Kentucky marshals abduct abolitionist minister Calvin Fairbank from Jeffersonville, Indiana, and take him to Kentucky to stand trial for helping a slave escape.
  • 1856 - The Willie Company arrives in Salt Lake
  • 1862 - US General Ulysses S. Grant issues orders to bar Jews from serving under him
  • 1914 - Hedy Lamarr is born. Recognized as an actress, she was also a pioneer in the field of wireless communication.
  • 1938 - Nazis launch Kristallnacht, or “Night of the Broken Glass." Over 1,000 Jewish synagogues and over 7,500 Jewish businesses were destroyed, 91 Jews were murdered and approximately 30,000 Jewish men were arrested and taken to concentration camps.
  • 1940 -  Neville Chamberlain, British Prime Minister (1937-40), dies of bowel cancer at 71
  • 1965 - The Great Northeast Blackout. One of the biggest power failures in history occurs as all of New York state, portions of seven neighboring states, and parts of eastern Canada are plunged into darkness.
  • 1970 - US Supreme Court refuses to rule on the legality of the Vietnam War
  • 1989 - East Germany opens the Berlin Wall
  • 2020 - US Attorney General William Barr approves federal investigations into voter fraud for the US elections

Quote of the Day

“Let’s focus on how to save as many babies as we can and support as many moms as we can and stop the judgment. We don’t need to divide America over this issue anymore.”

—Nikki Haley


On the Punny Side

Son: *Holding acorn* What’s this?

Me: A tree.

Son: Really?

Me: In a nutshell, yeah.

 

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