90 Utahns filed for office yesterday; exchange student in UT extorted for weeks before cyber-kidnapping; Harvard pres Claudine Gay resigns | | | 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 | Jan. 3, 2024 Today is Wednesday and Fruitcake Toss Day! Top of Mind Today The 2024 cycle has officially begun, with 90 people filing for office yesterday and more announcing they would be. In the U.S. Senate race, Mayor Trent Staggs and former Speaker Brad Wilson will be joined by a number of others, including the son of the late Orrin Hatch and Congressman John Curtis. Congressman Curtis's decision leaves an open seat in the 3rd Congressional district, where Utah Sen. Mike Kennedy is planning to run and former Utah County GOP chair is running, among others.
Not running for reelection for their current office this year are John Dougall as state auditor, Sean Reyes as attorney general, Reps Dan Johnson, Robert Spendlove, Phil Lyman (running for governor), Mark Wheatley, Brian King (running for governor) and Judy Weeks-Rohner (running for Senate). More to come. On the Hill Today 4:30 pm: Senate floor time | | |
| | Carlos Boozer is back! Join us Jan. 31 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 Ben Nadolski inaugurated as Ogden's new mayor; transparency and trust will be key focuses (KSL) Utah, other states, start offering health insurance to immigrants who donât have documentation (Salt Lake Tribune) SLCâs newest City Council member has a message for the Utah Jazz (Salt Lake Tribune) Local legislator, Rep. Dan Johnson, taken to hospital after a medical episode just before scheduled radio interview (Cache Valley Daily) Election news Former Utah County Republican Party Chairman Stewart Peay announces bid for Utahâs 3rd Congressional District (Deseret News) Wilson, Staggs make Senate runs official, say their messages wonât change as Curtis enters the race to replace Romney (Deseret News) Major candidate steps into the race to replace Mitt Romney (Salt Lake Tribune) Brent Hatch, Orrinâs son, joins Senate race to replace Mitt Romney (Deseret News) John Dougall not running for reelection as Utahâs state auditor (Deseret News) Utah news Police ID man found dead inside airplane engine at Salt Lake City International Airport (Deseret News) Rabbis asked to take down Jewish pride signs at Utah Jazz game (KSL TV) Utahâs Hogle Zoo welcomes deadliest cat on the planet, the black-footed cat (ABC4) Business/Tech âCreative destructionâ: How startups and failures fuel growth and innovation in Utah (Deseret News) Crime/Courts What is âcyber kidnappingâ and what can you do to stay safe online? (Deseret News) Police: Exchange student believed family was in danger; how to keep your family safe (KSL TV) Foreign exchange student was extorted for more than a month before cyber kidnapping (Fox13) Culture Friendship, faith and a New Yearâs resolution (Deseret News) Giving Machines in 2023: âMiracles, and this is not hyperbole, every dayâ (Deseret News) Education Former University of Utah President David P. Gardner dies at 90 (Deseret News) Environment The Salton Sea shows why Utah should pay attention to Great Salt Lakeâs stench (Deseret News) Great Salt Lake managers holding out hope following slow start to winter snowfall (KSL Newsradio) Family What family policies would experts like to see in 2024? (Deseret News) Health Hypochondria can actually increase the risk of death, per new study (Deseret News) Some hospitals impose mask mandates as respiratory illnesses increase (Deseret News) | | |
National Headlines General A former clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses must pay $260,000 in fees and costs, a judge rules (AP) Harvard president Claudine Gay resigns amid plagiarism claims, backlash from antisemitism testimony (AP) Native Hawaiian salt makers combat climate change and pollution to protect a sacred tradition (AP) US to reopen border crossings as illegal immigration drops (Reuters) Americans Are Canceling More of Their Streaming Services (Wall Street Journal) Inflation is fading. Will that last? (New York Times) Texas doctors do not need to perform emergency abortions, court rules (Washington Post) Political news U.S. prosecutors allege Sen. Bob Menendez used his position to benefit Qatar (Deseret News) US national debt hits record $34 trillion as Congress gears up for funding fight (AP) Trumpâs Most Ambitious Argument in His Bid for âAbsolute Immunityâ (New York Times) The limits of Trumpâs Jan. 6 revisionism (Washington Post) House GOP majority to shrink to 2 with Ohio lawmakerâs early resignation (The Hill) Voter data expert hired by Trump campaign says 2020 election was not stolen (The Hill) Election news Biden campaign running 'like the fate of our democracy depends on it' (NPR) Biden to sharpen attack on Trump in Jan. 6 anniversary speech (Reuters) Trump appeals disqualification from Maine primary ballot (Reuters) Ramaswamy is still sprinting across Iowa, while his polling barely moves (New York Times) Ukraine ðºð¦ Russian missiles hit Ukrainian cities, killing 5 and injuring at least 130, Kyiv officials say (AP) A Ukrainian Photographer on the Horrorâand the Normalityâof Covering a War at Home (Wall Street Journal) Israel ð®ð± Apparent Israeli strike kills senior Hamas figure in Beirut and raises fears conflict could expand (AP) World news Iran says at least 25 people killed, 40 wounded in blasts at ceremony honoring slain general (AP) Dozens killed in 'terrorist attacks' near tomb of Iranian Guards' Soleimani (Reuters) Planes collide and catch fire at Japanâs busy Haneda airport, killing 5. Hundreds evacuated safely (AP) A world champion Australian cyclist has died after being hit by a car. Police arrested her husband (NPR) China Is Pressing Women to Have More Babies. Many Are Saying No. (Wall Street Journal) | | |
| | News Releases John Curtis announces run for U.S. Senate in 2024 U.S. Representative John Curtis announced today his candidacy for Utahâs open U.S. Senate seat in the 2024 election. âAs a father and grandfather, I care deeply about Utahâs future. Thatâs why today Iâm announcing my candidacy for U.S. Senate,â said Curtis. âWe need to get America back on track and as your Senator, I will keep fighting reckless spending in both parties and work hard every day to make Utah an even better place.â (Read More) Stewart Peay announces campaign for Congress Today, former Utah County Republican Party Chairman Stewart Peay filed his candidacy to represent Utahâs 3rd Congressional District. The 12-year Utah Army National Guard veteran, who served 12 months overseas during Operation Iraqi Freedom, seeks to replace Representative John Curtis who is expected to run for U.S. Senate. âThe challenges that our country faces, both at home and abroad, must be dealt with now,â said Peay. âThe Utah values on which I was raised â where hard work is rewarded and families are respected â need to be protected from Biden, Bernie and big government bureaucracy that seeks to change the character of a nation that has inspired generations.â (Read More) Heidi Balderree announces reelection bid for Utah Senate District 22 Senator Heidi Balderree, a dedicated advocate for conservative values and legislative reform, has declared her intention to seek re-election for Utah Senate District 22. With a background in community engagement, education, and policy advancement, Balderree brings a wealth of experience to her re-election campaign. (Read More) Republican Rachelle Morris files to run for Salt Lake County Council Rachelle Morris is running for the At-Large C seat on the Salt Lake County Council. Rachelle is a lifelong Republican, a dynamic collaborative leader in the private sector, and is committed to making sure county government works for every resident of Salt Lake County... A graduate of BYU, Rachelle has an extensive career in managing capital and is currently a managing director at RevRoad Capital, which recently set a record for the largest debut early stage venture fund raised in Utah state history. Together with her partners, Morris directs tens of millions of dollars to fund the entrepreneurs who power our economy. She has a strong track record of producing tangible and positive results and will utilize her private sector experience on the County Council, bringing real and positive results to the people of Salt Lake County. (Read More) State Auditor John Dougall announces he will not seek reelection State Auditor John âFrugalâ Dougall today announces that he will not seek re-election. Auditor Dougall has led the Office of the State Auditor since January 2013. He will complete his third term on January 5, 2025. (Read More) | | |
Upcoming Jan. 2-Jan. 8 â Candidate filing period Jan. 12 â Utah economic outlook & public policy summit, 8:30 am - 1:30 pm, Grand America Hotel. Register here Jan. 16 â Legislative session begins Mar. 1 â Legislative session ends Mar. 5 â Caucus night | | |
On This Day In History 1431 - Joan of Arc transferred to the custody of English bishop, Pierre Cauchon to begin trial. 1521 - Martin Luther is excommunicated from the Catholic church 1624 - First child of African descent is born in the colonies 1793 - Lucretia Mott, womenâs right pioneer, is born 1879 - Grace Anna Goodhue is born. She was teaching at the Clarke School for the Deaf when she met and married Calvin Coolidge in 1904. She later became the nationâs 32nd First Lady. 1892 - J.R.R. Tolkein is born. 1925 - Benito Mussolini declares himself dictator of Italy. 1938 - Franklin D. Roosevelt founded the March of Dimes. 1949 - Margaret Chase Smith (R-Maine) starts her tenure in the Senate, where she stays until 1973. She became the first woman to serve in both the House and Senate, having served in the House from 1940-1949. 1953 - Mother and son serve simultaneously in the U.S. Congress, Frances P. Bolton and Oliver Bolton. 1993 - In Moscow, the Start II arms reduction treaty is signed by George H. W. Bush and Boris Yeltsin 1994 - Steve Young of the San Francisco 49ers becomes first quarterback to win 3 straight NFL passing titles despite a 37-34 OT loss to the Philadelphia Eagles; first to lodge 3 consecutive passer ratings of 100+ Quote of the Day "We too often bind ourselves by authorities rather than by the truth."
âLucretia Mott On the Punny Side Last week I was bored, so I decided to swap around the labels on my wife's spice rack. So far, she hasn't noticed. Mark my words though, the thyme is cumin. | | |
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