It's National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day! ðª; Draper issues state of emergency due to flooding; free admission to any national park today | | | 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 | August 4, 2023 It's Friday and National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day! ðª What You Need to Know Outgoing Rep. Chris Stewart spoke yesterday about his decision to leave Congress after his wife had a stroke last year. âWhen we say we put family first, only a couple times in our lives is that tested,â he said. âAnd thatâs the thing that I think I would like to be remembered for, someone who said he loved his family and would put his family first.â He also talked about the bitter partisan rancor in DC, noting that "at the end of the day, Congress reflects Americans" - and that worries him. But, he is hopeful for the future because "God cares about this country." âWe are the glue that holds the world together,â he said. âIf the United States stumbles, the world crumbles underneath us.â
A sad story out of Provo: A young man collapsed and died after opening his church mission call. Liam Mildenstein was eagerly anticipating his call, hoping it would be to Japan. According to a GoFundMe account set up for him, he 'Liam read his call out loud, and when he read 'Tokyo, Japan' his big heart just gave out. He fell backwards to the floor, and despite the best efforts of medical personnel, he never regained a pulse." Provo police said his death was medical in nature and not suspicious. Rapid Relevance Bangerter Highway closed 'until further notice' as Draper issues state of emergency; free admission to any US national park today; it's Utah Pacific Island Heritage Month; the Pac-12 debacle gets 'Parks and Rec' treatment; Utah equestrian vaulting team wins bronze at international competition and Trump pleads not guilty to latest charges, saying indictment is âpersecutionâ Today on the Hill 10:00 am: Senate Education Confirmation Committee 1:00 pm: Senate Health and Human Services Confirmation Committee 2:00 pm: Senate Judiciary Confirmation Committee | | |
| | Honoring Healthcare Heroes Utah Business and Roseman University of Health Sciences are proud to honor those who have made it their mission to improve the state of health in our state.
Do you know a Healthcare Hero who deserves to be recognized for their contributions to the community? Nominate them here before nominations close on August 14. | | |
Utah Headlines Political news Rep. Chris Stewart on putting family first and why being a GOP Speaker is the âworst job in the universeâ (Deseret News) âCongress reflects Americansâ: Outgoing Utah Rep. Chris Stewart talks partisan extremes, his time in Washington (Salt Lake Tribune) Brad Wilson: Utahâs better way can fix Washingtonâs addiction to debt and spending (Deseret News) GOP challengers split on latest Trump indictment (Deseret News)
Utah lawmakers say police-caused scavenger hunts for your own car âshould endâ after FOX 13 investigation (Fox13) General Utah news A woman escaped a kidnapperâs cell in Oregon. Now police are searching for other victims in Utah (Deseret News) Elder Jeffrey R. Holland hospitalized for observation, âtreatment of ongoing health complicationsâ (Deseret News) Safety reminder issued for City Creek Canyon after uptick in 'accidents, close calls and injuries' (KSL) A man who worked as a federal employee for the Dept. of Homeland Security, in law enforcement as an officer, and as an adjunct professor of criminal justice at Utah Valley University was arrested Thursday night for possessing child porn. (ABC4) Eric Richinsâ family, not Kouri, gets insurance money from Ericâs business, court says (Fox13) Most of Utahâs growth happens in 1% of its square mileage (Salt Lake Tribune) Business Economy adds 187,000 jobs in July, strong but moderating growth (Washington Post) Itâs hard to maintain workplace productivity in the summer. But less vacation time isnât the answer. Studies show that hotter temperatures and more daylight hours can hinder productivity during the summer months (Deseret News) SEC freezes assets of DEBT Box, alleges Utah co. defrauded investors $50 million in crypto asset scheme (Deseret News) Utah crypto âbrokersâ were âshowering themselvesâ in cash from $50M fraud, SEC alleges. The companyâs leaders lied about âvirtually every aspectâ of business, the SEC said (Salt Lake Tribune) Bankruptcy hearing reveals Utah Lake dredging CEO paid himself thousands before stiffing scientist, attorneys and consultants (Salt Lake Tribune) Culture Why middle-aged Americans arenât going back to church (Wall Street Journal) Why former âStudio Câ cast says new movie is the âMonty Python of the Oregon Trailâ (Deseret News) Why is there a 25K-pound shipping container at the top of a Salt Lake pole? (KSL) Clothes for kids with disabilities get better, but teens see a lack of fashionable options (AP) Education Park City School District resolves charges for failing to report sex abuse, promises training (KSL) Utah students take full advantage of STEM internships to plan a career path (KSL TV) Three Utah Congressmen want to expand access to Pell Grants (KSL Newsradio) Utah school board member says comment taken out of context over preserving 'constitutional republic' (KUTV) Canyons School District stocks up supplies for teachers, students in need (Fox13) Environment Monsoon season in Utah: Major thunderstorms, wild weather hit across state (KSL) Opinion: If we want more electric cars, we need more mines (Deseret News) How this July, the worldâs hottest month, broke records across Utah (KUER) Little Cottonwood Canyon climbing routes may be added to the national register of historic places. Can it save them from the gondola? (Salt Lake Tribune) Family How Gov. Coxâs new social media awareness campaign seeks to âempower parentsâ (Deseret News) Empowering single mothers in Utah: uniting communities for stronger support (Cache Valley Daily) Help and resources for single mothers in Utah (KSL Newsradio) A landmark study opens a new possible way for Black Americans to trace their ancestry (NPR) Health Keep the faith: Spirituality can improve mental health, expert says (Deseret News) What pecans and fragrance add to health â and childhood adversity takes away (Deseret News) A âlate summer waveâ of COVID-19. What that means for Utahns (Deseret News) Thousands of Tydemy birth control pills recalled amid FDA efficacy concerns (Washington Post) Housing 45 Utahns buy homes in initial week of $20k assistance program (KSL TV) | | |
National Headlines General A brush with nature: Behemoth shark swims by group in Florida, caught on drone video (KUTV) More Americans say they can never retire (The Hill) âThe Goon Squad': How rogue Mississippi officers tried to cover up their torture of 2 Black men (AP) 2 U.S. Navy sailors charged with providing sensitive military information to China (NPR) Old African American cemetery yields DNA links to 41,000 new ârelativesâ (Washington Post) Politics The Supreme Courtâs âneutralâ stance on religion creates more chaos than clarity (Deseret News) Both expelled members of âTennessee Threeâ win back their state House seats (AP) After his hearing in federal court, Trump calls it a âvery sad day for America.â (AP) Mike Pence certified the 2020 election. It might cost him 2024. Trumpâs supporters have never forgiven the former vice president for his actions on Jan. 6, 2021 (Wall Street Journal) Trump plans to use charges to revisit 2020 election, a fraught topic for GOP. Strategists in both parties agree that having Trump talking about election fraud and Jan. 6 hurts Republicans (Washington Post) Trump has spent millions more than heâs raised in 2023 (Politico) Hunter tried to sell family name but Joe Biden never talked business, says ex-associate (Washington Post) âWhistling past the graveyardâ: Dem fear grows over massive grassroots fundraising hit (Politico) Ukraine ðºð¦ Ukrainian official says drones hit naval ship in Russian port. Itâs the latest attack inside Russia (AP) Chris Christie, a G.O.P. 2024 hopeful, made a surprise visit to Ukraine and met with President Volodymyr Zelensky. (New York Times) World US and UN should impose more sanctions on Sudanese leaders for alleged atrocities, rights group says (AP) China proposes to limit childrenâs smartphone time to a maximum of 2 hours a day (AP) Ethiopia declares Amhara state of emergency following militia clashes (Reuters) Islamic State confirms top leader is dead (Wall Street Journal) Myanmarâs military said it bombed âterrorists.â It killed children. (Washington Post) | | |
| | News Releases Gov. Cox launches new Harms of Social Media public awareness campaign In light of the increasing concerns about social media, Gov. Spencer Cox announced the launch of a new public awareness campaign urging parents to learn about the harms social media has on youth. Starting today, videos and other materials will launch across television, billboards and online, inviting parents and caregivers to learn more about the harms of social media at socialharms.utah.gov (English) or redessociales.utah.gov (Spanish). (Read More) Utah Tacofest announces Kennedy Jr. High after school program as chosen charity for 2023 event The highly anticipated Utah Tacofest has chosen the Kennedy Jr. High After School Program as a chosen charity for the 2023 event. The Fathers & Families Coalition of Utah was also selected. Utah Tacofest 2023 will take place on Saturday & Sunday, August 5th & 6th, from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm at Utah State Fair Park at 155 N 1000 W, Salt Lake City. Attendees can expect a wide variety of mouth-watering tacos, live music, engaging activities, and an overall celebration of the vibrant food culture in Utah. (Read More) Trade Balance art installation unveiled All eyes were looking up today as Utah Governor Spencer Cox and Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall unveiled Salt Lake Cityâs newest public art piece on the west side of Salt Lake City. The event marked the completion of Utahâs largest above-ground art installation, commissioned by J. Steven Price, founder and president of Price Real Estate. (Read More) | | |
Upcoming Interim Days â Aug 7-10, le.utah.gov Municipal election filing period for cities using ranked choice voting â Aug. 8-15 Sutherland Institute Congressional Series with Sen. Mitt Romney â Aug 21, 10:00-11:30 am, Hinckley Institute, U of U Sutherland Institute Congressional Series with Rep. John Curtis â Aug 22, 9:00-10:30 am, Center for Constitutional Studies, UVU Sutherland Institute Congressional Series with Sen. Mike Lee â Aug 22, 3:00-4:30 pm, Hinckley Institute, U of U 'Titan of Public Service' gala recognizing Senator Mitch McConnell and former Transportation and Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, hosted by the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation â Aug. 22, 7 p.m., Register here Legislative Education and Mental Health Coordinating Council â Aug 23, le.utah.gov Sutherland Institute Congressional Series with Rep. Blake Moore â Aug 29, 10:00-11:30 am, Olene S. Walker Institute of Politics & Public Service, Lindquist Hall, Weber State Sutherland Institute Congressional Series with Rep. Burgess Owens â Aug 30, 12:00-1:30 pm, Hinckley Institute, U of U Municipal/Special election primary â Sept. 5 Interim Day â Sept. 18, Utah Tech University, le.utah.gov Interim Day â Oct 10-11, le.utah.gov Interim Day â Nov 14-15, le.utah.gov General election â Nov. 21 | | |
On This Day In History 1790 - The US Coast Guard is established. 1821 - The Saturday Evening Post publishes its first edition. 1870 - Red Cross forms in Britain as the British National Society for Aid to the Sick and Wounded in War. 1890 - Barbara Armstrong is born. A lawyer and the first female law professor at a law school of a major university, she advocated social insurance throughout her career. She is considered the architect of the US Social Security system. 1914 - US proclaims neutrality in WWI 1942 - US and Mexico sign the Mexican Farm Labor Agreement, also known as the Bracero Program. The largest guest worker program in US history, the Bracero program lasted until 1964. 1944 - Anne Frank and her family captured 1955 - Eisenhower authorizes $46 million for construction of CIA headquarters 1961 - Barack Obama is born in Hawaii 1964 - The remains of three slain civil rights workers found in Mississippi. 1977 - President Carter establishes Department of Energy 2020 - Huge explosions at the port of Beirut, Lebanon, kill more than 200 and leave over 6,000 thousand people injured Quote of the Day âThe worst job in the universe is to be a Republican speaker of the House.â âRep. Chris Stewart On the Punny Side A weasel walks into a bar and the bartender says, "Wow! I've never served a weasel before. What can I get you?" "Pop," goes the weasel | | |
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