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🌅 Good morning!

It was a busy Friday in the politics world.

Here are three stories that can help inform you on the latest in Utah and national politics:

Gov. Spencer Cox calls on Trump administration to remove ICE obstacles to deportation
To rebuild trust, Utah’s next attorney general wants to take his office down to the studs
Mike Johnson was reelected as House speaker. All four Utah representatives support him

🗳️ The biggest story in Utah politics news on Friday was that the newest senator representing Utah was sworn into office. We have more on that story below.

New Utah Sen. John Curtis says he’ll enact Trump’s agenda while upholding ‘pioneer values’

Sen. John Curtis took the oath of office Friday, saying, "Today, we start this new beginning."

Curtis replaced the seat formerly held by outgoing Sen. Mitt Romney. Romney was in attendance of the swearing-in ceremony, along with Sen. Mike Lee, Sen. Ted Cruz and other notable senators.

Here's what we know about Sen. Curtis:

He spent three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Curtis served as the mayor of Provo from 2009 to 2016.
During a press conference, Curtis said he plans to enact President-elect Donald Trump's legislative priorities while upholding "pioneer values."
Other priorities he mentioned include: deficit spending, Social Security, climate, energy and "holding China in check."

“You will see me supporting and working to ensure President Trump’s priorities — of things like fixing the economy, inflation, securing the border, keeping America strong — are all realized and important,” Curtis said.

He also said he's held meetings with several of Trump's nominees for key administration positions and said he believes the Senate should "move quickly" on their confirmation hearings.

Read more about Curtis' plans and priorities for his time in the Senate.

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Majority of Utahns favor downtown SLC redevelopment project, according to new poll

A new survey revealed a swath of Utahns support the proposed downtown sports and entertainment district that requires redevelopment of the area.

Here are the results to this poll question:

Salt Lake City is moving forward with its plan to establish a downtown sports entertainment zone, including renovations to accommodate Utah's new NHL hockey team. Do you support or oppose this plan?

21% of Utah poll respondents said they strongly support the plan
42% said they somewhat support it
7% said strongly oppose
12% said they somewhat oppose the plan
18% said they don't know

What's happening in downtown Salt Lake City?

The agreement signed by Salt Lake City and the Smith Entertainment Group would redevelop a three-block area of downtown. SEG said it plans on investing $3 billion into the project, and that it would involve reconfiguring the Delta Center entrance and updating the space between 300 West and North Temple.

Will the plan include an increase in taxes?

Yes. Dennis Romboy reported that "The tax hike — going to 8.25% from 7.75% — is anticipated to generate $1.2 billion over the 30-year life of the participation agreement, $900 million of which would go to SEG."

Read more about the results from the poll.

More in Utah

Mild to wild: Record warmth forecast in Utah Friday before the next snowstorm (KSL)
Arson suspect killed by police from 6 agencies after long chase, firing at officers (KSL)
Utah school boards want lawmakers to pump the brakes on education bills in 2025 (KUER)
How Laarni Hernando co-founded Tonkotsu Ramen Bar (Utah Business)
Skiers lambast Park City experience as patrol strike continues (Axios)
This St. George Mexican restaurant just celebrated 50 years of flavor, family and friendship (St George News)
Ruth and Nathan Hale Theater ready to debut in Pleasant Grove with musical story of hope for future (Daily Herald)

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Health

U.S. Surgeon General wants cancer warnings on alcohol (Deseret News)
5 science-backed ways to live a longer life (Healthline)

Faith

📺 Video: Broadway’s Ruthie Ann Miles and actor Dennis Haysbert talk about performing with The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square (Church News)
The faith of Jimmy Carter (Valley News)

The Nation and the World

Judge orders Trump to be sentenced in hush money case on Jan. 10, but says he won't be incarcerated (NBC News)
US fines JetBlue $2 million for 'chronic' flight delays on several East Coast routes (ABC News)

Sports

Carly Dockendorf is making changes in Year 2 leading Utah gymnastics (Deseret News)
How could the NCAA’s new junior college eligibility waiver affect Utah football? (Deseret News)
U.S. District Court issues preliminary injunction regarding UHSAA’s F-1 student visa rule. Here’s what it means (Deseret News)

Entertainment

‘Captain America,’ ‘Paddington in Peru’ and other new movies coming to theaters in Winter 2025 (Deseret News)

🗓️ Events Calendar

We are still putting together January's calendar. We will hopefully have it ready by early next week!

Here are some highlights for events in Utah today:

Winter Farmers Market | The Gateway
Monster Jam Salt Lake City | Delta Center
Festival City Farmers Market | Cedar City
U of U men's basketball vs. Texas Tech | 5 p.m.
USU men's basketball vs. Fresno State | 7 p.m.
UVU men's basketball vs. Abilene Christian | 2 p.m.
UVU wrestling vs. California Baptist | 6 p.m.
SUU women's basketball vs. Grand Canyon University | 2 p.m.

Please reach out to me at sgambles@deseretnews.com if you have any thoughts, feedback or ideas you would like to share!

✨ Cheers ✨

— Gambles