text/html; charset=utf-8

With thanks to our sponsor

Good morning. Today’s temperatures:

Salt Lake City: 53 - 75°
St. George: 53 - 83°
Logan: 38 - 66°

Last week I experienced seasonal allergies in a big way for the first time — I know, I'm lucky I haven’t had my life upended by them before. Here’s some great advice on how to prepare for allergies. I’m hoping it’s not too late for me.

Also on our mind today: The latest update on the Lori Vallow Daybell trial, the “Libs of TikTok” and what “American Idol” judges are saying about a singer unexpectedly dropping out.

Sen. Mike Lee breaks his silence about White House text messages

In his first interview since CNN last week revealed dozens of his texts to then-White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, Sen. Mike Lee says the messages he sent after the 2020 election don’t signal advocacy for overturning the results in favor of Donald Trump.

Was the 2020 election fair?

Asked Wednesday if President Joe Biden was elected in a free and fair election, Lee said: “President Biden is the president of the United States. ... We know that he is the president of the United States because the Electoral College met on Dec. 14 and then cast electoral votes. Those electoral votes signaled the victory for President Biden.”

Why it matters:

Lee’s two Republican opponents, Becky Edwards and Ally Isom, and independent candidate Evan McMullin have blasted Lee over the text messages and demanded the senator give a full accounting of his role in Trump’s attempt to overturn the 2020 election.

Lee said he doesn’t expect the release of the text messages to hurt his chance for reelection. “I think it was intended to, but I think it will not,” he said.

Read more from Deseret News’ 45-minute phone interview with Lee.

How many Utahns actually support transgender girls sports ban? New poll has answers

More than half of Utahns support a new law passed by the Utah Legislature that prohibits transgender girls from competing in female school sports, according to a new Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics poll.

But less than half of the women polled said they support the legislation. Some lawmakers said they voted for the legislation to protect their daughters.

According to the poll:

54% support the law, while 39% oppose it.
61% of men support the law, compared to 47% of women.
46% of women oppose the law.
59% of those who identify as “very active” members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints support the law.
83% of those who identify as "very liberal" were strongly opposed.
76% of those who identify as "very conservative" were strongly in favor.

More in Politics

Cox orders another emergency declaration over Utah's drought situation (KSL.com)
Are we headed for a recession? Mitt Romney says it’s not out of the question (Deseret News)
Bethany Mandel: The story that’s not being told about the ‘Libs of TikTok’ (Deseret News)

FROM OUR SPONSOR CHRIS STEWART FOR CONGRESS

Congressman Chris Stewart is the clear choice for current issues

Representative Chris Stewart is working to preserve our constitutional rights, protect religious liberty, combat unnecessary surveilling of the American people and support mental health through legislation. Learn more about how Chris Stewart is the conservative voice for Utah.

Health

New version of the omicron variant gaining ground in U.S., CDC says (Deseret News)
Pickleball: The health benefits of a sport that's boomed in the pandemic (U.S. News)

Business

How much does a typical Utah family pay in taxes? (KSL.com)
Elon Musk says he has secured the money to buy Twitter (NPR)

Faith

Third volume of church’s ‘Saints’ history released to eager audience (Deseret News)
A praying football coach makes his case (Deseret News)
Video: How temple visitors are finding stillness, peace in the nation’s capital (Church News)
Answering the who, what and why of preparing for FSY (Church News)

Southern Utah

Missing juvenile girls recovered from Beaver McDonald’s parking lot in multi-agency effort (St. George News)
‘We’re doing our part’: Washington County adopts its own water conservation measures (St. George News)

Northern Utah

Campus safety concerns in a new audit ‘echo’ problems revealed after Lauren McCluskey’s murder (Deseret News)
Advisory issued as another snow-producing storm heads for Utah (KSL.com)

The West

Idaho judge sets date, location for Lori Vallow Daybell trial (KSL.com)
The trick to spring skiing (Deseret News)

The Nation

Florida lawmakers move to suspend Disney’s government-like control of properties in the Sunshine State (Deseret News)
There might be more student loan forgiveness. Here’s what you need to know (Deseret News)

The World

Ukrainian troops face ‘last days, if not hours’ in Mariupol (Deseret News)
Ex-Honduran President Hernández will be extradited to the U.S. on drug charges (NPR)
Wimbledon bans Russian and Belarusian players — including No. 2 Medvedev (NPR)

Entertainment

She unexpectedly dropped out of ‘American Idol.’ Now the show’s judges are speaking out (Deseret News)
CNN+ streaming service is shutting down a month after launching (The Wall Street Journal)

Will Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic play against the Utah Jazz in Game 3 Thursday?

Ahead of Game 3, the big question surrounding the Jazz is if they can rediscover their perimeter defense, keep Jalen Brunson and company from driving almost uncontested to the hoop, and stop the Mavs’ flurry of 3-pointers.

The big question for the Mavericks is whether Luka Doncic, who missed the first two games with a left calf strain, will play in Game 3.