Zion NP shuttles have officially taken 100 million people on adventures; contempt directly contributes to rising political violence in America | | | 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 | June 16, 2025 It's Tuesday and National Eat Your Vegetables Day 𥦠Happy birthday to Rep. Candice Pierucci! ðð ð What you need to know Utah Sen. Mike Lee is receiving national backlash after he put up two posts on X that tied the alleged Minnesota shooter to the Democratic party and seemed to mock the attacks. Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., told CNN she spoke to Lee in person and said âI wanted him to hear from me directly how painful that was and how brutal that was to see that on what was just a horribly brutal weekend.â Her deputy chief of staff wrote a blistering email to Leeâs office, saying "Have you no decency?" and questioning if joking about Melissa Hortman's death was a "successful day for Team Lee." Sen. Amy Klobuchar, also from Minnesota, condemned the language in the posts, saying it was not funny. The alleged shooter is described by friends and former colleagues to be a pro-life advocate and devout Christian who voted for Donald Trump. Rapid Relevance Zion National Park shuttles have officially taken 100 million people on adventures; How contempt directly contributes to rising political violence in America; and is attending a live sporting event in Utah too expensive? On the Hill 8:30 am: Criminal Justice Appropriations; Higher Ed Appropriations; Natural Resources, Agriculture, & Environmental Quality Appropriations; Social Services Appropriations 11:15 am: Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, & Environmental Quality Confirmation Committee 1:15 pm: Economic and Community Development Appropriations; General Government Appropriations; Public Ed Appropriations; Transportation & Infrastructure Appropriations 4:00 pm: Legislative Management Committee; Legislative Water Development Commission 4:30 pm: Senate Business & Labor Confirmation Committee | | |
| | Everyone Plays Two in three Americans â over 205 million people â play video games, and more than half are 35+. Everyone plays. Learn more and game on. | | |
Utah Headlines Political news Utah leaders address safety issues after assassination of Minnesota state lawmaker (Deseret News) Trump has redefined U.S. tariff strategy. Hereâs what Utahns have to say about it (Deseret News) Mike Lee criticized after posting apparent jokes about the killing of a Minnesota lawmaker (KSL) Understanding Utahâs gun laws after deadly Salt Lake City protest shooting (KSL TV) Municipal news Two Utah police departments merge following brief staffing shortage (ABC4) Utah âWe lost a very important personâ: Family, friends mourn protester killed in âNo Kingsâ protest shooting (Deseret News) When protests arenât safe and politics turns deadly (Deseret News) Murder suspect described as a punk rocker who often open-carries a firearm at protests (Fox13) Family grieving after 8-month-old killed in West Valley festival shooting (KUTV) District Attorney: Too soon to determine if WestFest teen suspect will face adult charges (KUTV) Here are 9 Utah food festivals to savor this summer and fall (Salt Lake Tribune) Utah joins $7.4B settlement with Purdue Pharma over opioid epidemic (Deseret News) Biz/Tech Canadian travel to Utah, U.S. is down â and itâs not just because of policy, new survey finds (KSL) Crime/Courts St. George man allegedly breaks into home, stating that God told him he would find a wife (Fox 13) Police investigating role of 'peacekeepers' in fatal shooting at Salt Lake protest (KSL, KUTV) Culture/Community Photo gallery: Red Bull Soapbox race heavy on energy and smile (Deseret News) Environment Utahâs quest to solve Great Salt Lake mystery could lead to a new warning system (Deseret News) Family Cost of Utah: How to have frugal family fun this summer (KSL) Health Another way momâs health in pregnancy could impact baby long-term (Deseret News) Silver linings: How to approach your fear of falling (Deseret News) Housing Utah ranks #4 in investor-owned housing (Deseret News) | | |
National Headlines General Suspect in Minnesota lawmaker killing visited other legislators' homes, prosecutors say (Reuters) Political news - Trump Trump muses about turning the G7 back into the G8 â or even the G9 with China (AP News) President Trump fires a member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NPR) Trump on US military involvement in Israel-Iran: âI donât want to talk about thatâ (The Hill) Trump signals optimism on US-Canada trade deal (Politico) Trump says he will not call Minnesota governor after shooting (Reuters) Trump approval steady at 42%, support weakens for his immigration policy, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds (Reuters) Other political news Perspective: How the âbig, beautiful billâ misses the mark on faith-based higher education (Deseret News) Senate releases major changes to Trumpâs tax bill as negotiations heat up (Deseret News) Congress confronts its own trauma (Semafor) Judge rules some NIH grant cuts illegal, saying heâs never seen such discrimination in 40 years (AP) Immigration/deportation After early reprieve from immigration enforcement, farming industry reckons with raids (NPR) Ukraine/Russia Russia pummels Kyiv with drones and missiles, killing at least 15 (NPR) Ukraine's Zelenskiy to seek G7 support as Trump's early exit puts dampener on summit (Reuters) Middle East With No Clear Off-Ramp, Israelâs War With Iran May Last Weeks, Not Days (New York Times) Trumpâs former national security adviser says Israel attacks could end Iranian regime (Deseret News) Israeli tank fire kills 51 people in Gaza crowd trying to get food (Reuters) World news MI6 Names Its First Female Chief, Career Spy Blaise Metreweli (New York Times) | | |
| | News Releases Six financial education champions to be inducted into the Utah Financial Education Hall of Fame Five outstanding educators and one community leader will be inducted into the Utah Financial Education Hall of Fame this evening during a banquet at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, honoring their lasting impact on Utah studentsâ financial futures...The Financial Education Hall of Fame, established in 2024 by the Utah Office of State Treasurer, Utah Jump$tart Coalition, and the Utah State Board of Education, spotlights leaders whose work transforms that standard into life-changing skills. (Read More) Sutherland releases survey data on health, work, and purpose struggles of American men Today, Sutherland Institute released new national survey data highlighting the experiences and perspectives of American men. While majorities of respondents, on average, report good mental and physical health, satisfaction with work, and a positive sense of purpose and fulfillment in life, the data reveals that a significant subset of respondents report struggling in each of these domains. (Read More) Utah House Democratic Leadership on recent events of gun violence and divisive rhetoric House Democratic Leadership released the following statement after a series of tragic shootings in Utah and across the country: âOver the weekend, we witnessed a series of disturbing and tragic acts of violence, both here in Utah and across the nation. In Minnesota, public servants dedicated to their communities were attacked or assassinated in their home. Here in Utah, during an extremely peaceful protest, a respected community leader was fatally shot when a gunman approached the crowd. And in West Valley City, three individuals, including an innocent 8-month-old and their mother, were killed at a family festival meant to celebrate our diverse cultures...As a caucus, we remain committed to advancing policies that reduce gun violence, promote accountability, and protect the safety and dignity of every Utahn. We call on others to join us in that commitment.â (Read More) Utah and eligible jurisdictions will sign settlement with Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family Utah and all 54 other eligible jurisdictions agreed to sign onto a settlement agreement with Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family over their significant role in fueling the opioid epidemic. This monumental agreement, totaling $7.4 billion, marks a critical step towards accountability, with Utah slated to receive $57 million to combat the devastating impact of the crisis on its communities. This outcome is a direct result of the persistent efforts of the Utah Department of Commerceâs Division of Consumer Protection and the Office of the Utah Attorney General (OAG) to hold the Sacklers accountable. (Read More) South Valley Services earns Charity Navigatorâs 4-Star Rating and GuideStarâs Platinum Seal of Transparency South Valley Services (SVS) has again earned a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, the largest independent evaluator of nonprofits in the United States. SVS also received GuideStarâs Platinum Seal of Transparency, the highest level of recognition from Candid, a trusted source for nonprofit data and insights. South Valley Services is a survivor-centered organization where individuals impacted by domestic abuse and sexual violence can realize their strength, courage, and resilience while on their path to an empowered future. (Read More) | | |
Upcoming June 17-19 â Interim Days Aug 7 â Titan of Public Service gala with Sen. Tom Cotton hosted by the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation at the Grand America Hotel. More Information Here Aug 12 â Municipal primary Aug 19-21 â Interim Days Nov 4 â General election | | |
On This Day In History 1579 - Sir Francis Drake claims California for England 1631 - Mumtaz Mahal dies during childbirth. Her husband, Mughal emperor Shah Jahan I, then spends more than 20 years building her tomb, the Taj Mahal. 1775 - Battle of Bunker Hill begins 1865 - Susan La Flesche Picotte is born. She became the first Native American physician in 1889. 1873 - Susan B. Anthonyâs trial starts for illegally voting in Rochester, New York, on November 5, 1872 1885 - Statue of Liberty arrives in New York Harbor 1903 - Ruth Wakefield is born. She created the Toll House chocolate chip cookie. My kids think today should be a national holiday. 1930 - Pres, Herbert Hoover signed the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, which boosted U.S. tariffs to historically high levels, prompting foreign retaliation. 1963 - U.S. Supreme Court, in Abington (Pa.) School District v. Schempp, struck down, 8-1, rules requiring the recitation of the Lordâs Prayer or reading of Biblical verses in public schools. 1994 - O.J. Simpson leads LAPD on a low-speed chase 2021 - US Supreme Court, in a 7-2 ruling, leaves the entire Affordable Care Act intact Quote of the Day âIâm not accomplishing miracles, but Iâm beginning to see some of the results of better hygiene and health habits. And weâre losing fewer babies and fewer cases to infection.â â Susan La Flesche Picotte On the Punny Side Two pickles fell out of a jar onto the floor. What did one say to the other?
Dill with it. | | |
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