| Teens talk about Utah's effort to reduce social media impact on mental health; the Colorado River is vital in Utah; & 50,000 bees in a wall ð .png?width=1200&upscale=true&name=Utah_Policy_Logo_Email_Full%20(1).png) | 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. If you're a candidate in 2024 and want to advertise on UtahPolicy.com, contact Suzanne Benitez. | | |
Situational Analysis | May 1, 2024 It's Wednesday and National Chocolate Parfait Day. Everybody loves parfaits. What you need to know - Republican Gov. Spencer Cox and Democrat Gov. Wes Moore write a joint op-ed on how volunteering and service can heal the nation. "We need to come together again as a nation. Both of us...believe that the best way to inspire unity is by encouraging people to serve. In this time of division, service will save us." Service is sticky, they say. "You develop a deeper understanding of others. And, together, you create a community where everyone can thrive."
Rapid relevance | | |
Utah Headlines Political news - Sen. Mitt Romney says he is pleased the U.S. is sending more aid to Ukraine during hearing on Taiwan (Deseret News)
- Rep. John Curtis speaks on House floor against BLM rule that would limit use of public lands (Deseret News)
- Rep. Blake Moore, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen argue over whether Trump-era tax cuts benefitted the middle class (Deseret News)
- Survey: Utah voters say state is on the wrong track heading into elections (KSL)
- Utah Gov. Cox calls affordable housing crisis an âexistential crisisâ on par with COVID (Salt Lake Tribune)
Election news - Who gets to choose? Republicans' brewing battle over the future of Utahâs caucus system (Deseret News)
- Dozens of county commissioners endorse Gov. Spencer Cox days after he was booed off GOP convention stage. The county officials said their support was based on firsthand experience working with the governor (Deseret News)
- Cox hits the campaign trail as Lyman heads to court (Fox13)
Utah news - Hill Aerospace Museumâs $22M expansion complete, opens to public on Thursday (KSL)
- Salt Lake City opens first community orchard. Here's how it will be used (KSL)
- Second day of Gaza protest on U. campus moves to Salt Lake County Jail after organizerâs arrest (KSL TV)
- Grocery spending up across Utah and United States (KSL Newsradio)
- 150-year-old American Fork home retrofitted into facility to help child abuse victims (Daily Herald)
Business - NHL looking to hire people to work Utah hockey club games (Deseret News)
- Technology conference in Salt Lake to bring in former first lady, decorated athletes; will discuss AI in business (KSL TV)
- Provo Airport takes off with rapid growth and new airlines (KSL Newsradio)
- Utah's food trucks revving up for warmer months ahead (Fox13)
- Workersâ paychecks grew faster in the first quarter, a possible concern for the Fed (AP)
Crime/Courts - Utah motel manager charged with rape (KSL)
- Police: Driver arrested on suspicion of DUI after hit-and-run with Utah school bus (KSL TV)
- Student arrested outside Roy High School for possession of loaded handgun (KUTV)
Culture - Krispy Kreme is giving away free doughnuts and beverages through updated rewards program (Deseret News)
Education - Calming culture wars in schools (Deseret News)
- Faith-based mission on campus is unifying and drives accessibility, Elder Gilbert, President Kauwe say at conference (Deseret News)
- Alpine School District moves forward with study of 2 potential reconfiguration options (KSL, KUTV)
- University of Utah to increase security for commencement amid pro-Palestine protests (KUTV)
- Parents frustrated after Mt. Nebo Middle School evacuated after third threat in two weeks (KSL TV)
Environment - How Utah is helping imperiled species with big money (Deseret News)
- Mountain snow will melt soon, but not all will make it to the Colorado River (UPR)
- The Colorado River just called you for help. Will you answer? (Deseret News)
- Battle for Moab: Residents fight against Kane Creek development (Deseret News)
- Glamping with the stars in Utah (New York Times)
Family - The closing of the American heart (Deseret News)
- El DÃa del Niño: Hispanic community in Salt Lake gathers to celebrate children with free event downtown (Fox13)
Health - Most Americans are getting more sleep than 20 years ago. Washington Post analysis of American Time Use Survey invites you to see how you compare (Deseret News)
- Secrets of âsuperagersâ (Deseret News)
- Teens talk about Utah's effort to reduce social media impact on mental health (KUTV)
- Urban-rural health disparities are widening, but in Utah, access remains the challenge (KUER)
- Opinion: As stem cell biologists, weâre concerned a Utah law will lead to a boom in snake oil sales (Salt Lake Tribune)
Housing - US home prices rose in February at the fastest pace in more than a year (KSL)
- Study shows monthly rent in Salt Lake City is 89% cheaper than monthly mortgage (KUTV)
Utah Protests - University of Utah president says university âwill continue to support free expression and enforce the rule of lawâ (Deseret News)
- University of Utah says most arrested at pro-Palestine rally are not students (Salt Lake Tribune)
- How the University of Utah protests and police response unfolded, as seen through photos and video (Salt Lake Tribune)
- Second day of pro-Palestinian protests at the University of Utah ends quickly (Deseret News)
- Pro-Palestinian protestor has no regrets, blames university for her arrest (KSL TV)
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National Headlines General - Titanic II is coming soon. Would you sail on it? (Deseret News)
- 4 officers killed in North Carolina were at disadvantage as shots rained from above, police say (AP)
- UCLA campus protests over Gaza war erupt into violent clashes between rival groups (Reuters)
- Floridaâs 6-week abortion ban takes effect today (AP)
Political news - DEA proposing to reclassify marijuana. The change would be most dramatic shift in U.S. drug policy in decades (Deseret News)
- US House votes to remove wolves from endangered list in 48 states (AP)
- Democratic leadership vows to rescue Johnson as intrigue grows in Capitol (Washington Post)
- Political center revolts against fringe, as leaders rebuke Greene, protesters (The Hill)
- Johnson: Greene not âproving to beâ a serious lawmaker (The Hill)
- RNC chief implores Greene to stand down (Politico)
Election news - Trump returns to campaign facing a warning of jail time if he violates gag order (AP)
- Trump quickly fundraises off judgeâs contempt ruling in hush money case (Politico)
- News organizations have trust issues as they gear up to cover another election, a poll finds (AP)
- Democrat Tim Kennedy wins New York special election for House seat. Once he is sworn in to represent the stateâs 26th Congressional District, the Republican majority in the chamber will temporarily fall to just one vote. (Washington Post)
- Poll shows how RFK Jr.âs appeal to anti-vaccine right could hurt Trump (Washington Post)
- NPR poll: Democrats fear fascism, and Republicans worry about a lack of values (NPR)
Ukraine ðºð¦ - Ukrainian official discusses taken children with Vatican envoy (Reuters)
- Ukrainian forces near besieged Chasiv Yar say they badly need ammunition (Reuters)
Israel and Gaza - US surgeon in Gaza: nothing prepared me for scale of injuries (Reuters)
- Blinken in Israel seeks cease-fire and hostage deal to stave off Rafah move (Washington Post)
- Israel said their sons were murdered by Hamas. These mothers werenât convinced. (Wall Street Journal)
World news - UK begins detaining migrants set to be deported to Rwanda (Reuters)
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Number of the Day 
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 | News Releases Priced Out and Fed Up: Cost of living and government dysfunction are Utahnsâ top concerns More than 60% of Utahns believe that Utah is on the wrong track and that their quality of life is worse now than five years ago. These and other findings will be released Tuesday in the Utah Foundationâs 2024 Utah Priorities Project report titled: âPriced Out and Fed Up.â The title refers to Utah votersâ concerns about the cost of living and government dysfunction. By heeding votersâ concerns, state leaders can work to govern by the will of the people to get the state on the right track and thereby improve the quality of life for all Utahns. (Read More)
Zachary Boyd appointed Director of the Utah Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy The Utah Department of Commerce has appointed Dr. Zachary Boyd as the Director of the newly established Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy. Dr. Boyd brings an extensive background in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, which will help lead the stateâs efforts in exploring AI technologies and developing policies. (Read More)
UVU hosts kickball tournament to support Veteran Success Center Utah Valley University (UVU) is recruiting community teams to join in a day of fun and support for a great cause at the first-ever Boots on Base Kickball Tournament on May 18 at Lakeside Park, 1850 W. 400 South, in Orem. Check-in begins at 8 am, with tournament play kicking off at 9 am. (Read More)
Nominees announced for Third District Juvenile Court vacancy The Third District Judicial Nominating Commission has selected nominees for a vacancy on the Third District Juvenile Court. This position results from the retirement of Judge Elizabeth A. Lindsley, Aug. 1, 2024. The nominees for the vacancy are: Tiffany Brown, Sandi Clemens, Thaddeus May, Natalia Peterson, and Julie Sagers. (Read More)
Rep. Owens fights child exploitation Representatives Burgess Owens (UT-04), Abigail Spanberger (VA-07), and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) introduced the Child RESCUE Act, bipartisan legislation to strengthen federal efforts to rescue U.S. children from sexual exploitation and abuse. (Read More)
Romney leads Senate hearing regarding U.S. policy on Taiwan Today, U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy led a hearing regarding U.S. policy on Taiwan. Romney argued that it is in the United Statesâ interest to support Taiwan in the face of Chinaâs growing aggression in the Indo-Pacific. (Read More)
House passes Curtis bill to protect public lands Today, the U.S House of Representatives passed the Western Economic Security Today (WEST) Act. The bill was introduced by Representative John Curtis (UT-03) and received bipartisan support from his colleagues. (Read More) | | |
Tweet of the Day 
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Upcoming - May 7 â Election Trust Forum, UVU, 8:00 am-11:30 am, Register here
- May 8 â BioHive Live conference, Hale Centre Theatre, Register here
- May 13-15 â Interim Days
- May 29 â Northern Utah Conference to End Violence, USU Logan campus, 8:30 am-4:30 pm, Register here
- June 6 â Bolder Way Forward 2nd Annual Summit, Zions Technology Campus, 9:00 am-2:00 pm, Register here
- June 18-19 â Interim Days
- August 14 â Hatch Foundation "Titan of Public Service" recognizing Sen. John Thune, Grand America
- August 20-21 â Interim Days
- September 17-18 â Interim Days
- October 15-16 â Interim Day
- November 19-20 â Interim Days
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On This Day In History - 1898 - The US destroys the Spanish Pacific fleet in the Battle of Manila Bay.
- 1900 - Mining disaster in Scofield, Utah, kills 200 people.
- 1915 - The International Congress of Women adopts its resolutions on peace and womenâs suffrage in The Hague, Netherlands.
- 1918 - Grove Karl Gilbert, an American geologist who investigated Lake Bonneville in Utah, dies at age 74.
- 1926 - Ford factory workers get a five-day, 40-hour work week.
- 1931 - The Empire State Building is dedicated.
- 1950 - Gwendolyn Brooks becomes the first Black woman to receive the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry.
- 1961 - Harper Lee receives a Pulitzer prize for her novel âTo Kill a Mockingbirdâ
- 1986 - Shaunita Latrice âTiaâ Norfleet is born. She is the first and so far, only, Black female licensed as a NASCAR driver.
- 2003 - In what becomes known as the "Mission Accomplished" speech, U.S. President George W. Bush declares that "major combat operations in Iraq have ended" on board the USS Abraham Lincoln
- 2021 - Helen Murray Free dies at 98. She was a chemist that developed a dip-and-read paper strip to test for diabetes.
- 2022 - US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi leads surprise congressional delegation to Ukraine to met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Quote of the Day "Those who raise their hands to serve help us address challenges and solve big problems. And service gives people a chance to learn from others and unite around the common goal of dignity and respect." âGovs. Cox and Moore
On the Punny Side What's made of leather and sounds like a sneeze? A shoe. | | |
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