Voter Motivation and Key Endorsements

With the November election approaching, new polling reveals the biggest issues motivating Utah voters. Kate Bradshaw and Frank Pignanelli join host Jason Perry on The Hinckley Report this Friday at 7:00 pm to discuss how these numbers and new endorsements could impact the U.S. Senate race.

Utah Headlines

General

• Do Utahns support same-sex marriage? Deseret News/Hinckley Institute poll finds majority support spans political, religious, demographic spectrum (Deseret News)
• Threats target libraries in Salt Lake, other U.S. cities, prompting police, FBI investigations (Salt Lake Tribune)
• Utah may face a new rival for another Olympics. New contender eying the 2034 Winter Games after IOC leader defers decision (Deseret News)
• Scaffolding torn from Salt Lake City building during storm (Fox13)
• Army says it’s making changes after drowning of Utah solider (Fox13)

Politics

• 2nd Utah inland port audit blasts lack of 'transparency and accountability' in contracts (KSL)
• Evan McMullin calls on Sen. Mike Lee to demand ‘false’ ad be removed. Independent Senate candidate says Club for Growth ‘deceptively edited’ to alter his words (Deseret News)
• As Utah’s election season ramps up so does the misinformation (KUER)
• Worried about drought, incivility, economic uncertainty? Join the conversation. UVU is hosting the Why It Matters conference, sponsored by the United Nations to discuss growing concerns about drought, economic uncertainty and incivility. (Deseret News)
• Take 2 Podcast: Rick Jones for Congress in Utah's 1st Congressional District (KUTV)

Business

•  Clint Betts: For Utah’s Silicon Slopes to succeed, competition is not the answer. When the tide comes in, all boats rise. Communities aren’t built from competition, they are built from working together (Deseret News)
• The rise of AI and its impact on business (Deseret News)
• Tourism conference looks at turning around a significant drop in Utah visitation (KSL)

Education

• What this ‘sleeper case’ could mean for public schools and the separation of church and state (Deseret News)
• ‘This is Silicon Slopes university': Utah Tech embracing role as only technical school in Utah (KSL)
• BYU's first Hispanic vice president and son of migrant workers leads new Office of Belonging, says BYU can eliminate all forms of prejudice (Deseret News)
• Susan Madsen: Education opens doors — but Utah’s women of color face more obstacles (Deseret News)
• Utah teacher scolds students for becoming a ‘mob’ to protest homecoming dress code (Salt Lake Tribune)
• Students react after school executive director's claims contradict what they say happened (KUTV)
• Salt Lake Valley schools still need hundreds of paraeducators — which is driving up the traditionally low pay (Salt Lake Tribune)

Environment

• Utah’s handling of Tabby Mountain sale draws rebuke from Ute Tribe. Tribal chairman denounces ‘back-room shenanigans’ that cost tribe a chance of regaining some of its homeland. (Salt Lake Tribune)
• Is the future of energy sitting below this small Utah town? The Department of Energy is pouring millions into FORGE project outside Milford, in Beaver County, to turn heat from the deep into clean power. (Salt Lake Tribune)
• Watch ‘Volts and Bolts’: How electric vehicles will impact the automotive industry (Salt Lake Tribune)
• Land recognition ceremony connects a Hawaiian dance company to Shoshone lands (UPR)

Health

• FDA updates guidelines for what is considered ‘healthy.’ Here’s what you need to know (Deseret News)
• U.S. suicide rates rose in 2021 after two years of decline. Males 15 to 24 years old experienced the sharpest increase, an 8% rise, provisional data from the CDC show (Wall Street Journal)

Housing

• Eviction filings on the rise in Utah, compared to this time last year (KSL Newsradio)
• If you have a roof over your head, ‘keep that roof,’ Utah Housing Coalition director says to renters (St. George News)

National Headlines

General

• Can the hurricane TV reporters come inside now? Please? (NPR)
• Former warden arrested for shooting migrants in string of anti-immigrant violence in Texas (!!) (NPR)
• Unpaid internships face new scrutiny as barriers to careers (AP)
• Explainer: Tua Tagovailoa, fencing response and NFL protocol (AP)
• Groups: Retaliation rather than aid after migrants report detention center (AP)
• Consumer spending rose in August even as inflation rebounded (The Hill)
• A Maryland doctor and her spouse, a U.S. Army doctor, were charged with plotting to give Russia medical records of members of the U.S. military, federal prosecutors said. They gave confidential records to an undercover FBI agent posing as a Russian agent. (New York Times)

Politics

• Biden administration launches plan to end hunger in the U.S.. The U.S. government announced actions to improve health and end hunger by 2030, just 8 years from now (Deseret News)
• Ginni Thomas, wife of Supreme Court justice, testifies before Jan. 6 panel (NPR)
• 2020 election conspiracists could soon oversee voting in U.S. battleground states (Reuters)

Ukraine 🇺🇦 

• Putin illegally proclaims annexation of four Ukrainian regions at Moscow ceremony (Washington Post)
• Encirclement of Russian force in Ukraine overshadows Putin's annexation (Reuters)
• Russian attack kills dozens of civilians in Ukraine hours before planned "annexations" (Wall Street Journal)
• Alexei Navalny: This is what a post-Putin Russia should look like (Washington Post)

World News

•  Arthur Cyr: What do the protests in Iran mean for the regime? (Deseret News)
• Iran protests over young woman's death continue, human-rights group says at least 83 people killed (Reuters)
• 'They have found the courage': Iranian women go hijab-less in public amid protests (RadioFreeEurope)
• Eurozone Inflation Hits Record 10% Amid Energy Crunch (Wall Street Journal)

News Releases

Pamela McCall named local host of “All Things Considered”

After nearly two years of delighting listeners from the “Morning Edition” seat at KUER, Pamela McCall is moving to the afternoon as the local host of “All Things Considered” on Oct. 3. KUER’s Bob Nelson will fill in for McCall on “Morning Edition” until the position is filled.

“Pamela is an essential part of KUER’s on-air presence, no matter when she’s on,” said Elaine Clark, KUER’s news director. “I’m always impressed by the rapport she establishes with her guests and the smart pivots she uses to get the most out of the conversation. And while as a listener I’ll miss her warmth as part of my morning routine, I look forward to hearing more of her fantastic work in the afternoon.” (Read More)

Office of the State Auditor releases a review of certain Utah Inland Port Authority procurement practices

The Office of the State Auditor (Office) offers a hotline program through which we receive complaints with financial or compliance implications related to state or local governments. The Office received a complaint alleging the Utah Inland Port Authority (Authority) improperly procured a contract worth $2 million.

We reviewed certain documents related to the Authority’s 2021 sole source procurement of a communications and logistics management network. We have reviewed applicable statutes and the Authority’s purchasing policy (Policy). The Authority is not subject to the Utah Procurement Code and has established its own Policy. We noted the following weakness in that Policy: Sole Source Procurement Policy Lacks Transparency and Accountability Requirements (Read More)

Colorado River water flow and business impact webinar

Recent reports indicate water flows into the Colorado River are diminishing and impacting border states. The vital reservoirs supplying water to Utahns are at an all-time low. Utah and other states are now facing mandatory water shortages. The mega-drought continues to plague western states and puts constraints on economic vitality. The webinar will cover what this means for Utah businesses as the Colorado River reaches crisis levels. Leaders will discuss current updates and what is being discussed around policy solutions for the millions of people who depend on it on Oct. 4. (Read More)

Lee bill protects victims of image-based sexual abuse

Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the PROTECT Act, which would require pornography sites to verify the age of all participants in pornographic images; require sites to obtain verified consent forms from individuals uploading content and those appearing in uploaded content; and mandate that websites quickly remove images upon receiving notice they uploaded without consent.

Sen. Lee’s bill comes as Utah law enforcement announced a 600% increase in cases involving child pornography and sexual contact with minors since 2020. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reported a 35% increase in child sexual abuse material compared to 2020. Online pornography is one of the most lucrative and fastest growing industries yet has remained largely immune from regulation. (Read More)

Bipartisan FORMULA 2.0 heads to President’s desk

Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) in conjunction with Sens. Mike Braun (R-IN), Todd Young (R-IN), and Bob Menendez (D-NJ), spearheaded efforts to pass the Bulk Infant Formula to Retail Shelves Act to further ease the infant formula shortage in the United States. The bill passed the House on the suspension calendar and is now headed to the President’s desk for signature. (Read More)

Lee introduces the bipartisan Puerto Rico Recovery Act

In the wake of Hurricane Fiona, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), introduced the Puerto Rico Recovery Act, a bill requiring the Department of Homeland Security to waive the Jones Act for vessels or operators reasonably demonstrating their intention to provide disaster relief to Puerto Rico. The waivers would be valid for one year or until the end of the Major Disaster Declaration for Puerto Rico, whichever comes first. The bill was introduced by Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-NY) in the House. (Read More)

Number of the Day

Tweet of the Day

Upcoming

• Why it Matters international conference — Oct 5-7, UVU, Register here
• ULCT Annual Convention — Oct 5-7, Salt Palace Convention Center, Register here
• UWLP Book Club: How Women Rise By Sally Helgesen & Marshall Goldsmith —Oct. 6 & Nov. 10, 12:00pm-1:00pm or 7:30pm-8:30pm; Virtual, Register here
• One Utah Summit — Oct 11-13, Southern Utah University, Register here
• Breakfast Briefing: The New Look of Transportation in the 2020s with the Utah Foundation — Oct. 13, 8:30 am, Zions Bank Founders' Room, Register here
• Senate debate between Mike Lee and Evan McMullin — Oct. 17, 6 pm, at UVU
• Interim Days — Oct 18-20, le.utah.gov
• Effecting Societal Change for Child Sexual Abuse — Oct. 26, 8:00am-11:30am; Virtual and in-person at Saprea in Lehi, UT, Register here
• General election â€“ Nov 8
• Hacks to Help Women Maximize Income and Minimize Expenses —Nov. 9, Noon-1:00pm; Virtual, Register here
• Utah Foundation’s 2022 Annual Luncheon â€” Nov. 16, noon, Salt Lake Marriott Downtown at City Creek, Register here
• Utah Economic Outlook and Public Policy Summit with the Salt Lake Chamber — Jan. 12, 2023, Salt Lake City Marriott, 8 am - noon, Register here

On This Day In History

• 1861 - William Wrigley, Jr. is born. In 1891, the traveling salesman launched the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company to sell his own brand of gum. Coincidentally, today is National Chewing Gum Day.
• 1875 - Anne Martin is born. She was a western suffrage leader who helped win equal suffrage in Nevada. She also became the first woman to run for the US Senate in 1918.
• 1918 - President Woodrow Wilson speaks in favor of female suffrage.
• 1928 - Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor and best-selling author is born.
• 1935 - The Boulder Dam (later the Hoover Dam), astride the border of U.S. states Arizona and Nevada, is dedicated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt
• 1941 - Approximately 33,771 Jews are shot to death or buried alive at Babi Yar ravine (near Kiev) Ukraine by Nazi troops over two days
• 1949 - After 15 months and more than 250,000 flights, the Berlin Airlift officially comes to an end.
• 1954 - The world’s first nuclear submarine, the USS Nautilus, is commissioned by the US Navy.
• 1958 - Fred Morrison is granted patent No. 183,626 for a flying toy that would go by various names, including Pluto Platter and Flyin Saucer. Wham-O company began selling the disc in 1956. They eventually settled on the name Frisbee.
• 1962 - Riots over the desegregation of Ole Miss. Two men were killed before the racial violence was quelled by more than 3,000 federal soldiers sent by JFK. The next day, James Meredith successfully enrolled and began to attend classes.
• 1993 - US General Colin Powell retires at age 56
• 2020 - California becomes the 1st US state to pass a law allowing for reparations for black residents and descendants of slaves
• 2021 - Canada observes its first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, honoring victims and survivors of residential schools for indigenous children

Wise Words

“Never get so close to your position that when your position goes, your ego goes with it.” 

—Colin Powell

The Punny Side

What do scholars eat when they’re hungry?

Academia nuts.

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