Plus, why the bill to end Utah’s death penalty is facing a tough legislative battleground
Good morning. Salt Lake City will have a high of 39° and a low of 18°.
Men's basketball teams for both the University of Utah and BYU are trying to turn things around in conference play this weekend after recent letdowns. The Cougars will try to snap a three-game losing streak, while the Utes can build on a win that just snapped their 10-game skid. Read more about BYU's game against No. 2 Gonzaga. On our mind today: China's COVID plan for the Olympics, a man's request for a federal investigation of damage to Moab dinosaur tracks and does the West lean more left or right? Read up on these and other important stories below.
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| Utahns could save ‘billions’ if UDOT oversees massive transit projects, says House Majority Leader |
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| | Transportation costs could be cut by billions over the next few decades if HB322 passes in the Utah Legislature, said House Majority Leader Mike Schultz, R-Hooper. It's still unclear what giving the Utah Department of Transportation supervision over major transit projects would save initially. Other bills about transit are being considered this legislative session, like one for low-income housing to be built near FrontRunner stations. | Despite the support of prominent conservative lawmakers, a bill that could mean the repeal of Utah's death penalty goes up against legislative hurdles as it heads to the House. Other leaders at the Capitol oppose getting rid of the measure. House Speaker Brad Wilson, R-Kaysville, said the debate is a compelling one despite his personal opposition to ending the death penalty. “I could sit in here and argue both sides of this for an hour,” he said. “I think it’s a valid question to ask when you give government this power, and it’s worth evaluating. But I’m personally a no.” Read more from Katie McKellar. More in Politics $200 million tax cut bill with more ‘targeted’ cuts for needy Utahns heads to Utah House (Deseret News) Opinion: Why passage of this Utah bill could endanger your health (Deseret News) | COVID What is China's COVID plan for the Olympics? (BBC News) Europe just entered a COVID-19 ‘ceasefire.’ Here’s what that means (Deseret News) Faith From the ice to the broadcast booth: BYU grad Kate Hansen in Beijing for Winter Olympics (Church News) Southern Utah Utah man wants federal investigation of damage to Moab area dinosaur tracks (Deseret News) Judge sentences convicted rapist to prison term, recommends he be kept behind bars ‘indefinitely' (St. George News) Northern Utah Two Utah bald eagles discovered in critical condition on same day (ABC4) Wasatch Front A landmark LGBTQ bar in Salt Lake City has been closed for weeks. Now, one owner is suing another (Salt Lake Tribune 🔒) The real estate market is getting even tougher. See where sales are down most and prices up most (Salt Lake Tribune 🔒) The West Do Democrats or Republicans control the West? (Deseret News) Essential oils conquered medicine cabinets across the West. But do they work? (Deseret News) The Nation Pelosi gives congressional staffers ‘full support’ to unionize after Instagram account ‘Dear White Staffers’ started airing Congress’ dirty secrets (Deseret News) Trump was ‘wrong’ to say the 2020 election could be overturned, Pence says (Deseret News) Trending The price of Amazon Prime is going up because, yes, there are shortages (Deseret News) Oklahoma bill would fine teachers $10K for teaching anything that contradicts religion (Deseret News) | That's all for today. Check your inbox tomorrow for more news from the Beehive State and beyond. And, as always, please continue to give us your feedback on Utah Today! Just reply or email us at newsletters@deseretnews.com. — Payton
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