Three people killed in a West Valley City shooting last night; Minnesota lawmakers targeted for assassination, 2 dead, suspect in custody
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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 Monday and National Fudge Day 🍫

Happy birthday yesterday to Rep. Jason Kyle and to the Deseret News! 🎈🎂 🎁

What you need to know

  • An estimated 10,000 people marched in Salt Lake City in a "No Kings" protest on that was largely peaceful until about 8:00 pm on Saturday. A gunman who had an AR-15 style rifle and who witnesses say was running toward the crowd, was shot and received minor injuries by a member of a "peacekeeping group" that was hired to help protect rally-goers. Sadly, an innocent bystander was also shot and died of his injuries. Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, 39, was a fashion designer and former "Project Runway" contestant. Ah Loo leaves behind a wife and two young children. A GoFundMe account has been set up for them.

Rapid Relevance

On the Hill

 

Everyone Plays

Two in three Americans — over 205 million people — play video games, and more than half are 35+. Everyone plays. Learn more and game on.

 

Utah Headlines

Political news

  • How Trump's 'big beautiful bill' could wreck Utah's groundbreaking AI laws (KSL)
  • Majority of Utahns support spending cuts, say DOGE has been effective (Deseret News)

Municipal news

  • Intermountain Health breaks ground on cancer center to serve patients in Park City (Deseret News)
  • Advocates aim to revitalize downtown Tooele (KSL)

Utah

  • Deseret News through the eras: A story of grit, gumption and changes galore (Deseret News)
  • Pioneers of the printed page (Deseret News)
  • 175 years of human error, Mother Nature and tragic results (Deseret News)
  • Lee Benson: And on a personal note: Happy birthday to the world’s best newspaper (Deseret News)
  • US Army's 250th birthday: Utahns celebrate state's rich ties to 'America's First National Institution' (Deseret News)

Biz/Tech

  • 80% of the world is now within 1 stop of Salt Lake City thanks to its newest direct flight (Deseret News)
  • Google, Meta and Snap think this tech is the next big thing: Smart glasses (KSL)

Crime/Courts

  • Natural resources officer found legally justified in shooting armed, suicidal man (KSL)
  • 3 arrested in Salt Lake gang-related shooting (KSL)
  • Improper turn leads to discovery of heroin by Springville police (KSL)

Culture/Community

  • Scottish athletics, bagpipes, dancing on display at Utah Scottish Festival and Highland Games (Deseret News)
  • Photo gallery: Utah Scottish Festival 2025 (Deseret News)
  • Red Bull’s soapbox draws 50,000 to Salt Lake City — and many more laughs (KSL)
  • Spanish Fork farm offers 'cow cuddles' (KSL)

Economy

  • USU supported $1.4B to the state economy in 2023, says new study (KSL)
  • The latest inflation data is in. Here’s how Utahns are feeling about family costs since Trump took office (Deseret News)

Education - Higher

  • BYU system has added 100,000 students since 2000 (Deseret News)
  • UVU, Ballet West partner to give dance academy students college credit (KSL)
  • So what’s University of Utah President Taylor Randall doing at the BYU Creamery? (Deseret News)
  • BYU’s James Corrigan wins national championship in steeplechase (Deseret News)
  • Voices: I’m a professor. Utah’s universities are not, and should not be, vocational boot camps. (Salt Lake Tribune)

Environment

  • $17K St. George trail project aims to aid hikers, protect ancient sites (KSL)
  • Readers’ Forum: Public lands are our birthright (Deseret News)

Family

  • Perspective: Supporting fathers isn’t diminishing women’s empowerment. It’s an important part of it (Deseret News)
  • A Father’s Day gift for the entire family (Deseret News)
  • Opinion: Calling all Utah dads — our daughters still need our support! (Deseret News)
  • Dad jokes, work ethic and quiet strength leave a lasting impression (Deseret News)
  • This 66-year-old man has Alzheimer's. Here's what he wants you to know (Deseret News)
  • ‘Family over everything’: How BYU basketball coach Kevin Young’s wife describes the father of three (Deseret News)

Health

  • 'It saved my life:' How a recovery center is using pickleball to treat mental illness (KSL
 

National Headlines

General

  • Jeremy Pope: What is uniquely special about America? (Deseret News)

Political news - Trump

  • Trump responds to Israeli strikes: ‘Iran must make a deal’ (Deseret News)
  • After day of nationwide protests, Trump's military parade rolls through D.C. (Reuters)
  • ‘No Kings’ rallies draw big crowds to protest Trump and his policies (Washington Post)
  • Trump Disclosure Shows $57 Million in Earnings From Early Crypto Push (Wall Street Journal)
  • Trump’s former surgeon general is now one his most pointed critics (The Hill)

Other political news

Immigration/deportation

  • Trump directs ICE to expand deportation efforts in Democratic-run cities (The Hill)
  • ICE's novel strategy allows for more arrests from inside immigration courts (NPR)

Ukraine/Russia

  • North Koreans fighting for Russia against Ukraine have grown skilled in drone warfare (NPR)

Middle East

  • Israel targets Iran’s Defense Ministry headquarters as Tehran unleashes deadly missile strike (AP News)
  • Iranian missiles hit Tel Aviv and Haifa, Israel warns of tough response (Reuters)

World news

  • 'I just walked out': The sole survivor of the Air India crash shares his story (NPR)
  • Pope Leo Says He’ll Canonize First Millennial Saint in September (New York Times)
  • Trump administration weighs adding 36 countries to travel ban, memo says (Reuters)
 

Number of the Day 

Number of the Day, June 16, 2025 (1200 x 1000 px)

 

News Releases

Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson’s 2nd statement in response to gun violence

“Tragically, this is my second statement today expressing sadness and concern regarding gun violence. I’m deeply troubled that a peaceful protest in Salt Lake City was disrupted by a shooting as community members were celebrating their right to assemble. I am thinking of all who were impacted by this senseless act. 

Hateful rhetoric, discriminatory practices, and violence is tearing apart our nation and we must continue to work together to create a future that represents a better America.”


Rep. Jen Dailey-Provost and Sen. Jen Plumb on fatal shooting during Salt Lake City demonstration

Representative Jen Dailey-Provost and Senator Jen Plumb released the following statement after shooting at Salt Lake City protests: 

“As state lawmakers who have the privilege of representing our downtown Salt Lake communities in the state legislature, we express our shared distress, dismay and sorrow about the act of violence at Saturday’s No Kings rally. As many have stated, violence has no place here. We would argue more strongly, however, that every elected official must actively partake in changing the horrific rhetoric and divisiveness that drives public discourse in our society today; rhetoric that is supported and perpetuated by many in our state and nation’s top leadership positions." (Read More)


Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny  Wilson’s  statement in response to the shootings in Minnesota

“My heart goes out to the family and friends of House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, who were shot and killed in their home. My heart also goes out to State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. They, too, were shot while at home. I’m wishing them a quick and full recovery.

It is my hope that justice will be swiftly served. 


Utah Senate Democratic Caucus responds to politically motivated shooting of Minnesota state legislators

The Utah Senate Democratic Caucus issued the following statement in response to the tragic and politically targeted shooting that took the lives of Minnesota State Representative and former Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, and left State Senator John Hoffman and his wife seriously injured:

“We are heartbroken and outraged by the targeted political violence that claimed the lives of the former Speaker Melissa Hortman, her husband and seriously injured Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife. (Read More)


Salt Lake Chamber announces winner of the 2025 National Civics Bee® Utah State Finals

Today, the Salt Lake Chamber hosted the 2025 National Civics Bee® Utah State Finals in Salt Lake City, an initiative aimed at encouraging more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. Jake B., Sophia C., and Zoey M. were named the top three finalists of the National Civics Bee Utah State Finals, organized in partnership with The Civic Trust® of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. (Read More)

 

Tweet of the Day

Screenshot 2025-06-16 at 5.58.56 AM

 

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

  • 1723 - Adam Smith is born. A Scottish economist and moral philosopher, he is well-known for his work “Wealth of Nations.”
  • 1829 - Geronimo, Apache leader and resistance fighter, born in No-doyohn Canon, Mexico 
  • 1884 - The first roller coaster in the US opens at Coney Island.
  • 1858 - Abraham Lincoln says "A house divided against itself cannot stand" accepting Illinois Republican Party's nomination for the Senate 
  • 1944 - 14 year-old George Stinney (a small Black boy) is executed for the murder of 2 white girls. His trial by an all-white jury lasted one day and deliberations lasted 10 minutes. From his arrest to execution was 83 days. 
  • 1945 - First atomic test 
  • 1963 - Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova becomes the first woman to travel into space.
  • 2017 - US President Donald Trump reinstates Cuban travel and business restrictions

Quote of the Day

"A bird cannot fly with one wing only. Human space flight cannot develop any further without the active participation of women."

– Valentina Tereshkova


On the Punny Side

Why couldn't the bicycle stand up by itself?

It was two tired!

 

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