Situational Analysis | August 11, 2022

It's Thursday already and National Presidential Joke Day. Man, those just write themselves, don't they??

Congratulations to Vicki Varela on receiving the 2022 ATHENA Leadership Award and don't miss today's article by Laurieann Thorpe, executive director of Prevent Child Abuse Utah about Utah's reporting laws. 

Be in the Know

• Donald Trump declined to answer questions from the office of the New York attorney general, Letitia James, on Wednesday, invoking the Fifth Amendment more than 440 times. Officials hoped the deposition would be a turning point in an investigation into his business practices. In a lengthy statement on Wednesday, the former president denied any wrongdoing and accused the U.S. government of unfairly targeting him in multiple ways.

Rapid Roundup

• Utah dancer Alexis Warr Burton just won the top prize on "So You Think You Can Dance," the World Dog Surfing Championship named Skyler Top Dog, you can make your own Choco Taco, and eye-popping speeds when the UHP stops two vehicles for traveling 145 and 154 miles per hour.

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Utah Headlines

General

• Why this scientist says the James Webb space photos strengthen her faith (Deseret News)
• Overall U.S. inflation eases a notch, but costs of basic necessities still on the rise (Deseret News)
• Trib Trails: Parleys Pointe is a new escape in the Salt Lake City foothills (Salt Lake Tribune)
• Johnny Burt, a fixture at Utah high school sports events for decades, dies at 66 (Salt Lake Tribune)
• Utah sees spike in bicycle fatalities (KSL TV)
• Some homeowners in fast-growing Washington County see a ‘significant’ property tax increase (St. George News)

Politics

• ‘Based’ Mike Lee criticizes FBI search of Trump home, spars with Senate opponent on Twitter (Deseret News) 
• Salt Lake County Council member tells Kamala Harris fetuses are not part of women’s bodies (Salt Lake Tribune)
• Judge declines to dismiss lawsuit against Utah's transgender sports ban (KSL)
• South Salt Lake Council approves first property tax increase in 16 years of 110% (KUTV)
• Alpine School District authorizes $595 million bond election (Daily Herald)
• Utah commission adopts a more energy-efficient building code. Next stop? The Legislature (KUER)

Business

• Lions Not Sheep founder speaks out about FTC ‘Made in USA’ order, alleging political motivations (Deseret News)
• Snapchat owner to lay off staff after receiving tax incentive to create Utah jobs (Salt Lake Tribune)
• Utah's Hogle Zoo to expand, open 'a different kind of exhibit' in 2023 (KSL)

Education

• Mixed opinions on bullying, harassment policies in Utah schools (Fox13)

Environment

• Disease risks, delayed vaccines and unsafe corrals: New reports outline problems at Utah’s wild horse facilities (Salt Lake Tribune)
• For two remote Utah communities, the only warning of wildfire is often a knock at the door (Salt Lake Tribune)

Family

• Advocates call on elected officials, community to meet rising need for Utah food assistance (KSL)

National Headlines

General

• The state of Black America is unequal. Here are some solutions (Deseret News)
• US unemployment claims rise by 14,000 to 262,000 (AP)
• U.S. gasoline prices fall below $4 for first time since March (Reuters)
• U.S. charges Iranian with plotting to murder ex-Trump adviser Bolton (Reuters)

Politics

• Did Democrat money sabotage the Republican primaries? Even some Democrats have warned that the party is playing a dangerous game by promoting candidates with extreme views (Deseret News)
• Biden signs PACT Act, securing health care benefits for veterans (Deseret News)
• Trump’s bond with GOP deepens after primary wins, FBI search (AP)
• Beto O’Rourke confronts heckler laughing during speech on Uvalde shooting (Washington Post)
• FBI Quest for Trump Documents Started With Breezy Chats, Tour of a Crowded Closet (Wall Street Journal)

Ukraine 🇺🇦 

• Satellite images and social media analyzed by NPR show attacks have hit structures around the plant, coming dangerously close to causing a nuclear accident. (NPR)
• Russia struggles to replenish its troops in Ukraine (AP)
• Ukraine says 9 Russian warplanes destroyed in Crimea blasts (AP)
• Satellite pictures show devastation at Russian air base in Crimea (Reuters)

Understanding Utah’s child abuse reporting law

by Laurieann Thorpe

Recent news stories remind us why it’s important to understand and review the child abuse reporting law in Utah. Unfortunately, the events of these cases remind us how possible it is for well-intentioned adults to fail their legal obligation out of ignorance of the law or confusion about to whom they should report to.
In the state of Utah, Law 62A-4a-403 requires any person who has reason to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse,or neglect to immediately notify the nearest office of Child and Family Services, a peace officer, or a law enforcement agency. Utah’s child abuse reporting hotline is 1(855) 323-3237

Abuse can be physical, emotional, or sexual. It’s especially important for Teachers, Administrators, Counselors, Doctors, Coaches, Clergy, and other adults working with youth to understand the specifics of this very important law. (Read more for the six top things to remember about reporting child abuse.)

News Release

Vicki Varela to be honored with 2022 ATHENA Leadership Award

The Salt Lake Chamber has announced that Vicki Varela, Managing Director of the Utah Office of Tourism, will receive the 2022 ATHENA Leadership Award. The organization’s highest recognition for women in business, the national ATHENA Leadership Award, is presented annually to an active member of the Salt Lake Chamber who demonstrates excellence, creativity and initiative in business. Each recipient must also provide valuable service by devoting time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community and assist women in reaching their full leadership potential.

“Vicki Varela has been a mainstay in public service in Utah for decades and one of the chief champions of all our state has to offer,” said Derek Miller, President and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber, in announcing the award. “Her leadership spans from serving in Fmr. Governor Leavitt’s office, higher education, and her most recent work with Fmr. Governor Herbert and Governor Cox in leading the Utah Office of Tourism at the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity. Vicki truly embodies the Utah brand of ‘Life Elevated’ and does her best to lift others and showcase what Utah has to offer. We look forward to honoring and adding her among the prior ATHENAs to inspire generations to come.” (Read More)

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Upcoming

• Interim Days — Aug 16-18, le.utah.gov
• Women in the Money with Utah State Treasurer's Office — Sept. 15-16, Salt Lake Sheraton + online, Register here
• Interim Days — Sept. 20-22, le.utah.gov
• ULCT Annual Convention — Oct 5-7, Salt Palace Convention Center, Register here
• Interim Days — Oct 18-20, le.utah.gov
• General election â€“ Nov 8

On This Day In History

• 1886 - Gottlieb Daimler receives patent for the world’s first motorcycle
• 1921 - Author Alex Haley is born.
• 1934 - Federal prisoners land on Alcatraz
• 1944 - Joanna Cole is born. Best known as the author of The Magic School Bus, Cole made science fun for children of all ages. Her Ms. Frizzle characters and the students debuted in an animated series in 1994.
• 1950 - Steve Wozniak is born. The electronics engineer, programmer, and entrepreneur joined forces with Steve Jobs to launch Apple Inc in 1977.
• 1965 - Watts Rebellion begins. The five days of violence left 34 dead, 1,032 injured, nearly 4,000 arrested and $40 million worth of property destroyed.
• 1984 - President Ronald Reagan jokes during a sound check. Reagan said “My fellow Americans, I am pleased to tell you today that I’ve signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes.”
• 1999 - Salt Lake City experiences an F2 tornado.
• 2008 - AirBnB launches its official vacation rental website
• 2014 - Robin Williams dies at age 63.
• 2020 - Joe Biden announces Kamala Harris as his running mate.

Wise Words

“In all of us there is a hunger, marrow-deep, to know our heritage- to know who we are and where we have come from."

—Alex Haley

The Punny Side

 â€œMy esteem in this country has gone up substantially. It is very nice now when people wave at me, they use all their fingers.”

—Jimmy Carter

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