Utah loses to Butler on last-second shot; SLC closes Jordan River Parkway section indefinitely; Jazz clinch worst record in franchise history | | | 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 | Apr. 1, 2025 It's Tuesday and April Fool's Day. Don't believe any pregnancy or engagement announcements today. And, Mother Nature will probably get the last word.... What you need to know The Utah Department of Health and Human Services has been hit by DOGE cuts, resulting in dozens of job terminations and the loss of $98 million in unspent grant money. Some county health departments are also expected to lose staff and grants. Rapid Relevance Utah loses to Butler on last-second shot; Salt Lake City closes a Jordan River Parkway section indefinitely; and the Jazz clinch their worst record in franchise history. | | |
Utah Headlines Political news The end of downtown parking lots? Salt Lake Cityâs proposal gains early approval (KSL) Is Utah the blueprint for Americaâs âAbundanceâ agenda? (Deseret News) Utah Helping 'the poorest of the poor': Utah group to travel to Ghana to provide medical care (KSL) Social Security office in Provo listed for âaccelerated dispositionâ by Trump administration (Salt Lake Tribune) Eight impactful Utah women you may not know about (Daily Universe) How Utah Crisis Food Response, started during the pandemic, continues to grow (Fox13) A tale of two stranded horses that become fast friends (Deseret News) Biz/Tech Texas Instruments announces layoffs in Lehi despite securing federal funding for expansion (KSL Newsradio) Utah mother turned self-made CEO inspires with success in all-women financial firm (KUTV) After dad's request, Smith, SEG to donate $10 million for hockey rinks in Utah (Fox13) Crime/Courts Lori Daybellâs trial for conspiring to kill her husband begins with jury selection in Arizona (KSL) âI did not know my rightsâ: Jodi Hildebrandt challenges conviction in high-profile child abuse case (ABC4) 100+ children in Utah at risk to face immigration court alone due to federal cuts (ABC4) Culture Photo gallery: Spanish Fork Festival of Colors (Deseret News) Photo Gallery: Muslims around the world mark end of Ramadan (Deseret News) Economy US stocks post worst quarter since 2022 on threat of trade war (Wall Street Journal) As âBuy Canadianâ grows, more US companies say retailers shunning their products (Reuters) Education - K-12 Longtime elementary school aide Peggy Hilliard, 90, bids farewell after 30 years (St. George News) Utah Board of Education measure targets diversity programs 'still present and active' in schools (KSL) Education - Higher Following Trumpâs order, U.S. Naval Academy ends affirmative action in admissions (Deseret News) Utah Board of Higher Education adopts new policy for land acknowledgments (KSL) USU working to combat veterinarian shortage with new veterinary program (KSL Newsradio) Weber State freezes tuition and fees for associate degrees (KSL Newsradio) Trump task force to review Harvardâs funding after Columbia bows to federal demands (AP) Environment From âmashed potatoesâ to âwhite suede,â this ski instructor speaks the language of snow (KUER) As Project Archaeology sees it, early education can keep Utahâs cultural sites safe (KUER) Exclusive: White House weighs executive order to fast-track deep-sea mining, sources say (Reuters) Family Voices: I work with some of Utahâs most vulnerable kids. Federal spending cuts put their health and safety at risk. (Salt Lake Tribune) Health Alzheimer's risk rises when amount of deep sleep falls, study suggests (KSL) A look at the risks and benefits of water fluoridation (Deseret News) Housing Why Utahâs housing prices are getting closer to a buyerâs market, according to a mortgage manager (Salt Lake Tribune) What the governorâs housing adviser says about Utahns who might leave due to home prices (Deseret News) | | |
National Headlines General Three of four missing US Army soldiers found dead in Lithuania (Reuters) Signs of life detected in quake-struck Bangkok skyscraper; death toll tops 2,000 (Reuters) After an earthquake, how long can trapped victims survive? (AP) Trumpâs USAID cuts cripple American response to Myanmar earthquake (Washington Post) They found love at a construction site, then were trapped beneath it (New York Times) Political news An âadministrative errorâ sends a Maryland father to a salvadoran prison. The Trump administration says it mistakenly deported an immigrant with protected status but that courts are powerless to order his return. (The Atlantic) Trump has dubbed April 2 âLiberation Dayâ for tariffs. Hereâs what to expect (AP) White House says it's 'case closed' on the Signal group chat review (NPR) Mike Waltz is losing support inside the White House (Wall Street Journal) The Supreme Court returned to an old question on Monday: âWhat is religion?â (Deseret News) U.S. has spent $40 million to jail about 400 migrants at Guantánamo (New York Times) Grassley unveils bill to limit reach of judicial rulings (The Hill) Anna Paulina Luna leaves House Freedom Caucus amid split with colleagues over proxy voting for new parents (Politico) US embassies tell suppliers to comply with Trump ban on diversity policies (Reuters) Louisiana voters reject constitutional amendments championed by Republican governor (AP) Trump's loyal farmers stung by his funding cuts and tariffs (Wall Street Journal) Trumpâs executive order targeted the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Many visitors question why. (Washington Post) No toilet paper and no privacy: Returning to the office, federal workers walk into chaos (New York Times) DOGE/Musk Entire staff at federal agency that funds libraries and museums put on leave (NPR) DOGE staffer who shared Treasury data now has more access to government systems (NPR) Ukraine/Russia Zelenskiy says Russia has committed over 183,000 war crimes in Ukraine (Reuters) Putin keeps pushing, with Trump and on the battlefield (New York Times) Israel, Gaza, Syria Israeli troops killed 15 Palestinian medics and buried them in a mass grave, UN says (AP) Israel kills Hezbollah official in deadly Beirut airstrike (Reuters) World news China launches military drills around Taiwan, calls Taiwan President a "parasite" (Reuters) | | |
| | Guest opinion: Innovative schools are a catalyst for change by Hanifi Oguz Many parents and students are busy looking for the school choice options available to them next year, so I find myself reflecting on the profound impact that Beehive Science and Technology Academy has on the lives of our students. We are more than just a public charter school; we are a nurturing environment that empowers each student to chase their dreams and achieve their individual goals and become contributing global citizens. At Beehive, the commitment to academic excellence and inclusivity is palpable. Itâs not merely teaching our brand subjects, science, technology, engineering, and math; itâs about breaking down barriers and ensuring every student feels valued and capable of success. We built a school that supports all families. Our families come from 48 different countries and speak 60 different languages. Half of all Beehive students speak two or more languages. We celebrate our families and heritage in an International Cultures Festival each year where students research and share their cultural heritage and food. Beehive Academy has fostered an environment where our students can be seen, heard, and supported in their individual journeys. The schoolâs recognition as Utahâs Best High School by US News and World Report and multiple Best of State awards reflects not just accolades, but the real, transformative impact it has on our studentâs aspirations. It shows that when families are given the choice to select schools aligned with their values and goals, incredible things happen. One of the most remarkable aspects of Beehive Academy is the innovative approach to integrate technology into the curriculum. The schoolâs designation as an Apple Distinguished School for seven consecutive years is a testament to this commitment. In a world that increasingly relies on technology, Beehive makes sure that each student, regardless of background, has access to the tools and resources necessary for success. We want to prepare our students for the workplace of the future. This is especially crucial for young women, who have been historically underrepresented in STEM fields. Beehiveâs receipt of the AP Female Diversity Award speaks volumes about our efforts to create pathways for girls in computer science and other STEM disciplines. The hands-on learning experiences and mentorship opportunities here are not just initiatives, but lifelines for students aspiring to thrive. (Read More) News Releases Lee introduces SNAP Reform and Upward Mobility Act for 119th Congress Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the SNAP Reform and Upward Mobility Act, a bold piece of legislation aimed at strengthening work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and closing loopholes that have contributed to its rapid expansion. The number of SNAP beneficiaries has exploded in recent years, while the program is rife with fraud and abuse that undermines its viability and wastes taxpayer dollars. The legislation has been introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Josh Brecheen (R-OK). (Read More) Uncovering healthcare prices In response to continued high prices in the US healthcare system, a bipartisan effort has led to increased price transparency. For many stakeholders, the goal of this transparency is to make it easier for the average person to find healthcare prices. Today, the Utah Foundation released a report looking at healthcare price transparency...âThough the hoped-for consumer-driven price reductions have not occurred, some states have seen success in controlling healthcare prices,â said Josh Wright, the reportâs author. âBenefits seem to be from using pricing information to inform policies that target cost drivers in healthcare.â (Read More) Owens, Walberg fight antisemitism Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee Chair Burgess Owens (R-UT) and Education and Workforce Committee Chair Tim Walberg (R-MI) demanded answers from five colleges following disturbing reports of antisemitic activity and administrative inaction on campus. (Read More) | | |
Upcoming Apr 7 â Funeral for Mia Love, 10:00 am, Institute Building at the University of Utah Apr 7 â Pillars of the Valley Elder Matthew S. and Paige Holland, with the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce, 7:00-9:00 pm, Register here Apr 24 â Giant in Our City with the Salt Lake Chamber, 6:00-9:00 pm, Register here May 1 â Utah Foundation's annual luncheon and 80th birthday celebration, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm, Grand America Hotel, Register Here May 1 â High school writing contest deadline with The Rostra: Applying the wisdom of the past to the problems of today. More info here 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 | | |
On This Day In History 1507 - English guilds go under state control. 1621 - The Pilgrim-Wampanoag peace treaty is signed. 1700 - April Foolâs pranks popularized. 1748 - Ruins of Pompeii discovered after being buried for 1700 years. 1789 - The first US House of Representatives elects its first speaker, Pennsylvania Representative Frederick Augustus Conrad Muhlenberg. 1919 - LDS April General Conference is delayed due to a pandemic. 1940 - Wangari Muta Maathai is born. Dr. Maathai became an internationally renowned Kenyan environmental political activist, founder of the Green Belt Movement and was the first black woman to win a Nobel Peace Prize. 1945 - US troops land on Okinawa in the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific theater 1946 - Alaskan earthquake triggers massive tsunami that killed 159 people in Hawaii. 1970 - Nixon signs legislation banning cigarette ads on TV and radio. 1976 - Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs start Apple Computer in Jobsâ parentsâ garage. Quote of the Day "It's the little things citizens do. That's what will make the difference. My little thing is planting trees."
âWangari Maathai On the Punny Side I told my teenage son that when I was his age, I used to get 10 CDs in the mail for a penny. I don't know if he thought I was lying about what a CD was, what a penny was, what the mail was, or all of the above. | | |
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