Frank Layden dies at 93; Beaver City and Mt. Pleasant impose water restrictions; Prime Day just got smarter | | | 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 | July 10, 2025 It's Thursday and National Kitten Day ð What you need to know One year has passed since 12-year-old Gavin Peterson died of starvation and abuse in West Haven, Utah. Rep. Christine Watkins said that she is going to run another bill aimed at preventing cases like his from happening again. She tried during the 2025 session but the bill failed to advance out of committee. Advocates say nothing has changed since Gavin's death. Rapid Relevance Former Utah Jazz coach, GM Frank Layden dies at 93; water shortages plague cities across Utah, Beaver City and Mt. Pleasant impose restrictions; Prime Day just got smarter â check out the new features and how to find the best buys | | |
Utah Headlines Political news Opinion: State trust land exchange efforts can benefit public lands and development in Utah (Deseret News) John Curtis calls for briefing from White House after weapons pause to Ukraine (KSL) Mothers on both sides of the aisle after deadly Eagle Mountain crash say the system failed them (KSL) These Republicans fought for green energy tax credits. Trumpâs latest order could threaten them (Deseret News) After âNo Kingsâ shooting, lawmakers not considering changes to Utahâs gun laws â for now (Salt Lake Tribune) Municipal news Lehi mayor speaking out against proposed Point of the Mountain transit plan (KSL) How Utahâs next Olympics will be different for a Wasatch Back community (Deseret News) Keep homes in future Ballpark stadium remake within ownership reach, neighbors urge (Salt Lake Tribune) Utah A Utahn is the second mom in âAmerican Ninja Warriorâ history to achieve this feat (Deseret News) Utah sees sharpest fertility rate decline in nation as costs of parenthood increase (KUTV) Longtime Juan Diego educator and renowned football coach John Colosimo dies (Deseret News) Dr. Nikki Walker: A legacy of leadership, service and impact (Utah Business) Biz/Tech Kelvyn Cullimore: To support biopharmaceutical breakthroughs in Utah, itâs time to revisit federal merger policies (Deseret News) Rio Tinto Kennecott loans Milford Mining $5M to help boost copper production (KSL) Denmark is fighting AI by giving citizens copyright to their own faces (Vice) Crime/Courts Judge sets execution date for Ralph Menzies for 1986 murder, despite appeal (KSL) Sandy couple charged with attempted murder of 3-year-old girl (KSL) St. George man fired more than 150 rounds at officers in standoff, police say (KSL) Culture/Community Rose Park field featured in 'The Sandlot' renamed to honor longtime supporter (KSL) Lord of the Wings? âLord of the Ringsâ director backs plan to âde-extinctâ New Zealand bird (Deseret News) Nature-loving Utah boy in the running to be the next national Junior Ranger (KSL) Education First lady Abby Cox to Utah educators: âYou are the definition of hope during difficult daysâ (Deseret News) STEM camp focuses on teens who may be first-generation college grads (KSL TV) For years, millions in taxpayer funds flowed to a private education group. Now a judge says the public has a right to see the records. (Salt Lake Trbune) Parking is a premium at the University of Utah. And prices are going up (again) (KUER) Alpine School District implements new bus-tracking app to enhance communication with parents (Daily Herald) Environment Southern Utah city implements new regulations amid 'extreme low' water flows (KSL) John Andrews: State trust land exchange efforts can benefit public lands and development in Utah (Deseret News) Commission wonât reconsider Rocky Mountain Powerâs rate hike, calls request âoffensiveâ (Utah News Dispatch) Faith Faith leaders and congregations call for prayer, respond to devastating floods in Texas (Deseret News) Why confession is at the heart of a religious liberty battle (Deseret News) California Bishop allows those in fear of immigration raids to avoid Mass (Deseret News) The double helix of dignity and the future of religious freedom (Deseret News) Family 3-year-old Tooele boy, family could feel pain of Medicaid cuts in Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' (Fox13) Utah sees sharpest fertility rate decline in nation as costs of parenthood increase (KUTV) Health Utah sees a week without new measles cases, as the national tally hits a record (Salt Lake Tribune) Crews find toxins from harmful algae in Mantua Reservoir, issue warning (ABC4) Editorial Board: Donât let old diseases regain strength (Deseret News) Brain-eating amoebas are rare. But hot weather increases the risk. (Washington Post) Housing Southern Utah homeowners experiencing insurance rate increases amid wildfires (ABC4) Utah's housing costs remained high in 2024. Here's where it ranks nationally (KSL) | | |
National Headlines General Hiker dies at Grand Canyon National Park (KSL TV) How Americans think the government should respond to natural disasters, according to recent polls (AP) Political news Biden doctor refuses questions in closed-door congressional testimony (Deseret News) Supreme Court allows Trump to resume mass federal layoffs for now (NPR) Trump White House sues California (Deseret News) Trump calls for accountability as Comey and Brennan face investigation (Deseret News) Trump tariffs goods from Brazil at 50%, citing âwitch huntâ trial against countryâs former president (AP) Immigration, Epstein, Ukraine: Trumpâs moves roil MAGA base (Washington Post) Judge to weigh blocking Trump on birthright citizenship despite Supreme Court ruling (Reuters) Immigration/deportation US Supreme Court declines to let Florida enforce immigration crackdown (Reuters) Faith over fear: Haitian immigrants in Springfield stand firm as Trump threatens deportation (Reuters) U.S. Pushes More African Countries to Accept Deported Migrants (WSJ) Iranian grandmother released after being detained by ICE while gardening outside Louisiana home (The Hill) Ukraine/Russia Russia seizes $50 billion in assets as economy shifts during war in Ukraine, research shows (Reuters) Russia batters Ukraine with more than 700 drones, the largest barrage of the war, officials say (AP news) Middle East Hamas agrees to release 10 hostages as part of Gaza ceasefire talks, says negotiations are tough (Reuters) World news Four dead and 15 missing after Houthis sink latest Greek ship in Red Sea (Reuters) Over 200 Children Hospitalized in China After School Serves Lead-Tainted Food (New York Times) | | |
| | | News Releases Economic indicator demonstrate cautious optimism for Utah growth The Salt Lake Chamber, in partnership with the University of Utahâs Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, has released the June 2025 Roadmap to Prosperity Economic Dashboard to inform business leadersâ understanding of Utahâs economy. This tool prioritizes key data on the stateâs economic outlook and actionable context for decision-makers. âAs we move into summer, Utah is showing signs of optimism and growth, including year-over-year gains in airport travel as the travel season kicks off,â said Derek Miller, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber. âUtahâs rising consumer sentiment, while still lower than it was at the close of 2024, signals cautious optimism as Utahns adjust to the changing economic environment. Post-pandemic new construction highs, combined with these other signs, display the resilient nature of Utahâs economy.â (Read More) Curtis, Rosen introduce bill to counter Chinese sabotage of Taiwanâs undersea cables U.S. Senators John Curtis (R-UT) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV), members of the Foreign Relations Committee, today introduced the Taiwan Undersea Cable Resilience Initiative Act, bipartisan legislation that would protect Taiwanâs critical communications infrastructure and deter malicious âgray zoneâ activities by the Peopleâs Republic of China (PRC). The cablesâcritical for global communication and commerceâhave been a primary target of the PRC for undercover sabotage to undermine Taiwanâs security and sovereignty. (Read More) More than $15.7 million generated from special group license plates Today, the Office of the Utah State Auditor released its limited review of the Sponsored Special Group License Plate programs, revealing revenues generated through these license plates and the funding to their respective sponsorship organizations. According to the Auditorâs findings, more than $15.74 million was collected over a five-year period from a variety of specialty license plates. (Read More) | | |
Upcoming 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 February 4-7, 2026 â Summit, with Silicon Slopes and Visit Salt Lake | | |
On This Day In History 1804 - Emma Hale (Smith) is born. 1850 - Millard Fillmore sworn in as the 13th US president 1856 - Nikola Tesla is born. The Serbian-American physicist, electrical engineer and inventor, developed alternating current and the Tesla Coil, 1875 - Mary McLeod Bethune is born. An educator and founder of the National Council of Negro Women, she served as Minority Affairs Advisor to Franklin Delano Roosevelt 1882 - Ima Hogg is born. A Texas philanthropist, she was a patron of the arts, supporter of mental health and child welfare organizations, and savior of many historic structures. 1910 - Mary Bunting is born. A microbiologist, she was president of Radcliffe College (1959-72), oversaw the integration of Radcliffe into Harvard, founded the Bunting Institute at Radcliffe which helped women return to careers after family obligations and the first woman on the Atomic Energy Commission 1925 - The Scopes Monkey Trial begins, pitting evolution against creation 1942 - Himmler orders sterilization of all Jewish women in Ravensbruck Camp 2012 The American Episcopal Church becomes the first to approve a rite for blessing gay marriages Quote of the Day âThe scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite insane.â â Nikola Tesla On the Punny Side I got an A on my origami assignment when I turned my paper into my teacher. | | |
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