| Mike Lee for VP?, John Stockton endorses Trent Staggs; and the funeral for Sgt. Bill Hooser will be Monday in Orem .png?width=1200&upscale=true&name=Utah_Policy_Logo_Email_Full%20(1).png) | 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. If you're a candidate in 2024 and want to advertise on UtahPolicy.com, contact Suzanne Benitez. | | |
Situational Analysis | May 8, 2024 It's Wednesday and National Have A Coke Day. Or a Diet Coke! What you need to know - Utah leaders are at the forefront of a nationwide initiative to increase election confidence among conservative voters. Three principles developed by the Agora Institute at John Hopkins University and center-right think tank R Street are: 1) publicly affirming the integrity of elections in Utah and across the country, 2) using transparency and outreach to boost election confidence, and 3) inviting continuous improvement in election processes to increase trust in election results.
Rapid relevance Today on the Hill | | |
Utah Headlines Political news - Auditor slams lawmakers over bathroom bill after receiving numerous 'frivolous' complaints (KSL)
Election news - The key in Utah primary elections isnât campaign cash, âit's how you spend itâ (KUER)
- JR Bird: In Congress, I will push for energy independence and for Utahâs middle class (Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah news - Scott Cuthbertson: Why Utah must remain intentional about job creation as we manage growth (Deseret News)
- Abravanel Hallâs future in entertainment district yet to be decided, county says (Deseret News)
- A Utah museum restored a 1932 painted screen of running horses. It made a âone in a millionâ find. (Salt Lake Tribune)
Business - What Smith Entertainment Group, Salt Lake have in mind with new Delta Center district (KSL)
- Flight attendants at Utah-based Breeze Airways just unionized. Hereâs why. (Salt Lake Tribune)
- Phoenix, Arizona â the Silicon Valley of chip manufacturing in the West (Deseret News)
Crime/Courts - Argument over food prep leads to killing at Orem care facility, charges say (KSL)
- Man admits racial harassment of Utah women's NCAA basketball team (NPR)
- Stormy Daniels testifies, Trump curses in an angry day in court (Washington Post)
Culture - Heart of the matter: Red Cross/Red Crescent Day lauds Utah, national, international volunteers (St. George News)
- Katy Perry's own mom fell for her Met Gala AI photo. Do you know what to look for? (NPR)
Education - Utah first lady Abby Cox celebrates dance program for students with disabilities (KSL)
- What one Utah student learned in Hope Squad helped her save a friendâs life (Salt Lake Tribune)
- Orem, Pleasant Grove, Lindon, Vineyard divided on entering school district agreement (Daily Herald)
- Norwayâs ban on cellphones in middle schools shows positive results. Will Utah do the same? (KSL Newsradio)
- Utah school trust hits record $3.3B (KSL)
Environment - Pelicans return to nest at Great Salt Lake island for first time in 81 years (Deseret News)
Health Housing - âOur home, falling apartâ: Large, mysterious cracks in Eagle Mountain home causing concern (ABC4)
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National Headlines General - Faith-based retirement communities are not so religious anymore (Deseret News)
- Boy Scouts of America changing name to more inclusive Scouting America after years of woes (KSL)
- Disney receives key approval to expand Southern California theme parks (AP)
- Toxic culture is the norm at the FDIC, outside review cites 500 employee complaints (NPR)
- Gen Z sinks deeper into debt (Wall Street Journal)
Political news - What to watch for as the Supreme Court enters home stretch (Deseret News)
- TikTok sues to block US law seeking sale or ban of app (Reuters)
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says doctors found a dead worm in his brain (New York Times)
- Judge Cannon indefinitely postpones Trumpâs classified docs trial (Politico)
Election news - Trump floats Mike Lee as possible VP (Deseret News)
- Rising turnover rate among Americaâs election officials (KSL Newsradio)
- Spartz fends off Republican rivals to win contentious Indiana congressional primary (AP)
- Haley nabs 128,000 votes in Indiana GOP primary months after ending campaign (The Hill)
Ukraine ðºð¦ - Russia hits Ukraineâs power grid with a âmassiveâ attack on a day marking the WWII defeat of Nazism (AP)
- Grit, humor, grief and gloom mix as Ukrainians face a dangerous new phase in the war (AP)
Israel and Gaza - U.S. pauses some weapons to Israel as battles rage around Rafah (Reuters)
- Israel says it reopened a key Gaza crossing after a rocket attack but the UN says no aid has entered (AP)
- Israel says 128 hostages abducted on Oct. 7 remain in captivity in Gaza, including the bodies of at least 36. (Wall Street Journal)
World news - Starving people in Sudan eating soil, leaves and peanut shells. In one refugee camp, a child dies every 2 hours. It's going to get worse (Deseret News)
- Rape, terror and death at sea: How a boat carrying Rohingya children, women and men capsized (Reuters)
- Russian court says US soldier charged with theft causing 'significant' damage (Reuters)
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Number of the Day 
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 | News Releases Joint statement from Salt Lake County Mayor, Smith Entertainment Group, Utah Symphony This week, Utah Symphony leadership, Smith Entertainment Group (SEG), and Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson met to collaborate on proposed developments that would serve to create a Sports, Entertainment, Culture, and Convention District (SECC) in downtown Salt Lake. The district is envisioned to prioritize each of these four elements while opening an east-west corridor that will improve the connectivity of downtown and increase its vibrancy. (Read More)
Romney, Manchin introduce bill to get federal workers back into the office U.S. Senators Mitt Romney (R-UT) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) today introduced the Back to Work Act of 2024, bipartisan legislation to require employees of federal agencies to return to in-person work. According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), in 2023, 17 of 24 federal agency headquarters were operating at an average capacity of 25% less. This legislation would limit telework to no more than 40% of days within an employeeâs pay period and require agencies to report to Congress on the productivity of its telework activities. (Read More)
Gov. Spencer Cox appoints Cas Melanson White to Seventh District Juvenile Court Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox has appointed Cas Melanson White to Utahâs Seventh District Juvenile Court, filling a vacancy created by Presiding Judge Mary L. Manleyâs retirement. Judicial appointments are subject to confirmation by the Utah Senate. (Read More)
Utah Senate requests public comment on 7th District Juvenile Court nominee The Utah Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee is seeking public comment on Cas Melanson White, whom Gov. Spencer J. Cox nominated to serve as a judge in the 7th District Juvenile Court. Those who desire to comment should contact the Utah Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee electronically or by mail at the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel by 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, 2024. Electronic comments can be emailed to senatejudicialnominees@le.utah.gov. Written comments can be mailed to the Utah Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee at the Utah State Capitol, Suite W210, PO Box 145210, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-5210. All statements should include the respondentâs name, telephone number and mailing address. (Read More)
Derek Brown announces formation of Law Enforcement Committee Derek Brown, a leading candidate for Utah Attorney General, is proud to announce the formation of his distinguished Law Enforcement Committee. Comprised of the most well-known Utah leaders and experts in law enforcement policy, the committee is poised to provide invaluable guidance and insight as the campaign advances innovative and conservative approaches to law enforcement. (Read More) | | |
Tweet of the Day 
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Upcoming - May 8 â BioHive Live conference, Hale Centre Theatre, Register here
- May 10 â Utah Taxpayers Association Taxes Now conference, 9:00 am-1:00 pm, Grand America Hotel, Register here
- May 13-15 â Interim Days
- May 29 â Northern Utah Conference to End Violence, USU Logan campus, 8:30 am-4:30 pm, Register here
- June 6 â Bolder Way Forward 2nd Annual Summit, Zions Technology Campus, 9:00 am-2:00 pm, Register here
- June 18-19 â Interim Days
- August 14 â Hatch Foundation "Titan of Public Service" recognizing Sen. John Thune, Grand America
- August 20-21 â Interim Days
- September 17-18 â Interim Days
- October 15-16 â Interim Day
- November 19-20 â Interim Days
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On This Day In History - 1348 - A ship from Bordeaux carrying the plague, lands in Melcombe Regis (now Weymouth), Dorset and begins spreading in England.
- 1541 - Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto lands in Florida.
- 1792 - Militia Act establishes conscription under federal law.
- 1846 - Future president Zachary Taylor fights the Battle of Palo Alto, north of the Rio Grande River.
- 1884 - Harry S. Truman born. He became the 33rd president of the United States.
- 1945 - Victory day in Europe as Germany surrenders.
- 1958 - President Eisenhower federalizes National Guard troops and orders them removed from Central High School in Little Rock. They were there on the orders of Arkansas governor Orval Faubus to keep the school segregated.
- 1963 - Sean Connery stars in his first James Bond movie, âDr. Noâ
- 1980 - The World Health Organization declares smallpox eradicated. There is evidence of the disease going back 3500 years, causing widespread death, disfigurement and blindness. It is the only human disease to be completely eradicated.
- 1984 - Soviets announce boycott of 1984 Olympics.
- 2018 - President Donald Trump pulls the US out of the multilateral Iran nuclear deal.
Quote of the Day "Whether discrimination is based on race, or creed, or color, or land of origin, it is utterly contrary to American ideals of democracy." âHarry S. Truman
On the Punny Side Where do math teachers go on vacation? Times Square | | |
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