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Utah Headlines

Deseret News

• Why Sen. Mike Lee says Biden child allowance plan is a return to failed welfare policies
• President Biden gave his first speech to Congress. So why was everyone talking about Mitt Romney?
• Biden's speech: It's too expensive, but at least Washington is talking about families now
• If you have access to broadband and a computer, you can get a college degree. Here's how
• Utahns in Congress say Taiwan can teach the world how to handle COVID-19
• 'Homeless czar'? Please don't call Wayne Niederhauser that. However, naming a point person to coordinate its homelessness response may be Utah's most important move yet.
• 6 highlights from President Joe Biden's first speech to Congress

Salt Lake Tribune

• Utah's elected officials weren't impressed with President Biden's address to the nation
• Are you OK, class of 2021? The Tribune wants to hear from you!
• ACLU of Utah calls for universal vaccine access for incarcerated people. Currently, vaccine distribution is not equal, with some jails doing better than others.
• Salt Lake City will close Main Street again this summer to welcome diners and pedestrians
• Utah Gov. Spencer Cox names Kirt Slaugh acting state treasurer
• Most Utahns, including Salt Lake County residents, say they're ready to return to theaters, restaurants and festivals this summer

Other

• Cox, Henderson endorse GOP candidates, some say it's not a good look (KUTV)
• Utah politicians respond to Biden's joint address to congress (FOX 13)
• Fourth Utah man charged in connection with U.S. Capitol riots appears in Federal Court (FOX 13)
• FOX 13 Investigates: Utahns continued donating millions to Donald Trump after the election (Fox13)
• Reading To Young Children Stimulates Brain Development, Creates Nurturing Environment. The more words little children were exposed to, especially before they turn five-years-old, the better. Reading not only builds their brains, but helps a child feel nurtured and loved. (KSL)
• Low Water Levels Expose Sticky Tar Mess At Great Salt Lake (KSL)
• Washington County staying afloat and out of a drought this summer, thanks to reservoirs (ABC4)
• Depression hits Utah harder than most places, new study shows (Fox13)
• U.S. Sen. Romney faces censure at GOP convention over impeachment votes (Daily Herald)
• Utah County commissioners authorize Amelia Powers Gardner's nomination to commission. She will be sworn in this morning. (Daily Herald)
• St. George selected to host 2022 Ironman North American Championship (St. George News)

COVID Corner

• Utah reports more than 500 more new cases of COVID-19 for the second day in a row (Salt Lake Tribune)
• So you've had your shots, what are the chances of getting COVID-19 now? Here's the answer (Deseret News)
• IN FOCUS Discussion: State of the COVID-19 pandemic (ABC4)
• Intermountain leading global trial to help sickest COVID-19 patients (Fox13)
• Testing the Moderna vaccine in kids: Trials underway in Utah (KUTV)
• Utah women explain why they got Johnson & Johnson vaccine after pause lifted (KUTV)
• Selfie or self-promotion? The Urban Dictionary has added a new word to describe people who brag about being vaccinated for COVID-19. You don't want to be one (Deseret News)
• Pfizer's new at-home pill to treat Covid could be available by end of the year, CEO hopes (CNBC)
• Tucker Carlson goes off on kids wearing masks, and it isn't pretty (Deseret News)
• How masks became a symbol of America's intolerance (Deseret News)
• 7 things you need to keep doing even if you're fully vaccinated (Deseret News)
• Is there a link between the COVID-19 vaccine and heart inflammation? (Deseret News)
• Pfizer, Moderna Covid vaccines 94% effective at preventing hospitalizations in elderly, CDC study shows (CNBC)
• Covid-19 vaccine myths: These reasons for not getting a shot don't hold up. In fact, they'll set the US back (CNN)
• A boy with COVID died on a family trip to Hawaii. Should parents be worried? (San Francisco Chronicle)

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National Headlines

• It looks like Idaho is going to ban 'critical race theory' from its public schools, including universities. Here's what that means (Deseret News)
• 5 takeaways from President Biden's first address to Congress (CNN)
• More action, less talk, distinguish Biden's 100-day sprint (AP)
• Biden, in speech to Congress, offers sweeping agenda and touts democracy (Washington Post)
• Republicans accuse Biden of failing to live up to promise of unity as president pushes big agenda (Washington Post)
• Ezra Klein: Bipartisanship is overrated, especially by senators (and former senators) (New York Times)
• GOP's Sen. Scott suggests Dems use race as political weapon (AP)
• First Chauvin juror to speak publicly recounts stress of coming to court to 'watch a Black man die' (Washington Post)
• 3 Indicted on Federal Hate Crime Charges in Ahmaud Arbery Shooting (New York Times)
• Feds raid Giuliani's home, office, escalating criminal probe (AP)
• Covid limits on Biden's speech tonight are what the country needs after Trump's theatrics (NBC News)
• 'Madam Speaker, Madam Vice President': Women Make History At Biden's Joint Address (NPR)
• Senate votes to nix Trump rule limiting methane regulation (The Hill)
• US eyes major rollback in Iran sanctions to revive nuke deal (AP)

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Policy News

Sens Lee and Thune Introduce Bill to Strengthen National Guard Resources and Readiness
Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) and John Thune (R-SD) today introduced theGuarding Readiness Resources Act, a bill to ensure that National Guard unitsreceive the reimbursement required by law forthe use of federalequipmentto supportstate missions.

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Gov. Cox names Kirt Slaugh acting state treasurer
Gov. Spencer Cox has named Kirt Slaugh as acting state treasurer. The appointment, effective May 3, 2021, follows the resignation of David Damschen, who announced on April 12 that he was leaving his office to become president and CEO of the Utah Housing Corporation.

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Owens to Serve on Congressional Escort Committee for State of the Union
Rep. Burgess Owens (UT-04) has been selected to serve on the Congressional Escort Committee ahead of tonight's State of the Union address.Owens will join a bipartisan group of members to escort the President to the House Chamber for his first joint address to Congress.

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Conservative Voices Reiterate the Need for Federal LGBTQ Protections Following the President's Address
Tonight, members of the Conservatives Against Discrimination Leadership Council are sharing their call for a bipartisan solution that delivers federal protections for LGBTQ Americans following President Joe Biden's address to a joint session of Congress.

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Rep. Stewart support's Biden's Afghanistan decision
Yesterday, Rep. Chris Stewart (R-UT) wrote an op-ed in Fox News supporting President Biden's plan to withdraw from Afghanistan. It's time to bring our troops home."Last year, President Trump was right in making the decision to bring our troops home. This year, President Biden is right in saying that, 'Rather than return to war with the Taliban, we have to focus on the challenges that are in front of us.' I encourage and support this decision, regardless of whether an 'R' or 'D' resides next to their name," Rep. Stewart writes.

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Business Headlines

• Facebook Earnings Just Obliterated Expectations (Motley Fool)
• Apple, Facebook drive Nasdaq futures higher as earnings roll in (Reuters)
• Surging U.S. crop prices reverse fortunes in rural Iowa (Reuters)
• Fed keeps key rate near zero, sees inflation as 'transitory' (AP)
• EXPLAINER: Capital gains tax hike targets wealthy investors (AP)
• I'm not your typical "visionary" entrepreneur (and that's a good thing) (Utah Business)
• UTOPIA signs $18 million contract with Pleasant Grove for fiber network (Daily Herald)
• Where is Dogecoin most popular? This new map reveals Utah, Idaho among top states (Deseret News)
• No more oil and gas company investments for University of Utah? The U. Academic Senate wants the school to change how it invests, and offers environment-friendly recommendations. (Salt Lake Tribune)
• Investors didn't like my business, here's what I did to change that (Utah Business)
• Diapers, Cereal and, Yes, Toilet Paper Are Going to Get More Expensive (New York Times)
• The pandemic might be temporary, but the debt is permanent (Axios)
• Would you pay $30 a month for a faster web browser that eats less battery? (The Verge)
• Fortnite's cash cow is PlayStation, not iOS, court documents reveal (The Verge)

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