Utah Policy: Interim day today, Japanese doctors want the Olympics canceled and UFOs are normal?

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Utah Policy Daily Newsletter

The UtahPolicy.com daily newsletter gets you up to speed on the top local and national news about politics and public policy. Send news tips or feedback to editor@utahpolicy.com

Situational Analysis - May 18, 2021

Hello Tuesday! It's International Museum Day. Too bad we're not in Greece right now - all their museums are open and free of charge today.

News You Need to Know

Today is interim day for the Utah legislature. You can follow along at . Tomorrow, the legislature meets in special session. There are 22 items on the call, including accepting and appropriating federal funds, some technical clean-up from session bills, a resolution celebrating the history and cultures of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and condemning AAPI hate and extending the state of emergency because of Utah's drought conditions. You can follow along at le.utah.gov. Japanese doctors are calling for the Olympics to be canceled amid COVID-19 surge. They're 66 days away. And some Navy pilots got used to seeing UFO's: 'Every day for at least a couple years' N%MCEPASTEBIN%

Calendar

Salt Lake Chamber Business Women's Forum Webinar: The Science Behind Being a Powerful Speaker. May 18, 11:00-1:00. Register here. Hatch Center: Justice and Mercy: Bringing greater balance to America's legal system with Senator Mike Lee. May 20, 11:00 am. Register here. Utah Democratic Party organizaing convention: June 26, 2021 250 days of the Cox-Henderson administration: September 11, 2021

Today At Utah Policy

Sutherland Institute's public statement on Critical Race Theory and proposed legislative action
By Rick Larsen
Many in Utah are deeply concerned about what is being taught in the classroom today - Critical Race Theory has become a priority focus. These justified concerns are driving calls for immediate legislative action this week in the form of a CRT ban. Sutherland Institute recognizes the lasting impact of lessons taught - particularly in the most formative years - and shares the concern. Response is appropriate - however - the way we respond will teach a lesson of its own. Commentary: The importance of family, as taught by The Other Side Academy
By LaVarr Webb
I'm a firm believer that family is the basic unit of society and that as families go, so goes society. I believe that values such as honesty, integrity, respect, structure, hard work, loyalty, duty, caring, obedience (to correct rules and laws) and love are indispensable to a well-functioning society. And the best place to learn and teach those values is in a family.

Utah Headlines

General

Their children died in Afghanistan. Do the parents of fallen soldiers think a 20-year war was worth it? (Deseret News) IN FOCUS Discussion: Mental Health Awareness Month (ABC4) Utah lawmakers grapple with critical race theory amid conservative outcry (Daily Herald) Between collecting cars and running trucking company, Sen. Don Ipson seeks compromise in Utah Legislature (St. George News)

Politics

Utah Legislature might ban future school mask requirements in special session (Deseret News) Why Gov. Cox left critical race theory and 2nd Amendment sanctuary off special session agenda (Deseret News) Critical race theory, Second Amendment sanctuary won't be considered during this week's legislative special session (Salt Lake Tribune)

Service

Utah Farm Bureau celebrating one year anniversary of 'Farmers Feeding Families' by handing out free food (Standard-Examiner)

COVID Corner

Utah reports one more COVID-19 death and 168 new cases (Deseret News) The CDC's mask announcement isn't going to change public behavior (Deseret News) Dr. Fauci explains why CDC changes its mask guidelines (Deseret News) Seven things Utah parents should know about getting their children vaccinated against COVID-19: A leading Utah pediatrician answers questions about the vaccine's safety, effectiveness and side effects. (Salt Lake Tribune) Gov. Cox's COVID-19 response has been a success (Deseret News) India reports record day of virus deaths of more than 4300 as cases begin to level off (AP)

Drought

Look out for bears - they're more likely to run into people during drought, officials say (Salt Lake Tribune) The Jordanelle Reservoir's low level is 'concerning' but not 'critical,' official says (Park Record) Pineview Reservoir Water Level 18 Feet Below Normal (KSL)

Economy

Looking for a job in Utah? Here's how the state can help you find one. (Salt Lake Tribune)

Education

Salt Lake City school implementing summer school for struggling students (KUTV)

Elections

Democrats are pushing a big national voting bill. Here's how it compares to Utah laws. (Salt Lake Tribune) Cache Dems' new leadership sets sights on local seats (Herald Journal)

Environment

Ancient Native Americans may have cultivated medicinal plants in Bears Ears, study finds. U. scientists identify 31 plant species common near archaeological sites, but are very rare elsewhere. (Salt Lake Tribune)

Family

More checks are going out to Americans - this time child tax credit checks (Deseret News) Biden's American Families Plan will update the U.S.' outdated family policy (Deseret News)

Housing

Utah's new homeless centers are safer than the closed Road Home, but drugs still a problem, audit says (Salt Lake Tribune) Utah home builder starts using bamboo instead of relying on traditional lumber (KUTV)

Legal

Supreme Court to hear abortion case that could upend Roe v. Wade (Deseret News)

Local Communities

Support for victims of violence expanding with Spanish services (Daily Herald) Two positions added to Box Elder planning commission (Box Elder News Journal) New Brighton High revitalizes, expands programs; school to be completed by fall (Cottonwood Heights Journal) One woman saved hundreds of lives and impacted Murray's history (Valley Journals)

National Headlines

General

Japanese doctors call for Olympics cancellation amid covid-19 surge (Washington Post) For some Navy pilots, UFO sightings were an ordinary event: 'Every day for at least a couple years' (Washington Post) Chinese businessman with links to Steve Bannon is driving force for a sprawling disinformation network, researchers say (Washington Post) Black Lives Matter activists said a man tried to hit them with his car. The suspect turned out to be a judge. (Washington Post)

Politics

Amid threats to members, US House to vote on new security (AP)

Economy

What losing work in a pandemic cost these 15 mothers (New York Times)

Elections

'Our democracy is imperiled': Maricopa County officials decry 2020 recount as a sham and call on Arizona Republicans to end the process (Washington Post) Arizona GOP election official defends office against Trump voting conspiracy theory: 'We are humans, it has to stop.' (CNN) Graham: 'I accept the results of the election' (The Hill) Andrew Giuliani, Rudy Giuliani's son, announces run for New York governor (Politico) Republicans eye new House majority through redistricting (The Hill) Trump signals he's ready to get back in the game (The Hill)

International

Donors pledge $340 mln for Rohingya crisis: U.N. refugee agency (Reuters) Cyclone Tauktae strikes India's west coast, disrupting crucial battle against coronavirus (Washington Post)

Israeli/Palestinian Conflict

Israeli-Palestinian conflict: What's happening now? (Deseret News) Palestinians go on strike as Israel, Hamas trade fire (AP) Protesters in major US cities decry airstrikes over Gaza (AP) Hamas-Israel fighting abates slightly as truce calls mount (Reuters) Israeli airstrikes pound Gaza despite cease-fire calls (Washington Post) Humanitarian catastrophe deepens in Gaza (New York Times)

Policy News

Utah State Board of Education Leadership Statement on Critical Race Theory
We express gratitude to both Governor Spencer J. Cox and the legislature in recognizing our work regarding educational equity. In the call of the special session released today, the governor expressed a desire to have the Board continue its work in this area. To date, no Board Member has raised Critical Race Theory (CRT) as an agenda item to include in Utah's K-12 schools, and advocates have not asked for specific theories to be taught. Rather, there has been a focus on educational equity and access to learning for all students.Utah leaders issue joint statement supporting Israel
Gov. Spencer J. Cox, Senate President J. Stuart Adams and House Speaker Brad Wilson issued the following joint statement about the escalating violence in Israel:Mortgage Loan Office team surprises motorists on Adam's Avenue Parkway by paying their tolls
Bank of Utah is in the midst of a Spring into Service Scavenger Hunt and is encouraging the public to do acts of service through May 21st and the Bank will donate $10 to a Utah nonprofit if a photo of the service is posted and tagged on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.Guest opinion: Mental fitness for suicide prevention
May marks Mental Health Awareness Month, and this past week was National Prevention Week (NWP) to raise awareness around preventing substance abuse and to promote positive mental health. A year ago we were staring into the abyss with a global pandemic, and the toll this catastrophe has taken on mental health is immeasurable. Utah Senate Requests Public Comment on Judicial Nominee
The Utah Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee is seeking public comment on attorney Jeffry Ross who Governor Spencer J. Cox appointed as a judge for the 8th District Juvenile Court.

Business Headlines

Parler is coming back to Apple's app store, but it won't look the same for iPhone users (Deseret News) Why Dogecoin is evolving in real time (Deseret News) These ten Utah companies rank on the national list for best workplaces in 2021 (Deseret News) Utah companies come up with unique ways to entice employees (Fox13) Walmart beats estimates for sales on stimulus spending boost, raises profit forecast (Reuters) Gamestop, AMC short sellers sit on nearly $1 billion loss (Reuters) U.S. Bank Stocks Shine as Investors Bet on an Economic Recovery (Wall Street Journal) WarnerMedia merger with Discovery will form a streaming behemoth that includes HBO, CNN, TBS and TNT (Washington Post) Pent-up consumer demand fuels post-pandemic spending spree (The Hill)

On This Day In History

(From History.com)

1860 - Abraham Lincoln is nominated for the presidency at the Republican Convention. 1896 - The US Supreme Court ruled in Plessy v. Ferguson, that "separate but equal" accommodations is Constitutional. It remained until the Brown v Board of Education ruling overturned it 48 years later. 1920 - Pope John Paul II is born in Poland 1953 - Jacqueline Cochran became the first woman to break the sound barrier. 1971 - US President Richard Nixon rejects 60 demands of Congressional Black Caucus. 1973 - Jeannette Rankin, American politician, 1st woman elected to US Congress (R-Montana), women's rights advocate and pacifist, dies at 92 1980 - Mt. Saint Helens erupts 2012 - Facebook raises $16 billion in largest tech IPO in U.S. history

Wise Words

"It is important for people to be able to read all sides of every question; for a feeling of national unity does not come from one-sided or inadequate information, but from a sense of freedom impartially secured and of opportunity equalized by a just government."

~Jeannette Rankin