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 lwebb@utahpolicy.com,. Situational Analysis - Nov. 11, 2020Welcome to Wednesday. I've been waiting for this: "At last: This Unbelievably Weird Squid Has Been Spotted in the Wild" (Popular Mechanics) TICK TOCK6 days to the Salt Lake County Board of Canvassers meeting (11/17/2020 Today At Utah PolicyPolicymaker profile: Getting to know Kera BirkelandBy Staff Utah Policy regularly profiles policymakers from across the state. In this edition we profile Utah Representative Birkeland, Republican, District 53. Occupation: Law firm business manager.Education: I attended BYU the summer of 2001 and 2002.Growing up: I grew up in Montana and New York.Childhood ambition: To make a difference in the world. Webb Wrap: Where will Trump's base go? . . . Health coverage is safe . . . Fillmore takes the cake . . . Reid responds By LaVarr Webb Republican 2024 presidential hopefuls are flocking to Georgia, trying to help the Republican candidates in the two Senate runoffs, while also getting some national exposure. It's way too early, obviously, to be talking about the 2024 presidential race. But I'll do it anyway. Anything can happen over the next two or three years. Especially unknown is the status of the thousand-pound gorilla in the Republican Party - Trump himself. He will still have a magnetic hold on much of his base, and no Republican is going to win the nomination, let alone the presidency, without that base. Trump may play kingmaker, or even run himself (although I'd be surprised if he did). He will loom very large. To live with reasonable freedom, will we accept a certain number of COVID-19 deaths? By LaVarr Webb How many COVID-19 deaths each year are we willing to tolerate as a society? That may be a question we don't want to answer, but we need to think about it. It's much more than an academic exercise. We obviously don't want to tolerate any deaths. We want to eradicate the disease. Perhaps we will. It's quite certain that an effective vaccine will be produced, and better treatments will be developed for those who contract the virus. But we haven't yet eradicated the common flu, despite vaccines and therapeutics, despite the miracles of modern medicine. In Utah, well over 300 people die each year from the flu. Utah HeadlinesDeseret News
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Policy NewsSenate Pres. Adams & WSU Pres. Mortensen announce rapid testing planUtah Senate President J. Stuart Adams and Weber State University President Brad Mortensen have announced roll-out plans for student COVID-19 rapid testing on Weber State University campus beginning Nov. 16. Starting next week, Weber State University is projected to test 500 students daily. The university aims to test all students living or working on campus and those attending in-person classes by Thanksgiving break. State Treasurer trying to reunite unclaimed property with veterans & service members Utah State Treasurer David Damschen encourages Utahns to search for unclaimed property belonging to the veterans and active-duty service members in their lives this Veterans Day. "Our veterans, service members and their families have sacrificed so much. Helping them find their unclaimed property is one small way we can thank them for their service," Treasurer Damschen said. Business Headlines
On This Day In History(From History.com) 1852 - Louisa May Alcott publishes her first story. She later writes the beloved children's book, Little Women. Wise WordsVeterans: "The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war."Douglas MacArthur Lighter SideWaiting for the FineThe judge had not yet put in an appearance in the San Diego traffic court. When the bailiff entered the courtroom, he sensed the nervousness of the traffic offenders awaiting their ordeal. "Good morning, ladies and gentlemen," he said. "Welcome to 'What's My Fine?' " Reader's Digest Subscribers may receive special messages with information about new features, special offers, or public policy messages from clients and advertisers. |