Underlying President Abraham Lincoln’s success was his "ability to be open-minded, to change his thoughts and opinions, and to listen and learn from others, including those who had opposing viewpoints and were cruel to him," writes Rodney Dieser, a professor and mental health counselor, for the Deseret News.
Like us, Lincoln lived in a time of political and cultural division. Tell me: When is the last time you sat down and listened — really listened — to someone with the opposite view on something? Did you learn something new? I'll include your response in a future newsletter.
Here’s how much money Utah taxpayers are spending on the state’s Olympic venues
Utah's Olympic facilities, built with $59 million in funds approved by voters in 1989, remain key to Salt Lake City’s bid to host another Winter Games.
But despite already having venues, and a pledge by Olympic bidders that no state or local tax dollars are needed to host another Winter Games, the Utah Legislature has approved nearly $92 million to spend on facilities — with more on the way.
Why? Upkeep and updating.
Though the nonprofit Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation has self-funded for decades through private contributions and park revenue, lawmakers stepped in after a 2017 legislative audit recommended the state allocate $39.3 million over 10 years “to bring assets up to current day standards and sport-specific technical requirements.”
Added to the funds set aside for Olympic venues not operated by the foundation, the total expenditures by the state may exceed $140 million.
“I know the numbers sound large,” said Colin Hilton, president and CEO of the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation. “But we are being, in my opinion, very appropriate in our spending to balance the community uses and the uses of these facilities for a future Games.”
Fraser Bullock, president and CEO of the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games that’s behind the bid for the 2030 or 2034 Olympics, said of the facilities that rather than Olympic venues, “first and foremost, they’re community facilities," adding, “the nice side benefit is any enhancements that are made, we will make good use of during the Games.”
Read more about Utahns' investment in Olympic facilities and why it takes so much to maintain them.
As the U.S. House of Representatives prepares to vote on the $900 billion annual defense budget, Republicans have proposed dozens of amendments to the bill in an effort to eliminate what they say are “woke” policies implemented by President Joe Biden.
Members of Utah’s congressional delegation say these “culture war” issues are dragging the military into unnecessary battles at home, while leaving the country unprepared to fight wars abroad.
The 1,200 page National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, which passed the House Armed Services Committee on June 21, is expected to come up for a vote in the House this week. The bill details how Congress would allocate nearly $900 billion to fund U.S. military operations next year.
It includes across-the-board pay raises for service members, additional assistance for Ukraine and resources to counter China.
But so far there are roughly 1,400 proposed amendments to the bill, including dozens aimed at reversing Pentagon policies related to abortion access, gender reassignment surgery and critical race theory instruction in Department of Defense schools.
“The (Department of Defense) must focus on the real conflicts and wars America faces against its adversaries and not the culture wars often perpetrated from the Biden administration,” Utah Republican Rep. Blake Moore said in a statement to the Deseret News.
Read more about the amendments and what Reps. Blake Moore, John Curtis and Burgess Owens had to say about them.
More in Politics
Why is the governor of North Dakota running for president? (Deseret News)
Jay Evensen: Why Biden’s Plan B for student loan forgiveness won’t work (Deseret News)
Mike Lee says Ukraine joining NATO is like 'insuring a house on fire' (KSL)
Here’s what California Gov. Gavin Newsom had to say about Utah at a private fundraiser (Salt Lake Tribune 🔒)
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Utah’s Water is Scarce – How You Can Save It
Population growth impacts, like increasing water demand, worry many Utahns. Leaders welcome input on solutions. Take the survey and be heard.
Health
What is ‘bed rotting’ and what do experts have to say about it? (Deseret News)
FDA called on to investigate content in Prime drinks, brand founded by Logan Paul and KSI (Deseret News)
Faith
First sister missionary from Mali in West Africa anxious to serve the Lord (Church News)
Pope Francis names 21 new cardinals, including prelates based in Hong Kong and Jerusalem (Religion News Service)
Entertainment
‘Sound of Freedom’ is an unexpected box-office hit. The faith-based film earned a No. 3 spot opening weekend (Deseret News)
‘Barbie’ movie hit with political controversy (Deseret News)
Tech and Business
Threads becomes fastest growing app in decades (Deseret News)
Meet the Utahn trying to build the 'go-to platform' for vintage sneakers, clothing (KSL)
Salt Lake and Utah Counties
Man charged with lighting LDS hospital room on fire (KSL)
Utah teens showing off equestrian vaulting skills in international competition (KSL)
The West
Direct payment for Los Angeles residents worth $1,000 will be sent in five days (Washington Examiner)
Idaho open primary supporters legally challenge AG Raúl Labrador’s ballot titles (Idaho Capital Sun)
The Nation
Solar storm could make northern lights visible in 17 states this week (Deseret News)
Survivors of the Tulsa race massacre are appealing a judge’s decision to dismiss their case for reparations (CNN)
The World
Why is France in chaos? Here’s what you need to know (Deseret News)
What we know about Russia’s armed rebellion — Wagner leader met with Putin days after mutiny, Kremlin says (Deseret News)
While Harrison Ford and Tom Cruise spent the weekend pitching their big-budget Hollywood movies, Kenneth Rooks, running in a pair of $150 shoes, stole the show. In a matter of minutes, he became a life lesson of overcoming, enduring and finishing.
The BYU junior from Walla Walla, Washington, recovered from a fall to win the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon. Rooks is the first collegiate runner to win gold at the USA Championships in 32 years.
Read more to hear Rook talk through the race and about his Olympic ambitions.
More in Sports:
Utah Jazz beat writer Sarah Todd keeps fans up to speed from the Las Vegas Summer League (Deseret News)
Big 12 women’s cross-country: BYU brings rich tradition, national titles to Power Five league, but where will it finish? (Deseret News)
BYU is about to find out what ‘others’ think of them in the Big 12 (Deseret News)
Utes receive commitment from 4-star wide receiver David Washington (Deseret News)
Utah-based basketball team wins prestigious Adidas 3SSB under-17 national championship (Deseret News)