Since Lauren McCluskey’s murder on the University of Utah campus in 2018, McCluskey’s mother Jill has advocated for change and improvements to safety on college campuses.

Jill McCluskey said she has been “very impressed with all the changes” that have happened in the past several years, but she still feels there is work to be done.

"I think it's always harder to come back from when there was a mistake. And the previous administration was not transparent and the students did not feel listened to. So I think that it takes time to overcome that. And I know that it's very different now. I think there's a path going forward," McCluskey said.

Utah Legislature approves $400 million tax cut package. Here’s what that means for Utahns 🐝

Thursday, the House and Senate both voted to pass to pass HB54, a bill that will enact a “historic”  but “measured” tax cut.

By the numbers:

• $208 million will go drop Utah’s income tax rate from 4.85% to 4.65%.
• Expansion of the Social Security tax credit to individuals earning up to $75,000.
• Low-income households will see a 22% tax cut, middle-income households 6% and high-income households 4%.

Want to know more? Click here.

More in Politics:

• Why some are calling for a national divorce (Deseret News)
• Utah Sen. Mike Lee deletes tweet on out-of-context Zelenskyy remarks (Deseret News)
• Utah Legislature votes to adopt new state flag, transition current design to 'historical' flag (KSL) 🐝

FROM UTAH BUSINESS

Saluting exceptional leaders

Utah Business recognizes members of the C-suite who are changing the way we do business for the better.

Are you acquainted with a C-suite executive who makes the hard decisions that impact daily operations as well as the long-term vision of their company? Submit a nomination before March 10.

Education:

• 27% of Utah students are chronically absent. Here’s what lawmakers have directed schools, juvenile justice to do (Deseret News) 🐝
• Perspective: How public schools can push back against vouchers (Deseret News) 🐝
• Bills challenging diversity, equity and inclusion efforts get pushback in Utah (KSL) 🐝

Police and Courts:

• GOP grills AG Merrick Garland over harassment of Supreme Court justices (Deseret News)
• Chad Daybell will be tried separately from Lori Vallow, judge rules on Thursday (Deseret News)
• Legislature passes bill requiring police to perform lethality assessment for domestic violence calls (KSL) 🐝

Health:

• FDA panel recommends first RSV vaccine for adults 60 and older (Deseret News)
• Should period products be free in state buildings in Utah? Gov. Spencer Cox says yes (Deseret News) 🐝

Culture:

• The snow is a gift that I don’t really want anymore (Deseret News)
• Perspective: What ‘imposter syndrome’ says about our schools (Deseret News)
• Milestone moment: Ballet West announces 60th-anniversary season (KSL)

Technology:

• TikTok is limiting scrolling time for users under 18. But the limits are pretty easy to get around (Deseret News)
• Biden Administration releases strategy to boost cybersecurity (Deseret News)
• Efforts to curb youth social media use clear Utah Legislature, await governor's signature (KSL) 🐝

Wasatch Front:

• Over 20 assaults on officers reported at Utah's new prison, records request reveals (KSL)

Southern Utah

• Gabby Petito's family files amended lawsuit against Moab police (KSL)

The West:

• A surge of tourists in Utah prompts questions of how to handle visitors sustainably (Utah Business)
• Legislature passes bill to allow year-round cougar hunting by any hunter (Salt Lake Tribune🔒) 🐝

The Nation:

• Joe Manchin, Jon Tester join Republicans to pass new anti-ESG rule, Biden says he’ll veto (Deseret News)
• U.S. secretary of state meets with Russian foreign minister for the first time since invasion of Ukraine (Deseret News)
• Is upping soft power deployment the key to U.S. global leadership? (Deseret News)

The World:

• Greek transport minister resigns after disastrous train collision that killed 46 (Deseret News)
• West Bank experiences deadliest beginning of the year since 2000 (Deseret News)
• Finland is getting much closer to joining NATO (Deseret News)

Sports:

• The nationally ranked Utah women's basketball team just began its pursuit of the Pac-12 tournament title. Here's how it fared (Deseret News)
• The Cougars will face this team Friday in their first WCC tournament game (Deseret News)
• Why this Ute won’t participate in any NFL combine drills this week (Deseret News)