Between a winter with record-low temperatures and increasing rates of homelessness, Kseniya Kniazeva saw a need for innovation when it comes to temporary shelter. The Nomad Alliance bus is a no-frills solution but greatly appreciated by those who find warmth and shelter there — especially during one of the harshest winters in recent memory.

The bus is a no-barrier option for unsheltered Utahns who were hesitant or unable to find space in a mainstream shelter, but the model faces many challenges.

Mitt Romney backs Starbucks CEO in his fight with Democrats over unions

Utah Sen. Mitt Romney expressed support for former CEO of Starbucks Howard Schultz Wednesday at the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing. Schultz was accused by Bernie Sanders of “union-busting,” saying the company’s attempts to keep unions from organizing employees were “aggressive” and “illegal.”

What Mitt Romney said:

• Romney accused the Democrats of having a “conflict of interest” because unions donate large sums of money to Democratic political campaigns.
  
  
• “I recognize at the outset there’s some irony to a non-coffee drinking Mormon conservative defending a Democrat candidate for president in perhaps one of the most liberal companies in America … That being said, I also think it’s somewhat rich that you’re being grilled by people who have never had the opportunity to create a single job, and yet they believe that they know better how to do so and what’s best for the American worker and what’s best for the American economy — what’s best for growth.”
  
  
• Romney also pointed out a Vermont Starbucks store where only six of the 21 employees participated in a union vote, saying, “The Vermont thing is not a proxy. The Vermont thing is exactly what’s going on around the country.”

Read more here.

More in Politics:

• Opinion: The number of Americans who favor democracy is shrinking. Where’s the breakdown? (Deseret News)
• Sens. Lee, Romney vote differently on repeal of Iraq military authorizations (Deseret News)

Health:

• FDA approves drug overdose antidote Narcan to be available over the counter (Deseret News)
• Intermountain Health says it wants planned urban hospital to be 'an anchor' in Salt Lake City (KSL)

Environment:

• Why camping access is hurting Utah's Hardware Wildlife Management Area (KSL)
• Wind, snow and rain to return in Utah yet again. Here's what to expect (KSL)
• Out in Utah’s spring snow? Be mindful of the backcountry avalanche danger (KUER)

Family:

• Study shows mental health hospitalizations for children increased 25% in 10 years (Deseret News)

Police and Courts:

• 2 inmates hospitalized after brawl breaks out Utah's state prison (KSL)

Faith:

• Why Pope Francis was hospitalized Wednesday (Deseret News)

Weber County:

• Active shooter hoax to Utah schools came from outside the U.S., police say (KSL)

Emery County:

• Emery County Republicans will decide whether or not to censure Sen. Mitt Romney at Thursday’s GOP county convention (Salt Lake Tribune🔒)

The West:

• Uinta Basin Railway project chugs forward despite controversy (Deseret News)
• The Intermountain West is booming. Here’s a demographic view of what the change looks like (Deseret News)

U.S. and The World:

• More Winter Games host candidates emerge, IOC says, but won’t name names (Deseret News)

Sports:

• Why BYU football coaches are determined to have capable backup quarterbacks in 2023 (Deseret News)
• Utah Valley’s Mark Madsen is leaving to coach at Cal (Deseret News)
• ‘Battle and grind’: What is the status of Cam Rising? Here’s how he’s spending time in spring practices (Deseret News)