There’s a hint of panic in Bill Hulterstrom’s voice when he talks about Utah County’s Sub for Santa program. With Christmas just one week away, 360 families had not yet been matched with donors by Monday afternoon, so lots of kids might be skipped by Santa Claus in what Hulterstrom calls a very difficult year.

Santa definitely could use some outside help.

“We think housing costs and inflation are putting people in need,” Hulterstrom said. “It’s making it harder for some who normally step up at the end and fill remaining gaps to be able to step up this year.”

Utah Democrats announce statewide coordinated campaign for 2024

The Utah Democratic Party announced a statewide coordinated campaign to pool resources and show a united front ahead of next year’s general election.

Officially launched on Tuesday, the party’s “Organize Utah” initiative promises “historic investments” in typically Republican districts and record-level spending on voter education efforts in 2024.

“2024 is a crucial year for our party, and that’s why I am so excited about the launch of Organize Utah,” said Utah Democratic Party Chair Diane Lewis in a press release. 

“We believe that not only will our early planning and preparation lead to Democratic gains next November, but that we are also laying the groundwork for success in the years to come.”

Read more about the Utah Democratic Party’s first coordinated campaign since 2016.

More in Politics

• How could impeaching Biden sway the 2024 election? (Deseret News)
• Poll: Both Democrats and Republicans blame fraud for most recent presidential election losses (Deseret News)
• Ari Bruening: There is a simple answer to improve the housing crisis (Deseret News)
  

FROM OUR SPONSOR JON M. HUNTSMAN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

The Huntsman School of Business Wishes You A Happy Holiday Season

As the year ends, we reflect on the chances taken, the big wins, and the missteps. "Far better it is to dare mighty things, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who... live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.”― Theodore Roosevelt

Faith

• What changes about church when Christmas Eve is on a Sunday? (Deseret News)
• Andrew Byers: Christmas Doesn’t Need Saving (Christianity Today)

Family

• Holly Richardson: The Christmas I forgot one of my kids (Deseret News)
• Jennifer Graham: An ode to DIY ornaments (Deseret News)

Business

• Bill Gates ‘optimistic’ about role AI could play in solving global challenges in education, health and more (Deseret News)
• Have legal challenges to TikTok bans been successful? (Deseret News)
  

Cache and Weber Counties

• North Logan family seeking answers into the disappearance of their daughter (KSL)

• Ogden man sues city in response to 2022 encounter with police (Standard Examiner)

Utah and Washington Counties

• Watch a sneak peak of the Spanish Fork Festival of Lights (Deseret News)

• This tiny home in Apple Valley has disappeared. Have you seen it? (St. George News)

The West

• People are still moving to Utah. Where are they coming from? (Deseret News)
• Bryan Kohberger's motions to dismiss Idaho murders indictment denied (Fox News)

The Nation

• Passport processing times back to pre-pandemic speed (Deseret News)
• Southwest Airlines is being fined $140 million for holiday travel meltdown in 2022 (Deseret News)

The World

• Webb space telescope captures captivating images of Uranus (Deseret News)
• Ukraine military seeks extra 500,000 soldiers, President Zelensky says (BBC)

Sports

• Four-star tight end, highly recruited cornerback highlight a defense-heavy 2024 early signing class (Deseret News)
• What to expect for Utah State when early signing period begins Wednesday (Deseret News)
• What to expect from Utah’s early signing day (Deseret News)
• 3 Utah schools make the latest bracketology, with a 4th knocking on the door (Deseret News)