A recent screening of the documentary “Damaged: The Transing of America’s Kids” produced by the Daily Caller, a conservative news and opinion website founded by former Fox News host Tucker Carlson and political pundit Neil Patel, was halted at the University of Utah library after student protesters disrupted a watch party organized by the Young Americans for Freedom chapter on Nov. 1.

The university’s Center of Equity and Student Belonging notified the leadership of Mecha in a letter that it had withdrawn its sponsorship of the organization, stating that “Mecha and its members” are “engaging in behavior that infringes upon the First Amendment rights of other University of Utah students to express their views.”

“To say we are outraged is an understatement," Mecha posted in a lengthy statement on Instagram. 

With Congress on verge of fistfights, Gov. Cox champions civil discourse

Tense disagreements on Capitol Hill boiled over Tuesday as U.S. lawmakers nearly came to blows on two different occasions.

Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin challenged union president Sean M. O’Brien to “finish it here” during a Senate hearing. Both men told the other to “stand your butt up” — to fight — before Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders deescalated the situation.

Shortly before the Senate scuffle, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was seen elbowing Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., in the back — their first interaction since Burchett voted to oust McCarthy in October. Burchett proceeded to run after the former speaker, according to witnesses, yelling, “You got any guts?” and “You need security, Kevin!”

Meanwhile, Utah Republican Gov. Spencer Cox was speaking about countering toxic polarization with healthy dialogue at the second bipartisan gathering centered on his “Disagree Better” initiative as chair of the National Governors Association, where he was asked about the morning’s congressional clashes.

“This is a problem across our country,” Cox told reporters. “What we’re trying to do is encourage and inspire people to find a different path.”

Read more about what Cox said about politicians engaging in physical altercations.

More in Politics:

• Utah House GOP picks Mike Schultz as new speaker (Deseret News)
• The Supreme Court’s new code of conduct, explained (Deseret News)
• Who’s at fault for Republicans’ struggles: Ronna McDaniel or Donald Trump — or neither? (Deseret News)
• Democrats push to get abortion on the ballot in 2024 (Deseret News)
• Ron DeSantis once campaigned for Mitt Romney, new photo suggests (Deseret News)

FROM OUR SPONSOR OFFICE OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

It’s voting season!

While you’re gearing up to decorate for the fall holidays, don’t forget to
decorate your ballot with your picks for votes in this election.

And take note — this year, the election dates have changed. Be sure you
mail your ballot by November 20th. Visit vote.utah.gov to learn more.

Health

• Why wearing a hearing aid for hearing loss might prevent falls (Deseret News)
• Life expectancy gap widens to the biggest difference since 1996 (Deseret News)

Faith

• Funeral service announced for President M. Russell Ballard (Deseret News)
  
• How President M. Russell Ballard linked the church’s humble founding to its global emergence (Deseret News)

Entertainment

• Video: Pixar’s ‘Inside Out’ welcomes Anxiety to the cast in summer 2024 sequel (Deseret News)
  
• What Dolly Parton said about becoming ‘a rock star at 77,’ her belief in God and ‘terrible’ cancel culture (Deseret News)

Utah and Salt Lake Counties

• 2 dead, 1 injured in Utah County plane crash (KSL)
  
• Staffing at Utah's state prison below threshold for maintaining safety and security, audit finds (KSL)
  

Washington and Iron Counties

• FBI: Sting nets arrest of 5 men who arranged to meet up with minors in Southern Utah (St. George News)
  
• Police arrest 2 men accused of stealing guns from vehicles to sell them in Cedar City, Las Vegas (Cedar City News)
  

The West

• Massive fire wreaking havoc on already chaotic LA traffic was likely caused by arson (Deseret News)
  
• Could Salt Lake City face more competition for an MLB team? (Deseret News)
  

The Nation

• Will new inflation data put an end to Fed’s rate hike streak? (Deseret News)
  
• Jay Evensen: Want to change the world? This man has a formula (Deseret News)
  

The World

• As Iceland braces for a potential volcanic eruption, what is likely to happen and what are the risks? (CNN)
• Fighting rages in Gaza as heavy rain lashes thousands sleeping in tents (BBC)

Sports

• Police arrest man on suspicion of manslaughter after former NHL player dies (Deseret News)
• The Utah Jazz took on the Portland Trail Blazers Tuesday. Here's what happened (Deseret News)
• ‘We’re going to win this game’: Remembering BYU’s stunning 14-13 upset of No. 3 Oklahoma in 2009 (Deseret News)
• The new USWNT coach has been named. What does it mean for Ashley Hatch’s Olympic chances? (Deseret News)

Photo of the Day

BYU Cougars fans watch as the Cougars trail the Iowa State Cyclones 31-7 just before halftime at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. Spenser Heaps, Deseret News.

Read more about the highlights and key plays from BYU’s humbling 45-13 loss to Iowa State.