Maine's mass shooter still at large; last weekend in October brings plenty to do; Ralph Becker endorses Mayor Mendenhall | | | The Utah Policy newsletter is your one-stop source for political and policy-minded news. We scour the news so you don't have to! Send news tips or feedback to Holly Richardson at editor@utahpolicy.com. | | |
Situational Analysis | October 27, 2023 It's Friday and National Black Cat Day! It's also Cranky Co-Workers Day, but we won't talk about that, m'k? What You Need to Know Republican Celeste Maloy and Democrat Kathleen Riebe faced off in their only televised debate during this general election season. Both agree that it's a mess in Washington, they're both willing to work across the aisle to get things done and they agree that spending is out of control. They disagree on how to tackle the nation's debt problem. Maloy wants to reform Social Security and deregulate the energy and housing industries. Riebe says the wealthy should shoulder a greater tax burden and the federal government should play a greater role in making housing more affordable. The general election is November 21. Rapid Relevance It's the last weekend in October and there are Halloween and DÃa de los Muertos events happening all over; plus, a road closures this weekend will impact access to the SLC International Airport, so plan ahead; '1989' (Taylor's Version) is here. | | |
| | BLM Releases Plan that finally protects Labyrinth Canyon After years of prioritizing off-road vehicles, a recent decision from the Bureau of Land Management brings balance to this special place. Travel plans are an opportunity to develop reasonable, balanced, and forward-thinking blueprints that ensure public access while preserving the backcountry and minimizing damage. Learn more at suwa.org. | | |
Utah Headlines Political news Is the U.S. doing enough to respond to the war in Israel? New Utah poll shows people divided about how the U.S. should be involved (Deseret News) Sen. Mike Lee, other GOP senators propose a standalone bill for Israel aid, without Ukraine funding (Deseret News) Is Mike Johnson up to the task of House Speaker? Rep. John Curtis says he is (Deseret News) Utah Democrats condemn election of Rep. Mike Johnson as House Speaker (Cache Valley Daily) Sen. Mike Lee: Our right to religious freedom requires ceaseless defense (Deseret News) Utah liquor board approves licenses for two new bars and five restaurants (Salt Lake Tribune) Here's why Cache County will split the clerk/auditorâs office in two (UPR) âWholly unpreparedâ: Utah lawmakers, education leaders tour site of Parkland school shooting (Salt Lake Tribune) Election news Celeste Maloy, Kathleen Riebe square off on debate stage ahead of 2nd District election (KSL) âMake Congress work again,â say Celeste Maloy and Kathleen Riebe in 2nd District debate (Deseret News) Orem City Council candidate debate brings discussions on growth, affordable housing and traffic (Daily Herald) Ralph Becker: Erin Mendenhall is the best choice for Salt Lake City mayor (Salt Lake Tribune) General Utah news 'This is great': Salt Lake City breaks ground on first regional park in over 60 years (KSL) Wasatch County officials recommend approval of Heber Valley temple, despite community divide (KSL TV) Beloved KUTV Chief Meteorologist Sterling Poulson announces retirement (KUTV) Utah Homicide Survivors to name new annual award after late Justice Files journalist Marcos Ortiz (ABC4) 'Unruly' guests removed from 'Dracula' performance at Capitol Theatre (Fox13) Business/Tech From biplanes to Cold War satellites, new study unlocks mysteries of ancient Roman forts (Deseret News) Food truck winters: struggling to stay in business (KSL Newsradio) Utah bids to be new home of National Air Races (Fox13) Crime Layton man pleads guilty to aggravated murder of wife, in-laws (Deseret News) Judge to decide future of Utah's death penalty (Fox13) Jury orders Vivint to pay $45 million in doorbell tech lawsuit (Fox13) âNot acceptableâ: KSL investigation reveals 100+ sex offenders missing from registry, prompts internal audit (KSL TV) Culture Uncovering the secret of Skinwalker Ranch (Deseret News) Olympic gold medalist Dominique Moceanu offers support to Kara Eaker (Deseret News) Has America become a nation of slobs? (Deseret News) Education Educator Ian Rowe at Wheatley: âThere are no victims in our school, only architects of our own livesâ (Deseret News) Utahâs Board of Ed is trying to thread a needle on standards and the âright of conscienceâ (KUER) Heber City asks school district to share future tax revenues to upgrade downtown (KPCW) College enrollment grew for the first time since the pandemic started (Washington Post) Environment What has to change for America to go all in on EVs? (Deseret News) The kiss of winter just made an advance on northern Utah mountains (Deseret News) Utah braces for potential back-to-back record-breaking snowfall seasons (KUTV) Wet weather, conservation deal ease short-term pressure on Colorado River managers (UPR) Family USDA: Food insecurity rose sharply in U.S. households in 2022 (Deseret News) Children today have less independence. Is that fueling a mental health crisis? (Washington Post) Health Adults with ADHD may face higher risk of dementia, study finds (Deseret News) Scientists just made the largest brain map ever (NPR) The cannabis that people are using for anxiety is probably making it worse (Wall Street Journal) Housing âOminousâ prediction: Rising mortgage rates stand to tip sector back into recession, Wells Fargo says (Deseret News) Fed moves to close massive racial homeownership gap. The new rule marks the most significant revision to the Community Reinvestment Act in nearly three decades. (Politico) | | |
National Headlines General Amid massive search for mass killing suspect, Maine residents remain behind locked doors (AP) Volunteer youth bowling coach and âheroâ bar manager are among the Maine shooting victims (AP) How many friends do Americans have? A survey crunched the numbers (NPR) Politics Judge says Georgia's congressional, legislative districts are discriminatory and must be redrawn (AP) Scandal-plagued Rep. George Santos faces growing legal and political peril (NPR) Ukraine, Israel funding request should be split: House speaker (Reuters) Republicans delay more than $1 billion in HIV program funding (Washington Post) House Republicans pass first government funding bill under new Speaker (The Hill) Democrats eye rare procedural move to defeat Tuberville military holds (The Hill) Trump knocks judge in NY fraud case after fine: âHe has gone crazy in his hatredâ (The Hill) Greene pushes censure vote over Tlaib's Israel comments (Politico) House Democrat moves to force vote on censuring Marjorie Taylor Greene (The Hill) New York Republican introduces resolution to expel Santos (Politico) Election news Larry Elder ends campaign for president, endorses Donald Trump (Deseret News) Republican presidential hopefuls converge on Las Vegas this weekend â but wonât stay long (Deseret News) Three months out, the Iowa Caucus is Trump's to lose (NPR) Republicans hope the chaos of recent weeks will become a distant memory in next yearâs elections (AP) Democratic congressman Dean Phillips to announce presidential challenge to Biden on Friday (Reuters) Ukraine ðºð¦ White House says Russia is executing its own soldiers for not following orders (AP) Ukraine war orders starting to boost revenues for big US defense contractors (Reuters) Their sons went missing fighting for Ukraine. They want answers (New York Times) Ukraine hints Putin contriving second front as Hamas visits Moscow (Politico) Israel ð®ð± Release of hostages requires ceasefire, Hamas official says (Reuters) Broken Lebanon cannot afford war between Hezbollah and Israel (Reuters) Israel's army is ready to invade Gaza. Its divided government may not be. (New York Times) World US fighter jets strike Iran-linked sites in Syria in retaliation for attacks on US troops (AP) US military says Chinese fighter jet came within 10 feet of B-52 bomber over South China Sea (AP) Russian forces simulate nuclear strike as upper house rescinds ratification of test ban treaty (AP) Students on the run, schools taken by troops and a generationâs catastrophe. With an estimated 19 million children out of school for months because of war, Sudan is on the verge of becoming âthe worst education crisis in the world,â U.N. officials say. (New York Times) | | |
| | News Releases Gov. Cox orders flags to half-staff Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox has ordered the flags of the United States of America and the great state of Utah to be lowered as a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on October 25, 2023, in Lewiston, Maine. Flags should be lowered to the half-staff position on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023 until sunset on Oct. 30, 2023. To view President Bidenâs statement, click here. Gov. Cox encourages individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions to fly their flags at half-staff as well. New report looks at Utah water law The Utah Foundation released its second report of a new series on water in Utah. Utah is one of the driest states in the nation. Making sure the state manages water well is essential to its rapid population growth and economic expanÂsion. There are concerns that Utahâs water law a) provides incentives for waÂter-right holders to waste water, b) distributes water in a way that might have been a better fit for historic needs rather than modern Utah needs, and c) limits how water can be used. This report â Flowing into the Desert: A Primer on Utah Water Law â outlines Utah water law, discusses advantages and shortcomings, and then offers possible avenues for addressing these concerns. (Read More) Owens pushes to freeze Iranâs $6 billion Rep. Burgess Owens (UT-04) joined Rep. Michelle Steele (CA-45) to introduce legislation revoking the waiver granted by the Biden Administration that would release $6 billion in frozen funds to Iran. âIran is the worldâs worst state sponsor of terrorism, and they should not receive a single cent of the $6 billion released by the Biden administration,â said Rep. Owens. âIn light of Hamasâ cold-blooded atrocities, including the murder of at least 30 Americans, we cannot provide Iran with a lifeline to continue terrorizing the region. I am proud to support Rep. Steelâs common-sense legislation and will continue to advocate for Americaâs ally and friend, Israel.â (Read More) | | |
Upcoming UVU Conference on Mental Health â Oct. 27, 9 am - 5 pm, Register here Martha Hughes Cannon Award with Utah Women Run â Nov 2, 6:00-8:00 pm Interim Day â Nov 14-15, le.utah.gov Celebrating 30 years of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, with the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation â Nov 16, 10 am, MST, Register here
General election â Nov. 21
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On This Day In History 1659 - Quakers executed for their religious beliefs in the Massachusetts Bay Colony 1787 - The Federalist Papers start appearing in New York newspapers under the pseudonym "Publius" 1838 - Missouri governor Lilburn Boggs issues his âMormon extermination orderâ 1858 - Theodore Roosevelt is born 1871 - Democratic leader of Tammany Hall NY, Boss Tweed is arrested after the NY Times exposes his corruption 1904 - New York City subway opens 1962 - The US and the USSR step back from the brink of nuclear war 1969 - Ralph Nader sets up a consumer organization known as Nader's Raiders 1972 - Glen Canyon National Recreation Area established 1994 - US prison population exceeds one million 1997 - Microsoft argues it should be "free from government interference" 2004 - Red Sox win the World Series for the first time since 1918 Quote of the Day "In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself.â
â James Madison, The Federalist Papers On the Punny Side When is it bad luck to be followed by a black cat? When youâre a mouse. | | |
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