Carlos Boozer is back!

Join us Jan. 31 for an exciting evening featuring Carlos Boozer. Hear his captivating story and a lively Q&A session, as well as a memorable photo opportunity. Purchase tickets today.

Utah Headlines

Political news

• Ben Nadolski inaugurated as Ogden's new mayor; transparency and trust will be key focuses (KSL)
• Utah, other states, start offering health insurance to immigrants who don’t have documentation (Salt Lake Tribune)
• SLC’s newest City Council member has a message for the Utah Jazz (Salt Lake Tribune)
• Local legislator, Rep. Dan Johnson, taken to hospital after a medical episode just before scheduled radio interview (Cache Valley Daily)

Election news

• Former Utah County Republican Party Chairman Stewart Peay announces bid for Utah’s 3rd Congressional District (Deseret News)
• Wilson, Staggs make Senate runs official, say their messages won’t change as Curtis enters the race to replace Romney (Deseret News)
• Major candidate steps into the race to replace Mitt Romney (Salt Lake Tribune)
• Brent Hatch, Orrin’s son, joins Senate race to replace Mitt Romney (Deseret News)
• John Dougall not running for reelection as Utah’s state auditor (Deseret News)

Utah news

• Police ID man found dead inside airplane engine at Salt Lake City International Airport (Deseret News)
• Rabbis asked to take down Jewish pride signs at Utah Jazz game (KSL TV)
• Utah’s Hogle Zoo welcomes deadliest cat on the planet, the black-footed cat (ABC4)

Business/Tech

• ‘Creative destruction’: How startups and failures fuel growth and innovation in Utah (Deseret News)

Crime/Courts

• What is ‘cyber kidnapping’ and what can you do to stay safe online? (Deseret News)
• Police: Exchange student believed family was in danger; how to keep your family safe (KSL TV)
• Foreign exchange student was extorted for more than a month before cyber kidnapping (Fox13)

Culture

• Friendship, faith and a New Year’s resolution (Deseret News)
• Giving Machines in 2023: ‘Miracles, and this is not hyperbole, every day’ (Deseret News)

Education

• Former University of Utah President David P. Gardner dies at 90 (Deseret News)

Environment

• The Salton Sea shows why Utah should pay attention to Great Salt Lake’s stench (Deseret News)
• Great Salt Lake managers holding out hope following slow start to winter snowfall (KSL Newsradio)

Family

• What family policies would experts like to see in 2024? (Deseret News)

Health

• Hypochondria can actually increase the risk of death, per new study (Deseret News)
• Some hospitals impose mask mandates as respiratory illnesses increase (Deseret News)

National Headlines

General

• A former clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses must pay $260,000 in fees and costs, a judge rules (AP)
• Harvard president Claudine Gay resigns amid plagiarism claims, backlash from antisemitism testimony (AP)
• Native Hawaiian salt makers combat climate change and pollution to protect a sacred tradition (AP)
• US to reopen border crossings as illegal immigration drops (Reuters)
• Americans Are Canceling More of Their Streaming Services (Wall Street Journal)
• Inflation is fading. Will that last? (New York Times)
• Texas doctors do not need to perform emergency abortions, court rules (Washington Post)

Political news

• U.S. prosecutors allege Sen. Bob Menendez used his position to benefit Qatar (Deseret News)
• US national debt hits record $34 trillion as Congress gears up for funding fight (AP)
• Trump’s Most Ambitious Argument in His Bid for ‘Absolute Immunity’ (New York Times)
• The limits of Trump’s Jan. 6 revisionism (Washington Post)
• House GOP majority to shrink to 2 with Ohio lawmaker’s early resignation (The Hill)
• Voter data expert hired by Trump campaign says 2020 election was not stolen (The Hill)

Election news

• Biden campaign running 'like the fate of our democracy depends on it' (NPR)
• Biden to sharpen attack on Trump in Jan. 6 anniversary speech (Reuters)
• Trump appeals disqualification from Maine primary ballot (Reuters)
• Ramaswamy is still sprinting across Iowa, while his polling barely moves (New York Times)

Ukraine 🇺🇦

• Russian missiles hit Ukrainian cities, killing 5 and injuring at least 130, Kyiv officials say (AP)
• A Ukrainian Photographer on the Horror—and the Normality—of Covering a War at Home (Wall Street Journal)

Israel 🇮🇱

• Apparent Israeli strike kills senior Hamas figure in Beirut and raises fears conflict could expand (AP)

World news

• Iran says at least 25 people killed, 40 wounded in blasts at ceremony honoring slain general (AP)
• Dozens killed in 'terrorist attacks' near tomb of Iranian Guards' Soleimani (Reuters)
• Planes collide and catch fire at Japan’s busy Haneda airport, killing 5. Hundreds evacuated safely (AP)
• A world champion Australian cyclist has died after being hit by a car. Police arrested her husband (NPR)
• China Is Pressing Women to Have More Babies. Many Are Saying No. (Wall Street Journal)

Number of the Day 

News Releases

John Curtis announces run for U.S. Senate in 2024

U.S. Representative John Curtis announced today his candidacy for Utah’s open U.S. Senate seat in the 2024 election.

“As a father and grandfather, I care deeply about Utah’s future. That’s why today I’m announcing my candidacy for U.S. Senate,” said Curtis. “We need to get America back on track and as your Senator, I will keep fighting reckless spending in both parties and work hard every day to make Utah an even better place.” (Read More)

Stewart Peay announces campaign for Congress

Today, former Utah County Republican Party Chairman Stewart Peay filed his candidacy to represent Utah’s 3rd Congressional District. The 12-year Utah Army National Guard veteran, who served 12 months overseas during Operation Iraqi Freedom, seeks to replace Representative John Curtis who is expected to run for U.S. Senate.

“The challenges that our country faces, both at home and abroad, must be dealt with now,” said Peay. “The Utah values on which I was raised – where hard work is rewarded and families are respected – need to be protected from Biden, Bernie and big government bureaucracy that seeks to change the character of a nation that has inspired generations.” (Read More)

Heidi Balderree announces reelection bid for Utah Senate District 22

Senator Heidi Balderree, a dedicated advocate for conservative values and legislative reform, has declared her intention to seek re-election for Utah Senate District 22. With a background in community engagement, education, and policy advancement, Balderree brings a wealth of experience to her re-election campaign. (Read More)

Republican Rachelle Morris files to run for Salt Lake County Council

Rachelle Morris is running for the At-Large C seat on the Salt Lake County Council. Rachelle is a lifelong Republican, a dynamic collaborative leader in the private sector, and is committed to making sure county government works for every resident of Salt Lake County...

A graduate of BYU, Rachelle has an extensive career in managing capital and is currently a managing director at RevRoad Capital, which recently set a record for the largest debut early stage venture fund raised in Utah state history. Together with her partners, Morris directs tens of millions of dollars to fund the entrepreneurs who power our economy. She has a strong track record of producing tangible and positive results and will utilize her private sector experience on the County Council, bringing real and positive results to the people of Salt Lake County. (Read More)

State Auditor John Dougall announces he will not seek reelection

State Auditor John “Frugal” Dougall today announces that he will not seek re-election. Auditor Dougall has led the Office of the State Auditor since January 2013. He will complete his third term on January 5, 2025. (Read More)

Tweet of the Day

Upcoming

• Jan. 2-Jan. 8 — Candidate filing period 
• Jan. 12 — Utah economic outlook & public policy summit, 8:30 am - 1:30 pm, Grand America Hotel. Register here
• Jan. 16 — Legislative session begins
• Mar. 1 — Legislative session ends 
• Mar. 5 — Caucus night

On This Day In History 

• 1431 - Joan of Arc transferred to the custody of English bishop, Pierre Cauchon to begin trial.
• 1521 - Martin Luther is excommunicated from the Catholic church
• 1624 - First child of African descent is born in the colonies
• 1793 - Lucretia Mott, women’s right pioneer, is born
• 1879 - Grace Anna Goodhue is born. She was teaching at the Clarke School for the Deaf when she met and married Calvin Coolidge in 1904. She later became the nation’s 32nd First Lady.
• 1892 - J.R.R. Tolkein is born.
• 1925 - Benito Mussolini declares himself dictator of Italy.
• 1938 - Franklin D. Roosevelt founded the March of Dimes.
• 1949 - Margaret Chase Smith (R-Maine) starts her tenure in the Senate, where she stays until 1973. She became the first woman to serve in both the House and Senate, having served in the House from 1940-1949.
• 1953 - Mother and son serve simultaneously in the U.S. Congress, Frances P. Bolton and Oliver Bolton.
• 1993 - In Moscow, the Start II arms reduction treaty is signed by George H. W. Bush and Boris Yeltsin
• 1994 - Steve Young of the San Francisco 49ers becomes first quarterback to win 3 straight NFL passing titles despite a 37-34 OT loss to the Philadelphia Eagles; first to lodge 3 consecutive passer ratings of 100+

Quote of the Day

"We too often bind ourselves by authorities rather than by the truth."
—Lucretia Mott

On the Punny Side

Last week I was bored, so I decided to swap around the labels on my wife's spice rack.

So far, she hasn't noticed. Mark my words though, the thyme is cumin.

– Advertise With Us –

Subscribers may receive special messages with information about new features, special offers, or public policy messages from clients and advertisers.