| Sen. Curtis ranked one of the most effective lawmakers in Congress; daytime highs challenge seasonal records, human remains found in pond .png?width=1200&upscale=true&name=Utah_Policy_Logo_Email_Full%20(1).png) | 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 | Mar. 26, 2025 It's Wednesday and Live Long and Prosper Day. ðð¼ What you need to know - After the Trump administration said that no war plans were shared on Signal, the conversation was not classified, and either implied or stated outright that Jeffrey Goldberg was lying, The Atlantic has shared the texts. They sent emails to the CIA, the DOD, NSC, National Intelligence and the White House asking for comments and feedback. They heard back only from the White House who objected, but not because the messages were classified.
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Utah Headlines Political news - Utah legislative session hailed as success despite challenges for energy sector (Deseret News)
- Veto: Gov. Cox rejects bill that would alter how property taxes fund stateâs K-12 education. Hereâs how others reacted (Deseret News)
- Gov. Cox vetoes bill that would change who chooses the Utah Supreme Court chief justice (KSL TV)
- Utah leaders inject 25% more funding into stateâs multimillion-dollar school voucher program (Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah - After DOGE-ordered hiring freeze, Hill AFB is losing child care (Salt Lake Tribune)
- Financial donations increased in this yearâs Feed Utah Food Drive (Deseret News)
- Utah Olympic organizer Lindsey Vonnâs comeback ski season ends with a medal (Deseret News)
- Utah honors its soldiers who received the National Medal of Honor (Deseret News)
- Utah, donât put your winter coat away yet, more valley snow is probable (KSL Newsradio)
Biz/Tech - How to keep your data safe in the age of data leaks (Deseret News)
- Delta to expand its connection between Utah and Hawaii in time for next winter (KSL)
Crime/Courts - Judge rules in favor of Utahâs measures against youth vaping (Deseret News)
- The Supreme Court showdown between Utah, Oklahoma and the EPA (Deseret News)
- Riverdale man arrested after Amber Alert accused of aggravated murder (KSL)
- Ex-Iron County GOP treasurer Blake Cozzens now faces federal fraud charges (KSL)
Culture - 'Reach for the sky' and celebrate 30 years with 'Toy Story' (Deseret News)
Economy - US consumer sentiment tumbles to 4-year low; fears over tariffs mount (Reuters)
Education - Higher - Religious school recognizes LGBTQ student club after years of conflict (Deseret News)
- USU professors brace for change as legislature imposes western civilization courses, removes writing classes (Standard-Examiner)
Environment - Arches temporarily halts Fiery Furnace permits and tours due to employee shortages (Salt Lake Tribune)
- Landowners warn UDOT paving plan could harm fragile northern Utah river habitat (UPR)
Family - When caregiving becomes an act of worship (Deseret News)
- Domestic violence service provider seeing funding cuts in time of increased need (KSL Newsradio)
- Utah family says father of 4 was deported without due process despite no criminal record (Fox13)
Health - Measles â a preventable disease threatening our community (Deseret News)
Housing - Salt Lake City approves new loan program to help ease affordable housing shortage (KSL Newsradio)
- Century-old former Salt Lake City hotel finds new life in addressing city's latest need (KSL)
- 3D printed and factory-built homes could help tackle housing crisis (AP)
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National Headlines General - Pilot and 2 young daughters survive the night on airplane wing after crashing into icy Alaska lake (AP)
Political news - 'Heads are exploding': How security experts see the Signal war-plan breach (NPR)
- Hegseth faces renewed scrutiny after Signal chat disclosures (Washington Post)
- Trump overhauls voting via executive order. Hereâs what the order does (Deseret News)
- Will the Trump administration make or break Social Security? (Deseret News)
- âIâm right, heâs wrongâ: Republicans at odds over bid to allow new parents to vote remotely (Deseret News)
- Trump officials shrugging off Signal leak once decried Clintonâs server (AP)
- Americaâs allies alarmed by a leaked group chat about attack plans (AP)
- A list circulating inside the Energy Department suggests cutting funding for hydrogen projects in mostly Democratic-leaning states while maintaining funding in mostly red states. (Politico)
DOGE/Musk - The best-known member of Elon Musk's U.S. DOGE Service team of technologists once provided support to a cybercrime gang (Reuters)
- DOGE says it needs to know the government's most sensitive data, but can't say why (NPR)
Ukraine/Russia - Zelenskyy calls on US to sanction Russia after fresh drone strikes (Reuters)
- Trump says Russia might be 'dragging its feet' on cease-fire (Wall Street Journal)
Israel, Gaza, Syria - Told to fix notorious prison, Israel just relocated alleged abuses, detainees say (AP)
- One Israeli strike. 132 family members killed. A Gaza investigation (NPR)
World news - EU tells the public to hold 72 hours of emergency supplies (Reuters)
- HIV soars after a deadly war in Ethiopiaâs Tigray. Trumpâs aid cuts arenât helping (AP)
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Number of the Day 
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 | News Releases Gov. Cox vetoes S.B. 296 and signs 200 bills in the 2025 General Legislative Session Today, Gov. Cox vetoed S.B. 296, Judicial Amendments and signed 200 bills in the 2025 General Legislative Session. (Read More)
Utah State Bar commends Gov. Cox for veto of SB296 The Utah State Bar expresses its sincere appreciation to Gov. Spencer J. Cox for his veto of Senate Bill 296 â Judicial Amendments. The legislation would have significantly altered the selection process for the Chief Justice of the Utah Supreme Court. (Read More)
Utah first state to test 100% of K-12 schools for lead in drinking water Utah has reached a national milestone, becoming the first state in the U.S. to test 100% of K-12 schools for lead in their drinking water. Through the Utah Division of Drinking Water Lead-Free Learning Initiative, 1,158 samples from public, charter, private, and childcare facilities were tested for lead contamination. Testing results are still being evaluated. (Read More)
Women of faith in Utah lead the way in civic engagement at MWEG spring conference In a powerful demonstration of civic engagement, over 500 women gathered in personâalong with hundreds more onlineâat Utah Valley University on Saturday, March 22, for Mormon Women for Ethical Governmentâs (MWEG) largest Spring Conference to date. The event, held during Womenâs History Month, celebrated the long tradition of womenâs civic leadership in Utah and unveiled a new initiative designed to make a lasting impact on national policy conversations. During the closing session, MWEGâs executive directors launched the âPeace by Pieceâ Quilting Campaignâpart of a growing national movement to unite diverse voices in a call to renew democratic principles and shared civic responsibility. The campaign invites women to use quilting as a powerful form of peaceful protest and advocacy. (Read More) | | |
Tweet of the Day  | | |
Upcoming - Apr 7 âPillars of the Valley Elder Matthew S. and Paige Holland, with the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce, 7:00-9:00 pm, Register here
- Apr 24 â Giant in Our City with the Salt Lake Chamber, 6:00-9:00 pm, Register here
- May 1 â High school writing contest deadline with The Rostra: Applying the wisdom of the past to the problems of today. More info here
- Aug 7 â Titan of Public Service, Sen. Tom Cotton, with the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation, Grand America Hotel
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On This Day In History - 1830 - The Book of Mormon was first offered for sale in E. B. Grandin's bookstore in Palmyra, New York.
- 1910 - US forbids immigration to "criminals, anarchists, paupers and the sick."
- 1926 - Sandra Day OâConnor is born. She became the first female U.S. Supreme Court Justice.
- 1945 - Fighting on Iwo Jima ends, island declared secure
- 1953 - Dr. Jonas Salk announces the polio vaccine.
- 1979 - Israel-Egypt peace agreement signed at the White House
- 2021 - Dominion Voting Systems filed a $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit against Fox News
- 2024 - Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed after being struck by a container ship
Quote of the Day "You reclaim your power by loving what you were once taught to hate."
âBryant H. McGill
On the Punny Side I just got a photo from a speeding camera through the mail. I sent it right back - way too expensive and really bad quality. | | |
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