Utah Headlines

Deseret News

• Rep. Chris Stewart: The biggest threat to our country is misinformation
• Bye bye, 2020! You brought joy and sorrow, but now it's time to go
• Dear 2020: You showed us who was boss, but also gave us humanity and compassion
• McConnell warns Republicans not to contest the election
• The two rules of curing political rancor: Civility and friendship
• Supreme Court rules against Colorado's church gathering restrictions

Salt Lake Tribune

• Stacey Koller: It's time for Mike Lee to calm down and for Utah women to speak up
  
• Jana Riess: The weary world rejoices during this COVID Christmas
• There are ways Utah cities can boost affordable housing. But some residents may not like them.

Other

• Flexible and family friendly policies at Utah's 'Best places to work' ( Research from Utah Women and Leadership Project)
• No more snow days for Canyons District students (KSL)
• More than $200K in food brought to Utah Food Bank thanks to shoppers donations (KUTV)
• Zion National Park sees uptick in graffiti, found 'nearly every day'

Covid Corner

• COVID-19 has spurred Utah companies to offer flexibility, other support to workers, report says (SLTrib)
• Susan Madsen: COVID-19 and women in the workplace
• University of Utah Health nurse first in state to get COVID-19 vaccine (DNews)
• Utah inmates set to get vaccine in March under tentative state plan (DNews)
• The COVID-19 talk: How to navigate differences with friends and family (Deseret News)
• 'Ready to retire,' COVID-19 vaccine update gives Copper Hills teacher new hope (ABC4)
• FDA authorizes first fully at-home tests as more COVID-19 patients are hospitalized than ever before (CNN)
• Congress closes in on COVID-19 relief, funding deal (The Hill)

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National Headlines

• MacKenzie Scott donates $4.2 billion to 384 organizations (KSL/CNN)
• How QAnon's lies are hijacking the national conversation (CNN)
• A record number of women will serve in the next Congress (CNN)
• 'The most lopsided economic event imaginable': Wave of evictions threatens Black, Latino tenants (Politico)
• Biden's inaugural committee tells Americans to stay home for his swearing-in (Politico) DeVos urges Education Dept. staff to 'resist' when Biden takes office (The Hill)
• Biden to name Granholm as energy secretary (Washington Post)
• Biden to Name Gina McCarthy, Former E.P.A. Chief, as White House Climate Coordinator (New York Times)
• No, there aren't 'alternate electors' who can vote for President Trump. (New York Times)

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Policy News

LULAC leader and Utah's youngest elected official invite Sen. Lee to reconsider
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the nation's leading Latino civil rights organization, along with Joel-Lehi Organista issued this statement following Senator Lee's opposition to creating a museum of Latino Heritage in America"QueridoSenator Lee, I wanted to give you a few days to reflect and do some introspection. In your heart, what compelled you to oppose fellow Americans from celebrating their heritage, as much as I am certain you treasure your own? I was raised by a family that believed, at our table there was always a place for one more visitor, no matter who came to our door as we enjoyed our meal together. So, what would cause you to feel crowded out in your heart that there is no place for others who merely wish to share this land we call America?

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PODCAST: Homeless in Salt Lake
In November, Utah Foundation held a Breakfast Briefing on the topic of homelessness, sponsored by the University of Utah's College of Social and Behavioral Science. Our panel of experts featured:Tricia Davis, of the UtahHomelessness Programs OfficeUtah Representative Eric HutchingsDr. Jeff Rose, ofthe Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism at the University of UtahDr. Jess N. Valero, Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Utah

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Romney and Manchin: How we compromised on COVID-19 relief
By U.S. Senators Mitt Romney (R-UT) and Joe Manchin (D-WV)December 15, 2020Washington Post Coming off the most bitter, divisive presidential election (and post-election) in modern American history, expectations have been understandably low for Congress's ability to agree on anything - even another round of covid-19 relief. Progress has been nonexistent for several months, with talks at an impasse between a comprehensive $2.2 trillion stimulus package put forth by Democrats and a much more targeted $500 billion bill proposed by Republicans. These proposals were denounced and dismissed by the opposing party as dead on arrival.

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Kroger Co. to provide access to COVID-19 vaccine
The Kroger Co, the parent company to Smith's Food & Drug Stores, has announced that they will partner with state health departments and the federal government to provide access to the FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine locally and across the nation, aligned with the federal roll-out plan.

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'Hamilton' Christmas light show catches eye of Lin-Manuel Miranda
Mitch and Shenan Faas and their four children live in Saratoga Springs and each year, produce an elaborate Christmas light show, set to music. This year, one section of their 36-minute show is a mash-up of songs from the musical 'Hamilton.' Their show caught the eye ofLin-Manuel Miranda, who $1000 to the Sub for Santa program being run by United Way of Utah County.Enjoy this labor of love.

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Business Headlines

• Private equity group swallow Utah's Pluralsight in one $3.5 billion bite (Deseret News)
• Airbnb stocks down 25% since IPO, three billionaire cofounders lose $5 billion in 3 trading days (Forbes)
• The biggest career crashes of 2020 (Forbes)
• Analysis - After COVID shock, U.S. Treasury market set for new scrutiny (Reuters)
• Ban on federal drilling leases would cost eight U.S. states billions, study finds (Reuters)

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