| TSA no longer requires passengers to remove shoes; USU reportedly losing athletic director; new solution to child care crisis opens in SLC .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 | July 9, 2025 It's Wednesday and National Sugar Cookie Day ðª What you need to know - Utah remained one of the countryâs most expensive housing markets last year even though prices barely budged, according to a new report from the University of Utahâs Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, which was released Tuesday. They found that Utah was the nationâs ninth costliest housing market last year, citing âhigh but stableâ prices as characterizing the stateâs housing market last year. They also found that homes are âseriously to severely unaffordableâ in five large counties.
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Utah Headlines Political news - Sen. Mike Lee claims judicial abuse as judge pauses defunding of Planned Parenthood (Deseret News)
- Supreme Court says Trump can continue with federal layoffs (Deseret News)
- Opinion: Are Utah women the new political force? (Deseret News)
- Health coalition, doctors sue government over new COVID vaccine policy (Deseret News)
- Major SNAP changes worry Utah anti-hunger advocates (KSL)
- How a Provo boy became one of the youngest chiefs of staff in U.S. Senate history (Deseret News)
- Sen. John Curtis calls for briefing from White House after weapons pause to Ukraine (Deseret News)
- Utah officials testing ballot reading machines ahead of election season (KSL Newsradio)
Municipal news - S-Line extension is still in the works, but how far will the Salt Lake street car go? (KSL)
- Saratoga Springs residents concerned with drive-thrus built behind their backyards (KSL)
- Slate Canyon is 'not for sale,' Provo mayor says in response to water park's plans (KSL)
- UDOT proposal to ease congestion at Point of the Mountain meets resistance (KUTV)
Utah - Utah is rich in gold locations, ranking 10th nationally (Deseret News)
- 4 communities celebrated for Utah Main Street awards (KSL)
- âWelcome home, Sirâ: WWII hero returns to Utah more than 8 decades after being shot down over France (Deseret News)
- 4K dolls donated to foster care children through Special Dollivery (KSL)
- One Utah father's love for his daughter helps thousands with barriers get into the great outdoors (Fox13)
Crime/Courts - 1 man in critical condition following workplace shooting in Salt Lake City (KSL)
- 180 people cited in first year of Utahâs new road rage law (KSL Newsradio)
- Two pedestrians injured in Salt Lake City after being hit by vehicle driven by minor (Fox13)
- Family seeks answers in disappearance of Ute Tribe member as months pass with no trace (KUTV)
- Family releases statement on Saratoga Springs homicide where woman, 8-year-old were killed (ABC4)
Culture/Community - Pioneer Children's Memorial honors the stories of children who died during pioneer trek to Utah (KSL TV)
Energy - Underwater turbine spinning for 6 years off Scotlandâs coast is a breakthrough for tidal energy (AP)
- Scott Cuthbertson: Building the nuclear backbone of the U.S. economy (Site Selection)
Environment - Utah jumps two spots in chemical releases, EPA says. Hereâs why. (Salt Lake Tribune)
- Flash flood-prone counties in Utah watching, learning from Texas flooding aftermath (KSL TV)
- Following expedited environmental review, BLM approves oil facility upgrades (KSL Newsradio)
Faith - The IRS says churches can endorse political candidates â and still keep their tax break (Deseret News)
Health Housing - Hereâs how expensive Utahâs housing market is compared to the rest of the U.S. (Deseret News)
- Hereâs what Utahâs housing market looks like right now (KSL TV)
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National Headlines General - 3 dead as flash flooding hits mountain village of Ruidoso in New Mexico, officials say (AP)
- In Texas, a major search effort is being led by the father of a flood victim (NPR)
Political news - Trump considers taking over D.C. government, chides New York (Reuters)
- Pentagon policy chiefâs rogue decisions have irked US allies and the Trump administration (Politico)
- Supreme Court says Trump can continue with federal layoffs (Deseret News)
- The IRS says churches can endorse political candidates â and still keep their tax break (Deseret News)
- Trump says steep copper tariffs in store as he broadens his trade war (Reuters)
- US Justice Department scrambles to defend its about-face on release of Epstein files (Reuters)
- Immigration, Epstein, Ukraine: Trumpâs moves roil MAGA base (Washington Post)
Immigration/deportation - Migrants deported from U.S. to Salvadoran prison remain under U.S. control (NPR)
- US farm secretary says 'no amnesty' for farmworkers from deportation (Reuters)
- Rollins suggests Medicaid recipients can replace deported farmworkers (The Hill)
- The DOJ has sued the entire federal district court in Maryland over an order that puts a temporary hold on deportations (NPR)
Ukraine/Russia - Ukraine urges investigation into alleged Russian chemical weapons use (Reuters)
- Trump criticizes Putin after approving more weapons for Ukraine (Reuters)
- Trump caught off guard by Pentagonâs abrupt move to pause Ukraine weapons deliveries, AP sources say (AP)
Middle East - Gaza ceasefire can be reached but may take more time, Israeli officials say (Reuters)
- 40 Palestinians killed in Gaza as Netanyahu and Trump meet over a ceasefire (AP)
World news - A pacing Chihuahua helps Swiss rescuers find a man who fell into a glacier (AP)
- A Syrian death factory gives up its secrets (Wall Street Journal)
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 | Guest opinion: ICE, the Constitution, and the unalienable rights of man by Kimball Dean Parker I first met Agustin Castro-Honorato in the spring of 2019. We wanted to build a brick patio on the side of our Salt Lake City home. I reached out to my network for recommendations and a friend eagerly suggested Agustin. He bid the project and completed it within a few weeks. This started a years-long friendship with Agustin. He was congenial and lovable. Last week, a friend mentioned that he needed landscaping help. So I called Augstin. But an unfamiliar voice answered the phone. She said that Agustin was unavailable. But when I pressed, she broke down in tears and let me know that Agustin had been picked up by ICE and was in a Las Vegas detention center. I spent the next several days trying to understand what happened and where he was. From what I could gather, there was an incident at a party and he was apprehended by the police. What occurred that day or how he was involved is a mystery because, as far as I can tell, he was never formally charged with anything. Instead, he was turned over to ICE and shipped off to a detention facility... Make no mistake. Agustin has been deprived of his life and liberty without due process. If I were picked up for a similar issue, I would be charged and tried in front of a jury. I would hire an attorney and prepare a defense. But Agustin will not be granted any of those protections. There will be no trial, no jury, and no opportunity for representation. There is neither due process nor equal protection. (Read More)
News Releases Utah Hospital Association statement on One Big Beautiful Bill Throughout this year, the Utah Hospital Association has worked closely with Utahâs federal delegation to communicate our membersâ concerns. While we support efforts to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse in the Medicaid system, we are deeply concerned about the magnitude of the Medicaid cuts included in this legislation. These cuts will significantly impact the ability of Utah hospitals to deliver high-quality care in our communities and to keep healthcare costs down for patients. We are disappointed that the Senateâs proposed reductions were ultimately signed into law. The result will likely be reduced access to care, higher insurance costs, and increased pressure on Utahâs state budget.
89th annual Salt Lake City Buddhist Templeâs Obon Festival On Saturday, July 12, 2025, the Salt Lake Buddhist Temple will be hosting its annual Obon festival, which is meant to create a space to honor and remember oneâs ancestors. Trey Imamura, a board member of the Salt Lake Buddhist Temple and chair of the festival, said the Obon festival originates from Japan, where itâs typically a week-long celebration in August. He said the Buddhist tradition is to commemorate those who have passed, as in the original belief, their spirits are thought to visit during the week of Obon. (Read More)
Former Gov. Gary Herbert endorses Cyndi Sharkey for Sandy mayor Former Utah Governor Gary Herbert has ocially endorsed Cyndi Sharkey in her campaign for Sandy City Mayor, calling her the experienced and trusted leader the city needs. âI am proud to endorse Cyndi Sharkey for Sandy Mayor,â said Governor Herbert. âHer experience on the Planning Commission and City Council have given her the expertise to lead Sandy City during these challenging times. I am impressed by her command of local issues and the deep relationships she has formed with community and state leaders. A vote for Cyndi is a vote for success!â (Read More)
SL County Council Democratic Caucus on Texas flooding Salt Lake County Councilmembers Suzanne Harrison, Natalie Pinkney, Ross Romero, and Jiro Johnson issued the following statement regarding the Central Texas flood disaster: âWeâre heartbroken over the loss of life in Central Texas after this weekendâs horrific flash floods. Weâre also inspired by the stories of survival, neighbors helping neighbors, and first responders who are risking their lives in search and recovery operations. No community, including ours, is immune from the potential for devastating natural disasters. We encourage all Salt Lake County residents to visit the countyâs emergency preparedness website at https://www.saltlakecounty.gov/emergency-services/ for information on how to be prepared before, during, and after a natural disaster.â
Weber State gradâs victory over domestic violence inspires business idea to help victims, families Lori Brinkerhoff was working three jobs, living in a womenâs shelter, and recovering from domestic violence when she launched her business. Ten years later, Brinkerhoff is helping other women find their strength through inspirational apparel that affirms their worth. (Read More)
Utah ranked as the 9th most expensive housing market in the country in 2024 The 2024-2025 edition of the Kem C. Gardner Policy Instituteâs State of the Stateâs Housing Market report provides a detailed analysis of current housing market conditions in Utah. The report indicates that high but stable housing prices characterized the stateâs housing market in 2024, with Utah ranking as the countryâs 9th most expensive housing market that same year. Stable prices, however, offered little relief to potential homebuyers as high interest rates and housing prices excluded many households from homeownership. (Read More) | | |
Tweet of the Day 
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Upcoming - Aug 7 â Titan of Public Service gala with Sen. Tom Cotton hosted by the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation at the Grand America Hotel. More Information Here
- Aug 12 â Municipal primary
- Aug 19-21 â Interim Days
- Nov 4 â General election
- February 4-7, 2026 â Summit, with Silicon Slopes and Visit Salt Lake
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On This Day In History - 1846 - US takes San Francisco from Mexico
- 1850 - US President Zachary Taylor dies unexpectedly of cholera
- 1868: Fourteenth Amendment ratified
- 1877 - The first Wimbledon tournament begins
- 1893 - Dorothy Thompson is born. She became an outspoken advocate for womenâs suffrage and journalist.
- 1971 - The US turns over responsibility for the DMZ in Vietnam
- 1977 - Alice Paul, American suffragist (National Woman's Party), dies at 92
- 2018 - President Donald Trump chooses Brett Kavanaugh to fill a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court
- 2019 - Ross Perot, American businessman, billionaire and presidential candidate (1992, 1996), dies of leukemia at 89
Quote of the Day "Peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of creative alternatives for responding to conflict - alternatives to passive or aggressive responses, alternatives to violence." â Dorothy Thompson
On the Punny Side Geology rocks, but geography's where it's at. | | |
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