It's the Utah Social and Community Health Day — a holiday designated by the Utah Legislature to remind Utahns to take care of relationships, make new friends and perform acts of service, Lois Collins reported.
“Think of it as a day to level up your friendships,” said Brent Reed, one of the architects of the holiday. “Every major problem — and every joy — is easier to face when we’re not alone."
The goal of the holiday is connection, so it's the perfect opportunity to reach out to an old friend or do something fun with someone else. I'll be going to lunch and to a movie with a friend to celebrate.
Sen. John Curtis talks U.S. foreign policy and energy during Utah visit
Sen. John Curtis called for continued aid to Ukraine, increased congressional control over tariffs and subsidized American energy production during two events on Friday in Salt Lake City, Brigham Tomco reported.
During the gathering hosted by the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, Curtis said negotiations with Russia and Ukraine should recognize Russian President Vladimir Putin as the enemy, honor commitments to allies and show China what will happen if they invade Taiwan.
“This is why Ukraine is so easy for me,” Curtis told the room of several hundred business leaders, lobbyists and lawmakers. “Putin is not our friend.”
The line earned the most applause of any from the hour-and-a-half-long meeting, Tomco reported.
Here are three quotes from Curtis during the event:
On Ukraine: “If you don’t think President Xi is watching what we do in Ukraine, you’re sadly mistaken. If for no other reason than China and Taiwan, we need to stay with Ukraine.”
On where tariff policy belongs: “I think it belongs with Congress, not quite sure how and at what pace do we get it back. We’re kind of in the middle of something right now that is going to play out the way it’s going to play out. But I think this is a really good example of when Congress doesn’t do its job, the executive branch, no matter which President it is, tends to try to do it.”
On tax credits: “If we want to lead, we have to be careful with what we’re cutting when it comes to the credits and the other things that are out there."
Meg Walter is back with another round of her chips and salsa journey. This time she checked out restaurants located in Sandy, South Jordan and St. George.
Here's a reminder of what the rubric is for her quest:
I’m looking for a sit-down restaurant. Meaning, I want a place where a hostess will lead me and my party to a table, hand us all menus and set out chips and salsa. I need a large Diet Coke, preferably in a giant red cup.
While chips and salsa are what I’m focused on most, the entrees obviously need to be good, because if I’m going to return to this place often, I want to have a great meal every time, not just a great appetizer.
Even though my personal go-to will need to be in Salt Lake County, where I live, I’m trying spots all over the state to best inform readers.
Many of you recommended Mi Ranchito for Meg to try, so thank you. And thank you all for your recommendations! She continues this journey, so feel free to send any other recommendations to me here.
In Other Food News 🥨
Happy National Pretzel Day! Here’s where to get free pretzels (Deseret News)
Utah
Gov. Cox issues drought declaration for 17 counties, urges Utahns to be ‘mindful’ of water (KSL.com)
Deaths of burros in Utah under BLM’s care raise questions (Deseret News)
Spiking insurance costs are cutting into Salt Lake's housing affordability (Axios)
Applications open in Southern Utah for voluntary agriculture incentive program (St George News)
Warm weather greets Utah’s weekend as rainy conditions loom (ABC4)
The 156 dogs removed from an Ogden house are starting to find new homes (KSL.com)
Weber State: Dozens of jobs, programs being cut as part of school’s strategic reinvestment plan (Deseret News)
Health
There are nearly 900 measles cases in the US. Here's what you need to know (ABC News)
How a man with life-threatening peanut allergy now eats them every day (BBC News)
Faith
Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable looks ahead to Sunday event, embraces group’s ongoing purpose (Deseret News)
Texas city moves ahead with Latter-day Saint temple, but with new conditions (Deseret News)
Latter-day Saint artists ‘Lift Up the Hands Which Hang Down’ in new exhibit (Church News)
Politics
This year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner will be different (Deseret News)
Milwaukee judge charged with aiding immigrant following FBI investigation (Deseret News)
Trump’s D.C. Prosecutor Threatens Wikipedia’s Tax-Exempt Status (The Free Press)
Utah Rep. Burgess Owens spearheads efforts to codify Trump executive orders on education (Deseret News)
The Nation and the World
Russian general killed by car bomb just outside Moscow as Trump envoy meets Putin (CBS News)
Big brands are officially worried about American shoppers (NPR)
Fast-food chain closing up to 200 'underperforming' locations (Fox News)
How much will your next Stanley cup cost with the tariffs? (Deseret News)
Sports
What’s happening in the NFL draft and how it affects Utah ties (Deseret News)
Salt Lake City is becoming a hockey town. What’s the next step? (Deseret News)
BYU student Cole Semu chases professional rugby dreams with Utah Warriors (Deseret News)
🗓️ Events Calendar
We put together a calendar list of events and activities going on around the state of Utah during this month. Check it out and let us know if we are missing anything!
Here are some highlights for events in Utah today:
Quilombola Roots: A Celebration of Afro-Brazilian Heritage | Urban Arts Gallery, Salt Lake City
Westminster celebrates Earth Day event | Westminster University campus, Salt Lake City
Dutch King’s Day | Millcreek Common
Half Alive | Union Event Center
U of U softball vs. Iowa State | noon
U of U baseball vs. Kansas | 2 p.m.
USU softball vs. UNLV | noon
Weber State softball vs. Northern Colorado | noon
UVU baseball vs. California Baptist | 4:05 p.m.
SUU softball vs. UT Arlington | 1 p.m.
Please reach out to me at sgambles@deseretnews.com if you have any thoughts, feedback or ideas you would like to share!
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