Community holds benefit concert to help neighbor deal with tragic loss; nearly $1B light-rail project proposed to connect Draper and Lehi | | | 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 [email protected]. | | |
Situational Analysis | June 26, 2025 It's Thursday and National Canoe Day ð¶ What you need to know Utah Gov. Cox will chair the Western Governors Association until June 2026. While chair, his âEnergy Superabundanceâ initiative will be to push Congress to overhaul federal regulations that are obstacles to energy production. EPA Secretary Lee Zeldin said Coxâs initiative aligns with the Trump administrationâs belief that energy dominance does not have to come at the expense of environmental stewardship. Rapid Relevance A tree in Pine Valley was struck by lightning. Hereâs how the Forsyth Fire took over 10 days later; community holds benefit concert to help neighbor deal with tragic loss; nearly $1B light-rail project proposed to connect Draper and Lehi | | |
| | Beyond Fun and Games Nearly half of Boomers and 36% of the Silent Generation play video games weekly â for mental sharpness, stress relief, and fun. Learn more and game on. | | |
Utah Headlines Political news Western governors unite behind Gov. Coxâs energy plan (Deseret News) Sen. Mike Lee pushes to force NATO allies to report financial contributions as Trump demands higher spending (Deseret News) Rep. Blake Moore says Trump had authority to conduct strikes on Iran (KSL Newsradio) Mike Lee removes U.S. Forests from public lands proposal in last-ditch effort (Deseret News) This BYU grad helped Orrin Hatch go viral. Now Dana Perinoâs helping him do the same (Deseret News) Editorial Board: Sell some public lands, but do it carefully (Deseret News) Utah doctor speaks out against potential Medicaid cuts in 'Big Beautiful Bill' (KSL) Trump said he stands with NATO. GOP Sen. Mike Lee wants US to leave the military alliance. (Salt Lake Tribune) Municipal news Springville adjusts park boundaries to allow for alcohol to be sold nearby (KSL) Eagle Mountain voters to decide on local sales tax to fund parks, arts and recreation (KSL) New park and boat harbor connect residents to Provo River and Utah Lake (KSL) Utah County raises transient room tax, even though commissioner says tourism fund is 'healthy' (KSL) Eagle Mountain voters to decide on local sales tax to fund parks, arts and recreation (KSL) Utah 65% of Utah law enforcement agencies have now complied with sexual assault data law (KSL) Opinion: Sell some public lands, but do it carefully (Deseret News) From a road trip to ICE detention: Caroline Dias Concalvesâ story (ABC4) Biz/Tech How NASA's Artemis program relies on Utah for cutting-edge propulsion (Deseret News) Consumers are wary of big business. This group wants to change that (Deseret News) Dallas Jenkins says ties between âThe Chosenâ and Angel Studios are officially severed (Deseret News) Crime/Courts Castle Dale man accused of using friend's credit card to buy drugs, gifts for others (KSL) Vernal man arrested, accused of kidnapping, assaulting teen boy (KSL) Why the SLC No Kings shooting investigation will likely be time-consuming (KUER) Culture/Community SMH!! Americans often irked, confused by text acronyms on their phones, social media (Deseret News) Judge stops closure of Utah Job Corps (KUTV) Utah Superintendent of Public Schools celebrates end of tenure by providing food and supplies for children (ABC4) Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom call off engagement after 7 years together (KUTV) Economy College graduates face toughest job market in more than a decade as hiring slows (AP) Education Is the Trump administration helping âviewpoint diversityâ on campus? The academy has something to say (Deseret News) Canyons District considers consolidating low-enrollment elementary schools, seeks public input (KSL Newsradio) Hereâs what the University of Utah found to shut down a fraternity: A strip club visit, death videos and more hazing (Salt Lake Tribune) Energy Sen. John Curtis wants to hasten nuclear energy in Utah (Deseret News) Environment How much water are Utah's agriculture optimization projects saving? (KSL) BYU grad develops groundbreaking algorithm for wildfire prediction (KSL TV) Faith Thousands of Jehovahâs Witnesses expected to fill Orem arena for convention (Salt Lake Tribune) The Soviet Union fell, and spiritual hunger was filled (Deseret News) Family Utah dad Tanner Martin, who chronicled cancer battle and wifeâs pregnancy online, dies weeks after daughterâs birth (Salt Lake Tribune) Health Intermountain Health patient first to be treated with external bioengineered liver (Deseret News) The weighty issue of excess pounds in U.S. kids and adults: Study (Deseret News) How much fast food do Americans eat? (Deseret News) When it comes to finding meaning in life, you need hope (Deseret News) Housing Draper mayor claims city had no choice but to approve new housing development plan (KUTV) Does it cost more to buy a new or existing home? What a new study found about Utah and the U.S. (Deseret News) | | |
National Headlines General International Space Station welcomes its first astronauts from India, Poland and Hungary (AP) Political news - Trump Trump doubles down on damage U.S. strikes caused to Iran's nuclear sites (NPR) US Republican senators push back on Trump cuts to foreign aid and public media (Reuters) Trumpâs latest rejection of intelligence assessments reflects a long distrust of spy agencies (AP) The Trump administration says it wants to eliminate FEMA. Here's what we know (NPR) Other political news MIT sued over complaints of antisemitism on campus (Deseret News) Supreme Court rules fuel producers can sue EPA over âharmingâ regulations (Deseret News) A judge resisted Trumpâs order on gender identity. The EEOC just fired her (AP) White House to limit intelligence sharing, skip Gabbard at Senate Iran briefing (Washington Post) Immigration/deportation A look at how Trumpâs big bill could change the US immigration system (AP News) Immigrants drive population growth in a graying America, census shows (Washington Post) Ukraine/Russia All NATO, including US, 'totally committed' to keeping Ukraine in fight, Rutte says (Reuters) Middle East Israel kills 40 in further Gaza bloodshed after reaching truce with Iran (Reuters) Iran turns to internal crackdown in wake of 12-day war (Reuters) Iranâs supreme leader makes first public statement since ceasefire declared in Israel-Iran war (AP) World news EU Commission to propose dedicated defence and space investment in new fund (Reuters) | | |
| | News Releases Curtis calls for regulatory certainty to promote clean nuclear energy in Utah Senator John Curtis emphasized Utahâs leadership in making nuclear a practical and viable clean energy solution during an Environment and Public Works Committee hearing on the nominations of Usha-Maria Turner to be Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency for the Office of International and Tribal Affairs and David A. Wright to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). During the exchange, Curtis cited past challenges and the need for collaboration with the NRC, and stressed the importance of regulatory certainty and clarity for innovators and utilities. (Read More) Trump signs Curtis bill repealing EPA emissions rule President Trump signed into law legislation introduced by U.S. Senator John Curtis (R-UT) to overturn the Biden Environmental Protection Agencyâs (EPA) Review of Final Rule Reclassification of Major Sources as Area Sources. This rule prevented many industries vital to our nationâs economic and national security from reclassifying as Area Sources and discouraged efforts to reduce emissions. The Senatorâs Congressional Review Act (CRA) joint resolution of disapproval received a vote of 52-46 in the Senate and 216-212 in the House prior to being sent to the Presidentâs desk. (Read More) Utah State Bar honors 33 attorneys for 50 years of distinguished legal service The Utah State Bar proudly announces the celebration of 33 attorneys who have reached an extraordinary milestone with 50 years of active licensure and service in the legal profession. These dedicated individuals will be formally recognized during a special ceremony at the Barâs Annual Meeting, the evening of Thursday, June 26th, at This Is The Place Heritage Park. (Read More) | | |
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 | | |
On This Day In History 1884 - Coney Island opens its first roller coaster. 1922 - Carolyn Sherif is born. She became a social psychologist and pioneer researcher in group psychology, self-system and gender identity. 1934 - FDR signs the Federal Credit Union Act, establishing credit unions. 1945- United Nations charter is signed by 50 countries 1948 - Start of the Berlin airlift 1956 - Congress approves the National Highway Act 1968 - The US flag is raised on Iwo Jima. 1981 - US Supreme Court upholds male-only draft registration as constitutional 2000 - Researchers release the first draft of the human genome. 2003 - Former US Senator Strom Thurmond dies. He was born in 1902, graduated from what is now Clemson in 1923, served in WWII where he participated in D-Day at Normandy. He became the governor of South Carolina in 1946. In 1954, he ran for the US Senate on a pro-segregation platform. He served in the Senate for a record 46 years. 2015 - Same-sex marriage legalized in the US 2020 - New York Times says Russia secretly offered bounties to Taliban-linked forces to kill US and coalition troops in Afghanistan Quote of the Day "In our personal ambitions we are individualists. But in our seeking for economic and political progress as a nation, we all go up or else all go down as one people." â Franklin D. Roosevelt On the Punny Side I used to play piano by ear, but now I use my hands. | | |
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