A building fire broke out near Kearns High School this morning; 2024 was Utah's second-warmest year on record | | | 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 | Jan. 15, 2025 It's Wednesday and National Bagel Day. What you need to know Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz said his caucus' No. 1 priority is education, beginning with reforming higher ed. These efforts will center around a bill that will give the Board of Higher Education guidelines on realigning university investments to focus on post-graduation success and workforce needs. University of Utah President Taylor Randall said he shares the Legislature's desire to create a university system that prepares students for a rapidly changing workplace. Rapid Relevance A building fire broke out near Kearns High School this morning; 2024 was Utah's second-warmest year on record; and what will happen to the app on your phone if TikTok gets banned this week? | | |
Utah Headlines Utah legislature Whatâs on tap for Great Salt Lake in the 2025 Utah General Legislative Session (KSL Newsradio) Warning of a âsilver tsunami,â Gov. Cox looks to end Social Security income tax. Will Utah lawmakers buy it? (Salt Lake Tribune) What does Gov. Cox consider his âgiftâ to the Utah Legislature in 2025? (Deseret News) Mike Schultzâs unlikely journey to becoming Utah House speaker (KSL TV) Utah senator proposes study to explore potential benefits of a state spaceport (KUTV) On taxes, Utah political leaders divided over what to cut (Fox13) Other political news Opinion: Billionaires playing politics (Deseret News) BYU alumni create app to foster understanding amid polarized political climate (Daily Universe) As Trumpâs nominee hearings begin, Sen. John Curtis calls for âseriousnessâ from senators (Deseret News) Key Republican, Utah Sen. John Curtis, airs doubts about Tulsi Gabbard nomination (Politico) Will advanced nuclear technology be in Eagle Mountainâs future? (Deseret News) Proposal to rename Burr Trail Scenic Byway after President-elect Donald J. Trump (KSL TV) Utah domestic violence victim advocates say lethality assessments have made a difference (Fox13) Ogden City Council makes its PATH to Citizenship program permanent (KUER) Interested in fauna? Utah Wildlife Board accepting applications for 3 open positions (St. George News) Utah âThe sheer destruction is kind of overhwelmingâ: Dozens of Utah firefighters help in the battle against the California wildfires (Deseret News) Photo gallery: Ice Castles prep is complete, bring on the crowds (Deseret News) Biz/Tech Chinese officials might sell TikTok to Elon Musk (Deseret News) Open or close? Popular dessert franchise demands Utah locations open on Sunday (Fox13) Crime/Courts Stick-figure pictures of boy being abused led to felony charges against father (KSL) Utah charter school teacher facing 30 felonies after prosecutors say he raped two students (Salt Lake Tribune) Utah OB-GYN David Broadbent now facing more than a dozen new felony sexual assault charges (Salt Lake Tribune) Culture This church is organizing 1 million kids under age 11 to join service projects in 2025 (Deseret News) Church of Jesus Christ partners with Silicon Slopes to package 1 million meals for food bank (KSL) Susan Madsen: In Utah, a womanâs choice can often be an illusion (Salt Lake Tribune) Education Looking out for the Good: âTech Hersâ event aims to get girls interested STEM-related fields (KSL TV) Utah university presidents weigh in on how Utah can lead the nation (Deseret News) Utah schools working to address chronic absenteeism (KSL Newsradio) Parents and experts weigh in on Utah's proposed gun safety curriculum for students (KUTV) The impact of undergraduate research at Utah State (UPR) Environment How Utahâs water year is shaping up so far (Deseret News) What changes are arriving with newly approved Bears Ears resource management plan? (KSL TV) Family Utahâs approach to aging with care and connection (Deseret News) âMixed-statusâ families across the West are coping with Trumpâs deportation threats (KUER) Health Mobile cancer clinic opens to help detect cancer earlier, save lives in rural Utah (KSL Newsradio) Bird flu isnât a pandemic-level threat yet, but the risk is growing (UPR) Drugmakers hiked prices for hundreds of drugs in early January (NPR) Why some doctors have started asking patients about their spiritual lives (NPR) Housing How quickly is your town growing? Search 30 years of housing permits in Utah. (Salt Lake Tribune) Ogden leaders table action on facility for chronically homeless, will investigate other locations (KSL) | | |
National news General Manatees congregate in warm waters near power plants as US winter storms graze Florida (AP) S.E.C. sues Elon Musk over Twitter-related securities violations (New York Times) Politics Opinion: Why Trump cannot buy Greenland from Denmark (Deseret News) Trump's Cabinet pick for attorney general is Pam Bondi. Here's what to know (NPR) Rubio to tell senators Trump administration will place American interests âabove all elseâ (The Hill) Trump's US presidency return ushers in new era of volatile markets (Reuters) Key takeaways from Pete Hegsethâs fiery confirmation hearing (AP) Trump says he will create an âExternal Revenue Serviceâ agency to collect tariff income (AP) Trump will begin his presidency in delicate position, poll finds (NPR) Mike Johnson orders flags at the Capitol to be at full staff for Trump inauguration (Washington Post) White House to lift state sponsor of terrorism designation for Cuba (Washington Post) Ukraine/Russia Trump advisers concede Ukraine peace deal is months away (Reuters) Russia launches new missile barrage at Ukraine, targets gas infrastructure (Reuters) Inside Ukraine's last stand at a vital coal mine (New York Times) Israel/Gaza Negotiators resume talks on final details of Gaza ceasefire deal (Reuters) Some Israeli soldiers refuse to keep fighting in Gaza (AP) World news âThere is much to look forward toâ: Kate, Princess of Wales, confirms her cancer is in remission (Deseret News) South Korean investigators question arrested President Yoon in insurrection probe (Reuters) Many Syrians want justice for regime crimes. Others want revenge (New York Times) | | |
| | News Releases Six Utah Educators to receive Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching President Joe Biden has named three science teachers and three mathematics teachers from Utah to receive the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST), the Nationâs highest distinction for teaching in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This award honors the vital role that Americaâs teachers play in shaping the next generation of technical leaders, including scientists, engineers, explorers, and innovators. The Utah teachers receiving the the award were selected from past winners at the state level. (Read More) Majorities Matter PAC launches to build Democratic majorities across Utah Today, Majorities Matter PAC officially launched with a bold mission: to build Democratic majorities across Utah by supporting every legislative candidate. The PACâs two-pronged strategy is simple: support every Democratic candidate with funding to file and meet basic campaign needs while strategically investing in competitive races to flip Republican-held seats. (Read More) Curtis: âIâll bet on US leadership and innovation all day longâ U.S. Senator John Curtis (R-UT), member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today joined a panel on maintaining Americaâs leadership in AI relative to China during POLITICO Playbookâs The First 100 Days event. Following the panel, the Senator sat down with Alex Burns, Head of News at POLITICO, for a one-on-one interview on the Senatorâs priorities for the 119th Congress. Senator Curtis raised the need to promote domestic energy development to power AI technologies, his work to engage Republicans in climate policy, cutting government waste and reducing the deficit, and the current bipartisan tone in Washington to address issues like immigration and inflation. (Read More) Great Salt Lake Strike Team update Low water levels at Great Salt Lake continue to threaten Utahâs economic, ecological, and human health. Today, the Great Salt Lake Strike Team â a collaboration of technical experts from Utahâs research universities and state agencies â released their 2025 data and insights summary. Their authoritative analysis makes eminently clear four critical points: the benefits of the lake, Utah is making progress, it's a long-term endeavor, and Utah's plan. (Read More) Owens appointed Vice Chairman of Education & Workforce Committee Congressman Burgess Owens (R-UT) has been selected by House Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI) to serve as the Committeeâs Vice Chairman for the 119th Congress and to continue serving as Chairman of the Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee. (Read More) | | |
Upcoming Jan 15 â The Impact of Sexism on Women's Careers with UWLP, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm, Register here Jan. 21 â Utah legislative session begins Jan 21 â Prioritizing Life to Achieve Success at Work with UWLP, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm, Register here Jan 23 - Designing Corporate Womenâs Networks, Initiatives, and Leadership Programs with UWLP, 12:00-3:00 pm,Register here Jan 27 â The Impact of Womenâs Health on Work and Life with UWLP, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm, Register here Jan 29 â A Conversation with Pat Jones on Women's Leadership with UWLP, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm, Register here Feb 3 â Building Bridges: Leading as Women in Local Government with the Utah Women and Leadership Project, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm, Register here Feb 5 â Women and Policy, Strategy, Politics, and Change with UWLP, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm, Register here Feb 10 â Gail Miller: Making a Difference with UWLP, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm, Register here Feb 12 â Crossing the Divide: Making an Impact in Career and Community with UWLP, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm, Register here Mar. 7 â Utah legislative session ends | | |
On This Day In History 588 BC - Nebuchadrezzar II of Babylon lays siege to Jerusalem under Zedekiahâs reign. 1777 - Vermont declares independence from New York. 1870 - The Democratic Party donkey first appears in Harperâs Weekly. 1892 - Jane Hoey is born. She later became the director of the Bureau of Public Assistance, Social Security Board and helped states develop programs of assistance, especially mothersâ aid programs. 1895 - Tchaikovskyâs âSwan Lakeâ ballet premieres in St. Petersburg. 1898 - Irene Kuhn is born. She became a journalist and scooped the world when a tidal wave hit Honolulu in 1923, worked on Thomas Deweyâs campaign and wrote a conservative, nationally syndicated column for more than two decades. 1919 - The Great Boston Molasses Flood killed 21 people and injured scores of others when fiery hot molasses burst from a huge tank in the heart of the city. 1927 - Tennessee Supreme Court overturns John T. Scopes' guilty verdict for teaching evolution 1929 - Martin Luther King Jr born. 1943 - The Pentagon is completed. 1967 - The first Super Bowl was held. The Green Bay Packers beat the Kansas City Chiefs, 35-10. The cost of a 30-second commercial was $42,000. 1970 - Qaddafi, the son of a Bedouin farmer, becomes premier of Libya. 2000 - Utah's Jerry Sloan becomes 12th coach in NBA history to reach the 700-victory plateau when the Jazz defeat the LA Clippers, 112-75 at the Delta Center, Salt Lake City 2001 - Wikipedia is launched by Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger 2009 - Chesley Sullenberger lands US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River 2018 - US Olympic gold medal winning gymnast Simone Biles says she is one of more than 130 women sexually abused by former team doctor Larry Nassar Quote of the Day "Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity."
âMartin Luther King, Jr. On the Punny Side Dad is down at the auto dealership, looking at potential choices. "Cargo space?" he asks. The salesman says: âCar no do that. Car go road." | | |
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