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☀️ 50 – 85° Logan | ☀️ 66 – 88° Salt Lake | ☀️ 56 – 86° Manti

☀️ 71 – 97° Moab | ☀️ 56 – 88° Cedar City | ☀️ 72 – 103° St. George

Good morning!

Utah voters must now opt in every eight years in order to receive a mail-in ballot. How do they feel about it?

According to the latest Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics poll, voters are fairly evenly divided:

50% of those surveyed prefer the state’s previous, automatic mail-in voting system.
30% of respondents said they would prefer the opt-in method.
11% oppose mail-in voting entirely.

Read more about the purpose of the change and what voters and lawmakers have to say about it.

Also on our minds:

Mike Lee criticized for comments about Minnesota shooter
How respect and dignity can slow the spread of political violence
What Zach Wilson said about his mindset with Miami Dolphins

When protests aren’t safe and politics turns deadly

Emma Pitts writes:

Violence struck the state of Utah over the weekend as civilians were left fleeing for safety in situations that should have never been met with fear — a planned protest and a community celebration.

In Utah’s Salt Lake Valley, there were multiple casualties and others injured in two separate incidents, one at a peaceful protest in the state’s capital city and another at West Valley City’s WestFest carnival.

Elsewhere nationally, two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses were targeted in an assassination attempt, killing state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband. Minnesota Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were also targeted but survived after each was shot multiple times.

Violence gripped the weekend. What does this say about where American politics now stands?

Read more about this weekend’s violence and how leaders have responded.

Trump has redefined U.S. tariff strategy. Here’s what Utahns have to say about it

Yesterday, I shared Art Raymond’s reporting on how Utahns feel about President Trump’s approach to inflation. Today, I invite you to read his article on what Utahns have to say about tariffs.

As with inflation, the latest polls show that Utahns are split among party lines when it comes to tariffs. Of those who are in favor of Trump’s tariff plan, some believe it has been executed poorly, while others report they think it needs more patience to work.

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo shared some unique insights with a Utah audience last month regarding Trump’s mindset about international trade policy.

“As for President Trump and his tariff policy … you should know he believes it with all his heart, rightly or wrongly," Pompeo said. “He calls himself ‘Tariff Man.’ Does that leave any doubt in your mind? He believes that bilateral trade deficits in goods are bad and no one is going to convince him otherwise.”

Read more about how voters feel about Trump’s tariff strategy.

Utah Business 2025 Innovation Awards Summit

Recognizing the state’s vibrant community of innovators — from startups to established companies — and their breakthrough creations. Submit your nomination before July 9!

Politics

Tom Rosshirt: How contempt directly contributes to rising political violence in America (Deseret News)
‘This isn’t funny’: Klobuchar criticizes Mike Lee comments about Minnesota shooter (Deseret News)
Senate releases major changes to Trump’s tax bill as negotiations heat up (Deseret News)

The U.S.

Deadly flooding a concern for much of the U.S. Here’s the latest (Deseret News)
More Dems from outside Minnesota found in shooting hit list (Axios)

The World

Trump’s former national security adviser says Israel attacks could end Iranian regime (Deseret News)
Explosions heard in Tehran as Trump tells 'everyone' to evacuate Iranian capital immediately (BBC)

Sports

Are BYU and Utah football well-set for the future in comparison to their Big 12 peers? (Deseret News)
‘Racer Tom’ chased a skiing world record. Did he get it? (Deseret News)
I voted on the NHL awards. Here’s who I chose — and why (Deseret News)
Zach Wilson embracing Dolphins opportunity with new perspective (Deseret News)

Faith

Kevin Brown: How the ‘big, beautiful bill’ misses the mark on faith-based higher education (Deseret News)
White House Religious Liberty Commission discusses faith and religious freedom (Deseret News)
How the Deseret News has covered faith and religion for 175 years (Deseret News)

Health

Another way mom’s health in pregnancy could impact baby long-term (Deseret News)
The doctor said 'be happy.' Music therapy can help cancer patients do that (NPR)

🗓️ Events Calendar

We put together a list of events and activities going on around the state of Utah in June. Check it out and let us know if we are missing anything!

Here are some highlights for events in Utah today:

June 17 — Salt Lake Bees vs. Sacramento | 7:05 p.m.
June 1–17 — “Tuck Everlasting” | CenterPoint Legacy Theatre, Centerville
June 17–22 — “& Juliet” | Eccles Theater, Salt Lake City
June 17–30 — “Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” | Pickleville Playhouse, Garden City

Check your inbox tomorrow morning for more news from the Beehive State and beyond!

And reply to this email or email [email protected] to tell us what you think of Utah Today.

Thanks for reading!

— Ariel