Cold front on the way; LDS church announces site for temple in Hungary; Israel pounds Gaza as Hamas threatens to kill hostages | | | 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 | October 10, 2023 It's Tuesday and National Angel Food Cake Day. What You Need to Know Five women have filed a lawsuit against Tim Ballard for "coerced sexual contact," religious exploitation and misuse of funds. The lawsuit alleges he asked "Is there anything you wouldn't do to save a child?" and told them he believed he was to become a future president of the United States and future president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The suit alleges that Janet Russon, a psychic that was on OURâs payroll, would tell the women that they had been married to Ballard in a previous life, âso their conduct was acceptable.â The lawsuit also alleges that the group's rescue missions were essentially "experience vacations" for wealthy men who participated. It contends that the women flew first class, stayed at 5-star hotels, and visited strip clubs and massage parlors worldwide â all expenses covered by O.U.R. Rapid Relevance Cold front coming to Utah by midweek; LDS Church announces Hungary Temple location; Utah rabbi shares family's harrowing experience during Israel terrorist attack. On the Hill Today 8:00 am: Legislative Audit; Social Services Appropriations 8:30 am: Executive Offices and Criminal Justice Appropriations; Higher Ed. Appropriations; Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality Appropriations 12:30 pm: Subcommittee on Oversight 1:00 pm: Social Services Appropriations 1:15 pm: Business, Economic Development, and Labor Appropriations; Infrastructure and General Government Appropriations; Public Education Appropriations 4:00 pm: Federalism Commission; Medical Cannabis Governance Structure Working Group | | |
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Utah Headlines Political news Utah voters: Biden impeachment inquiry political, but justified (Deseret News) General Utah news Salt Lake City Airport ranked 3rd in passenger satisfaction (Deseret News) âIâll do whatever I canâ: A soldier, his interpreter and an escape from Afghanistan (Deseret News) Hamas terrorist attack is Israelâs 9/11, Utah rabbis say (Deseret News) Prosperity, population growth and housing are the forces shaping a âNew Utahâ (KUER) Utah among lowest Hispanic poverty rates in the nation, but racial and ethnic disparities remain (KSL) Business How will Israel-Hamas war impact U.S. gas prices? Probably not much (Deseret News) A widow lost $661,000 in a tech scam. Whatâs a tech scam and how can you avoid it? (Deseret News) 170,000-plus books used to train AI; authors say they werenât asked (Deseret News) Sanpete County turkey farm forced to depopulate following detection of avian flu (KUTV) Crime 5 women sue Tim Ballard, alleging sex assault by Operation Underground Railroad founder (KSL) Lawsuit filed by women against former OUR CEO Tim Ballard claims he used funds for 'personal fantasies' (KUTV) Utahns most vulnerable to sexual assault face doubt, stigmas in reporting (KSL TV) Elderly Lehi man accused of brutally murdering wife died the next day, police say (KSL TV) Culture Dwayne Johnson on backlash over Maui fundraiser with Oprah Winfrey (Deseret News) Kurt Bestor Christmas: 30-year celebration of âPrayer for the Childrenâ (ABC4) Utah neighborhood trades orange and black for hot pink this âBarbieweenâ (Washington Post) Education Utah teacher creates escape room for students (KSL) Despite concerns, Utah education leaders approve $3M for gun-detection software in schools (Salt Lake Tribune) Student and teacher travel world together nearly 30 years later (ABC4) Environment The way to save the Great Salt Lake? Limit new development of all types, poll says (Deseret News) Small towns in southern Utah preparing for major influx of tourists for solar eclipse (Fox13) Eclipse viewers urged to visit with respect during celestial event (Fox13) Only 10% of Latter-day Saints see climate change as a crisis, survey finds (KUER) Family Sheri Dew: A link we cannot afford to ignore â faith, youth and mental health (Deseret News) Toddlers with developmental delays are missing out on help they need. It can hurt them long term (AP) Utahâs prison and its moms: âWe love our children as much as the nextâ (KSL TV) Health Are you cutting back on carbs? Try these foods instead (Deseret News) Is pumpkin a superfood? 5 pumpkin baked goods to try this week (Deseret News) What to know about seasonal depression (Deseret News) Housing 5 reasons why it makes more sense to rent, not buy in todayâs housing market (Deseret News) | | |
National Headlines General Report: Record number of illegal border crossings in September (Deseret News) Louisiana public school principal apologizes after punishing student for dancing at an off-campus party (AP) Politics Donald Trumpâs civil fraud trial is resuming with ex-CFO Allen Weisselberg on the witness stand (AP) As Republicans split over who will be House speaker, McCarthy positions himself as a de facto leader (AP) Biden interviewed about classified documents found at his office, home (Washington Post) House Speaker chaos threatens GOP majority (The Hill) Election RFK Jr. announces independent presidential campaign (Deseret News) Will Hurd drops out, echoes Mitt Romney's call to back one Trump challenger (Deseret News) Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan host 2024 candidates at influential donor summit in Park City (Washington Post) Gallego leads Lake, Sinema in Arizona Senate race: poll (The Hill) Demsâ bad dream: Menendez taunts party with potential reelect (Politico) Ukraine ðºð¦ Zelenskyy hails Ukraine-Romania ties on first visit since Russian invasion (Reuters) In Ukraine, Russiaâs winter attacks on infrastructure have started (Washington Post) Israel ð®ð± What is the Israeli Iron Dome and what happened Saturday? (Deseret News) Harvard students draw outrage by claiming Israel to blame for Hamas attacks (Deseret News) Utah Jazz, other teams issue statements on the Israel-Hamas war (Deseret News) Israel pounds downtown Gaza City, vowing punishing retaliation for weekend attack (AP) Hamas' attack is a staggering failure for Israel's intelligence and security forces (NPR) Bodies of residents and militants lie in the grounds of ravaged Israeli kibbutz (Reuters) Israel's hostage crisis deepens with execution threat (Wall Street Journal) Israel was prepared for a different war. The Israeli military became so focused on intelligence, air power and technology that it was vulnerable to a surprise low-tech ground assault by Hamas. (Wall Street Journal) Putin offers muted response to attack on Israel. That speaks volumes. (New York Times) World Search continues for survivors after Afghanistan earthquake (Deseret News) Afghans still hope to find survivors from quake that killed over 2,000 in western Herat province (AP) | | |
| | News Releases Gov. Cox orders flags to be lowered to half-staff position Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox has issued an order for the flags of the United States of America and the great state of Utah to be flown at half-staff on all state facilities in solidarity with the State of Israel and its people. The flags should be lowered to the half-staff position at sunrise on Oct. 10, 2023, and remain at half-staff through sunset on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023. The governor extends an invitation to all private citizens, businesses, and other organizations to participate in this recognition. Utah House Democrats affirm solidarity with Jewish community The Utah House Democrats express unwavering support of our Jewish community here in Utah, in Israel and across the globe. We stand against the unspeakable horrors of antisemitism and terrorism that continue to devastate families and communities. We denounce the recent antisemitic bomb threats and placement of hate symbols in Utah, and any acts of terror and intimidation. Utah prides itself on being founded on the tenets of the free practice of religion. We renounce all actions that seek to undermine the safety and well-being of our Jewish family, friends, colleagues and neighbors. We stand in solidarity with the Jewish community in the face of such hateful acts. UADA statement on attacks against Israel âOur thoughts and prayers are with the people of Israel who have tragically lost loved ones as a result of the recent attacks by Hamas,â said former United States Congressman and Utah Aerospace and Defense Chair Chris Stewart. âAs advocates for peace and resilience we vehemently condemn the assault as a blatant disregard for civilian lives in the region. Such acts of violence undermine the principles of peace and cooperation that we strive to uphold.â âIn these challenging times, we express our sincere support and solidarity with the people of Israel,â said Utah Aerospace and Defense CEO Aaron Starks. âWe hope for a swift and peaceful resolution to the current conflict, and we stand ready to support initiatives that promote stability, security, and cooperation in the region.â Utah faces critical inflection point as demographic and economic changes have created a New Utah Utah emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic larger, more tied to in migration, older, more racially and ethnically diverse, supported by an elite economy, and grappling with high housing costs. Lower fertility contributes to these changes. While the pandemic did not cause these transitions, it accelerated them. A new monograph published today by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute outlines six significant transitions, all associated with growth and change, and deeply interconnected. (Read More) UVU expands student, community impact with major fundraising milestone and new health initiative At its 33rd annual Presidentâs Scholarship Ball Saturday night, Utah Valley University (UVU) unveiled a bold new initiative that will include an innovative Health and Wellness Village on its Vineyard Campus. The village will provide health services to Utah Countyâs growing community and will be a training ground for the next generation of healthcare professionals. The university also celebrated a major milestone with its endowment nearly doubling during the past five years to $100 million. (Read More) | | |
Upcoming Understanding Sexism in Utah with the Utah Women and Leadership Projectâ Oct. 10, 12:00-1:15 pm, Register here Civics Educator Conference with "Sharon Says So" â Oct. 10, UVU, More information and registration here Interim Days â Oct 10-12, le.utah.gov Special Election, SD 22 â Oct. 11, booths 5:00-7:00 pm, election, 7 pm Martha Hughes Cannon Award with Utah Women Run â Nov 2, 6:00-8:00 pm, Nominate someone here Interim Day â Nov 14-15, le.utah.gov Celebrating 30 years of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, with the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation â Nov 16, 10 am, MST, Register here
General election â Nov. 21
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On This Day In History 1845 - US Naval Academy opens 1871 - The Great Chicago Fire is finally extinguished after 3 days, leaving approximately 300 dead, 100,000 homeless, and costing $222M in damage 1901 - Frederick D. Patterson is born. He founded the United Negro College Fund and the School of Veterinary Medicine at the Tuskegee Institute. 1903 - The Women's Social and Political Union is formed by Emmeline Pankhurst to fight for women's rights in Britain 1944 - 800 children gassed to death at Auschwitz 1957 - President Dwight D. Eisenhower apologizes to African diplomat for being refused service at a restaurant in Dover, Delaware. 1973 - Vice President Spiro Agnew resigns in disgrace 1978 - US Congress approves dollar coin honoring women's suffrage campaigner Susan B. Anthony 1983 - Dr. Barbara McClintock receives the Nobel Prize for Medicine for her discovery in genetics about mobile genetic elements 1985 - US Navy fighter jets intercept Italian cruise ship hijackers 2004 - Christopher Reeves dies at age 52 Quote of the Day "The science of today is the technology of tomorrow." âBarbara McClintock On the Punny Side I opened my birthday card and loads of rice fell out. I knew right away who sent it⦠It was my uncle Ben. | | |
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