Also: Gov. Spencer Cox says Utah Legislature plans to ban colleges from forcing new hires to sign ‘political’ diversity statements
Good morning! Here are today’s temperatures: Logan: 29 - 45° ⛅ | 10% 💧 Salt Lake City: 34 - 50° ⛅ St. George: 41 - 61° ⛅ | 10% 💧 What was Christmas like half a century ago? You may have gifted your parent a Bette Midler album. Read about Deseret News writer Jay Evensen's 50-year-old tape recording of Christmas in 1973. Also on our mind: Why Utah first-time homebuyers will still face a difficult market in 2024, O.U.R. is filing a countersuit alleging defamation, and updates on BYU, Utah and Utah State recruiting. |
| ‘I was in denial’: How this 81-year-old woman fell victim to romance fraud |
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| | It started with a friend request on Facebook in February. The handsome Army officer stationed abroad liked Alicia Bultez’s profile and wanted to be friends. She accepted. Single for seven years, the 81-year-old Bultez was lonely. She craved companionship. They messaged back and forth, shared their likes and dislikes, talked about their families, exchanged photos. A romance developed, and they planned to get married when he returned to the States in August. Before he returned from overseas, he asked her to send $1,500. She rounded up the money and sent it. Then he asked for another $5,000. She withdrew the money from her small life savings and sent it. But it didn’t stop there. He asked for $40,000. She told him she’d given all she could. “I was in such denial and I was hurt and I was angry and I felt all these emotions,” she said as she teared up. “I just put it in the Lord’s hands because there’s nothing more I could do about it.” | Gov. Spencer Cox said during his monthly televised PBS press conference on Wednesday that he expects the Utah Legislature to look at how Diversity Equity and Inclusion principles are promoted on college campuses in the state. Cox said he was “sure” there will be legislation banning schools from requiring new hires to sign DEI statements, and he will “absolutely sign that legislation” if it comes to his desk. “Telling kids that the reason you’re not doing this or can’t do this is because of your race is very unhealthy,” he said. Read more about what Gov. Cox said about DEI statements. More in Politics: Gov. Cox on Colorado barring Trump from ticket: ‘We should let the people decide’ (Deseret News) Cox seeks to crack down on cellphone use in Utah public schools (Deseret News) Can New York state force Chick-fil-A to open on Sundays? (Deseret News) Minnesota unveiled a new flag. What states have gotten new flags in recent years? (Deseret News) | FROM VOICES Carlos Boozer is back! Join us Jan. 31 for an exciting evening featuring Carlos Boozer. Hear his captivating story and a lively Q&A session, as well as a memorable photo opportunity. Purchase tickets today. | Faith Church leader dedicates replica cabin at historic California park 175 years after gold discovered (Church News) Sydney Walker: How volunteering at the Giving Machines helped me remember ‘the true Giver’ (Church News) Family When did Christmas trees become a holiday staple? (Deseret News) The benefits of having friends who aren’t your age (Deseret News) Money Last-minute Christmas shopping? Watch out for scammers (Deseret News) Amid lower interest rates, Utah first-time homebuyers will still face a difficult market in 2024 (Deseret News) Salt Lake County O.U.R. files countersuit alleging defamation (Deseret News) Utah lawmaker: Great Salt Lake could lose 10 feet if cities reuse wastewater (KSL) Millard and Box Elder Counties Za-pow! Utah Telescope Array captures remarkable, and rare, air-to-ground gamma ray burst (Deseret News) Why anglers can catch 8 fish per day at this Utah pond — for now (KSL) The West Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson weighs in on whether Colorado court ruling on Trump will affect Utah (Deseret News) Founder of Phoenix-based Nikola Corp. sentenced in federal fraud case. Here's what's next (Arizona Republic) The Nation Tesla blamed drivers for failures of parts it long knew were defective (Reuters) Scoop: Warner Bros. Discovery in talks to merge with Paramount Global (Axios) The World What’s happening in the Red Sea? (Deseret News) Nuclear energy makes a huge showing at worldwide climate summit (Deseret News) Culture Evening gown worn by Princess Diana set a new fashion record at auction (Deseret News) How this 16-year-old yodeling sensation — from a town of 68 — ended up faring on ‘The Voice’ (Deseret News) | Wednesday marked the start of the earning signing period for 2024 college football recruits. BYU, Utah and Utah State all secured commitments from several players ahead of national signing day, but there were still some unknowns. Now, dozens of players have officially signed with their new schools. Read more about the early signing period. More in Sports: Will BYU’s lofty hoop rankings set up fans for a letdown in Big 12? (Deseret News) Jazz 116, Cavaliers 124: Inside the numbers (Deseret News) Utah Utes played the Bellarmine Knights on Wednesday. Here's how they fared (Deseret News) | Photo of the Week Utah Jazz forward Kelly Olynyk (41) dunks on the Nets in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023. The Jazz won 125-108. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News. Read more about the game. |
That's all for today. 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! — Brooklyn |
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