U of U student dies in Hawaii; LA wildfire death toll rises; 6.9 earthquake rattled southwestern Japan this morning | | | 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]. | | |
Utah Headlines Utah legislature What Utah business wants from the Legislature this year (Deseret News) Utah lawmakers poised to weigh limits on use of polygraphs in sexual assault cases (KSL) Protesters rally in support of public land protection (KSL Newsradio) Women once had their own climbing night. Now they donât, due to the Utah Legislature and their anti-DEI law. (Salt Lake Tribune) Utah lawmaker introduces bill to ditch Daylight Saving Time, keeping Utah on Standard Time (Fox13) Other political news Utah names new wildlife director (KSL) David Petraeus: The world is in for âexciting timesâ following reelection of Donald Trump (Deseret News) Will Utah state government employees end up back in the office full time? (Deseret News) Gov. Cox on his Mar-a-Lago dinner with Trump, and how Trump compares to Biden (Deseret News) Inaugurations and immigration reform take center stage in Utah (Hinckley Report) Utahâs next attorney general wants to make the office more transparent (Daily Herald) Utah A magical alchemy that turns plastic grocery bags into warmth (Deseret News) Spanish Fork residents plunge into freezing river to rescue man after crash (KSL) In Utah, you can get your turns in and be budget conscious, too (KUER) New luxury resort in Garfield County is one-of-a-kind (KSL TV) Biz/Tech What drove surprising U.S. job growth in December? (Deseret News) These are the fastest-growing job titles, according to LinkedIn users (KSL) After 19 years of service, Ellis Ivory says goodbye to This is the Place Heritage Park (KSL TV) Utah Women & Leadership Project publishes statewide data on women in the workplace (St. George News) Crime/Courts Police seize âmostly assembled rifleâ at City Creek Mall (KSL TV) Tribune Editorial: Local and state leaders need to stop the finger-pointing and deal with street crime in Salt Lake City (Salt Lake Tribune) 'Rise up!': Utah County Jail inmate allegedly tries to incite riot after assaulting deputy (KUTV) Culture Perspective: Richard Dawkins, Jerry Coyne and the ânew religionâ of gender ideology (Deseret News) Church makes buildings available for shelter, provides aid as California fires destroy member homes (Deseret News) As more Utahns become influencers, hereâs what they can do if theyâre never paid (Fox13) Utah TikTok creator fears impacts of potential ban: 'This is 100% our income' (Fox13) Ballerina Farm's Hannah Neeleman reveals she and family left their Utah farm and moved to Ireland (People) Inside the movement to ârediscover the joy of undivided attentionâ (Deseret News) Education Shima Baradaran Baughman: Why I returned to teach at BYU (Deseret News) Opinion: Personalized education for all is closer than you think (Deseret News) Utah superintendent Sydnee Dickson to step down in June (KSL) PowerSchool data hack affects several Utah school districts (Deseret News) This photographer, biologist and professor is merging science, snapshots and Southern Utah (St. George News) Provo students say goodbye to Wasatch Elementary after 75 years (KSL) Weber State University removes âequityâ and âinclusionâ from mission statement because of anti-DEI law (Salt Lake Tribune) School nurse shortages are compounding Utahâs chronic absenteeism problem, with 1 in 5 kids missing nearly 4 weeks of school (Salt Lake Tribune) Sixth grade class spreads compassion by crafting blankets for Primary Children's patients (KUTV) Environment How does Utah rate on household energy costs? (Deseret News) Proposed 200K-acre project aims to reduce âintense wildfiresâ in Southern Utah (St. George News) Will Trumpâs reelection mean déjà vu for Utahâs national monuments? Those who live near them are bracing for another battle. (Salt Lake Tribune) Family The problem with calling childless adults 'kinless' (Deseret News) Health The problem of industry-funded alcohol studies (Deseret News) How much food do Americans waste each year? (Deseret News) Utah team is part of effort hoping to make eye transplants a reality (KSL) Strokes in younger people on the rise, medical professionals report (Daily Herald) | | |
National news General America is divided. Can religion provide a better way? (Deseret Magazine) Meet Papa Carter: Everybody's grandpa. (Deseret News) Opinion: President Jimmy Carterâs true, significant legacy (Deseret News) Mental health experts weigh in on impacts of California fires (Fox13) Los Angeles races to contain wildfires before severe winds return (Reuters) See some of the most terrifying and dramatic pictures of California wildfire devastation (NPR) Politics Trump was sentenced to âunconditional discharge.â Hereâs what that means. (Politico) Trump prosecutor Jack Smith resigns from Justice Department (Reuters) Trump frustrated with GOP lawmakers over debt-limit quandary (The Hill) On front lines of Trumpâs impending trade war, an âunflappableâ Latter-day Saint (Deseret News) Change: An inaugural tradition (Deseret News) President Biden celebrates faith as he awards his first Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction to Pope Francis (Deseret News) âThe Trump Doctrineâ: Global allies explore new way to engage with U.S. president-elect (Deseret News) Mark Zuckerberg and Joe Rogan discuss the Biden administration, censorship and COVID-19 (Deseret News) Americans have a more negative view of Biden than predecessors Obama, Trump when leaving office, poll finds (Deseret News) The Supreme Court debated cat videos, Cold War censorship and TikTokâs future. Here are 3 takeaways (Deseret News) Steve Bannon says he will âtake downâ the âtruly evilâ Elon Musk (The Hill) âThere is going to be shock and awe with executive ordersâ (Politico) âI Think Things Are Going to Be Bad, Really Badâ: The US Military Debates Possible Deployment on US Soil Under Trump (Politico Magazine) Ukraine/Russia Tougher U.S. sanctions to curb Russian oil supply to China and India (Reuters) Zelenskiy says he's ready to exchange North Korean soldiers for Ukrainians held in Russia (Reuters) Israel/Gaza Angry hostage families harangue Israeli hardliner Smotrich (Reuters) Progress made in talks over Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage release, officials say (AP) World news India kicks off a massive Hindu festival touted as the world's largest religious gathering (AP) I have witnessed my peopleâs extermination in West Darfur (Washington Post) | | |
| | News Releases UVU launches program to empower foster youth to thrive in higher education Utah Valley University (UVU) launched a new Foster Success program to support youth transitioning from foster care into higher education reconfirming its commitment to helping students succeed in completing their education. Wendy Simmerman, senior director of workforce alignment at UVU and long-term foster parent, created this program by witnessing the challenges youth face as they age out of the system. Youth involved in foster care tend to face seemingly endless obstacles and are expected to join higher education with deep-rooted histories of trauma, lack of family support, and limited awareness of how to adjust to new education settings. (Read More) Gov. Cox, Utah leaders to discuss key issues facing Utahâs aging population at upcoming symposium Utah leaders from government, business and academia will gather at the O.C. Tanner building for a symposium focused on the challenges and opportunities facing the stateâs aging population on Jan. 14. The event, featuring Gov. Cox and Lt. Gov. Henderson along with industry leaders, healthcare professionals and policy experts will explore critical issues related to health, wealth, independence, security and social connections for seniors. (Read More) State Superintendent Sydnee Dickson to conclude tenure at USBE in June State Superintendent of Public Instruction Sydnee Dickson has informed the Utah State Board of Education of her plans to conclude her service as state superintendent at the end of June 2025. Superintendent Dickson has served in this role since 2016, providing dedicated leadership and advocacy for Utahâs public education system. (Read More) 2025 Economic Report to the Governor highlights resilient Utah and U.S. economies The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute presented the 37th Economic Report to the Governor to the governorâs office at the 2025 Economic Outlook & Public Policy Summit hosted by the Salt Lake Chamber on Friday. The report highlights the resilience of the U.S. economy in 2024 and forecasts slowing, but not stalling, economic activity for 2025. âYet again, despite some dire predictions of higher interest rates forcing a hard landing, the remarkably resilient U.S. economy flew high in 2024 as post-pandemic economic normalization continued,â said Phil Dean, chief economist at the Gardner Institute and co-chair of the Utah Economic Council. (Read More) Salt Lake Chamber announces 2025 legislative priorities at Utah Economic Outlook & Public Policy Summit On Friday, the Salt Lake Chamber hosted the annual Utah Economic Outlook & Public Policy Summit with the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute to release its 2025 legislative priorities. The Chamber identified 11 focus areas for public policy this year, chief among them being affordable housing, transportation and infrastructure, and workforce development. (Read More) | | |
Upcoming Jan 13 â The Unspoken Truths for Women's Career Success with UWLP, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm, Register here Jan 14 â Utah Taxpayers Association Legislative Outlook Conference, 9 am - 12:00 pm, Little America Hotel, Register here 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 1842 - A British army doctor reaches a sentry post in Afghanistan, the sole survivor of a massacre of 4,500 soldiers and 12,000 camp followers trying to withdraw through the Khyber Pass. 1850 - Charlotte Ray is born. She became the first Black female lawyer and the first woman admitted to the bar in Washington, D.C. 1898 - Juanita Brooks is born. She became a famed historian best known for her research on the Mountain Meadows Massacre. 1903 - First group of Korean immigrants enter Hawaii 1910 - The worldâs first public radio broadcast occurred from the Metropolitan Opera House and featured Enrico Caruso. 1929 - Wyatt Earp dies peacefully in Los Angeles at age 80 1950 - Soviets boycott United Nations Security Council Meeting. 1954 - Marilyn Monroe marries Joe DiMaggio. They were divorced 274 days later. 1966 - Lyndon Johnson appoints Robert Weaver as the head of the newly created Department of Housing and Urban Development, making him the nationâs first Black cabinet member. 1982 - A plane crashes into the Potomac River, less than a mile from the end of the runway, killing 78 people. 1990 - Douglas Wilder of Virginia becomes the nationâs first Black governor 1999 - Michael Jordan retires for the second time. 2021 - President Donald Trump is impeached by the US House of Representatives for âincitement of insurrectionâ, the first time in history a US President is impeached twice 2022 - Britain's Prince Andrew stripped of his military titles and royal patronages by Buckingham Palace, amid continuing sexual assault allegations Quote of the Day "There are two words to describe the mission of politics: do it. Donât talk about it. Do it.â âDouglas Wilder On the Punny Side I bought an impressionist painting of some flowers, but when I got back home the cat scratched it. Now I'm trying to sell it as a Clawed Monet. | | |
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