Utah Policy: CCP threats in Utah, kestrel chicks and lots of news in the roundup

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Utah Policy Daily Newsletter

The UtahPolicy.com daily newsletter gets you up to speed on the top local and national news about politics and public policy. Send news tips or feedback to [email protected]

Situational Analysis - May 21, 2021

We've made it to Friday! It's National Pizza Party Day and National Strawberries and Cream Day - I know what we're having for dinner.

Today's newsletter is long - lots of news. Some days are like that. If it's tl:dr (too long, didn't read), at least scroll down to "News of the Weird" and check out the story a man surviving a bear attack in Alaska. Oh, and there was a bear sighting in Provo yesterday, around near 900 E and Center Street. DWR says we could see more bears because of the drought.

News You Need to Know

Seems like it should be bigger news, but the FBI is saying that the Chinese Communist Party poses counterintelligence threats right here in Utah. "It's almost guaranteed that if you're an American adult, China has all of your personal information," says special agent David Fitzgibbons, who can't comment on specific on-going cases in Utah. The FBI is opening a new case approximately every 10 hours somewhere in the US. Pleasant Grove resident and Draper fire fighter Cody Jolley and his wife Julia saved up a lot of money to buy a piece of equipment to landscape their yard. Then, they found out their $12,000 skid-steer front-loader was stolen. They called the police and turned it back over to its rightful owner because "that's just what you do." A GoFundMe fundraiser has been set up to help them recoup their financial hit. Don't miss this in-depth piece on how a "angsty" farm boy became Utah's governor. Well-known attorney Robert J. DeBry passed away last week at age 85. DeBry was an advocate for victims of drunk driving and the use of helmets while cycling and created "Buy a Helmet, Save a Life." The initiative has distributed more than a quarter-million bicycle helmets below costs or as donations in Utah. DeBry was also a supporter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and donated $500 for cases he settled or won, said his obituary. Amazon halted construction at its newest facility in Connecticut after seven nooses were found on site in the last month. They are offering a $100,000 reward and call the incidents "deeply disturbing." Um, yeah. Former president Trump charged the Secret Service $40,000 for a a room at Mar-a-Lago from Jan 30 through April 30. Speaking of the former president, he called GOP House members who voted for a bipartisan commission to investigate the Jan. 6 insurrection "weak" and "stupid." That would include Utah Congressmen Moore and Curtis. N%MCEPASTEBIN%

Calendar

Reporters' Roundtable: Utah's National Economic Leadership hosted by the Salt Lake Chamber - May 20, 4:00-5:00 pm. Register here for the webinar Utah Democratic Party organizaing convention: June 26, 2021 250 days of the Cox-Henderson administration: September 11, 2021

Today At Utah Policy

Hello to baby kestrel chicks!
By Holly Richardson
It's spring and time for baby animals. This time it's four kestrel chicks that have hatched at the Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve - and they are cute! Check out the Nest Cam to see the little fluff balls (they'll be getting feathers soon!)

Utah Headlines

General

How Spencer Cox, an 'angsty' farm boy, grew up to become the governor of Utah (Deseret News) The self-silencing majority: In red America and blue America, an epidemic of self-censorship is threatening democracy (Deseret News) She called Utah police to help her suicidal husband. They shot and killed him. (Salt Lake Tribune, KSL) Donovan Mitchell calls move to ban critical race theory in Utah schools 'unfortunate' (Fox13)

Politics

Spencer Cox says the CDC 'couldn't be more correct' when they updated their mask guidelines to say if you are fully vaccinated, no mask needed. (Deseret News) Utah's governor says turn off cable news as critical race theory debate heats up, but says he supports resolution identifying 'risks' of CRT (Deseret News, Salt Lake Tribune, ABC4, Daily Herald, KUER) Utah lawmakers chase boogeymen in a windy special session (Deseret News) 'Early intervention is the key': Rep. Lowry Snow advocates for justice and education reform (St. George News)

Service

Jazz scholarships present 'life-changing' opportunities for more than 55 Utah students (KSL, ABC4, NBA) Latest Farmers Feeding Utah project brings 1200 boxes of food to Orem families (Daily Herald) Successful Iron County food distribution helps locals in need (Iron County Today) 'This is what we were founded on': Governor, lieutenant governor laud volunteerism at Rotary luncheon (St. George News)

COVID Corner

Four more Utahns die of COVID-19. The state's ethnic minorities lag behind the white population in getting vaccinated, governor says. (Salt Lake Tribune) 29 COVID-19 cases reported in Kaysville middle school outbreak (KSL) Vaccinated? Here's how you can score free Shake Shack (ABC4) Salma Hayek almost died from COVID-19 (Deseret News) COVID disrupts years of health progress in the US, inflating the nation's death rate to the highest level in nearly two decades. (Wall Street Journal) When it comes to unmasking, do we trust each other to follow the rules? (Washington Post) Ohio vaccination rate jumps 28 percent after lottery announcement (The Hill) Severe COVID is more often fatal in Africa than in other regions (New York Times)

Drought

Utah's drought is 'really bad' Cox warns, may lead to restrictions and fireworks ban (Fox13) Northern Utah water official says drought as bad as he's seen, but not yet time to panic (Standard-Examiner)

Economy

Want to support women-owned businesses? There's a new directory for Utahns to use. People can search for more than 400 companies, including a salsa business, a dog-walking service and a home inspector. (Salt Lake Tribune) Utah business owners 'scrambling' to pay state tax bill on PPP loans. For Scott Slaymaker, a managing partner of the Wingers restaurant chain, that means he got a $100,000 bill he wasn't expecting this week. "It's a real gut punch," Slaymaker said. (KUTV)

Education

Park City Board of Education has scrapped the live public comment portion of its meetings. Written comments still accepted, to be included with minutes. (Park Record)

Environment

Crust farming: Volunteer to help Arches move delicate soil and native plants (Moab Sun News) Two Murray farmers were among the first modern environmental activists (Murray Journal) Lee, Romney want Congress to decide Utah monuments, not president (KUTV)

Family

'A pandemic in its own right': Utah lawmakers looking at solutions to child care shortage (Deseret News) Susan Madsen: Childcare controversy falls into the either/or trap. The issue is much more complex than the political debate would suggest. (Salt Lake Tribune) The life-affirming power of the family reunion. Family reunions are about more than assorted salads and games - They're about building strong bonds (Deseret News) How a mother, grandmother and former inmate hope to refocus prisons to keep families together (Deseret News)

Housing

With house prices exploding, Southern Utah homebuyers struggle against 'bidding wars (St. George News) Moab's housing crises create a hiring crisis (Moab Times) A roundtable conversation about commercial real estate in 2021 (Utah Business)

Local Communities

Brigham City Cafe celebrates a century of candy, pie and comfort food. The Idle Isle Cafe opened in May 1921 as a candy and ice cream shop, but eventually transformed into a favorite community gathering place. (Salt Lake Tribune) Chalk of the Town: Artists to bring the streets of Park City to life (ABC4) Utah Natural History Museum gives a glimpse into the lives of ancient pharaohs (KUTV, Fox13) Kanab EV charging station a step toward region-wide shuttle system near Zion National Park (The Spectrum) Return of the Summit Rock! Hunt and win your share of $33,000 (St. George News)

National Headlines

General

Why moral liberations meant to free us have, in many ways, ensnared us. The march toward unfettered freedom should be a triumph, but Sohrab Ahmari thinks we've lost something far greater along the way. (Deseret News) The Justice Department under Trump seized Washington Post reporters' phone records in leak probe (Politico) Trump administration secretly obtained CNN reporter's phone and email records (CNN) Video shows officer saying 'you shouldn't be able to breathe' moments before jailed man's death (The Hill) 'Like hell:' As Olympics loom, Japan health care in turmoil (AP)

Politics

House Republican votes for U.S. Capitol riot plan a blow to Kevin McCarthy (Reuters) Texas pushing to obscure the state's history of slavery and racism is awash in bills aimed at fending off critical examinations of the state's past. (New York Times) CNN's Chris Cuomo participated in strategy calls advising his brother, the New York governor, on how to respond to sexual harassment allegations. (Washington Post, New York Times) CNN says it was 'inappropriate' for Chris Cuomo to participate in strategy sessions advising brother on sexual harassment allegations but won't face any disciplinary action. (CNN)

Economy

Real-estate frenzy overwhelms small-town America: 'I came home crying' (Wall Street Journal) Restaurant traffic is roaring back in much of the U.S. In some states and cities, it's eclipsing pre-pandemic numbers. (Washington Post) As Paycheck Protection Program runs dry, desperation grows. Overwhelmed lenders and panicking borrowers are in a frenzy to grab the remaining money in the small business relief program. (New York Times)

Elections

Arizona secretary of state says Maricopa County should replace millions of dollars worth of voting equipment because of GOP-backed recount (Washington Post) Missouri Senate race shapes into battle between controversial firebrands and GOP officials (Politico) Democrats, GOP face crowded primaries as party leaders lose control (The Hill) Trump slams 'weak,' 'stupid' Republicans who don't want to talk about Arizona audit (The Hill)

Environment

U.S. proposes big increase in forest management to tackle wildfires (Reuters) Global cactus traffickers are cleaning out the deserts in a growing black market (New York Times)

Immigration

The unexpected solution for immigration from Central America. The Northern Triangle needs momentum toward a strong, post-COVID-19 regional economy. (Deseret News)

Infrastructure

GOP not budging on infrastructure offer in Biden talks (AP) Biden's bank shot to win GOP support for his infrastructure bill: Reaching out to local Republican leaders as it seeks to raise pressure on GOP lawmakers (Politico) White House, GOP infrastructure talks reaching key stage (AP)

Israeli/Palestinian Conflict

Israel, Hamas agree to cease-fire to end bloody 11-day war in a truce mediated by Egypt (AP, Reuters) Don't forget Palestinian Christians, who are often lost in conversations about a conflict that's framed as Muslims versus Jews (Deseret News) 'We have no option but to die': Living through an airstrike in Gaza (New York Times)

News of the Weird

10 seconds of terror: Alaska man survives brown bear mauling (AP) Why does this have to be said?? CDC urges against kissing, snuggling poultry (The Hill) %MCEPASTEBIN%

Policy News

Webinar: Utah's national economic leadership - reporter's roundtable
The Salt Lake Chamber will host a webinar with reporters and policy watchers to discuss how Utah attained and can remain the best state for growth and economic opportunity. This roundtable webinar will discuss how Utah attained such national recognition coming out of a pandemic. Recent reports from The Milken Institute, the Wall Street Journal, US News & World Report and others have highlighted the state's economic strength. The reporters covering Utah's business community and economic development will share what they are seeing from the front lines.Sen. Romney urges administration to step up vaccine aid to countries in need
U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) today urged the Administration to implement a vaccine distribution strategy which ensures access to countries in need around the world. He highlighted also the national security concern that China and Russia pose by distributing their own, less efficacious vaccine to help advance their political agendas in various countries.Armed Forces organizations, 500+ veterans announce support of LGBTQ federal protections
Today in honor of Military Appreciation Month, Freedom for All Americans released endorsements from major national armed forces organizations representing more than one million veterans and more than 500 individual veterans in support of federal nondiscrimination legislation to protect all LGBTQ Americans in all areas of daily life.Rep. Owens opening statement on supporting homeless and foster students
Today, Republican Leader of the Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee Burgess Owens (UT-04) delivered the following opening statement, as prepared for delivery, at a hearing on supporting students experiencing foster care and homelessness: Smith's announces update to store mask policy
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, The Kroger Family of Companies' most urgent priority has been the safety of our associates and customers. We have adhered to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and our Chief Medical Officer Dr. Marc Watkins and listened to our associates and customers to guide our policies.

Business Headlines

LDS Church wins big on stocks, racks up 907% gain on GameStop (Salt Lake Tribune, ABC4) Utah kids and adults make big money selling sneakers (Fox13) U.S. Treasury floats global corporate tax of at least 15% (Reuters) McDonald's is sued for $10 billion for alleged bias against Black-owned media (Reuters) U.S. weekly jobless claims decline further; mid-Atlantic factory activity cools (Reuters) U.S. regulators signal stronger risk, tax oversight for cryptocurrencies (Reuters) U.S. Commerce chief holding meetings on chips shortage (Reuters) The Commerce Department held another summit with industry leaders this week as businesses try to get help with the chip shortage. (Politico) Three Carnival lines plan to resume Alaska cruises in July: Carnival Corp.'s Princess Cruises, Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Line to offer Seattle-to-Alaska itineraries (Wall Street Journal) Soaring prices herald boom time for steel makers. A rebounding economy and Trump-era tariffs have helped drive the price of domestic steel to record highs. (New York Times) Apple CEO Tim Cook will make first-ever court appearance in blockbuster Fortnite trial (CNN)

On This Day In History

(From History.com)

1881 - The American Red Cross is founded by Clara Barton. 1914 - Greyhound Bus Co begins in Minnesota 1932 - Amelia Earhart Putnam becomes the first woman to complete a solo-transatlantic flight by flying 2,026 miles from Newfoundland to Ireland in just under 15 hours 1940 - A Nazi special unit kills over 1500 "unfit" people (mentally ill hospital patients) in East Prussia 1946 - Physicist Louis Slotin is exposed to a lethal dose of radiation while preparing a plutonium core experiment at the Los Alamos lab, he dies 9 days later and the accident ends all hands-on nuclear assembly work at Los Alamos. 1947 - Linda Jane Laubenstein is born. A physician and early HIV/AIDS researcher, she was among the first doctors in the United States to recognize the AIDS epidemic of the early 1980s. 1973 - Lynn Genesko, a swimmer, receives the first athletic scholarship awarded to a woman (University of Miami). 2005 - First Lady Laura Bush advocates for women's rights at the World Economic Forum.