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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 - Dec. 30, 2020Happy Wednesday! It's National Bacon Day. Coincidentally, it's also National Bicarbonate of Soda Day. Have a great weekend. Utah Policy will be back Monday morning, ready for Inaguration Day! TICK TOCK5days to Utah inauguration day (1/4/2021). Today At Utah Policy News to know: COVID claims a Congressman-elect, pandemic politics and word(s) of the yearBy Holly Richardson Congressman-elect dies of COVID-19 days before being sworn in - Luke Letlow, 41, was supposed to be sworn in to the U.S. House of Representatives on Sunday. Instead, his family is planning his funeral. The 9th-generation Louisianan had just won the runoff for the House seat on December 5. He announced on December 18 that he tested positive for COVID-19. He was hospitalized on Dec. 19, then transferred to ICU on December 22 when his condition worsened. Letlow died Tuesday evening. He had no underlying conditions.CNN reports that there were 124,686 coronavirus patients in hospitals Tuesday, the most reported on a given day during the pandemic. (Politico, NPR, New York Times)  Mike Kennedy returning to the legislatureBy Holly Richardson Former Representative Mike Kennedy is returning to the legislature - this time as a Senator. Kennedy got 54% of the vote on the first ballot in the special election to replace Senator Dan Hemmert, who will become the executive director of the Governor's Office of Economic Development.  Utah leaders pay tribute to Gov. Gary HerbertBy Staff Note: UtahPolicy.com invited a number of Utah leaders to express their feelings about the leadership of Gov. Gary Herbert, who leaves office on Jan. 4 after more than 11 years as governor. Following are some initial responses. Utah HeadlinesDeseret News
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COVID Corner
National Headlines
Policy NewsPODCAST: Mike Lee and a marijuana pardonAs part ofPresident Trump's rounds of end-term pardons, one Utah man who served 13-years in prison for a marijuana charge has been pardoned of the unjust sentencewith the help of Senator Mike Lee. Boyd Matheson gives a behind-the-scenes look at the story, how the incarceration led tothe First Step Actincriminal justice reform, and Mike Lee's involvement.Listen to the podcast here. Future travel may require COVID-19 'passport' According to ABC4, The Commons Project, The World Economic Forum, and a coalition of public and private entities are reportedly collaborating to launch 'CommonPass,' "a trusted, globally-interoperable platform for people to document their COVID-19 status (health declarations / PCR tests / vaccinations) to satisfy country entry requirements, while protecting their health data privacy." VIDEO: Salt Lake City's year in review Capital City News host Poonam Kumar takes a look back on 2020 and some major events that happened in Salt Lake City and around the world. She also share's details and highlights on what's ahead. Federal appeals court blocks limits on religious gatherings In a 3-0 decision, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York blocked state restrictions on attendance limitations imposed on houses of worship. Circuit Judge Michael Park said "no public interest is served by maintaining an unconstitutional policy," and said that the plaintffs did establish irreparable harm by showing that their free exercise of religion had been impaired. PODCAST: Jeff Burningham interviews Rob Axson On his latest version of "Us: The extraordinary ordinary," host Jeff Burningham interviews Mike Lee's State Director, Rob Axson on about being physically separated but still connected. They spoke about "sweating in the service of others," Christmas and politics in Washington D.C.. Check it out here. Business Headlines
On This Day In History(From History.com)
Wise Words"I think the difference between me and some people is that I'm content to do my little bit. Sometimes people think they have to do big things in order to make change. But if each one would light a candle we'd have a tremendous light." ~Thea Bowman Lighter SideLighter SideWe cannot allow this year to end!! That would be admitting that 2021....
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