Utah and National Updates

Elections, Politics, & Government

FILE - In this July 21, 2020 file photo, a man opens social media app 'TikTok' on his cell phone, i...
Associated Press

TikTok signs deal to sell US unit to American investors, including Oracle, Silver Lake

The U.S. version of TikTok has been sold to American Investors, including Oracle and Silver Lake.
8 months ago
FILE - Pages from the U.S. Affordable Care Act health insurance website healthcare.gov are seen on ...
Kevin Freking, Associated Press

4 Republicans defy Speaker Johnson to force House vote on extending ACA subsidies

The move came the same day that House Republican leaders pushed to passage a health care bill that does not address the soaring monthly premiums that millions of people will soon endure.
8 months ago
President Donald Trump speaks during a Hanukkah reception in the East Room of the White House, Tues...
Rebecca Santana, Associated Press

Trump expands travel ban and restrictions to include an additional 20 countries

The administration cites national security concerns, including the arrest of an Afghan national suspect, as reasons for the travel ban expansion.
8 months ago
State Auditor Tina M. Cannon speaks in the Senate building at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Mond...
Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL

Capitol board votes to move auditor’s office amid dispute over space in Utah Capitol

Auditor Tina Cannon argues the move threatens her office's independence and transparency of state government.
8 months ago
Former Utah County Commissioner Tom Sakievich died Thursday night, according to the social media po...
Logan Stefanich, KSL

‘Devoted public servant:’ Former Utah County Commissioner Tom Sakievich dies at 72

Former Utah County Commissioner Tom Sakievich died Thursday at the age of 72, according to the social media posts of several Utah politicians.
8 months ago
Utah lawmakers are asking a state judge to certify her November ruling on the state's new congressi...
Bridger Beal-Cvetko and Daniel Woodruff

Utah Legislature asks judge to move quickly so they can appeal new congressional map

Utah lawmakers are asking a state judge to certify her November ruling on the state's new congressional map by next week so they can appeal the decision, according to court documents filed Thursday.
8 months ago
Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY), speaks during a news conference following a vote on ...
Cami Mondeaux, Deseret News

What’s next for expiring subsidies as dueling health care bills fail in Senate?

The failed health care votes leave the chamber without a plan to address the expiring subsidies.
8 months ago
The League of Women Voters holds a rally in the rotunda of the Capitol prior to a special session o...
Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL

Who should draw the congressional maps? Here’s what voters and Constitution say

Most respondents in a recent poll prefer that lawmakers work with a commission to draw congressional boundaries.
8 months ago
The Alpine School District has apologized "for any hurt feelings" related to a video shown to the s...
Simone Seikaly

Alpine School District apologizes for “hurt feelings” after claim by Freedom From Religion group

The Freedom From Religion Foundation said the school showed a video with "overtly religious messaging" during class on Nov. 17.
8 months ago
President Donald Trump announced a $12 billion aid package aimed at helping the nation’s struggli...
Debbie Worthen, KSL TV

Utah farmers may miss out on federal aid amid economic struggles

Most of the $12 billion aid package proposed by President Trump will go to farmers that produce crops like corn and grain. Most Utah farmers don't fall into those categories.
8 months ago
House Majority Leader Casey Snider, R-Paradise, talks to House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, as t...
Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL

Utah Legislature passes resolution condemning judges, repeals anti-bargaining law

In a special session of the Utah Legislature, lawmakers condemned the courts over a recent ruling on redistricting.
8 months ago
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth smiles as he walks to a secure room in the basement of the Capitol t...
Stephen Groves and Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press

Hegseth tells congressional leaders he is weighing release of boat strike video

Hegseth provided a classified briefing Tuesday to congressional leaders alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other top national security officials.
8 months ago
FILE - A Block Island Wind Farm turbine operates, Dec. 7, 2023, off the coast of Block Island, R.I....
Matthew Daly and Jennifer McDermott, Associated Press

Federal judge throws out Trump order blocking development of wind energy

Judge Patti Saris of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts vacated Trump’s Jan. 20 executive order blocking wind energy projects and declared it unlawful.
8 months ago
The Utah State Capitol is pictured in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025....
Heather Peterson

Legislature plans to repeal recent collective bargaining ban, but more reforms could be on the way

Utah's legislature plans to repeal a recent law that bans state employees from collective bargaining during Tuesday's special session. However, that does not mean the legislature is done trying to reform the state's union policies.
8 months ago
(Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)...
Brigham Tomco, Deseret News

Poll finds Utahns don’t want judges deciding congressional maps. Here’s what else they say

A new poll published on Thursday found an overwhelming number of Utah voters don’t want a judge to decide their congressional districts. But a majority also don’t want the Legislature to do it without an advisory body.
8 months ago
A student walks toward the “W” on the mountainside near the campus of Weber State University in...
Tim Vandenack, KSL

New censorship flap at Weber State prompts author to pull out of speaking appearance

For at least the second time since October, Weber State University officials placed restrictions on what they would allow a guest speaker to say while speaking on campus in light of guidelines and restrictions stemming from HB261.
8 months ago
With flowers in the foreground, construction on the front of the U.S. Supreme Court continues Monda...
Mark Sherman, Associated Press

Supreme Court allows Texas to use a congressional map favorable to Republicans in 2026

The Supreme Court is allowing the challenged Texas congressional redistricting plan to be used in next year’s election, despite a lower-court ruling that the map likely discriminates on the basis of race.
8 months ago
trail...
Carter Williams, KSL.com

Utah could soon get a new state park and a new trail outlining Salt Lake history

Gov. Spencer Cox's proposed 2026 fiscal year budget includes plans to designate a new state park and develop a historical trail.
8 months ago
Images from an FBI poster seeking a suspect who allegedly placed pipe bombs in Washington on Jan. 6...
Eric Tucker and Alanna Durkin Richer, Associated Press

Man accused of planting pipe bombs before Jan. 6 Capitol attack is charged with explosives offenses

The pipe bombs were placed on the evening of Jan. 5, 2021, near the offices of the Democratic and Republican national committees. Nobody was hurt.
8 months ago
Vehicles are seen at the Mercedes-Benz Vehicle Preparation Center at the Port of Baltimore, where n...
Matthew Daly and Alexa St. John, Associated Press

Trump proposal would weaken vehicle mileage rules that limit air pollution

If the vehicle mileage plan announced Wednesday is finalized next year, it would ease pressure on automakers to control pollution from gasoline-powered cars and trucks.
8 months ago
Michael Dell, left, his wife Susan and President Donald Trump listen during an event on "Trump Acco...
Cami Mondeaux, Deseret News

How Utah Rep. Blake Moore helped craft the idea of a ‘Trump Account’

The "Trump Account" program got a major boost from the CEO of Dell Technologies this week, providing an extra cushion to a novel program pushed by Utah Rep. Blake Moore.
8 months ago
Davis County commissioners voted in favor of a property tax hike for 2026 of just under 15% on Tues...
Curtis Booker, KSL.com

Davis County Commission OKs 14.9% property tax increase

The 14.9% property tax increase, the first for Davis County since 2017, is expected to generate around $6 million for the county.
8 months ago
FILE - The Department of Homeland Security logo is seen during a news conference in Washington, Feb...
Sudhin Thanawala, Associated Press

Judge issues injunction restricting immigration arrests in nation’s capital

U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell in Washington granted a preliminary injunction sought by civil liberties and immigrants rights groups in a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
9 months ago
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during the 4th annual Northeast Indiana Defense Summit at Pur...
David Bauder, Associated Press

Outlets that reach millions denied access to rare Pentagon news briefings this week

Outlets that reach millions of news consumers are being denied access to rare briefings by Pentagon officials this week — sessions that are being held instead for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s hand-picked media organizations.
9 months ago