Utah and National Updates

Elections, Politics, & Government

Utah Supreme Court...
Adam Small

Utah State Bar praises Gov. Cox for vetoing bill on who picks the state’s chief Supreme Court justice

Members of the Utah State Bar are pleased with Gov. Spencer Cox's decision to veto SB296, which would change who chooses the state's chief justice.
1 year ago
Rep. Brittany Pettersen, D-Colo., and her 3-year-old son Davis Silverii, sit next to Rep. Wiley Nic...
Cami Mondeaux, Deseret News

‘I’m right, he’s wrong’: Republicans at odds over bid to allow new parents to vote remotely

Under current House procedure, lawmakers cannot vote remotely and must be physically present to cast their votes on legislation.
1 year ago
UN resolution vote...
Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL.com

John Curtis named one of the most effective lawmakers in Congress during last session

WASHINGTON — Utah Sen. John Curtis was one of the most effective legislators in Congress last year, according to a new report from the Center for Effective Lawmaking. The report — which covers the congressional session from 2023 to early 2025, when Curtis was a member of the House of Representatives — ranks members of Congress based […]
1 year ago
utah supreme court...
Sam Herrera

Gov. Cox vetoes bill that would change who chooses the Utah Supreme Court chief justice

Gov. Spencer Cox vetoed a bill that would have changed who picks the chief justice of the Utah Supreme Court.
1 year ago
signal leak hearing...
Amie Schaeffer

‘They lost sight of the importance of the information:’ FBI agent discusses Signal leak and security concerns

On Monday, news broke that President Donald Trump's intelligence officials mistakenly disclosed airstrike plans to a journalist via the Signal app.
1 year ago
war plans leaked...
ERIC TUCKER and DAVID KLEPPER Associated Press

Exposure of Trump administration war plans is ‘mind-boggling,’ top Democrat tells intel officials

Congress is questioning top Trump-era intelligence officials this week over a security breach involving leaked war plans.
1 year ago
gox spencer cox...
Michael Houck

Gov. Cox vetoes bill that changes how schools receive property tax money

Utah’s governor signed several bills into law on Monday but vetoed one related to school funding.
1 year ago
federal buildings in salt lake city...
Adam Small

3 federal buildings in Utah no longer on US government’s ‘disposal’ list

A new list from the U.S. General Services Administration does not include three federal buildings in Utah previously listed.
1 year ago
Don Brinkerhoff

Utah businesses dealing with uncertainty caused by Trump administration’s tariffs

It’s been about three weeks since President Donald Trump imposed a round of tariffs on Canada and Mexico. Many Utah businesses are still trying to adjust.
1 year ago
Mia Love...
Amie Schaeffer

Tributes pour in at the news of Rep. Mia Love’s death

Utah's leaders are honoring the life and legacy of Rep. Mia Love after her death on Sunday.
1 year ago
People protest outside Congressman and Doge co-chair Blake Moore's GOP Luncheon at Timberline Steak...
Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL.com

Hundreds protest, ask Rep. Blake Moore to stand up to DOGE

A couple hundred protesters greeted Utah Rep. Blake Moore as he was set to give the keynote address at a Republican luncheon in Ogden on Saturday.
1 year ago
reps Celeste Maloy and Mike Kennedy...
Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL.com

Reps. Maloy, Kennedy face hostile town hall crowd angry with Trump, DOGE

Reps. Celeste Maloy and Mike Kennedy were greeted with animosity at a town hall as some 250 Utahns turned out to vent their anger at the Trump administration.
1 year ago
A person wearing a shirt covered in books holds a copy of the novel "Fahrenheit 451" while protesti...
HILLEL ITALIE

What’s happening with the Institute of Museum and Library Services after Trump’s executive order

The Institute of Museum and Library of Services, or IMLS, is a key source of funding for museums, libraries and educational institutions.
1 year ago
U.S. President Donald Trump signs an executive order to reduce the size and scope of the Education ...
Collin Binkley and Chris Megerian, Associated Press

Trump orders plan to dismantle the Education Department while keeping some core functions

Trump has derided the Education Department as wasteful and polluted by liberal ideology.
1 year ago
(Tesla vandalism)...
Alexander Campbell and Eric Cabrera

Rise in Tesla vandalism drives insurance premiums, frustrating owners

A wave of vandalism against Tesla vehicles is leaving owners on edge and insurance experts sounding the alarm.
1 year ago
Mary Culbertson

Gold could be method of payment for the state if Gov. Cox signs a bill into law

A new bill that would allow Utah to pay its vendors with gold and silver now awaits Gov. Spencer Cox's signature.
1 year ago
Lindsay Whitehurst and Michael Kunzelman, Association Press

Judge rules DOGE’s USAID dismantling likely violates the Constitution

A lawsuit singled out Musk as a defendant covered by the preliminary injunction. Lawyers for USAID employees and contractors had requested the order.
1 year ago
BYU junior Cal Nielson shakes hands with Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, after Curtis spoke to BYU studen...
Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL.com

Sen. John Curtis: Federal layoffs a ‘stop-the-car moment’ for America

Curtis said President Trump has introduced a level of "uncertainty," with the federal layoffs, but that the "disruption" could be necessary, if painful.
1 year ago
Union members attend a rally at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025. The protest...
Heather Peterson

Public employee unions gathering signatures for collective bargaining referendum

Supporters of collective bargaining for Utah public employees want voters to weigh in on the issue.
1 year ago
Adam Small

Gov. Cox supports dismantling the Department of Education in new op-ed

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox says he supports the idea of dismantling the U.S. Department of Education. 
1 year ago
Associated Press

Trump signs a bill funding the government for 6 months, avoiding a shutdown

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has signed into law legislation funding the government through the end of September, ending the threat of a partial government shutdown and capping off a struggle in Congress that deeply divided Democrats. Harrison Fields, White House principal deputy press secretary, said in a post on X that Trump signed […]
1 year ago
KEVIN FREKING and LISA MASCARO, Associated Press

Senate passes six-month funding bill hours before shutdown deadline

The Senate has passed a six-month spending bill hours before a government shutdown.
1 year ago
3rd Congressional District candidate Mike Kennedy smiles to applause after declaring victory during...
Michelle Lee

Third district’s Rep. Mike Kennedy speaks on his new position in Congress

Utah's newest congressman, Rep. Mike Kennedy, has been in office for just under three months now. Here are some of his updates on the new position.
1 year ago
Two judges have handed down orders requiring the Trump administration to rehire thousands of probat...
Janie Har, Brian Witte, and Lindsay Whitehurst, Associated Press

Two judges in mass firings cases order Trump administration to rehire probationary workers for now

Two judges have handed down orders requiring the Trump administration to rehire thousands of probationary workers let go in mass firings across multiple agencies.
1 year ago