Utah and National Updates

Elections, Politics, & Government

Chris Megerian, Associated Press

The Trump administration sets the stage for large-scale federal worker layoffs in a new memo

President Donald Trump's administration says federal agencies should begin planning to eliminate employee positions.
1 year ago
A voter holds a mail-in ballot in Provo on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022. Mail-in ballots are already being ...
Heather Peterson

Mail-in voting legislation passes the House, but with major changes

A bill that seeks to make major changes to Utah's vote-by-mail process is moving forward after being passed by the house Tuesday afternoon.
1 year ago
BRIAN SLODYSKO AND BYRON TAU, ASSOCIATED PRESS

Musk has inside track to take over contract to fix air traffic communications system

A satellite company owned by Elon Musk has the inside track to potentially take over a large federal contract to modernize the nation's air traffic communications system.
1 year ago
Lisa Mascaro, Kevin Freking and Matt Brown, Associated Press

House GOP pushes budget resolution to passage

House Republicans sent a GOP budget blueprint to passage Tuesday, a step toward delivering $4.5 trillion in tax breaks and $2 trillion in spending cuts.
1 year ago
FILE: Millcreek Mayor Jeff Silvestrini takes questions during a press conference on Aug. 1, 2023....
Simone Seikaly

Millcreek mayor: ‘ICE needs to do their job the right way’

During his state of the city address this week, Millcreek Mayor Jeff Silvestrini addressed recent actions by ICE agents.
1 year ago
utah capitol...
Sam Herrera

Utah lawmaker hopes to create new path for counties to split

Legislation is in the works to offer residents and cities in Utah another way to create a new county.
1 year ago
Laurie Kellman, Associated Press

White House says it ‘will determine’ which news outlets cover Trump, rotating traditional ones

The White House says its officials "will determine" which news outlets cover President Donald Trump.
1 year ago
The Utah Legislature is moving ahead with a plan to cut the state’s corporate and income tax rate...
Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL.com and Daniel Woodruff, KSL-TV

Utah Legislature advances nearly $100 million cut to state income taxes

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Legislature is moving ahead with a plan to cut the state’s corporate and income tax rate for the fifth consecutive year despite pleas to spend the money on critical government services. HB106, sponsored by Rep. Kay Christofferson, R-Lehi, passed out of the House Revenue and Taxation Committee Tuesday morning […]
1 year ago
Gene Johnson, Associated Press

Federal judge blocks Trump’s effort to halt refugee admissions system

The ruling came Tuesday in a lawsuit brought by refugee aid groups, who argued Trump’s executive order ran afoul of the system Congress created for moving refugees into the U.S.
1 year ago
UN resolution vote...
Amie Schaeffer

Sen. John Curtis discusses concern over US vote against UN resolution condemning Russia

Sen. John Curtis address his concern that the US voted against UN resolution condemning Russia for the war.
1 year ago
homeschool schedule -utah fits all scholarship can go towards homeschooling or private school...
Simone Seikaly

Utah lawmakers adjust funding, add rules, to Utah Fits All scholarship

SALT LAKE CITY — When Utah lawmakers created the Utah Fits All Scholarship, the intent was to pay for educational expenses incurred by parents who either home-schooled or sent their kids to private school. But not long after the first checks were written to these parents, Utah lawmakers are making some adjustments to the program. […]
1 year ago
The Salt Palace Convention Center near the Delta Center Salt Lake City on July 31, 2024. A Utah Sen...
Carter Williams, KSL.com

Utah bill would help county finance downtown SLC overhaul, potentially transfer road to city

The Utah Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee voted to advance a bill allowing the county to use existing transportation tax revenue Salt Palace Convention Center overhaul.
1 year ago
People raise their hands after being asked how many people in the room are in favor of HB81, a bill...
Kenya Hunter, AP Health Writer

Utah close to fully banning fluoride in water, stripping cities’ ability to decide

A bill sponsor and an organization opposed to fluoride in water said Utah could set a precedent in the U.S.
1 year ago
An electric car charges at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Monday, Sept. 18, 2023....
Adam Small

Bill seeks to allow Utahns to register certain vehicles for two years at a time

A committee of Utah lawmakers voted to advance a bill that would allow some Utahns to register their vehicles for two years at a time.
1 year ago
Utah ballot initiatives that affect taxes would require a higher threshold to pass under a proposed...
Clayre Scott

Utah lawmaker aims to give adoptees easier access to adoption records

A bill that would give adoptees access to their adoption records once they turn 18 just needs Gov. Cox's signature to become law.
1 year ago
Members of the Senate conduct business on the last day of the Utah legislative session at the Capit...
Kennedy Camarena

Halfway there: What bills have people been watching during this year’s legislative session?

What bills have people been watching now that Utah is a little over half way through the 2025 Utah Legislative Session?
1 year ago
FILE - Children at Creative Learning Academy in Salt Lake City listen as Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson ...
Britt Johnson

Utah child care facilities could get tax credit for expanding to their business

Representative Jason Thompson said his bill addresses the supply side of child care, which hasn't been focused on as much in other legislation.
2 years ago
MARYCLAIRE DALE

Trump says he may take control of the US Postal Service. Here’s what to know

President Donald Trump on Friday said he may put the U.S. Postal Service under the control of the Commerce Department in what would be an executive branch takeover of the agency, which has operated as an independent entity since 1970.
2 years ago
Traffic moves along State Route 201 during rush hour in Salt Lake City on Monday, Jan. 24, 2022. Th...
DANIEL WOODRUFF

Utah Legislature moves to limit road projects in Salt Lake City for 1 year

The Utah Legislature is raising questions about what it means for Salt Lake City and its ability to do any road projects over the next year.
2 years ago
hill air force base sign...
Allessandra Harris Gurr

Will federal spending cuts affect Hill Air Force Base?

Amid federal spending cuts, there is a question in the air whether or not these cuts will affect Hill Air Force Base.
2 years ago
Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill on Friday shows video recorded from a helicopter on Feb...
KSL.com

American Fork officers found justified in shooting gunman in South Salt Lake

Three members of the American Fork SWAT team who tracked down a wanted man were legally justified when they shot and injured him after he pulled out a gun on the porch of a random residence.
2 years ago
School busses would be included in a potential ban of certain heavy duty vehicles....
Kennedy Camarena

Bill could ban certain heavy-duty vehicles in an effort to clean up the air

A bill aimed at banning certain heavy-duty vehicles in Utah could help clean the air ahead of the 2034 Olympics.
2 years ago
apartment building...
Daniel Woodruff, KSL TV

Advocates push for more affordable housing funding from Utah liquor sales

With two weeks left in the legislative session, advocates are pushing for more money to build affordable housing in Utah.
2 years ago
Utah State Board of Education...
Adam Small

Committee advances bill that would give lawmakers input in search for new state superintendent

The bill would require the Utah State Board of Education to consult with an advisory committee when searching for a new state superintendent.
2 years ago