Utah and National Updates

Elections, Politics, & Government

Jacob Freeman

‘Fork in the road’: Federal employees offered pay if they quit

Millions of federal employees got an email with the subject line, "Fork in the road." The content: President Trump extended an offer to employees to take eight months' pay in exchange for leaving their jobs.
1 year ago
Top lawmakers in Utah, like Senate President Stuart Adams pictured here in June 2024, appeared reli...
Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL.com

‘Wake up call’: Top Utah leaders respond to Trump’s memo rescinding federal funding freeze

Top lawmakers in Utah appeared relieved after the White House rescinded a memo to freeze federal funding Wednesday afternoon, calling the original freeze a "wake-up call" for the state.
1 year ago
FILE – Cars drive along a Utah highway, pictured 2015. (Stuart Johnson, Deseret News)...
Adam Small

Bill alters when non-family members can accompany new teen drivers

In a matter of months, your newly licensed teenage driver might not have to wait six months to drive alone with a friend in the car.
2 years ago
Medical marijuana grows at Tryke Companies Utah's medical cannabis cultivation facility in Tooele o...
Bryanna Willis

New bill seeks to make medical marijuana more accessible and affordable for Utahns

A proposed bill would streamline Utah's medical marijuana regulations and make it more accessible to those who need it.
2 years ago
transgender rights rally utah capitol...
Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL.com and Daniel Woodruff, KSL-TV

Utah House approves bill limiting transgender access to college dorm rooms

HB 269 gives provisions regarding sex-designated privacy spaces in education and government facilities.
2 years ago
Students work on coursework at Crescent Elementary School in Sandy on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. A prop...
Britt Johnson

Utah students could earn money for good attendance

The chronic absenteeism pilot program would give students up to $400 dollars for a 90% or better attendance record.
2 years ago
Students eat lunch on Monday, Nov. 7, 2022. On Thursday, the latest version of a bill that gives fr...
Sam Herrera

New bill would provide qualifying students with free school meals

A new bill hopes to improve current programs that provide free and reduced school meals to children in Utah.
2 years ago
Karianne Lisonbee...
Adam Small

Proposed bill would lower age to openly carry firearms

A proposed bill would lower the required age to open carry a firearm from 21 to 18.
2 years ago
ground is broken on a weber county development for starter homes...
Britt Johnson

Gov. Cox’s starter home goal may face roadblocks, builder says

One Utah builder said Gov. Spencer Cox's goal of building 35,000 new starter homes over the next few years is possible but not easy.
2 years ago
The rally marches around the capitol on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. ( (Tess Crowley)...
BY ALEX CABRERO

Pro-life rally held at Utah Capitol building

The Pro-life rally marches around the capitol on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025.
2 years ago
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 22: A poster calling on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) ...
Eric Cabrera and Clayre Scott

Rumors of ICE raids across Utah circulate online

One local immigration attorney said he's been hearing about the rumors from his clients.
2 years ago
red traffic light...
Britt Johnson and Sam Herrera

New bill would bring photo cop cameras back to Utah

The use of photo cop, or red light, cameras was banned in Utah in 1996 over privacy concerns. One lawmaker says modern tech has changed the situation.
2 years ago
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox for a return to the state's "tradition of true grit" in his State of the Stat...
BY DANIEL WOODRUFF, KSL TV AND BRIDGER BEAL-CVETKO, KSL.COM

‘We must build’: Cox asks lawmakers, Utahns to embrace state’s industrial spirit

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox called for a return to the state's "tradition of true grit" in his State of the State address at the Capitol Thursday evening, declaring that "now is a time for building."
2 years ago
utah house of representatives. Utah lawmakers are considering multiple amendments to the Utah Const...
Heather Peterson

Legislature discusses how to split higher energy costs

A bill moving through the House right now could change who foots the bill when utility companies see higher energy costs.
2 years ago
House Democratic Leader Angela Romero speaks as members of the Utah House Democratic Caucus talk ab...
Simone Seikaly

Institutional investors may be restricted from buying Utah homes

HB149, as currently written, would "restrict an institutional investor's ability to purchase single-family homes in Utah."
2 years ago
unclaimed property in utah office...
Becky Bruce

Popularity of Utah unclaimed property program swamps treasurer’s office

A push to encourage more Utah residents to claim their unclaimed property from the state overwhelmed the state's treasury department in 2024. 
2 years ago
Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla...
Sam Herrera

‘Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness’: Utah Democrats focusing on ‘basics’ this session

Utah Senate Democrats said they'd be focusing on legislation that promote life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
2 years ago
Salt Lake City School District bus...
Mary Culbertson

‘Every child welcome’ in SLC schools, district says in response to Trump immigration orders

The Salt Lake City School District responded Tuesday to recent executive orders and policy changes made by the Trump administration.
2 years ago
Senate President Stuart Adams and House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper talk after a joint session o...
Verl Johansen

Utah Republican legislative leaders share goals for 2025 session

Utah Senate President Stuart Adams and House Speaker Mike Schultz shared their vision for the state before a joint session.
2 years ago
transgender rights rally...
Eric Cabrera

Utahns rally for transgender rights on first day of legislative session

Around 150 Utahns gathered on the first day of the 2025 legislative session to rally for transgender rights.
2 years ago
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox speaks at the state Capitol in Salt Lake City on March 1, 2024. Cox will be s...
Heather Peterson

Gov. Cox calls for focus on energy this legislative session

Gov. Spencer Cox hopes lawmakers will charge forward with his plan to bring more energy production to Utah this legislative session.
2 years ago
Rep. Ryan Wilcox...
Sam Herrera

Utah lawmaker focusing on school safety this legislative session

A new bill in the 2025 legislative session seeks to prioritize safety measures in Utah schools.
2 years ago
Sen. Nate Blouin, D-Salt Lake City, talks to members of the media during the first day of the 2025 ...
Adam Small

Utah lawmakers will again consider dropping the state portion of food tax

Bill sponsor Sen. Nate Blouin said that unlike previous attempts to repeal the Utah food tax, SB122 isn't tied to other legislation.
2 years ago
Violet and Remington Ridgeway slide down the slide on the playground at Kiddie Academy during its g...
Bryanna Willis

Utah lawmaker introduces resolution encouraging childhood independence

One lawmaker is hoping to make Utah a leader in childhood independence. He hopes to do this with a resolution he is presenting this week.
2 years ago