Utah and National Updates

Elections, Politics, & Government

Utah Capitol building....
Tim Vandenack, KSL.com

Utah lawmakers to debate immigration, tax cuts, transgender students as 2025 session starts

The 2025 General Legislative session begins on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
2 years ago
President Donald Trump gives his inaugural address...
Eric Cabrera

Local immigration attorney reacts to President Trump’s immigration orders

President Donald Trump is planning on signing a series of executive orders, several of which focus on immigration.
2 years ago
Utah housing development construction site...
Sam Herrera

Utah lawmakers seek collaboration with cities to create affordable housing

Affordable housing in Utah is top of mind for lawmakers but for those initiatives to work, they'll have to collaborate with city governments.
2 years ago
App store...
Adam Small

Proposed bill requires age verification, parental consent to get apps

Utah lawmaker wants age verification and parental consent for anyone under 18 years old who downloads an app.
2 years ago
FILE: Rep. Matt MacPherson, R-West Valley City, applauds a speaker during the first day of the gene...
Simone Seikaly

Bill incentivizes gun owners to buy firearm safety device

Utah Rep. Matt MacPherson, R-West Valley City, says his firearm safety bill is "cognizant of the Second Amendment."
2 years ago
bird flies over Great Salt Lake State Park...
Mariah Maynes

Utah group to host Great Salt Lake vigils during 2025 legislative session

Making Waves Artist Collaborative, a group supporting Great Salt Lake, will host several vigils during the 2025 Utah legislative session.
2 years ago
FILE: Sen. Scott Sandall, R-Tremonton, speaks in the Utah Senate on HB2001 Election Amendments at t...
Simone Seikaly

On the Hill: Paying for safe drinking water in Utah

A drinking water bill would modify the Utah's Safe Drinking Water Act.
2 years ago
ALEXANDREA BONILLA, RANDALL JEPPESEN AND DIANA JONES

Utah congressman reacts to Supreme Court choosing to uphold the TikTok ban

Representative Blake Moore is grateful that the Supreme Court chose to uphold the TikTok ban. And said it prevents China from spying on the US in more ways than one.
2 years ago
The Capitol is pictured in Salt Lake City...
Allessandra Harris Gurr

Firearm safety instruction would be required in public schools under new bill

A bill that would require schools to teach about firearm safety will be proposed during this year's legislative session.
2 years ago
a box of mail ballots...
Don Brinkerhoff

New bill aims to require voters opt-in to receive a mail-in ballot

A new bill that aims to create an opt-in requirement for voters who'd like to vote by mail will be discussed in Utah's 2025 legislative session.
2 years ago
A long-shot Democratic proposal to raise taxes on those earning $1 million or more was rejected by ...
Adam Small

State lawmaker sponsoring bill to see if Utah could be more involved in outer space

A proposed bill would create a committee that would seek out a potential spot for a spaceport in Utah and possibly recommend it to lawmakers.
2 years ago
gox spencer cox...
Alexandrea Bonilla

Gov. Cox outlines priorities for the 2025 legislative session

Gov. Spencer Cox says his priorities for the legislative session include housing, energy production and cutting the tax on Social Security.
2 years ago
FILE - Electric Time Co. employee Walter Rodriguez cleans the face of an 84-inch Wegman clock at th...
Heather Peterson

Daylight saving time under fire again in Utah legislature

Every year when the clocks change, lawmakers are flooded with calls from their constituents asking for an end to daylight saving time.
2 years ago
A 1-day-old baby boy's heel is pricked for blood during a newborn screening in Washington state. A ...
Verl Johansen

Utah lawmaker wants to add PDCD test to newborn screening program

Sen. David Hinkins, R-Ferron, said he became interested in PDCD after a family reached out to him about their experience.
2 years ago
House Speaker Mike Schultz speaks during a press conference to announce state action for Utah publi...
Devin Oldroyd

Utah House speaker outlines his goals for Utah’s education ahead of 2025 legislative session

With the upcoming legislative session, Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz said Utah's education is a top priority. He has a few goals.
2 years ago
motorcyclist on i-15...
Bryanna Willis

Proposed bill will target aggressive motorcycle driving

A new bill targeting aggressive motorcycle driving will be introduced during the upcoming legislative session. 
2 years ago
FILE: Smith's Ballpark in Salt Lake City is pictured on Sept. 20, 2024. Salt Lake City is beginning...
Carter Williams, KSL.com

How will Smith’s Ballpark be used before it’s redeveloped?

The Salt Lake City Community Reinvestment Agency will soon send a formal request for proposal for "interim activation" of the Smith's ballpark site.
2 years ago
Heather Peterson

Survey explores what would boost Utah voter confidence

What policies would increase Utahns' voter confidence in the elections process? Here's what a new survey says...
2 years ago
Becky Bruce

Utah Senator: Pam Bondi will be confirmed as attorney general

Utah Sen. Mike Lee questioned Bondi, the former attorney general of Florida, during her confirmation hearing Wednesday.
2 years ago
Utah ballot initiatives that affect taxes would require a higher threshold to pass under a proposed...
Jessica Lowell

Gov. Cox orders state flags to fly at full staff on Inauguration Day

The order from Gov. Cox also directs U.S. flags on Utah state buildings to be lowered again on sunset, Jan. 20.
2 years ago
Generic image of signature counting. The man hired by Bruce Hough's campaign to gather signatures f...
Verl Johansen

Utah lawmaker proposal would lower signature requirements for political office

Legislation from Rep. Ray Ward, R-Bountiful, would reduce the signature requirement for a state-wide position by 96%.
2 years ago
FILE: Braidyn Page picks up a trash and roadside debris along eastbound I-215 between Redwood Road ...
Heather Peterson

Olympics in mind, Utah lawmaker proposes more littering fines

HB53 would modify existing fines and penalties for littering in Utah, and impose a landfill fee for driving with an unsecured load.
2 years ago
Law enforcement officials investigate after a fatal road rage shooting on SR-201 EB near 900 West i...
Eric Cabrera

Lawmakers say Utah’s road rage problem is bigger than they anticipated

One of the sponsors behind 2024's road rage amendments bill in Utah said the law may need to be revisited.
2 years ago
Members of the newly created DNR Division of Law Enforcement salute during the posting of the color...
Don Brinkerhoff

Gov. Cox swears in a new type of law enforcement officer

One hundred and forty new law enforcement officers were sworn in on Monday, they'll be working with a new state law enforcement division. 
2 years ago