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Situational Analysis | May 05, 2026
It’s Tuesday and Cinco de Mayo! On Taco Tuesday!
It’s also International Midwives Day. 👶🏼
What you need to know
Utah Sen. Curtis framed climate change through faith and stewardship at an event held at UVU Monday evening. As a U.S. representative for Utah in 2021, Curtis founded the Conservative Climate Caucus. The group’s purpose is to “educate House Republicans on climate policies and legislation consistent with conservative values.” Former Gov. Gary Herbert and several state lawmakers were also in attendance.
Rapid relevance
New poll finds widespread anxiety in Utah and nationally over economic impact of Iran war; school cellphone bans don’t affect test scores or attendance, study finds
On the Hill
Government program stabilizes care for Utah seniors while strengthening healthcare statewide
A lesser-known government program stabilizes care for Utah seniors while strengthening healthcare statewide. The program provides $100M in federal funding each year at no cost to Utah, making it important to understand how it works and why it matters. Learn more at UtahUPL.com.
Utah Headlines
Political News
Opinion: Utah can lead the nation in immigration policy. Here’s how (Deseret News)
Live updates: Data center vote in Box Elder County moved to Zoom after repeated outbursts from crowd (The Salt Lake Tribune)
Box Elder County commissioners OK controversial data center proposal (KSL)
Utah experts weigh in after Box Elder County Commission approves agreement for data center (ABC4)
Box Elder signs off on contentious data center, citing property rights and zoning (KUER)
Utah
Biz/Tech/AI
University of Utah AI supercomputer aims to boost research (KSL)
Young Europeans turn to AI chatbots for emotional support, survey shows (Reuters)
White House Considers Vetting A.I. Models Before They Are Released (The New York Times)
Crime/Courts
Santaquin nurse sentenced to prison for helping friend die by insulin overdose (KSL)
1 hospitalized after stabbing in South Salt Lake park (KSL)
Tyler Robinson's comments on bullet fragment DNA was misleading, state contends (KSL)
Lockdown lifted after police find ‘no credible threat’ at Provo High School (KSLTV)
Culture/Community
Jump the Moon hosts their first art-themed escape room (UPR)
Calling all spelunkers! Tours set to reopen at Timpanogos Cave National Monument (FOX 13)
Two-headed calf born at southern Utah ranch, an extremely rare occurrence (KUTV)
David Attenborough, 'the voice for nature,' turns 100 (Reuters)
Dolly Parton cancels Las Vegas residency due to health issues (AP)
Economy
Here's when sticker shock will start showing up at the grocery store (Deseret News)
Trump Tries to Downplay Economic Effects of the Iran War (NYT)
Education
Voices: I used to feel valued as a Utah educator at the U of U. Now, I’m not so sure. (Salt Lake Tribune)
Rapid growth drives new Eagle Mountain school, future campus plans (KUTV)
Washington County approves new school fees (St. George News)
These Are the Hiring Hot Spots Where College Grads Are Landing Good Jobs (The Wall Street Journal)
Environment/Energy
What makes the Jordan River’s water yucky, and what’s being done about it? (The Salt Lake Tribune)
Fire departments join together to share urgent warnings about upcoming fire season (FOX 13)
How to survive a mountain lion encounter (Deseret News)
Sprinkler shame? Where to report water wasting in Utah's ongoing drought (Fox13)
Faith
Religious community can solve societal ills better than top-down policy changes, says philosopher Carl Trueman (Deseret News)
Dedication date set for the Montpelier Idaho Latter-day Saint temple (Deseret News)
What does space have to do with faith? Apostle teaches young adults about spiritual exploration (Deseret News)
Economy
Here’s why fallout from Iran war will push grocery prices even higher (Deseret News)
Roy City considering 55% property tax increase next fiscal year (ABC4)
Family
Affordable summer camp options for Utah children (KUTV)
Health
Hantavirus season is happening — and not always where you expect (Deseret News)
Silver linings: Silver scrollers — redefining digital engagement for seniors (Deseret News)
Housing
New homes and new hope in Tooele County (KSLTV)
National Headlines
General
Political News
More states jump into the redistricting race after Supreme Court ruling (Deseret News)
Person shot in officer-involved incident near White House, Secret Service says (Deseret News)
Campaigns are using AI to talk you into voting for candidates (Deseret News)
Pres. Trump seeks retribution in Republican primaries (NYT)
Most Americans say Trump is mentally, physically unfit to serve effectively: Poll (The Hill)
Trump’s bad polls spell trouble for GOP ahead of midterms (The Hill)
How the Trump Administration Ended Independent Science at the E.P.A. (NYT)
Immigration
Trump’s quiet bureaucratic war on ‘dreamers’ (Washington Post)
ICE Immigration Enforcement Has Harmed U.S. Workers, Research Shows (Forbes)
Fake courtrooms, sham hearings: Immigrants targeted by scams amid Trump administration's deportation push (ABC News)
Ukraine/Russia
Russia declares a truce in Ukraine to mark Victory Day. Kyiv says it’ll cease fire two days earlier (AP)
A grim record? Why more Russians are reportedly dying in Ukraine than ever before (Kyiv Independent)
US/Iran
World
Romanian government collapses after no-confidence vote (Reuters)
Number of the Day
News Releases
Curtis, colleagues introduce bipartisan resolution highlighting Chinese threat to American strategic interests
U.S. Senator John Curtis (R-UT), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined a bipartisan resolution affirming concern over the growing threat China poses to America’s national security and economic prosperity at a pivotal moment for U.S.-China relations. The resolution calls for a continued and steady focus on strengthening deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, protecting American workers and businesses from unfair economic practices, maintaining leadership in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, supporting allies and partners, preserving peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and advancing human rights and democratic values. (Read More)
Curtis, colleagues introduce legislation to improve education transparency at community colleges
U.S. Senator John Curtis (R-UT) cosponsored legislation that would improve education transparency by ensuring that reported graduation rates accurately reflect the success of community colleges. The Time for Completion Act requires colleges and universities to report graduation and completion rates for a broader range of students, including non-first-time and part-time students. (Read More)
Larry H. Miller annual Week of Service helps restore Jordan River and strengthen communities nationwide
Guided by Larry H. Miller’s mantra of “go about doing good until there’s too much good in the world,” the annual Larry H. Miller Week of Service mobilized thousands of employees to participate in service projects across Utah and 14 other states. Employees donated 2,400 service hours across 15 states. (Read More)
Board of Higher Education launches AI task force; begins statewide effort to expand AI Workforce Credential
The Utah Board of Higher Education today launched a statewide Artificial Intelligence Task Force to drive coordination across public colleges and universities, industry and government, and advance Utah’s strategic priorities for AI in education. As its first action, the task force will lead statewide work to advance a university-issued AI Workforce Credential. The initiative will be carried out in partnership with Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox’s AI Pro-Human Committee, Utah System of Higher Education institutions, Talent Ready Utah, and statewide employers. (Read More)
UVU celebrates increase in Native American graduates
Utah Valley University (UVU) is celebrating the graduation of approximately 203 Native American students representing 10 tribes, a 60% increase from 120 Native American student graduates last year. This year’s graduates span every college on campus, with 29 different degrees being awarded. (Read More)
Sutherland Institute releases AI data center research in new series on technology policy
Today, Sutherland Institute released Building a Human-Centered Digital Future, Part 1: Data Centers, the first in a new series of policy reports designed to help legislators, voters, and civic leaders quickly understand complex technology issues and engage more thoughtfully in policy discussions…The report cautions against reflexive policymaking. While data centers raise legitimate questions about electricity costs, water use, and local infrastructure, Sutherland’s analysis finds that thoughtful governance can address those concerns without undermining innovation, investment, or long-term prosperity. (Read More)
USBE recognizes 2026 “Do the Write Thing” finalists
The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) hosted the 26th annual “Do the Write Thing” (DtWT) luncheon in Salt Lake City last Friday. The ceremony celebrated the voices of middle school students from across the state who are utilizing the power of the written word to take a stand against youth violence. (Read More)
Applications open for Tooele Technical College president
The Utah Board of Higher Education is now accepting nominations and applications for the next president of Tooele Technical College. Interested candidates can learn more about the position and application process through the Tooele Technical College Presidential Leadership Profile. (Read More)
Upcoming
May 5 — Hatch Center Webinar on the Economy, Budget Battles, & Political Risk, 11 am MDT. Register here
May 15 — Utah Taxes Now Conference with Utah Taxpayers Association, 9:00 am, Grand America Hotel, Register here
May 19-21 — Interim Days
June 23 — Utah primary election
Aug 4-6 — One Utah Summit, SUU America First Event Center, Register here
Aug 13 — Titan of Public Service Gala with the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation, Grand America
Nov 3 — General election
On This Day in History
1809 - Mary Kies becomes the first woman to receive a US patent for her method of weaving straw with silk to create women’s hats.
1813 - Søren Kierkegaard, Danish philosopher, is born in Copenhagen, Denmark
1821 - Napoleon dies in exile on Saint Helena.
1862 - An outnumbered Mexican army defeats a powerful French army at the Battle of Puebla, giving us the Cinco de Mayo celebration.
1864 - Elizabeth Seaman, aka Nellie Bly is born. She became an investigative journalist who wrote an expose of mental asylums in 1887. She also set a record for circling the world in 72 days in 1890.
1868 - Martha Jones becomes the first Black Woman to receive a U.S. patent
1904 - Cy Young pitches the first perfect game in MLB history
1925 - John T. Scopes arrested for teaching evolution in Tennessee
1938 - Dr. Dorothy H. Andersen presents results of her medical research identifying the disease cystic fibrosis at a meeting of the American Pediatric Association.
1961 - Alan Shepard becomes the first American in space.
1978 - Ben & Jerry’s opens its first ice cream shop
2021 - Evidence of Africa's earliest burial, a three-year-old boy who died 78,000 years ago, is published
Quote of the Day
On the Punny Side
Why shouldn’t you trust tacos?
Because they always spill the beans!
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