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The Utah Policy newsletter is your one-stop source for political and policy-minded news. We scour the news so you don't have to! Send news tips or feedback to Holly Richardson at [email protected].
Situational Analysis | May 1 , 2026
It’s Friday and the beginning of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. 🌺
It is also Law Day.
Happy Birthday to Representative Jordan Teuscher! 🥳🎉🎂
What you need to know
The Trump administration says its war in Iran has been ‘terminated’ before the 60-day deadline, allowing it to avoid Congressional approval. They argue that because of the ceasefire that began in April, the war has ended, even though Iran maintains its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, and the U.S. Navy is maintaining a blockade to prevent Iran’s oil tankers from getting out to sea.
Rapid relevance
Electric charging roads being developed at Utah State University; Trump signs bill funding DHS, ending record shutdown
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
Curtis says he is exploring options for Congress to get involved as Iran war reaches 60-day mark (Deseret News)
‘Normies want normal politics’: Cox reacts as 6 in 10 Utahns say parties don’t represent them (Deseret News)
Utah governor defends GOP push to oust state Supreme Court justices (Deseret News)
Investigation of Supreme Court justice should be independent, Utah Gov. Cox says — not a ‘witch hunt’ (Salt Lake Tribune)
Gov. Cox’s middle path on UVU firestorm: Protect students, protect speech (Deseret News)
Utah has an ‘obligation’ to allow the building of massive data centers, Gov. Cox says (Salt Lake Tribune)
Salt Lake City to review whether councilwoman is living in the correct district (KSL)
Governor’s monthy news conference (PBS Utah)
Utah
Utah student who came to US as a 1-year-old detained by immigration officials (KSL)
'Not just a number': Vigil planned to honor domestic violence victims in Latina community (KSL)
Sister of slain Utah radio host Gaby Ramos speaks out against domestic violence (KSL Newsradio)
Utah National Guard stages first‑of‑its‑kind homeland defense drill, Exercise Wolverine (KSL TV)
Utah officials issue warning after record motorcycle deaths (KSL TV)
‘Don’t go down there’: Police speak on dangers of manhole tunnels after kids became stuck while exploring (ABC4)
Biz/Tech/AI
Elon Musk asks a $150 billion question: Did OpenAI betray its original mission? (Deseret News)
Exclusive: SpaceX spending on Starship tops $15 billion in rush for airline-like rocketry (Reuters)
Crime/Courts
Alleged WHCD shooter Cole Allen to remain in detention while awaiting trial (Deseret News)
Timeline for Justice Hagen investigation unclear, Cox says (KSL)
Weber junior high custodian accused of sexually abusing, grooming minor (ABC4)
Pleasant Grove man arrested after allegedly being found with teen in park (Fox13)
ICE arrests surge in Washington County with twenty bookings within 24 hours, nearly ten times the average (Fox13)
Culture/Community
McDonald’s introduces ‘dirty soda’ lineup (Deseret News)
How Salt Lake City stacks up against cities competing for an MLB team (Deseret News)
Salt Lake City hopes mural will elevate one of its forgotten historic neighborhoods (KSL)
How haircuts are helping Payson Police bring home a new police dog (Fox13)
Education
University of Utah’s newest grads challenged to take risks, embrace weakness — and keep ‘showing up’ (Deseret News)
'Life does not move in straight lines:' University of Utah graduates sent off with story of resilience (KSL)
How Jaren Kump used extra eligibility to earn a master’s degree that he hopes will help retiring college athletes (Deseret News)
University of Utah set to honor Utah's patron saint of the disabled (KSL)
Parents express concern as Provo considers closing schools (KSL)
Kane County teacher receives award for work in adult education (ABC4)
Lake Mountain School District purchases 100-acre lot for new high school, MTECH and UVU facilities (ABC4)
Environment/Energy
Utah breaks records in 2025 for energy production, consumption (KUTV)
Utah’s reservoirs face a summer stress test, Utah Gov. Cox says (Deseret News)
Utah and other Colorado River states call for a mediator. Could that break the stalemate? (Salt Lake Tribune)
Cox says he plans to issue drought-related emergency order 'fairly soon' (KSL)
USDA declares thirteen counties in Utah 'Natural Disaster Areas', providing relief to affected farmers (Fox13)
Secondary water turned off across Emery after emergency meeting following county-wide droughts (Fox13)
Proposed mega data center draws concerns over 'heat island effect' (KSL)
There’s a mysterious Utah agency behind that proposed huge data center. Here’s how MIDA works. (Salt Lake Tribune)
Hundreds of Utahns file to block Kevin O’Leary’s massive data center campus over Great Salt Lake water concerns (Salt Lake Tribune)
Faith
Faithful Latter-day Saint women are the ‘greatest rebuttal to Hollywood’s insanity,’ Sheri Dew says at BYU (Deseret News)
How a broken tooth taught this LDS women’s leader about faith and the challenges of life (Salt Lake Tribune)
Family
Debate over whether parents should teach children driver's ed resurfaces in Utah (KUTV)
Health
Aching knees? Study shows activities for the greatest relief (Deseret News)
New FDA analysis says infant formula supply is safe after testing for potential contaminants (KSL)
Housing
Opinion: A case for systemic resilience when addressing homelessness in Utah (Deseret News)
National Headlines
General
Inflation hits 3-year high as gas price rise and U.S. debt surpasses GDP (Deseret News)
While Asia and Europe scramble for natural gas, the US glut has nowhere to go (Reuters)
Political News
Republicans say they will defer to Trump on Iran war despite arrival of 60-day deadline (AP)
Poll: Trump’s Iran war reaches Iraq- and Vietnam-era disapproval levels (Washington Post)
Trump pulls Casey Means’ stalled surgeon general nomination. New pick is radiologist Nicole Saphier (AP)
Congress approves short-term extension of divisive US surveillance program hours before expiration (AP)
Immigration
US judge rejects Trump administration's halt on immigration applications (Reuters)
Fired immigration judge gives inside look at Trump's deportation agenda (PBS Newshour)
Ukraine/Russia
US/Iran
World
Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces backlash over response to antisemitic attacks (Deseret News)
Mali attacks spotlight the growing reach of militants across West Africa (Reuters)
Number of the Day
News Releases
Nominees announced for Fourth District Court vacancy
The Fourth District Judicial Nominating Commission has selected nominees for a vacancy on the Fourth District Court. This position was created by the Legislature during the 2026 Legislative Session.
The nominees for the vacancy are: Joshua Esplin, Brian Miller, Samuel Pead, Meagan Rudd, and Ryan Stack. (Read More)
Nominees announced for two Utah Supreme Court vacancies
The Appellate Judicial Nominating Commission has selected nominees for two vacancies on the Utah Supreme Court. These positions were created by the Legislature during the 2026 Legislative Session.
The nominees for the vacancies are: Christopher Ballard, Christopher Bates, Matthew Bates, Matthew Bell, Samuel Chiara, Stephen Dent, William Hains, Jay Jorgensen, Derek Pullan, Stanford Purser, Eldred Rawson, and Ryan Tenney. (Read More)
Utah’s 2025 energy landscape and 2026 outlook
Utah remains committed to supporting responsible energy development. A comprehensive analysis from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute and Utah Geological Survey highlights the significant evolution in Utah’s energy sector in 2025 and provides insights into future trends. The research emphasizes ongoing efforts as Utah faces significant pressure for more energy to meet projected demand and as the state transitions toward new energy sources. (Read More)
Curtis statement ahead of 60th Day of Iran conflict
U.S. Senator John Curtis (R-UT), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement ahead of the 60-day mark of the war in Iran:
“From the beginning, my position has been that the President’s actions in Iran have been consistent with his legal authority under the War Powers Resolution of 1973. However, that same law is clear that after 60 days, military action must begin to wind down unless Congress provides formal authorization.” (Read More)
Gov. Cox announces Utah joins national “A Home for Every Child” initiative, signs joint proclamation with federal partners
Gov. Spencer J. Cox today announced that Utah is joining the national “A Home for Every Child” initiative and signed a joint proclamation with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to strengthen child welfare outcomes and expand access to stable foster homes. (Read More)
Utah-led coalition to secure final approval in $700 Million Google settlement over App Store monopoly
Thursday, a federal court stated that it will approve a $700 million settlement in a Utah-led antitrust lawsuit against Google. The lawsuit challenged Google’s control over Android app distribution and in-app payments. The approval of the settlement ends a five-year case and gives relief to consumers nationwide who were affected by Google’s actions. (Read More)
Tweet of the Day
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
1738 - Kamehameha I, King of Hawaii (1782-1819) is born in Kohala, Hawaii
1898 - The US destroys the Spanish Pacific fleet in the Battle of Manila Bay.
1900 - Mining disaster in Scofield, Utah, kills 200 people.
1915 - The International Congress of Women adopts its resolutions on peace and women’s suffrage in The Hague, Netherlands.
1918 - Grove Karl Gilbert, an American geologist who investigated Lake Bonneville in Utah, dies at age 74.
1926 - Ford factory workers get a five-day, 40-hour work week.
1931 - The Empire State Building is dedicated.
1939 - Batman makes his first appearance in Detective Comics
1950 - Gwendolyn Brooks becomes the first Black woman to receive the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry.
1961 - Harper Lee receives a Pulitzer prize for her novel “To Kill a Mockingbird”
1963 - Jim Whittaker, joined by Sherpa mountaineer Nawang Gombu, became the first American to summit Mount Everest.
1986 - Shaunita Latrice “Tia” Norfleet is born. She is the first black female licensed as a NASCAR driver.
2003 - In what becomes known as the "Mission Accomplished" speech, U.S. President George W. Bush declares that "major combat operations in Iraq have ended" on board the USS Abraham Lincoln
2011 - Obama announces killing of Osama bin Laden
2021 - Helen Murray Free dies at 98. She was a chemist that developed a dip-and-read paper strip to test for diabetes.
2022 - US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi leads surprise congressional delegation to Ukraine to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Quote of the Day
Our attitude towards immigration reflects our faith in the American ideal
On the Punny Side
I asked my surgeon if I could administer my own anesthesia…
He said, “Sure knock yourself out!”
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