With thanks to our sponsor
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 | October 19, 2026
It’s Monday and World Humanitarian Action Day!
Happy birthday over the weekend to Rep. Lisa Shepherd, Sen. David Hinkins and former Sen. Curt Bramble. 🥳🎉🎈
What you need to know
Utah’s Lt. Gov Deidre Henderson was on 60 Minutes this weekend talking about federal actions around voting. "In the past two elections that I oversaw as lieutenant governor, the threats were all external: non-state actors, cyber security threats and other things," Henderson said. "But now we also have threats coming from within our own government." Speaking of threats, the LG posted on Threads over the weekend that an envelope containing a suspicious white powder and addressed to her was intercepted and handed off to the FBI.
Rapid relevance
BYU moves up to No. 2 in AP Top 25 poll; how Kalani Sitake continues to 'dance' to victory with BYU
On the Hill
Prevention Starts Now and You Can Help
A healthy workforce is the foundation of a strong economy, and employers are uniquely positioned to support and protect Utahns. Too many workplace mental health conversations begin after a crisis. There's a better way: spot the early signs. This toolkit shows how. Together, we can help Utahns rise.
Utah Headlines
Politics
Utah Election 2026: Voter ID Changes, Mail Ballots, Cost of Living & Key Races Explained (Hinckley Report)
'Worried about democracy;' thousands gather for No King's Protest in Salt Lake City (Fox13)
Summit County clerk candidates debate their records, experience (KPCW)
In Salt Lake City, No Kings marchers carry ballots to drop boxes (Utah News Dispatch)
Utah group is asking for government support through the 'menopause moment' (KSL)
Utah Democrats have been out of power for 50 years. As the state changes, here’s how they think they can win. (Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah
Utahns say their quality of life is at a 15-year low, new report says (Utah News Dispatch)
Westminster Dog Show taps Utahn as agility judge (Deseret News)
Salt Lake City’s Cold War-era fighter jet will be scrapped (Salt Lake Tribune)
Newly opened Meadow Pavilion to be a highlight of upcoming Snowbasin ski season (Standard-Examiner)
Biz/Tech/AI
A leading religious voice proposes a new test for AI: Humanity’s First Exam (Deseret News)
2 Utah dads create tech to protect children, shield investigators from traumatic evidence (KSL)
Data centers are now the largest financial bet in US history (Utah News Dispatch)
Is YouTube killing TV — or saving it? (Deseret News)
Worried About AI? This Documentary Might Help (RadioWest)
Crime/Courts
Culture/Community
The Deseret 50 (Deseret News)
Utah Latina leaders discuss what drives them, stress involvement (KSL)
Economy
Carney’s pipeline push is unlikely to bring back Canada’s oil jobs (Reuters)
Education
Charter school planned near Mapleton public elementary sparks concerns over traffic, safety (KSL)
Opinion: Mentorship and a trusted adult can help solve chronic absenteeism (Deseret News)
Utah Tech adds clinical psychology, counseling master's in effort to expand mental health access (KSL)
Environment/Energy
As Utah pushes nuclear power, some environmental and tribal groups push back (Fox13)
Millions of American drivers are speeding. The environment could be paying the price (Deseret News)
A proposed fuel pipeline through Emigration Canyon and Salt Lake City is drawing increased opposition (Salt Lake Tribune)
Trump axed Arches’ timed entry. Moab is lukewarm on the shuttle replacement (KUER)
Faith
What surprised me while visiting my mission for the first time in 35 years (Deseret News)
Baylor, BYU presidents share a unique focus on student faith formation (Deseret News)
Montpelier Idaho Temple dedicated by President Henry B. Eyring, the Church's 225th worldwide (Cache Valley Daily)
Americans who go to church and trust science are also more likely to believe in ghosts and curses, new research shows (Salt Lake Tribune)
Family
Analysis: How Latter-day Saint child protection policies actually work (Deseret News)
Inside Gen Z’s retreat from real relationships (Deseret News)
Utah-based initiative connecting families with local resources for special needs children (KSL)
Health
Vaccine interest rises as U.S. measles cases reach 35-year high (Deseret News)
Housing
312 homes and a compromise: Ivins council advances Mojave Village project (St. George News)
Why a 7% mortgage rate hurts more now than in the past (Washington Post)
National Headlines
General
New report examines whether banks shut out customers over beliefs (Deseret News)
A Hedge-Fund Billionaire’s Two Bitter Wars—Against His Wife and His Business Partner (Wall Street Journal)
Airman dies in rappelling accident at Alamodome before UTSA-Navy game (NPR)
Political News
El-Sayed’s exchange over Muslim Brotherhood stirs inspiration, condemnation (Washington Post)
Montana’s House battleground: Can 2 political newcomers overcome party politics? (Deseret News)
White House press secretary is ‘transitioning out’ of position — just one week in (Deseret News)
Analysis: For Trump, results have often revealed the art of no deal (Associated Press)
Roy Cooper's North Carolina playbook is working. Can other Democrats copy it? (Reuters)
Trump approval hits record low, handing Democrats a clear midterm edge (Washington Post)
Democrats gain ground with AAPI adults as trust in Republicans fades, AP-NORC/AAPI Data poll finds (AP)
'Little of it was constructive’: GOP bemoans a distracted Trump in midterms’ final stretch (Politico)
Trump Promoted Suspiciously Cheap Gas Stations. Here’s What He Didn’t Tell You (Politico)
With Ken Paxton’s race faltering, GOP looks for someone to blame (The Hill)
Trump faults aides as Republican midterm prospects dim (Reuters)
Homan: Investigators have a ‘strong case’ against Omar (The Hill)
Trump says Washington golf course project to start immediately, despite judge's order (Reuters)
Stephen A. Smith calls dinner with Trump, Bill Maher, Kid Rock ‘shocking’ (The Hill)
With an ad aimed at Trump, this Republican exposed GOP angst about Latino voters (NPR)
Hegseth’s future as Pentagon chief at center of lame-duck defense battle (The Hill)
Immigration
Trump officials soften approach to key immigration policy ahead of midterms (Washington Post)
US/Iran/Middle East
Ukraine/Russia
Zelenskiy says Ukraine got no warning as Russia launches major attack (Reuters)
US resumes intelligence-sharing with Ukraine after pause, Zelenskiy says (Reuters)
Putin Floats a Summit With Trump and Xi to Discuss Ukraine Deal (Wall Street Journal)
Trump excoriates Zelensky after Ukraine defies US president with major attack on Russia (CNN)
Trump’s decision to waive Russian sanctions outrages Congress, but no quick counter seen (AP)
Trump Is Pushing Ukraine to Surrender to Russia, Zelensky Says (New York Times)
America Is Now an Ally of Russia (The Atlantic)
Editorial Board: To Russia With Love, Signed Donald (Wall Street Journal)
World
Macron condemns those who ‘sought to bring down the Republic’ after rioting mars nationwide protests (Associated Press)
4 service members killed, 39 injured in fire at Canadian military base (Washington Post)
BBC visits wildfire front in haze-choked Indonesia (BBC)
Number of the Day
News Releases
Utah Senate requests public comment on Utah Court of Appeals appointees
The Utah Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee is seeking public comment on Daniel O’Bannon and Alexandra Mareschal. They were appointed by Gov. Spencer J. Cox to serve on the Utah Court of Appeals.
Those who desire to comment should contact the Utah Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee within the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel by 5:00 p.m., Friday, October 30, 2026. (Read More)
Tweet of the Day
Upcoming
Oct 19 - The Senate Project series with the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation features U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-AL) and Peter Welch (D-VT), 9:00 am MDT, live on Fox News
Oct 20-22 — October interim
Oct 21 — US Federal Land Policy Management Act: Celebrating 50 years, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, USU campus, Register here
Oct 29 — Sutherland Institute Awards Dinner, 6:00 pm, Grand America Hotel
Nov 3 — General election
Nov 11 — 2026 Women & Business Conference and ATHENA Awards, 8:00 am - 3:30 pm, Grand America Hotel, Register here
Nov 17-19 — November Interim
Jan 14 — Utah Economic Outlook & Public Policy Summit with the Utah Chamber, 7:30 am - 12:00 pm, Keynote Speaker: Paul Ryan, Grand America Hotel, Register here
Jan 19 — General session begins
On This Day in History
1781 - Americans defeat the British at Yorktown. As the British and Hessian troops marched out to surrender, the British bands played the drinking song “The World Turned Upside Down.”
1789 - John Jay is sworn in as the first Chief Justice of the United States.
1850 - Annie Smith Peck is born. Among her many accomplishments, she became known for her mountaineering spirit, setting climbing records for 44 years.
1858 - Alice McLellan Birney is born. In 1897, Birney founded the National Congress of Mothers. Today, the organization is better known as the National Parent-Teacher Association
1943 - Researchers at Rutgers University isolate the antibiotic Streptomycin which becomes the first antibiotic treatment for tuberculosis.
1953 - Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury is published in the US
1976 - US President Gerald Ford signs the 1st major revision of copyright law since 1909
1983 - The US Senate establishes Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a federal holiday, observed on the 3rd Monday in January
1985 - The first Blockbuster video-rental store opens.
1987 - “Black Monday” on Wall Street as the Dow plunged 22.6%.
2003 - Mother Teresa is beatified by Pope John Paul II
2005 - Saddam Hussein goes on trial in Baghdad for crimes against humanity
We are seeing a trend of candidates who lose races now refusing to concede, saying it was rigged, saying it wasn't fair, even when it isn't close. Candidates who lose can do so much good by graciously conceding. That will instill confidence in the public.
On the Punny Side
Where do ghosts go to trick or treat?
Dead ends.
Subscribers may receive special messages with information about new features, special offers, or public policy messages from clients and advertisers.