Emily Anderson Stern
@emilyreanderson.bsky.social
Statewatch reporter @sltrib.com. Grad from @medillschool.bsky.social, @utah.edu. Bylines @washingtonpost.com, @propublica.bsky.social, @icij.org. Tips at eanderson@sltrib.com or on Signal: emilyanderson.801.
NEW: The DoD asked the Utah National Guard earlier this week to gauge troops’ availability to support ICE in a two month — or longer — immigration enforcement operation along the Wasatch Front and in Southern Utah. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
Utah National Guard asking service members to volunteer for an ICE operation
As immigrant arrests continue to surge under President Donald Trump, Utah National Guard troops are being asked to volunteer to help with a fall operation by DHS and ICE.
www.sltrib.com
August 23, 2025 at 2:19 AM
NEW: The DoD asked the Utah National Guard earlier this week to gauge troops’ availability to support ICE in a two month — or longer — immigration enforcement operation along the Wasatch Front and in Southern Utah. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
As a Utah politics reporter, the BIGGEST factor impacting party registration here, and in some other states, isn’t even mentioned in this piece — that the Republican Party has a closed primary and the Democratic Party has an open primary.
The Democratic Party is hemorrhaging voters long before they even go to the polls, a new analysis shows. Voters four-year swing from 2020 to 2024 toward the Republicans adds up to 4.5 million voters, a deep political hole that could take years to climb out from. nyti.ms/45ZDJKQ
August 20, 2025 at 5:35 PM
As a Utah politics reporter, the BIGGEST factor impacting party registration here, and in some other states, isn’t even mentioned in this piece — that the Republican Party has a closed primary and the Democratic Party has an open primary.
EnergySolutions has long used political donations for influence. But as Utah expands energy production, the nuclear services company has taken a new direction — buying lawmakers memberships to a conservative group pushing policy in nuclear’s direction. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
A company paid membership fees for Utah lawmakers to join a conservative group. It got this in exchange.
As Utah expands energy production, EnerguySolutions is buying lawmakers memberships to ALEC, a conservative group pushing policy in nuclear’s direction.
www.sltrib.com
August 20, 2025 at 3:09 PM
EnergySolutions has long used political donations for influence. But as Utah expands energy production, the nuclear services company has taken a new direction — buying lawmakers memberships to a conservative group pushing policy in nuclear’s direction. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
Years after Gov. Spencer Cox quashed two investigations into Utah’s previous top military leader, an Army review board knocked the retired two-star general’s rank down to lieutenant colonel following a probe of the commander’s behavior while in uniform.
www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
Gov. Cox killed 2 investigations into Utah’s top military commander. Now the Army has demoted the general.
After Gov. Spencer Cox quashed two investigations into Utah's top military commander, the Army has now demoted the former two-star general to lieutenant colonel.
www.sltrib.com
August 15, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Years after Gov. Spencer Cox quashed two investigations into Utah’s previous top military leader, an Army review board knocked the retired two-star general’s rank down to lieutenant colonel following a probe of the commander’s behavior while in uniform.
www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
Months after a Utah marketing firm won a multimillion-dollar contract to help the state’s GOP leaders influence public opinion on their effort to wrest public lands away from the federal government, it donated $23,000 worth of its services toward celebrating Gov. Spencer Cox’s reelection win.
A Utah company won a $2.6M state contract. Then, Gov. Cox’s campaign got its services for free.
Months after Penna Powers won a $2.6 million contract to help GOP leaders influence public opinion on wresting public lands from the federal government, it donated $23,000 worth of services toward cel...
www.sltrib.com
July 28, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Months after a Utah marketing firm won a multimillion-dollar contract to help the state’s GOP leaders influence public opinion on their effort to wrest public lands away from the federal government, it donated $23,000 worth of its services toward celebrating Gov. Spencer Cox’s reelection win.
Ahead of MOUs with nuclear startups, Utah quietly requested PR firms apply to help get the state’s residents on board.
A $1.8 million campaign includes ads, “educational events,” and private gatherings of nuclear companies, potential investors and public officials to “identify mutual interests.”
A $1.8 million campaign includes ads, “educational events,” and private gatherings of nuclear companies, potential investors and public officials to “identify mutual interests.”
Utahns are unsure of nuclear energy. Cox will spend $1.8M convincing them it’s a good idea.
Gov. Spencer Cox wants to spend $1.8 million convincing Utahns that nuclear energy is a good idea for the state.
www.sltrib.com
July 15, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Ahead of MOUs with nuclear startups, Utah quietly requested PR firms apply to help get the state’s residents on board.
A $1.8 million campaign includes ads, “educational events,” and private gatherings of nuclear companies, potential investors and public officials to “identify mutual interests.”
A $1.8 million campaign includes ads, “educational events,” and private gatherings of nuclear companies, potential investors and public officials to “identify mutual interests.”
Dana White, who heads UFC, donated hundreds of thousands to Trump 47 Committee last year. Portions of that were passed on to state Republican parties, including $10K to the Utah GOP.
July 4, 2025 at 3:55 AM
Dana White, who heads UFC, donated hundreds of thousands to Trump 47 Committee last year. Portions of that were passed on to state Republican parties, including $10K to the Utah GOP.
As ICE enforces Trump’s increasingly aggressive immigration policies, four Utah companies are making money off of contracts with the agency.
One has ties to a U.S. senator, and another has recently lobbied Congress to put more funds toward detaining migrants. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
One has ties to a U.S. senator, and another has recently lobbied Congress to put more funds toward detaining migrants. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
As Utah sees immigration raid protests, 4 local companies make money from ICE — and one is lobbying for more
Four Utah companies have active contracts with ICE, according to a government database. And at least one has paid to lobby Congress for more money amid increasingly aggressive migrant crackdowns.
www.sltrib.com
June 26, 2025 at 7:13 PM
As ICE enforces Trump’s increasingly aggressive immigration policies, four Utah companies are making money off of contracts with the agency.
One has ties to a U.S. senator, and another has recently lobbied Congress to put more funds toward detaining migrants. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
One has ties to a U.S. senator, and another has recently lobbied Congress to put more funds toward detaining migrants. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
Deluged with criticism, Mike Lee has deleted some of his posts spreading misinformation about the shooting of two Democratic Minnesota lawmakers.
Lee has not apologized for his remarks, and other misleading posts blaming the violence on “the left” remain. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
Lee has not apologized for his remarks, and other misleading posts blaming the violence on “the left” remain. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
Facing backlash, Mike Lee deletes some — but not all — of his misleading posts on Minnesota shootings
Deluged with criticism over social media posts that spread misinformation in the aftermath of the shootings of two Democratic Minnesota state lawmakers and their spouses, Utah Sen. Mike Lee deleted a ...
www.sltrib.com
June 17, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Deluged with criticism, Mike Lee has deleted some of his posts spreading misinformation about the shooting of two Democratic Minnesota lawmakers.
Lee has not apologized for his remarks, and other misleading posts blaming the violence on “the left” remain. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
Lee has not apologized for his remarks, and other misleading posts blaming the violence on “the left” remain. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
After he made unfounded claims tying the shootings of Democratic Minnesota state lawmakers to their Democratic governor and “the left,” Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar has a message for Utah Sen. Mike Lee: “This is not a joke.”
With @robertgehrke.bsky.social www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
With @robertgehrke.bsky.social www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
‘This is not a joke’: Sen. Amy Klobuchar rips Mike Lee for posts about a deadly Minnesota shooting
Sen. Mike Lee's unfounded claims on social media about the slaying of a Minnesota lawmaker have angered his U.S. Senate colleague from the state.
www.sltrib.com
June 16, 2025 at 8:29 PM
After he made unfounded claims tying the shootings of Democratic Minnesota state lawmakers to their Democratic governor and “the left,” Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar has a message for Utah Sen. Mike Lee: “This is not a joke.”
With @robertgehrke.bsky.social www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
With @robertgehrke.bsky.social www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
The Utah lawmaker who pushed the bill banning pride flags, setting up another standoff between SLC and the supermajority GOP Legislature, has set his sights on erasing another symbol of LGBTQ+ belonging in the capital city: Harvey Milk Boulevard. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
Lawmaker who pushed for pride flag ban says he now wants to rename SLC’s Harvey Milk Boulevard
The GOP Utah lawmaker who sponsored the bill banning pride flags at government buildings has set his sights on erasing another symbol of LGBTQ+ belonging: Harvey Milk Boulevard.
www.sltrib.com
June 13, 2025 at 11:22 PM
The Utah lawmaker who pushed the bill banning pride flags, setting up another standoff between SLC and the supermajority GOP Legislature, has set his sights on erasing another symbol of LGBTQ+ belonging in the capital city: Harvey Milk Boulevard. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
Since last year, Utah has extended health coverage to as many as 2,000 immigrant kids at a time.
But the Trump administration sent a letter this week warning the 14 states that have such programs to discontinue them, or be audited. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
But the Trump administration sent a letter this week warning the 14 states that have such programs to discontinue them, or be audited. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
The Trump administration is pressuring Utah to kick immigrant kids off health insurance
President Donald Trump’s administration is threatening to crack down on Utah and around a dozen other states if they continue to provide health care for immigrant children without permanent, legal sta...
www.sltrib.com
May 29, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Since last year, Utah has extended health coverage to as many as 2,000 immigrant kids at a time.
But the Trump administration sent a letter this week warning the 14 states that have such programs to discontinue them, or be audited. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
But the Trump administration sent a letter this week warning the 14 states that have such programs to discontinue them, or be audited. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
Utah Democrats have a nearly three-decade losing streak in statewide races.
I talked with front-runners for party boss — one a recent gubernatorial hopeful and the other a young politico who oversaw Democratic wins last year — about how they would try to change that. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
I talked with front-runners for party boss — one a recent gubernatorial hopeful and the other a young politico who oversaw Democratic wins last year — about how they would try to change that. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
The GOP has dominated Utah for decades. How Democrats’ choices for party chair say they’ll change that.
Utah Democrats have a long losing streak in statewide races. Front-runners to become the new party boss — one a recent gubernatorial hopeful and the other a young politico who oversaw two difficult De...
www.sltrib.com
May 28, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Utah Democrats have a nearly three-decade losing streak in statewide races.
I talked with front-runners for party boss — one a recent gubernatorial hopeful and the other a young politico who oversaw Democratic wins last year — about how they would try to change that. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
I talked with front-runners for party boss — one a recent gubernatorial hopeful and the other a young politico who oversaw Democratic wins last year — about how they would try to change that. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
The evidence review required under Utah’s ban on gender-affirming care for trans youth is out, 2 1/2 years after the law took effect.
Some lawmakers, including one of the bill’s sponsors, are already dismissing its conclusions: that such care has positive outcomes.
www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
Some lawmakers, including one of the bill’s sponsors, are already dismissing its conclusions: that such care has positive outcomes.
www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
Utah lawmakers’ own study found gender-affirming care benefits trans youth. Will they lift the treatment ban?
The Utah Legislature's own newly-released study found that gender-affirming care benefits trans youth. Now, will lawmakers lift the treatment ban?
www.sltrib.com
May 22, 2025 at 2:08 PM
The evidence review required under Utah’s ban on gender-affirming care for trans youth is out, 2 1/2 years after the law took effect.
Some lawmakers, including one of the bill’s sponsors, are already dismissing its conclusions: that such care has positive outcomes.
www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
Some lawmakers, including one of the bill’s sponsors, are already dismissing its conclusions: that such care has positive outcomes.
www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
At its annual organizing convention today, the Utah Republican Party voted down a resolution that would have condemned any effort by President Donald Trump to seek a third term in office. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
Trump is floating a third term. Utah GOP votes against resolution condemning such efforts.
A Utah GOP delegate wanted the party to stand against a president's attempt to run for a third term — as Trump has floated — but Republican delegates voted against it.
www.sltrib.com
May 17, 2025 at 7:57 PM
At its annual organizing convention today, the Utah Republican Party voted down a resolution that would have condemned any effort by President Donald Trump to seek a third term in office. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
I’m delighted (and so grateful) to be included among the 2025 class of @ire.org fellows, and can’t wait to bring new ideas and tools for investigative reporting back to Utah.
Other journalists who are going to New Orleans: hmu, I wanna hangout. www.ire.org/ire25-confer...
Other journalists who are going to New Orleans: hmu, I wanna hangout. www.ire.org/ire25-confer...
Introducing the 2025 IRE Conference fellows - Investigative Reporters & Editors
With support from generous sponsors and donors, IRE was able to offer more than 60 IRE Conference fellowships.
www.ire.org
May 13, 2025 at 9:32 PM
I’m delighted (and so grateful) to be included among the 2025 class of @ire.org fellows, and can’t wait to bring new ideas and tools for investigative reporting back to Utah.
Other journalists who are going to New Orleans: hmu, I wanna hangout. www.ire.org/ire25-confer...
Other journalists who are going to New Orleans: hmu, I wanna hangout. www.ire.org/ire25-confer...
Update: Over 24 hours after I contacted DHHS, and the dept saying it wasn’t sure why reports were removed, deletions were attributed to “privacy concerns.”
The disappearance coincided with similar actions by the Trump admin, but DHHS says there’s “no … political motivation.”
The disappearance coincided with similar actions by the Trump admin, but DHHS says there’s “no … political motivation.”
Utah’s trans teens are 3 ½ times more likely to consider suicide than their peers, per a statewide student survey.
But conservative Utah, which passed anti-trans laws for the fourth year in a row, quietly purged that and other mental health data from a state website. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
But conservative Utah, which passed anti-trans laws for the fourth year in a row, quietly purged that and other mental health data from a state website. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
Utah quietly removes transgender kids’ mental health reports from DHHS website
Between February and March, reports on transgender students’ mental health were quietly removed from Utah's Department of Health and Human Services website.
www.sltrib.com
May 9, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Update: Over 24 hours after I contacted DHHS, and the dept saying it wasn’t sure why reports were removed, deletions were attributed to “privacy concerns.”
The disappearance coincided with similar actions by the Trump admin, but DHHS says there’s “no … political motivation.”
The disappearance coincided with similar actions by the Trump admin, but DHHS says there’s “no … political motivation.”
Utah is getting its own DOGE — sort of.
Gov. Spencer Cox said he’s “excited” about efforts to cut government, “but unfortunately, [DOGE is] not looking at outcomes.” State agencies won’t see mass layoffs, per the governor, but “there may be some changes.” www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
Gov. Spencer Cox said he’s “excited” about efforts to cut government, “but unfortunately, [DOGE is] not looking at outcomes.” State agencies won’t see mass layoffs, per the governor, but “there may be some changes.” www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
Utah will have its own version of DOGE. But this one, Gov. Cox says, is called ‘GRIT.’
GOP-led Utah will follow other red states in creating its own version of DOGE. But “Government Reform, Innovation & Transparency,” established by an executive order from Gov. Spencer Cox, will have so...
www.sltrib.com
May 9, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Utah is getting its own DOGE — sort of.
Gov. Spencer Cox said he’s “excited” about efforts to cut government, “but unfortunately, [DOGE is] not looking at outcomes.” State agencies won’t see mass layoffs, per the governor, but “there may be some changes.” www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
Gov. Spencer Cox said he’s “excited” about efforts to cut government, “but unfortunately, [DOGE is] not looking at outcomes.” State agencies won’t see mass layoffs, per the governor, but “there may be some changes.” www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
Utah’s trans teens are 3 ½ times more likely to consider suicide than their peers, per a statewide student survey.
But conservative Utah, which passed anti-trans laws for the fourth year in a row, quietly purged that and other mental health data from a state website. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
But conservative Utah, which passed anti-trans laws for the fourth year in a row, quietly purged that and other mental health data from a state website. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
Utah quietly removes transgender kids’ mental health reports from DHHS website
Between February and March, reports on transgender students’ mental health were quietly removed from Utah's Department of Health and Human Services website.
www.sltrib.com
May 8, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Utah’s trans teens are 3 ½ times more likely to consider suicide than their peers, per a statewide student survey.
But conservative Utah, which passed anti-trans laws for the fourth year in a row, quietly purged that and other mental health data from a state website. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
But conservative Utah, which passed anti-trans laws for the fourth year in a row, quietly purged that and other mental health data from a state website. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
The idea for a three-digit crisis line started in Utah.
Here's what the lawmakers behind it say about a leaked Trump administration budget proposal that would defund the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline's LGBTQ+ youth services. ⬇️ www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
Here's what the lawmakers behind it say about a leaked Trump administration budget proposal that would defund the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline's LGBTQ+ youth services. ⬇️ www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
Utah lawmakers came up with the 988 crisis line. They have differing views on possible Trump cuts to LGBTQ+ help.
The idea for a three-digit crisis line started in Utah. Here's what the lawmakers behind it say about a leaked Trump administration budget proposal that would defund the 988 line's LGBTQ+ services.
www.sltrib.com
May 2, 2025 at 3:25 PM
The idea for a three-digit crisis line started in Utah.
Here's what the lawmakers behind it say about a leaked Trump administration budget proposal that would defund the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline's LGBTQ+ youth services. ⬇️ www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
Here's what the lawmakers behind it say about a leaked Trump administration budget proposal that would defund the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline's LGBTQ+ youth services. ⬇️ www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
Utah’s Planned Parenthood will shut down a quarter of its clinics after the Trump administration froze all of the state’s Title X money for services like providing birth control and STI testing.
About 26,000 Utahns received care under Title X last year. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
About 26,000 Utahns received care under Title X last year. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
Planned Parenthood closing two Utah clinics after Trump cuts all federal reproductive health funds to state
Under a Trump administration directive to freeze some federal funds that subsidize reproductive health services like birth control and disease testing, Planned Parenthood Association of Utah will clos...
www.sltrib.com
April 22, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Utah’s Planned Parenthood will shut down a quarter of its clinics after the Trump administration froze all of the state’s Title X money for services like providing birth control and STI testing.
About 26,000 Utahns received care under Title X last year. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
About 26,000 Utahns received care under Title X last year. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
. @robertgehrke.bsky.social and I wrote in January about one of Utah's most prolific posters — Sen. Mike Lee — and his online interactions with X owner Elon Musk.
Since Trump took office, the online presence of the senior member of Utah's federal delegation has grown. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
Since Trump took office, the online presence of the senior member of Utah's federal delegation has grown. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
Since Trump took office, Mike Lee has been posting more on X — especially with Elon Musk
Over the first three months of 2025, Mike Lee's posts on X have reached new heights, pumping up Trump policies and building on his bromance with Elon Musk.
www.sltrib.com
April 22, 2025 at 12:49 AM
. @robertgehrke.bsky.social and I wrote in January about one of Utah's most prolific posters — Sen. Mike Lee — and his online interactions with X owner Elon Musk.
Since Trump took office, the online presence of the senior member of Utah's federal delegation has grown. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
Since Trump took office, the online presence of the senior member of Utah's federal delegation has grown. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
Amid a slew of controversial firings by Trump, Utah’s former solicitor general is embroiled in a dispute over whether seemingly political terminations of Democratic federal trade commissioners — meant to protect consumers and prevent monopolies — were illegal. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
Why Utah’s former solicitor general is being sued over Trump’s firings of Democrats
Amid a slew of controversial firings by President Donald Trump’s administration, Melissa Holyoak, Utah’s former solicitor general, is embroiled in a dispute over whether seemingly political terminatio...
www.sltrib.com
April 17, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Amid a slew of controversial firings by Trump, Utah’s former solicitor general is embroiled in a dispute over whether seemingly political terminations of Democratic federal trade commissioners — meant to protect consumers and prevent monopolies — were illegal. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
“Europeans despise Americans,” Utah Sen. Mike Lee wrote in a post last month, urging the U.S. to leave NATO.
But in an interview today, EU Ambassador Jovita Neliupšienė wanted to correct the record amid an increasingly strained transatlantic relationship. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
But in an interview today, EU Ambassador Jovita Neliupšienė wanted to correct the record amid an increasingly strained transatlantic relationship. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
April 12, 2025 at 12:14 AM
“Europeans despise Americans,” Utah Sen. Mike Lee wrote in a post last month, urging the U.S. to leave NATO.
But in an interview today, EU Ambassador Jovita Neliupšienė wanted to correct the record amid an increasingly strained transatlantic relationship. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
But in an interview today, EU Ambassador Jovita Neliupšienė wanted to correct the record amid an increasingly strained transatlantic relationship. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
Utah lawmakers took up RFK Jr.’s “MAHA” agenda as it became the first state to ban fluoride from water, stopped SNAP recipients from buying soda and pulled foods with certain additives from schools.
Now he’s coming to Utah for a victory lap.
Now he’s coming to Utah for a victory lap.
Health Secretary RFK Jr. to visit Utah after GOP-led Legislature took up his ‘MAHA’ agenda
After GOP lawmakers passed bills that align with RFK Jr.'s "Make America Healthy Again" agenda, the HHS secretary will visit Utah for a victory lap.
www.sltrib.com
April 3, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Utah lawmakers took up RFK Jr.’s “MAHA” agenda as it became the first state to ban fluoride from water, stopped SNAP recipients from buying soda and pulled foods with certain additives from schools.
Now he’s coming to Utah for a victory lap.
Now he’s coming to Utah for a victory lap.