Utah News Dispatch
@utahnewsdispatch.com
Utah News Dispatch is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news source covering government, policy and the issues most impacting the lives of Utahns.
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Utah News Dispatch
@utahnewsdispatch.com
· Jan 22
We keep you informed about Utah government and policy news.
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Want to see how issues you care about are playing out in other states too? Follow our @statesnewsroom.com accounts and journalists from across the country. Our Starter Pack makes it easy:
Among a list of 100 Utah companies that champion women-inclusive policies, only a quarter reported offering child care benefits, a study by the Utah Women and Leadership Project found.
Utah companies championing women advancement lag on child care benefits, study finds • Utah News Dispatch
Among a list of 100 Utah companies that champion women-inclusive policies, only a quarter reported offering child care benefits.
utahnewsdispatch.com
December 8, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Among a list of 100 Utah companies that champion women-inclusive policies, only a quarter reported offering child care benefits, a study by the Utah Women and Leadership Project found.
From a planned 100-foot dam in Carbon County to efforts on Navajo Nation and Ute tribal land to improve drought resilience, projects across Utah's Colorado River Basin are in a holding pattern because federal funding may not be coming.
Read more from @kuer.org and @greatsaltlakenews.bsky.social
Read more from @kuer.org and @greatsaltlakenews.bsky.social
Federal money is still in Trump limbo. Rural Utah is antsy about its water projects • Utah News Dispatch
Across the Colorado River Basin, projects to protect water supplies and restore river ecosystems are on hold as federal funding may not come.
utahnewsdispatch.com
December 8, 2025 at 3:04 PM
From a planned 100-foot dam in Carbon County to efforts on Navajo Nation and Ute tribal land to improve drought resilience, projects across Utah's Colorado River Basin are in a holding pattern because federal funding may not be coming.
Read more from @kuer.org and @greatsaltlakenews.bsky.social
Read more from @kuer.org and @greatsaltlakenews.bsky.social
Attorneys are warning they’re seeing a shift in the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services field office in Salt Lake City, saying their clients are being detained by immigration authorities at the place where they have traditionally gone to apply for green cards, citizenship and work authorization.
'Stuck between a rock and a hard place’: Lawyers warn of arrests at Salt Lake immigration office • Utah News Dispatch
Immigration attorneys are warning their clients about arrests at a federal office in Utah that handles green card applications.
utahnewsdispatch.com
December 6, 2025 at 2:39 AM
Attorneys are warning they’re seeing a shift in the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services field office in Salt Lake City, saying their clients are being detained by immigration authorities at the place where they have traditionally gone to apply for green cards, citizenship and work authorization.
After being the focus of several bills in the last years, the Intermountain Power Plant coal-fired units ceased operations the day before Thanksgiving. #utpol
IPP coal-fired units are no longer operating as state government searches for buyers • Utah News Dispatch
After being the focus of several bills, Intermountain Power Plant coal-fired units ceased operations the day before Thanksgiving.
utahnewsdispatch.com
December 5, 2025 at 6:06 PM
After being the focus of several bills in the last years, the Intermountain Power Plant coal-fired units ceased operations the day before Thanksgiving. #utpol
Conservation groups across the West are raising concerns about Steve Pearce, a former New Mexico representative who is President Donald Trump’s newest nominee to lead the Bureau of Land Management. At issue is the debate over proposals to sell off federal land.
Read more from @dailymontanan.com
Read more from @dailymontanan.com
BLM nominee draws criticism from conservation groups over support for selling public land • Utah News Dispatch
Republicans are rallying around former New Mexico Rep.Steve Pearce, Trump’s nominee to oversee the land management agency.
utahnewsdispatch.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Conservation groups across the West are raising concerns about Steve Pearce, a former New Mexico representative who is President Donald Trump’s newest nominee to lead the Bureau of Land Management. At issue is the debate over proposals to sell off federal land.
Read more from @dailymontanan.com
Read more from @dailymontanan.com
Thanks to tax cuts from the “one, big, beautiful” law, Utah won’t collect about half a billion dollars of income tax revenue — about $300 million in 2026 and $200 million in 2027.
Here's how that will impact the state's budget — and how Gov. Cox wants lawmakers to prioritize the state's spending.
Here's how that will impact the state's budget — and how Gov. Cox wants lawmakers to prioritize the state's spending.
Under Trump tax cuts, Utah won’t collect $500 million in income taxes in 2026, 2027 • Utah News Dispatch
Thanks to Trump tax cuts, Utah won't collect about $500 million in income tax revenue in 2026 and 2027, impacting the state's budget.
utahnewsdispatch.com
December 4, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Thanks to tax cuts from the “one, big, beautiful” law, Utah won’t collect about half a billion dollars of income tax revenue — about $300 million in 2026 and $200 million in 2027.
Here's how that will impact the state's budget — and how Gov. Cox wants lawmakers to prioritize the state's spending.
Here's how that will impact the state's budget — and how Gov. Cox wants lawmakers to prioritize the state's spending.
Prosecutors in Salt Lake City have filed a criminal charge against the armed security volunteer who mistakenly shot and killed Arthur “Afa” Ah Loo, an innocent bystander at a No Kings protest in June.
Prosecutors charge armed volunteer with killing bystander at Utah No Kings protest • Utah News Dispatch
Utah prosecutors filed a charge of manslaughter against the armed volunteer who they say killed an innocent bystander at a No Kings protest.
utahnewsdispatch.com
December 3, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Prosecutors in Salt Lake City have filed a criminal charge against the armed security volunteer who mistakenly shot and killed Arthur “Afa” Ah Loo, an innocent bystander at a No Kings protest in June.
A Department of Interior official met behind closed doors this week with leaders from the state, national parks and surrounding communities. Utah officials say it was a brainstorm, while conservationists raise concerns. #utpol
Utah hosts invite-only meeting on national parks and neighboring communities • Utah News Dispatch
An Interior Department official met behind closed doors this week with leaders from the state, national parks and surrounding communities.
utahnewsdispatch.com
December 3, 2025 at 8:05 PM
A Department of Interior official met behind closed doors this week with leaders from the state, national parks and surrounding communities. Utah officials say it was a brainstorm, while conservationists raise concerns. #utpol
To help fund a proposed 1,300-bed homeless campus, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has proposed lawmakers use $25 million in one-time money and $20 million in ongoing funding for “homelessness and criminal justice high utilizers." #utpol
Utah Gov. Cox proposes millions for homeless campus while also hoping for federal funds • Utah News Dispatch
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has proposed the state use $25 million one-time and $20 million in ongoing funding for a proposed homeless campus.
utahnewsdispatch.com
December 3, 2025 at 6:25 PM
To help fund a proposed 1,300-bed homeless campus, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has proposed lawmakers use $25 million in one-time money and $20 million in ongoing funding for “homelessness and criminal justice high utilizers." #utpol
Amid talks of a federal preemption on AI regulations, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox defends states and local governments' power to have a say on emerging technologies. #utpol
utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/12/02/s...
utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/12/02/s...
‘States must act’: Cox pushes for AI regulations ahead of federal preemption talk • Utah News Dispatch
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox says state governments should have a role on AI regulations, as Congress Republicans discusse a federal preemption.
utahnewsdispatch.com
December 3, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Amid talks of a federal preemption on AI regulations, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox defends states and local governments' power to have a say on emerging technologies. #utpol
utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/12/02/s...
utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/12/02/s...
In internal emails obtained by ProPublica, IHS officials have flagged terms such as “immunizations” and “vaccines” for additional scrutiny, deeming them risky “buzzwords” that require approval from agency public information officers. #utpol
The Indian Health Service is flagging vaccine-related speech. Doctors say they’re being censored. • Utah News Dispatch
Through mid-October, Indian Health Services had published far fewer posts on Facebook promoting vaccine clinics this year than last.
utahnewsdispatch.com
December 2, 2025 at 8:32 PM
In internal emails obtained by ProPublica, IHS officials have flagged terms such as “immunizations” and “vaccines” for additional scrutiny, deeming them risky “buzzwords” that require approval from agency public information officers. #utpol
After the Utah Legislature approved a law allowing large utilities to create funds to self-insure against wildfires, Rocky Mountain Power is requesting a 4.48% rate increase to feed a fire account.
Rocky Mountain Power requests 4.48% rate increase to feed fire fund • Utah News Dispatch
Rocky Mountain Power is requesting a 4.48% rate increase to feed an account to cover extraordinary expenses in case of wildfires.
utahnewsdispatch.com
December 2, 2025 at 6:23 PM
After the Utah Legislature approved a law allowing large utilities to create funds to self-insure against wildfires, Rocky Mountain Power is requesting a 4.48% rate increase to feed a fire account.
Some districts see a shorter four-day school week as a way to attract teaching talent and curb absences. But despite the reports of higher attendance and calmer classrooms, education researchers say the evidence tells a more complicated story.
Read more from @stateline.org
Read more from @stateline.org
4-day school weeks are growing in popularity, despite a lack of data on the effects • Utah News Dispatch
There are more than 2,100 schools in 26 states using four-day weeks, according to researchers. It is especially popular in rural areas.
utahnewsdispatch.com
December 2, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Some districts see a shorter four-day school week as a way to attract teaching talent and curb absences. But despite the reports of higher attendance and calmer classrooms, education researchers say the evidence tells a more complicated story.
Read more from @stateline.org
Read more from @stateline.org
An outside review of Charlie Kirk's assassination and UVU campus security is set to start in January. In the meantime, state leaders are turning their attention to safety at college campuses. #utpol
utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/12/01/r...
utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/12/01/r...
Review of Charlie Kirk shooting, UVU campus security expected to start in 2026 • Utah News Dispatch
A review of Charlie Kirk's assassination at Utah Valley University and the school’s security protocols is expected to begin in January.
utahnewsdispatch.com
December 2, 2025 at 1:07 AM
An outside review of Charlie Kirk's assassination and UVU campus security is set to start in January. In the meantime, state leaders are turning their attention to safety at college campuses. #utpol
utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/12/01/r...
utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/12/01/r...
With the arrival of the holiday season, Utah state officials are holding an annual giving drive to gather donations for those who may feel alone — including mental health patients, adults who are wards of the state, and youth in the juvenile justice system.
In the giving spirit? Here’s how to donate to some of Utah’s most vulnerable • Utah News Dispatch
Utah state officials are holding a holiday gift drive to help some of Utah's most vulnerable, including patients at the Utah State Hospital.
utahnewsdispatch.com
December 1, 2025 at 11:08 PM
With the arrival of the holiday season, Utah state officials are holding an annual giving drive to gather donations for those who may feel alone — including mental health patients, adults who are wards of the state, and youth in the juvenile justice system.
Expecting the state and national measles surge to continue amid low vaccination rates, distrust and some isolating themselves from medical care, Utah health officials are bracing for the outbreak to get worse in coming months. #utpol
Utah's measles outbreak, among the largest in the country, is likely to get worse • Utah News Dispatch
The measles outbreaks in Utah and Arizona are currently among the largest and more recent in the U.S., and likely to grow.
utahnewsdispatch.com
December 1, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Expecting the state and national measles surge to continue amid low vaccination rates, distrust and some isolating themselves from medical care, Utah health officials are bracing for the outbreak to get worse in coming months. #utpol
In its quest to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution ahead of the 2034 Olympic games, Salt Lake City shared an update – here are some highlights.
Ahead of Olympics, Salt Lake City shares environmental wins to mitigate air pollution and emissions • Utah News Dispatch
Salt Lake City is reiterating its commitment to become more sustainable ahead of the 2034 Olympic Games mitigating air pollution.
utahnewsdispatch.com
December 1, 2025 at 3:04 PM
In its quest to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution ahead of the 2034 Olympic games, Salt Lake City shared an update – here are some highlights.
Ralph Menzies, who spent more than three decades on Utah’s death row for the 1986 murder of Maurine Hunsaker, has died of “presumed natural causes at a local hospital.”
The 67-year-old with dementia had been scheduled to be executed by firing squad in September before a new evaluation was ordered.
The 67-year-old with dementia had been scheduled to be executed by firing squad in September before a new evaluation was ordered.
Menzies dies on death row less than 3 months after his execution was called off • Utah News Dispatch
Ralph Menzies, on Utah’s death row for murdering Maurine Hunsaker, has died three months after his firing squad execution was called off.
utahnewsdispatch.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Ralph Menzies, who spent more than three decades on Utah’s death row for the 1986 murder of Maurine Hunsaker, has died of “presumed natural causes at a local hospital.”
The 67-year-old with dementia had been scheduled to be executed by firing squad in September before a new evaluation was ordered.
The 67-year-old with dementia had been scheduled to be executed by firing squad in September before a new evaluation was ordered.
Starting Jan. 1, nonresident visitors will pay $250 for an annual America the Beautiful pass, while U.S. residents will continue to pay $80. The 11 most visited national parks, including Zion National Park, will charge nonresidents $100 on top of the entrance fee.
Read more from @dailymontanan.com
Read more from @dailymontanan.com
Interior announces increased new fees on international visitors to national parks • Utah News Dispatch
'America-first pricing' will charge increased fees to nonresidents; annual passes available in digital format.
utahnewsdispatch.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Starting Jan. 1, nonresident visitors will pay $250 for an annual America the Beautiful pass, while U.S. residents will continue to pay $80. The 11 most visited national parks, including Zion National Park, will charge nonresidents $100 on top of the entrance fee.
Read more from @dailymontanan.com
Read more from @dailymontanan.com
In a lawsuit involving a 19-year-old Utah nursing student, a federal judge in Denver found immigration officers have “routinely” made warrantless arrests in Colorado in violation of federal statutes, ordering the Trump administration to halt the practice.
Read more from @coloradonewsline.com
Read more from @coloradonewsline.com
ICE 'routinely' made unlawful warrantless arrests in Colorado, judge finds in Utahn's lawsuit • Utah News Dispatch
A federal judge found that immigration officers have "routinely" made warrantless arrests in Colorado in violation of federal statute.
utahnewsdispatch.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:24 PM
In a lawsuit involving a 19-year-old Utah nursing student, a federal judge in Denver found immigration officers have “routinely” made warrantless arrests in Colorado in violation of federal statutes, ordering the Trump administration to halt the practice.
Read more from @coloradonewsline.com
Read more from @coloradonewsline.com
Don't call it court packing: Gov. Spencer Cox supports expanding Utah’s appeals courts, saying it's about efficiency, not politics. #utpol
Saying it’s not court packing, governor supports expanding Utah’s appeals courts • Utah News Dispatch
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox told reporters he’s in favor of expanding the Utah Supreme Court and Court of Appeals.
utahnewsdispatch.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Don't call it court packing: Gov. Spencer Cox supports expanding Utah’s appeals courts, saying it's about efficiency, not politics. #utpol
Calling Utah’s new court-ordered congressional map that creates a Democratic-leaning district the “most gerrymandered map in the history of the state of Utah,” Republican legislators are digging in their fight against the judge’s ruling. #utpol
In redistricting fight, Utah Republican lawmakers will appeal to Utah Supreme Court • Utah News Dispatch
In an ongoing redistricting fight, Republican legislative leaders will appeal a court-ordered congressional map to the Utah Supreme Court.
utahnewsdispatch.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Calling Utah’s new court-ordered congressional map that creates a Democratic-leaning district the “most gerrymandered map in the history of the state of Utah,” Republican legislators are digging in their fight against the judge’s ruling. #utpol
The Great Salt Lake appears to have started its annual winter gains early after a rainy October, but the leader of the state agency tasked with its recovery says the lake is still much lower than it should be after another rough summer.
Read more from @ksl.com and @greatsaltlakenews.bsky.social
Read more from @ksl.com and @greatsaltlakenews.bsky.social
Great Salt Lake is rising again, but it's going to need a 'really big' winter to avoid concerns • Utah News Dispatch
The Great Salt Lake may have started its winter gains early after a rainy October, but is still lower than it should be after a rough summer.
utahnewsdispatch.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:06 PM
The Great Salt Lake appears to have started its annual winter gains early after a rainy October, but the leader of the state agency tasked with its recovery says the lake is still much lower than it should be after another rough summer.
Read more from @ksl.com and @greatsaltlakenews.bsky.social
Read more from @ksl.com and @greatsaltlakenews.bsky.social
The latest Utah Democrat to announce a run for Congress said he wants stand up to President Donald Trump and work to make housing more affordable. #utpol
Another Democrat joins the race to represent Utah’s new, left-leaning district • Utah News Dispatch
State Sen. Nate Blouin is jumping into the race for a newly drawn congressional district favoring Democrats.
utahnewsdispatch.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:13 AM
The latest Utah Democrat to announce a run for Congress said he wants stand up to President Donald Trump and work to make housing more affordable. #utpol
Split homes and other boundary issues in Sandy, Cottonwood Heights, Alpine, Highland, Orem, Huntsville and Summit County led the lieutenant governor’s office to ask the court for clarifications to Utah’s new map ahead of implementing it for the 2026 elections. #utpol
Judge orders tweak to clean up Utah’s congressional map while lawmakers argue for stay • Utah News Dispatch
A Utah judge has ordered tweaks to clean up Utah's new court-ordered congressional map while lawmakers continue to fight.
utahnewsdispatch.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Split homes and other boundary issues in Sandy, Cottonwood Heights, Alpine, Highland, Orem, Huntsville and Summit County led the lieutenant governor’s office to ask the court for clarifications to Utah’s new map ahead of implementing it for the 2026 elections. #utpol