Vanessa Hudson
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vanessamh.bsky.social
Vanessa Hudson
@vanessamh.bsky.social
general assignment reporter ‪@kuer.org‬ | journalism, poli sci and dance grad @UUtah | “Mientras dure la vida, sigamos con el cuento.”
As President Donald Trump targets vote-by-mail again,
@govcox.bsky.social says he's proud of Utah's system. #utpol

My latest for @kuer.org
www.kuer.org/politics-gov...
Vote-by-mail is a Trump target again, but Cox is proud of how Utah does it
Gov. Spencer Cox told reporters that the president is right to be cautious about mail ballots, but Utah has worked hard to maintain its system.
www.kuer.org
August 21, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox wants Utahns to be careful and responsible with fireworks as Pioneer Day looms. Worsening drought conditions and wildfires are the reason why.

Read my latest for @kuer.org
www.kuer.org/politics-gov...
Cox asks Utahns to ‘please, please, please’ save water and be wary of fire risks
Gov. Spencer Cox wants Utahns to celebrate Pioneer Day responsibly, “especially when it comes to fireworks with the drought that we're having and the fire danger that is out there,” he said.
www.kuer.org
July 17, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Reposted by Vanessa Hudson
Beginning in 2027, the Sundance Film Festival will be hosted in Boulder, Colorado, nearly 500 miles away from long-time home in Park City, Utah Read more from Editor in Chief @vanessamh.bsky.social and Arts Writer @thornrosejay.bsky.social sky.social below.
dailyutahchronicle.com/2025/03/27/u...
Sundance Film Festival Bids Farewell to its Home in Utah
The Sundance Institute announced it will remove the festival from its home in Park City, Utah, and move it to Boulder, Colorado, beginning in 2027.
dailyutahchronicle.com
March 28, 2025 at 12:45 AM
ICYMI: Utah is one step closer to banning pride flags in K-12 schools and government buildings. Rep. Trevor Lee says the bill is about “political neutrality” in classrooms, while critics decry HB77 as government overreach. #utpol utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/03/01/c...
Bill to ban pride flags from Utah schools advances to Senate
Utah is closer to banning the display of pride flags in K-12 classrooms and government buildings after a Senate Education Committee hearing.
utahnewsdispatch.com
March 1, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Reposted by Vanessa Hudson
NEW: Utah lawmakers look to use eminent domain to help SLC site new homeless shelter #utpol #utleg utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/02/27/u...
Utah lawmakers look to use eminent domain to help SLC site new homeless shelter • Utah News Dispatch
Utah lawmakers are looking to use eminent domain powers to help Salt Lake City use a city-owned property for a new homeless shelter.
utahnewsdispatch.com
February 27, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Reposted by Vanessa Hudson
High school and college students focused on education, collaboration and legislation about the Great Salt Lake climbed Utah's Capitol Hill to lobby for the lake. #utpol

From @utahnewsdispatch.com and @vanessamh.bsky.social
Utah’s youth are back on the hill to lobby to save Great Salt Lake
Dozens of students advocating for the health of Great Salt Lake made their voices heard and learned about the democratic process.
buff.ly
February 12, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Utah high school students lobbied lawmakers to save Great Salt Lake through legislative methods this morning. #utpol

Read about it here: utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/02/11/u...
Utah’s youth are back on the hill to lobby to save Great Salt Lake
Dozens of students advocating for the health of Great Salt Lake made their voices heard and learned about the democratic process.
utahnewsdispatch.com
February 12, 2025 at 12:32 AM
Two USU students who have been the subject of national attention on transgender housing testified before lawmakers, as the bill that would restrict which dorms transgender students can access passed out of the Senate Education Committee. #utpol utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/01/30/o...
‘It’s about segregation’: Opponents of transgender housing bill make their case again
A bill that would restrict the dorms transgender students can live in passed out of the Utah Senate Education Committee.
utahnewsdispatch.com
January 31, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Almost a full house as people stream in to hear the Senate Education Committee discuss HB269, the bill that would restrict which dorms transgender students can live in. #utpol
January 30, 2025 at 9:50 PM
House Republicans passed HB269, the bill restricting trans students from certain dorm rooms at public universities, in a 59-13 vote. #utpol utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/01/28/u...
House Republicans pass bill changing university housing policies for transgender students in Utah
The Utah House passed a bill that would require universities that provide on-campus housing to only rent sex-designated rooms to biological females and biological males.
utahnewsdispatch.com
January 28, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Reposted by Vanessa Hudson
Higher education is under attack, with the legislative session targeting the arts, humanities and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) efforts that have long been the heart of well-rounded education. Read more from Opinion Writer Emma Thompson below. #UofU
dailyutahchronicle.com/2025/01/26/o...
Opinion: The Arts And Humanities Are Under Attack
In 2024 the Legislative session greatly impacted higher education, with several bills such as H.B. 257 and H.B. 261 attacking DEI efforts among Utah universities. Several budget cuts harmed higher edu...
dailyutahchronicle.com
January 27, 2025 at 4:46 AM
Reposted by Vanessa Hudson
From @vanessamh.bsky.social: Privacy expectations or discrimination? Bill to change housing policies for transgender students advances to the full House.

I'm hearing that the House plans to take action on it next week #utpol #utleg

utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/01/24/p...
Legislation could change housing policies for transgender students
A bill that would change university dorm policies for transgender students passed out of the House, Business, Labor and Commerce Committee.
utahnewsdispatch.com
January 24, 2025 at 6:50 PM
A bill that would restrict which dorms transgender students can live in at Utah universities passed out of committee Thursday and awaits House discussion. #utpol utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/01/24/p...
Legislation could change housing policies for transgender students
A bill that would change university dorm policies for transgender students passed out of the House, Business, Labor and Commerce Committee.
utahnewsdispatch.com
January 24, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Reposted by Vanessa Hudson
From @vanessamh.bsky.social and me:

As transgender restriction bills pile up, LGBTQ+ supporters stage cheerful protest

Lawmakers and @GovCox also weigh in on another session with bills regulating trans lives #utpol #utleg

Read more:
utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/01/22/d...
LGBTQ+ supporters protest as transgender restriction bills pile up
More than 100 people protested at the Utah Capitol as bills restricting transgender rights are beginning to be introduced.
utahnewsdispatch.com
January 22, 2025 at 5:47 PM
The 2025 Utah Legislature is starting its 45-day general session in 10 minutes. Here's what you need to know to follow the state's lawmaking process. utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/01/21/h... #utpol #utleg
How to navigate the 2025 Utah Legislature • Utah News Dispatch
The 2025 Utah Legislature is starting its 45-day general session. Lawmakers will propose legislation, debate and pass bills.
utahnewsdispatch.com
January 21, 2025 at 4:50 PM
According to a new DHHS report, fentanyl is the most common drug found in overdose deaths in Utah. Southeast Utah has higher rates of overdoses than other areas of the state. utahnewsdispatch.com/briefs/fenta...
Fentanyl is the most common drug found in overdose deaths in Utah • Utah News Dispatch
Fentanyl was involved in 47.9% of drug overdose deaths in 2023 and outpaces reductions in deaths from prescription opioids.
utahnewsdispatch.com
January 17, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Reposted by Vanessa Hudson
Fentanyl is the most common drug found in overdose deaths in the state, according to a new report from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. Out of 606 drug overdose deaths reported in 2023, 290 involved fentanyl.
Fentanyl is the most common drug found in overdose deaths in Utah • Utah News Dispatch
Fentanyl was involved in 47.9% of drug overdose deaths in 2023 and outpaces reductions in deaths from prescription opioids.
buff.ly
January 17, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Reposted by Vanessa Hudson
Reposted by Vanessa Hudson
This morning the Supreme Court ruled against TikTok, rejecting its First Amendment challenge. This means TikTok could be banned in the United States starting Sunday.

Here's how a potential ban will impact four Utah creators - from artists to sports teams.

www.sltrib.com/artsliving/2...
TikTok in Utah is more than the ‘Mormon Wives.’ These artists, activists and sports teams will also be affected.
TikTok's imprint in Utah goes beyond the 'MomTok' people with their Swig and Stanley cups. Four creators talk about how the social-media video platform has changed their lives, and what a U.S. ban mig...
www.sltrib.com
January 17, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Reposted by Vanessa Hudson
UPDATE: Read my full coverage on Mendenhall's 'public safety' plan unveiled today — with important context on the dynamic between SLC and state leaders ahead of the 2025 session set to convene next week. #utpol utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/01/16/s...
‘Fed up’: SLC mayor answers Utah leaders’ call for plan to ‘restore public safety’ • Utah News Dispatch
In response to demands from the state, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall unveiled a plan to tackle homelessness, drugs and crime in SLC.
utahnewsdispatch.com
January 17, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Reposted by Vanessa Hudson
Education, the cost of living, infrastructure and crime rank high among the legislature’s priorities with the next legislative session starting Jan. 21. Read more from News Writer Grace Maya below. #UofU #Utah #UtahHouse #PolicyPriorities #UtahPolicy
dailyutahchronicle.com/2025/01/15/u...
Utah House Majority Announces 2025 Policy Priorities
The Utah House Majority Caucus hosted a press conference on Monday to discuss policy priorities for the upcoming 2025 legislative session. These priorities include education, the cost of living, infra...
dailyutahchronicle.com
January 17, 2025 at 5:04 AM
Reposted by Vanessa Hudson
We at @utahnewsdispatch.com
are SO excited to welcome @vanessamh.bsky.social
as our legislative intern! Be sure to follow her to keep up on her coverage during the session starting next week. #utpol #utleg
LIFE UPDATE: Today is my first day as an intern with @utahnewsdispatch.com, a position grant-funded by Amplify Utah. I'll be covering the 2025 Utah Legislative Session. I'm super excited to work with such an amazing team. Email vhudson@utahnewsdispatch.com to get in touch! #utpol
January 14, 2025 at 7:24 PM
LIFE UPDATE: Today is my first day as an intern with @utahnewsdispatch.com, a position grant-funded by Amplify Utah. I'll be covering the 2025 Utah Legislative Session. I'm super excited to work with such an amazing team. Email vhudson@utahnewsdispatch.com to get in touch! #utpol
January 14, 2025 at 7:14 PM