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AP-US-MISSING-KIDS-RELATIVE

Woman disputes claim she knows whereabouts of missing kids

PHOENIX (AP) — Lawyers for the adult niece of an Idaho woman whose two children have been missing for five months say their client is cooperating in the FBI’s investigation into the disappearance. Attorneys for Melani Pawlowski said their client underwent three interviews with agents and surrendered her computer. Pawlowski was accused by her ex-husband of knowing the whereabouts of Lori Vallow’s two children yet failing to cooperate with authorities. Joshua “JJ” Vallow, 7, and 17-year-old Tylee Ryan were reported missing in September and an investigation into their disappearance has stretched across several states to Hawaii, where their mother is jailed.

ABORTION-UTAH

Utah Senate passes plan to ban most abortion if US allows it

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah would ban most abortions if the U.S. legal landscape changes under a proposal that has been passed by the Utah Senate. The Salt Lake Tribune reports it was approved on a party-line vote after Democrats argued against the plan to make performing an abortion a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. It has exceptions for cases of rape, incest or serious threat to the health of the mother. The measure to ban most abortions contains a so-called trigger clause and wouldn’t go into effect unless the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, the 1973 case that legalized abortion.

ELECTION 2020-SANDERS-UTAH

Sanders sticks to progressive message as moderates drop out

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Bernie Sanders focused on President Donald Trump and his own progressive message on Monday even as his moderate Democratic rivals began to line up behind former Vice President Joe Biden. He rallied at the Utah State Fairpark hours after rival Amy Klobuchar made what turned out to be her last speech as a presidential candidate at another Salt lake City venue. Shortly after she left the city, campaign staffers said she is dropping out and plans to endorse Biden. Sanders won Utah's 2016 Democratic primary. Sanders won Utah's 2016 Democratic primary in a landslide, and is considered the front runner on Super Tuesday.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA-UTAH

Utah's 1st medical marijuana dispensary set to open

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah's first medical marijuana dispensary is set to open Monday as the state begins a slow rollout of a program that will allow residents with certain health conditions to use the plant for medicinal purposes. The window to apply online for a medical marijuana card opened Sunday. To get a card, people must first get a recommendation from one of the 60 health professionals who have been approved to participate in the program. Patients with qualifying conditions have been able to use marijuana with a doctor's letter since December 2018, but they have had to cross state lines to get it.

REDISTRICTING BILL

Utah Senate committee pass changes to redistricting measure

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A Utah state Senate committee has approved a bill with changes to a voter-approved initiative creating an independent voting redistricting commission. The Salt Lake Tribune reports the Proposition 4 initiative passed by voters in 2018 is aimed at curbing gerrymandering. Members of the Senate Business and Labor Committee voted unanimously for the bill, which loosens the initiative’s legal restrictions on the redistricting process. The bill sponsored by Republican Sen. Curt Bramble directs the commission to adopt its own rules for fair, nonpartisan voting maps and enables lawmakers to disregard those maps.

GUN SHOW BILL

Bill targeting gun show background checks passes Utah House

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A bill targeting a new Salt Lake County rule to require gun show vendors in county facilities to run background checks on customers has passed the Utah House of Representatives. The Deseret News reported the bill that passed without debate aims to clarify state control over gun laws in Utah. The bill would prevent cities or counties from being able to work around the state's gun legislation. The bill is sponsored by Republican Rep. Cory Maloy and faces opposition from Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson and Democrats who argue local governments should be able to pass regulations.