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TRUMP-PUBLIC LANDS

Watchdog faults US land agency sending jobs out West

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A U.S. government watchdog agency said Friday that 81 Bureau of Reclamation employees have declined to relocate to Western states or left their positions as the Trump administration reorganizes the bureau's workforce. The Government Accountability Office in a Friday report faulted administration officials for failing to involve bureau employees and stakeholders in its plans. The land bureau has about 10,000 employees, and most are already in field offices in the West. About 400 are in Washington, D.C., and the Interior Department said last year it planned to move about 300 of those positions to the West.

CORONAVIRUS-UTAH

Utah governor declares coronavirus emergency, no cases yet

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah Gov. Gary Herbert has declared a state of emergency over the new coronavirus, though he said no cases have been detected in the state. He said Friday the declaration instead helps the state access more money and resources to be prepared for its expected arrival. Though no cases have been detected in Utah, one resident who caught it abroad has been taken back to the state for treatment. Neighboring states like Nevada and Colorado have identified their first cases. Nationally, the U.S. death toll from the coronavirus climbed to 14, with all but one victim in Washington state.

ABORTION-UTAH

Utah House passes new requirements for abortion providers

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Abortion clinics would be required to cremate fetal remains and women would have to get an ultrasound before the procedure under proposals that passed the Utah House this week. Some objected that the new rules would erode access to abortion. The ultrasound bill requiring a technician to display images and make the fetal heartbeat audible for each woman passed Thursday, the day after passage of a proposal mandating abortion providers cremate or bury fetal remains. Both now go to the Senate. Lawmakers are also separately considering a complete abortion ban this year, with some exceptions, if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade.

CORONAVIRUS-TRUMP-UTAH

State deletes tweet accusing Trump of virus 'misinformation'

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox has directed a state coronavirus-response team to delete a tweet calling President Donald Trump's comments about people going to work sick misinformation. The Republican tweeted late Thursday that he asked message to be removed because it appeared political. He said the White House has been a “tremendous partner” in the response to the virus, and the issue shouldn't be politicized. The tweet from the coronavirus task force objected to an interview where Trump said most cases are mild, and many people even go to work. The tweet said people should stay home if ill and avoid spreading misinformation.

CASH BAIL

Utah eyes changing rules on granting bail before trial

OGDEN, Utah (AP) — A proposal to limit the use of cash bail for people arrested in Utah is advancing in the Legislature. Supporters say changes are needed to prevent people who are presumed innocent from getting stuck behind bars because they don’t have money for bail. The Standard-Examiner reports the plan to create a presumption of release for low-risk suspects has passed the House and is now being considered by the Senate. The bill has support from prosecutors, sheriffs, defense attorneys and in the courts. But there is opposition from the bail bond industry and some lawmakers who say the existing system is already too lenient.

CONGRESS-BURISMA

Romney will support GOP effort to investigate Biden

WASHINGTON (AP) — Utah Sen. Mitt Romney will support moving ahead with an investigation tied to Joe Biden’s son. That's according to a spokeswoman, who said Romney will back a subpoena related to Hunter Biden and the Ukrainian gas company Burisma. There is no evidence of wrongdoing by the Bidens, and Democrats decry the probe as an attempt to hurt Joe Biden's White House run. But Republicans say there are legitimate questions about whether Hunter's Biden's role with Burisma created a conflict of interest. Trump’s efforts to have Ukraine investigate the Bidens were central to the impeachment charges he faced. Romney was the only Republican who voted to convict.