Emma Pitts
Middle East politics dominate Nate Blouin's interview with Hasan Piker
Emma Pitts, Deseret News | Posted May 15 - 2:06 p.m.
Nate Blouin said hiding the fact that he is a progressive Democrat to appear more moderate in Utah's 1st Congressional District race isn't what Utahns need — or want.
Astrid Tuminez closes Utah Valley University tenure with a call for joy
Emma Pitts, Deseret News | Posted April 30 - 9:20 a.m.
Utah Valley University President Astrid Tuminez chose to focus Wednesday night's commencement ceremony on joy.
In defense of the defense
Emma Pitts, Deseret News | Posted April 26 - 10:06 a.m.
Greg Skordas and Ed Brass, two Utah criminal defense attorneys with nearly a century of combined expertise, laughed at stereotypes and shared a different reality of being defense attorneys.
Judge unseals ATF report in Charlie Kirk assassination case
Emma Pitts, Deseret News | Posted April 18 - 1:52 p.m.
A filing referencing and quoting an already-existing Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives report in the case against Tyler Robinson, who is charged in the murder of Charlie Kirk, was recently made public by the judge.
UVU calls Sharon McMahon a force for good. Critics call the choice 'tone deaf'
Emma Pitts, Deseret News | Posted April 8 - 5:34 p.m.
Mixed reactions followed Utah Valley University's announcement last month that "America's Government Teacher," Sharon McMahon, would be the 2026 commencement speaker.
Former NBA star John Stockton makes a last appeal to the Supreme Court
Emma Pitts, Deseret News | Posted April 8 - 5:03 p.m.
The attorney for former Utah Jazz point guard John Stockton and his co-plaintiffs filed a letter to the Supreme Court on Monday as a last-ditch effort to address a COVID-related case.
How one headline shaped the narrative in the Tyler Robinson case
Emma Pitts, Deseret News | Posted March 31 - 8:38 p.m.
After the Daily Mail said a recent filing against Tyler Robinson contained "bombshell" findings, firearm experts accused the choice of words as "completely and utterly misleading garbage."
What an ex-Trump administration official's comments could mean for the trial of Tyler Robinson
Emma Pitts, Deseret News | Posted March 29 - 9:03 a.m.
Joe Kent, the former director of the federal National Counterterrorism Center, says there's still a case against alleged Charlie Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson, but he's also suggested he thinks others could be involved — claims the FBI and others reject.
Gov. Cox: Meta losses validate Utah's fight against social media
Emma Pitts, Deseret News | Posted March 27 - 2:59 p.m.
Gov. Spencer Cox emphasized that recent rulings against major tech company Meta Platforms Inc. have strengthened his resolve for Utah to pursue legal action against what he has previously described as "a cancer" on society.
Utah's new constitutional court faces legal skepticism — but not broad public rejection
Emma Pitts, Deseret News | Posted March 21 - 5:06 p.m.
Anyone who sat in on public discussion on the slate of judicial-focused bills this past legislative session heard no shortage of concerns, as speakers lined up to warn that lawmakers were seeking "unilateral and arbitrary power."
When lawyers and judges become targets
Emma Pitts, Deseret News | Posted March 17 - 10:00 a.m.
Threats and harassment made against the lives of attorneys and judges might be more common than one would think.
Utah's new constitutional court bill triggers wave of lawsuits
Emma Pitts, Deseret News | Posted Feb. 26 - 2:30 p.m.
Lawsuits against the state of Utah are beginning to grow as a direct result of the Legislature's constitutional court bill, signed into law less than two weeks ago.
Utah lawmakers reshape the state's courts. Here's what voters think
Emma Pitts, Deseret News | Posted Feb. 19 - 8:40 a.m.
Utah lawmakers continue to quickly move legislation overhauling the state's court system through the state Legislature — even as attorneys and judges say it's too much too fast.
Death penalty bill in Utah could shape the fate of Tyler Robinson
Emma Pitts, Deseret News | Posted Feb. 7 - 8:31 p.m.
The Utah Legislature is considering a bill with the intention of improving the state's death penalty process, which could affect every death penalty case in the state, including Tyler Robinson's.
Concealed carry at athletic events in Utah? Updated bill has big changes
Emma Pitts, Deseret News | Posted Feb. 7 - 11:27 a.m.
A Utah bill that would have allowed concealed carry in private venues that receive public funding has been extensively amended after local and national media drew attention to and raised concerns about its implications.
Officers involved in Michigan Latter-day Saint church shooting will not face charges
Emma Pitts, Deseret News | Posted Feb. 5 - 9:46 p.m.
The two officers who responded to the Michigan shooting at a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints last September will not face charges.
Legislative efforts to overhaul Utah judiciary facing backlash
Emma Pitts, Deseret News | Posted Feb. 1 - 11:28 a.m.
In the first two weeks of the 2026 legislative session, GOP lawmakers have introduced several bills that overhaul the state's court systems, and public response has been predominantly skeptical.
Utah lawmakers divided over how to handle kratom
Emma Pitts, Deseret News | Posted Jan. 25 - 6:30 p.m.
Utah lawmakers are debating competing bills on kratom, with some pushing for a full ban and others favoring regulation amid ongoing safety concerns.
Utah Republicans call for the state's courts to be more transparent
Emma Pitts, Deseret News | Posted Jan. 20 - 8:40 a.m.
Utah state Republican leaders recently expressed frustration and concern with the state's judicial branch.
Utah lawmakers call it 'common sense.' The ACLU calls it censorship
Emma Pitts, Deseret News | Posted Jan. 18 - 4:00 p.m.
The Utah chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Utah on Friday, protesting the state's law regarding "sensitive material" in school libraries.
Judge rejects Phil Lyman's voter-data challenge, citing lack of real harm
Emma Pitts, Deseret News | Posted Jan. 16 - 4:32 p.m.
A U.S. district judge threw out a case filed last summer by gubernatorial candidate Phil Lyman against Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson on Thursday, saying he lacked standing.
2 killed outside church remembered for examples, positive changes made in their lives
Emma Pitts, Deseret News | Posted Jan. 10 - 2:53 p.m.
The son of one of the men killed by gunfire in a Salt Lake church parking lot on Wednesday said his dad exemplified Christ-like love.
Man killed outside church had embraced faith and nonviolence, community leader says
Emma Pitts, Deseret News | Posted Jan. 9 - 8:22 a.m.
One of the men who was killed during an exchange of gunfire in a church parking lot of was a husband, father and poet who had chosen to reject violence, a local Tongan leader said.
Brown University police chief put on leave — 5 years after facing scrutiny in Utah
Emma Pitts, Deseret News | Posted Dec. 28 - 3:00 p.m.
Brown University Chief of Police Rodney Chatman has been put on administrative leave following the shooting at the Ivy League institution on Dec. 13.
