Latest Stories
Utah lawmaker attempts to put 'Word of Wisdom' in state code
Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL | Posted March 4 - 8:05 p.m.
An unusual situation unfolded in the Utah Legislature on Wednesday as a Republican lawmaker attempted to insert scriptural references to the "Word of Wisdom" in state code.
Senate halts bill requiring Utahns to turn in mail-in ballots in person with ID
Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL | Posted March 4 - 6:37 p.m.
A Senate committee shot down a bill that would have required Utah voters to turn in mailed ballot by showing their ID at a ballot drop box.
Several immigration bills focus of continued debate as end of Utah legislative session looms
Tim Vandenack, KSL | Posted March 4 - 12:10 p.m.
As the end of the Utah legislative session looms, several bills focused on immigrants and immigration are subject to last-minute debate and deliberation. Here's a look at them.
What changes is the Utah Legislature making to state employees' benefits?
Caitlin Keith, Deseret News | Posted March 4 - 11:00 a.m.
Utah lawmakers have advanced a bill to make significant changes to the benefits each state employee receives, including what leave they receive and how their 401(k) plans are matched.
Why are lawmakers pressing for increased research dollars for Utah colleges?
Jason Swensen, Deseret News | Posted March 4 - 8:23 a.m.
Talk surrounding Utah's public colleges and universities typically focuses on students, professors, academic programs and maybe football on Saturdays. But what about research funding?
Key transportation bill revived after feedback from Salt Lake City, towing industry
Carter Williams, KSL | Posted March 3 - 9:04 p.m.
A wide-ranging state transportation bill that unexpectedly stalled in a committee meeting on Monday was revived on Tuesday following modifications to sections that derailed it.
$10M for the Pioneer Trail? Spending bill faces questions in Utah House
Bridger Beal-Cvetko and Daniel Woodruff, KSL | Posted March 3 - 5:35 p.m.
Some drama ensued in the Utah House of Representatives on Tuesday as some lawmakers tried to hold up a large spending bill over a proposal to fund a new trail system in Salt Lake City.
'Indefensible': Utah House votes 67-3 to censure sitting judge
Bridger Beal-Cvetko and Daniel Woodruff, KSL | Posted March 3 - 2:22 p.m.
The Utah House of Representatives voted on Tuesday to censure a district court judge over comments he made during a sentencing hearing last year.
Utah lawmakers reject 2 new potential state holidays
Caitlin Keith, Deseret News | Posted March 3 - 11:30 a.m.
Two bills that would have created new holidays in the state have both failed in the Utah Legislature this session.
Lawmakers mull bill to address child abuse in response to West Haven boy's 2024 death
Tim Vandenack, KSL | Posted March 3 - 11:05 a.m.
Utah lawmakers are mulling a bill to address child abuse in response to the 2024 death of Gavin Peterson, 12, who faced years of mistreatment by family members.
Utah lawmakers plan to fund governor's homelessness overhaul — if cities, counties pay up
Brigham Tomco, Deseret News | Posted March 3 - 8:05 a.m.
Utah legislative leadership carved out $43.6 million to pay for Gov. Spencer Cox's pivot toward targeting criminality within the chronic homeless population.
Lawmaker seeks to drop licensing requirements for 4 professions
Caitlin Keith, Deseret News | Posted March 3 - 6:51 a.m.
A bill that would remove the licensing requirements from four professions in Utah advanced through a Senate committee on Monday.
Utah Senate OKs bill to increase number of children allowed in unlicensed home day cares
Arianne Brown, KSL | Posted March 2 - 8:30 p.m.
A bill that would increase the number of children unlicensed child care providers can have in their care has made it to the House for final review.
Utah House committee advances censure of judge despite court concerns
Bridger Beal-Cvetko and Daniel Woodruff, KSL | Posted March 2 - 7:59 p.m.
A Utah House committee voted on Monday to advance a rare censure of a sitting public official.
Utah lawmakers work to mandate fetal development videos in schools
Caitlin Keith, Deseret News | Posted March 2 - 6:30 p.m.
A Utah lawmaker has introduced a bill that would require Utah schools to show students videos of fertilization and development of a fetus inside the womb.
Utah senators criticize secretary of state proposal before blocking it
Bridger Beal-Cvetko and Daniel Woodruff, KSL | Posted March 2 - 6:00 p.m.
A proposal to establish a secretary of state in Utah to oversee elections hit a strong wall of opposition on Monday.
Massive Utah transportation bill stalls in House amid various concerns
Carter Williams, KSL | Posted March 2 - 4:30 p.m.
An omnibus transportation bill that's gained scrutiny over proposing greater state control over roads in Salt Lake City faced a shocking setback over a different provision.
Utah election reforms on collision course in final week of 2026 session
Brigham Tomco, Deseret News | Posted March 2 - 9:57 a.m.
Utah lawmakers pushed forward two different kinds of election reforms this week that appear on track for a collision during the final seven days of the 2026 legislative session.
Will tightening K-12 budgets jeopardize school suicide prevention programs?
Jason Swensen, Deseret News | Posted March 2 - 6:46 a.m.
The school-based Hope Squads are made possible by state funds, but the provision allowing public schools to receive those funds is facing proposed changes in the Utah Legislature.
Poll: What Utahns, Americans think of how online gambling impacts sports
Dennis Romboy, Deseret News | Posted March 1 - 3:00 p.m.
Gambling on sports has exploded since the Supreme Court struck down a federal ban in 2018, and adults, especially younger people, are the driving force, a new poll says.
Utah House plans rare censure of judge
Bridger Beal-Cvetko and Daniel Woodruff, KSL | Posted March 1 - 10:03 a.m.
The Utah House of Representatives plans to censure a district court judge who was criticized for comments he made during a sentencing hearing.
New Utah law could address remaining issue in proposed hotel next to Sugar House Park
Carter Williams, KSL | Posted Feb. 28 - 8:36 p.m.
Utah is considering loosening some of its alcoholic proximity restrictions to account in a move that would notably benefit a proposal in Salt Lake City.
How voters — in Utah and nationwide — feel about prohibiting cellphones in school, bell-to-bell
Jason Swensen, Deseret News | Posted Feb. 28 - 7:02 p.m.
While a bill calling for a default "bell-to-bell" cellphone prohibition in Utah's K-12 schools seems destined to pass, public opinion on school bans is mixed.
Utah lawmakers work to mandate fetal development videos in schools
Caitlin Keith, Deseret News | Posted Feb. 28 - 5:48 p.m.
A Utah lawmaker has introduced a bill that would require Utah schools to show students videos of fertilization and development of a fetus inside the womb.
