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Utah state employees to continue remote work? Cox says isolation 'not healthy,' changes coming
Lisa Riley Roche, Deseret News | Posted Jan. 17 - 7:21 a.m. | Save Story
Gov. Spencer Cox is about to overhaul Utah's remote work policy for state employees.
Utah Republicans weighing at least 10 measures tied to illegal immigration
Tim Vandenack, KSL.com | Posted Jan. 17 - 6:16 a.m. | Save Story
As the start of Utah's 2025 legislative session looms, Utah Republicans are weighing at least 10 measures tied to illegal immigration.
Sen. Lee: Lawmakers ready to undo 'devastating harm' to energy sector by Biden administration
Suzanne Bates, Deseret News | Posted Jan. 16 - 10:31 p.m. | Save Story
Sen. Mike Lee said on Wednesday the Biden administration's actions on energy have made life more expensive for Americans.
Burgum says he'll work with Sen. Lee, Utah officials on federal lands issues
Amy Joi O'Donoghue, Deseret News | Posted Jan. 16 - 9:23 p.m. | Save Story
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, warned Interior secretary nominee Doug Burgum of the daunting task that faces him should he be the ultimate pick to be the landlord of nearly one fifth of the nation's lands.
Maloy seeks Antiquities Act changes as Utah monuments land in the spotlight again
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted Jan. 16 - 7:11 p.m. | Save Story
A Utah congresswoman is taking on the century-old law that created national monuments, as a pair of monuments in the state are expected to return to the spotlight.
Utah lawmakers hope to team with Trump in scaling back the federal bureaucracy
Tim Vandenack, KSL.com | Posted Jan. 16 - 6:38 p.m. | Save Story
Utah's GOP lawmakers hope to team with the Trump administration's new Department of Government Efficiency in scaling back the role of the feds in transportation funding.
Trump Treasury pick Bessent backs Fed independence, dollar, sanctions on Russian oil
David Lawder, Reuters | Posted Jan. 16 - 6:03 p.m. | Save Story
President-elect Donald Trump's pick for Treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, said on Thursday that the dollar should remain the world's reserve currency, the Federal Reserve should stay independent, and that he is ready to impose tougher sanctions on Russia's oil sector.
Ogden officials OK new program meant to help immigrants become US citizens
Tim Vandenack, KSL.com | Posted Jan. 16 - 5:04 p.m. | Save Story
The Ogden City Council has formalized creation of a new program meant to help legal permanent residents take the next steps to become U.S. citizens.
Giuliani gets to keep property, agrees to stop defaming Georgia election workers
Luc Cohen, Reuters | Updated Jan. 16 - 4:08 p.m. | Save Story
Rudy Giuliani, the former New York City mayor who served as Donald Trump's personal lawyer, agreed to stop defaming two Georgia election workers he falsely accused of helping steal the 2020 election for Joe Biden as part of a legal settlement on Thursday.
Cox will travel to Washington for Trump inauguration next week
Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL.com | Updated Jan. 16 - 3:19 p.m. | Save Story
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said he will travel to Washington, D.C., for President Donald Trump's second inauguration on Monday, adding that he expects a flurry of executive action from the new president.
'Fed up' Salt Lake City calls for help to solve 'brokenness' in crime, homeless services
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Updated Jan. 16 - 1:11 p.m. | Save Story
Salt Lake City's mayor says major gaps in homeless services and criminal justice systems must be fixed to solve issues that prompted state leadership concerns about policing.
Trump will keep TikTok from 'going dark' if deal is on table, adviser says
David Shepardson, Reuters | Updated Jan. 16 - 10:57 a.m. | Save Story
President-elect Donald Trump's incoming national security adviser said on Thursday the new administration will keep TikTok alive in the United States if there is a viable deal.
Former lawmaker discusses possible reforms to Utah's nominating process
Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL.com | Posted Jan. 16 - 6:16 a.m. | Save Story
Several proponents of Utah's dual path to qualify for a party primary discussed potential reforms to the law aimed at limiting the influence of money in campaigns.
FDA floats plan to make cigarettes nonaddictive, but its fate rests with Trump
Matthew Perrone, Associated Press | Posted Jan. 15 - 9:31 p.m. | Save Story
The Biden administration is floating a long-awaited proposal to make cigarettes less addictive by capping their nicotine levels. But the plan is unlikely to take effect soon.
Biden warns in farewell address that an 'oligarchy' of ultrarich in US threatens future of democracy
Zeke Miller, Chris Megerian and Colleen Long, Associated Press | Updated Jan. 15 - 9:26 p.m. | Save Story
President Joe Biden has used his farewell address to the nation to warn of an "oligarchy" of the ultra-wealthy taking root in the country and of a "tech-industrial complex" infringing on Americans' rights and the future of democracy.
Sen. John Curtis backs Pete Hegseth as defense secretary pick, joining Sen. Mike Lee
Tim Vandenack, KSL.com | Posted Jan. 15 - 9:18 p.m. | Save Story
U.S. Sen. John Curtis said he'd vote for defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth, joining Sen. Mike Lee, who's previously voiced support for the pick.
Cox details tech community's role in addressing Utah housing, energy needs
Logan Stefanich, KSL.com | Posted Jan. 15 - 9:03 p.m. | Save Story
Like any state experiencing rapid growth, Utah has a list of demands it has to meet to ensure a prosperous future, but Utah Gov. Spencer Cox thinks the state's vibrant tech community can help navigate some of these problems.
Inside Utah lawmakers' plan to reform higher education in 2025
Brigham Tomco, Deseret News | Posted Jan. 15 - 7:11 p.m. | Save Story
State House Speaker Mike Schultz said Tuesday he is determined to dissect how every dime in higher education is spent and to identify how universities and colleges can do more with fewer taxpayer dollars.
Gov. Cox orders US, Utah flags to be flown at full height to mark Trump's inauguration
Tim Vandenack, KSL.com | Posted Jan. 15 - 6:50 p.m. | Save Story
Gov. Spencer Cox has ordered U.S. and Utah flags, lowered to honor former President Jimmy Carter, to be temporarily raised to full-staff for Donald Trump's presidential inauguration.
Trump nominee says Boeing needs 'tough love,' EVs should pay for road use
David Shepardson, Reuters | Posted Jan. 15 - 6:39 p.m. | Save Story
President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to head the Transportation Department said Boeing needs "tough love" to get back on track after a 2024 midair emergency and that electric vehicles should pay to use roads.
Bill would prevent some Utah franchise locations from being forced to open on Sundays
Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL.com | Posted Jan. 15 - 5:01 p.m. | Save Story
State Rep. Ken Ivory has proposed a bill that would add protections for some Utah franchise owners who want to close their stores on Sundays.
Trump nominees pressed on political influence in Senate hearings
Sarah N. Lynch and Andrew Goudsward, Reuters | Updated Jan. 15 - 3:51 p.m. | Save Story
Donald Trump's nominees for top national security jobs said they would not prioritize their loyalty to the president-elect over their duty to the country in U.S. Senate hearings on Wednesday, where they appeared to be on a path to easy confirmation.
Gov. Cox touts plan to cut income tax on Social Security this year
Brigham Tomco, Deseret News | Posted Jan. 15 - 2:48 p.m. | Save Story
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox told low-tax advocates on Tuesday that he wants the state Legislature to shake up its approach to tax relief.
As Trump's nominee hearings begin, Sen. John Curtis calls for 'seriousness' from senators
Samuel Benson, Deseret News | Posted Jan. 15 - 9:59 a.m. | Save Story
As confirmation hearings begin for President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet nominees, Sen. John Curtis called on his Senate colleagues to carefully consider their roles.
'For 18 months, they'll be OK': DHS extends protected status for Venezuelans, Salvadorans
Tim Vandenack, KSL.com | Posted Jan. 15 - 8:02 a.m. | Save Story
The Department of Homeland Security has extended the temporary protected status designations for Venezuelans and El Salvadorans by 18 months.
Proposal to rename Burr Trail Scenic Byway after President-elect Donald Trump
Garna Mejia, KSL-TV | Posted Jan. 15 - 7:06 a.m. | Save Story
One of Utah's most scenic roads could soon bear the name of President-elect Donald J. Trump.
Ogden leaders table action on facility for chronically homeless, will investigate other locations
Tim Vandenack, KSL.com | Posted Jan. 14 - 10:11 p.m. | Save Story
Ogden leaders tabled action on allowing plans for a facility for the chronically homeless to proceed and will instead investigate other sites before taking final action.
Speaker Johnson orders US Capitol flags raised to full height for Trump's inauguration
Meg Kinnard, Associated Press | Posted Jan. 14 - 6:36 p.m. | Save Story
House Speaker Mike Johnson has ordered that flags at the U.S. Capitol be raised to their full height on Inauguration Day. This pauses a 30-day flag-lowering ordered by President Joe Biden following the death of former President Jimmy Carter.
What Utah business wants from the Legislature this year
Brigham Tomco, Deseret News | Posted Jan. 14 - 5:02 p.m. | Save Story
Salt Lake's business community is asking Utah lawmakers to prioritize affordable housing and child care for young families and to take a balanced approach to immigration this session.
FDA proposes nutrition labels in front of packaged foods
Sriparna Roy, Reuters | Posted Jan. 14 - 4:06 p.m. | Save Story
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday proposed that packaged foods require a nutrition label on the front, in its latest push under the outgoing Biden administration to help consumers make healthier choices.
In fiery hearing, Trump's nominee Hegseth clashes over future of Pentagon
Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali and Patricia Zengerle, Reuters | Updated Jan. 14 - 3:27 p.m. | Save Story
President-elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the Pentagon, Pete Hegseth, came under fire during his confirmation hearing on Tuesday as Democrats railed against him and voiced their deep concerns about him.
A Utah Republican wants to help Trump keep his promise to families
Gitanjali Poonia, Deseret News | Posted Jan. 14 - 3:20 p.m. | Save Story
President-elect Donald Trump is set to take office next week. Before he enters the White House, the Congressional Republican Conference is laying the groundwork to fulfill the promises his campaign made on the trail.
Hamas accepts draft agreement for Gaza ceasefire and release of hostages, officials say
Samy Magdy and Wafaa Shurafa, Associated Press | Updated Jan. 14 - 1:05 p.m. | Save Story
Officials say Hamas has accepted a draft agreement for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of dozens of hostages. Israel and the Palestinian militant group are at the "closest point" yet to sealing a deal, mediators say.
Biden administration will announce it's lifting state sponsor of terrorism designation for Cuba
Matthew Lee and Aamer Madhani, Associated Press | Posted Jan. 14 - 12:52 p.m. | Save Story
The Biden administration is expected to lift the U.S. designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism, according to U.S. officials familiar with matter.
The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square will not perform at second Trump inauguration
Samuel Benson, Deseret News | Posted Jan. 14 - 9:17 a.m. | Save Story
The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square will not perform at President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony next week, Choir president Mike Leavitt confirmed.
Prosecutor Jack Smith defends criminal case against Trump, citing 'unprecedented criminal effort'
Andrew Goudsward and Sarah N. Lynch, Reuters | Posted Jan. 14 - 8:33 a.m. | Save Story
U.S. Special Counsel Jack Smith concluded that Donald Trump engaged in an "unprecedented criminal effort" to hold on to power after losing the 2020 election, but was thwarted in bringing the case to trial by the president-elect's November election victory, according to a report published on Tuesday.
Here's what Utah's largest teachers union wants to see from lawmakers this legislative session
Logan Stefanich, KSL.com | Posted Jan. 13 - 9:20 p.m. | Save Story
Ahead of what's shaping up to be a busy 2025 legislative session in the education realm, the Utah Education Association on Monday unveiled the issues it wants lawmakers to prioritize this year.
Drive to challenge Clinton townhome development falls short
Tim Vandenack, KSL.com | Posted Jan. 13 - 8:12 p.m. | Save Story
A petition drive to halt a townhome project in Clinton fell short of the signatures needed, but people involved are considering going to court to continue the effort.
Some US lawmakers urge Biden to extend TikTok Jan. 19 ban deadline
David Shepardson, Reuters | Posted Jan. 13 - 8:01 p.m. | Save Story
Two Democratic lawmakers on Monday urged Congress and President Joe Biden to extend a Jan. 19 deadline for China-based ByteDance to sell the U.S. assets of TikTok or face a U.S. ban.
On front lines of Trump's impending trade war, an 'unflappable' Latter-day Saint
Samuel Benson, Deseret News | Posted Jan. 13 - 5:15 p.m. | Save Story
President-elect Donald Trump is ruffling feathers globally by threatening "economic force" toward North American allies. The responsibility of carrying out those promises will likely fall to a soft-spoken Latter-day Saint.
Utah House GOPers to focus on immigration, tech education, taxes and elections during session
Tim Vandenack, KSL.com | Updated Jan. 13 - 4:45 p.m. | Save Story
Aside from illegal immigration, Utah House Republicans plan to focus on tech education, taxes, elections and more during the 2025 legislative session.
US Supreme Court declines to hear Phil Lyman's challenge of Utah primary system
Brigham Tomco, Deseret News | Posted Jan. 13 - 12:00 p.m. | Save Story
The United States Supreme Court announced Monday it had declined to hear the case of unsuccessful Republican gubernatorial candidate Phil Lyman that challenged the process used by Utah Gov. Spencer Cox to appear on the general election ballot.
Judge allows release of DOJ report on Trump's election subversion case
Reuters | Updated Jan. 13 - 11:31 a.m. | Save Story
U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon allowed the Justice Department to release its special counsel report on President-elect Donald Trump's 2020 election subversion case, but extended a pause on the report regarding Trump's separate classified documents case, a court filing on Monday showed.
VP-elect Vance says Jan. 6 rioters who committed violence 'obviously' shouldn't be pardoned
Associated Press | Updated Jan. 13 - 7:54 a.m. | Save Story
Vice President-elect JD Vance says people responsible for the violence during the Capitol riot "obviously" should not be pardoned.
Utah lawmakers poised to weigh limits on use of polygraphs in sexual assault cases
Daniella Rivera, KSL-TV | Posted Jan. 12 - 9:01 p.m. | Save Story
Utah lawmakers are expected to consider a bill limiting the use of polygraphs in sexual assault cases when the Legislative session begins later this month.
Biden awards Pope Francis medal of freedom, highest US civilian honor
Andrea Shalal, Reuters | Updated Jan. 12 - 8:38 p.m. | Save Story
U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with Pope Francis on Saturday and awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction, the nation's highest civilian honor, the White House said.
Sen. John Curtis celebrates final House wins
Gitanjali Poonia, Deseret News | Posted Jan. 12 - 7:03 p.m. | Save Story
In the final days before giving up his seat representing Utah's 3rd District, Utah Sen. John Curtis saw several bills signed into law by President Joe Biden.
President Biden just designated 2 new national monuments in the West. Where are they?
Dennis Romboy, Deseret News | Posted Jan. 11 - 9:45 p.m. | Save Story
With less than two weeks left in his presidency, President Joe Biden designated two new national monuments in the West.
David Petraeus: The world is in for 'exciting times' following reelection of Donald Trump
Suzanne Bates, Deseret News | Posted Jan. 11 - 7:45 p.m. | Save Story
The world is in for "exciting times" following the inauguration of Donald Trump on Jan. 20, decorated U.S. Army general David Petraeus said during remarks in Salt Lake City on Friday.
Trump prosecutor Jack Smith resigns from Justice Department
Brendan O'Brien, Reuters | Posted Jan. 11 - 3:45 p.m. | Save Story
U.S. Special Counsel Jack Smith, who led the federal cases against Donald Trump on charges of trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat and mishandling of classified documents, has resigned, as the Republican president-elect prepared to return to the White House.
Rupert Murdoch's Fox Corp. must face 2020 election defamation lawsuit, appeals court rules
Marshall Cohen, CNN | Posted Jan. 11 - 8:30 a.m. | Save Story
A New York appeals court ruled Thursday that Fox Corporation must face Smartmatic's mammoth defamation lawsuit over the airing of 2020 election lies on Fox News, dealing a blow to the Rupert Murdoch-controlled media giant.
Nordic Valley ski village plans prompt questions, concern at public hearing
Tim Vandenack, KSL.com | Posted Jan. 10 - 9:03 p.m. | Save Story
Ogden Valley residents expressed concern with the proposed Nordic Valley ski village project and put many questions to developers at a public hearing on the plans,
Trump spared jail at hush money sentencing, days before inauguration
Luc Cohen, Reuters | Updated Jan. 10 - 8:22 a.m. | Save Story
President-elect Donald Trump will not go to jail or pay a fine over his criminal conviction stemming from hush money paid to a porn star, a judge ruled on Friday.
Gov. Cox signs first executive order of 2nd term to fast-track large infrastructure projects
Brigham Tomco, Deseret News | Posted Jan. 10 - 6:20 a.m. | Save Story
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox announced an executive order on Thursday requiring state environmental agencies to streamline the permitting process for infrastructure projects.
Tracking Trump's Day 1 promises
Samuel Benson, Deseret News | Posted Jan. 9 - 10:03 p.m. | Save Story
President-elect Donald Trump vows to waste little time in rolling out his policy priorities.
Newly elected Black and Latino officials take office in Utah, representing historic firsts
Tim Vandenack, KSL.com | Posted Jan. 9 - 8:35 p.m. | Save Story
Two newly elected Black officials and two newly elected Latinos took office this week, representing historic firsts in Utah.
Appeals court denies bid to block public release of special counsel's report on Trump Jan. 6 probe
Eric Tucker and Alanna Durkin Richer, Associated Press | Posted Jan. 9 - 8:02 p.m. | Save Story
A federal appeals court has denied a bid to block the public release of special counsel Jack Smith's report on President-elect Donald Trump's efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss.
Will Biden's new ban on offshore drilling stand?
Amy Joi O'Donoghue, Deseret News | Posted Jan. 9 - 6:40 p.m. | Save Story
President Joe Biden has announced prohibitions on future oil and gas drilling across parts of the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, the eastern Gulf of Mexico, and the Northern Bering Sea.
