- A new study from the Utah Foundation finds Utah has terrible voter turnout (39th in the nation), and the high number of “uncompetitive” races is the likely culprit [Utah Policy].
- Rep. Mia Love posts some alarming fundraising numbers. She’s spent more this year than she’s raised. However, her campaign chief, Dave Hansen, says they’re not worried because most of their spending has been on prospecting for future fundraising. Hansen says they’ve also seen a sharp uptick in donations following word that Democrat Ben McAdams might challenge Love in 2018 [Utah Policy].
- Sen. Orrin Hatch defends himself against a news report that claimed legislation sponsored by him weakened the effort to slow down the spread of opioid painkillers [Utah Policy, Deseret News, Tribune].
- Former Rep. Jason Chaffetz joins the chorus of those on the right who say Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell needs to go [Utah Policy].
- Utah leaders announce they’re forming an exploratory committee to possibly bid on hosting the Winter Olympics in 2026 or 2030 [Deseret News, Tribune].
- Sen. Mike Lee endorses conservative firebrand Roy Moore in Alabama’s Senate race [Tribune].
- Faith leaders are urging Salt Lake Mayor Jackie Biskupski to boost the amount of affordable housing available before the homeless shelter in downtown Salt Lake closes in 2019 [Deseret News, Tribune].
- House Speaker Greg Hughes fires back at Iain De Jong, an expert on homeless issues, who has been critical of Operation Rio Grande. Hughes also questions whether it’s appropriate to keep De Jong on as a consultant for the new homeless resource centers in Salt Lake City [Deseret News].
- The Utah Transit Authority wants to borrow $88.5 million next year. UTA already has about $2 billion in debt [Tribune].
- Utah’s fight against a movie theater that served alcohol during a showing of the movie “Deadpool” could end up costing taxpayers more than $500,000 in legal fees for the theater. Brewvies is asking the state to pay their legal fees following a judge’s ruling against the state [Tribune].
- Some Utah school officials are complaining that wealthier school districts are “poaching” teachers away from jobs in their organizations, which is making the teacher shortage in Utah acuter [Tribune].
- Weber School District officials are investigating a social media post in which a group of teen girls takes turns shouting racial slurs [Deseret News].
- Federal prosecutors will drop 11 of the 14 felony charges brought against former Utah Transit Authority board member Terry Diehl [Tribune].
- LaVarr Webb looks at how autonomous vehicles might change the future of transportation planning in Utah [Utah Policy].
