Deseret News
- Here’s how Biden’s stimulus checks would look different than the last two – Under the current plan, people who make under $50,000 would get the full $1,400.
- Gov. Spencer Cox announces who’s up next to receive vaccines in Utah – Utahns 65 and older plus adults with specific medical conditions will be eligible beginning March 1.
- Flagler, for free – While metro areas in the West can hardly keep up with growth, some rural communities are doing everything they can to create it.
- Biden’s China relationship: The view from Utah – Our best defense is to continuously improve our system at home that speaks to the American Dream, which still remains aspirational for many around the world — even in China.
- Is the American dream dead? An American scholar’s take on reaching the top – The role of government should be more in the model of Abraham Lincoln: “To lift artificial weights from all shoulders, to clear the path of laudable pursuit for all, to provide all an unfettered start and a fair chance in the race of life.”
- Sen. Mitt Romney proposes to send monthly cash to families — permanently – Sen. Mike Lee proposes expanding child tax credit.
- Audit says Utah schools should drop COVID-19 ‘soft closures’ policy – Legislative auditors recommend ‘Test to Stay’ protocols to curb loss of so many in-person learning school days.
- ‘Toxic’ social media posts put young lives at risk, Utah Pride Center chairman tells State School Board – Others express concerns about ‘vicious attack’ against Natalie Cline.
- House removes Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene from committees in historic vote – House Republicans say standing behind Rep. Majorie Taylor Greene will keep their party united as they work to take back the House in 2022 midterms.
Salt Lake Tribune
- Two police reform bills dealing with civilian review boards and bodycam footage stall – Utah lawmakers are expected to debate dozens of police bills this session after a summer of protests against police violence.
- Utah ‘troubled-teen’ centers have used ‘booty juice’ to sedate kids, a practice outlawed in other states – New state legislation would curb the use of chemical restraints at Utah youth residential treatment centers.
- Proposed river authority would assert Utah’s claims to the Colorado’s dwindling water – A bill would allow the new agency — which environmentalists call “shadowy” — to close its meetings and keep its records confidential.
- More Utahns have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine than have tested positive for the virus – According to the Utah Department of Health, almost 363,000 doses have been injected into patients — that includes both first and second doses. That’s about 11,400 more than the number of coronavirus cases reported in the state.
- House gives green light to allow bicycles to treat stop signs like yield signs – Critics argue that an exception for cyclists is dangerous.
- Developer drops his lawsuit over Bridal Veil Falls – Richard Losee had wanted to build a high-end rehab center atop the falls until blocked by the county in a move he believes was illegal.
- Biden, at prayer breakfast, calls out ‘political extremism’ – He also appealed for collective strength during such turbulent times in remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast, held virtually this year.
Other
- Affordable housing crisis hits home for SLC renters (KSL-TV) – Dozens of renters in Salt Lake City found eviction notices on their doors last weekend, telling them their building had been sold and they had until the end of this month to be out.
- Eagle Mountain City Council approves Utah’s first wildlife corridor overlay zone (ABC 4) – This makes it the first city in Utah to implement this type of zoning, according to city officials.
- Dozens of educators accidentally hired without full background check (FOX 13) – According to a report compiled by USBE, there were 377 “anomalies” or concerns with the data.
- Utah State Board of Education meeting dominated by board member controversy (FOX 13) – “Please to all of you, we see you and we hear you, but we have zero legal authority to do either. I repeat, we have zero legal authority to remove or retain a board member,” said board member Cindy Davis.
- SLCC Black Student Union poetry slam shut down due to offensive content posted by hackers (FOX 13) – The content became so disruptive that organizers had to stop the event.
COVID Corner
- Utah will start vaccinating people over age 65, and with some health conditions, on March 1 (Salt Lake Tribune) – Transplant recipients, people with some cancers, heart and lung diseases included in the next round.
- Why are side effects after second COVID vaccine dose worse? (Miami Herald) – Health experts say these side effects are just normal signs your body is building the immune response it needs to protect you from severe disease.
- Why new coronavirus variants emerge, and what that means for you (PBS) – Three specific variants have raised alarm bells so far: one identified in the United Kingdom, one in South Africa, and one in Brazil, all of which have been detected in the U.S. Experts believe that the UK strain could be as much as “50 to 70 percent more contagious.”
- This year’s nonexistent flu season could prove problematic for vaccine developers (Yahoo! News) – A year without exposure to the virus could also prove problematic for the human immune system, and especially for children who have been exposed to few, if any, varieties of the flu.
