July 25, 2025
⏰ Tick Tock
Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - 18
Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - 102
Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - 466
Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - 1,201
"Mingle" about politics and policy on Saturday
If you're interested in civil political discussion, check out the "Smerconish Mingle Meetup" Saturday at noon.
The event, inspired by radio host Michael Smerconish, aims to bring together people from all political backgrounds to discuss the "big issues."
More information and registration info at this link.
Utah Rep. votes to put Melania Trump's name on Kennedy Center
Earlier this week, Utah GOP Rep. Celeste Maloy was one of 34 Republicans on the House Appropriations Committee who voted to rename the opera house at the John F. Kennedy Center after first lady Melania Trump.
The controversial measure, tucked into a broader spending bill for the Interior Department and Environmental Protection Agency, would effectively hold the Kennedy Center’s funding hostage unless the venue agrees to the name change. The House Appropriations Committee greenlit the measure on Tuesday, with Rep. Maloy joining 33 other Republicans in support.
The amendment was introduced by Idaho Republican Rep. Mike Simpson. From Politico:
Naming a theater after the first lady “is an excellent way to recognize her appreciation for the arts,” Simpson told POLITICO in a statement.
“As Chairman of the House Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee — which oversees federal funding for capital repairs and operations and maintenance at the Kennedy Center — I am proud to honor her support and commitment in promoting the arts and humanities,” he said.
It’s not clear whether the bill would have enough support to pass the full House when Congress reconvenes in September. Even if it passes the House, the measure would need bipartisan support in the Senate for the name change to take effect.
The clock is ticking. Congress has until September’s end to pass crucial funding bills to avoid a government shutdown.
Friday morning's headlines
Utah and the West
Sen. Lee votes to block release of Epstein files day after Trump's name surfaces. [Utah Political Watch]
USDA in sweeping reorganization to ship some DC workers to 5 regional centers, including Salt Lake City. [Utah News Dispatch]
"Drama" over scope of potential new town called "Park City Tech." [KUTV]
Hooper leaders hope to move beyond discord as mayor rebuffs critics' charges. [KSL]
Here's 3 Utah transit projects planned for 2034 Games, and 1 Olympic hopeful. [Fox 13]
Farmers want to help the Great Salt Lake, but feel like "scapegoats" for a more complex problem. [Utah News Dispatch]
These 4 Utah state parks have passed a million annual visitors. [Fox 13]
"Sundance is rooted in Utah," says festival director as he plans its last run in Park City. [Salt Lake Tribune]
National
President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Thursday that calls for forced hospitalization of homeless people. [Washington Post]
The GOP-led House of Representatives is forming a select subcommittee to reinvestigate the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. The committee will scrutinize the work of the previous January 6 committee, which concluded that President Trump's actions fueled the violence. [CNN]
President Trump's name is on the list of contributors for a book celebrating convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein's 50th birthday, undercutting his claims that he signed a sexually suggestive note and drawing included in the book. [New York Times]
The book also included letters from former President Bill Clinton and other high-profile people. [Wall Street Journal]
The Trump administration sued New York City, alleging the city's "sanctuary" policies interfere with federal immigration enforcement. [Politico]
Texas lawmakers are again trying to pass legislation to restrict which bathrooms people can use. The new proposal carries a $5,000 fine for a first-time violation. [Texas Tribune]
World
In September 2022, during a push by Ukrainian forces to retake territory captured by the Russians, Elon Musk ordered the shutdown of his Starlink internet service, which disrupted the counteroffensive. [Reuters]
Economy
Companies are absorbing much of the costs of President Trump's tariffs instead of passing them on to consumers. [Wall Street Journal]
Mortgage rates dropped for the first time in three weeks, dropping slightly to 6.74%. [Bloomberg]
Health
The fertility rate in the U.S. dropped to an all-time low in 2024 with less than 1.6 children per woman. [Associated Press]
United Healthcare confirmed that the Department of Justice has launched criminal and civil investigations into the company's Medicare business. [STAT News]