⏰ Tick Tock
Days until the deadline for the Utah Legislature to approve a final congressional map proposal and submit it to the court (10/6/2025) - 10
Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - 39
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Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - 403
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Spencer Cox is having a moment
In the aftermath of the Charlie Kirk assassination, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has become a bit of a media darling for his calls to turn down the heated political rhetoric.
He's been interviewed on national television and has been lauded in newspapers and magazines for being seen as a voice of reason following the shocking violence at Utah Valley University. 60 Minutes is the latest to turn the spotlight on Cox. The program will air a piece about him on Sunday.
Cox's message about the dangers of social media in our powder keg political environment is quite deserving of the national attention. But it might not be as well-received among the home crowd in Utah.
Cox's political position has weakened significantly since he was first elected in 2020.
He is loathed by a large portion of the GOP base because he is seen as insufficiently loyal to conservative causes. Party delegates have booed him several times. Last year, they overwhelmingly voted for former Rep. Phil Lyman over him at the State Convention.
Lyman came within 10 points of defeating Cox during the 2024 GOP primary, a much closer result than many had anticipated. Lyman also collected nearly 14% of the statewide vote as a write-in candidate in the general election.
Cox entered his second term in office as a lame duck, having said he would not seek a third term. That will only intensify as potential candidates start lining up to replace him.
While Cox has been wishy-washy on some issues–his surprising endorsement of Donald Trump last year after years of being one of the few elected Republicans willing to criticize him is a good example–his commitment to building political bridges has remained consistent.
Just think back to last year's GOP convention. As delegates showered him with boos during his speech, his response to their venom was notable.
"Maybe you hate that I don't hate enough," he said.
Friday morning's headlines
Utah and the West
39 tax hikes across Utah have been rejected because of a change in the law. [Fox 13]
Charlie Kirk's accused assassin encountered by police during return to crime scene: law enforcement sources. [Fox News]
Utah lawmaker proposes renaming Harvey Milk Boulevard after Charlie Kirk. [KUTV]
Utah's Medicaid watchdog has "poor governance" and "lack of transparency," audit finds. [KSL]
Audit: Utah's K-12 and higher education systems could improve cybersecurity practices. [KSL]
SLC school district denies retaliating against former West High principal who raised safety concerns after student stabbing. [Salt Lake Tribune]
"No authority to enforce immigration law": Ogden police spell out stance on immigration. [KSL]
Utahns face higher grocery costs while farmers warn of struggles in agriculture. [KUTV]
Nation
It appears a government shutdown is almost inevitable. [Wall Street Journal]
In the event of a shutdown, the White House is threatening to lay off government workers instead of furlough them. [CNN]
Trump orders broad effort to root out groups he says organize political violence. [New York Times]
Former FBI boss Comey indicted for allegedly lying to Congress. [Semafor]
Lawmakers are scared and ready to spend $1 billion to increase their personal security. [Politico]
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered hundreds of the U.S. military's generals and admirals to gather next week in Virginia on short notice. [Washington Post]
Trump "jokes" about rigging elections with Turkish president. [New Republic]
World
Russia is helping prepare China to attack Taiwan, documents suggest. [Washington Post]
Dozens of delegates walked out of the chamber before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to the U.N. [New York Times]
India says U.S. H-1B visa fee hike could hit services exports, remittance. [Reuters]
Tech
Regulating AI hastens the Antichrist, says Palantir's Peter Thiel. [Times of London]
Sports
President Trump suggests moving 2026 World Cup games from Democrat-led cities he deems unsafe. [The Athletic]
Media
Alex Jones says he's wearing a Hitler mustache as a "social experiment." [Huffington Post]