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Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - 5
Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - 82
Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - 369
Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - 1,104
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📰 Above the fold
Utah law requires political ads and mailers to include disclosure of who paid for them and whether a candidate authorized the messaging. The penalty for skipping it? Practically none—even when a PAC and the House Speaker get involved in a local school board race.
Yesterday, I reported that Liberty Champions PAC sent mailers and texts in the Aspen Peaks School Board Seat 2 contest attacking Stacy Bateman and urging voters to support her opponent, Steve Sparti.
Utah places few limits on ad content, but it does require a clear “paid for by” line and a note stating whether a candidate authorized the message.
Neither the Liberty Champions materials nor a text from House Speaker Mike Schultz endorsing Sparti include those disclosures.
Despite the requirement, enforcement is minimal.
“Since violations of election code are potential misdemeanors, we encourage those who register complaints with us to file them with the city recorder/attorney and/or the county clerk/attorney for further review,” Amy Iverson, a spokesperson for the Utah Lt. Governor’s office says.
She added, “When these issues arise in elections we directly oversee, our standard practice is to reach out to the individuals involved so they are aware of the disclosure requirements and require compliance in future mailings.”
Since the statute spells out the disclosure requirement but not meaningful consequences, it’s an open invitation for similar shadow campaigning in future races—unless lawmakers add real penalties or local prosecutors choose to act.
Thursday morning's headlines
Utah and the West
In Utah, Trump's vision for homelessness begins to take shape. [New York Times]
Cox defends Utah's proposed homeless campus against critics as "most compassionate policy anywhere." [Deseret News]
Utah Gov. Cox said he'd welcome an ICE detention facility. Here's what state leaders are saying now that one is reportedly in the works. [Salt Lake Tribune]
Utah Rep. Celeste Maloy speaks about need to reopen government to fund essential programs. [KUTV]
Salt Lake City grocery store owners fear impacts of SNAP benefits ending. [Fox 13]
Salt Lake County reports "probable" first measles case, says patient isn't cooperating. [Utah News Dispatch]
Families speak out after Salt Lake County Council vote to close four daycare centers. [KUTV]
Why Gov. Cox is optimistic about home prices as Fed lowers interest rates. [KSL]
New research shows true cost of living with Great Salt Lake dust. [Utah News Dispatch]
Why no one wants to bet on coal, despite the Trump admin's best efforts. [Salt Lake Tribune]
Here is one idea how to help save the Colorado River. [Deseret News]
Family of man killed during SLC protest questions investigation delays. [Fox 13]
Nation
"What's the point?": Johnson won't bring House back during shutdown. [Axios]
Up to 23,500 National Guard members are being readied and trained for civil unrest missions in U.S. cities. [Washington Post]
Top Trump officials are moving onto military bases. Stephen Miller, Marco Rubio, Kristi Noem and others ahve taken over homes that until recently housed senior officers. [Atlantic]
ICE and CPB are scanning people's faces on the street to verify citizenship. [404 Media]
USDA quietly deletes its contingency plan for funding SNAP. [NOTUS]
Most Americans oppose East Wing demolition for Trump ballroom. [Washington Post]
Crime in U.S. seen as less serious for second straight year. [Gallup]
FBI Director Kash Patel is accused of using taxpayer money to fly his 26-year-old country singer girlfriend around the country. [Daily Beast]
World
President Trump says he'll cut tariffs on China after meeting with Xi Jinping. [USA Today]
Pentagon cuts troops in Eastern Europe, prompting rare pushback by GOP lawmakers. [ABC News]
Dozens dead in "total devastation" left behind by Hurricane Melissa. [BBC]
Five new suspects arrested over Louvre heist–but still no sign of looted jewels. [CNN]
Economy
Farm state Republicans finally reach their breaking point. [Politico]
Health
U.S. health chief says there is not enough data to show Tylenol causes autism. [Reuters]
Technology
U.S. Treasury's Bessent says China has approved TikTok transfer deal. [Reuters]