> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://utahpolitics.news/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Trump could shrink two Utah national monuments - URL: https://utahpolitics.news/trump-could-shrink-two-utah-national-monuments/ - Published: 2025-04-25T13:41:03.000Z - Updated: 2025-07-09T15:46:51.000Z - Author: Bryan Schott - Tags: Morning Memo ## Friday, April 25, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock 12 days remaining to verify signatures for the HB267 referendum. (5/7/2025) 110 days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) 194 days until Election Day (11/4/2025) 558 days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Friday morning: Thank you for being one of more than 1,200 people supporting Utah Political Watch with your free subscription. I'm so thankful to have you as a reader! "Morning News Fix" is a subscriber-exclusive newsletter curating the morning's top news headlines to help you get informed before starting your day. As an independent watchdog journalist, I work tirelessly to hold elected officials accountable and keep you informed about Utah politics. This vital work takes time, resources, and dedication. Support impactful local journalism by becoming a paid subscriber to Utah Political Watch today. For just $5 per month—less than the cost of a coffee—you'll get exclusive access to in-depth political coverage that matters to you and your community. [Upgrade to paid ](https://utahpolitics.news/membership/) ## Utah Headlines 2 of Utah's national monuments are on Trump's list for mining and drilling. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/utah/2025/04/24/are-bears-ears-and-grand-staircase-in-the-hotseat/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah's county clerks are analyzing 320,000 referendum signatures. Here's how they do it. \[[Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2025/04/25/anti-labor-union-law-referndum/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Gov. Cox issues drought declaration for 17 counties, urges Utahns to be "mindful" of water. \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51301006/gov-cox-issues-drought-declaration-for-17-counties-urges-utahns-to-be-mindful-of-water?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] This one Utah university president signed onto national letter criticizing Trump's attacks on higher education. \[[Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/education/2025/04/25/one-utah-university-president/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Portion of split Alpine School District proposes new name – Aspen Peaks. \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51301024/portion-of-split-alpine-school-district-proposes-new-name--aspen-peaks?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Operation Underground Railroad sees third CEO in three years. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/fox-13-investigates/operation-underground-railroad-sees-third-ceo-in-three-years?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Here's when Salt Lake County taps will start pouring non-fluoridated water. \[[Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/2025/04/25/salt-lake-county-wont-get/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Search called off for missing U.S. Navy sailor from Utah. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/southern-utah/search-called-off-for-missing-u-s-navy-sailor-from-utah?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ## National/International A federal judge blocked part of President Donald Trump's executive order on election laws, ruling he did not have the authority to require proof of citizenship for all voters. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/24/us/politics/trump-election-order-judge-blocked.html?smtyp=cur&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - President Trump directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate Democratic fundraising platforms like ActBlue. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/04/24/trump-act-blue-bondi-investigate-fundraising/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says his country is "ready to reach a deal" on ending the war in Ukraine. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/24/russian-foreign-minister-deal-ukraine-00309170?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - President Trump said that Russia will retain control of Crimea, which would reverse more than a decade of U.S. policy. \[[Associated Press](https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-trump-putin-33015fe967ab7cd09fee165fed59953e?taid=680b7c66a9319b000106a780&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Trump's approval ratings on immigration have fallen into negative territory. 53% of Americans disapprove of Trump's handling of immigration. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2025/04/25/trump-immigration-approval-ratings-drop-poll/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Elon Musk got into a shouting match within earshot of President Trump and other officials over who would lead the Internal Revenue Service. \[[Axios](https://www.axios.com/2025/04/23/musk-bessent-trump-white-house-irs?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Germany has downgraded its economic growth forecast to zero for this year, mostly due to President Trump's trade policies. \[[Financial Times](https://www.ft.com/content/eccd7653-d3dd-420d-a675-8f3057a74c43?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The U.S. is preparing to offer Saudi Arabia an arms package worth well over $100 billion. \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/trump-poised-offer-saudi-arabia-over-100-bln-arms-package-sources-2025-04-24/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The Pentagon will resume gender-affirming care for transgender service members following a court order. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/24/transgender-troops-military-care-00306827?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] A trio of federal judges blocked part of the Department of Education's plan to enforce bans on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in K-12 schools. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/24/federal-judge-temporarily-blocks-education-department-from-enforcing-dei-orders-00307831?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ## Briefly... California has overtaken Japan to become the world's fourth-largest economy. \[[Los Angeles Times](https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-04-24/californias-economy-overtakes-japan-to-become-4th-largest-in-world?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] A judge will sentence former Congressman George Santos today after he pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Prosecutors have recommended he serve 87 months in prison. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/24/nyregion/george-santos-prison-interview.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\]