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Ben Winslow

@benwinslow.bsky.social

3.7K followers 300 following 4.9K posts

Government, Great Salt Lake, vice and polygamy reporter for KSTU FOX 13 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Don’t yell at me for telling you the news, even when it sucks. Support your local news.

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Ben Winslow @benwinslow.bsky.social · 24m

ICYMI, Governor Spencer Cox has named his next nominee for the Utah Supreme Court: www.fox13now.com/news/politic... #utpol #Utah

Cox names his pick for the Utah Supreme Court

Governor Spencer Cox has named his pick for the next justice of the Utah Supreme Court: Third District Court Judge John Nielsen.

www.fox13now.com

Ben Winslow @benwinslow.bsky.social · 34m

Perhaps my skeet could be written a little clearer, but the article and the attached story explain it is members who signed on as sponsors (we interviewed some of the sponsors of the initiative) which will be backed by the party itself.

Ben Winslow @benwinslow.bsky.social · 38m

ICYMI, nearly 450 people have joined civil lawsuits accusing a Provo OBGYN of abuse: www.fox13now.com/news/local-n... #Utah

Nearly 450 people have joined civil lawsuits accusing a Provo OBGYN of abuse

An OBGYN accused of abusing patients appeared in court Tuesday for the start of a preliminary hearing.

www.fox13now.com

Ben Winslow @benwinslow.bsky.social · 1h

Yes, the Utah GOP supported Map C in the court-ordered redistricting process. Party Chair Rob Axson says they still oppose the entire process, so that's why they went for a referendum: www.fox13now.com/news/politic... #utpol #Utah

Utah GOP files initiative to undo Prop. 4

The Utah Republican Party has filed a citizen ballot initiative seeking to undo another citizen ballot initiative.

www.fox13now.com

Ben Winslow @benwinslow.bsky.social · 1h

The Utah GOP's initiative to repeal Prop. 4 would NOT go before voters, but the legislature (it's filed as an indirect initiative). But their referendum on Map C would wind up before voters in 2026: www.fox13now.com/news/politic... #utpol #Utah

Utah GOP files initiative to undo Prop. 4

The Utah Republican Party has filed a citizen ballot initiative seeking to undo another citizen ballot initiative.

www.fox13now.com

Ben Winslow @benwinslow.bsky.social · 1h

ICYMI, the Utah Republican Party has filed an initiative to undo Prop. 4, the citizen initiative on independent redistricting. They’ve also filed a citizen referendum on the map the legislature passed: www.fox13now.com/news/politic... #utpol #Utah

Ben Winslow @benwinslow.bsky.social · 19h

Gov. Cox ends by giving a shoutout to another former member of the Utah Supreme Court who just got a big job -- Dallin H. Oaks (who is now the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).

News conference over. #utpol #Utah

Ben Winslow @benwinslow.bsky.social · 19h

Gov. Cox says he does think it's taking too long to make decisions at the appellate level. He says the number of cases the Court of Appeals and the Utah Supreme Court hears is growing rapidly.

I ask if he's considering expanding the Court? He says it is something he is contemplating. #utpol #Utah

Ben Winslow @benwinslow.bsky.social · 19h

Gov. Cox makes a pitch that "we could probably use some additional resources for the courts" to the Senate President and House Speaker in the room here.

"Our district court judges have to do so much in so many different areas with so little time," he says. #utpol #Utah

Ben Winslow @benwinslow.bsky.social · 19h

Is textualist/originalist missing from the current makeup of the Court? Gov. Cox says he doesn't know if that's the case, he certainly has his own disagreements.

Judge Nielsen has a "level of professionalism that's encouraging." #utpol #Utah

Ben Winslow @benwinslow.bsky.social · 19h

"Textualist and originalist," Judge Nielsen says when I ask him about his judicial philosophy.

Did you ask about cases before the Utah Supreme Court?

"I did not," Gov. Cox says. "We are very careful not to do that." #utpol #Utah

Ben Winslow @benwinslow.bsky.social · 19h

Judge Nielsen was confirmed less than a year ago, what stuck out to you?

"All of it," Gov. Cox says. "He is absolutely brilliant. He's one of the smartest people I've interviewed."

Gov. Cox notes it was a "fierce competition" of nominees forwarded to him. #utpol #Utah

Ben Winslow @benwinslow.bsky.social · 19h

"I feel very confident we'll be able to push you through and get you through," Gov. Cox says of the pending judicial confirmation process.

Are you anticipating a contentious process given the Utah Supreme Court's rulings? Gov. Cox says he's expecting a "thorough" process. #utpol #Utah

Ben Winslow @benwinslow.bsky.social · 19h

"I don't know that anybody can really deserve a position such as this... but I will do my best," Judge Nielsen begins his remarks.

Gov. Cox notes that one who asks the most pointed questions in picking a judge? Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson. #utpol #Utah

Ben Winslow @benwinslow.bsky.social · 19h

Chief Justice Durrant praises retiring Justice Pearce as "an extraordinary jurist."

The Chief says Nielsen has regularly argued before the Utah Supreme Court and he's "never seen a better oral and written advocate." He says Nielsen "actually answers the questions" which is "rare." #utpol #Utah

Ben Winslow @benwinslow.bsky.social · 19h

"I have no doubt you will make this state proud," Gov. Cox says to Judge Nielsen.

(Judge Nielsen looks like he's a little nervous sitting next to Chief Justice Matthew Durrant.) #utpol #Utah

Ben Winslow @benwinslow.bsky.social · 19h

BREAKING NEWS: Gov. Cox announces 3rd District Court Judge John Nielsen is his nominee to serve on the Utah Supreme Court. He has also been a law professor at both BYU and UofU. #utpol #Utah

Ben Winslow @benwinslow.bsky.social · 19h

Safe to say whomever the governor has picked will run a gauntlet in confirmation, given the Utah Supreme Court's rulings that have — and I'm being kind here — displeased the legislature lately. #utpol #Utah

Ben Winslow @benwinslow.bsky.social · 19h

HAPPENING NOW: Governor Spencer Cox is announcing his nominee for the Utah Supreme Court, replacing retiring Associate Chief Justice John Pearce. #utpol #Utah

Ben Winslow @benwinslow.bsky.social · 20h

JUST IN: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints names President Dallin H. Oaks as the faith's leader. Elders Henry B. Eyring and D. Todd Christofferson will serve with him in the First Presidency. #Utah

Ben Winslow @benwinslow.bsky.social · 1d

NEW: Cities across Utah could be pushed to enact water conservation ordinances. Right now, only 35% of communities have them: www.fox13now.com/news/great-s... #utpol #Utah

Ben Winslow @benwinslow.bsky.social · 3d

BREAKING NEWS: Massive RedWest country music festival in Salt Lake City evacuated due to severe weather www.fox13now.com/weather/mass... #SLC #Utah

Massive RedWest country music festival in Salt Lake City evacuated due to severe weather

Tens of thousands of people were forced to take shelter Saturday evening as a storm hit Salt Lake City.

www.fox13now.com

Ben Winslow @benwinslow.bsky.social · 5d

ICYMI, thanks to a massive infusion of cash and some new tech, Utah’s Division of Water Resources is reporting some success with its cloud seeding program: www.fox13now.com/news/colorad... #utpol #Utah

Ben Winslow @benwinslow.bsky.social · 5d

With 190 generators and some new drones, Utah's Division of Water Resources says it has the largest remote-operated cloud seeding program in the world. They say they've managed to get about 10% more out of precipitation when they cloud seed: www.fox13now.com/news/colorad... #utpol #Utah

Utah now runs the world's largest remote-controlled cloud seeding program

Utah's expansion of cloud seeding is starting to provide a return on investment, water policymakers were told Thursday.

www.fox13now.com

Ben Winslow @benwinslow.bsky.social · 5d

Thanks to a massive infusion of cash and some new tech, Utah’s Division of Water Resources is reporting some success with its cloud seeding program: www.fox13now.com/news/colorad... #utpol #Utah