Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Alliance for a Better Utah @betterutah.bsky.social · 35m

Mandatory security assessments at colleges are politically compelling, but assessments alone don’t guarantee implementation of needed upgrades (budget, personnel, training). There’s danger of policy as signaling rather than substance.

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Alliance for a Better Utah @betterutah.bsky.social · 35m

After the high-profile murder at Utah Valley University, a lawmaker is proposing that all state colleges perform regular security vulnerability assessments.

🔗 Utah News Dispatch: buff.ly/3GCZGNv

After Charlie Kirk killing, Utah lawmaker wants to mandate college security assessments • Utah News Dispatch

A Utah lawmaker wants to require colleges to conduct campus safety assessments after Charlie Kirk was killed at Utah Valley University.

utahnewsdispatch.com

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Alliance for a Better Utah @betterutah.bsky.social · 1h

The Utah GOP is gathering signatures to overturn Prop 4—the voter-approved law for fair, independent redistricting. This is a power grab to protect gerrymandered maps. Utahns voted for fair maps in 2018.

Read more: buff.ly/DgMGnlU

Alliance for a Better Utah @betterutah.bsky.social · 3h

The study favoring paying farmers aligns with a trend in resource management: aligning private action with public benefit via compensation rather than coercion. It’s a pragmatic posture many Western states may embrace amid escalating climate and allocation pressures.

Alliance for a Better Utah @betterutah.bsky.social · 3h

A recent analysis finds that compensating agricultural producers to reduce water usage delivers greater conservation per dollar than many regulatory approaches.

🔗 KSL: buff.ly/Hu8wyVH

Paying farmers proves most cost-effective way to conserve Colorado River, study says

The most cost-effective and quickest way to conserve the Colorado River's shrinking water supply amid persistent drought and rapid population growth is changing how states handle the largest use of…

www.ksl.com

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Alliance for a Better Utah @betterutah.bsky.social · 6h

More statutes with harsher penalties may satisfy law-and-order messaging, but the long-term outcomes—rising incarceration costs, backlogged courts, reentry challenges—are rarely scrutinized in the legislative process.

🔗 KUER:

Since 2020, Utah lawmakers have leaned into bills that increase criminal penalties

An analysis by the Utah Defense Attorney Association found that the Legislature passed 165 bills over the last five years to increase criminal penalties. Yet, crime statistics don’t seem to reflect…

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Alliance for a Better Utah @betterutah.bsky.social · 7h

With Utah’s plaintiffs withdrawing, the issue moves squarely into the legal realm. The Supreme Court’s upcoming decisions in related cases become critical and will determine the future of Utah’s transgender sports ban.

🔗 The Salt Lake Tribune:

Why the case against Utah’s transgender sports ban fell apart — and what comes next

A lawsuit against the UHSAA over a ban on transgender girls playing sports has been dismissed. Here's a look at what happened, and what comes next.

buff.ly

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Alliance for a Better Utah @betterutah.bsky.social · 9h

SLC’s refusal, grounded in state law restricting political content on public screens, affirms a principle too often treated as political theater: publicly funded infrastructure shouldn’t serve partisan agendas.

Alliance for a Better Utah @betterutah.bsky.social · 9h

Amid a broader trend of airports rejecting a partisan video by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, SLC International Airport has confirmed that it will not show it, citing state law that bars political content on city-owned equipment.

🔗 The Salt Lake Tribune: buff.ly/74s8E8O

Some airports are refusing to play a Homeland Security video blaming Dems for the shutdown. Here’s what SLC decided.

Airports across the country are grappling with whether to play a video featuring Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem, who is shown blaming congressional Democrats for the shutdown of the…

www.sltrib.com

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Alliance for a Better Utah @betterutah.bsky.social · 21h

Food insecurity doesn’t pause for shutdowns—families will feel immediate pressure if new program rules (e.g. expanded work requirements) land without guidance. The state and nonprofits may be forced into crisis-management mode.

Alliance for a Better Utah @betterutah.bsky.social · 21h

Utah advocates warn of potential scarcity in food assistance if shutdown continues

While October’s benefits are secured, the looming uncertainty for November marks a serious risk.
buff.ly/dG0s7rp

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Alliance for a Better Utah @betterutah.bsky.social · 1d

Stewardship means tackling the big picture: conservation, sustainable growth, and holding industries accountable for their water use.

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Alliance for a Better Utah @betterutah.bsky.social · 1d

Cloud seeding might help a little but it won’t fix the root causes of our water crisis. Utah can’t pray or spray its way out of drought while still approving massive water-intensive developments.

🔗 FOX 13: buff.ly/ygTgeZp

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

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Alliance for a Better Utah @betterutah.bsky.social · 1d

Every dollar funneled to private schools is a dollar that doesn’t reach the classroom where most Utah kids actually learn. Education should lift every child, not create a two-tiered system for those who can afford more.

🔗 Salt Lake Tribune:

Here’s how much Utah’s controversial school voucher program is spending in its second year

More than 14,000 Utah students are receiving scholarships for the 2025-26 school year, under the state's controversial Utah Fits All school voucher program.

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Alliance for a Better Utah @betterutah.bsky.social · 1d

Public service should be judged by merit, not ideology. Rejecting a qualified Latina leader because she stood for inclusion sends the wrong message about who belongs in Utah’s institutions. Diversity isn’t a threat—it’s a strength.

🔗 Salt Lake Tribune:

State lawmakers vote against recommending University of Utah trustee, a Latina who’s championed inclusion

“I did hear you mention ‘equity’ twice in the presentation,” said Sen. Mike McKell, R-Spanish Fork, who voted against recommending University of Utah trustee Maria Garciaz for reappointment.

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Alliance for a Better Utah @betterutah.bsky.social · 1d

Upcoming event: No Kings Protest - October 18 | All Day | Statewide

Find your local protest here:

No Kings

As the president escalates his authoritarian power grab, the NO KINGS non-violent movement continues to rise stronger. We are united once again to remind the world: America has No Kings and the power…

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Alliance for a Better Utah @betterutah.bsky.social · 1d

Utahns believe in stewardship—of our budgets, our communities, and our people. Tell Congress to do the same: end the shutdown, protect healthcare, and put families first.

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Alliance for a Better Utah @betterutah.bsky.social · 1d

Email Senator Mike Lee: buff.ly/Bd1bazb
Email Senator John Curtis: buff.ly/SX154C3
Email Your U.S. Representative: buff.ly/SUkVyvE

Contact Your State Senator

Enter your personal information in the form to automatically find your elected officials and write them regarding an issue that concerns you and deserves action. You can use this form to contact your…

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Alliance for a Better Utah @betterutah.bsky.social · 1d

Utahns deserve leaders who will stop the political games and protect access to care, & Utah families can’t afford to see healthcare caught in the crossfire of Washington gridlock. Contact your representatives today and tell them to pass a funding bill that safeguards healthcare:

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Alliance for a Better Utah @betterutah.bsky.social · 1d

The federal shutdown is already hitting Utah’s economy and workers—from IRS employees in Ogden to staff at Hill Air Force Base. But if Congress doesn’t act soon, key healthcare programs such as premium assistance and Medicaid could also be at risk.

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Alliance for a Better Utah @betterutah.bsky.social · 1d

But continued progress depends on keeping higher education accessible—especially for rural, low-income, and nontraditional students. Investing in public colleges isn’t just an economic choice; it’s a moral one about the kind of future we build together.

Alliance for a Better Utah @betterutah.bsky.social · 1d

Utah’s record-breaking graduation numbers are worth celebrating. Education lifts families, strengthens communities, and fuels opportunity.

🔗 Deseret News: buff.ly/kWBLakK

Record numbers of Utahns claiming college degrees

Report: Despite national polls signaling diminished opinions of higher education, college students in Utah are claiming degrees and certificates at historic pace.

www.deseret.com

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Alliance for a Better Utah @betterutah.bsky.social · 2d

To get the latest headlines distilled for you weekday mornings, join the Beehive Briefing: buff.ly/52MW4kg

Sign up for The Beehive Briefing Newsletter

Use this form to sign up to receive near-daily updates on important news, action alerts, and upcoming events.

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Alliance for a Better Utah @betterutah.bsky.social · 2d

A Utah business is moving forward with a new geothermal project that doesn’t rely on groundwater—potentially a major breakthrough for renewable energy in arid regions.

🔗 Utah News Dispatch:

Unique, waterless geothermal system moving forward in Utah • Utah News Dispatch

Rodatherm Energy’s project in Millard and Beaver counties promising a new, waterless geothermal technology is moving forward.

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Alliance for a Better Utah @betterutah.bsky.social · 2d

Utah’s homelessness system needs improvement, but speed isn’t the same as progress. Local coalitions—from St. George to Ogden—understand their communities best. A truly compassionate system listens first and acts with care, not control.

🔗 The Salt Lake Tribune:

Regional homelessness orgs urge Utah leaders to pump brakes on system rejig backed by state board

Utah's regional homelessness organizations say they were left out of the loop when the state's top policymaking board on homelessness sent recommendations to legislators last month.

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