Utah News Dispatch
@utahnewsdispatch.com
Utah News Dispatch is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news source covering government, policy and the issues most impacting the lives of Utahns.
Sign up for our newsletter: utahnewsdispatch.com/subscribe
Sign up for our newsletter: utahnewsdispatch.com/subscribe
Pinned
Utah News Dispatch
@utahnewsdispatch.com
· Jan 22
We keep you informed about Utah government and policy news.
Want to see how issues you care about are playing out in other states too? Follow our @statesnewsroom.com accounts and journalists from across the country. Our Starter Pack makes it easy:
Want to see how issues you care about are playing out in other states too? Follow our @statesnewsroom.com accounts and journalists from across the country. Our Starter Pack makes it easy:
After her past owner was charged with animal abuse, a puppy named Biscuit was confiscated and put under court hold. She spent more than half her life — three years — waiting in a shelter in legal limbo. #utpol
Named after her, "Biscuit's Bill" seeks to help dogs like her find loving homes sooner.
Named after her, "Biscuit's Bill" seeks to help dogs like her find loving homes sooner.
After abuse, this dog spent 3 years in legal limbo. Now Utah shelters are backing 'Biscuit's Bill' • Utah News Dispatch
Utah lawmakers are considering HB87, "Biscuit's Bill," to allow dogs seized from abusive situations to be eligible for adoption sooner.
utahnewsdispatch.com
February 17, 2026 at 11:01 PM
After her past owner was charged with animal abuse, a puppy named Biscuit was confiscated and put under court hold. She spent more than half her life — three years — waiting in a shelter in legal limbo. #utpol
Named after her, "Biscuit's Bill" seeks to help dogs like her find loving homes sooner.
Named after her, "Biscuit's Bill" seeks to help dogs like her find loving homes sooner.
An Idaho legislator is calling on the state's congressional delegation to protect public access to public lands and oppose efforts to sell federal public lands — as U.S. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, has proposed in the past.
Read more from @idahocapitalsun.com
Read more from @idahocapitalsun.com
Idaho legislator calls on Congress to protect public access to public lands • Utah News Dispatch
An Idaho legislator is calling on Idaho’s congressional delegation to protect access to and oppose efforts to sell federal public lands.
utahnewsdispatch.com
February 17, 2026 at 8:43 PM
An Idaho legislator is calling on the state's congressional delegation to protect public access to public lands and oppose efforts to sell federal public lands — as U.S. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, has proposed in the past.
Read more from @idahocapitalsun.com
Read more from @idahocapitalsun.com
After several years of passing laws banning “pornographic or indecent” books from Utah schools, the work to keep up with all the law changes has been arduous for state officials and schools — and some Republicans are opposing any additional rules, citing exhaustion.
Facing another year of ‘sensitive material’ bills, some Republicans are getting fatigued • Utah News Dispatch
The Legislature has approved laws banning "sensitive materials" from schools for several years. Schools and state officials are fatigued.
utahnewsdispatch.com
February 17, 2026 at 3:16 PM
After several years of passing laws banning “pornographic or indecent” books from Utah schools, the work to keep up with all the law changes has been arduous for state officials and schools — and some Republicans are opposing any additional rules, citing exhaustion.
The effort to repeal Utah’s voter-approved, anti-gerrymandering law known as Proposition 4 hit a big milestone Sunday night as supporters submitted more than 200,000 signatures to county clerks for verification.
But the effort is still far from over. #utpol
But the effort is still far from over. #utpol
Utah’s anti-gerrymandering law may go back to voters: Prop 4 repeal effort files 200,000 signatures • Utah News Dispatch
The effort to repeal Utah’s voter-approved, anti-gerrymandering law known as Proposition 4 submitted more than 200,000 signatures for verification.
utahnewsdispatch.com
February 16, 2026 at 4:58 PM
The effort to repeal Utah’s voter-approved, anti-gerrymandering law known as Proposition 4 hit a big milestone Sunday night as supporters submitted more than 200,000 signatures to county clerks for verification.
But the effort is still far from over. #utpol
But the effort is still far from over. #utpol
Seven states that depend on the Colorado River left the negotiating table Friday without a deal on how to share a shrinking water supply.
utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/02/13/c...
utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/02/13/c...
Colorado River negotiations crumble as another deadline passes by • Utah News Dispatch
Seven states that depend on the Colorado River left the negotiating table Friday without a deal on how to share a shrinking water supply.
utahnewsdispatch.com
February 14, 2026 at 3:24 AM
Seven states that depend on the Colorado River left the negotiating table Friday without a deal on how to share a shrinking water supply.
utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/02/13/c...
utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/02/13/c...
A bill that would require easier access to Utah court proceedings and records — and enact more restrictions on judges by banning them from working at law firms for two years after they leave the bench — narrowly survived its first legislative hurdle #utpol
Court ‘transparency’ bill that would require ‘cooling off’ period for judges heads to Utah House • Utah News Dispatch
A bill that would require Utah’s judiciary to make live court proceedings and records easier to access — and also enact more restrictions on judges by banning them from working at law firms after…
utahnewsdispatch.com
February 14, 2026 at 12:58 AM
A bill that would require easier access to Utah court proceedings and records — and enact more restrictions on judges by banning them from working at law firms for two years after they leave the bench — narrowly survived its first legislative hurdle #utpol
The Other Side Village in Salt Lake City installed a new tiny home Friday, taking another step to ease chronic homelessness using rehabilitation practices leaders call a “whole person” approach.
utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/02/13/t...
utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/02/13/t...
‘It takes a village to build a village’: The Other Side of rehabilitating homelessness • Utah News Dispatch
The Other Side Village eases homelessness through community based accountability, representing a holistic rehabilitation model, leaders say
utahnewsdispatch.com
February 13, 2026 at 11:51 PM
The Other Side Village in Salt Lake City installed a new tiny home Friday, taking another step to ease chronic homelessness using rehabilitation practices leaders call a “whole person” approach.
utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/02/13/t...
utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/02/13/t...
Salt Lake County prosecutors have filed charges of murder against a transport driver accused of leaving three men in a running van before they died. District Attorney Sim Gill said the worker had been reprimanded a month earlier for ‘client abandonment.’
utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/02/13/t...
utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/02/13/t...
Transport driver charged with murder after 3 Utahns with disabilities died in state custody • Utah News Dispatch
Salt Lake County prosecutors filed charges of murder against a transport driver in the deaths of three Utahns in his care.
utahnewsdispatch.com
February 13, 2026 at 10:33 PM
Salt Lake County prosecutors have filed charges of murder against a transport driver accused of leaving three men in a running van before they died. District Attorney Sim Gill said the worker had been reprimanded a month earlier for ‘client abandonment.’
utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/02/13/t...
utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/02/13/t...
NEW: Utah Legislature has given final legislative approval to HB392, a bill to create a rotating, three-judge “constitutional court” to hear lawsuits that challenge state laws as unconstitutional. #utpol
Utah Legislature approves bill to create 3-judge ‘constitutional court’ to hear challenges to laws • Utah News Dispatch
The Utah Legislature has approved HB392, a bill to create a rotating, three-judge “constitutional court” to hear lawsuits that challenge state laws as unconstitutional.
utahnewsdispatch.com
February 13, 2026 at 7:04 PM
NEW: Utah Legislature has given final legislative approval to HB392, a bill to create a rotating, three-judge “constitutional court” to hear lawsuits that challenge state laws as unconstitutional. #utpol
Immigration officers arrested multiple people at Salt Lake City's courthouse with assistance from bailiffs this week, defense attorneys say. #utpol
utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/02/13/i...
utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/02/13/i...
ICE making arrests in a Utah courthouse, with help from bailiffs, defense attorneys say • Utah News Dispatch
Immigration officers arrested multiple people in Salt Lake City courtrooms with assistance from bailiffs, defense attorneys say.
utahnewsdispatch.com
February 13, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Immigration officers arrested multiple people at Salt Lake City's courthouse with assistance from bailiffs this week, defense attorneys say. #utpol
utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/02/13/i...
utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/02/13/i...
Reposted by Utah News Dispatch
Lastly, don’t miss the latest coverage on this topic from @utahnewsdispatch.com.
#FairFearlessFree #LocalJournalism
www.newsfromthestates.com/article/utah...
#FairFearlessFree #LocalJournalism
www.newsfromthestates.com/article/utah...
Utah’s redistricting fight heads to federal court; anti-gerrymandering plaintiffs ask to intervene
A federal court has agreed to hear a lawsuit that two of Utah’s U.S. representatives have filed in hopes of blocking the state’s court-ordered congressional map from being used in the 2026 elections.
www.newsfromthestates.com
February 13, 2026 at 4:42 PM
Lastly, don’t miss the latest coverage on this topic from @utahnewsdispatch.com.
#FairFearlessFree #LocalJournalism
www.newsfromthestates.com/article/utah...
#FairFearlessFree #LocalJournalism
www.newsfromthestates.com/article/utah...
Reposted by Utah News Dispatch
ICYMI: Check out Episode 3 of the Stories From The States when we examined Utah’s mid-decade redistricting efforts, along with @kmckellar.bsky.social of @utahnewsdispatch.com.
www.newsfromthestates.com/episode/beyo...
www.newsfromthestates.com/episode/beyo...
Beyond Utah’s new maps, will mid-decade redistricting be the new normal? | News From The States
www.newsfromthestates.com
February 13, 2026 at 4:42 PM
ICYMI: Check out Episode 3 of the Stories From The States when we examined Utah’s mid-decade redistricting efforts, along with @kmckellar.bsky.social of @utahnewsdispatch.com.
www.newsfromthestates.com/episode/beyo...
www.newsfromthestates.com/episode/beyo...
A Utah professor is laying out solutions to help keep dust containing heavy metals in the bed of the drying Great Salt Lake and out of the lungs of 2.5 million people living along the Wasatch Front.
utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/02/12/a...
utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/02/12/a...
A Utah researcher rings up the costs of keeping Great Salt Lake dust at bay • Utah News Dispatch
A Utah professor is laying out solutions and costs for keeping dust from the exposed bed of the Great Salt Lake at bay.
utahnewsdispatch.com
February 13, 2026 at 3:15 PM
A Utah professor is laying out solutions to help keep dust containing heavy metals in the bed of the drying Great Salt Lake and out of the lungs of 2.5 million people living along the Wasatch Front.
utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/02/12/a...
utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/02/12/a...
Utah may implement a digital ID system, which includes "digital identity bill of rights" to protect privacy.
Utah’s digital ID program, ‘digital bill of rights’ could lead the nation in privacy framework • Utah News Dispatch
Sen. Kirk Cullimore's bill to implement an optional digital ID program follows a year of research and privacy regulations.
utahnewsdispatch.com
February 12, 2026 at 8:20 PM
Utah may implement a digital ID system, which includes "digital identity bill of rights" to protect privacy.
A bill that would implement a pilot program allowing some Utah schools to use a nationally norm-referenced assessment instead of a RISE or Aspire test failed in the House.
Charter schools-backed bill allowing some schools to skip RISE test fails in the House • Utah News Dispatch
A bill implementing a pilot allowing Utah schools to use a nationally norm-referenced assessment instead of a state test failed.
utahnewsdispatch.com
February 12, 2026 at 5:48 PM
A bill that would implement a pilot program allowing some Utah schools to use a nationally norm-referenced assessment instead of a RISE or Aspire test failed in the House.
The U.S. House passed a bill that would require the public to produce a passport or birth certificate in most cases to register to vote.
The Senate version, sponsored by Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee, may face stronger headwinds.
Read more from @statesnewsroom.com
The Senate version, sponsored by Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee, may face stronger headwinds.
Read more from @statesnewsroom.com
US House approves bill mandating proof of citizenship for voting in federal elections • Utah News Dispatch
The U.S. House passed legislation that would require a passport or birth certificate in most cases as proof of citizenship register to vote.
utahnewsdispatch.com
February 12, 2026 at 3:08 PM
The U.S. House passed a bill that would require the public to produce a passport or birth certificate in most cases to register to vote.
The Senate version, sponsored by Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee, may face stronger headwinds.
Read more from @statesnewsroom.com
The Senate version, sponsored by Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee, may face stronger headwinds.
Read more from @statesnewsroom.com
Two Utah Democratic lawmakers representing Salt Lake City’s west side highlighted three bills they’re running that are meant to offset impacts of a 1,300-bed homeless campus that’s been proposed in their community. #utpol
As uncertainty swirls around Utah’s homeless campus, Democrats propose guardrails • Utah News Dispatch
Two Utah Democratic lawmakers representing Salt Lake City’s west side highlighted three bills they’re running meant to offset impacts of a 1,300-bed homeless campus that’s been proposed in their…
utahnewsdispatch.com
February 12, 2026 at 12:48 AM
Two Utah Democratic lawmakers representing Salt Lake City’s west side highlighted three bills they’re running that are meant to offset impacts of a 1,300-bed homeless campus that’s been proposed in their community. #utpol
Utah is looking to fill 20% to 25% of U.S. critical minerals demand with bill codifying the state's mining long-term plans.
Utah looks to fill 20% to 25% of U.S. critical minerals demand • Utah News Dispatch
A bill would codify Utah’s long-term goals related to critical minerals and would create a council to govern the efforts.
utahnewsdispatch.com
February 11, 2026 at 7:28 PM
Utah is looking to fill 20% to 25% of U.S. critical minerals demand with bill codifying the state's mining long-term plans.
Advocates and a Utah lawmaker want the Legislature to restart funding for strangulation exams that can be used as evidence in criminal cases.
Advocates, police call on Utah lawmakers to restart funding for strangulation exams • Utah News Dispatch
Advocates and a Utah lawmaker want the Legislature to restart funding for strangulation exams that can be used as evidence in criminal cases.
utahnewsdispatch.com
February 11, 2026 at 3:05 PM
Advocates and a Utah lawmaker want the Legislature to restart funding for strangulation exams that can be used as evidence in criminal cases.
A federal court has agreed to hear a lawsuit that two of Utah’s U.S. representatives have filed in hopes of blocking the state’s court-ordered congressional map from being used in the 2026 elections. #utpol
Utah’s redistricting fight heads to federal court; anti-gerrymandering plaintiffs ask to intervene • Utah News Dispatch
A federal court will hear a redistricting lawsuit seeking to block the state’s court-ordered congressional map for the 2026 elections.
utahnewsdispatch.com
February 10, 2026 at 11:48 PM
A federal court has agreed to hear a lawsuit that two of Utah’s U.S. representatives have filed in hopes of blocking the state’s court-ordered congressional map from being used in the 2026 elections. #utpol
A straightforward proposal to allow Utahns purchasing a hunting or fishing license to receive a voter registration form took an unexpected and controversial turn when it hit the House floor this week, introducing a last-minute change allowing a third party to verify voter data. #utpol
A simple voter registration bill flipped on the floor, drawing privacy breach concerns • Utah News Dispatch
A Utah voter registration bill took a turn when a provision was added allowing the lieutenant governor's office to use a verification tool.
utahnewsdispatch.com
February 10, 2026 at 10:02 PM
A straightforward proposal to allow Utahns purchasing a hunting or fishing license to receive a voter registration form took an unexpected and controversial turn when it hit the House floor this week, introducing a last-minute change allowing a third party to verify voter data. #utpol
Young Utahns are pushing state lawmakers to take big steps this year to restore the drying Great Salt Lake.
‘Real, tangible action’: Young Utahns push lawmakers to rescue the Great Salt Lake • Utah News Dispatch
Young Utahns are pushing state lawmakers to take big steps this year to restore the drying Great Salt Lake.
utahnewsdispatch.com
February 10, 2026 at 6:54 PM
Young Utahns are pushing state lawmakers to take big steps this year to restore the drying Great Salt Lake.
A statewide holiday for Election Day? The Utah Legislature says no, again. #utpol
No, Election Day won’t be a holiday in Utah • Utah News Dispatch
A bill to make Election Day a Utah state holiday failed in the House for a second year. Supporters want voters to be able to leave work.
utahnewsdispatch.com
February 10, 2026 at 3:07 PM
A statewide holiday for Election Day? The Utah Legislature says no, again. #utpol
One of the Utah House’s top Republican lawmakers dropped a surprise bill that he said is his response to frustrations over broken promises to create a larger buffer zone around the Great Salt Lake. #utpol #utleg
Blaming broken promises for Great Salt Lake, lawmaker threatens to block homeless campus • Utah News Dispatch
Blaming broken promises for the Great Salt Lake, a Utah lawmaker is threatening to block progress on a large homeless campus.
utahnewsdispatch.com
February 10, 2026 at 12:39 AM
As they weigh a proposed state ban on kratom, lawmakers heard the stories of two Utah women with severe chronic nerve pain.
One discovered a new opportunity at life through kratom treatments for the past nine years. Another found quick relief, but without medical guidance, died of an overdose.
One discovered a new opportunity at life through kratom treatments for the past nine years. Another found quick relief, but without medical guidance, died of an overdose.
Kratom has given and taken from chronic pain patients — will Utah ban it? • Utah News Dispatch
The Utah Legislature is proposing three bills to regulate kratom, a plant that has led to relief, but also death among chronic pain patients.
utahnewsdispatch.com
February 9, 2026 at 7:08 PM
As they weigh a proposed state ban on kratom, lawmakers heard the stories of two Utah women with severe chronic nerve pain.
One discovered a new opportunity at life through kratom treatments for the past nine years. Another found quick relief, but without medical guidance, died of an overdose.
One discovered a new opportunity at life through kratom treatments for the past nine years. Another found quick relief, but without medical guidance, died of an overdose.