The agreement over how to divide the remaining $300 million in projected state revenue growth ended a weeklong impasse between the Senate and the House. Beyond a tax cut, the deal also is expected to provide additional money for teachers and other government programs, including health and human services.

Ban on violent video games OK'd

The House voted overwhelmingly Thursday to yank violent video games out of the hands of minors and punish as felons adults who provide such entertainment to children.

HB257, which passed 56-8, would add extremely violent "interactive video or electronic" games to the state's statute protecting minors from harmful material; the statute is commonly used to prosecute those who provide pornography to children.

Hate crimes bill finally approved

After eight consecutive years of debate, state representatives finally approved a new hate crimes bill that would ask judges to consider giving criminals longer sentences for offenses likely to spark "community unrest" or fear.

Lawmakers passed HB90 on a 67-5 vote Thursday after a handful of legislators spoke in support of the bill. No one spoke in opposition.

After the vote, representatives started clapping and almost everyone in the room stood, turning toward Rep. David Litvack, the Salt Lake City Democrat who for years has tried to pass a hate crimes bill.

For more coverage of the 2006 Utah Legislature, visit http://www.sltrib.com.

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MOTHER AND DAUGHTER

Orangutans are bonding at last

Months of training - including learn-to-crawl classes - from Hogle Zoo staff have paid off as 9-month-old orangutan Acara is finally back together with her mother Eve.

On Valentine's Day, the mother-daughter pair began living with each other full time. The cohabitation marks vast progress from a time when Eve could not even recognize the gangly bundle of brown fur as her own offspring.

Acara was born on Mother's Day via Caesarean section, which disrupted the typical bonding process. For weeks afterward, Eve appeared threatened by her offspring.