Utah Politics

After Supreme Court defeat, Sen. Mike Lee pushes to end birthright citizenship

Addy Baird — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 17:10:25 +0000

Birthright citizenship is a right guaranteed in the Constitution’s 14th Amendment, the Supreme Court has reaffirmed. Not happy with that ruling, Sen. Mike Lee is seeking a constitutional amendment to limit that right.

If you see or hear illegal fireworks — and you will — who you gonna call? Not 911. Report them here instead.

Addy Baird — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 12:00:01 +0000

Law enforcement agencies in and around Salt Lake City are asking people not to call 911 to report violations of the ban on personal fireworks this holiday weekend as Utahns celebrate the Fourth of July.

7 decades before the Mormon pioneers, Spanish missionaries explored Utah. Here’s why.

Addy Baird, Abigail Landwehr — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 12:00:01 +0000

On July 4, Utahns across the state will celebrate Independence Day. This year, it will mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the country’s founding document signed by the delegates at the Second Continental Congress in 1776.

Stuart Adams will be out of the Utah Senate — but is not necessarily done with MIDA

Megan Banta — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 12:00:00 +0000

After a primary loss, the Senate president won’t necessarily lose a board seat on MIDA, the state development authority that played a central role in advancing the Box Elder County data center plan.

Pete Hegseth’s spiritual adviser longs for a day when Latter-day Saints can’t hold office or possibly even vote

Tamarra Kemsley — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 12:00:00 +0000

If Pete Hegseth was attempting a theological purge when the Pentagon recently rolled out a controversial “Christian list” that left out Latter-day Saints, the defense secretary’s spiritual adviser wouldn’t have necessarily objected.

UPDATE: GOP lawmaker who owns fireworks business walks back urging Utahns to defy Gov. Cox’s pyro restrictions

Emily Anderson Stern — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 22:00:23 +0000

Trying to prevent an already devastating wildfire season from worsening, Utah’s Republican Gov. Spencer Cox last week ordered statewide firework restrictions over July Fourth weekend.

Will Stuart Adams’ election loss stop the Box Elder data center? Here’s what Kevin O’Leary’s company says.

Emily Anderson Stern — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 12:00:01 +0000

Amid mounting criticism for his role in approving the development of a controversial data center in Box Elder County, longtime Senate President J. Stuart Adams lost his reelection bid last week. But the company behind the project says “it’s business as usual,” and work will go on despite the loss.

‘I was duped’: Utah senator apologizes for sharing Kevin O’Leary’s ‘Chinese Communists’ claim

Megan Banta — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 20:06:02 +0000

"Oops." Sen. Todd Weile apologized for sharing celebrity investor Kevin O'Leary's claims that opponents of the Box Elder County data center got funding from China. O'Learly walked back those claims last week.