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Gary’s big day
Today is a banner day for former Gov. Gary Herbert.
Reader Don Savage, a longtime friend of Herbert, tells “The Rundown” Herbert will receive two honorary degrees today from two different universities, a feat that may be a first.
This morning, Herbert speaks at commencement ceremonies for Dixie State University in St. George. Then later, he’ll be honored at Utah Valley University’s graduation.
While not in any way definitive, a cursory search did not turn up any other instances of one person being awarded multiple honorary degrees from different institutions on the same day.
And to top it off, today is Herbert’s birthday, too.
Here’s what you need to know for Friday morning
The U.S. economy added just 266,000 jobs last month, which is far below expectations. Unemployment ticked up to 6.1% [CNBC].
A big win for transgender rights. The Utah Supreme Court ruled two transgender Utahns can list the sex they identify as their driver’s licenses and other official documents [Tribune].
Former Gov. Gary Herbert is taking on a new job with the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce. He’ll start working part-time as the organization’s executive chair [Tribune].
The Washington County Commission declared the county a “sanctuary for constitutional rights and freedoms” through a resolution passed this week [Tribune].
A Utah man accused of taking part in the riot at the U.S. Capitol raised hell yelling at officials during a court hearing on Thursday. The court will evaluate Landon Copeland for mental competency after the off-the-rails hearing [Tribune].
South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham admits Republicans are worried they can’t win elections without former President Donald Trump [MSNBC].
Republicans in the House are pushing Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney out of her leadership spot in favor of New York Rep. Elise Stefanik in the name of “unity” [AP].
Despite winning Donald Trump’s stamp of approval, Republicans aren’t convinced Rep. Stefanik is sufficiently conservative enough [Politico].
White House aides say President Joe Biden’s proposed tax hikes on wealthy Americans would boost giving to nonprofits and charities [NYT].
Some Republicans worry the push in GOP-controlled states to limit voting access could backfire and hurt their prospects at the ballot box [AP].
Arizona Republicans are pushing back against Justice Department concerns over the bizarre recount of presidential ballots in Maricopa County [WaPo].
Donald Trump keeps trying to sneak back on Twitter. On Thursday, the platform banned an account posting statements from the former president [NBC News].
Economists say the U.S. is set to post significant job gains in the coming weeks and months, but only if businesses can find enough workers to fill open positions [AP].
South Carolina’s governor ordered the state to stop participating in expanded unemployment benefits as businesses in the state struggle to find workers [The State].
A chicken shortage means restaurants are having difficulty keeping up, which is sending prices through the roof [WSJ].
A 6th-grade girl pulled a handgun from her backpack and opened fire at her school on Thursday, injuring three [Reuters].
Twitter is testing out a “tip jar” feature so users can send cash to their favorite accounts [The Verge].
Why did Utah delegates boo Mitt Romney?
On this week’s Utah Politics podcast, I’m joined by political strategist Mike Madrid.
Madrid has spent decades in Republican politics, but he’s baffled by what’s happening to the GOP following Donald Trump’s presidency.
“We’re watching the demolition of a once-great party into something really more of a mob,” he told me.
Madrid was the political director for the California GOP and worked for the Republican National Committee. He broke with the party after Trump’s election to help found the Lincoln Project. He said the sight of Sen. Mitt Romney, who was the party’s presidential nominee just nine years ago, getting booed was jaw-dropping.
“I can tell you this is a foundationally, fundamentally different party. This is not conservatism in the way Sen. Mitt Romney and his father knew it. These are all signs of a party imploding, not a party morphing into something that can add to the voter column,” he said.
Listen to the conversation with Madrid for free.
Friday’s Utah news roundup
Utah
Development
COVID
Local government
On the opinion pages
You say it’s your birthday?!
Happy birthday to former Utah Gov. Gary Herbert who turns 74 today.