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Vaccines, guns, and money
West Virginia is going all out to encourage residents to get vaccinated.
Gov. Jim Justice announced everyone who gets vaccinated with at least one shot would be entered into weekly lottery drawings for the chance to win a weekly $1 million prize.
The first drawing later this month includes such fabulous prizes as:
Two full four-year scholarships to any West Virginia college
2 brand new custom outfitted trucks
Lifetime hunting and fishing licenses
Custom hunting rifles
Custom hunting shotguns
The final drawing in August features a grand prize of $1.588 million. There’s another $588,000 cash prize.
West Virginia is among a handful of states resorting to lotteries to encourage vaccinations. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has said he’s open to the idea.
West Virginia is behind Utah in the percentage of residents who have had at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, but not by much. 40.2% of West Virginians have had at least one dose compared to 46.5% of Utahns. But, West Virginia is slightly ahead of the Beehive state when you count residents who have been fully vaccinated. 33.6% of West Virginians are totally vaccinated, while just 33.2% of Utahns are.
Here’s what you need to know for Wednesday morning
Local news
Josh Daniels is the new Utah County Clerk/Auditor. The former deputy clerk/auditor is taking over for Ameilia Powers Gardner, who won a special election to fill a vacancy on the county commission. [Tribune]
A Utah plant was part of the massive ransomware attack that disrupted production at the largest meat processing company. [Tribune]
A new Utah apartment building made of shipping containers is set to open in July. [Tribune]
National news
President Joe Biden suspended drilling leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. [NYT]
President Biden announced Tuesday he was putting Vice President Kamala Harris in charge of a push to protect voting rights in response to several state-level restrictions on voting pushed by Republicans. [WaPo]
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is ruling out a presidential commission to investigate the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. [AP]
That’s not how it works. Former President Donald Trump has been telling people he expects he’ll be reinstated as president by August. [Twitter]
The Republican National Committee is threatening not to participate in future presidential debates unless organizers agree to a long list of proposed changes. The demands echo many of the complaints made by former President Trump about the debates during the 2020 election. [Politico]
Democrats easily held on to a House seat in a New Mexico special election on Tuesday. Melanie Stansbury cruised past Republican Mark Moores by nearly 25 points. [Politico]
The Supreme Court is entering the final month of its term with big decisions on the Affordable Care Act and LGBTQ rights remaining. [CNN]
Southwest and American airlines are banning booze on flights after unruly behavior by passengers. [Forbes]
Arizona plans to use the same gas Nazis used at extermination camps to execute inmates on death row. [WaPo]
Restaurants across the country are raising prices because of labor shortages, higher wages, and the rising cost of food. [Insider]
Donald Trump Jr. is hawking personalized videos on Cameo for $599. [The Sun]
Wednesday’s Utah news roundup
Utah
Red Butte Garden announces first concert for 2021 summer series. [Tribune]
Utah needs more consistency with domestic violence offenders who strangle, advocate says. [KUTV]
Salt Lake City one of the best when it comes to bikes. [KUTV]
Utah gang members indicted for drug trafficking along the Wasatch Front. [FOX13]
Utah, Idaho lead nation with 2020 tax revenue gains, outperforming pre-pandemic year. [KSL]
Pride
Still here and still queer: The gay restaurant endures. [Tribune]
Todrick Hall is coming to Utah to party for Pride. [Tribune]
Gov. Cox issues Pride month declaration, believed to be a first for Utah governors. [KUTV]
COVID-19
Utah reports 112 new cases of COVID-19 and no new deaths. [Tribune]
Local Government
Roy, North Ogden, West Haven and 10 other mayoral posts up for grabs this year. [Standard Examiner]
Longest tenured Ogden Council member says he won’t run for reelection in 2021. [Standard Examiner]
Environment
Authorities ask Utahns to be careful with fireworks; Some towns update restricted areas. [FOX13]
Lehi mulling water restrictions amid worsening statewide drought. [KSL]
Pineview Water officials warn of early residential shutoff if conservation efforts don’t improve. [Standard Examiner]
Cannabis
Nevada’s legislature approves cannabis lounges, which could help Utah ‘pot tourists’. [FOX13]
On the Opinion Pages
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