Good Monday morning Utah, and thanks for reading “The Rundown”.
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Owens breaks with Trump in Pennsylvania
Last week Rep. Burgess Owens took part in a fundraiser for Pennsylvania GOP Senate candidate Kathy Barnette. She is one of at least 5 Republicans running to replace Sen. Pat Toomey, who is retiring at the end of the year. Barnette lost her congressional race to Democrat Madeline Dean in 2020.
Attendees at the fundraiser had the opportunity to donate $2,900 to Barnette’s campaign, the maximum legal amount, for a photo opportunity with Owens.
Fundraising invitation for Pennsylvania Republican U.S. Senate candidate Kathy Barnette.
While Owens has thrown his support behind Barnette, another candidate in the race has won the backing of the Trump family...or at least one member of the Trump family. Donald Trump Jr. has officially endorsed Sean Parnell, an Army veteran, and author who lost a congressional race last year to Democrat Connor Lamb.
It will be fascinating to see if the dueling endorsements cause any friction in the GOP.
Here’s what you need to know for Monday morning
Local news
The Delta COVID-19 variant is in Utah, but that doesn’t mean you should panic. [Tribune]
Utah Senate President Stuart Adams says a Tribune report about the Securities and Exchange Commission’s inquiries into how COVID-19 tests from Co-Diagnostics were used as part of the TestUtah program is “concerning.” [Tribune]
Drive more, pay more. Utah is seeking new ways to pay for road construction and maintenance, including a per-mile charge. [Tribune]
Sen. Mitt Romney proposes a new national commission to study ways to fight intensifying wildfires across the West. [Tribune]
The June sucker fish has been downgraded from “endangered” to “threatened” after a $50 million restoration project on the Provo River Delta. [Tribune]
National news
Up to 10,000 local fans will be allowed inside Olympic venues when the Tokyo games begin next month. Crowds will be limited to 10,000 or 50% capacity. Spectators must wear face masks at all times and will not be allowed to “shout or speak loudly.” [BBC]
Like Wyoming, states with low vaccination rates are at greater risk from the Delta variant of COVID-19, which is more transmissible than the original virus. [CNN]
More than 40 people were injured in 10 mass shootings across the U.S. this weekend. [CNN]
American Airlines is cutting about 1% of flights in July due to a labor shortage and unprecedented weather conditions. [Reuters]
The leak investigation that pulled in phone records for two Democratic members of Congress initially was focused on a senior aide on the House Intelligence Committee and not those lawmakers. [CNN]
The White House is mulling ending a Trump-era public health order that allowed U.S. officials to turn back migrant families coming through Mexico. [Axios]
The Department of Veterans Affairs will once again offer gender-confirmation surgery, reversing a 2013 ban. [WaPo]
Top diplomats say they’re making progress in the effort to restore the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran that the Trump administration nixed. But the election of a new hardline president in Iran may complicate the chances of success. [AP]
Iran has temporarily shut down its only nuclear power plant due to an unexplained emergency. [AP]
Someone in a small Maryland town won a $730 million Powerball ticket, and residents are furiously trying to identify who that may be. [WaPo]
Fox News’ Tucker Carlson is a harsh critic of the media. He’s also one of the best sources for Washington journalists. [NYT]
Monday’s Utah news roundup
Utah
U.S. in a ‘perilous moment’ — Legal experts debate LDS leader Dallin Oaks’ talk on the Constitution. [Tribune]
Utahns participate in Juneteenth events, feel federal designation a ‘step in the right direction’. [Tribune]
Opioid abuse up during pandemic, expert tells Utah County. [Tribune]
Utah’s jobless rate drops to 2.7% in May; nation’s is at 5.8%. [Tribune]
How the U.S. Forest Service got its first public-private mountain bike trail in Utah. [DNews]
Heat leads to buckling pavement on Salt Lake City freeway overpass. [KUTV]
Water boil advisory lifted in Mapleton. [FOX13]
COVID-19
Over 60% of eligible Utahns have at least one vaccine dose, but July 4 goal of 70% appears unlikely. [Tribune]
New COVID-19 delta variant expected to dominate in Utah. [DNews]
Housing
‘We’re headed to California prices’ — Median Salt Lake County home costs $128K more this year. [Tribune]
Environment
Lost Glen Canyon wonders reemerge as Lake Powell dries up. [Tribune]
Long lines revive push for new system at Utah national park. [Tribune]
Local experts offer free classes, resources to create water efficient landscaping. [FOX13]
Water restrictions tightened in southern Utah. [FOX13]
Local Government
Now that Juneteenth is a national holiday, what would it take for it to become a legal holiday in Utah? [DNews]
Weber County, Ogden water officials avoid punitive approach in dealing with drought. [Standard Examiner]
On the Opinion Pages
Unless something changes, local news may disappear. But Congress can help, The Editorial Board writes. [Tribune]
David Knowlton: Democracy is at a standoff in Peru. [Tribune]
— Tribune reporter Connor Richards contributed to this report.
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