Latest Stories
Here's who's running for the Utah Legislature in 2026
Bridger Beal-Cvetko and Daniel Woodruff, KSL | Posted Jan. 8 - 1:03 p.m.
One of Utah's most prominent politicians is facing multiple challengers within his own party.
Utah leaders aim to limit phone use during entire school day
Bridger Beal-Cvetko and Daniel Woodruff, KSL | Posted Jan. 7 - 1:20 p.m.
Gov. Spencer Cox and other state leaders announced plans to enact a statewide restriction on cellphones throughout the school day during the upcoming general legislative session.
Utah lawmakers to push for ban on youth transgender treatments amid criticism of state report
Brigham Tomco, Deseret News | Posted Jan. 5 - 5:00 p.m.
Utah lawmakers plan to replace a moratorium on gender transition treatments for minors with a permanent ban during the 2026 legislative session, according to state House Speaker Mike Schultz.
From Charlie Kirk to redistricting fights, a look at the biggest political stories of 2025
Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL | Posted Jan. 4 - 5:00 p.m.
From the assassination of Charlie Kirk to fights over congressional maps, here are the biggest stories that shaped Utah politics in 2025.
Utah Rep. Jordan Teuscher faces GOP challenger for reelection
Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL | Posted Jan. 2 - 3:04 p.m.
Another Republican state lawmaker is facing an intraparty challenge as he seeks reelection later this year.
Here are 25 new Utah laws that went into effect on Jan. 1
Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL | Posted Jan. 1 - 10:11 a.m.
From SNAP soda restrictions to new alcohol ID requirements, here are 25 new laws that take effect in Utah on Jan. 1.
This Utah Republican is challenging a longtime GOP lawmaker for a seat in the Senate
Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL | Posted Dec. 31 - 7:11 p.m.
Two more Republican state lawmakers won't be returning to their seats after next year, with one seeking to unseat a GOP senator and another stepping away from lawmaking altogether.
Former 9-term congressman Rob Bishop running for Utah legislative seat
Brigham Tomco, Deseret News | Posted Dec. 30 - 7:43 a.m.
Former U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop said he intends to return to Utah politics with a 2026 campaign for state Legislature to fill a House seat left vacant by the resignation of state Rep. Matt Gwynn.
Utah lawmaker to resign as daughter recovers after being hit by truck
Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL | Posted Dec. 29 - 3:59 p.m.
Utah Rep. Matthew Gwynn plans to resign in March to spend more time with his family as his daughter recovers from injuries sustained after being hit by a vehicle earlier this year.
Judge paves way for Legislature to appeal redistricting ruling to Utah Supreme Court
Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL | Posted Dec. 29 - 3:00 p.m.
A Utah judge partially granted a request from the Legislature to certify her ruling to throw out old congressional maps, opening the door for lawmakers to appeal to the Utah Supreme Court.
Podcasting gives Utah politicians a new platform for political discourse
Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL | Posted Dec. 28 - 7:11 p.m.
Here's how a pair of Utah state senators are using podcasts to interact with the public.
Former Democrat-turned-Republican leaving Utah Legislature to run for local office
Bridger Beal-Cvetko and Daniel Woodruff, KSL | Posted Dec. 24 - 7:14 a.m.
Rep. Christine Watkins, R-Price, is joining the ranks of Utah state lawmakers who will not seek reelection, saying she plans to run for a local office instead.
Court blocks Trump homelessness plan, creates uncertainty for Utah 'central campus' funding
Brigham Tomco, Deseret News | Posted Dec. 23 - 6:15 a.m.
President Donald Trump's overhaul of federal homeless services faced a setback on Friday that could jeopardize Utah Gov. Spencer Cox's top priority for 2026: funding Utah's massive central homelessness campus.
Utah's longest-serving female legislator to step down after 26 years
Bridger Beal-Cvetko and Daniel Woodruff, KSL | Posted Dec. 22 - 3:00 p.m.
Utah's longest-serving female lawmaker announced Monday that she will not seek reelection next year and will conclude her service after 26 years in the Utah Legislature.
2 lawmakers say anti-diversity, equity and inclusion law not meant to prohibit speech on campus
Tim Vandenack, KSL | Posted Dec. 19 - 10:02 a.m.
Utah Rep. Katy Hall and Sen. John Johnson, addressing a free speech controversy at Weber State, said HB261 was never meant to prohibit speech on university campuses.
A top Utah House Republican says he won't run for another term next year
Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL | Posted Dec. 17 - 6:28 p.m.
A leader of Utah's House Republican caucus said he won't run for reelection next year, citing "other commitments and responsibilities" that require his attention.
Capitol board votes to move auditor's office amid dispute over space in Utah Capitol
Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL | Posted Dec. 16 - 7:11 p.m.
A board tasked with maintaining the Utah state Capitol Hill Complex voted Monday to relocate the state auditor's office within the Capitol, prompting pushback from Republican State Auditor Tina Cannon.
Behind the scenes of Utah's public union bill backtrack
Brigham Tomco, Deseret News | Posted Dec. 15 - 12:05 p.m.
The Utah Legislature took the rare step on Tuesday of reversing course on a controversial new law that galvanized the state's public unions and their national interest groups.
Some Utah Republicans push back on Trump's order on AI regulation
Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL | Posted Dec. 12 - 9:05 p.m.
Several Utah Republicans have spoken out against an executive order from President Trump that aims to restrict state's abilities to regulate AI.
Emily Buss wins preference poll to replace state Sen. Daniel Thatcher of the Forward Party
Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL | Posted Dec. 12 - 5:04 p.m.
Emily Buss won a preference poll on Thursday to replace state Sen. Daniel Thatcher, of the Utah Forward Party, in Senate District 11.
Utah Legislature asks judge to move quickly so they can appeal new congressional map
Bridger Beal-Cvetko and Daniel Woodruff, KSL | Posted Dec. 11 - 5:38 p.m.
Utah lawmakers are asking a state judge to certify her November ruling on the state's new congressional map by next week so they can appeal the decision, according to court documents filed Thursday.
How Utah's newest lawmaker went from fighting HB267 to using his first vote to repeal it
Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL | Posted Dec. 10 - 5:11 p.m.
After fighting to overturn Utah's law banning public unions from collective bargaining, teacher John Arthur cast his first vote in the Utah Legislature Tuesday to repeal that very same law.
Who should draw the congressional maps? Here's what voters and Constitution say
Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL | Posted Dec. 10 - 3:12 p.m.
As lawmakers spar with judges over redistricting, here's what voters and the Constitution say about who has the power to draw congressional maps.
Audit calls for more transparency in how Salt Lake County DA makes decisions
Pat Reavy, KSL | Posted Dec. 10 - 6:15 a.m.
A new audit on the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office calls for more transparency in how cases are screened, how plea deals and decisions are reached.
