Vanessa Hudson

Vote-by-mail is a Trump target again, but Cox is proud of how Utah does it Gov. Spencer Cox told reporters that the president is right to be cautious about mail ballots, but Utah has worked hard to maintain its system.

As President Donald Trump targets vote-by-mail again,
@govcox.bsky.social says he's proud of Utah's system. #utpol

My latest for @kuer.org
www.kuer.org/politics-gov...

Cox asks Utahns to ‘please, please, please’ save water and be wary of fire risks Gov. Spencer Cox wants Utahns to celebrate Pioneer Day responsibly, “especially when it comes to fireworks with the drought that we're having and the fire danger that is out there,” he said.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox wants Utahns to be careful and responsible with fireworks as Pioneer Day looms. Worsening drought conditions and wildfires are the reason why.

Read my latest for @kuer.org
www.kuer.org/politics-gov...

Sundance Film Festival Bids Farewell to its Home in Utah The Sundance Institute announced it will remove the festival from its home in Park City, Utah, and move it to Boulder, Colorado, beginning in 2027.

Beginning in 2027, the Sundance Film Festival will be hosted in Boulder, Colorado, nearly 500 miles away from long-time home in Park City, Utah Read more from Editor in Chief @vanessamh.bsky.social and Arts Writer @thornrosejay.bsky.social sky.social below.
dailyutahchronicle.com/2025/03/27/u...

Bill to ban pride flags from Utah schools advances to Senate Utah is closer to banning the display of pride flags in K-12 classrooms and government buildings after a Senate Education Committee hearing.

ICYMI: Utah is one step closer to banning pride flags in K-12 schools and government buildings. Rep. Trevor Lee says the bill is about “political neutrality” in classrooms, while critics decry HB77 as government overreach. #utpol utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/03/01/c...

Utah lawmakers look to use eminent domain to help SLC site new homeless shelter • Utah News Dispatch Utah lawmakers are looking to use eminent domain powers to help Salt Lake City use a city-owned property for a new homeless shelter.

NEW: Utah lawmakers look to use eminent domain to help SLC site new homeless shelter #utpol #utleg utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/02/27/u...

Utah’s youth are back on the hill to lobby to save Great Salt Lake Dozens of students advocating for the health of Great Salt Lake made their voices heard and learned about the democratic process.

High school and college students focused on education, collaboration and legislation about the Great Salt Lake climbed Utah's Capitol Hill to lobby for the lake. #utpol

From @utahnewsdispatch.com and @vanessamh.bsky.social

Utah’s youth are back on the hill to lobby to save Great Salt Lake Dozens of students advocating for the health of Great Salt Lake made their voices heard and learned about the democratic process.

Utah high school students lobbied lawmakers to save Great Salt Lake through legislative methods this morning. #utpol

Read about it here: utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/02/11/u...

‘It’s about segregation’: Opponents of transgender housing bill make their case again A bill that would restrict the dorms transgender students can live in passed out of the Utah Senate Education Committee.

Two USU students who have been the subject of national attention on transgender housing testified before lawmakers, as the bill that would restrict which dorms transgender students can access passed out of the Senate Education Committee. #utpol utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/01/30/o...

Almost a full house as people stream in to hear the Senate Education Committee discuss HB269, the bill that would restrict which dorms transgender students can live in. #utpol

House Republicans pass bill changing university housing policies for transgender students in Utah The Utah House passed a bill that would require universities that provide on-campus housing to only rent sex-designated rooms to biological females and biological males.

House Republicans passed HB269, the bill restricting trans students from certain dorm rooms at public universities, in a 59-13 vote. #utpol utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/01/28/u...

Opinion: The Arts And Humanities Are Under Attack In 2024 the Legislative session greatly impacted higher education, with several bills such as H.B. 257 and H.B. 261 attacking DEI efforts among Utah universities. Several budget cuts harmed higher edu...

Higher education is under attack, with the legislative session targeting the arts, humanities and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) efforts that have long been the heart of well-rounded education. Read more from Opinion Writer Emma Thompson below. #UofU
dailyutahchronicle.com/2025/01/26/o...

Thank you so much 😊

Legislation could change housing policies for transgender students A bill that would change university dorm policies for transgender students passed out of the House, Business, Labor and Commerce Committee.

From @vanessamh.bsky.social: Privacy expectations or discrimination? Bill to change housing policies for transgender students advances to the full House.

I'm hearing that the House plans to take action on it next week #utpol #utleg

utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/01/24/p...

Legislation could change housing policies for transgender students A bill that would change university dorm policies for transgender students passed out of the House, Business, Labor and Commerce Committee.

A bill that would restrict which dorms transgender students can live in at Utah universities passed out of committee Thursday and awaits House discussion. #utpol utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/01/24/p...

LGBTQ+ supporters protest as transgender restriction bills pile up More than 100 people protested at the Utah Capitol as bills restricting transgender rights are beginning to be introduced.

From @vanessamh.bsky.social and me:

As transgender restriction bills pile up, LGBTQ+ supporters stage cheerful protest

Lawmakers and @GovCox also weigh in on another session with bills regulating trans lives #utpol #utleg

Read more:
utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/01/22/d...

Day 1 of 45: Utah Legislature kicks off 2025 session with focus on energy, higher ed and more • Utah News Dispatch Utah Legislature kicked off its 2025 session with Republican leaders vowing to expand energy production, overhaul higher ed and more.

We went to Capitol Hill today so you didn’t have to!

Thank our team by reading ❤️ @alixelcabrera.bsky.social @vanessamh.bsky.social @utahnewsdispatch.com

Day 1 of 45, ✅ #utpol #utleg

utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/01/21/u...

How to navigate the 2025 Utah Legislature • Utah News Dispatch The 2025 Utah Legislature is starting its 45-day general session. Lawmakers will propose legislation, debate and pass bills.

The 2025 Utah Legislature is starting its 45-day general session in 10 minutes. Here's what you need to know to follow the state's lawmaking process. utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/01/21/h... #utpol #utleg

Fentanyl is the most common drug found in overdose deaths in Utah • Utah News Dispatch Fentanyl was involved in 47.9% of drug overdose deaths in 2023 and outpaces reductions in deaths from prescription opioids.

According to a new DHHS report, fentanyl is the most common drug found in overdose deaths in Utah. Southeast Utah has higher rates of overdoses than other areas of the state. utahnewsdispatch.com/briefs/fenta...

Fentanyl is the most common drug found in overdose deaths in Utah • Utah News Dispatch Fentanyl was involved in 47.9% of drug overdose deaths in 2023 and outpaces reductions in deaths from prescription opioids.

Fentanyl is the most common drug found in overdose deaths in the state, according to a new report from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. Out of 606 drug overdose deaths reported in 2023, 290 involved fentanyl.

Fentanyl is the most common drug found in overdose deaths in Utah • Utah News Dispatch Fentanyl was involved in 47.9% of drug overdose deaths in 2023 and outpaces reductions in deaths from prescription opioids.

From @vanessamh.bsky.social : Fentanyl is the most common drug found in overdose deaths in Utah #utpol utahnewsdispatch.com/briefs/fenta...

TikTok in Utah is more than the ‘Mormon Wives.’ These artists, activists and sports teams will also be affected. TikTok's imprint in Utah goes beyond the 'MomTok' people with their Swig and Stanley cups. Four creators talk about how the social-media video platform has changed their lives, and what a U.S. ban mig...

This morning the Supreme Court ruled against TikTok, rejecting its First Amendment challenge. This means TikTok could be banned in the United States starting Sunday.

Here's how a potential ban will impact four Utah creators - from artists to sports teams.

www.sltrib.com/artsliving/2...

‘Fed up’: SLC mayor answers Utah leaders’ call for plan to ‘restore public safety’ • Utah News Dispatch In response to demands from the state, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall unveiled a plan to tackle homelessness, drugs and crime in SLC.

UPDATE: Read my full coverage on Mendenhall's 'public safety' plan unveiled today — with important context on the dynamic between SLC and state leaders ahead of the 2025 session set to convene next week. #utpol utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/01/16/s...

Utah House Majority Announces 2025 Policy Priorities The Utah House Majority Caucus hosted a press conference on Monday to discuss policy priorities for the upcoming 2025 legislative session. These priorities include education, the cost of living, infra...

Education, the cost of living, infrastructure and crime rank high among the legislature’s priorities with the next legislative session starting Jan. 21. Read more from News Writer Grace Maya below. #UofU #Utah #UtahHouse #PolicyPriorities #UtahPolicy
dailyutahchronicle.com/2025/01/15/u...

‘Dreamwalk Park’ Is an Out of This World Experience Nestled between the shops at University Place in Orem lies Utah’s newest interactive indoor theme park. Dreamwalk Park was created by artist Ben McPherson and entrepreneur John Pope as a way to engulf...

A new indoor immersive experience where there is something to discover with every step. Read more from Arts Writer @thornrosejay.bsky.social below. #UofU #UniversityofUtah #Utah #UtahArts #UtahStateArts #SLC #SLCArts #DreamwalkPark #Experience #ArtExhibit
dailyutahchronicle.com/2025/01/15/d...

Can’t wait! Thanks, Katie!

We at @utahnewsdispatch.com
are SO excited to welcome @vanessamh.bsky.social
as our legislative intern! Be sure to follow her to keep up on her coverage during the session starting next week. #utpol #utleg

LIFE UPDATE: Today is my first day as an intern with @utahnewsdispatch.com, a position grant-funded by Amplify Utah. I'll be covering the 2025 Utah Legislative Session. I'm super excited to work with such an amazing team. Email vhudson@utahnewsdispatch.com to get in touch! #utpol

"A country’s character is a reflection not just of its elected officials but also of its people," Sen. Romney said in his final Senate floor speech. "I leave Washington to return to be one among them and hope to be a voice of unity and virtue."

Full video (via CSPAN): https://buff.ly/4inJPZF

A Utah LGBTQ+ bar makes ‘difficult decision’ to close, after co-owner’s health crisis The LGBTQ+ bar on Salt Lake City's State Street announced its permanent closure on social media, two years after it opened.

Club Verse in Salt Lake City has announced its permanent closure. www.sltrib.com/artsliving/f...

The Daily Utah Chronicle (@thechrony.bsky.social) is officially on Bluesky! Give us a follow to keep up with news, sports and arts coverage from the University of Utah's independent student newspaper!