
Take 2 · August 29 · 52 min
Take 2 Returns: Election Watch, Data Centers, Where's the beef?
0:00-52:18
transcript
show notes
Take 2 Podcast
Host: Heidi Hatch
Guests: Maura Carabello and Adam Gardiner
Welcome back after the Take 2 summer break.
While we were taking a break -
- Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall’s divorce filing and whether she will run for reelection as Luz Escamilla enters the race.
- Sen. Todd Weiler’s new role leading the Sutherland Institute.
- Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante resized.
- The continuing war with Iran.
- More than half a million acres burned in Utah this summer.
- Flock cameras—and why so many Utahns are pushing back.
- Nine weeks until Election Day.
Election watch
- The SAVE America Act: voter ID, proof of citizenship and whether changes can be implemented before November.
- Utah voters on election requirements: 66% support proof of citizenship at registration, according to the latest Deseret News-Hinckley Institute poll.
- The Supreme Court’s mail-voting ruling and Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson’s response that it currently has no effect on Utah.
- New polling: Gov. Spencer Cox, Sen. Mike Lee and Sen. John Curtis all in negative territory, with independents moving away from Cox.
Utah politics and policy
- The Stratos AI data-center backlash, calls to reform MIDA, and questions over water, heat, noise and public accountability.
- Utah Senate President Stuart Adams’ demand for retractions and threats of lawsuits.
- Inflation, high gas prices and high beef prices.
- Trump’s imported-beef plan—and pushback from Utah ranchers and members of Utah’s congressional delegation.
- Tyson’s Eagle Mountain closure: 700 jobs lost after five years, despite a 10-year agreement and major tax incentives.
- Utah’s $212 million Meta settlement and how the state should spend it on youth mental-health concerns.
- If time: Gov. Cox’s new book, Off Ramp, out Sept. 8.
Coming up
- Friday, Sept. 4: Rep. Doug Fiefia
- Friday, Sept. 11: Rep. Cal Roberts