Take 2
2News Heidi Hatch hosts an array of special guests as they talk about the issues most important to Utahns.
Take 2 Podcast: Utah’s political earthquake raises questions about what comes next
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Utah House Speaker: Republicans must rebuild trust after major election losses
In an exclusive interview with KUTV’s Heidi Hatch, Mike Schultz said voters felt unheard. He also outlined a plan to reduce K-6 class sizes and said President Trump may have gone too far on immigration enforcement.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Take 2 Podcast: Blue tsunami nationally reflected in Utah races top to bottom: What happened and why?
Democrats could break the GOP’s supermajority in the Utah House. Democratic and unaffiliated candidates were on track to flip 15 House seats and two Senate seats. Republicans are expected to keep control, but losing the House supermajority would limit their ability to override vetoes or advance constitutional amendments without support from other lawmakers.
Senate leadership is in limbo. Senate Majority Leader Kirk Cullimore was trailing Democrat Shana Anderson by more than 4,000 votes, after being considered a possible successor to Senate President Stuart Adams, who lost his primary. Senate leaders are scheduled to choose leadership Friday, whi...
Four Days Until Election Day Rapid Fire Issues, the latest and greatest before election day
Heidi Hatch, Maura Carabello and Thomas Wright
Amendment B: New poll shows a shift in voter sentiment
GOP Statement on Amendment B Polling Utah Poll of Record: 56% oppose Amendment B
Noble Predictive Insights polling record? Are they usually on target or off base?
Trump’s approval in Utah
Trump is urging voters to treat the midterms as if his name were on the ballot. Noble’s Utah poll finds his approval at 66% among Republicans. Democrats disapprove 99% to 1%, while independ...
Take 2 Podcast: Data Center Battles, Election Security, Fight for for Control of Congress
Host: Heidi Hatch
Guests: Maura Carabello and Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz
What you'll hear this week:
Utah congressional debates: What issues will drive voters to the polls? Data center protests, arrests and potential legislation in 2027. Could data centers become a national election issue? Constitutional Amendments A & B: What's at stake? DOJ election monitors coming to Utah. Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson's 60 Minutes interview and threats against election officials. Federal judge stalls U.S. Forest Service headquarters move to Utah. Utah legislative races to watch. Criminal charges against Utah sheriffs and questions about accountability. National...Take 2 Podcast: Utah’s Election sprint, ballot amendments, death penalty debate
This week on Take 2 Podcast: Heidi Hatch is joined by Maura Carabello of the Exoro Group and Utah GOP Chair Rob Axson.
The 2026 election sprint: Mail ballots go out Oct. 13 ahead of Utah’s Nov. 3 general election. The new Salt Lake-centered 1st Congressional District and whether it could help determine the balance of power in Washington. Breaking down the CD1 debate between Democrat Ben McAdams and Republican Riley Owen: Did either candidate move undecided voters? What to watch for in the CD3 debate between Republican Rep. Celeste Maloy and Democratic challenger Kent Udell. New polling on how Utahns are...Take 2 Podcast: Election Security, UVU Review, Curtis Calls for Investigation
Heidi Hatch is joined by Maura Carabello with the Exoro Group and Rep. Ryan Wilcox, who sits on the Utah Legislative Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee.
The 158-page UVU campus-safety review following the Charlie Kirk shooting: staffing, coordination and accountability. The Supreme Court allowing the Trump administration to use the SAVE database to check voter citizenship — and what it means for Utah’s election administration and voter privacy. The federal case against a Utah postal worker accused of discarding about 300 Eagle Mountain ballots and other mail — and whether the case undermines trust or shows election safeguards workin...Take 2 Podcast: Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson joins Heidi Hatch to discuss Utah’s legal fight with the U.S. Department of Justice
This week on the Take 2 podcast, Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson joins Heidi Hatch to discuss Utah’s legal fight with the U.S. Department of Justice over access to voters’ unredacted personal information.
The interview was recorded Sept. 14, just hours before the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the separate USPS case.
Henderson says the lawsuit will not affect Utah’s upcoming election.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Take 2: 9/11 at 25, Charlie Kirk memorial debate, governor’s national profile
Heidi Hatch joins Maura Carabello and former Utah State Auditor John Dougall to examine how America has changed in the 25 years since 9/11 and debate plans to memorialize Charlie Kirk at UVU. They also discuss Gov. Spencer Cox’s “Disagree Better” campaign, questions surrounding his growing national profile and a Justice Department lawsuit challenging Utah’s in-state tuition policy for undocumented immigrants.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Take 2 Podcast: Utah Legislature dives into issues months before the session
Host: Heidi Hatch
Guests: Maura Carabello, Exoro Group, and Doug Fiefia, Utah representative and Senate candidate
Utah Legislature dives into issues months before the session To Flock or Not to Flock? This week: Utah lawmaker to propose “parameters” for Flock cameras and ALPRs Two months out from Election Day President Trump on the campaign trail Bears Ears and Grand Staircase protections
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Take 2 Returns: Election Watch, Data Centers, Where's the beef?
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 un...Take 2 Podcast: Utah's wildfire crisis, Supreme Court decisions, and what's next in Utah politics
Host: Heidi Hatch
Guests: Maura Carabello, Exoro Group & Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz
Utah Legislative Primary Races
Lessons Learned, who will lead the Utah Senate
Wildfire Crisis in Utah
Fallen Firefighters
Three wildland firefighters killed on the Utah-Colorado border Two additional firefighters seriously injuredCottonwood Fire
More than 100 condos and 30 cabins destroyed at Eagle Point Resort Damage assessment continuesWildland Firefighter Employment Protections
Should part-time wildland firefighters have job protection when called to active duty?Forest Service...
Take 2 Podcast: Primary upsets, wildfire crisis, Washington politics
Hosts:
Heidi Hatch Maura Carabello, Exoro Group Rob Axson, Utah GOP Chair (joining from Washington, D.C.)Fire danger across Utah
Statewide fireworks restrictions and the new law allowing cities to designate safe discharge zones. The Cottonwood Fire in Beaver County, now expected to become the costliest wildfire in Utah history. Gov. Spencer Cox's comments on the destruction. Looking ahead to the dangerous fire weather forecast.Primary election shakeup
Several high-profile incumbents lost Tuesday's primary:
Senate President Stuart Adams Sen. Dan McCay Rep. Trevor Lee Two Box Elder County commissionersWhat...
Take 2 Podcast: ICE detention, mail-in ballots, Congressional races, Iran deal
HOST: Heidi Hatch
GUESTS: Maura Carabello, John Dougall
ICE plans to sell warehouse facilities in Salt Lake, six other cities moving back to existing detention space
“From day one, DHS has remained singularly focused on removing the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from the United States and is always evaluating the best methods to do so. These heinous criminals, once arrested, should be removed at lightning speed, not housed on American soil at the taxpayer’s expense. DHS is moving swiftly to utilize EXISTING detention space with our state and county partners.” - DHS<...
Take 2 Podcast: Politics of Fire, Pentagon religion slight, Election drama, Colorado River
THE POLITICS OF FIRE
Fires in Utah in full swing this week
Tooele County, multiple fires, arson arrest
SLC Capitol Hill Fire - State says started by homeless, City says they don’t know
Mike Lee ignites controversy after adding roadless rule repeal to a wildfire bill
13-year-old girl dies at Pineview after dead tree falls: Would Pineview Reservoir be safer if it were a state park? Not US Forest Service land
Pentagon Classification of Latter-day Saints
Election Day 11 days out - Dra...
Take 2 Podcast: Fidelity Month, Data Centers, Primary Debates, NIL Cash
Host: Heidi Hatch
Guests: Maura Carabello, Rep. Cal Roberts
Gov. Spencer Cox declared June "Fidelity Month in Utah."
In his declaration, Cox said that American support for traditional values has "significantly declined." "A majority of Americans no longer esteem values like faith, family, patriotism or community involvement," he continued. He said it is "imperative" that Utah's "recommit" themselves to the pursuit of fidelity, defined as "dedication to faith, family and country."
DATA CENTERS
Senate President Stuart Adams and Kevin Oleary, write each...
Take 2 Podcast: Speaker Mike Schultz on data center, 2028 governor's race
Heidi Hatch 2 News
Maura Carabello, Exoro Group
Mike Schultz, Utah House Speaker
Data Center Referendum: A Box Elder County group wants voters there to decide proposed data center’s fate
Elevate Utah accuses Speaker Mike Schultz of buying up property to profit off data Center
Schultz, a cattle rancher in Box Elder and neighboring counties, responds
Forget about 2026, everyone is talking 2028: John Curtis running for Governor
2028 RACE: Former Congressman Jason Chaffetz, Senator John Curtis, Speaker...
Take 2 Podcast: Deep dive on Utah's new Data Center, Justice resigns, Utah gas tax cut
Host: Heidi Hatch
Guests: Marua Carabello, Rep. Cal Roberts
BREAKING: Utah Supreme Court Justice Diana Hagen resigns amid conflict-of-interest allegations in Prop 4 case
Data Center passes Box Elder Commission vote 3-0
Better Utah calls for investigation into Senate Pres. Stuart Adams after donations to his PAC- but have no proof of wrongdoing
Questions over lawmakers benefiting from Data Center
How will Utah taxpayers benefit from new Data Center
Utah Focus Legislative Session on AI: S...
Take 2: Assassination Attempt, Data Center, Statewide Convention winners and losers, Iran, SCOTUS ruling
Host: Heidi Hatch
Guests: Maura Carabello (Exoro Group), Thomas Wright (Former Utah GOP Chair, 2020 Gubernatorial Candidate, Real estate broker)
White House correspondents’ dinner attempted assassination
Utah Box Elder County Data Center
Governor Cox: Utah and other states have an obligation to "allow" the sprawling facilities. "There is a national security piece to this that has to be acknowledged," Cox said in response to a 2News question at his monthly PBS Utah news conference. "We have to do this. We just can't say no and shut the doors and go home and let...
Take 2 Podcast Convention weekend and the scandals in both parties
Host: Heidi Hatch
Guest: Morgan Lyon Cotti Associate Director Hinckley Institute of Politics
Conventions this weekend Delegates pick their candidates
Inner party battles front and center
Democrats now have 4 qualified candidates through signatures from the new Utah CD1 race
2 candidates facing accusation of wrongdoing Nate Blouin, Eval Lopez ChavezRepublicans have an inner party fight in Utah CD3
Rep Celeste Maloy qualified through signatures Will Lyman get the nod from delegates or will Maloy still have a chance to shut him out at convention?Trevor Lee dealing with...
Take 2 Podcast: Political controversies and campaign shakeups rock Utah campaign season
Host: Heidi Hatch
Gusts: Maura Carabello, Exoro Group & Nic Dunn, Sutherland Institute
Take 2 Podcast: JD Vance set to lead ceasefire talks this weekend, Utah gas prices higher than national average
Take 2 Podcast, Friday, April 10, 2026
Heidi Hatch with Maura Carabello of Exoro Group and Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz.
Vice President JD Vance is set to lead ceasefire talks this weekend, as tensions tied to a potential conflict with Iran continue. There are ongoing questions about whether a ceasefire will hold and if the Strait of Hormuz will remain open. Gas prices in Utah are now higher than the national average, $4.26 compared to $4.16. Lawmakers are also discussing how the state’s gas tax bill works and what it means for drivers. As the legislative session wraps, the gr...Take 2 Podcast: Utah's Congressional Races, LDS GOP numbers shift, Washington County Sheriff
Host: Heidi Hatch
Guests: Maura Carabello, Exoro Group & Carolyn Phippen, Political Advisor
CD1: Democrats try new tactic to win House seat in Utah, running as progressives in red state
Open Primary: Who will it favor? DATA FOR PROGRESS INTERNAL POLL RESULTS dfp_ut01_memo_crosstabs.pdf Signatures for D1 Blouin and McAdams will both be in the primary
CD2: House Speaker Mike Johnson and Jim Jordan Endorse Blake Moore for Reelection–
Lisonbee counting on Convention support- calls out Moore for Advertising campaign using House $$
Take 2 Podcast: Prop 4 dead? Trump pays TSA, No water for ICE, Vetoes, Big bills on Utah’s Capitol Hill
Take 2 Podcast March 27
Heidi Hatch
Maura Carabello Exoro Group
Rep Ryan Wilcox Utah Legislature
Repeal Prop 4 dies in Senate District 15 with signature removals
Trump signs emergency order to pay TSA agents as Congress struggles to reach funding deal
SLC Mayor Mendenhall: No water for ICE facility
Governor Cox vetoes:
HB462: Gov. Spencer Cox vetoes bill providing internet service on Utah’s rural school buses
HB164: Would have required health ca...
Take 2: ICE controversy intensifies as Utah Gov. Cox releases unity-focused book
Host: Heidi Hatch
Maura Carabello Exoro Group
John Dougall Former State Auditor
Utah Caucus night
Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz endorses Karianne Lisonbee against incumbent Congressman Blake Moore
Prop 4 Repeal Update – Senator Riebe District within striking distance for Better Boundaries 102 signatures beyond requirement
ICE warehouse SLC spurs protests and condemnation from SLC and County Mayor’s Utah Democrats
SLC Mayor Mendenhall says they won’t run utilities and can’t to the warehouse, demands meeting with DHS Utah Gov. Spencer...Take 2 Podcast: Utah Legislative Session, Utah Congressional Races Shaping up
Host: Heidi Hatch
Guests: Maura Carabello, Exoro Group • Rob Axson, Utah GOP Chair
Utah Legislative Session
Sen. Adams kills bill passed seconds after midnight
Last-minute signature removal law passed
Utahns for Representative Government gets signatures to put repeal of Prop 4 on the ballot
The petition to repeal Utah Proposition 4 ended up with nearly 166,000 verified signatures.
Signature removal deadline: April 23
Utah Congressional Races Shaping up
Utah CD1
Take 2: State of the Union hit or miss? Prop 4 signature verification; SAVE Act
Take 2 Podcast – Friday 2/27
Host Heidi Hatch Guests: Maura Carabello, John Dougall
State of the Union Hit or miss
Senator Mike Lee’s SAVE America Act received a standing ovation. Congressman Blake Moore recognized in the third row (no name) for naming Trump accounts. Some Democrats held an alternate event outside in animal costumes. Democratic leadership had Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger deliver the rebuttal, focusing on affordability.
Proposition 4 Signature Verification
Utah GOP has surpassed the statewide number needed to repeal Prop 4: 157,898 verified signatures. Congressman Blake Moore urges voters to let the proces...Take 2 Podcast: Redistricting Rulings, Prop 4 Repeal, Lawmakers Advance Tax Cuts
Host: Heidi Hatch
Guests: Maura Carabello, Exoro Group & John Dougall, Former State Auditor
Judge’s Ruling in Redistricting cases
Federal District Court
Utah Supreme Court
UFRG and Utah GOP surpass expectations, turn in 200K + signatures
Current verified signatures 117,114
HB 575, Fuel Tax and Supply Amendments, Rep. Cal Roberts, R-Salt Lake
New Gas Tax bill reduces rate by 6 cents a gallon, a 15.8% savings – well below below original 20 Cents a gallon
Presser expected Mo...
Take 2 Podcast: US House approves SAVE America Act as GOP makes election bill push
Host: Heidi Hatch
Guests: Maura Carabello, Exoro Group; Curt Bramble, former Utah state senator
Happy Valentine’s Day. We’re halfway through the session, it’s Presidents' Day weekend, and it’s the anniversary of Utah women’s right to vote.
U.S. House approves the SAVE America Act as GOP makes election bill push
Utah Reps. Kennedy, Moore, Maloy, and Owens all voted in favor.
Sen. Mike Lee has 49 votes so far in the Senate.
UTAH LEGISLATURE
Utah lawmaker proposes HB...
Take 2 Podcast: Everything you need to know as Democrats, Republicans use every legal avenue in Utah's redistricting fight
Host: Heidi Hatch
Guests:
Maura Carabello, Exoro Group Rob Axson, Utah GOP ChairNEW FEDERAL REDISTRICTING LAWSUIT
A new federal lawsuit has been filed by Congressmen Burgess Owens and Celeste Maloy, along with other elected officials, challenging Utah’s redistricting process.
“Today we took action. I, along with elected officials throughout our state, filed a federal lawsuit to defend the constitutional process by which Utah chooses its representatives. We can’t just sit idly by as our representative government is weakened. This lawsuit exists to restore proper c...
Take 2 Podcast: Legislative Session Day
Host: Heidi Hatch
Guests: Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz; Maura Carabello, Exoro Group
Tax Cuts & Budget Cuts
Utah lawmakers advanced SB60, the proposed cut would reduce tax rates from 4.5% to 4.45%
Opponents argue that the reduction could be better allocated amid a projected $300 million revenue loss
Utah Majority
Family-focused legislation
The House Majority Caucus has made cost-of-living and strong families a priority for this session
Utah Gas Prices
Currently, Utah has a $0.385 tax rate per gal...
Take 2 Podcast: Governor Spencer Cox delivers State of the State address
Host: Heidi Hatch
Guests: Maura Carabello, Exoro Group; Nic Dunn, Sutherland Institute
Governor Spencer Cox — State of the State
Polling: Deseret News / Hinckley Institute
One-third of Utah voters say affordable housing should be the Legislature’s top priority. Housing ranked twice as high as any other issue across all partisan and age groups. Utah Legislature's approval rating sits at 47% overall
Possible ICE Detention Center in Salt Lake County
West-side Salt Lake City warehouse rumored as potential site Local city and county leaders appeared caught off guard...Take 2 Podcast: MLK Day of Service highlights as the Utah legislative session begins
Take 2 Podcast 1/19/26
Host: Heidi Hatch
Guests: State Sen. Jen Plumb, MD, State Rep. Ryan Wilcox
MLK Day of Service highlights as the Utah legislative session begins Lawmakers kick off the session with a blood drive Minnesota facing growing tension amid an ICE surge Sen. Nate Blouin introduces a bill to block ICE from entering churches and hospitals and to ban agents from wearing masks Utah ICE detention center has been in planning for nearly two years, dating back to the Biden administration Trump’s “one big, beautiful bill” and tightening budgets loom over legislative sessions...Take 2: 8 people shot, 2 killed outside Salt Lake meetinghouse
Take 2 Podcast — Friday, Jan. 9, 2026
Host: Heidi Hatch
Guests: Maura Carabello, Exoro Group; John Dougall, Former State Auditor
Happy New Year and America’s 250th anniversary year.
8 people shot, 2 killed outside LDS church in Salt Lake City neighborhood
Nationwide protests after fatal ICE agent shooting in Minneapolis
Newly elected municipal leaders sworn in
Utah Political Updates
Filing deadlines and races
The filing deadline has come and gone. Rob Bishop is running f...Take 2: Prop 4 signatures move forward as tax referendum faces tight deadline
HOST: Heidi Hatch
GUESTS: Maura Carabello Exoro Group, Rep Ryan Wilcox
Prop 4 is moving closer to the ballot as organizers report tens of thousands of signatures submitted to county clerks, even as another major policy fight begins to take shape. A newly filed effort to challenge Salt Lake County’s tax increase is now racing against a tight signature-gathering deadline, adding urgency to an already crowded political landscape. At the same time, unresolved court questions surrounding Prop 4 are keeping key decisions in limbo.
Did you catch the Variety White House Ex...
Take 2 Podcast: Salt Lake Co. approves property tax increase, Gov. Cox signs 3 bills
Host: Heidi Hatch
Guests: Maura Carabello, Exoro Group; Nic Dunn, VP of Strategy, Sutherland Institute
Salt Lake County Approves Property Tax Increase
The Salt Lake County Council voted Tuesday night to approve a property tax increase of around 14%, lower than the originally proposed increase of nearly 20%.
Special Session: Gov. Cox Signs 3 Bills
Repeals the new law that stripped power from public labor unions Changes the filing deadlines for Utah’s 2026 congressional races Clarifies the exclusive and original appellate jurisdiction of the Utah Supreme CourtLegislative Audits: District Attorney, Police an...
Take 2 Podcast: Utah GOP fuels repeal push with millions as redistricting fight intensifies
Utah GOP has raised over $4 million to repeal Proposition 4. The money is being donated by 501(c)(4) out of MA
Signatures gathered- Rob Axson Utah GOP Chair reports healthy pace (tens of thousands) and growing momentum. None turned in yet.
Utah GOP filed for a stay, no ruling yet
Sutherland Institute Survey: Utah voters think elected officials, not judges, should choose congressional maps
https://sutherlandinstitute.org/utah-redisticting-survey/
Do voters agree or disagree with the court-driven process produced by proponents of Proposition 4? Sutherland Institute recen...
Take 2 Podcast: No map appeal, shift left, Epstein files, Utah birthrate
Heidi Hatch | Maura Carabello, Exoro Group | Curt Bramble, former state senator
• Speaker Mike Schultz on redistricting ruling
Says Judge Gibson’s late decision blocked any chance for an emergency appeal; calls timing “wrong” and says it cut the Legislature out of the court process.
• Rep. Burgess Owens letter
Accuses judge of overstepping and “imposing an outcome never chosen by the people.”
• Redistricting history with Curt Bramble
Utah missed a fourth seat by 856 people after the 2000 Census; Bramble helped draw the first four-district map.
• New map creates a safe blu...
Take 2 Podcast: Late-Night Ruling, Utah’s New Blue District, and the End of the Shutdown
KUTV TAKE 2 PODCAST Nov 14, 2025
Late-Night Ruling, Utah’s New Blue District, and the End of the Shutdown
Guests: Rob Axson, Utah GOP Chair | Rep. Doug Owens
Take 2 Podcast: Utah municipal Elections, Shutdown Fallout, and National Shifts
Take 2 Podcast – Friday, Nov. 7 | 2:30 p.m.
Heidi Hatch with South Jordan Mayor Dawn Ramsey & Exoro Group’s Maura Carabello
Utah Primaries
Turnout: 30% statewide (Piute 63%, Salt Lake 23%) Tight mayoral races across the Wasatch Front Utah County incumbents trailing Provo Mayor concedes Cottonwood Heights: Mike Weichers concedes to Gay Lynn Bennion (57%-42%) Salt Lake City Council unchanged Southern Utah new Mayors
Government Shutdown
FAA cutting flights 10%, Salt Lake Intl. among 40 airports hit Judge orders Trump to fund SNAP; Utah missed first payments Nov. 6 Utah Senate Democrats push to cover SNAP...