Inside Utah Politics with Lindsay Aerts

Governor Spencer Cox and other top Utah Republicans are urging their party to learn the right lessons from the wave election that dislodged the party's decades long supermajority. Panelists Adam Gardiner and Sarah Reale join Lindsay to discern what voters were telling their elected leaders last week, and the risks both parties face if they don't listen. Plus, the impeachment of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fails in DC, despite seemingly having the votes. We look into why, and whether we could see another attempt in the near future.

Downballot Republicans were not spared when the Blue Wave crashed in Utah. Panelists Leah Murray and Erin Rider join Lindsay to weigh the impacts of the races shaking 30 years of total GOP control in the legislature. Plus, what should national Democrats first move be when they take the reins in Washington? We look at the factors that drove the wave to see what voters are trying to tell their leaders.

We're counting down the hours to election day. Representative Mike Kennedy is running on new district lines to keep his seat in Congress. He joins Lindsay to talk about the issues driving conversation on the campaign trail here in Utah and across the nation, including affordability, the war in Iran and AI regulation. Plus, Utah's only third-party lawmaker faces a major test on Tuesday. Utah Forward Party Senator Emily Buss took over the seat in Utah's 11th district from the resigning Senator Dan Thatcher, and now she'll face a GOP challenge in her first race as an incumbent.

Utah filed criminal charges against prediction market Kalshi, accusing it of violating the state's anti-gambling laws. Plus, Former Utah Supreme Court Justice Diana Hagen, who resigned after affair allegations, is pushing voters to retain judges on the ballot after a push by top GOP leaders to oust them. Meanwhile, new polling shows Amendment B, which would raise the threshold for initiatives involving taxes, has 56% of Utahns oppose the change. And we now know who’s running for leadership positions in the Utah Legislature. Panelists Adam Gardiner and Erin Rider break it all down in this episode of Inside Utah Po...

County clerks offices in Utah and Weber counties are alerting voters to some issues with their mailed ballots. In the case of the former, some voter received some inaccurate information about voter ID, while voters in the latter county may have received two ballots. Panelists Leah Murray and Taylor Morgan join Lindsay to weigh in. Plus, we have some early voting data that shows just over 10% of Utah voters have voted in the midterm elections. We look into what that could mean for some of the big issues on the ballot.

We're digging deep on one of the biggest local races in the state of Utah. The Salt Lake County District Attorney is at the top of law enforcement in Utah's largest counties. D.A. Sim Gill has held that office for 16 years since his election in 2010. He now faces a challenge from a former member of his office in GOP nominee Kent Davis. Both candidates sit down with Lindsay Aerts to make their case for November 3rd and share their approach on tricky issues like community violence, addiction, homelessness and more in this special edition of Inside Utah Politics. <...

Recent reporting from Lindsay Aerts revealed that newly appointed Supreme Court Justice Michael Menssen signed the effort to put Prop 4 back on the ballot in the month before joining the court. Just recently he sat on a case involving the redistricting plaintiffs. The state judiciary says their standards for recusal were followed. Panelists Rusty Cannon and Leah Murray join Lindsay to go through the sticky implications. Plus, Utah's Lieutenant Governor says the DOJ is sending poll watchers to the state. We dig into the impacts and what voters need to know.

The law at the center of a fight over housing could be headed for a repeal. It comes after months of tension between the governor's top housing advisor and Summit and Wasatch counties over local pushback to new housing development. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray weigh in on the sticking points in the struggle between local control and the governor's agenda to see more housing built statewide. Plus, Utah Senator John Curtis is pushing back on President Donald Trump's plan to import Russian diesel in a bid to lower prices at the pump. But will it be enough...

The groups behind some of Utah's most high profile legal topics argued before the Supreme Court this week, but not on the merits. Instead of discussing Utah's abortion trigger law, the drying Great Salt Lake, or the state's new congressional districts, they were debating what court will get to hear those cases. The plaintiff's say the new 3-judge panel that lawmakers made to hear constitutional claims earlier this year is itself unconstitutional. Lawyer David Reymann joins Linday to unpack the arguments he made before the high court. Plus, Steve Waldrip, the Governor Cox's top housing advisor, addresses the tension...

A new report highlights some of the groups supporting campaigns for moderate Republicans across the state at all levels of government. Panelists Erin Rider and Adam Gardiner join Lindsay to give a peak behind the curtain. Plus. the Davis County GOP will not fill former Rep. Trevor Lee's vacant seat before the midterm elections on November 3rd. But should they?

Three separate lawsuits referred to a newly established Constitutional Court are fighting the move in front of the Utah Supreme Court. Panelists Leah Murray and Taylor Morgan join Lindsay to dig into the issues at play. Plus, Trump and Vance are campaigning in Nebraska. What does that mean for the GOP's midterm fortunes? And, the intersection of faith and politics comes to the fore at General Conference with a direct condemnation of prediction markets and gambling among members of Utah's largest faith.

With a month to go until election day, ABC4 has you covered with analysis and coverage of high stakes races here in Utah and across the country. Our team of panelists joins Chief Political Correspondent and host of Inside Utah Politics Lindsay Aerts is identifying and breaking down the elections that could decide the makeup of Congress and the future of President Donald Trump's agenda. Here in Utah, we're tracking key ballot items and legislative races that could change the makeup of both chambers of the Utah legislature, and even the state constitution. Taylor Morgan, Leah Murray and Adam...

The Senate has advance Sen. Ted Cruz's Protect College Sports Act. The bill faces an uncertain fate in the house, but it has a powerful backer: President Donald Trump. He and other top Republicans would like to see the bill signed before midterm elections, but house members are spending some critical time back home in their districts campaigning. While the proposal hangs in limbo, our panelists Leah Murray and Taylor Morgan debate the pros and cons of what the bill could do to the teams Utahns cheer for. Plus, Utah has just one third party lawmaker on Capitol Hill...

A September surprise for an outgoing state lawmaker. Representative Trevor Lee is facing felony fraud charges in what investigators are calling a case of signature forgery and falsified mortgage info to get a million dollar home. Panelists Leah Murray and Taylor Morgan join LIndsay to discuss the news that has rocked Utah politics and to dig into what such a scandal means for our politics. Plus, the Senate has pushed forward a plan to reform name, image and likeness rules in college sports. President Trump and bill sponsor Ted Cruz have called on lawmakers to pass it as soon...

Utah Senator John Curtis is calling on the Senate to take a hard look at both Donald Trump Jr. and Hunter Biden, amid reporting that a Russian oligarch helped fund the afterparty for the former's wedding. We take you inside his meeting with Utah political reporters, including Lindsay Aerts, to explain his decision. Plus, Marine veteran Jonny Larsen is brining a challenge to Congressman Mike Kennedy in the new CD-4. Why he believes the new map could give democrats a new opportunity.

A Utah postal worker has been indicted For allegedly dumping hundreds of ballots in a dumpster in Eagle Mountain. Panelists Adam Gardiner and Erin Rider weigh in on whether there is a larger issue with the USPS and election materials. Plus, new polling reveals Utahns’ feelings on more data centers, the media outlets that President Trump banned from the White House get a court ruling, and Sen. John Curtis defends his decision to call for a probe into two presidential sons.

Utah Senator John Curtis is calling on the Senate to take a hard look at both Donald Trump Jr. and Hunter Biden, amid reporting that a Russian oligarch helped fund the afterparty for the former's wedding. Leah Murray and Taylor Morgan join Lindsay to dig into the politics of these investigations, and whether Congress is the right venue in the first place. Plus, new polling shows a seismic shift in approval rating for both President Donald Trump and Utah Governor Spencer Cox. We dig into the issues that could be driving that swing. Is it data center backlash, or...

Utah's top elections officer has been feeling the heat from the federal government. This month, Lieutenant Governor Deidre Henderson's office received a letter saying the Department of Justice is investigating her for non-compliance with federal requests for sensitive voter info. Henderson has maintained that states have ultimate authority on running their election systems, and that thee federal requests could cross a line. She joins Lindsay to discuss the issue and dig into the litigation on mail-in voting that has made it's way to the Supreme Court. Plus, a Delta data center project may have found a technological...

A new article from the New York Times stirs up a conversation about gender in state politics. The reporting from the Times paints a picture of misogyny in state politics as a central tension in the fight over abortion, redistricting and more. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray join Lindsay to dig into the source of the divide. Plus, Lieutenant Governor Deidre Henderson is in a standoff with the Trump Administration over voter records and mail-in voting. Could she be considering a run for governor in 2028?

One year after the death of conservative political activist, Charlie Kirk, Governor Spencer Cox reflects on the lessons learned since that day. He walks through the moment he learned Kirk had died, how he got good information when there was none, communicating with the White House, and how he prepared for a speech that would ultimately launch him further into the national spotlight. He also addresses his new book, Off Ramp: How to be a Peacemaker in an Age of Contempt, outlining how he believes the nation has a civility problem. He walks through ways in which he believes...

On the first anniversary of the death of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk, what lessons has the nation learned? Is there less political violence, and have we toned down the political rhetoric? Panelist Taylor Morgan and Adam Gardiner weigh in on that perspective from Governor Spencer Cox. Plus, they debate the Lieutenant Governor Deidre Henderson being under investigation by the Trump administration's Department of Justice over not providing Utahns personal voter data. And, President Trump promises $5,000 to every American adult if Republicans keep control of Congress in the midterms.

We are just days away from the 1 year anniversary of the shooting that killed conservative activist and commentator Charlie Kirk. The alleged killer, Tyler Robinson is behind bars awaiting a trial, but conspiracy theories rage on and raw feelings remain. Panelists Leah Murray and Erin Rider join Lindsay to discuss the impacts of that historic event one year on. It also comes as Governor Spencer Cox's book "Off Ramp: How to be a Peacemaker in the Age of Contempt" hits store shelves with an extensive account of that day from his perspective. We dig into the issues of our...

The decades long fight over the federal land in Utah enters its latest phase. The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance has revived a legal challenge to President Trump's authority to move the boundaries of Utah's national monuments, saying the feds are on the wrong side of the Antiquities Act. It's a tricky issue with a long history that blends conflicts over the environment and debates over federalism. Lindsay Aerts brings together both sides of the debate. She puts SUWA Legal Director Steve Bloch and Garfield County Commissioner Leland Pollock through their paces to hear the best versions of the arguments...

Environmental non-profits take the fight over the size of Utah's national monuments back to court. President Trump's move to reduce the size of Grand Staircase Escalante and Bears Ears to more closely their 2017 boundaries has reignited the decades long legal fight. Panelists Adam Gardiner and Taylor Morgan join Lindsay to sort the signal from the noise on the sticky issue at the center of a fierce fight between the state, the feds and environmental non-profits. Plus, a surprise move in a Utah senate race sets the stage for a proper showdown between the Utah GOP and the state's newest...

Utah Governor Spencer Coxs is about to become a widely published author. His book "Off Ramp: How to be a Peacemaker in the Age of Contempt" will hit store shelves on Tuesday, September 8th. Lindsay Aerts got an advanced copy and the opportunity to interview him on the book's message and the new stories he shared. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray join us to dig into the impact of his Disagree Better message, and what we expect to come next. Plus, midterm elections are on the horizon. We highlight the issues expected to drive conversations on both the...

Utah Governor Spencer Cox and other state leaders are celebrating a multi-billion dollar settlement with Meta as a big win. Panelists Leah Murray and Adam Gardiner join Lindsay to assess whether this settlement is the first step in addressing the harms and what the government's role here ought to be. Plus, Utah State University has a role to play in the state's nuclear ambitions. University president Brad Mortensen joins Lindsay to flesh out details on a new nuclear education campus near Brigham City.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox and other state leaders are celebrating a multi-billion dollar settlement with Meta as a big win. That fund will bring hundreds of millions of dollars into Utah that they're planning to put into programs to offset the harms of social media. It comes after years of claims that the social media giant built apps that intentionally addicted children to intentionally harmful content. Panelists Leah Murray and Adam Gardiner join Lindsay to assess whether this settlement is the first step in addressing the harms and what the government's role here ought to be. Plus, Senator John...

The US Supreme Court allows President Trump's executive order restricting mail-in voting to go forward without addressing the merits of the case. If they take effect, the USPS could be prevented from delivering ballots to states like Utah which have withheld voter info from federal requests. Panelists Leah Murray and Taylor Morgan join Lindsay to weigh the impacts of that decision on both our elections and our politics. Plus, Nevada sues the federal government over the latest deal to enforce water sharing. Our panel evaluates the chances that suit's chances of succeeding, and what needs to happen to ensure...

It was a busy interim week on Utah’s Capitol Hill. Lawmakers across multiple committees heard briefings from experts of all kinds to dissect the data center debate. It's an early phase of the legislative process that could inform laws to come. Lawmakers also heard the results of an audit of Utah’s 6 month gas tax. Representatives Jill Koford and Cal Roberts join Lindsay to unpack the issues. Plus, Governor Cox teases MIDA reform and shares some big personal news.

President Stuart Adams has threatened to sue four of his critics who he claims made defamatory statements about him. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Adam Gardiner run through whether the claims are defamatory or if Adams is being sour after his Primary loss. Plus, Governor Cox says he wants more MIDA reform, especially after the Stratos data center rollout. Plus, Utah's gas tax was cut by $ 0.06 at the pump, yet Utah still has higher-than-average gas prices. We discuss how the state should bring them down and whether the cut was worth it.

Three environmental groups filed a complaint with the FTC, alleging that Utah's messaging about nuclear energy is misleading. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Adam Gardiner weigh in on whether the messaging is accurate and whether the agency will do anything about it. New polling shows Utah's federal delegation and statewide leaders are underwater on their approval ratings and that Utahns strongly approve of showing voter ID and proof of citizenship to vote. Our panelists also make their predictions for Utah's 2027 legislative session as August's interim day approaches.

Utah's recent victory in federal court over Kalshi means the state's anti-gambling laws can now be enforced, but how will it do that? Panelists Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray break down some recent comments from Attorney General Derek Brown on how that may happen. Plus, former Utah Jazz player Enes Kanter has taken on the WNBA over its transgender policies, officially declaring for the WNBA draft. Our panelists weigh in on whether the stunt is the right way to have the policy discussion. And Utah is pushing for more quantum technologies - why that's important to the future of...

Utah was spared the worst of the cuts when the Bureau of Reclamation release its plan to break the gridlock over how states share the water of the Colorado River. But there are still questions about what is to come. Amy Haas, the executive director of Utah's Colorado River, joins Lindsay to explain how the plan will impact our state over the next 10 years, and whether we can expect to see lawsuits. Plus, Utah beats Kalshi in court. A federal judge found that federal law does not shield the company from Utah's prohibition on gambling. But how will our...

Utah is on the Trump administration's short list for a new nuclear lifecycle innovation campus in Tooele. The head of the state's department of energy, Emy Lesofsky, talks about what will be made at the facility, and how Utah plans to keep radiation and waste levels safe. Plus, Utah's new Great Salt Lake commissioner talks about the strategy for saving the lake, and addresses criticisms over hats she made that say, "Make Alfalfa Great Again."

Utah's Department of Natural Resources is getting a new leader, and a new Great Salt Lake commissioner. Jamie Barnes will head the department while Hannah Freeze takes over as GSL czar. Panelist Leah Murray and Erin Rider discuss the monumental task of securing Utah's water needs into the future. Plus, Senator John Curtis and Senator Mike Lee are on opposite sides of the issue of President Trump's nomination of Todd Blanche for attorney general, and on nuking the filibuster. And, Dr. Anthony Fauci pleads the 5th as he testifies before the Senate.

Utah stands poised to bring a nuclear lifecycle campus to Tooele but is hoping to help the dwindling Great Salt Lake in the process by securing federal funds. Hosts Panelists Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray debate whether the risk is worth the reward. Plus, dozens of local cities look to raise property taxes, and Utah Senator John Curtis is proposing a state-led migrant worker program with a pathway to citizenship.

As the GOP majority in the House pushes through their latest reconciliation blueprint, Sen. Mike Lee says he sees a path for the SAVE America Act to to pass without 60 votes in the Senate. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Erin Rider join Lindsay to break down what the senator's latest statements mean for President Trump's top legislative priority. Plus, our new polling from Emerson College just dropped and it's chock-full of insights about presidential primaries and hot button issues like data center development.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox issues a modified version of his order that prohibited fireworks on the 4th of July, this time for Pioneer Day. The new text gives more power to cities this time around. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray join Lindsay to reassess the order's approach with new circumstances. Plus, Utahns and environmental groups plan protests against President Donald Trump's executive orders shrinking Bear's Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monuments. It comes as new polling characterizes Utahns feelings on the monuments.

The data center backlash continues to drive the conversation in Utah politics. Local Democrat-aligned groups are suing Kevin O'Leary, the celebrity investor and backer of the Stratos data center project. They claim the Shark Tank star defamed them when he alleged their opposition to the project stemmed from a Chinese influence operations. Analysts Sarah Reale and Adam Gardiner join Lindsay to discuss the merits and what this says about the salience of the emerging data center issue. Plus, Sen. Todd Weiler is taking the top job at a local conservative think tank. We weigh what impact that could have...

Utah's congressional delegation, Governor Spencer Cox and House Speaker Mike Schultz joined President Donald Trump in the Oval Office as he signed a pair of executive orders shrinking Grand Staircase Escalante and Bears Ear national monuments. The monuments have been a political football for decades, established by Democrats and shrunk twice now by President Trump. Panelists Adam Gardiner and Leah Murray join Lindsay to weigh the political impacts of the brace of orders, and to evaluate whether this is a case of the government working well. Plus, we dig into some national headlines, including the announcement that the administration...