Utah news

• Meet the candidates in Utah's 3rd Congressional District race

  04-11-2017 23:41
  The special election to fill the vacancy left by former Rep. Jason Chaffetz in the U.S. House of Representatives is Nov. 7.
  Before you cast your vote, read the Deseret News profiles of all the candidates vying for Utah's 3rd Congressional District seat.
  Kathie Allen
  Kathie Allen finds balance in Utah, boldness for congressional run
  Age: 64
  Residence: Cottonwood Heights
  Party: Democrat
  Occupation: Physician
  Political experience: None
  **
  Jim Bennett
  Jim Bennett battles 'tribal distinctions' as Uni
  
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• Utah GOP votes to continue fight against election law

  04-11-2017 23:21
  PARK CITY — The Utah Republican Party will continue its legal fight against state election law for picking candidates, as long as no more party money is used to fund it.
  The vote came after hours of bantering between divided members of the State Central Committee, which spent most of Saturday's meeting adopting the day's agenda.
  "I think we all want the same thing," said former state GOP Chairman Thomas Wright, now chairman of the National Republican Committee. "I think we all want to elec
  
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• Power of polygamous group wanes in tiny Utah town among red rocks

  04-11-2017 22:52
  HILDALE, Washington County — In a place where political contests are virtually unknown, the campaign signs offer the latest hint that a polygamous group is losing its grip on this remote red rock community straddling the Utah-Arizona border.
  "For Hildale mayor vote Donia," reads one sign featuring Donia Jessop, a candidate pictured with a contemporary hairstyle and a red business suit.
  The signs hanging from fences and walls are unusual because elections here have long been decided behind
  
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• John Curtis navigates political world, sets sights on D.C.

  04-11-2017 22:17
  SALT LAKE CITY — John Curtis was still a BYU student when he was earning enough in commissions as a sales representative for a watch company to book a flight to Denver to call on customers.
  Trouble was, at 24, he was too young to rent a car once he got there.
  "So there I was, thinking I was a highly trained professional," said Curtis, the Republican in the 3rd Congressional District race. "The only place that would rent me a car was called Rent-A-Wreck. I just remember going down the road
  
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• Jim Bennett battles 'tribal distinctions' as United Utah Party candidate

  04-11-2017 22:11
  SALT LAKE CITY — Jim Bennett made his cinematic debut with a bit part in the forgettable Mormon movie "The Home Teachers" in 2004.
  A theater major at the University of Southern California, Bennett had designs on becoming a "world-famous" actor. But after graduation from USC and an MBA from BYU, he spent more time on the business side of productions at the Pink Garter in Jackson Hole and Tuacahn in St. George than on stage.
  His big chance on the silver screen came because he and the moviema
  
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• Kathie Allen finds balance in Utah, boldness for congressional run

  04-11-2017 22:08
  SALT LAKE CITY — Kathie Allen still marvels at the week she spent in Washington, D.C., in the mid-1970s as an employee of a newly elected California representative.
  Allen recalled being introduced to George H.W. Bush, who later became president, on an elevator, and seeing late Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy in action on the Senate floor.
  "I really, really didn't want to go home and work in the district office," said Allen, who's making her first run for public office as the Democrat in Uta
  
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• Rich High School’s Confederate rebel on its way out

  04-11-2017 20:30
  RANDOLPH, Rich County — National controversy over Confederate soldiers is pushing Rich High School to change its mascot.
  For more than 30 years, a rebel soldier wearing the Confederate gray uniform stood as its symbol, but that's about to change.
  Principal Rick Larsen said national controversy made it clear to the school board that it needed to change the mascot, but a couple of students came up with a solution where they won't have to change everything.
  There can be a sense of pride in wh
  
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• Brigham City homeowner says vandalism could be hate crime

  04-11-2017 17:29
  
  A Brigham City family believes they were the target of a hate crime after their home was spray-painted with graffiti and a pride flag flying outside was torn.
  
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• Op-ed: Utah is prime for Amazon's next headquarters

  04-11-2017 16:05
  If you haven't heard, Amazon is looking for a new home for the company's second headquarters. More than 200 communities are vying for this transformative economic opportunity. The reasons are obvious: the company is looking to bring $5 billion in investment, create nearly 50,000 high-wage jobs and develop more than 8 million square feet of office space over almost 20 years.As a matter of perspective, the 2002 Winter Games were estimated to result in $4.1 billion in economic output and supported
  
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• Bill Kristol on Trump, Romney, the GOP, conservatives and Mormons

  04-11-2017 15:33
  SALT LAKE CITY — Conservative commentator Bill Kristol, founder and editor-at-large of the Weekly Standard, and Boyd Matheson, president of the conservative think tank Sutherland Institute, sat down with the Deseret News and KSL editorial boards Friday to talk politics, conservatism, Donald Trump and the future of the Republican Party.
  Kristol was a staunch critic of candidate Trump prior to the election and continues to be critical of a president he has said is not qualified for the offic
  
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• John Curtis: To those confused about my stance on President Trump

  04-11-2017 14:45
  When I decided to run for Congress, I did so because I felt I could be a different kind of leader — the kind of leader I strived to be as mayor. As a mayor, I thought I had it figured out. Working with diverse opinions, showing leadership on tough issues and solving problems were all hallmarks of my service. I loved serving, not because I’m a politician, but because I love Provo and its people.Frankly, I’m a relative newcomer to the world of partisan politics: the bright lights
  
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• In our opinion: Dropping the SB 54 lawsuit is the best move for Utah's GOP

  04-11-2017 13:05
  Utah’s Republican Party faces a crossroads. It is nearly $400,000 in debt because party leadership has insisted on continuing a legal fight to keep the Legislature and governor’s office (both controlled by Republicans) from weakening its convention and caucus system for nominating candidates.The party’s new chair, Rob Anderson, announced Wednesday he is dropping a lawsuit against the state law that helped permit ballot access through both a signature gathering process and the p
  
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• Utes snap 4-game losing skid, rollover UCLA in 48-17 victory

  04-11-2017 06:10
  
  It took a quarter of play before Utah’s offense got into a rhythm and the Utes rolled over visiting UCLA, beating the Bruins 48-17 in a must-win game for both programs.
  
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• A call to protect principles of freedom: Commentator Bill Kristol raises his voice in Utah

  04-11-2017 05:34
  SALT LAKE CITY — An outspoken conservative critic of President Donald Trump says it would take an economic or a foreign policy crisis to keep the GOP from nominating him for a second term.
  There will be a challenge in 2020 because there are enough Republican leaders who think the party can do better than Trump, said Bill Kristol, a political commentator and founder of the Weekly Standard political magazine. But it would be an uphill battle to defeat a sitting president in a party primary.
  
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• SLC Planning Division aims to keep vintage business signs intact

  04-11-2017 05:23
  
  Salt Lake City's Planning Division is looking at ways to keep vintage business signs on buildings around the city from disappearing.
  
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• World-famous Harlem Globetrotters recruit KSL TV's MIke Headrick

  04-11-2017 05:21
  
  The Harlem Globetrotters are in town this weekend. And this year, they’re going deep, deep, deep to their bench ... hoping to get a little help.
  
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• I-15 reopens in northwest Arizona after semi crash

  04-11-2017 04:39
  
  Interstate 15 was delayed in both directions for several hours due to a semi crash in northwest Arizona, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.
  
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• Booming economy delaying smaller construction projects in Provo School District, officials say

  04-11-2017 04:07
  
  Construction workers are so busy that Provo School District officials are having a difficult time finding contractors who are interested in even bidding on small maintenance projects throughout the district.
  
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• More neighborhood snow cameras wanted throughout Utah

  04-11-2017 03:03
  
  National Weather Service meteorologists want Utah residents to add cameras to its network, so more people can get a snapshot of snowfall wherever they go in the state.
  
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• Decision to drop elections lawsuit divides Utah GOP

  04-11-2017 02:16
  SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Republicans came out swinging Friday, itching for a fight over a lawsuit against a controversial election law and lobbing a secret ethics allegation at the state GOP chairman who said the suit will be dropped.
  The blows came ahead of the party's governing State Central Committee meeting Saturday in Park City, where intraparty factions are expected to duke it out. On Wednesday, party Chairman Rob Anderson announced he is dropping the lawsuit against the state law known
  
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• Traumatic brain injury survivor speaks out about the importance of helmet use

  04-11-2017 02:00
  
  Greg Nordfelt survived a motorcycle crash six years ago and is now talking about how it changed his life.
  
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• State School Board to take another crack at middle school requirements

  04-11-2017 01:30
  SALT LAKE CITY — After the public pushed back against changes to the state middle school requirements that made arts, physical education, health and other courses as electives instead of requirements, a committee of the State School Board made another attempt Friday to amend the board rule.
  Essentially, the committee agreed to language that would largely undo its previous action and clarify parents' ability to seek course waivers.
  Arts, physical education and health courses will once again
  
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• Enforcing current laws is best way to reduce gun violence, advocates say

  04-11-2017 01:25
  SANDY — Recent deadly shootings in Las Vegas and Salt Lake City have raised concerns for some critics who wonder if adjustments should be made to laws governing firearm sales in an effort to increase public safety.
  For gun advocates, the problem does not require any new laws, just better enforcement of regulations that are already "on the books."
  This weekend marks the final Crossroads of the West gun show of the year at South Towne Expo Center in Sandy. The two-day, quarterly event &mdash
  
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• Ex-pro football player suspected of killing wife in Park City

  04-11-2017 01:02
  PARK CITY — Former professional football player Anthony McClanahan is suspected of killing his wife Thursday in Park City.
  McClanahan, 46, was named as the "primary suspect" in the death of his wife, 28-year-old Keri "KC" McClanahan, who was found dead in a Park City condominium.
  Keri McClanahan, of Arizona, died of an apparent knife wound to the neck, Park City police confirmed Friday.
  According to a public online wedding planning profile, Anthony and Keri McClanahan were married in Janua
  
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• Photos: Let sleeping sloths lie

  04-11-2017 00:36
  A pair of Linnaeus' two-toed sloths sleep in a tree in their exhibit during their first introduction to the public at the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium in Draper on Friday. According to the aquarium, the male and female sloths' home was destroyed by deforestation in their native Guyana and they were taken to a rescue center. After experts determined the pair could not be released back into the wild, they found a new home at the aquarium. Two-toed sloths are nocturnal and sleep 15 to 18 hours a
  
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• Sears store in Salt Lake among 63 to close

  04-11-2017 00:35
  NEW YORK — Sears Holdings Corp. says it will be closing another 63 stores as the ailing retailer tries to turn around its business.
  The Hoffman Estates, Illinois-based company, struggling to keep up with its rivals, said it will shutter 45 Kmart stores and 18 Sears stores, including the location in Salt Lake City, in late January.
  Liquidation sales will start as early as next Thursday.
  The move comes in addition to the closing of about 250 stores already announced this year.
  Meanwhile, Sea
  
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• 2 Cedar Hills candidates disqualified from election

  04-11-2017 00:33
  CEDAR HILLS, Utah County — Two Cedar Hills candidates were disqualified from their races Friday, essentially deciding the city's mayor and City Council races just days away from Election Day.
  Mayoral candidate Curt Crosby and City Council candidate Maurice Fernando Navarro were disqualified for failing to complete their required campaign finance disclosures on time, according to a news release issued by Cedar Hills on Friday.
  Their disqualifications likely solidify their opponents' wins.
  C
  
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• Prosecutors still mulling charges for man accused of killing U. student

  04-11-2017 00:29
  SALT LAKE CITY — Prosecutors have asked for an extension as charges are considered for the man accused of shooting and killing a University of Utah student and leading police on a manhunt this week.
  Austin Boutain, 24, remained without bail in Salt Lake County Jail on Friday as prosecutors continue collecting information in the case, Salt Lake District Attorney Sim Gill said.
  Boutain is being held for investigation of aggravated murder in the death of 23-year-old ChenWei Guo after police s
  
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• Willard man charged with murder

  04-11-2017 00:21
  WILLARD, Box Elder County — A Willard man has been charged with murder.
  Chay Lance Blair, 25, was charged Wednesday in 1st District Court with the first-degree felony, as well as abuse or desecration of a dead body, a third-degree felony. An arrest warrant for Blair, who was captured in Idaho, was issued on Thursday.
  Blair is accused of killing Cody D. Henderson, 27, of Ohio, whose body was found in Blair's garage, 435 S. Main, Wednesday morning. The cause of death was determined to be blu
  
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• Lawmaker wants to shift sex ed focus to reproductive health

  04-11-2017 00:10
  SALT LAKE CITY — A North Ogden lawmaker has been meeting with diverse stakeholders as he contemplates legislation on sex education instruction in public schools that would shift the focus from human sexuality to reproductive health.
  Rep. Justin Fawson, R-North Ogden, is also considering making available to parents a series of web-based modules on topics such a contraception, healthy relationships and substance abuse that they could share with their children as they wish.
  In a meeting with
  
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• Northbound I-15 lanes temporarily blocked after Layton crash

  04-11-2017 00:00
  
  Northbound I-15 are blocked south of Hill Air Force Base, according to the Utah Department of Transportation website.
  
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