Wednesday evening, Jan. 22, 2020
NATION
Romney’s Swing Vote
A small group of Republican senators could hold the key to how the Senate impeachment trial plays out. Among them? Utah Sen. Mitt Romney. Read the full story. — Sonja Hutson
E-Cigarette User Fees
Sen. Romney also introduced legislation Wednesday that would require e-cigarette companies to pay user fees to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The Resources to Prevent Youth Vaping Act would use those fees to strengthen oversight and awareness of e-cigarettes and their dangers — especially for young people. The bipartisan bill is co-sponsored by a number of other senators. A companion effort will be introduced in the House. — Caroline Ballard
STATE
Conversion Therapy Ends For Utah’s Youth
Therapists are now banned from practicing conversion therapy on LGBTQ youth in Utah, after a new rule took effect Tuesday night. Utah is now the 19th state to ban the widely-discredited practice. Read the full story. — Nicole Nixon & Colin Dwyer, NPR
Lawmakers On Tax Referendum
Utah Senate President Stuart Adams and House Speaker Brad Wilson responded Wednesday to a referendum on tax reform. In a statement, they said they “recognize the current tax reform plan created concern for some Utahns and the legislature remains committed to crafting solutions.” Organizers said Tuesday they had far surpassed the amount of signatures needed to get the referendum on November’s ballot. — Caroline Ballard
NORTHERN UTAH
New Salt Lake City Councilman
The Salt Lake City Council has appointed Darin Mano to fill the District 5 council seat vacated by newly elected Mayor Erin Mendenhall. That district includes the Ballpark, Liberty Wells, Central Ninth and East Liberty Park neighborhoods. Mano — one of 28 candidates who applied for the position — was sworn in Tuesday night. He has a background in architecture and city planning. Manop will finish Mendenhall’s term, which ends January 2022. — Grace Osusky
Racist Frost Drawing
Officials at the University of Utah say multiple people are responsible for the N-word being written on a frosty car windshield shortly before Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations there. In a letter to students and faculty Tuesday, officials said the people have been identified and “appropriate actions” are being taken. — Associated Press