Friday evening, August 14, 2020
State
Utah’s National Delegates Adjusting To Virtual Democratic Convention
Thirty-five Utah delegates are participating in the Democratic National Convention next week. But, in order to help slow the spread of COVID-19, they won’t be getting on a plane to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Instead they’ll log on to their computers to participate in the virtual convention. They say the virtual convention means they’ll miss opportunities to network and fundraise, but understand it’s better to be safe than sorry. Read the full story. — Sonja Hutson
Sen. Mitt Romney Takes Aim At Trump’s Foreign Policy
Utah Senator Mitt Romney criticized President Donald Trump’s foreign policy strategy “America First” during a virtual discussion Friday with the conservative think tank, the Sutherland Institute. The Republican senator said cooperating with other nations is critical to controlling China’s power throughout the world. “We're pulling out of the world,” Romney said. “And so, you know, as America retreats and China pushes forward, the nations of the world will line up behind China.” Romney said to keep China from becoming the top global superpower, the U.S. needs to work together with its allies and value those relationships. — Sonja Hutson
New Covid Numbers Jump, But Due To Reporting Delay
Utah’s health department reported 552 more cases of COVID-19 Friday, but officials said that number is artificially high due to a reporting delay: 144 of those new cases occurred in early July. Seven more people have died due to the disease, according to health officials. Five of them were long-term care facility residents and the other two were hospitalized at the time of their deaths. So far, about 80% of Utah’s cases are considered recovered. — Ross Terrell
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints To Publish New Magazines
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is updating its magazine offerings. For decades, the church has published four magazines, including Ensign and New Era. Three were available in English, and another had material for all ages that was translated into other languages. Starting in January, it will offer three magazines — “Friend” for children, “For the Strength of Youth” for young adults and the “Liahona” for adults. All of them will have monthly issues translated into at least 23 languages. Online-only content and bimonthly issues will be available in more than 60 other languages. Church officials said the magazines will make content for young people more readily available to those who don’t speak English. — Caroline Ballard
Reyes Signs Letter Advocating For Business COVID Liability
Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes is pushing to protect businesses from civil lawsuits due to COVID-19. Reyes and 21 other state attorneys general signed a letter to show support for the Congressional Safe to Work Act, which provides pandemic-related liability protection for businesses, schools and nonprofit organizations. They argue it will protect employers and their employees from frivolous lawsuits so the economy can recover. Utah legislators passed a bill during April’s special session which prevents people from suing businesses or other individuals for possibly exposing them to COVID-19. — Emily Means
Region/Nation
USPS Employee Tosses Out Critical Immigration Document
A U.S. Postal Service employee faces jail time after allegedly throwing out critical immigration documents. Dianne Molyneux is being prosecuted in Utah for discarding that mail at a Salt Lake City post office. Some of it belonged to people in Nevada who were waiting on green cards and other important immigration documents. Without them, the Nevada Independent found that some lost jobs, others paid $1,000 to get new documents and those applying to be DACA Dreamers ended up in legal limbo. — Madelyn Beck, Mountain West News Bureau