Tuesday, March 22, 2022
State
Gov. Spencer Cox vetoes trans sports bill. Legislature will try to override
Gov. Spencer Cox vetoed a controversial bill Tuesday that would ban transgender girls from competing in girls sports. Almost immediately after, legislative leaders announced they would try to override the veto. Lawmakers introduced — and passed — the measure on the final night of the 2022 General Session, with just hours left until the end. Cox explained his veto in a letter to legislative leadership. He mentioned concerns about lawsuits and pointed to how only a handful of openly trans kids are playing school sports in Utah. But lawmakers argue they’re trying to protect women’s sports. The Legislature plans to convene for the veto override session on Friday, March 25. Read the full story. — Emily Means
Want to switch parties for the primaries? Do it by March 31
If you’re hoping to switch political parties before this year’s primary election, you must do so by March 31. FOX 13 reports the deadline has been moved up because of a law passed last year by the state Legislature. The state’s elections director said people can still join a political party and vote after the month ends — they just can’t change sides. Because Utah is overwhelmingly Republican, some people view the party’s primary as the one that will ultimately determine state leadership. But since it’s closed, you have to be a registered GOP member to participate. The state’s primaries will take place June 28. — Ross Terrell
This article is published through the Utah News Collaborative, a partnership of news organizations in Utah that aims to inform readers across the state.
Region/Nation
Denver donates bison to tribal communities
Denver has donated 33 bison to three tribes as part of the city’s broader conservation program. Most of the bison went to the Northern Arapaho tribal community in Wyoming, and the rest were split between the Arapaho and Cheyenne communities in Oklahoma. Denver maintains two small herds and plans to continue donations to tribal communities up to at least 2030. — Dave Rosenthal, Mountain West News Bureau