Wednesday morning, December 9, 2020
State
Sen. Mitt Romney Says He’s Still Pushing For COVID-19 Relief
Sen. Mitt Romney, R-UT, told the Utah business community Tuesday he’s still pushing for another round of federal coronavirus aid. Romney said the latest proposal includes billions of dollars for unemployment insurance, rural hospitals and $300 billion to help small businesses. But he said if people want to see more help, they need to get involved. “Call your congress people,” Romney said. “Because there are a lot of folks, particularly among my conservative, Republican colleagues that are saying, no we’re not gonna do that.” As for a COVID-19 vaccine, Romney said they are asking for $16 billion to help with distribution and buying more equipment like masks and gloves. Utah health officials said 13 hospitals in the state should receive their first batch next week. — Ross Terrell
Northern Utah
Salt Lake Magazine Editor Dies
The editor of Salt Lake Magazine died Monday after she was swept into the ocean in Northern California. Mary Brown Malouf was visiting Humboldt Bay near the Oregon border. The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office said she walked out on the North Jetty with her adult son when a large wave swept over the wall, knocking them off their feet. Her son was able to cling to the jetty rocks but Malouf was swept out to sea. Her body was found later that day. The 66-year-old Texas native became executive editor of Salt Lake Magazine in 2007. — Associated Press
Region/Nation
Vaccinations Are Coming, But Keep Social Distancing
Scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico are using computer models to get a clearer picture of how COVID-19 vaccines will change the course of the pandemic. Their findings show that masks and social distancing will still be necessary after vaccine distribution begins.— Savannah Maher, Mountain West News Bureau