Thursday morning, February 11, 2021
Southern Utah
Another Step To Dixie Name Change
The Utah House of Representatives voted Wednesday to change the name of Dixie State University. The bill to drop “Dixie” passed 51-to-20. Bill sponsor Rep. Kelly Miles, R-Ogden, thanked people for weighing in and said now is the time to make the change. The bill will now go to the Senate, where a sponsor has not been formally announced. — Lexi Peery
Zion Prescribed Burn
Zion National Park fire managers are planning a 26-acre prescribed burn in South Campground near the main entrance of the park beginning Thursday. Routine prescribed fire is used to reduce excessive vegetation build up on the landscape to reduce the potential for more severe fires, according to fire officials. Fire managers said smoky conditions for short periods and short-term traffic delays are possible near the burn and along the main park road. The burn could be postponed until later this winter if current weather conditions change. — Lexi Peery
Region/Nation
Lee Objects
Sen. Mike Lee of Utah brought impeachment proceedings to a halt late Wednesday afternoon when he wanted mentions of press reports about him removed from the official record. A House impeachment manager said that, according to those reports, then-President Donald Trump called Lee during the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection. Trump was trying to get hold of Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama though, and Lee said he handed his phone to the Senator. The reports alleged Trump asked Tuberville to delay the election certification. “Statements were attributed to me repeatedly as to which I have personal knowledge because I am the source,” Lee said in Wednesday’s hearings. “I never made those statements. I ask that they be stricken.” One of the House impeachment managers said he would strike it from the record because it was not critical to their case. As he made that announcement on the Senate floor, Lee shouted “It’s not true!” over him. — Sonja Hutson
U.S. Attorney For Utah Resigns
U.S. Attorney for Utah John Huber is stepping down at the request of President Joe Biden. Huber served the Obama and Trump administrations over a nearly six-year period. He is the top law enforcement official for the state of Utah. In his letter of resignation, Huber pointed to “considerable discord and strife” facing the nation. He said what binds Americans together “is so much stronger than the issues that would pull us apart.” Huber said he'll leave the office at the end of the month. — Bob Nelson
Snowboarding Championship Comes To Region
Aspen is hosting the World FreeSki and Snowboarding Championships after China cancelled due the COVID-19 pandemic. Aspen Skiing Company is working with the county, the FIS Alpine World Ski championships and the U.S. Ski snowboard Association to place best COVID-19 protocols for the event. Those include daily health checks, COVID-19 testing every 72 hours, and no spectators. Aspen Skiing Company is encouraging those interested in the championship to to watch from the comfort of their own home. — Stephanie Serrano, Mountain West News Bureau