Tuesday morning, Nov. 9, 2021
State
Lawmakers get pushback over district maps
Over a hundred people showed up to comment on the Legislative Redistricting Committee’s proposed map Monday evening. All the maps received scrutiny from the public, but one of the biggest points of contention was the congressional map that divided Salt Lake County into four districts. Lawmakers received major push back from both sides of the aisle, about rural and urban representation on the maps. Many criticized the lack of transparency and the short period of time for the public to give input. Still, the committee voted to adopt the chairmen’s congressional map. The full Legislature will finalize the maps in a special session this week. Read the full story. — Ivana Martinez
Former Congressman endorses Senate hopeful Evan McMullin
Senate hopeful Evan McMullin has picked up two endorsements in his bid to unseat Republican Mike Lee. Former Utah Democratic Rep. Ben McAdams has thrown his support behind McMullin who’s running as an independent. A previous United Utah Party congressional candidate Jonia Broderick has also endorsed McMullin. Lee already has two major Republican challengers — Becky Edwards and Ally Isom. Edwards was once a state representative, and Isom served as deputy chief of staff for Gov. Gary Herbert In an op-ed in the Deseret News, McAdams and Broderick said they support McMullin for what they see as his ability to overcome partisan division. — Elaine Clark
Northern Utah
Utah soldiers return from deployment
Members of the Utah National Guard are returning home this Tuesday afternoon. The 141st Military Intelligence Battalion has been deployed in the Middle East for a year. They were supporting U.S. Central Command with human and counterintelligence. Major Aaron Jardine, executive officer for the battalion, said the members are some of the highest skilled soldiers in the Utah National Guard. Jardine said he’s especially excited to have them home in time for the holiday season. — Elaine Clark
Children’s vaccine event
Utah’s Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City will be hosting a two-day vaccination event for kids 5 to 11 years old. This Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., they’re partnering with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Utah Department of Health reported nearly 4,000 new COVID-19 cases since last Friday. Children 5 to 11 accounted for 497 of those. The state also said there have been more than 3,200 cases in schools over the last two weeks. — Elaine Clark
Region/Nation
Impact of telehealth
Americans greatly increased their use of telehealth during the pandemic. In Nevada, for example, it grew more than tenfold. That’s because Medicare and Medicaid changed policies so doctors could provide more remote services. A number of lawmakers from the Mountain West have signed on to legislation to make those changes permanent. Experts say that would make it easier for people in remote areas to see a doctor, and it can help patients with mobility issues get access to medical care. — Bert Johnson, Mountain West News Bureau