Tuesday morning, Mar. 3, 2020
STATE
Utah Prepares For Coronavirus
Utahns should expect to see a spread of Coronavirus here, according to the state’s epidemiologist. State leaders have assembled a task force to prepare, led by Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox. State leaders are emphasizing that people should not panic, but they should take preventative measures like washing their hands regularly, and creating a plan with their families and businesses in case they have to be quarantined. Read the full story. — Sonja Hutson
Transgender Drug Study
Rep. Brad Daw, R-Orem, said he will not run a bill this legislative session banning transgender hormone therapy and surgery for minors. He has opted instead to run legislation to study puberty blocking drugs. Some lawmakers had told Daw they needed more clarity on the effects of the drugs before they would support a bill banning them, according to Daw. He said he also heard concerns from parents who told him their kids needed the drugs to treat their gender dysphoria and avoid serious mental health issues. While Equality Utah executive director Troy Williams is glad that Daw has abandoned his original bill, he’s worried that the results of the review would be skewed. Read the full story. — Sonja Hutson
Voting Today
It's Election Day, and Utah is one of 14 states voting on Super Tuesday. Polls open at 7 a.m. The mailing and postmark deadline for ballots was Monday, but voters have a few choices today: drop the ballot at an official drop box, walk it into a voting center or cast a vote in person with valid identification. Ballots must be dropped or cast by 8 p.m. Tuesday night. — Diane Maggipinto
NORTHERN UTAH
Mendenhall’s State Of The City
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall said the more than 100,000 attendees of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ April General Conference will get free public transit passes. The announcement came during her first State of the City address Monday night, and she hinted that more partnerships like that may be coming. Mendenhall also announced upcoming initiatives aimed at building affordable housing and increasing diversity in city staff. — Sonja Hutson
REGION
Wyoming Tribe Declares Meth Emergency
Methamphetamine addiction is dire in indigenous communities across our region. The Northern Arapaho Tribe in central Wyoming is the latest to take action in the Mountain West. The tribe has issued an emergency declaration that directs all tribal employees to make combating meth use a top priority and launched a solutions task force. — Savannah Maher, Mountain West News Bureau