Thursday morning, Feb. 20, 2020
State
Implication Of Boy Scout Abuse Cases In Utah
In what’s been characterized by some as an attempt to shield itself from the roughly 300 active sexual abuse cases it’s currently facing, the Boy Scouts of America filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Tuesday. And while the total number of abuse cases in Utah is unclear, the bankruptcy filing could have big implications for past and future scouts in the state. Utah once had some of the highest enrollment in the country because of the Scouts’ historic connection to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Read the full story. — Jon Reed
Vanity Plates
A bill banning license plates that disparage groups of people based on things like race and religion passed the Utah Senate Wednesday. It comes after controversy earlier this year over a personalized plate that read "DEPORTM." Sen. Luz Escamilla, D-Salt Lake City, is the bill’s sponsor. She said the state commission that approves the plates should have clear guidelines to make sure there is nothing derogatory or disparaging on plates. An alternate proposal to get rid of vanity plates entirely died on the Senate floor yesterday. Escamilla’s bill will now head to the House of Representatives. — Jessica Lowell
Winder Newton Halts Signature Gathering
Utah Republican gubernatorial candidate Aimee Winder Newton said she’ll stop gathering signatures and focus on winning delegates to get on the primary ballot. She said it’s too expensive to get the 28,000 required signatures. There are two ways a Republican candidate can get on the ballot in Utah: they can either get those signatures or get delegate votes at the Republican State Convention in April. There are currently six Republicans vying for Utah’s governor’s seat. — Grace Osusky
Northern Utah
Tulsi Gabbard Campaign Stop
Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, is making a campaign stop in Utah this week. The contender for the Democratic presidential nomination trails well behind the field. She didn't qualify for Wednesday’s debate in Nevada, and finished seventh in the New Hampshire primary. Friday, Gabbard will host a free "Meet the Candidate'' event at the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah. She’ll hold town halls in Salt Lake City Friday evening and in Provo on Saturday. Gabbard represents Hawai'i' in the U.S. House and is the first Hindu member of Congress. — Diane Maggipinto
Provo Brewpubs
Provo city officials have approved amending the land use code to allow ancillary breweries in restaurants in two downtown zones and in regional shopping center areas. The City Council voted 4-3 after hearing public comments. Supporters said it allows brew pubs to have economic value, bring more diversity and provide a welcoming atmosphere for visitors. Opponents cited concerns over the health and safety of residents, and said brewpubs could potentially increase reports of drunken driving and DUI-related citations and crashes. — Associated Press