Monday evening, December 16, 2019
Nation
McAdams To Vote Yes On Impeachment
Utah’s lone congressional Democrat, Ben McAdams, D-Utah, has announced that he will vote this week to impeach President Donald Trump. McAdams told reporters in a Monday press conference that he thinks evidence shows that the President abused his power and obstructed Congress. The House will vote on Wednesday. Read the full story— Rocio Hernandez, Murray
Homeless Ruling Stands
The Supreme Court will not hear a Boise court case about ticketing the homeless for sleeping in public. That means a 9th Circuit court ruling stands: ticketing people for sleeping in public is unconstitutional. And that means these kinds of ordinances around the West are now illegal. This case will now go back to a federal court in Idaho, where the city will have to change its ordinance to meet Constitutional muster. — Madelyn Beck, Mountain West News Bureau
Region
Herbert Joins Western Governors To Improve Electric Vehicle Infrastructure
Friday, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert joined seven other governors in the Intermountain West in committing to boost infrastructure for electric vehicles across the region. The goal is to improve electric vehicle access to major transportation corridors. The memorandum of understanding updates a previous agreement from 2017, and was signed by governors from Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming and Utah. Some efforts include educating fleet owners about electric vehicles, encouraging companies to stock more electric cars in western states, and creating and coordinating charging stations. — Caroline Ballard
Northern Utah
Salt Lake County Gun Sales
Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson announced Monday that anyone buying firearms at Salt Lake County events like gun shows will have to go through background checks. Until now, sales by licensed dealers have required background checks, but private sales at gun shows have not. The rule will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2020, and will apply to events taking place in county-held facilities. Gun show producers and the county’s facilities contractor SMG are now in talks to implement the changes. — Caroline Ballard
Hemmert Drops Out Of 4th Congressional Race
Utah State Senate Majority Whip Daniel Hemmert is dropping out of the race for Utah’s 4th Congressional District. He was one of 5 Republicans vying to unseat Democrat Ben McAdams. Hemmert wrote on Twitter that he wants to focus on his family, his business and his work in the Utah senate. His campaign had received more than $240,000 in donations according to the most recent disclosure — far more than other Republicans in the race but far below the $1.3 million McAdams has raised. — Sonja Hutson
Southern Utah
San Rafael Travel Plan
The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public comment on draft travel plans for the San Rafael Desert. The agency’s preferred plan more than doubles the number of miles open to off-road vehicles in the area, south of Green River in Emery County. The agency is revising the travel plan as part of a 2017 court settlement with the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance. This week the BLM will present its plans to the public in Price, Green River, and Castle Dale, respectively on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. — Kate Groetzinger, Blanding