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PM News Brief: Condoleezza Rice At SUU, Campaign Finance & Porn Warning

Photo of Condoleezza Rice
Wikimedia Commons
Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will be Southern Utah University's commencement speaker on April 24.

Tuesday evening, Feb. 4, 2020

STATE

Campaign Finance Limits

A new bill sponsored by Rep. Suzanne Harrison in the Utah Legislature would place limits on political campaign contributions. Those two-year limits run from $5,000 for a school board candidate, for example — to $40,000 to a political action committee. Utah is one of just five states that do not have campaign contribution limits for corporations, according to the National Conferences of State Legislatures. — Sonja Hutson
Note: Rep. Suzanne Harrison is a member of KUER’s advisory board.

Porn Warning

Rep. Brady Brammer, R-Highland, has unveiled a proposal to require pornography to carry warning labels or be subject to a possible $2,500 penalty. If it passes the Legislature, the label about potential effects on minors would have to appear on both print and digital material in Utah. Brammer said it wouldn't violate free-speech rights because it wouldn't affect the content itself. But a Free Speech Coalition spokesman says such a warning label would violate the First Amendment because it would be a forced message. — Associated Press

NORTHERN UTAH

United Utah Fields 4th Congressional Candidate

Ben McAdams has another challenger for his 4th congressional district seat. Jonia Broderick of the United Utah Party declared her candidacy Tuesday. Broderick says the party, which was formed after the 2016 election, can be a moderating influence in what she called “these tumultuous times.” Her platform includes government reform and controlling debt and healthcare costs. She also says she believes in federalism and the constitution. — Elaine Clark

Salt Lake County Expanded HIV Services

Salt Lake County’s Health Department will now offer HIV PrEP services at its STD Clinic. PrEP is a preventative drug prescribed to people at high risk for contracting HIV, like those with multiple partners or who inject drugs. It is a daily pill that can reduce the risk of getting HIV by more than 70%. The county health department said office visits and lab work required for PrEP will cost patients at least $835 per year. But there are financial assistance programs that may help those who cannot afford it. — Caroline Ballard

Missing Utah Hunters Found

A pair of hunters from Utah who had been missing in the back country of northeast Nevada since Saturday have been found safe near the Idaho line. “The Elko Daily Free Press” reports a search and rescue team found 38-year-old Chad Strain and 44-year-old Lee Peters in their stranded vehicle Monday. Rescuers heard them yelling and shooting a gun to draw attention about 13 miles southeast of Jackpot. They were not dressed for cold weather because it was relatively warm before a snowstorm moved in over the weekend. They were found where they got stuck in the mud near Granite Creek Reservoir. — Associated Press

SOUTHERN UTAH

Condoleezza Rice Speaking At SUU

Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will be Southern Utah University’s 2020 commencement speaker. The ceremony will be held at the Cedar City campus on April 24. Rice will also receive an honorary doctorate during the ceremony. Rice was the 66th U.S. Secretary of State, and was the first black woman to serve in that role. She was also the first female National Security Adviser. — Caroline Ballard

REGION

Colorado Bill Could Limit Vaccination Exemptions

A bipartisan group of Colorado legislators have said they plan to introduce a bill aimed at increasing vaccination rates in the state. They say the bill will require parents seeking a vaccine exemption for non-medical reasons to use a specific form. They would also need to get the signature of a doctor, or do an online vaccine education class. Colorado is one of about 15 states including Idaho and Utah that allow vaccine exemptions based on personal reasons, in addition to religious or medical ones. — Rae Ellen Bichell

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