Karianne Lisonbee

In the 2nd Congressional District Republican primary debate between incumbent Rep. Blake Moore and state lawmaker Karianne Lisonbee, the Box Elder Data Center, Great Salt Lake and redistricting concerns dominated the conversation.

KUER will carry live coverage of the 2026 2nd Congressional District Republican primary debate, online and on air, on Monday, June 1, at 6 p.m. MDT.

More than 3,500 delegates descended on Utah Valley University in Orem Saturday for the state GOP convention. Challengers Karianne Lisonbee and Phil Lyman were relying on the convention to send them to the June primary ballot.

The bill would give judges more discretion in sending juveniles convicted of aggravated murder to adult prison and also changes the way the state collects some data on reoffenders.

A proposal to broaden the definition of recidivism to include arrests and jail time is prompting warnings that it could distort crime statistics — and end up misinforming public safety policy.

Utah lawmakers are considering a bill with a provision to let judges transfer certain juvenile offenders to adult prisons. The proposal has sparked sharp debate among attorneys, advocates, and those who’ve witnessed the dangers young people face behind bars.

An analysis by the Utah Defense Attorney Association found that the Legislature passed 165 bills over the last five years to increase criminal penalties. Yet, crime statistics don’t seem to reflect lawmakers’ output.

Starting Sept. 1, a new law will restrict one of the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s main methods to control jail overcrowding. Advocates say expanding the jail won’t solve the issue, and the county is failing to address the root of the problem.

Gov. Spencer Cox told reporters that the president is right to be cautious about mail ballots, but Utah has worked hard to maintain its system.

Paradise Republican Casey Snider moves up to Majority Leader from Assistant Whip. He’ll be joined by Candice Pierucci and Bridger Bolinder as the whips.

There are four different kinds of special sessions in Utah. The governor says he will call for one in May, but lawmakers may also be considering their own sessions as well.

The Women in the Economy Commission was working to alleviate Utah’s child care crisis before it was dismantled in the final hours of the 2025 legislative session.