AGP Executive Report

Pentagon Christian-label fight: The Pentagon’s revised “Christian religions” list has put Utah’s LDS Church back in the spotlight, after Senators Mike Lee and John Curtis pushed back on the removal of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from the Christian category. Utah politics—CD2 GOP primary: The Blake Moore vs. Karianne Lisonbee race is in its final stretch ahead of the June 23 primary, with redistricting and Moore’s past role in an anti-gerrymandering effort at the center of the fight. Health—Utah measles outbreak: Doctors and anguished parents describe the toll of Utah’s measles outbreak, including newborns exposed to the virus and the high stakes for families facing vaccine hesitancy. Local safety and infrastructure: Saratoga Springs residents worry about evacuation bottlenecks as fires strain the area’s limited routes, while Grand County approved airport repairs and a wildfire agreement. Outdoors and recreation: A new North Wash boat ramp is complete to restore access for Cataract Canyon river trips, and wildlife officials warn visitors to keep distance from bison on Antelope Island. Utah culture and media: “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” continues to draw attention to Mormon women’s stories, as Utah’s broader national conversation about faith and identity heats up.

Immigration & Work Visas: Utah Rep. Mike Kennedy is pushing legislation to permanently set a $100,000 minimum salary for H-1B workers after a court blocked the administration from doing it by executive action. Local Law Enforcement: The Utah County Sheriff’s Office is asking for tips on four missing calves stolen near the White Lake Channel area of Goshen Bay. Arts & Community: Springville unveiled “Art Loops,” three walkable downtown routes meant to spotlight murals, sculptures and landmarks starting at the Springville Museum of Art. Public Safety: A falling tree at Pineview Reservoir left a 13-year-old in critical condition; investigators are still working the case. Utah in the National Spotlight: Salt Lake City International Airport ranked No. 2 in the U.S. in a new AirHelp Score airport ranking, behind Portland. Politics & Courts: A new antitrust lawsuit targets the NCAA’s revenue-sharing cap, arguing it violates state NIL laws in 17 states. Faith & Military Policy: The Pentagon cut its religion codes from about 220 to 31 broader categories, drawing debate over how faith is tracked in the armed forces.

NCAA Gambling Ruling: Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby won a temporary injunction letting him keep playing after admitting impermissible bets, while the NCAA says it will appeal and could still impose a ban later. Utah Politics & Policy: Utah’s Republican senators Mike Lee and John Curtis pushed back after the Pentagon’s religious classification list didn’t label the LDS Church as Christian; the Pentagon says it fixed “redundant” labeling and updated the rubric. Public Health: Utah doctors described life amid the state’s measles outbreak, including how clinicians protected newborns and managed parental vaccine fears. Wildfire Safety: Utah’s summer fire danger remains high, with officials urging precautions during the “100 Deadliest Days” stretch. Utah Business: Capital Community Bank is rebranding as Quill Bank to market itself to fintech partners, with the name launch set for June 30. Sports (Utah Connection): Athletes Unlimited Softball’s second season begins with the Utah Talons, as the league expands to six teams and more TV coverage.

Pentagon Religious List Backlash: The Pentagon revised its recognized religious affiliations again after Utah lawmakers and others objected to how the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was handled, saying it fixed “redundant and unnecessary labeling” and removed the Christian label from other traditions instead. Salt Lake City Immigration Fight: Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County sued DHS and ICE over a plan to convert an airport-area warehouse into a large immigration detention facility, arguing the process was secret and raises public health and environmental concerns. Utah Food Safety: Go Raw LLC expanded a recall of freeze-dried chicken pet food after finding potentially low thiamine (vitamin B1) levels in an additional lot. Public Safety/Crime: A former Utah judge was sentenced to consecutive prison terms for targeting and exploiting children online. Wildfire Prep: Ogden moved into “Yellow” fire restrictions, limiting fireworks and open ignition sources in higher-risk areas. Water Watch: The Utah Snow Survey says drought stress remains despite a wet April, with snowpack melt arriving about a month early. Utah Courts/Drugs: Lehi store owners were charged over alleged sales of synthetic urine and other illegal drug products.

Immigration Detention Watch: Protesters at an ICE-owned Salt Lake City-area warehouse say semitrailers have started appearing in the rear lot, hinting the dormant site may be shifting toward holding people instead of goods, while ICE says it’s reviewing policies and won’t directly address the trailer activity. Utah Connectivity: Emery Telcom finished a 200-mile fiber build that now brings high-speed internet to every Utah public school, including remote Navajo Mountain, improving access for students, telehealth, and nearby households. Semiconductor Workforce: NSF and Commerce expanded the CHIPS & Science Act National Network for Microelectronics Education, adding regional nodes to better align training with industry needs. Drought + Data Centers: A new analysis finds most planned U.S. AI datacenters are slated for drought-affected areas, raising fresh pressure on water supplies as the country stays dry. Health & Safety: An eye specialist warns many “dry eye” cases are tied to reduced blinking from screens, which can worsen long-term gland function. Public Safety: Utah officials report a 17-year-old Arizona teen drowned while paddleboarding at Bear Lake after falling off and not wearing a life jacket.

Pentagon Faith Classification: Utah lawmakers Mike Lee and John Curtis are pushing back after a new Pentagon policy recategorized the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints so it’s no longer listed as Christian, calling it inaccurate and urging a correction. Legal Community Snapshot: Utah State Bar data shows the number of actively licensed attorneys varies widely by city—Salt Lake City (4,400), Cottonwood Heights (113), West Valley City (69), and Park City (186)—with Utah’s statewide bar passage rate reported at 86%. National Security: The U.S. Senate blocked extending the FISA Section 702 surveillance program, with seven Republicans joining Democrats; the program is set to expire June 12. Utah Courts & Law Offices: Bar-license counts also highlight smaller communities like Alta (1 attorney) and Moroni (1), while Delta had 7 active attorneys in May. Wildfire Watch: A new Tower Fire started near Scipio Summit, burning about 40 acres, with crews responding.

Utah Data Centers: Stratos’ hyperscale project in Box Elder County is being scaled back by about half after thousands of residents protested water and power impacts, with developers still not providing firm water-use estimates. Local Politics: A Democratic firm is spending nearly $11,000 on ads and mailers urging rural Republicans to oust Box Elder County commissioners tied to the Stratos zoning deal. Public Health: Utah officials are tracking the return of new world screwworm after the first U.S. case in decades, saying there’s no immediate threat to the food supply but urging vigilance. Faith & Government: Utah Sens. John Curtis and Mike Lee push back after the Pentagon changed how it categorizes LDS chaplains, arguing the move contradicts the Church’s Christian identity. Safety & Tragedy: A 17-year-old from Arizona drowned after falling off a paddleboard at Bear Lake; officials say he wasn’t wearing a life jacket. Sports: South Korea’s World Cup squad trained in Mexico after a three-week altitude camp in Utah, with the team aiming to refine strategy before opening play.

Pentagon Religion Codes: Utah Sens. John Curtis and Mike Lee are pushing back after a revised Pentagon list of religious designations dropped The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from the “Christian” category, even as it keeps LDS as its own separate code—sparking fresh debate in Utah and beyond. Great Salt Lake Funding: Rep. Celeste Maloy says she secured $10 million to start a Great Salt Lake Watershed Recovery Program, aiming to build toward a larger $1 billion request over multiple years. Box Elder Data Center Fight: A second lawsuit targets Box Elder County’s data center approvals, arguing the project violates the Utah Constitution and could harm air quality and water availability. Wildfire Watch: High wildfire danger continues across parts of Utah and the West with Red Flag Warnings and gusty conditions expected through the weekend. Northern Utah Roads: A fatal crash in Layton is under investigation, adding to a tough stretch of incidents on Northern Utah highways. Community & Events: Weber State launches its first “Wildcat Night at the Ballpark” in Ogden with free admission and a drone show after the game.

Public Health: Utah’s Public Health Lab is using wastewater surveillance to track measles statewide, with 35 collection sites and lab work that can both detect the virus and help trace how outbreaks spread. Local Politics: A Midway resident says Americans for Prosperity is actively pushing in Utah elections, arguing the group is tied to wealthy donors and developer-backed priorities. Water & Energy Tech: A new solar desalination approach reportedly turns real seawater into drinking water while avoiding toxic brine waste by leaving salt behind in a recoverable way. Health Care Oversight: CMS ratings updates show mixed nursing-home performance across Utah counties, including a 5-star Pine View Transitional Rehab (Weber) and a 2-star Millcreek Rehabilitation and Nursing (Salt Lake). Climate: A new analysis finds summer heat is rising fastest in western cities, with Salt Lake City warming about +6.0°F since 1970. Community & Youth: USU Extension is launching a statewide virtual “Marathon Kids” program to get kids moving through summer. D-Day Remembrance: Multiple pieces mark the 82nd anniversary of D-Day, including reflections on local veterans and Normandy family dinners. Data Centers: Iron County’s planning commission approved a conditional use permit for a large Cedar City-area data center project, despite concerns about water, wildlife, and traffic.

Utah Data Center Fight: Utah lawmakers and Gov. Spencer Cox’s administration keep pressing Kevin O’Leary’s Stratos Project to shrink after protests and political pushback, with a new legal challenge arguing the process may block citizens’ referendum rights. Public Safety & Weather: A Red Flag Warning and Fire Weather Watch are in effect across southern Utah and parts of Nevada as heat, wind, and low humidity raise wildfire risk. Medicaid Work Rules: New federal guidance on Medicaid work requirements could leave more than 180,000 Utahns at risk of losing coverage starting in 2027, according to advocates. Elections & Voting Access: Tooele County says about 9,000 voters received incorrect ballots and will need replacement ballots. Community & Health: Utah National Guard honored six leaders at the Bronze Minuteman Awards; Utah’s diaper drive runs June 15–July 6 in Provo, Holladay, and West Jordan.

Utah Data Center Fight: Kevin O’Leary says he’ll cut his Stratos AI data center plan in half after Utah lawmakers pushed back, with claims the revised project will protect bird habitat and use water-saving tech. Federal Immigration Funding: The U.S. Senate passed a $70B immigration bill funding ICE and Border Patrol over months of dispute, including fights over an “anti-weaponization” fund and dropped White House ballroom money. Utah Health & Research: The University of Utah named David B. Larson as its next radiology chair, bringing an AI-focused background from Stanford. Mining Watch (Utah): Diablo Resources bought an 80% stake in Utah’s Horn silver project, expanding a silver-antimony district position and setting up near-term drilling. Local Safety: A Utah-registered car accidentally drove onto a Seattle light-rail track after following GPS, pausing service while crews removed it. Nursing Home Ratings: CMS data show Utah for-profit facilities like Rocky Mountain Care–Cottage on Vine and Orem Rehabilitation and Nursing Center earning 2-star overall ratings for Q1 2026.

Utah Data Centers: Kevin O’Leary agreed to cut his Stratos AI data center footprint in northern Utah in half after pressure from Utah Senate President Stuart Adams, with Adams also demanding a 75% reduction, stronger water protections for the Great Salt Lake, and more transparency as the project faces ongoing backlash. Public Safety Tech: UDOT and Brigham City rolled out vehicle-to-everything signal preemption for emergency vehicles, aiming to shave seconds off response times and reduce crash risk at busy intersections. Wildfire Preparedness: Carbon County commissioners discussed expanding statewide fire restrictions, including bans on open fires and fireworks in unincorporated areas and limits on equipment use near dry vegetation. Crime & Courts: Ogden police said a stabbing suspect was fatally shot by an officer after a struggle at an apartment complex; separately, Murray police sought a fugitive with more than 20 years of felony charges. Community & Culture: Heber Valley’s Red, White, and Blue Festival is expanding to a three-day America250 celebration July 2-4.

Stratos Data Center Fight in Court: Box Elder County opponents behind the BEAR referendum group filed an appeal in Utah First District Court after the county attorney blocked their bid to put the controversial Stratos hyperscale project on the November ballot, arguing the denial was improper and that the resolutions should be referable to voters. Wildfire Reality Check: New research on Western wildfires finds fewer fires are starting, but the ones that do burn are growing larger—matching Utah’s recent pattern of slightly fewer blazes and far more acres burned—driven by warmer, drier conditions even as prevention efforts reduce ignitions. World Cup Warmup in Provo: South Korea beat El Salvador 1-0 at BYU’s South Field in Provo, with Lee Dong-gyeong scoring a free-kick goal, as the team heads to Mexico for Group A matches starting June 11. Utah Wildlife Funding: Utah’s Species Protection Account approved $5.1 million for 33 projects to help wildlife recover and prevent future Endangered Species Act listings. USU Plant Lab Boost: Utah State University’s Plant Pest Diagnostic Lab earned national “core accredited” status from the National Plant Diagnostic Network, strengthening its ability to keep diagnostic costs low for clients.

Data Centers & Water: Utah’s Stratos AI/data-center fight is heating up as Kevin O’Leary pushes back on a Senate president’s demand to cut the project footprint by 75%, arguing the deal never included that kind of change. Elections: Tooele County says about 9,000 voters got incorrect primary ballots due to a print-vendor data-matching error, with replacements and deactivation underway. Public Safety: A man riding an electric scooter died after a crash in Kearns when a vehicle cut him off and he was struck by another car. Housing/Consumer Protection: Utah is ending a homeowner “safety net” for construction liens tied to unpaid suppliers, leaving fewer options for people caught between contractors. Education & Fraud: Rep. Burgess Owens advances a bill targeting “ghost students” who steal identities to claim FAFSA aid. Community & Loss: Karen Huntsman, a major Utah philanthropist, died at 88. Sports & Culture: Utah’s “Movies in the Alley” outdoor series returns at a Salt Lake food hall, starting with The Princess Bride.

Public Health: Federal health officials reopened a salmonella investigation tied to imported moringa “super greens,” adding new brands and warning consumers to check homes even if they haven’t bought recently. Utah Outdoors & Wildlife: With drought pushing animals toward neighborhoods, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources urges deer-proofing gardens (fencing, motion sprinklers) and warns hikers to keep distance from moose. Great Salt Lake & Water: A Utah State University study finds Great Salt Lake decline pressures farmers, who say growth and urban water demand—not farming—are the biggest drivers. Weather & Food: Late spring frosts are expected to slash Utah fruit production, creating a “fruit famine” for many growers. Arts & Culture: Helper En Plein Aire returns with a cash-prize competition and a new “Helper Beer Label Award.” Travel & History: A new feature spotlights Salt Lake’s Spiral Jetty and its enduring mystery as Great Salt Lake levels shift.

Utah Supreme Court: Gov. Spencer Cox appointed two new justices, Jay Jorgensen and Stephen Dent, to fill seats created by the Legislature’s expansion of the Utah Supreme Court from five to seven. Public Health: Utah officials confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza at a dairy in Cache County and ordered mandatory weekly surveillance, with quarantines for any facility that tests positive. Politics (Utah): The Utah 2nd Congressional District redistricting fight is back in the spotlight as Republican candidates clash over support for Proposition 4 and its court battle. Courts & Families: A custody case involving KayLee Dutton’s accused killers and the broader criminal justice process continues to unfold in Iron County, with sentencing for some defendants and a trial expected for the last. Community Safety: Southern Utah University police coordinated a multi-agency active shooter training exercise as part of its emergency action plan. Weather & Preparedness: The Red Cross of Utah urged residents to prepare for extreme summer heat, emphasizing cool-down plans, hydration, and warning signs.