Take 2 Returns: Election Watch, Data Centers, Where's the beef?

Take 2 Podcast

Host: Heidi Hatch

Guests: Maura Carabello and Adam Gardiner

Welcome back after the Take 2 summer break.

While we were taking a break -

• Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall’s divorce filing and whether she will run for reelection as Luz Escamilla enters the race.
• Sen. Todd Weiler’s new role leading the Sutherland Institute.
• Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante resized.
• The continuing war with Iran.
• More than half a million acres burned in Utah this summer.
• Flock cameras—and why so many Utahns are pushing back.
• Nine weeks until Election Day.

Election watch

• The SAVE America Act: voter ID, proof of citizenship and whether changes can be implemented before November.
• Utah voters on election requirements: 66% support proof of citizenship at registration, according to the latest Deseret News-Hinckley Institute poll.
• The Supreme Court’s mail-voting ruling and Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson’s response that it currently has no effect on Utah.
• New polling: Gov. Spencer Cox, Sen. Mike Lee and Sen. John Curtis all in negative territory, with independents moving away from Cox.

Utah politics and policy

• The Stratos AI data-center backlash, calls to reform MIDA, and questions over water, heat, noise and public accountability.
• Utah Senate President Stuart Adams’ demand for retractions and threats of lawsuits.
• Inflation, high gas prices and high beef prices.
• Trump’s imported-beef plan—and pushback from Utah ranchers and members of Utah’s congressional delegation.
• Tyson’s Eagle Mountain closure: 700 jobs lost after five years, despite a 10-year agreement and major tax incentives.
• Utah’s $212 million Meta settlement and how the state should spend it on youth mental-health concerns.
• If time: Gov. Cox’s new book, Off Ramp, out Sept. 8.

Coming up

• Friday, Sept. 4: Rep. Doug Fiefia
• Friday, Sept. 11: Rep. Cal Roberts

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