Take 2

By KUTV 2NewsGovernment

Take 2 episodes

October 31Four Days Until Election Day Rapid Fire Issues, the latest and greatest before election day
Heidi Hatch, Maura Carabello and Thomas Wright

Amendment B: New poll shows a shift in voter sentiment

GOP Statement on Amendment B Polling Utah Poll of Record: 56% oppose Amendment B

Noble Predictive Insights polling record? Are they usually on target or off base?

Trump’s approval in Utah

Trump is urging voters to treat the midterms as if his name were on the ballot. Noble’s Utah poll finds his approval at 66% among Republicans. Democrats disapprove 99% to 1%, while independents disapprove 72% to 25%.

Trump cancels weekend rallies then rebooks

Salt Lake County tax and bond mailer

Salt Lake County sent a mailer this week about a proposed tax increase while also asking voters to approve a bond.
Will the tax increase kill voters desire to say yes to the recreation bond?

Utah legislative leadership elections

Leadership elections are scheduled for next week.

Senate
President: Sen. Evan Vickers (R-Cedar City) vs. Sen. Kirk Cullimore (R-Draper)

Ballot packet errors in two counties

Early turnout

Judicial retention debate

Economy and Affordability

Mortgage rates

Utah home prices and buyer leverage

Alaska double candidate-name controversy

Utah Voting Reminder
Mail ballots must reach county election officials by 8 p.m. on Nov. 3. Voters can also use a drop box or vote in person. Same-day registration is available at vote centers with two forms of valid ID.

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51 min
October 23Take 2 Podcast: Data Center Battles, Election Security, Fight for for Control of Congress
Host: Heidi Hatch
Guests: Maura Carabello and Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz
What you'll hear this week:
Utah congressional debates: What issues will drive voters to the polls?

Data center protests, arrests and potential legislation in 2027.

Could data centers become a national election issue?

Constitutional Amendments A & B: What's at stake?

DOJ election monitors coming to Utah.

Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson's 60 Minutes interview and threats against election officials.

Federal judge stalls U.S. Forest Service headquarters move to Utah.

Utah legislative races to watch.

Criminal charges against Utah sheriffs and questions about accountability.

National election outlook: Who will control the U.S. House and Senate?
Election Day: November 3, 2026.
Listen to this week's Take 2 Podcast for political analysis and discussion from both sides of the aisle.

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1 hr 6 min
October 05Take 2 Podcast: Utah’s Election sprint, ballot amendments, death penalty debate
This week on Take 2 Podcast: Heidi Hatch is joined by Maura Carabello of the Exoro Group and Utah GOP Chair Rob Axson.
The 2026 election sprint: Mail ballots go out Oct. 13 ahead of Utah’s Nov. 3 general election.

The new Salt Lake-centered 1st Congressional District and whether it could help determine the balance of power in Washington.

Breaking down the CD1 debate between Democrat Ben McAdams and Republican Riley Owen: Did either candidate move undecided voters?

What to watch for in the CD3 debate between Republican Rep. Celeste Maloy and Democratic challenger Kent Udell.

New polling on how Utahns are feeling about the midterms — and whether optimism, anxiety and the national political environment will shape turnout.

Constitutional Amendments A and B, including the proposed 60% threshold for citizen initiatives that create or increase taxes.

Former Utah Rep. Trevor Lee’s fraud charges, resignation and the impact on public trust.

Two major death-penalty developments: the halted execution of Tennessee inmate Christa Pike and the release on bond of Utah death-row inmate Douglas Carter after more than 40 years.

CBS News’ partnership with prediction market Kalshi: Useful political data or a risky new influence on election coverage?

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46 min
September 26Take 2 Podcast: Election Security, UVU Review, Curtis Calls for Investigation
Heidi Hatch is joined by Maura Carabello with the Exoro Group and Rep. Ryan Wilcox, who sits on the Utah Legislative Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee.
The 158-page UVU campus-safety review following the Charlie Kirk shooting: staffing, coordination and accountability.

The Supreme Court allowing the Trump administration to use the SAVE database to check voter citizenship — and what it means for Utah’s election administration and voter privacy.

The federal case against a Utah postal worker accused of discarding about 300 Eagle Mountain ballots and other mail — and whether the case undermines trust or shows election safeguards working.

Sen. John Curtis calling for an investigation into Donald Trump Jr. and Hunter Biden over presidential family business dealings and foreign connections.

Whether Utah lawmakers can write meaningful guardrails for Flock cameras, license plate readers and artificial intelligence before the 2027 legislative session.

New polling showing Utahns’ concerns about data-center growth, water use and the pressure to keep up with the tech economy.

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1 hr 2 min
September 19 Take 2 Podcast: Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson joins Heidi Hatch to discuss Utah’s legal fight with the U.S. Department of Justice
This week on the Take 2 podcast, Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson joins Heidi Hatch to discuss Utah’s legal fight with the U.S. Department of Justice over access to voters’ unredacted personal information.
The interview was recorded Sept. 14, just hours before the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the separate USPS case.
Henderson says the lawsuit will not affect Utah’s upcoming election.

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17 min
September 12 Take 2: 9/11 at 25, Charlie Kirk memorial debate, governor’s national profile
Heidi Hatch joins Maura Carabello and former Utah State Auditor John Dougall to examine how America has changed in the 25 years since 9/11 and debate plans to memorialize Charlie Kirk at UVU. They also discuss Gov. Spencer Cox’s “Disagree Better” campaign, questions surrounding his growing national profile and a Justice Department lawsuit challenging Utah’s in-state tuition policy for undocumented immigrants.

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57 min
September 05Take 2 Podcast: Utah Legislature dives into issues months before the session
Host: Heidi Hatch
Guests: Maura Carabello, Exoro Group, and Doug Fiefia, Utah representative and Senate candidate
Utah Legislature dives into issues months before the session

To Flock or Not to Flock?

This week: Utah lawmaker to propose “parameters” for Flock cameras and ALPRs

Two months out from Election Day

President Trump on the campaign trail

Bears Ears and Grand Staircase protections

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53 min
August 29Take 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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53 min
July 02Take 2 Podcast: Utah's wildfire crisis, Supreme Court decisions, and what's next in Utah politics
Host: Heidi Hatch
Guests: Maura Carabello, Exoro Group & Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz

Utah Legislative Primary Races
Lessons Learned, who will lead the Utah Senate

Wildfire Crisis in Utah
Fallen Firefighters
Three wildland firefighters killed on the Utah-Colorado border

Two additional firefighters seriously injured
Cottonwood Fire
More than 100 condos and 30 cabins destroyed at Eagle Point Resort

Damage assessment continues
Wildland Firefighter Employment Protections
Should part-time wildland firefighters have job protection when called to active duty?
Forest Service Staffing Cuts
Are management and staffing cuts contributing to current wildfire challenges?

Headquarters relocation from Washington, D.C., to Salt Lake City

Supreme Court Decisions
Transgender Sports
Supreme Court upheld state laws banning transgender students from participating on girls sports teams

6-3 decision
Mail Ballots
Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that states may count mail ballots received after Election Day if they were postmarked by Election Day

More than a dozen states currently follow this practice
Birthright Citizenship
Supreme Court struck down President Trump's executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship

6-3 decision in Trump v. Barbara
Charlie Kirk Murder Case
Court Hearing Next Week
Accused killer Tyler Robinson back in court

Charlie Kirk's parents, widow Erika and others expected to attend

Tight courtroom security, no electronics allowed

Utah Supreme Court expected to decide before Monday whether Robinson's roommate/romantic partner must testify

Happy Birthday America – 250 years’ worth celebrating

We will be taking a July summer break. Thanks for listening!

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52 min
June 27Take 2 Podcast: Primary upsets, wildfire crisis, Washington politics
Hosts:
Heidi Hatch

Maura Carabello, Exoro Group

Rob Axson, Utah GOP Chair (joining from Washington, D.C.)
Fire danger across Utah
Statewide fireworks restrictions and the new law allowing cities to designate safe discharge zones.

The Cottonwood Fire in Beaver County, now expected to become the costliest wildfire in Utah history.

Gov. Spencer Cox's comments on the destruction.

Looking ahead to the dangerous fire weather forecast.
Primary election shakeup
Several high-profile incumbents lost Tuesday's primary:
Senate President Stuart Adams

Sen. Dan McCay

Rep. Trevor Lee

Two Box Elder County commissioners
What do these results say about the direction of Utah Republican politics?
Congressional races
Democrats
Ben McAdams wins the Democratic nomination in Congressional District 1.
What does his victory say about the party moving away from convention-selected candidates?
Republicans
Rep. Blake Moore wins his primary over Karianne Lisonbee.

Does Lisonbee have a political future after this race?

Rep. Celeste Maloy defeats Phil Lyman.

Is this the end of Lyman's statewide political influence?
Voting issues
Some Democratic voters reported not receiving ballots.

Was this simply a learning curve with the first Democratic congressional primary conducted this way, or is there more to examine?
Supreme Court rulings
Major decisions released this week.

Which rulings have the biggest impact on Utah and national politics?
SAVE Act
President Trump's push for the SAVE Act.

Why is the administration making a full-court press now?

What are the political and legal implications?

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47 min