Take 2

By KUTV 2NewsGovernment

Take 2 episodes

June 20Take 2 Podcast: ICE detention, mail-in ballots, Congressional races, Iran deal
HOST: Heidi Hatch
GUESTS: Maura Carabello, John Dougall
ICE plans to sell warehouse facilities in Salt Lake, six other cities moving back to existing detention space
“From day one, DHS has remained singularly focused on removing the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from the United States and is always evaluating the best methods to do so. These heinous criminals, once arrested, should be removed at lightning speed, not housed on American soil at the taxpayer’s expense. DHS is moving swiftly to utilize EXISTING detention space with our state and county partners.” - DHS
Voter Turnout - Thursday 5pm Salt Lake County 20%
A new Utah law requires mail ballots to be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Previously, ballots only needed a postmark by the day before Election Day.

The change comes from HB300, which passed the Legislature last year.
Trump on Utah Mail in Ballots
Will Utah’s new deadlines avoid headlines we are seeing out of California with long delays
Utah County Clerk's Office hired a 23-year-old conservative influencer to be the chief deputy clerk
Karianne Lisonbee, without evidence, accuses Blake Moore of ‘insider trading’ before deleting X post
Salt Lake County Allegations Liban Mohamed was escorting voters to the polls- Clerk apologizes
Utah Supreme Court Justices approved by Senate
Statement from the Utah Democratic Party on the Packing of Utah's Supreme Court
“It is not a coincidence that these appointments come as the Supreme Court prepares to hear landmark cases on redistricting and reproductive rights. Across this country, courts are being reshaped not to deliver justice, but to preserve political power. Our state is not immune. Utahns deserve better.”
Iran Memorandum of Understanding
Both sides agreed to "the immediate and permanent end to military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon."

Iran can begin exporting oil as soon as the MOU is signed.

Iran "will make arrangements using its best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels with no charge for 60 days only from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman and vice versa."

The U.S. and regional partners will develop a reconstruction plan for Iran worth at least $300 billion.

Iran affirms that it "shall not procure or develop nuclear weapons."

The two sides "have agreed to resolve the disposition of stockpiled enriched material."

U.S. sanctions on Iran will be lifted on schedule as a part of a final deal, linked to nuclear compliance.

There will be 60 days to sign a final agreement, which the two sides can agree to extend.
AMERICA 250
UVU Professor Greg Jackson book release “Been There Done That”
Professor Greg Jackson, podcast host of History That Doesn’t Suck, proves that while today’s political climate may be dark, these aren’t as unprecedented times as we may think.
COMING UP watching KUTV 2 News for post election results Tuesday
Next Friday Post Election discussion
Wednesday July 1st Speaker Mike Schultz will be back, he attended the UFC fight night at the White House, walked past the highly debated reflecting pool.
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53 min
June 13 Take 2 Podcast: Politics of Fire, Pentagon religion slight, Election drama, Colorado River
THE POLITICS OF FIRE
Fires in Utah in full swing this week
Tooele County, multiple fires, arson arrest
SLC Capitol Hill Fire - State says started by homeless, City says they don’t know
Mike Lee ignites controversy after adding roadless rule repeal to a wildfire bill
13-year-old girl dies at Pineview after dead tree falls: Would Pineview Reservoir be safer if it were a state park? Not US Forest Service land

Pentagon Classification of Latter-day Saints

Election Day 11 days out - Drama between campaigns ramps up

PAC cash flowing into Congressional races

Trevor Lee Race - voters get video text describing fraud allegations

Senator Dan McCay sends out mailer with endorsement from Senator John Curtis - Curtis said he is neutral on the race

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, warned states involved in Colorado River disputes could lose access to remaining federal conservation funding if they pursue litigation over water rights.

SLC Council picks new member with a coin flip

SLC, Salt Lake County sue DHS over planned Detention Center

House GOP Vice Chair Blake Moore will host the annual NRCC summer meeting in Utah this weekend

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1 hr 1 min
June 06 Take 2 Podcast: Fidelity Month, Data Centers, Primary Debates, NIL Cash
Host: Heidi Hatch
Guests: Maura Carabello, Rep. Cal Roberts

Gov. Spencer Cox declared June "Fidelity Month in Utah."

In his declaration, Cox said that American support for traditional values has "significantly declined." "A majority of Americans no longer esteem values like faith, family, patriotism or community involvement," he continued. He said it is "imperative" that Utah's "recommit" themselves to the pursuit of fidelity, defined as "dedication to faith, family and country."

DATA CENTERS

Senate President Stuart Adams and Kevin Oleary, write each other letters and make a deal to downsize

No referendum BEAR group files lawsuit to get the issue on the November ballot

Should massive data centers get tax incentives

PRIMARY ELECTION JUNE 23RD

Winner and Losers or nothing gained or lost in Congressional Debates?

Ballots should be in your mailbox this week

Tooele County sent out 9,000 bad ballots, mistake made at printer

U of U private equity capital deal for the athletic program

The University of Utah's groundbreaking private equity deal is a historic $500 million partnership with the New York-based firm Otro Capital. The deal shifts the school's commercial revenue operations—like ticketing, corporate sponsorships, and licensing—into a for-profit entity called Crimson Brand Partners (formerly Utah Brands & Entertainment LLC)

Utah state auditor says Utes’ private-equity deal has ‘significant risks.’ Here are her concerns.

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56 min
May 15Take 2 Podcast: Speaker Mike Schultz on data center, 2028 governor's race
Heidi Hatch 2 News
Maura Carabello, Exoro Group
Mike Schultz, Utah House Speaker

Data Center Referendum: A Box Elder County group wants voters there to decide proposed data center’s fate

Elevate Utah accuses Speaker Mike Schultz of buying up property to profit off data Center

Schultz, a cattle rancher in Box Elder and neighboring counties, responds

Forget about 2026, everyone is talking 2028: John Curtis running for Governor

2028 RACE: Former Congressman Jason Chaffetz, Senator John Curtis, Speaker Mike Schultz, Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, Traeger Grills CEO Jeremy Andrus, entrepreneur Brad Bonham and Rep. Blake Moore

Murray City School District awarded $13 million Catalyst Center grant to launch groundbreaking healthcare academy

The Healthcare Academy will initially focus on three high-demand disciplines:
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA): A foundational pillar of patient care.

Radiology Technician Assistant: The first program of its kind in the nation offered to high school students.

Behavioral Health Assistant: Among the first in Utah and the nation to be offered at the secondary level.

NEW BILL ALREADY IN USE: Child Care Business Tax Credit HB 190
Stadler is using the child care business tax credit sponsored by Rep. Jason Thompson to help build a child care facility with more capacity than they need themselves, helping create more child care options for other businesses and working families nearby.

Eva Lopez out SLC Council – She does not live in the district
Councilwoman Eva Lopez Chavez’s seat was vacated after a short investigation from the Salt Lake City Attorney’s Office, which found that she “failed to maintain a primary place of residence” within her district.

Trump Administration moves to strip conservation from America’s Public Lands eases grazing regulations

Trump visits China

War with Iran continues and creates a Take 2 war of its own

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1 hr 2 min
May 09 Take 2 Podcast: Deep dive on Utah's new Data Center, Justice resigns, Utah gas tax cut
Host: Heidi Hatch
Guests: Marua Carabello, Rep. Cal Roberts

BREAKING: Utah Supreme Court Justice Diana Hagen resigns amid conflict-of-interest allegations in Prop 4 case

Data Center passes Box Elder Commission vote 3-0

Better Utah calls for investigation into Senate Pres. Stuart Adams after donations to his PAC- but have no proof of wrongdoing

Questions over lawmakers benefiting from Data Center

How will Utah taxpayers benefit from new Data Center

Utah Focus Legislative Session on AI: State Coordination of Regional and Local Economic Development Projects HB 507

What is MIDA and how powerful are they

Gas Tax cut kicks in- how will the savings grow over time

Rep. Roberts was just appointed chair of the House Government Operations Committee

Primary sponsor Housing Bill ⁠HB 492⁠  HB492, which recently passed the Utah Legislature, aims to tackle the state's severe housing shortage by directing $100 million in low-interest loans from the Transportation Investment Fund to local governments for critical infrastructure projects. The funding would support essential developments such as water tanks, sewer lift stations, treatment plants, and regional roads—key bottlenecks preventing thousands of already-approved homes from being built.

SLC Eva Lopez Chavez out during investigation into accusations of sexual misconduct

SLC Mayor asks for 12.5% tax increase

Phil Lyman would like 18 debates with Maloy

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1 hr 1 min
May 01Take 2: Assassination Attempt, Data Center, Statewide Convention winners and losers, Iran, SCOTUS ruling
Host: Heidi Hatch
Guests: Maura Carabello (Exoro Group), Thomas Wright (Former Utah GOP Chair, 2020 Gubernatorial Candidate, Real estate broker)
White House correspondents’ dinner attempted assassination
Utah Box Elder County Data Center
Governor Cox: Utah and other states have an obligation to "allow" the sprawling facilities. "There is a national security piece to this that has to be acknowledged," Cox said in response to a 2News question at his monthly PBS Utah news conference. "We have to do this. We just can't say no and shut the doors and go home and let China win this technology race."

Scale: The project would cover approximately 40,000 acres in the remote Hansel Valley area of western Box Elder County.
Power Demand: It is planned to produce and consume up to 9 gigawatts (GW) of power at full capacity (initially 3 GW), which is more than double the entire state of Utah's current average usage of roughly 4 GW.

Energy Source: Power would likely be generated on-site using natural-gas-fired plants hooked into the Ruby Pipeline, which runs through the area.

Water Usage: The project proposes a "closed-loop" water system to cool the systems, with officials claiming it will be a net positive for the Great Salt Lake. However, critics and some scientists have raised major concerns about the "heat island effect" and the impact on local water resources.

Status & Approval: On April 27, 2026, the Box Elder County Commission tabled a decision on the proposal following public outcry and concern that the process was being rushed.

Upcoming Action: A public meeting is scheduled for May 4, 2026, at 4 p.m. at the Box Elder County Fairgrounds in Tremonton.
Democratic Convention
Liban Mohammed wins D1 Race: A progressive surge in Utah? Liban Mohamed’s win in 1st District sets up high-stakes primary 51.8% Ben McAdams 48.5%
Eva Lopez SLC Council Investigation into accusations of sexual misconduct
Four people accuse Eva Lopez Chavez, a SLC Council member, of unwanted ‘sexual’ advances
Salt Lake City Council member Eva Lopez Chavez could lose her seat over where she lives
Republican Convention
Rob Bishop won a special election to Utah's House District 6 at the GOP nominating convention.
Bishop will complete Rep. Matthew Gwynn's term ending Jan. 2027 and run in November.
State Sen. Dan McCay faces a primary against Rep. Doug Fiefia on June 23.
CD2 Congressman Blake Moore loses with 33.7% of the vote
CD2 Former legislator Karianne Lisonbee 61.5%.
CD3 Congresswoman Celeste Maloy garnered 50.95%
CD 3 Phil Lyman 49.04%
State Senate President Stuart Adams is in a primary, capturing 55.1%
Braden Hess with 44.9%.
Prop 4 Officially Dead
Prop 4 Repeal Fraud Charges
Chadwick Kluttz, 40, of North Carolina, faces criminal charges accusing him of forging signatures in the effort to repeal Utah's Proposition 4.

He is charged with 11 counts of forgery and 11 counts of unlawfully signing a certificate of nomination signature sheet.

Kluttz was arrested in North Carolina and later released; Utah officials working to return him to Vernal to face charges.
UVU new President search after difficult Year Charlie Kirk assassination, graduation without keynote speaker
SCOTUS Gerrymandering
In major Voting Rights Act case, Supreme Court strikes down redistricting map challenged as racially discriminatory
WAR IN IRAN
U.S. Senator John Curtis “From the beginning, my position has been that the President’s actions in Iran have been consistent with his legal authority under the War Powers Resolution of 1973. However, that same law is clear that after 60 days, military action must begin to wind down unless Congress provides formal authorization.
“I take this requirement seriously for two reasons. First, the Constitution deliberately provides power to Congress to authorize war. Second, the legacy of the Vietnam War serves as a permanent reminder of the devastation that occurs when the lines of authority are blurred or ignored. That is why I have been clear: I will not support continued funding for the use of force without Congress weighing in. This is not an adversarial stance against the Administration; rather, it is a commitment to our system of government. It is critical to our national security that Iran’s malign capabilities are neutralized, but it is equally critical that we do so on a sound constitutional footing.
“As we reach this 60-day mark, it is time for decision-making from both the Administration and from Congress—and that can happen in league with one another, not in conflict. I am currently engaged in thoughtful discussions with my Senate colleagues, and also with the Administration, on a path forward that honors our respective constitutional roles, clearly outlines objectives and guidelines, and is in the best interest of the country and our servicemembers.”
PS Longest Federal Government Shutdown is over

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1 hr 9 min
April 25Take 2 Podcast Convention weekend and the scandals in both parties
Host: Heidi Hatch
Guest: Morgan Lyon Cotti Associate Director Hinckley Institute of Politics
Conventions this weekend Delegates pick their candidates
Inner party battles front and center
Democrats now have 4 qualified candidates through signatures from the new Utah CD1 race
2 candidates facing accusation of wrongdoing

Nate Blouin, Eval Lopez Chavez
Republicans have an inner party fight in Utah CD3
Rep Celeste Maloy qualified through signatures

Will Lyman get the nod from delegates or will Maloy still have a chance to shut him out at convention?
Trevor Lee dealing with his own accusations of check fraud and pay for play
Made it out of the Davis County convention alive, but lost to Stevenson
Why are we seeing what seems like so many bombshells pre-convention this year
New Hinckley Presidential Polling – Utahns support of President Trump fading

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26 min
April 17Take 2 Podcast: Political controversies and campaign shakeups rock Utah campaign season
Host: Heidi Hatch
Gusts: Maura Carabello, Exoro Group & Nic Dunn, Sutherland Institute
Utah Supreme Court justice faces allegations of impropriety in Prop 4 case
In 2025, the Beehive Family earned $123,716 and paid $34,482 in taxes, about 28% of household income. That breaks down to nearly 2½ hours of every workday spent paying taxes
UVU commencement speaker Sharon McMahon cancels
Nate Blouin makes national headlines over vulgar social media history
Utah legislative Democrats condemn Blouin
Two businessmen accuse Utah Rep. Trevor Lee of past check fraud and abuse of power
Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz says the Legislature is reviewing the allegations
Signature gathering ends, Utah CD3 heads toward a convention showdown
Swalwell and Gonzales resign from Congress under threat of expulsion
TMZ opens a Washington, D.C., office and offers cash for tips, raising questions about whether more candidates could drop out or step down
Trump posts a meme depicting himself as Jesus
Provo Cougar Pride hosts event featuring a piñata resembling Sen. Mike Lee, a painting of President Donald Trump’s severed head on a platter, and decorative Molotov cocktails for sale
Happy Tax Day, Utah families spend nearly 2½ hours each workday paying taxes

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1 hr 2 min
April 11Take 2 Podcast: JD Vance set to lead ceasefire talks this weekend, Utah gas prices higher than national average
Take 2 Podcast, Friday, April 10, 2026
Heidi Hatch with Maura Carabello of Exoro Group and Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz.
Vice President JD Vance is set to lead ceasefire talks this weekend, as tensions tied to a potential conflict with Iran continue. There are ongoing questions about whether a ceasefire will hold and if the Strait of Hormuz will remain open.

Gas prices in Utah are now higher than the national average, $4.26 compared to $4.16. Lawmakers are also discussing how the state’s gas tax bill works and what it means for drivers.

As the legislative session wraps, the group looks at highlights and lowlights, including early fundraising in Utah’s newly redrawn congressional districts and the latest update on efforts to repeal Proposition 4.

President Donald Trump is requesting $1 billion to restore and protect the Great Salt Lake, bringing renewed attention to the lake’s decline and long-term environmental concerns.

Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson is urging the Department of Homeland Security to abandon a proposed detention center in Salt Lake City. In an April 6 letter, she raised concerns about the plan, as questions remain about whether DHS can back out after already purchasing the site.

Utah’s job market continues to grow. Nonfarm payroll employment increased an estimated 0.6% over the past 12 months as of January 2026.

A Utah Valley University commencement decision is drawing more attention. The selection of Sharon McMahon as speaker is facing criticism, with College Republicans speaking out against the choice.

Photo Courtesy: Jackson Murphy

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56 min
April 04Take 2 Podcast: Utah's Congressional Races, LDS GOP numbers shift, Washington County Sheriff
Host: Heidi Hatch
Guests: Maura Carabello, Exoro Group & Carolyn Phippen, Political Advisor

CD1: Democrats try new tactic to win House seat in Utah, running as progressives in red state
Open Primary: Who will it favor?
DATA FOR PROGRESS INTERNAL POLL RESULTS dfp_ut01_memo_crosstabs.pdf
Signatures for D1 Blouin and McAdams will both be in the primary

CD2: House Speaker Mike Johnson and Jim Jordan Endorse Blake Moore for Reelection–

Lisonbee counting on Convention support- calls out Moore for Advertising campaign using House $$

Latter-day Saints are the 2nd most Republican religious group in America — but also the only one shifting away

Washington County Sheriff steps down after accusations of misconduct

President Trump signs an order directing the creation of a national eligible voter list

Lt Governor immediately spoke out against the order

Forest Service Headquarters moves to Salt Lake City

Trump “You’re Fired”
AG Pam Bondi

DHS Kristis Noem
President Trump is requesting $1 billion to restore Great Salt Lake as part of his annual budget proposal to Congress

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57 min