Take 2

By KUTV 2NewsGovernment

Take 2 episodes

January 09Take 2: 8 people shot, 2 killed outside Salt Lake meetinghouse
Take 2 Podcast — Friday, Jan. 9, 2026
Host: Heidi Hatch
Guests: Maura Carabello, Exoro Group; John Dougall, Former State Auditor

Happy New Year and America’s 250th anniversary year.

8 people shot, 2 killed outside LDS church in Salt Lake City neighborhood

Nationwide protests after fatal ICE agent shooting in Minneapolis

Newly elected municipal leaders sworn in

Utah Political Updates

Filing deadlines and races
The filing deadline has come and gone.
Rob Bishop is running for a seat after Utah Rep. Matthew Gwynn announced he will not seek re-election.
Former Provo Mayor Kaufusi is running for county commission.
GOP Rep. Trevor Lee faces a challenge from Davis County Commissioner Bob Stevenson in House District 16.
Three Republican candidates have filed to challenge Utah Senate President Stuart Adams in Senate District 7.
Sen. Dan McCay announced his re-election bid while Rep. Doug Fiefia filed to challenge him.
Sen. Nate Blouin is running for Congress. Four Democrats have filed: Richard T. Whitney, Silvia Caten, Evan Done and Taylor J. Paden, with Colin Smith also in the mix.
County clerk challenge in Utah County: incumbent Aaron Davidson vs. newcomer Corey Astille.
Legal & Legislative
The Utah Legislature filed a notice to appeal Utah’s redistricting case with the Utah Supreme Court, seeking to keep the old maps in place.
Congressional filing deadline is March. Another Democrat joined the congressional race, bringing the total to 10 listed on Ballotpedia, with Liban Mohamed as number 10.
A state school board member announced she won’t seek re-election, citing what she called a “corrupt” system.
GOP priorities for the legislative session include a bill to ban cell phone use in schools from bell to bell.
National & International
ICE fatal shooting in Minnesota has led to nationwide protests, including in Salt Lake City.
Nicolas Maduro captured (mention/source not verified in these notes — check if needed).
Iran protests and internet shutdown.
Trump administration weighing payments to Greenlanders to encourage closer ties with the U.S.
Trump said his global power was limited only by his ‘own morality.’

New York Times interview: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/briefing/trump-interview-oval-office-apple-ceo.html?smid=url-share
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1 hr 6 min
December 19, 2025 Take 2: Prop 4 signatures move forward as tax referendum faces tight deadline
HOST: Heidi Hatch
GUESTS: Maura Carabello Exoro Group, Rep Ryan Wilcox
Prop 4 is moving closer to the ballot as organizers report tens of thousands of signatures submitted to county clerks, even as another major policy fight begins to take shape. A newly filed effort to challenge Salt Lake County’s tax increase is now racing against a tight signature-gathering deadline, adding urgency to an already crowded political landscape. At the same time, unresolved court questions surrounding Prop 4 are keeping key decisions in limbo.

Did you catch the Variety White House Expose?
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/trump-susie-wiles-interview-exclusive-part-1?srsltid=AfmBOopKq4pM-ka2qo47Cc-_KgQd8ZemDcDLj8JIfkSPGgD6Yg2yglP7

Salt Lake County Tax Referendum
Goud Maragani and others applied for the referendum on Monday, which if approved by clerk's office, gives them a chance to put the increase on next year's ballot.
They would need to get about 45,000 handwritten signatures in 45 days. They are using volunteers.

Prop 4 Signature Gathering

Rob Axson Utah GOP Chair reports an estimated 75k valid signatures gathered – first signatures turned in a week ago to county clerks.

Few Hundred paid gatherers- majority local Utah hires

Latest on Prop 4 Case appeal

In new court filings, the legislature is asking Third District Judge Dianna Gibson to issue a final judgment in the case so they can appeal it to the Utah Supreme Court, which the plaintiffs and Gibson say she can’t do yet because of unresolved claims.

3 Governors Take the Stage together

3 Utah governors say the country ‘desperately needs more of Utah’ ... in the White House?

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/3-utah-governors-country-desperately-030000599.html

Bridger Bolinder

A leader in Utah’s House Republican caucus says he will not seek reelection next year, citing other commitments and responsibilities that require his attention.
House Majority Assistant Whip Bridger Bolinder, R-Grantsville, announced the decision this week. Bolinder was elected by his House colleagues to a leadership role over the summer, becoming one of the newest GOP leaders on Capitol Hill.
“Serving in the Utah House of Representatives has truly been the honor of a lifetime,” Bolinder said in a post on Instagram. “Representing the people of Tooele, Juab and Millard counties has meant more to me than I can put into words.”

Political and Religious Violence

Brown University Shooting/MIT Professor Shooting – person of interest found dead Salem New Hampshire
2 Students killed, 9 critically injured
MIT professor shot and killed at home
Bondi Beach Shooting
On Dec. 14, a mass shooting during a Hanukkah celebration on Sydney’s Bondi Beach killed 15 people, including a child, and injured dozens. Australian authorities said two gunmen linked to the Islamic State opened fire on a crowd of about 1,000 people, with police killing one suspect and arresting the other, who was critically injured. Police later removed two homemade bombs from a car connected to the attackers.

Trump Gave himself a year in review in primetime address.
Border closed
Peaced Deal Gaza/Israel
Economy is awesome (Many would debate this)

Utah Year in Review Charlie Kirk shooting and Utah Congressional Maps biggest stories of the year

New Year New Documentary: Melania

Exclusively in theaters Jan 30
https://x.com/MELANIATRUMP/status/2001266577077837917?s=20
“Hi, Mr. President, congratulations,” Melania Trump says on the phone, speaking from a golden bathroom in the first trailer for “Melania,” Amazon MGM Studio‘s upcoming documentary about the First Lady.
“Did you watch it?” Donald Trump asks on the other end of the call.
“I did not, I will see it on the news,” she replies.

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55 min
December 12, 2025Take 2 Podcast: Salt Lake Co. approves property tax increase, Gov. Cox signs 3 bills
Host: Heidi Hatch
Guests: Maura Carabello, Exoro Group; Nic Dunn, VP of Strategy, Sutherland Institute
Salt Lake County Approves Property Tax Increase
The Salt Lake County Council voted Tuesday night to approve a property tax increase of around 14%, lower than the originally proposed increase of nearly 20%.
Special Session: Gov. Cox Signs 3 Bills
Repeals the new law that stripped power from public labor unions
Changes the filing deadlines for Utah’s 2026 congressional races
Clarifies the exclusive and original appellate jurisdiction of the Utah Supreme Court
Legislative Audits: District Attorney, Police and Criminal Justice System
Salt Lake County District Attorney Audit
Salt Lake City Police Department Audit
Welfare Reform
Nic Dunn returns from meetings in Washington, D.C.
Work disincentives built into the current system
Utah as a national leader due to:
Health Care: Dueling Senate Bills Fail
As the deadline approaches for expiring enhanced ACA subsidies, the Senate rejected:
University of Utah Athletics: Private Equity Deal
University of Utah unveils plan for a private equity partnership
Otro Capital would become a minority owner in Utah Brands & Entertainment
NCAA President warns schools to use caution with new forms of athletic equity financing
Public Lands Group Files Lawsuit Over New National Parks Pass Featuring Former President Donald Trump
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59 min
December 05, 2025Take 2 Podcast: Utah GOP fuels repeal push with millions as redistricting fight intensifies
Utah GOP has raised over $4 million to repeal Proposition 4. The money is being donated by 501(c)(4) out of MA

Signatures gathered- Rob Axson Utah GOP Chair reports healthy pace (tens of thousands) and growing momentum. None turned in yet.
Utah GOP filed for a stay, no ruling yet

Sutherland Institute Survey: Utah voters think elected officials, not judges, should choose congressional maps

https://sutherlandinstitute.org/utah-redisticting-survey/

Do voters agree or disagree with the court-driven process produced by proponents of Proposition 4? Sutherland Institute recently commissioned Y2 Analytics to conduct a survey of Utah voters to investigate this question.

By a 63-point margin, Utah voters believe that the policymakers they elect should be making redistricting decisions over judges. A full 71% of Utah voters say that an elected body or elected official at the state or county levels ought to have primary responsibility to decide congressional maps, compared to 8% who say judges should be primarily responsible. A plurality of Utah voters say that a body elected by the people (e.g., the Utah Legislature or county council) should be making redistricting decisions, while 21% of voters say it should be a state-level elected official (e.g., the governor), and 15% say it should be a county-level elected official (e,g., a county mayor).

5 Democratic Candidates in the D1 2025 Race
State Sen. Nate Blouin announced his candidacy Nov. 24- now backed by Bernie
Newcomer Luis Villarreal entered the race
1st in Sen. Kathleen Riebe
Former congressman Ben McAdams
Former state Sen. Derek Kitchen.
REP. VERONA MAUGA looking to pass gun law change in upcoming session after shooting of Afa Ah Loo at No Kings Protest
Drafting bill to keep long guns off the streets during protests
Manslaughter charges filed this week against the “peace keeper”
Cox proposes $30.7B budget with funding for homeless campus, child tax credits
Gov. Spencer Cox proposes a $30.7 billion budget prioritizing literacy, a homeless campus and child tax credits.
The budget includes $20 million for reading support and $25 million for a homeless campus in Salt Lake City.
Cox's proposal also allocates funds for school safety, technical colleges and outdoor recreation.
fund a literacy public awareness campaign and invest tens of millions in "paraprofessionals" to help teachers give an extra hand to young students who are falling behind. That would include $20 million for reading support in elementary schools that fall below the statewide proficiency benchmark of 70% of third graders reading at grade level.
How the Trump administration could make or break Utah Gov. Cox’s budget priorities
Trump tax bill leads to projected $300 million decrease in state income tax revenue.
Gov. Cox prioritizes $25 million in budget to finish construction of homeless campus.
Cox not proposing income tax cuts like the ones he supported for five years in a row.
https://governor.utah.gov/press/gov-cox-releases-fy-2027-budget-proposal-focused-on-responsible-fiscal-management-strong-families-and-long-term-prosperity/

Rep. Blake Moore joins Pres. Trump to celebrate Michael and Susan Dell’s $6.25B investment in Trump Accounts

Congressman Blake Moore joined President Trump at the White House to celebrate Michael and Susan Dell’s monumental $6.25 billion investment in Trump Accounts for children. Congressman Moore introduced legislation in the House to establish these investment accounts, which was passed and signed into law as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on July 4th, 2025.

U.S. pauses immigration applications from 19 countries after two National Guard members shot in DC
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1 hr 3 min
November 21, 2025 Take 2 Podcast: No map appeal, shift left, Epstein files, Utah birthrate
Heidi Hatch | Maura Carabello, Exoro Group | Curt Bramble, former state senator
• Speaker Mike Schultz on redistricting ruling
Says Judge Gibson’s late decision blocked any chance for an emergency appeal; calls timing “wrong” and says it cut the Legislature out of the court process.
• Rep. Burgess Owens letter
Accuses judge of overstepping and “imposing an outcome never chosen by the people.”
• Redistricting history with Curt Bramble
Utah missed a fourth seat by 856 people after the 2000 Census; Bramble helped draw the first four-district map.
• New map creates a safe blue district
Republicans now competing for three GOP seats; questions around whether 74-year-old Owens will retire.
• Candidates for Utah’s new Democratic district
Derek Kitchen joins Ben McAdams and Kathleen Riebe.
Others considering: Caroline Gleich, Kael Weston, Nate Blouin.
• Trump backs release of Epstein files
Bill requires AG to release unclassified DOJ records within 30 days, including names of officials and entities tied to Epstein.
• Utah birthrate continues to fall
Most counties still above replacement level, but two-thirds saw declines; shifts peak childbearing to ages 25–29.
• Juvenile aggravated murder bill
Would allow judges to send offenders convicted as adults directly to prison instead of secure care.
• Brigham City nuclear project
$750M investment under Gov. Cox’s “Operation Gigawatt,” creating Utah’s first full-scale nuclear ecosystem.
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57 min
November 15, 2025Take 2 Podcast: Late-Night Ruling, Utah’s New Blue District, and the End of the Shutdown
KUTV TAKE 2 PODCAST Nov 14, 2025

Late-Night Ruling, Utah’s New Blue District, and the End of the Shutdown

Guests: Rob Axson, Utah GOP Chair | Rep. Doug Owens
New Maps: Judge Gibson throws out Map C and approves Map 1 — minutes before the deadline.
Blue District: New 1st District leans D+14, putting a GOP-held seat in play.
Appeal Uncertain: Cox supports appealing, but none filed yet.
Prop 4 Fight: GOP ballot initiative to repeal the independent redistricting law underway UFRG.org
Who Draws the Lines? Debate over legislative authority vs. judicial oversight.
Democrats Jump In: McAdams running; Riebe challenging; Blouin a possible contender.
Impeachment Talk: Rep. MacPherson drafting a bill to impeach the judge.
Shutdown Ends: Trump signs funding bill; agencies reopen; ACA tax credits could spark the next battle.
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56 min
November 08, 2025Take 2 Podcast: Utah municipal Elections, Shutdown Fallout, and National Shifts
Take 2 Podcast – Friday, Nov. 7 | 2:30 p.m.
Heidi Hatch with South Jordan Mayor Dawn Ramsey & Exoro Group’s Maura Carabello

Utah Primaries
Turnout: 30% statewide (Piute 63%, Salt Lake 23%)
Tight mayoral races across the Wasatch Front
Utah County incumbents trailing Provo Mayor concedes
Cottonwood Heights: Mike Weichers concedes to Gay Lynn Bennion (57%-42%)
Salt Lake City Council unchanged
Southern Utah new Mayors
Government Shutdown
FAA cutting flights 10%, Salt Lake Intl. among 40 airports hit
Judge orders Trump to fund SNAP; Utah missed first payments Nov. 6
Utah Senate Democrats push to cover SNAP benefits
Politics & Redistricting
Utah’s new congressional map expected next week
Ben McAdams likely to announce run after approval
Utah GOP holding hearings on redistricting repeal (Nov. 3 & 10)
Davis County Taxes
Property tax hike trimmed from 30% to 15%

Salt Lake County Council
GOP members vote to cut childcare at rec centers and senior center to cut budget

National Election 2025
Democrats sweep key races in NY, VA, NJ
Moderates win VA & NJ governorships
Socialist Zohran Mamdani wins NYC mayor race over Andrew Cuomo
California voters approve Prop 50, allowing new redistricting
Young voters, women key blocks heading into 2026 midterms

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1 hr 2 min
October 31, 2025 Take 2 Podcast: Day 29 of shutdown: SNAP funding ends, ACA Subsidy Fight, Utah Faces Tax Hikes
Utah faces mounting strain as the government shutdown hits day 29 — SNAP funding runs out, tax hikes loom, and homelessness policy shifts under new leadership. We break down the political standoff, the stakes for Utah families, and how state and local leaders are responding.
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49 min
October 23, 2025 Take 2 Podcast: Sen. John Curtis shares why he believes stalemate was 'pre-determined'
On day 22 of the government shutdown, Utah Sen. John Curtis sat down with Heidi Hatch to share why he believes the stalemate was “pre-determined,” driven by partisan politics.
Before the interview, Curtis voted for the 12th time to reopen the government with a continuing resolution that failed 54-46, falling short of the 60 votes needed to advance. Three Democrats voted with Republicans, but no additional Democrats crossed the aisle.
At 22 days, the shutdown is now the second-longest funding lapse in modern history, surpassed only by the 35-day shutdown in late 2018 and early 2019.
Curtis said a short-term continuing resolution may be necessary to get the government reopened, but it’s not a long-term solution.
“It doesn’t make sense to keep the government closed when the very people we’re trying to help with high premiums are also the ones losing SNAP benefits,” he said.
He noted that since 1974, Congress has only passed a budget on time four times, often relying on continuing resolutions or shutdowns that end in massive omnibus spending bills. Curtis is pushing a new approach modeled after Utah’s baseline budget system, where prior-year funding automatically carries over until new appropriations are passed.
“Instead of a shutdown, an omnibus, or a CR, we’d simply stay on the previous appropriation,” he said, calling it a plan that promotes fiscal responsibility.
Still, Curtis said Washington has grown accustomed to crisis politics.
“Both Republicans and Democrats are part of the problem,” he said. “It’s a fair accusation.”
While he said he understands the frustration of families facing higher health premiums, Curtis believes tying those costs to shutdown negotiations is inappropriate.
On federal subsidies, he added, “People like free things once we give them free things. It’s near impossible to undo that. Do people at 400% of poverty really need zero premium? Maybe they need some help, but certainly not zero premium — and yet, how do you take that back?”
As the Senate remains gridlocked and the House out of session, Curtis warned the shutdown could last “a long time” unless public pressure builds. He outlined potential off-ramps and pointed to his own proposals — such as a baseline budget bill and an automatic spending cut plan — as ways to prevent future shutdowns.
Hatch also asked Curtis about rising beef prices and President Trump’s plan to import beef from Argentina, pressing whether the move could help or hurt Utah ranchers.
Curtis also discusses his new bill on forest fire mitigation, the East Wing Ballroom renovation, energy prices, and the future of energy in Utah.
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23 min
October 16, 2025Take 2 Podcast: How to take 'heated' out of rivalry game, Utah politics
Take 2 Podcast – October 16, 2025
Host: Heidi Hatch
Guests: Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz and Rep. Doug Owens
Episode Rundown:
Holy War Weekend: BYU and Utah face off again, but let’s keep the rivalry friendly — not a real war.
Politics and Polarization: Noble Analytics polling shows rising concern about political violence. Is that tension spilling over into sports and daily life?
Prop 4 Battle: The Utah GOP moves to overturn the voter-approved independent redistricting measure, reigniting debate over fair maps and political power.
Judicial Appointments: The public comment period opens for Utah’s newest judicial nominee.
Government Shutdown: The standoff drags on in Washington as healthcare subsidies remain the sticking point.
Middle East Update: President Trump returns from a historic peace deal signing in Israel.
Utah Legislature: Lawmakers discuss new funding for career and technical education programs.
Gas Prices: A proposed tax exemption change could save Utah drivers 10 to 20 cents a gallon.
🎧 Stream the full episode wherever you get your podcasts.
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55 min