Take 2

By KUTV 2NewsGovernment

Take 2 episodes

September 26, 2025Take 2 Podcast: Redistricting new maps, Great Salt Lake woes, Charlie Kirk memorial
Take 2 Podcast
Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025
Guests: Heidi Hatch, Maura Carabello (Exoro Group), Sen. Daniel McCay

Redistricting New Maps
Public comment period runs for 10 days, through Oct. 5
Feedback can be submitted at redistricting.utah.gov
Special session scheduled for Oct. 6 to vote on the new map
Final maps will be submitted to the courts for approval
Great Salt Lake Water Woes
Gov. Spencer Cox launches GSL 2034, a public-private charter urging all Utahns to help restore the lake
Comes with a $200 million pledge, half already committed by Ducks Unlimited over 10 years
New philanthropic coalition Great Salt Lake Rising aims to raise an additional $100 million within a year, led by Josh Romney
Cox wants lake elevation back to 4,198 feet by the 2034 Winter Olympics (currently at 4,191 feet)
Charlie Kirk Monument at UVU
Petition supporting memorial: 20,000 signatures
Petition opposing memorial: 13,000 signatures
UVU announced creation of a Memorial Committee, co-chaired by Scott M. Smith (UVU Board of Trustees, Qualtrics co-founder) and Amanda Covington (Utah Board of Higher Education chair)
Committee will include students, political leaders, and other stakeholders
USU Turning Point Event – Tuesday, Sept. 30
Featured guests: Gov. Spencer Cox, Sen. Mike Lee, Former Rep. Jason Chaffetz
Some surprise at Cox’s participation after past criticism from Charlie Kirk in 2022
Still unclear if the format will be a panel or Q&A
Sutherland Institute Transition
Rick Larsen to step down as CEO on Jan. 1, 2026, and become president emeritus

One Week Out from Possible Government Shutdown
Federal government faces shutdown if Congress fails to pass spending bill by Oct. 1
Republicans and Democrats remain divided, particularly over extending enhanced ACA premium subsidies

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47 min
September 19, 2025Take 2 Podcast: Politics, fallout of Charlie Kirk’s assassination
Hosted by Heidi Hatch with guests Maura Carabello of the Exoro Group and Utah GOP Chair Rob Axson
On this week’s Take 2 Podcast, we look at the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem. Utah GOP Chair Rob Axson, a friend of Kirk, and Maura Carabello of the Exoro Group join the discussion on the political and emotional fallout one week later.
Topics this week:
Charlie Kirk assassination at UVU
George Zinn, known in political circles, diverted police attention and was arrested on child pornography charges
22-year-old Tyler Robinson, the accused shooter, faces the death penalty
Utah released Robinson’s mugshot despite state law prohibiting it
A Pennsylvania man was arrested in Utah after posting an online threat against UVU
Debate over university security and whether DPS or local law enforcement should step in
Businesses and universities firing employees over online comments after the assassination
Utah’s special session pushed back to Oct. 6
Utah Legislature releases list of lawmakers who will oversee redistricting
Two weeks until Congress faces its budget deadline
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1 hr 2 min
September 04, 2025Take 2 Podcast: Salt Lake prepares for new homeless campus & Redistricting
Take 2 Podcast
September 4, 2025
Hosts: Heidi Hatch
Guests: Maura Carabello (Exoro Group), Liddy Huntsman (Salt Lake City Council Candidate, District 3)
Episode Rundown:
New 1,300-bed homeless services campus
Opening in 2027 on a 16-acre parcel at 2520 North and 2200 West off I-215 in Salt Lake City
Room to expand to 40 acres for a 50–100 year plan
Core services: recovery, employment, housing and criminal justice assistance
Annual operations expected to cost more than $30 million
$75 million needed for infrastructure, excluding land purchase

Homelessness in Utah up 18%
Children experiencing homelessness increased 12% (589 to 662)
Seniors rose 42% (251 to 356)
Veterans increased 36% (121 to 165)
More than 10,000 Utahns experienced homelessness for the first time in 2024, a 5% rise
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall called the report a “battle cry” for the Legislature to provide more funding

Redistricting and the 2026 midterms
Judge Dianna Gibson ruled current congressional maps unconstitutional and denied lawmakers’ request to pause her order
Ruling restores the intent of Proposition 4, the independent redistricting commission voters approved in 2018
Utah Republican Party Chairman Robert Axson called the decision “judicial activism”
Congress back in session
Epstein victims pressed lawmakers to release the full Justice Department investigation files
Looming Sept. 30 deadline for government funding raises threat of a shutdown
A stopgap bill is likely, but Republicans need Democratic votes and Democrats are expected to push for concessions
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44 min
August 23, 2025Take 2 Podcast Returns from Summer Break
HOST: Heidi Hatch
Guests: Maura Carabello Exoro Group and John Dougal Former State Auditor

Utah’s Death Penalty Front and Center:
Friday – Accused Tremonton Shooter makes 1st court appearance with face death penalty after shooting and killing 2 Tremonton Officers
Utah Supreme Court heard last Ralph Menzies Appeal – Menzies is scheduled to die September 5th just after midnight
Firing Squad Execution after 38 years of appeals -Sentenced to die by firing squad for the 1986 kidnapping and murder of 26-year-old Maurine Hunsaker
Should Utah keep the death penalty when cases drag on for decades
Texas House approves new GOP congressional maps after 2-week delay
This comes after Utah Dems Join Texas Dems protesting redistricting at Legislative conference
https://kutv.com/news/local/utah-democrats-join-texas-lawmakers-in-redistricting-protest
Utah awaits state Court ruling on Utah redistricting fight

Newsom Signs California Redistricting Plan to Counter Texas Republicans
Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democratic state lawmakers moved quickly to create new districts that could help their party flip five congressional seats. Their plan still requires voter approval. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/21/us/politics/california-newsom-redistricting-texas.html
Calls for Utah Senate President to Resign for personal influence over sexual assault bill passed in 2024
Calls for change, but what change
Should legislators disclose or not to disclose reason for backing and running bills
https://kutv.com/news/politics/governor-spencer-cox-defends-senate-president-adams-amid-calls-for-resignation#

Trump to Sign Mail-in Ballots Executive Order
Mike Lee backs the idea “As President Trump has made clear, it’s time to end mail-in voting Utah should lead the way on this Other states will follow” https://x.com/BasedMikeLee/status/1957913877494288666
Utah Primary Municipal Election

HB300 unintended consequences signatures and ID digits

DC is now under Federal control for policing

John Curtis –“Sadly, during my time in office, I’ve seen growing violence and a troubling decline in public safety for both my staff and visitors. I’m hopeful that new measures will help restore safety, respect, and accountability — building a community where families can thrive and everyone can walk its streets without fear.”

Utah Sheriff’s concerned about ICE luring away their deputies with big bonuses
Sheriffs across the State of Utah are concerned about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)'s latest recruitment tactic of sending letters to deputies and others who have trained with ICE under local agreements—seemingly trying to poach local law enforcement.
Kane County Sheriff Tracy Glover, the president of the Utah Sheriffs Association, said ICE is trying to convince deputies to work for the agency using signing bonuses and other incentives.
After multiple departments entered into agreements with ICE to work more closely together under the 287(G) program, deputies began receiving recruitment letters in their inboxes, something local departments did not appreciate. https://kutv.com/news/local/utah-sheriffs-criticize-ice-for-classless-recruitment-of-local-deputies

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51 min
June 26, 2025 Take 2 Podcast: From Wildfires to Work Visas: Land used to Labor Unions - What Utah's Watching
1 hr 6 min
June 22, 2025 Take 2 Podcast: Salt Lake No Kings 50501 shooting; Sen. Mike Lee draws criticism
46 min
June 13, 2025Take 2 Podcast: Israel Strikes Iran, Trump’s Guard Order Illegal, Protests Spark in Utah
Take 2 Podcast | June 12

With Heidi Hatch
Maura Carabello (Exoro Group)
Greg Hughes (KNRS, former House Speaker)

Israel Strikes Iran
Israeli military launches targeted strike on Iranian facilities.
U.S. not involved but on alert for retaliation.
Judge: Trump Acted Illegally
Court rules Trump’s National Guard deployment to LA was unconstitutional.
National Guard Troop control must return to Gov. Newsom.
Newsom: “Democracy is next.”
Protests in Utah
Anti-ICE protest happening now in Salt Lake City.
Statewide rallies expected for “No Kings Day” on Saturday.
Gov. Cox, Mayor Mendenhall warn against violence but support peaceful protest.
Flashback: 2020 protest fallout resurfaces—Sim Gill questioned SLC’s lack of police response in 2020.
SLC Council Race Heats Up
Liddy Huntsman, daughter of former Gov. Jon Huntsman, joins the race.

AI Moratorium Fight
Utah lawmakers oppose pause on AI development in the “Big Beautiful Bill.”
Concerns over innovation and economic growth raised.

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57 min
June 06, 2025Take 2 Podcast: June 4, 2025 — Trump and Musk Split, New Utah Political Power Players, and Pride Month Backlash
On this week’s episode of the Take 2 Podcast, Heidi Hatch is joined by Maura Carabello of the Exoro Group and KNRS host and former House Speaker Greg Hughes to break down a busy week in politics, from national feuds to shifting Utah leadership.
The Trump–Musk Bromance Ends
What began as a mutual admiration between Donald Trump and Elon Musk has unraveled in public view. Musk recently criticized the federal deficit, saying, “We have a $2 trillion deficit. It keeps growing. Our interest payments are higher than our defense department budget.” That didn’t sit well with Trump. While the split has sparked national chatter, Utah Sen. Mike Lee tried to play peacemaker, saying simply, “But I really like both of them.”
New Leadership in Utah’s House GOP
Following a special election, Utah House Republicans selected a new leadership team:
Speaker: Mike Schultz
Majority Leader: Casey Snider
Majority Whip: Candice Pierucci
Assistant Whip: Bridger Bolinder
Utah Democrats Elect New Party Leaders
Roughly 1,400 delegates, both in person and remote, participated in the Utah Democratic Party’s convention over the weekend. Former lawmaker and 2024 gubernatorial candidate Brian King was elected party chair. Other leadership includes:
Vice Chair: Susan Merrill
Secretary: Brad Dickter
Treasurer: Catherine Voutaz
King, who spent 16 years in the Utah Legislature, will now steer the party into 2026 and beyond.

GOP Lawmakers Threaten Legislation Over Pride Month
Utah Jazz and the Utah Mammoth celebrating Pride Month sparked pushback from some Republican lawmakers. Rep. Trevor Lee posted on X, “Nothing makes Utahns more mad when political ideologies get pushed into their lives Watch for some significant legislation this next session that pushes back onto these woke groups!” The debate centers on whether tax dollars should support private entities that publicly support LGBTQ+ causes.

Cox Appoints Former Reyes Aide to Lead Records Office
Gov. Spencer Cox named Lonny Pehrson to lead Utah’s new Government Records Office. Pehrson previously served in the Attorney General’s Office and was involved in efforts to keep AG Sean Reyes’ calendar from public disclosure, raising concerns from transparency advocates.

Utah Supreme Court Justice to Step Down
Justice John Pearce will leave the bench in December after a decade on the state’s high court. In his resignation, Pearce said he plans to return to private practice and continue teaching at the University of Utah’s S.J. Quinney College of Law. Cox will appoint a replacement from a list of seven candidates provided by the Appellate Nominating Commission. Senate confirmation is required.

ATVs Return to Glen Canyon
Off-road vehicles are officially back at Glen Canyon after former President Trump signed a resolution overturning a National Park Service rule. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Celeste Maloy and Sens. John Curtis and Mike Lee, restores ATV access to 24 miles of park roads.

Phil Lyman Teases 'Major Announcement'
Utah Rep. Phil Lyman hinted at a big development as a public interest group from the East Coast plans to file a lawsuit in the state.
Listen to the full episode of the Take 2 Podcast for in-depth commentary from Heidi, Maura, and Greg.
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50 min
May 30, 2025 TAKE 2 PODCAST Utah Power and Politics: A Deep Dive on Energy, Economics and Downsizing the Big Beautiful Bill
40 min
May 23, 2025 Take 2 Podcast: Utah Leaders Head to D.C., GOP Convention Drama, ‘Big Beautiful Bill,’ and Biden’s Cancer Diagnosis
58 min