The Hinckley Report

A Utah judge rejected new congressional boundaries drawn by the Legislature, instead selecting a map submitted by the plaintiffs in a redistricting lawsuit. On this episode of Utah's favorite political podcast, host Jason Perry leads a discussion about how this will impact Utah politics. Plus, the longest government shutdown in American history finally comes to an end.

THE DEEPER DIVE:
• After 43 days, the U.S. government is officially back open. We examine what eventually led to an agreement, plus were there any winners politically? And who do Americans blame overall?
• Healthcare subsidies were at the heart of this disagreement over federal spending. Democrats have pushed to extend those payments. Will the debate influence next year's midterm elections?
• With a new map in place for Utah's congressional boundaries, prominent Democrats are already launching campaigns for Congress. We discuss the showdown this could mean for candidates.
• ️ Critics of the redistricting ruling argue that the Utah Constitution reserves the redistricting power for the Utah Legislature. Will there be an appeal to the Utah Supreme Court? And what will be the political ramifications of this decision?
• ️ At least one state lawmaker is calling to impeach Judge Dianna Gibson because of her ruling in the redistricting case. Our panel evaluates what legislative leadership are saying about that possibility.
• ️ If the new map remains in place for the 2026 midterms, it has the potential to impact national politics. How could that shift the balance of power in Congress?

️ FEATURING:
• Kate Bradshaw – Bountiful City Mayor-elect
• Spencer Stokes – Founder and Partner, Stokes Strategies
• Ben Winslow – Fox 13 News

Funding for The Hinckley Report is made possible in part by the Cleone Peterson Eccles Endowment Fund and by the financial contributions of PBS Utah members. If you would like to support the work we do, please visit https://pbsutah.org/supporthinckley

Voters made their voices heard here in Utah and across the nation. On this episode of Utah's favorite political podcast, host Jason Perry leads a discussion about what the 2025 election results suggest about the political direction of the state and country. Plus, with the federal government shutdown now the longest in history, is there any end in sight? Plus, we examine what comes next in Utah's redistricting battle.

THE DEEPER DIVE:
• ️ Voter turnout varied between rural and urban areas of the state. Why were some voters more motivated to make their voices heard?
• Utah's pilot program with Ranked Choice Voting expires at the end of this year. Will it be extended? Or was the process too confusing for voters?
• Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced she will retire at the end of her current term after 40 years in Congress. We explore what will be her enduring legacy.
• Democrats performed well nationally with big wins in Virginia, New Jersey, and New York City, overperforming trends from the 2024 Presidential Election. What explains this shift?
• ️ Judge Dianna Gibson will rule on Utah's new congressional map in the coming days. Will she keep the map approved by the Legislature in September? And what happens if she throws that map out as well?
• ✈️ As a result of the government shutdown, airports around the country - including here in Salt Lake City - are being forced to cut the number of daily flights. Will this push Congress toward a compromise on federal spending?

️ FEATURING:
• Rep. Candice Pierucci – (R) Riverton, Majority Whip
• Rep. Andrew Stoddard – (D) Midvale
• Lindsay Aerts – Host, Inside Utah Politics on ABC4 News

Funding for The Hinckley Report is made possible in part by the Cleone Peterson Eccles Endowment Fund and by the financial contributions of PBS Utah members. If you would like to support the work we do, please visit https://pbsutah.org/supporthinckley

As the government shutdown nears the one month mark, Congress is facing new pressure to pass a spending bill. On this episode of Utah's favorite political podcast, our expert panel examines the impact of missed paychecks, lapsed SNAP benefits, and polling that shows who Uthans blame for the continued stalemate in Washington. Plus, Utah's redistricting showdown escalates as the deadline for new maps looms. Journalist Jeff Parrott joins political insiders Renae Cowley and Marty Carpenter on this episode of The Hinckley Report.

THE DEEPER DIVE:
• This government shutdown could surpass the longest record in history of 35 days next week
• Utahns who work for the federal government are missing paychecks
• SNAP food benefits run out on November 1st
• The State of Utah will give $4 million to local food banks
• Uthans wait for the Court's decision on redistricting maps
• Efforts to overturn Map C come from both Republicans and Democrats

FEATURING:
• Renae Cowley – Partner at Foxley & Pignanelli government relations firm
• Jeff Parrott – Politics Editor with The Salt Lake Tribune
• Marty Carpenter – Partner at Northbound Strategy public relations

Funding for The Hinckley Report is made possible in part by the Cleone Peterson Eccles Endowment Fund and by the financial contributions of PBS Utah members. If you would like to support the work we do, please visit https://pbsutah.org/supporthinckley

Unsustainable water use, a growing population, and ongoing drought are all contributing to the shrinking Great Salt Lake. But what can YOU do to fix it? On this episode of Utah's favorite political podcast, host Jason Perry leads our panel in an engaging discussion about the innovative solutions, policy shifts, and community-driven efforts to restore one of the state's most vital natural resources. Learn how water conservation, legislative action, and public engagement are shaping the path forward as Utah prepares for global scrutiny ahead of the 2034 Olympic Games.

THE DEEPER DIVE:
• The environmental, health, and economic impacts of a shrinking lake
• ️ Dust storms and air quality concerns
• The Great Salt Lake Charter and bipartisan collaboration
• Water conservation policies and technological innovations
• The role of business, government, and individuals in lake restoration
• ️ Olympic 2034 implications and global reputation risks

️ FEATURING:
• Josh Romney – President/CEO of The Romney Group and Founder of the Great Salt Lake Rising Business Coalition
• Natalie Gochnour – Director, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah
• Brian Steed – Great Salt Lake Commissioner

Funding for The Hinckley Report is made possible in part by the Cleone Peterson Eccles Endowment Fund and by the financial contributions of PBS Utah members. If you would like to support the work we do, please visit https://pbsutah.org/supporthinckley

As the government shutdown drags on, the financial impacts on local communities are escalating. In this episode of Utah's favorite political podcast, host Jason Perry leads a conversation about the ideological and electoral forces impacting lawmakers decisions. Plus, the ongoing redistricting battle in Utah took an unexpected turn this week. We also examine what Governor Spencer Cox's latest pick for the Utah Supreme Court signals about judicial philosophy in the state.

THE DEEPER DIVE:

• The ongoing government shutdown and its ripple effects on Utah families, federal employees, and national politics.
• A deep dive into healthcare subsidies, partisan blame, and polling trends.
• ️ The redistricting showdown in Utah: indirect initiatives, Proposition 4, and legal battles that could reach the U.S. Supreme Court.
• ⚖️ Governor Cox’s appointment of Judge John Nielsen to the Utah Supreme Court and what it means for judicial philosophy and court expansion.
• ️ Why municipal elections matter more than ever — and how local races impact your daily life.

️ FEATURING:

• Frank Pignanelli – Political Lobbyist with Foxley & Pignanelli
• Damon Cann – Political Science Professor at Utah State University
• Heidi Hatch – Anchor, KUTV 2News

Funding for The Hinckley Report is made possible in part by the Cleone Peterson Eccles Endowment Fund and by the financial contributions of PBS Utah members. If you would like to support the work we do, please visit https://pbsutah.org/supporthinckley

The federal government shutdown is now stretching into its second week. In this episode of Utah's favorite political podcast, host Jason Perry and our expert panel dive into the economic and social fallout coming from Washington D.C., the high-stakes debate over redistricting and political representation, and a pivotal shift in judicial leadership within the Utah Supreme Court.

TOPICS COVERED:

• ️ Federal government shutdown and its impact on Utah’s 40,000 federal workers
• Understanding continuing resolutions (CRs) and bipartisan negotiations
• ️ Utah’s redistricting special session and the legal battle over congressional maps
• ⚖️ Major change in how the Chief Justice of the Utah Supreme Court is selected
• Calls for civility and bipartisan cooperation in today’s political climate

️ FEATURING:

• Congresswoman Celeste Maloy – (R) Utah’s 2nd Congressional District
• Rep. Doug Owens – (D) Millcreek, Minority Caucus Manager
• Brigham Tomco – Political Reporter, Deseret News

Funding for The Hinckley Report is made possible in part by the Cleone Peterson Eccles Endowment Fund and by the financial contributions of PBS Utah members. If you would like to support the work we do, please visit https://pbsutah.org/supporthinckley

With Congress unable to pass a spending bill, the federal government officially shut down on Wednesday. In this episode of Utah's favorite political podcast, host Jason Perry and our expert panel unpack the latest political tensions gripping the nation and Utah.

TOPICS COVERED:

• ️ Government Shutdown: What’s new, who’s to blame, and how it impacts Utahns
• Healthcare Funding & The Big Beautiful Bill: The fight over tax cuts vs. coverage for vulnerable Americans
• National Parks & Rural Economies: How shutdowns hit Utah’s tourism and local businesses
• Polling data about who the public blames for the shutdown
• ️ Partisan Politics & Term Limits: Calls for reform and restoring trust in government
• ️ Redistricting in Utah: Special legislative session session and the battle over congressional maps
• ⚖️ Prop 4 & Partisan Bias Tests: Legal battles and the future of fair representation

EXPERT INSIGHTS FROM:

• Dennis Romboy – Editor and Reporter, Deseret News
• Rep. Jennifer Dailey-Provost – (D) Salt Lake City
• Thomas Wright – Utah Business Owner

Funding for The Hinckley Report is made possible in part by the Cleone Peterson Eccles Endowment Fund and by the financial contributions of PBS Utah members. If you would like to support the work we do, please visit https://pbsutah.org/supporthinckley

After a major court ruling, Utah’s legislature is under a tight deadline to redraw congressional boundaries, and tensions are rising. In this episode of Utah's favorite political podcast, host Jason Perry and our expert panel break down the redistricting process, partisan debates, and what it means for Utah voters.

Topics Covered:

• ‍⚖️ The impact of Proposition 4 and Judge Gibson’s ruling
• ⚖️ Partisan symmetry and the battle of redistricting experts
• ️ Urban vs. rural representation in Utah
• ️ Public feedback and the role of citizen-drawn maps
• What’s next before the October 6 special session and the court's deadline

️ Explore the proposed maps and leave your feedback: Redistricting.Utah.gov

EXPERT INSIGHTS FROM:

• Senator Luz Escamilla – (D) Salt Lake County, Senate Minority Leader
• Senator Mike McKell – (R) Utah County, Senate Majority Assistant Whip
• Daniel Woodruff – Reporter, KSL 5 News

Funding for The Hinckley Report is made possible in part by the Cleone Peterson Eccles Endowment Fund and by the financial contributions of PBS Utah members. If you would like to support the work we do, please visit https://pbsutah.org/supporthinckley

In this powerful episode of Utah’s favorite political podcast, host Jason Perry leads a timely and emotional discussion on the rise of political violence in America, following the assassination of Charlie Kirk on a Utah college campus.

TOPICS COVERED:

• How political rhetoric fuels violence
• The impact on youth and civic engagement
• The role of social media and echo chambers
• ️ Bipartisan calls for nonviolent political exchange
• ️ Governor Spencer Cox’s “Disagree Better” initiative
• ️ The importance of protecting free speech—even when it's uncomfortable
• Exclusive Utah polling data reveals public concern and who citizens believe is responsible for escalating tensions

EXPERT INSIGHTS FROM:

• Amelia Powers Gardner – (R) Utah County Commissioner
• Brian King – Chair, Utah Democratic Party
• Chris Bleak – Partner, RRJ Consulting

Funding for The Hinckley Report is made possible in part by the Cleone Peterson Eccles Endowment Fund and by the financial contributions of PBS Utah members. If you would like to support the work we do, please visit https://pbsutah.org/supporthinckley

In this special episode of Utah's favorite political podcast, host Jason Perry and a panel of political experts dive deep into the upcoming Special Legislative Session—a pivotal moment that could reshape the state’s political landscape.

TOPICS COVERED:

• ️ Who can call a special session? The impact of Amendment C and the evolving power dynamics between the Governor and Legislature
• ⚖️ Judicial reform and the controversial bill on selecting the Chief Justice
• The Great Salt Lake emergency and proposed berm management legislation
• ‍♀️ Public employee unions and the referendum that could shake the 2026 ballot
• ️ Redistricting battles and the looming court decisions
• Behind-the-scenes negotiations and what’s really driving the special session agenda

EXPERT INSIGHTS FROM:

• Ben Winslow – Political Reporter, FOX 13 News
• Kate Bradshaw – Bountiful City Council
• Glen Mills – Political Analyst

Funding for The Hinckley Report is made possible in part by the Cleone Peterson Eccles Endowment Fund and by the financial contributions of PBS Utah members. If you would like to support the work we do, please visit https://pbsutah.org/supporthinckley