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The Utah Policy newsletter is your one-stop source for political and policy-minded news. We scour the news so you don't have to! Send news tips or feedback to Holly Richardson at editor@utahpolicy.com.

 

Situational Analysis | Dec. 30, 2022

Happy Bacon Day! đŸ„“ What a great way to start a holiday weekend. 

Also, check out "The great news quiz of 2022" by the New York Times. How many questions can you get right?

Be in the Know

What a year, amiright? Inflation, interest rate increases and crazy housing prices, but also strong consumer spending and low unemployment. An end to mandated mask-wearing, increased travel and some incredible travel snafus. Worst drought in 1200 years, but ending the year with an atmospheric river dumping moisture everywhere. Midterm elections say the GOP take the House but the Dems held on to Senate control. The divided Congress could work together - but probably won't. War came to Europe. Afghanistan continues to strip women of even the most basic rights, Iran kills people who support women, Nigeria's supposed "good-guys" are killing children and forcing abortions, while Ethiopian forces have been decimating the Tigray region. And - we also saw the first, breath-taking images from the James Webb telescope, the story of "America's most remarkable kid" right here in Utah and countless stories of volunteers making a difference at home and abroad. 

For the last newsletter of the year, I thought a collection of round-up articles and photos of the year would be a good way to end. See you next year! (Also - what a lame joke. Sorry. Must be the grandma in me.)

 

Together, We Can Better Support Women in Business

Whether you’re a woman starting a business or looking to elevate your career, Inspire In Utah is dedicated to providing you with the resources to help on your journey. Find funding, training, and even inspirational stories in our dedicated resource center.

 

News round-ups

  • 2022 was year the horror of war returned to Europe (AP)
  • Final goodbye: Recalling influential people who died in 2022 (AP)
  • Utah deaths of 2022: Politicians and protesters, artists and architects, characters and a cat đŸ± (Salt Lake Tribune)
  • 2022 in the news: Here are the top Utah stories of the year (Deseret News)
  • Tribune reporting made an impact in 2022, Editor Lauren Gustus writes. Here are the stories readers liked best. (Salt Lake Tribune)
  • Mike Lee wins the reader poll for Utahn of the Year (Salt Lake Tribune)
  • Deseret News’ top opinion articles of 2022 (Deseret News)
  • The Year of the Slap: Pop culture moments in 2022 (AP)
  • What researchers told us about family life in 2022 (Deseret News)
  • Here’s a sizzle reel of NASA’s incredible year of accomplishments (Deseret News)
  • Top 10 most bizarre news stories of 2022 (Deseret News)
  • The best memes of 2022 (Deseret News)
  • A year of mass shootings: A look back at the deadliest mass shootings of 2022 (Deseret News)
  • The best and worst TikTok wellness trends of 2022 (KSL Newsradio)

  • What lies ahead for Utah in 2023? Robert Gehrke gives you a sneak peek. (Salt Lake Tribune)
  • What was Utah reading in 2022? We asked some librarians to find out! (KUER)
  • The pandemic, Karens, crypto craziness: We’re over you, 2022 (AP)
  • Inside Putin’s mind, living in post-Roe America and a midterm stunner: An astonishing year in 22 stories (Politico)
  • 50 wonderful things from 2022 (NPR)
  • From ‘America’s most remarkable kid’ to sports controversy, these were our most-read stories of 2022 (Deseret News)
  • 2022's most unexpected winners and losers (Politico)

Photo round-ups

  • AP's top 2022 photos (AP)
  • 2022 in photos: NPR station photographers share memorable moments (NPR)
  • Our best global photos of 2022 range from heart-rending to hopeful (NPR)
  • The most enduring images of 2022 (Washington Post)
  • Pictures of the year: Animals (Reuters)
  • Pictures of the year: Aerials (Reuters)
  • Pictures of the year: Environment (Reuters)
  •  2022: The Year in Visual Stories and Graphics. (New York Times)
  • Vaccines, inflation, abortion: 2022 in charts (New York Times)
 

Resolutions/Goals

  • Holly Richardson: How to set New Year’s resolutions — and actually keep them (Deseret News)
  • What do you want to accomplish this year? Scroll through Life Kit's expert guides for practical and inspiring ways to grow in 2023. (NPR)
  • Pick a New Year’s nudge word instead of a resolution (Washington Post)
  • Eight life-enhancing New Year’s resolutions that you might actually stick to (Positive News)
  • One resolution you just might keep (New York Times)
  • It’s time for New Year’s resolutions. Why experts say you should take food, body concerns ‘off the table.’ (Yahoo News)
  • Most New Year’s resolutions fail. Is there a better way to make and keep goals? (Deseret News)
 

Number of the Day

Number of the Day, Dec 30, 2022

 

Tweet of the Day

Screen Shot 2022-12-30 at 7.52.46 AM

 

Upcoming

  • Utah Economic Outlook and Public Policy Summit with the Salt Lake Chamber — Jan. 12, 2023, Salt Lake City Marriott, 8 am - noon, Register here
  • Legislative session begins, Jan. 17, 2023, le.utah.gov
 

On This Day In History

  • 1865 - Rudyard Kipling is born in Bombay

  • 1903 - Fire breaks out in a Chicago theater, killing more than 600 people

  • 1922 - USSR established

  • 1980 - "Wonderful World of Disney" last performance on NBC-TV

  • 2006 - Saddam Hussein hung in Baghdad


Wise Words

"The bad news is time flies. The good news is you're the pilot."

—Michael Altshuler


On the Punny Side

Where did the chef celebrate New Year's?

Thyme's Square.

 

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