Situational Analysis | April 3, 2023

It's Monday, it's still winter and one of the biggest storms of the season is hitting the Wasatch Front. It's also National Chocolate Mousse Day and World Party Day. We don't even have to leave the house.

What You Need to Know

OPEC+ countries, led by Saudi Arabia, announced Sunday they would slash oil output by more than 1 million barrels per day in an effort to stabilize prices despite weakening demand. Oil futures jumped by as much as 8 percent on the news, with analysts projecting prices could return to nearly $100 a barrel.
A plea from President Russell M. Nelson of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints resonated with Utah's political leaders this weekend. In a Sunday morning talk at the church's annual General Conference, President Nelson spoke on peacemaking in a polarized era. "Anger never persuades. Hostility builds no one. Contention never leads to inspired solutions,” he said, as he invited listeners to "build, lift, encourage, persuade and inspire." Governor Spencer Cox and Lt. Governor Deidre Henderson both tweeted how needed that message was.

Rapid Roundup

Another week, another storm, another expected messy commute; LSU wins 1st NCAA championship, beating Clark and Iowa; pandemic pounds push 10,000 Army soldiers into obesity; and scientists film deepest ever fish on seabed off Japan.

Utah Headlines

Political news

Utah congressional delegation weighs in on Trump indictment (Deseret News)
Will AI be bigger than the internet? How one Utah lawmaker is thinking about the future (KSL)
The research and story behind new social media laws in Utah (Deseret News)
'There's way too much up in the air': Utah GOP Chair weighs in on Trump indictment (KUTV)
Ogden Mayor Mike Caldwell will not seek a fourth term (ABC4)
Local advocate has surprise meeting with President Biden and former President Obama (ABC4)
The latest on the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office split from UPD (ABC4)
Utah Leaders and the National Stage, with host Jason Perry and guests Doug Wilks, Daniel Woodruff and Maura Carabello (Hinckley Report)
Perspective: The Great Awokening was a gift for the GOP (Deseret News)
Perspective: Wokeness is a losing issue for DeSantis and the GOP (Deseret News)

General Utah news

President Nelson announces 15 new temples (Deseret News)
Ogden officials warn public to be safe around rising, fast-moving rivers (KSL TV)
Salt Lake police grant 7-year-old's 'Make-a-Wish' wish (KUTV)
Hundreds show up to participate, watch parade for Utah man killed in avalanche (Fox13)
Shocking data shows digital identity theft is on the rise (Fox13)
Editorial Board: Patriotism, religion, raising children. Are Americans really losing their core values? (Deseret News)

Business

This CEO wants to make her Utah-based company a household name (KSL)
Salt Lake's Mazza named a finalist for prestigious restaurant award (KSL)
McDonald’s temporarily shuts U.S. offices as chain prepares for layoffs. Fast-food company expected to notify workers of their job status virtually (Wall Street Journal)

Culture

The Beloved Community: Recognizing the interconnectedness of our lives (KSL Newsradio)

Education

USU breaks ground on new language learning center (UPR)

Environment

What’s the future of energy in the West? More renewable energy, less coal, new nuclear projects (Deseret News)
Officials warn of high probability for avalanches in northern Utah mountains (KUTV)
Alta: Major winter storm, 60″ of snow expected in 3 days (ABC4)
Utah’s record-setting snow has been ‘heaven and hell’ for big game herds (KUER)
Winter storm promises massive snow, raising concerns for drivers and farmers alike (KSL TV)
Here’s what an ideal spring runoff would look like around Utah to avoid floods (Salt Lake Tribune)

Health

'One patient at a time': Latest Larry H. Miller business venture seeks to expand senior health care (KSL)
Texas judge rules against free preventive care under Affordable Care Act (Deseret News)
Study: 1 in 40 Utah 8-year-olds diagnosed with autism (Daily Herald)
Susan R. Madsen: Teen girls in Utah face sexual assault, violence, depression and suicidality (Salt Lake Tribune)
Drug-Resistant Bacteria Tied to Eyedrops Can Spread Person to Person (New York Times)

Housing

Utah minority homeownership outpaces most national averages but still lags behind white homeownership (KSL)

National Headlines

General

Lori Vallow Daybell's trial set to begin with jury selection Monday. Trial expected to last up to 12 weeks (Fox13)
32 dead as tornadoes torment from Arkansas to Delaware (AP)
US Marine’s adoption of Afghan war orphan voided (AP)
A father is charged with murder after his son was found dead in an alligator's mouth and the child's mother was found stabbed to death (NPR)
Oil prices jump after producers vow to cut output (Wall Street Journal)

Politics

Reimagining immigration. Behind the headlines, leaders on both sides find paths for welcoming immigrants (Deseret News)
David Brooks: The necessity of patriotism, even in times like these. Only love and a leap of faith can break through distrust. (New York Times)
Hutchinson launches GOP 2024 bid, calls on Trump to drop out (AP)
Trump faces setbacks in other probes as NY case proceeds (AP)
Justice Dept. said to have more evidence of possible Trump obstruction at Mar-a-Lago (Washington Post)

Ukraine 🇺🇦

Explosion in Russian cafe kills prominent military blogger (AP)
Ukrainian official offers plan for a Crimea without Russia (AP)
In pictures: 400 days of war in Ukraine (Reuters)
Ukraine puts Orthodox priest under house arrest for Russia ties (Washington Post)

World

Finland prime minister ousted, conservatives win tight vote (AP)

News Release

Romney statement on report projecting Social Security, Medicare insolvency

U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) today issued the following statement on the annual report released by the Social Security and Medicare Trustees projecting that Social Security will no longer be able to pay full benefits starting in 2034 and Medicare will become insolvent by 2031:

“It is irresponsible and reckless for Washington to continue to ignore the impending insolvency of our federal trust funds. Today’s Social Security and Medicare Trustees annual report makes it perfectly clear: The clock is ticking for us to act. (Read More)

Upcoming

Advancing Women Through “Developmental Relationships”: A Dialogue with Global Experts with the Utah Women and Leadership Project — April 4, 12:00 pm-1:15 pm, Register here
UVU Conference on Domestic Violence — April 14, 9:00 am-4:00 pm, Register here
Teen Girls Experiencing Increased Sadness and Violence with Utah Women and Leadership Project — April 25, 12:00-1:15 pm via Zoom, Register here
United Utah Party State Convention — April 29, 10:00 am-12:00 pm, Lehi High School with keynote speakers Teri McCabe and Jay Mcfarland
Mount Liberty College Spring Youth Seminar on The Virginian — May 6, 9 am-7 pm, Register Here

On This Day In History

1776 - Congress authorizes privateers to attack British vessels
1860 - Pony Express debuts
1948 - President Truman signs the “Economic Assistance Act,” commonly known as the Marshall Plan to help rebuild Europe.
1964 - Malcolm X gives “The Ballot or the Bullet” speech
1968 - Martin Luther King, Jr delivers his final address - “I’ve been to the mountaintop.”
1996 - U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Ron Brown and 32 other Americans are killed in a plane crash in Croatia

Quote of the Day

"Contention reinforces the false notion that confrontation is the way to resolve differences; but it never is. Contention is a choice. Peacemaking is a choice. … I urge you to be a peacemaker, now and always."

—President Russell M. Nelson

On the Punny Side

I’ve often heard that “icy” is the easiest word to spell…

Looking at it now, I see why.