Inside Utah Politics with Lindsay Aerts

A Utah State Senator has proposed creating a memorial to Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. Panelists Leah Murray and Erin Rider discuss its funding and the appropriateness of the memorial. Kash Patel appeared before the Senate to address questions surrounding the FBI’s handling of Kirk's shooting, and Patel's handling of the case. They also weigh in on the latest developments with redistrict...

Prosecutors in Utah County announced seven different charges against Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old Washington County resident who is accused of shooting and killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah valley University last Wednesday. Panelist Taylor, Morgan and Leah Murray weigh in on how the case has impacted them, about the protections of the first amendment and free speech, and whethe...

The Utah Supreme Court has signaled it will address Utah's redistricting order. Meanwhile, the judge has amended her order admitting that she can't "order" the legislature to redistrict. Panelists Leah Murray and Sarah Reale weigh in. Utah's teachers could be disciplined for so-called immoral behavior, if a proposed Utah State Board of Education rule passes. Utah has raised $200 million for the Ol...

Lawyers in Utah's redistricting case have agreed on a new timeline for new maps in Utah's redistricting case. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Rusty Cannon discuss that and the judge's ruling denying the Utah legislature's request for a stay. They also discuss what it means that all of the Utah Supreme Court nominees are men, that Mike Lee wants to rename the Department of Defense to the Department of...

After a judge ordered the Utah legislature to redraw its congressional maps, legislative leaders have stated that they are moving forward with the process, despite disagreeing with the ruling. Could the legislature work to delay drawing new maps before 2026? And, will they change the initiative process in Utah? Panelists Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray discuss what's next after Utah's redistricting...

After a court ruling ordering the Utah legislature to draw new congressional maps, the legislature has agreed to the 30-day timeline. But, House Speaker Mike Schultz and Senate President Stuart Adams argue that the timeframe "unconstitutionally ties the Legislature's hands." Panelists Rusty Cannon and Adam Gardiner discuss who has legislative redistricting power, whether Utah has gerrymandered dis...

Following a court ruling ordering the Utah legislature to redraw its congressional maps, the legislature has agreed to draw new maps but disagrees with the 30-day timeline. House Speaker Mike Schultz and Senate President Stuart Adams argue that the timeframe "unconstitutionally ties the Legislature's hands." The lawyer for Better Boundaries, League of Women Voters, and Mormon Women for Ethical Gov...

A Utah judge handed down a major ruling in Utah's redistricting case, ruling against the Utah legislature. The judge ruled that the legislature violated the Constitution when it dismantled a citizen-led ballot initiative known as Proposition 4. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray discuss what comes next in the case, and whether Utah will see new maps by the 2026 midterm elections.

Governor Cox is defending Senate President Stuart Adams after a report that he spurred a law change that benefited his step-granddaughter's child rape case. There is also speculation that the legislature might address the provision in the upcoming special session. It creates lighter sentences for 18-year-olds still in high school who have sex with 13-year-olds. Panelists Erin Rider and Sarah Reale...

Governor Cox is defending Senate President Stuart Adams after a report that he spurred a law change that benefited his step-granddaughter's child rape case. There is also speculation that the legislature might address the provision in the upcoming special session. It creates lighter sentences for 18-year-olds still in high school who have sex with 13-year-olds. State Senator Todd Weiler defends Ad...

President Adams is facing calls to resign from the base of his party after reporting by the Salt Lake Tribune that he influenced a law change that helped his granddaughter get a lesser charge for a sexual crime. As an 18-year-old, she was accused of having sex with a 13-year-old, a crime that would have amounted to rape because a 13-year-old cannot consent in Utah. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Leah...

Utah's third district Congressman Mike Kennedy joins host Lindsay Aerts to discuss Texas redistricting, new debt estimates on the One Big, Beautiful Bill, wildfire mitigation, and the Epstein files. Plus, panelist Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray break down the fate of the Utah Debate Commission now that a founding member has resigned and their funding has gone to two universities to create their own...

A founding member of the Utah debate Commission resigned this week, criticizing GOP legislative leaders for "co-opting" debates in his exit letter. But Republicans have long criticized the UDC of being biased against them. Panelist Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray break down the fate of the Utah Debate Commission now that their funding has gone to two universities instead. House Speaker Mike Schultz...

Utah's third district Congressman Mike Kennedy joins host Lindsay Aerts to discuss Texas redistricting, new debt estimates on the One Big, Beautiful Bill, wildfire mitigation, and the Epstein files. Plus, panelist Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray break down the fate of the Utah Debate Commission now that a founding member has resigned and their funding has gone to two universities to create their own...

A national Democratic PAC, Vote Save America is dumping some money into Utah in hopes of flipping some strongly held Republican state legislative seats. Panelists Erin Rider and Adam Gardiner weigh in on whether Elevate Strategies, the local democratic political firm chosen to recruit candidates, can make this a reality. Senate Democrats are unveiling another effort to try and force the release of...

A national Democratic PAC, Vote Save America, is dumping some money into Utah in hopes of flipping some strongly held Republican state legislative seats mainly in Salt Lake County. Elevate Strategies founders Gabi Finlayson and Jackie Morgan explain how they plan to use the money and whether it's possible to flip these seats. Plus, Utah is days away from it's first election since changing the ball...

Utah Attorney General Derek Brown outlines what's next in Utah's battle to take over management of federally owned public lands after an environmental group sued Utah arguing that the state gave up that right at statehood. A judge tossed out their case saying they cannot sue over a hypothetical federal case. Brown also talks about the Snapchat lawsuit and Utah's relationship with China.

President Trump recently signed a bill to cut federal spending by $9 billion. Part of that spending cut is funding to PBS and NPR. Panelists Adam Gardner and Leah Murray discuss how PBS Utah could be impacted And what the decision means in the context of the administration's criticisms of media. They also discuss the recent decision to cancel Steven Colbert's show, and Utah's relationship with Chi...

Senator John Curtis joins Inside Utah Politics with host Lindsay Aerts to discuss his vote on spending cuts impacting foreign aid and public broadcasting. They also US Forest Service management impacts wildfire and his solutions in a bill called Fix our Forests. Curtis discusses what's next for public land sales in Utah and where the last pitch went wrong. He also gives his thoughts on whether the...

Will the state step up to help fill the gaps for funding things like Medicaid, SNAP, and education that the federal government has now changed? Hosts Sarah Reale and Rusty Cannon weigh in on comments from Governor Spencer Cox, who says they will look at every program and whether Utah can step in. After a contentious public meeting, Reale and Cannon discuss Utah County's decision to expand the Sher...

The federal government cannot withhold Medicaid funding from Planned Parenthood for at least the next two weeks, after a district court judge issued a temporary restraining order the same day Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit alleging that they were being singled out and punished for providing abortion services. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Rusty Cannon weigh in on where they think the case will g...

The federal government cannot withhold Medicaid funding from Planned Parenthood for at least the next two weeks, after a district court judge issued a temporary restraining order the same day Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit alleging that they were being singled out and punished for providing abortion services. Planned Parenthood of Utah acting president, Shireen Ghorbani outlines why she believ...

President Trump's signature One Big, Beautiful Bill is now one step closer to becoming law, but not without some pushback from those who worry it will strip healthcare and food assistance from millions and increase the nation's debt. Gina Corina with Utahns Against Hunter breaks down why she believes the policy will hurt the most vulnerable Utahns. Host Lindsay Aerts also stalks with Dr. Molly Har...

President Trump's signature One Big, Beautiful Bill is now one step closer to becoming law, but not without some pushback from those who worry it will strip healthcare from millions and increase the nation's debt. Panelists Adam Gardiner and Sarah Reale break down the bill's many provisions, including spending, Medicaid cuts, energy credits, and the parts that were stripped, perhaps impacting Utah...

Utah is in the middle of a fight in Congress over selling public lands as Utah's senior Senator, Mike Lee pushes for a proposal to be included in President Trump's big, beautiful bill. Host Lindsay Aerts is joined by Jordan Hess, legislative affairs director for Washington City, on why the city supports Lee's plan and whether it strikes the right balance of addressing Utah's housing needs while pr...