Utah Supreme Court: A Senate judicial confirmation committee endorsed Gov. Cox’s two Utah Supreme Court picks, Jay Jorgensen and Stephen Dent, sending them to a full-Senate vote Wednesday after hours of questioning on judicial philosophy and Dent’s and Jorgensen’s backgrounds. Public Lands: Tribes and conservationists scored a win as Utah lawmakers missed a key deadline to fast-track scrapping Grand Staircase-Escalante’s resource management plan under the Congressional Review Act, keeping the Biden-era framework in place for now. Water & Drought: Federal models warn Lake Mead could fall back to its record-low level by July and stay there, with Colorado River negotiations still stalled. Colorado River Politics: Utah leaders are also pushing Congress to withhold funding from Colorado River states that go to court, as tensions rise over basin management. Gun Safety & Local Impact: One year after the “No Kings” protest shooting in Salt Lake City, officials and community leaders renewed calls for stronger gun-safety measures following the death of Afa Ah Loo. Education Policy: Utah lawmakers’ push to reshape general education requirements continues, narrowing course options and boosting civics and Western-history themes. Energy & Solar: Utah’s “balcony solar” law is credited with helping spark a nationwide plug-in solar movement. Tech & AI Adoption: A new ranking puts Utah among the top states for AI use, with metro areas adopting faster than rural. Courts & Sports: Utah AG and Gov. Cox backed the Big 12 in its dispute with Texas Tech over Brendan Sorsby’s eligibility, underscoring how Utah’s politics now intersects with national college athletics. Troubled Teen Reform: Paris Hilton returned to Utah to support lawsuits over alleged abuse at Provo Canyon School, renewing pressure for tougher oversight of the troubled teen industry.