AGP Executive Report

Citizenship & Courts: U.S. senators spar over Trump-era denaturalization efforts, with Republicans arguing fraud during naturalization should make removal easier and Democrats calling it unconstitutional and anti-immigrant. Utah Elections: Tooele County says about 9,000 voters got the wrong primary ballots due to a print-vendor data-matching error, with corrected ballots and deactivation steps underway. Culture-War Politics: Gov. Spencer Cox declares June “Fidelity Month,” joining other red-state proclamations that frame June as a counter to Pride Month. Higher Ed Reform: Utah Sen. John Curtis and others back the Protect College Sports Act as Congress debates NIL, transfers, and athlete protections; Utah’s Lance Holtzclaw faced Curtis’s “favorite team” banter. Utah Supreme Court: Cox picks Jay Jorgensen and Stephen Dent for two new seats, drawing Co-Equal Utah criticism over lack of judicial experience. Data Center Backlash: Kevin O’Leary responds to Utah Senate President Stuart Adams’ demand to shrink the Stratos Project by 75%, saying the cut wasn’t part of the original deal. Homeowner Protections: Utah’s construction-lien homeowner safety net (Residence Lien Recovery Fund) is effectively winding down to zero. Social Security: A new analysis warns Utah retirees could face among the steepest Social Security cuts if the trust fund runs out by 2032.

Utah Supreme Court Appointments: Gov. Spencer Cox’s latest picks, Jay T. Jorgensen and Stephen P. Dent, are now up for public comment as the Utah Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee prepares a hearing and recommendation—comments are due June 16. Utah Politics & Trust: In House District 69, voters choose in the June 23 GOP primary between Rep. Logan Monson and challenger Dan Gardner, with corruption and affordability among the top issues driving the race. Local Government Finance: Ogden Valley’s new city faces a $2.2M budget shortfall, putting residents on the hook for either steep tax increases or a mix of fees and cuts depending on what state law allows. Courts & Transparency: The Charlie Kirk murder case continues to draw attention as the defense fights for more secrecy while Utah courts weigh public access. Education & Phones: A national push for cellphone bans in schools is gaining momentum, with Utah readers likely to watch how Utah’s own policies evolve as more states tighten rules. Sports & Utah’s Spotlight: South Korea’s World Cup squad trained together in Herriman, underscoring Utah’s role as a major sports staging ground.

Utah Supreme Court Shake-Up: Gov. Spencer Cox appointed Jay T. Jorgensen and Stephen P. Dent to two newly created seats as Utah expands the court from five to seven justices—both picks are first-time judges and say they’ll follow textualism and originalism, setting up Senate confirmation fights. Data Center Showdown: Utah Senate President Stuart Adams escalated pressure on Kevin O’Leary’s Box Elder County data center, demanding a 75% smaller footprint and tighter water, Great Salt Lake, and environmental safeguards plus more public transparency. CD3 GOP Debate: In Utah’s 3rd District primary, Celeste Maloy defended her record while Phil Lyman attacked the GOP establishment and pressed differences on issues like immigration and data centers. Federal Politics Spillover: Nationally, Republicans say Trump’s “anti-weaponization” fund is off the table, a move tied to stalled immigration funding negotiations. Public Safety & Health: SUU police joined multi-agency active shooter training; meanwhile, Cache County dairies face mandatory weekly avian flu surveillance after a positive HPAI detection.

Utah Data Center Fight: Utah’s GOP primary debate in the 2nd District turned into a referendum on Kevin O’Leary’s Box Elder “Stratos” hyperscale project, with Karianne Lisonbee calling it a “failure of process” and saying she’s not supportive “at this point” until water and environmental questions are answered, while Blake Moore backed the idea but urged a more “bite-sized” approach. State Policy Pushback: Utah Senate President J. Stuart Adams is now demanding a 75% reduction in the proposed data center’s footprint and water demand, including protections for wildlife and agriculture and sending excess water to Great Salt Lake. Local Cost Pressure: South Salt Lake businesses say a new Transportation Utility Fee is hitting them hard after a utility bill line item spiked, prompting council action to adjust who gets charged. Public Safety & Courts: A judge ordered prosecutors to answer claims they violated a gag order in the Tyler Robinson case tied to the killing of Charlie Kirk, setting a June 12 hearing. Health & Community: Utah’s Newborn Safe Haven law turns 25, with advocates and an adopted “Safe Haven” baby marking how the policy has saved lives. International Spotlight: Michael Young, a Utah expert in international law, was nominated as U.S. ambassador to Serbia, pending Senate confirmation.

Courts & Civil Liberties: A Utah judge ruled Tyler Robinson’s July preliminary hearing in the Charlie Kirk murder case will stay open to the public, while scheduling a June 12 evidentiary hearing on whether prosecutors violated a pretrial publicity gag order—keeping major forensic and witness material in the spotlight. State Politics: Utah Senate President J. Stuart Adams escalated the fight over Kevin O’Leary’s Stratos data center, demanding a 75% footprint cut (to about 10,000 acres), stronger Great Salt Lake water protections, and more transparency before the project can move forward. Government Tech: The VA is seeking AI tools via a new RFI for workforce use, including user interface and API services for large language models. Elections Watch: Utah’s 3rd Congressional District GOP primary debate aired as mail ballots head out June 2 and voters can register through June 12. Energy Prices: Oil and gas prices ticked up again amid renewed Middle East tensions, with Utah still ahead of the national average at the pump.

AI Data Centers Fight: Utah’s Stratos Project backlash keeps heating up as Gov. Spencer Cox tries to distance the plan from a “100%” natural-gas promise, saying early phases may use gas but later phases “should not,” with critics warning about power, water, and Great Salt Lake impacts. Local Politics & Elections: Utah Democrats are in full swing for the new 1st District primary, with profiles of Liban Mohamed, Ben McAdams, Michael Farrell, and Nate Blouin highlighting sharply different paths to the same June 23 ballot. Water & Great Salt Lake: A new poll shows Utah concern about the lake jumping from 81% (March) to 86% (May), as leaders push for federal help and a statewide drought emergency. Public Safety: Search teams are looking for a missing man at Willard Bay Reservoir after he was last seen on a personal watercraft. State Government & Infrastructure: I-15 in Lehi faces overnight closures for power line work, with drivers urged to plan detours. Media & Civic Life: Scripps pulled 54 local stations from DIRECTV, a dispute that could disrupt coverage during June primaries and major sports broadcasts.

Utah Courts: Gov. Spencer Cox is reshaping the Utah Supreme Court as retirements and resignations trigger new nominations, with lawmakers pushing for more transparency and trust in a politically charged judiciary. Data Centers & AI: Cox’s new statewide framework tightens how large data centers get evaluated, while opponents keep pressing that local input and project impacts still aren’t being fully addressed. Elections & Voting Access: Utah is also in the mix on voter-roll integrity and citizenship checks, as officials report findings on noncitizen registrations and how rules are being applied. Public Safety & Wildlife: Park City neighbors blocked streets after a moose gave birth to twin calves, and wildlife officials are urging distance as baby animals appear. Boating Rules: Utah’s AIS boating requirements remain the same for now, but new legislative changes won’t take effect until Jan. 1, 2027—still, mussel-aware courses and vessel enrollment fees are required. Local Justice: A Parowan man was sentenced after a motorcycle theft and high-speed I-15 chase that ended with him hiding behind a dumpster and arrested at gunpoint. International Spotlight in Utah: South Korea routed Trinidad and Tobago 5-0 in a World Cup tune-up at BYU South Field in Provo, with Son Heung-min starring—an unusual but high-profile cultural moment for Utah.

Data Center Policy: Gov. Spencer Cox signed a new executive order setting a “higher bar” for Utah data centers after backlash over the Stratos project, emphasizing protection of the Great Salt Lake and air quality, shielding utility ratepayers, and requiring transparent public comment. Public Safety: Utah Highway Patrol is searching for an “armed and dangerous” fugitive gang member, Curtis Heisler, after a high-speed I-15 pursuit near Nephi ended in a crash and a foot escape. Elections & Governance: Weber County commissioner candidate James Ebert denied ballot-removal claims, saying there’s “zero substance” to accusations and that he’ll stay on the ballot. Legal & Rights: A Ball State University employee fired over a Facebook post about Charlie Kirk will receive a $225,000 settlement after an ACLU lawsuit said the termination violated free-speech rights. Military Honors: Airmen from Hill Air Force Base received Distinguished Flying Crosses tied to Operation Midnight Hammer and Yemen missions. Community Preparedness: Salt Lake City airport crews ran a full-scale simulated emergency exercise to test rescue and fire response. Local Life: Park City Fire District launched a free wildfire fuel-chipping program for residents as drought conditions heighten risk.

Utah Data Center Fight: Utah’s data-center backlash keeps colliding with policy as Gov. Cox pushes higher development standards and a “higher bar” for new projects, while local officials and residents keep challenging approvals and costs. Elections & Voting Rights: The Trump administration is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to let states purge voter rolls for noncitizens close to elections, a move voting-rights groups warn could disenfranchise eligible voters. State Government & Privacy: Utah’s voter-roll audit and related scrutiny over noncitizen registrations remain in the spotlight as election rules and privacy questions keep heating up. Energy & Cost Concerns: Kearns is debating a community clean-energy program that would automatically enroll customers unless they opt out, with residents arguing the burden should not fall on lower-income households. Economy Watch: Utah’s April jobs report shows unemployment holding at 3.8%, with job growth steady but labor-force growth flat. Public Safety/Justice: A federal case involving Utahns accused of helping someone flee immigration agents adds to the week’s immigration enforcement pressure.

Utah Data Center Policy: Gov. Spencer Cox signed an executive order raising the bar for Utah data center development after backlash over the Stratos proposal, prioritizing Great Salt Lake protection plus air and water quality and requiring more public input. Courtroom Cameras Fight: In the Tyler Robinson case tied to Charlie Kirk’s killing, Robinson’s defense asked the Utah Supreme Court to review a judge’s order allowing cameras on a hearing-by-hearing basis. State Oversight & Money: Utah’s state auditor warned the University of Utah’s pending Otro Capital private-equity deal carries “significant risks,” saying new funding may not offset rising athletic spending without cost controls. Elections & Voting Rules: A federal judge in New Hampshire ruled voters must be allowed to attest to citizenship when they lack documents, a decision that could reshape how strict proof rules are implemented nationwide. Sports & Politics Crossover: Park City Mountain won key approvals for lift upgrades, with Olympics planning still unclear but the Games now part of the conversation. National Legal/Privacy: AG Tim Griffin led a multistate amicus brief challenging the SEC’s Consolidated Audit Trail as an illegal surveillance risk to Americans’ financial data.

Utah Data Center Transparency: Utah’s State Auditor rolled out a new “Transparent Utah” dashboard to explain the Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA) and its role in the Stratos AI data center fight in Box Elder County, aiming to answer public questions with a timeline, powers, finances, and board materials. Local Democracy Clash: Box Elder County residents trying to challenge the Stratos project via referendums were denied, with opponents vowing to appeal and keep pushing for a local vote. Judicial Accountability: The Utah State Bar urged voters to use Utah’s judicial performance evaluations in retention elections, stressing the merit-based selection and public review process. Election Access & Mail Voting: Postal workers in Utah launched a vote-by-mail campaign as a federal judge declined to block a Trump mail-voting executive order. Public Safety & Fraud Watch: Utahns were warned about suspected fraud tied to BG Wealth Sharing, while an international Amber Alert sweep reunited two missing Utah children with their mother after cross-border coordination. Sports Policy Spillover: The NBA approved a new anti-tanking “3-2-1” draft lottery format starting in 2027, expanding the lottery and adding penalties for tanking.

Utah Elections & Voting Integrity: Utah’s election chief says an audit found only 27 confirmed noncitizens among more than 2 million registered voters, with just 13 casting ballots since 2018—while another 25 were flagged as “probable” and given 30 days to prove citizenship. Box Elder Data Center Transparency: Utah’s auditor launched a new “Transparent Utah” dashboard for the Military Installation Development Authority, aiming to centralize public records as protests and scrutiny continue over the Stratos data center plan. Local Law Enforcement Politics: Wasatch County sheriff candidates Jared Rigby and Jeremy Hales faced questions at a forum on transparency and diversity, amid ongoing investigations into Rigby. Housing + Early Literacy in Lehi: Gov. Spencer Cox helped open the Lehi Rippy Literacy Center at Holbrook Farms, pairing affordable workforce housing with expanded reading support. Public Safety & Youth: A Provo teen was critically injured filming a “couch surfing” TikTok stunt, and Park City officials tranquilized a bear after it climbed into a neighborhood tree. Sports & Community: Real Salt Lake’s youth MLS NEXT Cup kicks off in Utah with 7,500+ players, and Salt Lake’s Busker Fest returns downtown this weekend. National/Policy Noise: The NBA approved “3-2-1” draft lottery reforms to curb tanking, and the Treasury launched the “Trump Accounts” app for newborn $1,000 federal savings deposits.

Redistricting Showdown: Republicans are on track to finish the redistricting fight with up to 10 more seats than Democrats, as the national map-making scramble keeps accelerating. Utah Elections Integrity: A new audit says only 27 Utah voters are confirmed noncitizens, with 25 more likely not citizens—showing “not a widespread problem,” while proof-of-citizenship rules continue to reshape the rolls. Great Salt Lake & Drought: Utah concern over Great Salt Lake water levels keeps climbing—now 86% of Utahns say they’re concerned—amid a statewide drought emergency and calls for conservation. Stratos Data Center Fight: Box Elder’s Stratos project remains a political flashpoint: state officials say the plan won’t be “solely” natural gas, while critics keep pressing water, wildlife, and procedure questions. Democrats in Utah’s New 1st District: In the 1st District Democratic debate, candidates aligned on Great Salt Lake, housing, and immigration, but sparred over the national debt and whether to work with Republicans. Infectious Disease: Utah’s measles outbreak continues to spread, including cases among babies and pregnant women, with new reporting highlighting risks for people who can’t be vaccinated. Kratom Law Takes Effect: Utah’s partial kratom ban is now in force, limiting sales to pure leaf powders and capsules after a federal judge denied an injunction. Energy Push: Green River nuclear plans are revived in a new form, adding to Utah’s growing nuclear ambitions.

Utah Election Integrity: Utah’s Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson’s office says a state review confirmed 99.72% of registered voters as U.S. citizens, removing 27 noncitizens and flagging 5,007 more for verification under new rules. Federal Voting Fight: The Trump administration is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to let states purge voter rolls for noncitizens close to elections, a move critics warn could disenfranchise voters. Redistricting Pressure: A national redistricting push is reshaping congressional districts ahead of November, with Republicans betting on gains and Democrats pointing to potential shifts in California and Utah. Data Center Politics: Utah’s air-mobility and “Project Alta” optimism is in the spotlight, but the broader tech fight is heating up too, with Utah and beyond facing scrutiny over AI data centers’ energy and water impacts. Public Safety & Community: Utah leaders marked Memorial Day with a Capitol ceremony honoring fallen service members, while wildlife officials shared tips after a moose-and-calves sighting in Park City. Local Life: Utah Connections Academy held its Class of 2026 commencement, including two Cache County graduates.

Utah Supreme Court Shakeup: Gov. Spencer Cox is interviewing candidates to fill multiple vacancies, including after Chief Justice Matthew Durrant’s retirement, setting up a major reshaping of Utah’s high court. Redistricting Fight: Republicans’ midterm map push is taking hits nationally, with South Carolina rejecting Trump-backed changes and a federal court blocking an Alabama GOP map—while Utah remains in the mix for potential Democratic gains. Box Elder Data Center Backlash: Hundreds rallied on the Capitol steps demanding a halt to the “Stratos Project,” warning about air, water, and greenhouse impacts as Kevin O’Leary and supporters argue opponents are spreading false claims. AI Data Center Claims: O’Leary says foreign-linked networks are fueling opposition, while critics demand transparency and independent review. Education Tech Trust: A Canvas data breach is reigniting concerns about classroom technology and families’ trust in ed tech. Campus Free Speech: A Ball State employee fired over a Charlie Kirk Facebook post is set to receive a $225,000 settlement. Public Safety & Policy: Utah’s individual income tax haul jumped 52.3% in Q2 2025, and a bipartisan push in Congress targets keeping lawmakers in D.C. during shutdowns.

Free-speech fallout from Charlie Kirk: Ball State University will pay $225,000 to settle a lawsuit from Suzanne Swierc, fired after a private Facebook post criticizing Kirk following his killing—an ACLU win framed as First Amendment retaliation. USMNT World Cup shock: Diego Luna, a Utah Real Salt Lake star and Nike ad face, was left off the U.S. roster for the 2026 World Cup, turning a marketing “lock” into a headline snub. Utah Dems eye Senate District 5: Christina “CJ” Hernandez launches a moderate pitch centered on affordable housing, clean air, and saving the Great Salt Lake. Utah Valley University memorial controversy: A viral TikTok dance near the Charlie Kirk assassination site at UVU is drawing fury over disrespect. Data-center politics keep heating up: National fights over AI power demand are now spilling into Congress, with Utah’s Box Elder data center still a flashpoint. Public safety and courts: A man was detained after smashing Utah State Capitol glass doors with a fire extinguisher; separately, Summit County seeks dismissal in a “Spoil to Soil” permit dispute.