Show notes
Host: Heidi Hatch
Guests: Maura Carabello (Exoro Group), Thomas Wright (Former Utah GOP Chair, 2020 Gubernatorial Candidate, Real estate broker)
White House correspondents’ dinner attempted assassination
Utah Box Elder County Data Center
Governor Cox: Utah and other states have an obligation to "allow" the sprawling facilities. "There is a national security piece to this that has to be acknowledged," Cox said in response to a 2News question at his monthly PBS Utah news conference. "We have to do this. We just can't say no and shut the doors and go home and let China win this technology race."
Scale: The project would cover approximately 40,000 acres in the remote Hansel Valley area of western Box Elder County.
-
Power Demand: It is planned to produce and consume up to 9 gigawatts (GW) of power at full capacity (initially 3 GW), which is more than double the entire state of Utah's current average usage of roughly 4 GW.
-
Energy Source: Power would likely be generated on-site using natural-gas-fired plants hooked into the Ruby Pipeline, which runs through the area.
-
Water Usage: The project proposes a "closed-loop" water system to cool the systems, with officials claiming it will be a net positive for the Great Salt Lake. However, critics and some scientists have raised major concerns about the "heat island effect" and the impact on local water resources.
-
Status & Approval: On April 27, 2026, the Box Elder County Commission tabled a decision on the proposal following public outcry and concern that the process was being rushed.
-
Upcoming Action: A public meeting is scheduled for May 4, 2026, at 4 p.m. at the Box Elder County Fairgrounds in Tremonton.
Democratic Convention
- Liban Mohammed wins D1 Race: A progressive surge in Utah? Liban Mohamed’s win in 1st District sets up high-stakes primary 51.8% Ben McAdams 48.5%
Eva Lopez SLC Council Investigation into accusations of sexual misconduct
Four people accuse Eva Lopez Chavez, a SLC Council member, of unwanted ‘sexual’ advances
- Salt Lake City Council member Eva Lopez Chavez could lose her seat over where she lives
Republican Convention
-
Rob Bishop won a special election to Utah's House District 6 at the GOP nominating convention.
Bishop will complete Rep. Matthew Gwynn's term ending Jan. 2027 and run in November.
-
State Sen. Dan McCay faces a primary against Rep. Doug Fiefia on June 23.
-
CD2 Congressman Blake Moore loses with 33.7% of the vote
CD2 Former legislator Karianne Lisonbee 61.5%.
-
CD3 Congresswoman Celeste Maloy garnered 50.95%
CD 3 Phil Lyman 49.04%
-
State Senate President Stuart Adams is in a primary, capturing 55.1%
Braden Hess with 44.9%.
Prop 4 Officially Dead
Prop 4 Repeal Fraud Charges
- Chadwick Kluttz, 40, of North Carolina, faces criminal charges accusing him of forging signatures in the effort to repeal Utah's Proposition 4.
- He is charged with 11 counts of forgery and 11 counts of unlawfully signing a certificate of nomination signature sheet.
- Kluttz was arrested in North Carolina and later released; Utah officials working to return him to Vernal to face charges.
UVU new President search after difficult Year Charlie Kirk assassination, graduation without keynote speaker
SCOTUS Gerrymandering
In major Voting Rights Act case, Supreme Court strikes down redistricting map challenged as racially discriminatory
WAR IN IRAN
U.S. Senator John Curtis “From the beginning, my position has been that the President’s actions in Iran have been consistent with his legal authority under the War Powers Resolution of 1973. However, that same law is clear that after 60 days, military action must begin to wind down unless Congress provides formal authorization.
“I take this requirement seriously for two reasons. First, the Constitution deliberately provides power to Congress to authorize war. Second, the legacy of the Vietnam War serves as a permanent reminder of the devastation that occurs when the lines of authority are blurred or ignored. That is why I have been clear: I will not support continued funding for the use of force without Congress weighing in. This is not an adversarial stance against the Administration; rather, it is a commitment to our system of government. It is critical to our national security that Iran’s malign capabilities are neutralized, but it is equally critical that we do so on a sound constitutional footing.
“As we reach this 60-day mark, it is time for decision-making from both the Administration and from Congress—and that can happen in league with one another, not in conflict. I am currently engaged in thoughtful discussions with my Senate colleagues, and also with the Administration, on a path forward that honors our respective constitutional roles, clearly outlines objectives and guidelines, and is in the best interest of the country and our servicemembers.”
PS Longest Federal Government Shutdown is over
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
Stay Connected
