Inside Utah Politics with Lindsay Aerts

Donald Trump Jr. weighs in on the Utah GOP's push to repeal prop 4 as lawyers on both sides of the redistricting case prepare to return to court. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray weigh in on the impact national actors have had on Utah's efforts to draw congressional lines. Plus, ballot instructions cause confusion in Utah County as the clerk there declines to print new ballots to correct incorrect instructions. Lastly, the No Kings protests across the nation drew millions to the streets this weekend to voice their disagreement with the Trump administration. The question now: how effective were they?

The Utah GOP is sponsoring two pushes to settle the questions around redistricting in Utah. Party chair Rob Axson joins Lindsay to explain why republicans are hoping to put Map C on the 2026 ballot just weeks after the party's elected members approved it during the special session. Meanwhile, tensions are high at the state capitol. State auditor Tina Cannon is on the show to explain the behind-the-scenes disagreements between her office and the legislature that have become increasingly public.

Proponents of Prop 4 push back at the Utah GOP's bid to repeal the anti-gerrymandering criteria and the newly approved Map C. They've filed new legal action asking a court to intervene again. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Rusty Cannon weigh in on the fairness of it all and try to cut through the confusion as to where this goes next. Plus, our panel weighs into a truly controversial topic: predicting the score in Saturday's showdown in Provo when the Utes come to town to take on an undefeated BYU.

Exactly two weeks after the Utah Republican Party endorsed map c in Utah’s court-stipulated redistricting process, the party has filed paperwork to run a referendum to repeal map C and an initiative to ask the legislature to repeal Proposition 4. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray walk us through the implications for the process and the impact on our local and national politics. Plus, republicans in Utah and beyond condemn a new political cartoon in the Salt Lake Tribune portraying Utah's congressional delegation as a wanted gang. Did the strip go too far?

The legislature is facing new legal action after it approved a new congressional map with amended redistricting rules. Sen. Brady Brammer joins the program to explain lawmakers' position. On the national stage, the government shutdown is dragging towards the two week mark. Utah promised to keep the Mighty Five open, but who is actually paying the bills. Lindsay visits Zion National Park to get to the bottom of it.

The government shutdown has reached day 9, and ABC 4 went to Zion National Park to find out who's funding the parks to keep them open. Panelists Adam Gardiner and Rusty Cannon weigh in on the shutdown, talk of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and Democrats who could run for Congress because of the makeup of Utah's proposed redistricted maps.

Utah lawmakers face a new legal challenge after giving Map C their stamp of approval alongside some new redistricting criteria passed during the special session. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray debate the strategy behind the latest legal move, and how Utah Democrats could approach midterm elections in 2026.

Utah will have a special session on Monday to vote on new Congressional maps and make some tweaks to laws before the general session. Senate Parliamentarian, Todd Weiler, weighs in on which map the legislature is leaning towards, the GOP picking its favorite, and what else the legislature will change on Monday. Plus, the federal government continues to be shut down, and both Republicans and Democrats seem to be digging in their heels. Congressman Blake Moore discusses how the shutdown ends and who's at fault.

The federal government continues to be shut down, and both Republicans and Democrats seem to be digging in their heels. Panelists Adam Gardiner and Gabi Finlayson weigh in on who's at fault and whether it's appropriate for the administration to blame Democrats on government websites. Utah is in a battle of its own over new congressional maps, and the Utah Republican Party sent an email picking its favorite. Gardiner and Finlayson debate whether the party should have done that.

The federal government is barreling toward a government shutdown, and without a bipartisan deal, it's anticipated that it will at 12:01 a.m. on October 1. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray debate who's at fault, and how Utah will be impacted. Plus, Governor Spencer Cox was on CBS's 60 Minutes, taking his "Disagree Better" campaign national. Morgan and Murray weigh in on Cox's messages of unity after the killing of Charlie Kirk.

Utah's redistricting battle got heated this week- with no final agreement on the a single map for public consideration. Republicans and Democrats on the committee both accused the other side of favoring their electoral interests when drawing these maps. Republican Rep. Candace Pierucci and Democratic Rep. Doug Owens join Lindsay to discuss their positions and the ongoing efforts to find common ground before a final vote on October 6th.

A court-ordered redrawing of congressional districts sparked heated debate between Republicans and Democrats during their second and final public hearing on Wednesday. Panelists Rusty Cannon and Sarah Reale weigh in on who was right and who was wrong. Plus, they debate the partisan bias test and whether there should be one or multiple. Links to follow along at home:https://le.utah.gov/interim/2025/pdf/00003659.pdf and https://le.utah.gov/interim/2025/pdf/00003630.pdf

The Utah legislature has released five new maps as a part of their court-ordered redistricting. Panelists Leah Murray and Taylor Morgan do a deep dive into the details of those maps, where they're split, and whether they favor one party. They also debate the newly proposed partisan bias test and whether it should be used to determine if the maps unduly favor or disfavor any party. Link to the maps : https://le.utah.gov/interim/2025/pdf/00003630.pdf

Two Utah lawmakers on opposite sides of the aisle join Lindsay to discuss moving forward after the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Plus, the legislature is on the clock to redraw Utah's congressional maps after the state Supreme Court denied their latest appeal in the gerrymandering case. Panelists Leah Murray and Erin Rider discuss. We also meet the head of Utah's newest office to manage disputes between homeowners' associations and the law.

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 redistricting, including the new bipartisan commission's schedule.

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 whether there's any bias in the handling or prosecuting of the case. They also discuss the latest ruling from the Utah Supreme Court that denied the legislature's request to stay the ruling, And what's next for the Utah legislature in Utah's our district in case.

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 Olympics, and Mitt Romney didn't like the Salt Lake Tribune satire.

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 War, and Utah is getting $5 million in a settlement with a major online pornography operator.

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 ruling.

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 districts, and where the case goes next.

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 Government, David Reymann, discusses what's next in the case. Plus, Senator Scott Sandall (R- Brigham City) breaks down why he believes the judge got the ruling wrong.

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 weigh in on whether they think the legislature will address it. Meanwhile, the legislature will make changes to the management of the Great Salt Lake berm, and run a bill allowing the Governor to appoint Utah's chief justice in that special session. Our panelists weigh in.

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 Adams' role and the policy. He also weighs in on why the legislature wants the Governor to appoint Utah's Chief Justice. Meanwhile, Great Salt Lake Commissioner Brian Steed outlines why the legislature wants to allow for more flexibility with the Great Salt Lake berm

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 Murray weigh in on whether the revelation will impact Adams' future in the Senate. President Trump says he wants to eliminate voting by mail nationwide, but Utah's Lt. Governor, Deidre Henderson, is pushing back, arguing that states have the right to choose how they conduct elections. Will anything change in Utah with voting by mail? And Utah lawmakers are expected to be called into a special legislative session in September. It's the Governor who sets that agenda, so what will be on it? Taylor, Leah, and Lindsay make their picks — fantasy draft style.

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 debates instead.

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 has called for Great Salt Lake issues to be part of an upcoming special legislative session, what else could be on that agenda? Plus, our panelists discuss cuts to University of Utah programs and the latest on the Epstein files.

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 debates instead.

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 the Epstein files. And Utah's Lt. Governor Deidre Henderson has been asked to hand over some voter information to the Department of Justice.

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 ballot deadline. Salt Lake County Clerk Lannie Chapman joins us to break down that ballots must be in the clerk's hands by 8 pm on Election Day.

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 Chinese landowners in the state. President Trump has also made some threats to NFL teams recently, pushing them to revert back to old names. Murray and Gardner discuss whether anything will change.

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 Epstein files should be released. After a contentious public meeting, Utah County Commissioner Amelia Powers Gardiner explains why she voted to expand the county Sheriff's office's powers to coordinate with ICE in what's known as a 287(g) agreement.

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 Sheriff's office's powers to coordinate with ICE in what's known as a 287(g) agreement. Environmental groups argue that Utah gave up the right to claw back some of its federal public lands at statehood, our panelists weigh in on whether a state court can block Utah from pursuing its federal case to try and prove that the feds can't hold on to that land forever.

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 go. Utah’s House Speaker, Mike Schultz, Karianne Lisonbee, and Trevor Lee were among the GOP lawmakers who rallied on behalf of a Utah plastic surgeon who, along with three others, is facing multiple federal charges for an alleged scheme to provide fake vaccine cards, inject saline into his minor patients, and destroy thousands of dollars’ worth of Covid-19 vaccines. Plus, our panelists weigh in on what could change in Utah after a major decision from the IRS allowing churches to endorse candidates from the pulpit and keep their tax-exempt status.

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 believes the case will succeed. Plus, panelists Taylor Morgan and Rusty Cannon weigh in on Utah’s House Speaker, Mike Schultz, rallying on behalf of a Utah plastic surgeon who, along with three others, is facing multiple federal charges for an alleged scheme to provide fake vaccine cards, inject saline into his minor patients, and destroy thousands of dollars’ worth of Covid-19 vaccines. Plus, they weigh in on what could change in Utah after a major decision from the IRS allowing churches to endorse candidates from the pulpit and keep their tax-exempt status.

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 Hart, the newly appointed state superintendent of Utah's K-12 public schools. President Trump also visited the site of his plans for a new immigration detention center called "Alligator Alcatraz."

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 the most, the public lands sale and AI moratorium.

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 protecting public lands. The Wilderness Society's BLM Campaign director, Michael Carroll also joins to break down why they are opposed to the most recent version. Caroll also defends a series of maps the group created, which Lee has chastised for causing undue panic and fear, accusing the group of being led by "eco-terrorists."

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. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Erin Rider weigh in on whether the budget mega bill is the best place to facilitate the sale, and whether Utah and other western states' need for housing will outweigh the pushback. Some recent polling shows Governor Spencer Cox with a favorable approval rating in Utah, but that he's lost some ground with Utah's democrats. Morgan and Rider weigh in on why.

The nation is grappling with instances of political violence, namely in Minnesota where a state lawmaker and her husband were killed and another shot, Panelists Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray discuss how to quell the problem. Senator Mike Lee is facing huge backlash for his tweets about the Minnesota deaths. Or panelists weigh in on whether he should face any further consequences. He is also championing a push to make thousands of acres of public land eligible for sale in Utah, our panelists dive into whether this proposal strikes the right balance to tackle a growing housing crisis.

Utah Senator Mike Lee is behind a push to make thousands of acres of public land available for sale in Utah. The proposal has drawn a lot of consternation, including from Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, who's director for Western priorities, Devin O'Dea joins host Lindsay Aerts to outline why. Plus, several questions remain about what exactly happened at the No Kings protest in downtown Salt Lake City where an innocent bystander lost his life. Rep. Jeff Burton is a former leader of Utah's National guard, breaks down what he learned after a briefing with Salt Lake City police chief Brian Redd.

Governor Spencer Cox defends President Trump's decision to federalize the National Guard and send troops to protests in Los Angeles. Panelists Sarah Reale and Erin Rider weigh in. "They're dumb flags, and it was a dumb bill." That's Cox's quote when asked about Salt Lake City's move to create alternatives to the Pride flag after they were banned on government buildings. Cox is also leaving the door open for a potential special election over repeal of the law that bans public labor unions from collective bargaining. Artificial intelligence regulations seem to be the latest snag for President Trump's big, beautiful bill. Lawmakers in both Congress and the Utah state legislature are voicing their disapproval of a provision in the bill that would stop states from regulating artificial intelligence for the next 10 years. Reale and Rider weigh in on all of it.

Utah is considering plans for a new uranium processing facility to fuel the governor's plans to build new nuclear energy. ABC4's Jordan Tracy sat down with the Executive Director of the Utah Department of Natural Resources, Joel Ferry to learn what it means for Utah and neighbors living around Camp Williams. Artificial intelligence regulations seem to be the latest snag for President Trump's big beautiful bill. Lawmakers in both Congress and the Utah state legislature are voicing their disapproval of a provision in the bill that would stop states from regulating artificial intelligence for the next 10 years. The author of an open letter to Utah's senators, Doug Fiefia joins host Lindsay Aerts to discuss why he believes Washington needs to back off its AI moratorium. Governor Cox called both Salt Lake City's move to get around Utah's Pride flag ban and the law that created it "dumb." Panelists Sarah Reale and Erin Rider weigh in.

Utah's House Majority just voted to elect new leadership, a group that will shape the priorities of Utah's House in the years to come. Panelists Rusty Cannon and Adam Gardiner break down the leadership shakeup and the House's relationship with the Senate. Utah Associate Chief Justice John Pearce announced he's stepping down from the Utah Supreme Court at the end of his term in December. Plus, President Trump and Elon Musk are publicly feuding over the Big, Beautiful, Bill. Our panelists discuss the fate of the spending package in the Senate and how Trump and Elon's breakup might impact it.

The filing deadline for 2025 municipal elections ended this week, and the races in several of Utah's 253 cities are taking shape. From Mayor to City councils across the state, Host Lindsay Aerts and Executive Director of Governing Group, Kyle Friant, run through some of the top issues impacting those communities and the people running to lead them through it. Plus, Utah Associate Chief Justice John Pearce announced he's stepping down from the Utah Supreme Court at the end of his term in December. University of Utah Political Science Professor Matthew Burbank walks through the impacts of a vacancy, recent tensions with the high court and the legislature, and how Governor Cox might navigate picking a successor.

Utah Democrats will elect a new chair at their state convention Saturday. Panelists Rusty Cannon and Sarah Reale break down what the party needs to do to gain some ground both in Utah and across the nation. A federal trade court has blocked Trump from imposing some tariffs created under emergency powers, however, an appeals court issued a stay, meaning the tariffs can't continue while the issue winds its way through the courts. Cannon and Reale break down the initial ruling and what happens next.

A federal trade court has blocked Trump from imposing some tariffs created under emergency powers, however, an appeals court issued a stay, meaning the tariffs can't continue while the issue winds its way through the courts. Panelists Rusty Cannon and Sarah Reale break down the initial ruling and what happens next. Governor Spencer Cox joined with dozens of mayors, urging cities and the state to continue to collaborate on his administration's goal of creating 35,000 starter homes. Inside Utah Politics with Lindsay Aerts takes you inside the back-and-forth with reporters over how he plans to accomplish this.

Utah's Republican party has reelected their chair and decided to push pause on a resolution that would have stripped party membership from signature gathering candidates. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Erin Rider discuss the fate of the party, and what's next for the often-controversial dual path to the ballot. The House of Representatives has passed Trump's Big Beautiful Bill, but how will the Senate change it? And the Pentagon has officially accepted the plane gifted by Qatar. Will there be constitutional challenge to it? Our panelists dive in.

Utah Attorney General Derek Brown visited the southern border this week to discuss Republican strategies around immigration, slowing crime, and drugs. He joins host Lindsay Aerts to discuss whether Republicans are getting the messaging right on immigration and how his office is working to fix the system. Utah Democrats will pick a new chair at their state party convention May 31. We hear from two of the four candidates, Brian King and Ben Peck on how they each plan to make a dent in Utah's Republican stronghold.