The Hinckley Report

A decision from the U.S. Supreme Court will impact elections across the country, including here at home. Host Jason Perry leads a discussion on what the justices decided about mail-in ballots, and how Utah leaders are responding. We also look at how lawmakers are considering industry demands for AI regulation. THE DEEPER DIVE:• The Supreme Court struck down President Trump’s executive order that would have restricted mail-in voting. The order created a state vs. federal show down. Our panel discusses the popularity of mail-in ballot voting in the state, and why Utahns’ personal data became the center of the fight.• After the addition of two new state Supreme Court justices, Governor Cox has now appointed seven justices to the court in six years – more than any other governor. We dive into the debate: Is this “court packing” to persuade cases, or is it to keep the system moving to process more cases quickly? And how do Utahns feel?• Governor Spencer Cox is calling for Congress to create a national framework to govern the most powerful artificial intelligence systems. At the same time, communities are pushing back against data centers. Our panelists examine the complexities of creating AI guardrails, and what those regulations could look like.• With the midterm elections drawing closer, the Republican Party is hoping to see a huge show of support at the polls to keep its footing in Congress. We ask the question: Will President Trump’s promise of $5,000 to every American if Republicans stay in power be enough to sway voters? • New polls show that support for Democratic Socialism is on the rise, with additional poll numbers revealing that people first think of universal healthcare and higher taxes with more government spending. Our group discusses what that means in the Beehive State, especially in the projected blue Congressional District 1.FEATURING:• Brigham Tomco– Deseret News• Heidi Hatch – KUTV 2News• Glen Mills – Political analyst and expertFunding for The Hinckley Report is made possible in part by the Cleone Peterson Eccles Endowment Fund and by the financial contributions of PBS Utah members. If you would like to support the work we do, please visit https://pbsutah.org/supporthinckley

Utah. Lt. Governor Deidre Henderson is being investigated by the Dept. of Justice over her refusal to hand over the state's voter registration information. In this episode, host Jason Perry leads a discussion about the potential ramifications of this investigation, and how other leaders are responding. We also explore the ongoing impact of the Utah's primary election results. THE DEEPER DIVE:• Lt. Governor Deidre Henderson learned of the federal investigation into her actions through a letter from the DOJ. The L.G. has been outspoken on social media about her refusal to hand over sensitive data. Our panel discusses the possible legal consequences, and potential impact on voter confidence.• ️ Utah's primary elections in June saw some upsets againstbig names in Utah politics. Among those who lost a re-election campaign is Senate President Stuart Adams. Political experts attribute his defeat, in part, to his early support for a data center in Box Elder County. We examine what the election results reveal about how voters are feeling overall. • ️ Adams' defeat leaves a big opening in legislative leadership. Some familiar names have expressed interest in becoming the next senate president. Our panel discusses potential outcomes, and what we could expect from a very different looking state senate in the years to come. • The upcoming general election will be the first in Utah u sing new court-ordered congressional boundaries. Former Congressman Ben McAdams did well in his primary race in Utah's First Congressional District. We evaluate his chances in November.• As the nation reflects on the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, our panel also looks back. What lessons can we learn from the political discourse in the days following 9/11? And how have current politics shifted in the last quarter of a century? ️ FEATURING:• Doug Wilks – Executive Editor, Deseret News• Kate Bradshaw – Mayor, Bountiful City• Max Roth – Anchor, Fox 13 News Funding for The Hinckley Report is made possible in part by the Cleone Peterson Eccles Endowment Fund and by the financial contributions of PBS Utah members. If you would like to support the work we do, please visit https://pbsutah.org/supporthinckley

The races for Utah's primary elections are officially set. Host Jason Perry leads a discussion evaluating the top races voters will decide, and what those races say about the state of politics in the the Beehive State. Plus, new polling reveals Utahns concerns about major issues. THE DEEPER DIVE: • ️ Utah's Republican and Democratic Parties both held nominating conventions this past week. Our expert panel examines the outcomes and what the format of each meeting says about each party.• Attendance at each event was high, but in each instance the number of delegates represents a small number of Utah's total population. We examine why many political insiders believe this system is still important and why some feel it leaves other viewpoints unrepresented.• 1️⃣ In Utah's 1st Congressional District, four Democrats will face each other in the primary election. Liban Mohamed and Ben McAdams received the most votes at convention and will be joined by Nate Blouin and Michael Farrell who each gathered signatures. The winner of that primary will face Republican Riley Owen in November.• 2️⃣ In Utah's 2nd Congressional District, sitting Congressman Blake Moore will face Utah Rep. Karianne Lisonbee (R-Clearfield) in the Republican primary. Lisonbee won at the convention, but M oore qualified through signature gathering. The winner of that primary will face Democrat Peter Crosby in November.• 3️⃣ In Utah's 3rd Congressional District, sitting Congresswoman Celeste Maloy will face former Utah Rep. Phil Lyman (R-Blanding) in the Republican primary. Both received delegate support at the convention. The winner of that primary will face Democrat Kent Udell in November. ️ FEATURING:• Maura Carabello – President, Exoro Group• Rob Axson – Chairman, Utah Republican Party• Eric Biggart – Executive Committee, Utah Democratic Party Funding for The Hinckley Report is made possible in part by the Cleone Peterson Eccles Endowment Fund and by the financial contributions of PBS Utah members. If you would like to support the work we do, please visit https://pbsutah.org/supporthinckley

As the state's two largest political parties prepare for their conventions this weekend, more accusations of wrongdoing are coming to light in the race for Utah's 1st Congressional District. Host Jason Perry leads a conversation about what's to come when Republicans and Democrats meet on Saturday. THE DEEPER DIVE: • Approximately 4,000 Republicans and 1,500 Democrats will gather as delegates at their respective state conventions this weekend to vote on candidates for public office. Our expert panel discusses some of the top contests and examines what dynamics will be at play. • ️ Delegates are elected at neighborhood caucus meetings which have been criticized over the years for low attendance. Polling from the Hinckley Institute of Politics finds only 10% of Utahns attended their local caucus. We evaluate whether delegates really represent the opinions of Utah voters at large.• ✍️ Some candidates have already qualified for the primary ballot by gathering signatures. Our panel discusses Utah's unique dual path for ballot access, and whether changes to the system are likely to come in the future.• Some notable incumbents did not win at their recent county conventions. Rep. Trevor Lee who has made a name for himself in the Utah Legislature as a conservative firebrand came second to his GOP challenger, Davis County Commissioner Bob Stevenson. Both will advance to the primary election in June. But in Salt Lake County, Laurie Stringham was eliminated in her bid for a second term on the County Council. Kathleen Anderson secured the Republican nomination for that seat and will face Democrat Zach Robinson in the November general election.• ⚠️ There are new allegations of scandal in the race for Utah's 1st Congressional District. This week four women, including three prominent Utah Democrats, publicly accused Salt Lake City Councilwoman Eva Lopez Chavez of unwanted sexual advances. Lopez Chavez is one of the Democratic candidates for CD1 and has denied any wrongdoing. (Editorial note: one of the accusers is Rep. Hoang Nguyen (D-Salt Lake City) who also serves on PBS Utah's advisory board.)• ️ Former Utah Congressman Rob Bishop is making a bid to re-enter politics in the Beehive State. Bishop is running for an open seat in the Utah House of Representatives, where he served as Speaker in the 1990s before being elected to Congress. ️ FEATURING:• Rep. Doug Owens – (D) Millcreek, Utah House Minority Caucus Manager• Becki Wright – Founder & CEO, Proximity• Taylor Morgan – Partner, Morgan & May Public Affairs Funding for The Hinckley Report is made possible in part by the Cleone Peterson Eccles Endowment Fund and by the financial contributions of PBS Utah members. If you would like to support the work we do, please visit https://pbsutah.org/supporthinckley

Utah's congressional contests are beginning to take shape. Host Jason Perry leads a discussion about how endorsements and accusations of scandal are impacting the races. Plus, Utah leaders weigh in on national headlines. THE DEEPER DIVE: • ⚖️ Utah Supreme Court Justice Diana Hagen has been accused of an inappropriate relationship with an attorney who argued the Prop 4 redistricting case before the court. Governor Spencer Cox and legislative leadership are moving forward with an independent investigation into the matter, but Justice Hagen has denied any wrongdoing. We evaluate what impact this could have on the public's trust in the process.• Utah Rep. Trevor Lee (R-Layton) is facing accusations of past impropriety regarding his actions in a former job that involved check fraud. This news dropped just days before Lee faces a challenger at the Davis County Republican Convention. Our panel examines waht this could mean for his future in the Utah Legislature.• The Democratic race for Utah's 1st Congressional District is heating up. This week, a national political news website published numerous controversial posts published by Sen. Nate Blouin (D-Millcreek) several years ago. Blouin quickly apologized for the offensive comments, but calls for him to drop out of the race came from many members of his own party. We discuss Blouin's response and why some Democrats are still supporting his candidacy.• ️ In the Republican race for Utah's 2nd Congressional District, incumbent Blake Moore is facing stiff competition from State Rep. Karianne Lisonbee. She has recently stated that Moore's past support for independent redistricting should be reason enough for voters to not send him back to Washington. Our panel evaluates what impact this will have on the race.• Controversy over Utah Valley University's scheduled commencement speaker has resulted in the school decidiing to have no speaker at all. Social media influencer Sharon McMahon, also known as "America's Government Teacher", had been selected by the shool to speak to graduates, but some students were upset over comments McMahon made in the wake of the Charlie Kirk assassination at UVU. The university eventually decided that out of safety concerns, there would be no speaker. ️ FEATURING:• Heidi Hatch – KUTV 2News• Marty Carpenter – Partner, Northboudn Strategy• Daniel Woodruff – Reporter, KSL Funding for The Hinckley Report is made possible in part by the Cleone Peterson Eccles Endowment Fund and by the financial contributions of PBS Utah members. If you would like to support the work we do, please visit https://pbsutah.org/supporthinckley