Claim OwnershipInside Utah Politics with Lindsay Aerts
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© Lindsay Aerts 2025
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Each week on Inside Utah Politics, we'll dive into the most pressing stories- from Utah’s Capitol Hill, to your local government and across the nation, exploring how decisions made in the halls of power affect everyday lives. Whether you're a seasoned political observer or just beginning to engage with the issues, we've got analysis, interviews, and insight to help you stay informed and think critically about the world around you.
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The deadly shooting of Alex Pretti during a confrontation with ICE agents reignites nationwide protests over the agency's conduct and the Trump administration's approach to immigration enforcement. Panelists Rusty Cannon and Erin Rider weigh in on the political impact of these shootings and demonstrations and how Utah leaders are reacting to the widening divide over ICE. Plus, state lawmakers could consider intervening in the University of Utah's forthcoming private equity deal to fund its name image and likeness program for college athletes.
Governor Spencer Cox joins the program to outline the 2026 legislative session. Host Lindsay Aerts discusses changes to the judiciary, taxes, culture war bills, and Governor Cox's plans post second term. Plus, she takes you inside House and Senate meetings with reporters, discussions about a bill to require proof of citizenship, and a proposal to block ICE from government buildings.
Utah lawmakers are back the legislative session and have proposed hundreds of bills. One of those would require proof of citizenship for state elections, but not Federal ones. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Adam Gardner weigh in on whether Utah needs the change. Another bill proposes requiring literacy standards to move on from third grade. The Chief Justice of the Utah Supreme Court addresses tension with the legislature and President Trump is still on a quest to acquire Greenland.
We're just days away from the kickoff of the 2026 general session of the Utah legislature. House Minority Leader Rep. Angela Romero joins Lindsay to explain how Utah's Democrats hope to make an impact on important issues despite their super-minority status. Later on, Rep. Trevor Lee explains the rationale behind his proposal to rename Harvey Milk Boulevard for Charlie Kirk and defends the comments he made about congressional candidate Liban Mohamed that drew allegations of bigotry and racism.
The Republican-majority Utah Legislature plans to introduce a revised Constitutional Amendment D in the 2026 General Session. Panelists Rusty Cannon and Taylor Morgan debate what they'd like to see on the November 2026 ballot. Lawmakers are also considering a tax on social media advertising revenue from major platforms. Plus, lawmakers will look to digitize and streamline signature gathering for initiatives, referendums, and petitions.
Some congressional Republicans are defending Fed Chair Jerome Powell after the DOJ announced a probe into his testimony before Congress regarding renovations made to the Fed building in Washington, DC. Panelists Rusty Cannon and Leah Murray discuss whether trust in the Fed is waning and how the economy may be impacted. Plus, Utah's 2026 legislative session is taking shape with bills on taxes, affordability, constitutional amendments, and some messaging bills.
The Senate has advanced a proposal to curtail the President's ability to use military action in Venezuela after the arrest of leader Nicholas Maduro. Panelists Adam Gardiner and Erin Rider discuss whether the policy is needed and how Utah's senators voted. Plus, the state is looking to ban cell phone use in Utah schools. The Utah county clerk has a new Republican challenger, and other local elections are also taking shape.
A Utah lawmaker is proposing an income tax cut, along with some changes to the way cities and other taxing entities can raise property taxes. Sen. Dan McCay (R-Riverton) joins Inside Utah Politics with Lindsay Aerts to break down the proposals. Plus, the Governor is backing a push to ban cell phone use in schools during the school day. The President of the Policy Project, Emily Bell McCormick, whose advocacy group is behind the push, joins to explain why state leaders believe this is the best policy for Utah schools.
Following the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicholas Maduro, the ousted leader is in the United States facing narco-terrorism charges. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray break down what's next for Venezuela, and whether the President might face any wrath from Congress over the legality of Maduro's capture. Plus, Utah's elections for 2026 are shaping up with some must-see storylines. And, the ACLU of Utah filed a lawsuit against the state over Utah's sensitive materials law, as three additional books were banned in Utah.
The judge in Utah's redistricting case has issued a ruling essentially granting the ability for the legislature to appeal the case to the Utah Supreme Court, even with some outstanding claims, and despite the ability to appeal the ruling in August and November. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray weigh in on whether it was an oversight or a sound legal strategy. Plus, Former Congressman Rob Bishop is running for the state legislature, and our panel has New Year's resolutions for the legislature.
As the Utah legislature looks to expand the state's Supreme Court, the Utah State Bar says that they would rather have resources come to the lower courts. They discuss the pros and cons of appellate expansion. Plus, Eva Lopez Chavez shares her goals for Congress as she launches her bid in Utah's first district.
President Donald Trump addressed the nation in prime time, touting wins on the economy, immigration and healthcare. Panelists Adam Gardiner and Rusty Cannon join Lindsay to evaluate some of his claims and assess the president’s standing heading into the all-important 2026 midterms. The president’s chief of staff Susie Wiles, in the meantime, is pushing back on reporting from Vanity Fair that takes a candid, it at times unflattering, look at how the White House is running behind the scenes. Additional Referenceshttps://www.poynter.org/fact-checking/2025/united-states-18-trillion-dollars-investments/https://emersoncollegepolling.com/december-2025-national-poll-trumps-approval-flips-since-start-of-…https://apnorc.org/projects/trumps-approval-rating-slips-on-the-economy-and-immigration/https://boltsmag.org/whats-on-the-ballot/state-supreme-courts/
The Utah legislature is looking to expand the state Supreme Court from five members to seven in the upcoming legislative session. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray weigh in on whether that's good for Utah, and the perception that the legislature may be trying to overturn some recent rulings that didn't go their way. Plus, Australia's social media ban for minors is making waves in the U.S., and President Trump says he's closer to declassifying marijuana.
Utah lawmakers have pushed back filing deadlines to give themselves more time to fight the fight over redistricting. At the same time, they repealed the controversial ban on public sector union collective bargaining, HB 267, avoiding a costly battle at the ballot box next year. Panelists Sarah Reale and Rusty Cannon weigh in on what the impacts could be and where the legislature goes from here. Meanwhile, democrats plow ahead with plans to run in the newly-drawn, blue-leaning district 1. Former State Senator Derek Kitchen joins the show to explain how he plans to stand out in a growing field.
December 9th's special session paved the way for appeals in the redistricting case and repealed the controversial union law known best as HB 267. Panelists Sarah Reale and Erin Rider unpack the impact of lawmakers' latest moves and what the appeals process could look like. Additionally, they discuss the U of U private equity deal and the implications on college sports programs, as well as the Salt Lake County budget cuts.
The Utah State Legislature held a special session on December 9 hoping to buy more time to appeal Utah's redistricting ruling. They also repealed the collective bargaining ban, HB267. Lawmakers are paving the way for future appeals for the redistricting case. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray recap the session, including the comments by Sen. Nate Blouin and the referendum on HB267.
In a surprise press conference days before Thanksgiving, state lawmakers announce that they're launching a three-pronged approach to challenge a Utah judge's ruling, which created a democrat leaning congressional district in Salt Lake County. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray weigh in in what's likely to happen next and what it means for the nearing 2026 midterm election cycle. Plus, state leaders announce the new name and branding for the winter games set to kick off in less than 3,000 days: Utah 2034. The new logo has drawn some serious criticism. And, will Gov. Spencer Cox run for president? We dig into all these topics on a special Thanksgiving week edition of IUP+.
In an ABC4 exclusive, one of the candidates for Utah's newly drawn first congressional district joins Lindsay to make their campaign official. Plus, Sen. Kathleen Riebe joins the show to outline her priorities and what lane she'll occupy in a primary that grows more crowded by the day. We wrap things up with
New reporting indicates Utah's four GOP representatives in the House are gaming where they will run under the new congressional district map that seems to reduce the number of seats where conservatives can win. Panelists Erin Rider and Adam Gardiner discuss what that process could look like. Plus, a panel of federal judges rejects the map Texas passed to shore up come midterms, and the president has signed the bill to release DOJ files related to the notorious late sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein
We've got what seems to be the first bit of drama of the democratic primary for Utah's newly minted blue-leaning seat. Salt Lake City Council member Eva Lopez Chavez now says she did not endorse former congressman Ben McAdams' bid to return to Washington. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray weigh in on what to make of the confusion and what democrats need to be doing now to prepare for midterms. Plus, the Utah judiciary is condemning threats against Judge Gibson over her ruling in the redistricting case.
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