Explore every episode of the podcast Take 2

Take 2 Podcast

Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025

Guests: Heidi Hatch, Maura Carabello (Exoro Group), Sen. Daniel McCay

Redistricting New Maps

• Public comment period runs for 10 days, through Oct. 5
• Feedback can be submitted at redistricting.utah.gov
• Special session scheduled for Oct. 6 to vote on the new map
• Final maps will be submitted to the courts for approval

Great Salt Lake Water Woes

• Gov. Spencer Cox launches GSL 2034, a public-private charter urging all Utahns to help restore the lake
• Comes with a $200 million pledge, half already committed by Ducks Unlimited over 10 years
• New philanthropic coalition Great Salt Lake Rising aims to raise an additional $100 million within a year, led by Josh Romney
• Cox wants lake elevation back to 4,198 feet by the 2034 Winter Olympics (currently at 4,191 feet)

Charlie Kirk Monument at UVU

• Petition supporting memorial: 20,000 signatures
• Petition opposing memorial: 13,000 signatures
• UVU announced creation of a Memorial Committee, co-chaired by Scott M. Smith (UVU Board of Trustees, Qualtrics co-founder) and Amanda Covington (Utah Board of Higher Education chair)
• Committee will include students, political leaders, and other stakeholders

USU Turning Point Event – Tuesday, Sept. 30

• Featured guests: Gov. Spencer Cox, Sen. Mike Lee, Former Rep. Jason Chaffetz
• Some surprise at Cox’s participation after past criticism from Charlie Kirk in 2022
• Still unclear if the format will be a panel or Q&A

Sutherland Institute Transition

• Rick Larsen to step down as CEO on Jan. 1, 2026, and become president emeritus

One Week Out from Possible Government Shutdown

• Federal government faces shutdown if Congress fails to pass spending bill by Oct. 1
• Republicans and Democrats remain divided, particularly over extending enhanced ACA premium subsidies

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Hosted by Heidi Hatch with guests Maura Carabello of the Exoro Group and Utah GOP Chair Rob Axson

On this week’s Take 2 Podcast, we look at the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem. Utah GOP Chair Rob Axson, a friend of Kirk, and Maura Carabello of the Exoro Group join the discussion on the political and emotional fallout one week later.

Topics this week:

Charlie Kirk assassination at UVU

• George Zinn, known in political circles, diverted police attention and was arrested on child pornography charges
• 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, the accused shooter, faces the death penalty
• Utah released Robinson’s mugshot despite state law prohibiting it
• A Pennsylvania man was arrested in Utah after posting an online threat against UVU
• Debate over university security and whether DPS or local law enforcement should step in
• Businesses and universities firing employees over online comments after the assassination

Utah’s special session pushed back to Oct. 6

Utah Legislature releases list of lawmakers who will oversee redistricting

Two weeks until Congress faces its budget deadline

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Take 2 Podcast

September 4, 2025

Hosts: Heidi Hatch

Guests: Maura Carabello (Exoro Group), Liddy Huntsman (Salt Lake City Council Candidate, District 3)

Episode Rundown:

• New 1,300-bed homeless services campus
• Opening in 2027 on a 16-acre parcel at 2520 North and 2200 West off I-215 in Salt Lake City
• Room to expand to 40 acres for a 50–100 year plan
• Core services: recovery, employment, housing and criminal justice assistance
• Annual operations expected to cost more than $30 million
• $75 million needed for infrastructure, excluding land purchase
•  
• Homelessness in Utah up 18%
• Children experiencing homelessness increased 12% (589 to 662)
• Seniors rose 42% (251 to 356)
• Veterans increased 36% (121 to 165)
• More than 10,000 Utahns experienced homelessness for the first time in 2024, a 5% rise
• Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall called the report a “battle cry” for the Legislature to provide more funding
•  
• Redistricting and the 2026 midterms
• Judge Dianna Gibson ruled current congressional maps unconstitutional and denied lawmakers’ request to pause her order
• Ruling restores the intent of Proposition 4, the independent redistricting commission voters approved in 2018
• Utah Republican Party Chairman Robert Axson called the decision “judicial activism”

• Congress back in session
• Epstein victims pressed lawmakers to release the full Justice Department investigation files
• Looming Sept. 30 deadline for government funding raises threat of a shutdown
• A stopgap bill is likely, but Republicans need Democratic votes and Democrats are expected to push for concessions

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HOST: Heidi Hatch

Guests: Maura Carabello Exoro Group and John Dougal Former State Auditor

Utah’s Death Penalty Front and Center:

• Friday – Accused Tremonton Shooter makes 1st court appearance with face death penalty after shooting and killing 2 Tremonton Officers
• Utah Supreme Court heard last Ralph Menzies Appeal – Menzies is scheduled to die September 5th just after midnight
• Firing Squad Execution after 38 years of appeals -Sentenced to die by firing squad for the 1986 kidnapping and murder of 26-year-old Maurine Hunsaker
• Should Utah keep the death penalty when cases drag on for decades

Texas House approves new GOP congressional maps after 2-week delay

• This comes after Utah Dems Join Texas Dems protesting redistricting at Legislative conference

https://kutv.com/news/local/utah-democrats-join-texas-lawmakers-in-redistricting-protest

• Utah awaits state Court ruling on Utah redistricting fight

Newsom Signs California Redistricting Plan to Counter Texas Republicans

• Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democratic state lawmakers moved quickly to create new districts that could help their party flip five congressional seats. Their plan still requires voter approval. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/21/us/politics/california-newsom-redistricting-texas.html

Calls for Utah Senate President to Resign for personal influence over sexual assault bill passed in 2024

                Calls for change, but what change

               Should legislators disclose or not to disclose reason for backing and running bills

https://kutv.com/news/politics/governor-spencer-cox-defends-senate-president-adams-amid-calls-for-resignation#

Trump to Sign Mail-in Ballots Executive Order

• Mike Lee backs the idea “As President Trump has made clear, it’s time to end mail-in voting Utah should lead the way on this Other states will follow” https://x.com/BasedMikeLee/status/1957913877494288666

Utah Primary Municipal Election

• HB300 unintended consequences signatures and ID digits

 DC is now under Federal control for policing

• John Curtis –“Sadly, during my time in office, I’ve seen growing violence and a troubling decline in public safety for both my staff and visitors. I’m hopeful that new measures will help restore safety, respect, and accountability — building a community where families can thrive and everyone can walk its streets without fear.”

Utah Sheriff’s concerned about ICE luring away their deputies with big bonuses

• Sheriffs across the State of Utah are concerned about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)'s latest recruitment tactic of sending letters to deputies and others who have trained with ICE under local agreements—seemingly trying to poach local law enforcement.
• Kane County Sheriff Tracy Glover, the president of the Utah Sheriffs Association, said ICE is trying to convince deputies to work for the agency using signing bonuses and other incentives.
• After multiple departments entered into agreements with ICE to work more closely together under the 287(G) program, deputies began receiving recruitment letters in their inboxes, something local departments did not appreciate. https://kutv.com/news/local/utah-sheriffs-criticize-ice-for-classless-recruitment-of-local-deputies

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Take 2 Podcast | June 12

With Heidi Hatch

Maura Carabello (Exoro Group)

Greg Hughes (KNRS, former House Speaker)

Israel Strikes Iran

• Israeli military launches targeted strike on Iranian facilities.
• U.S. not involved but on alert for retaliation.

Judge: Trump Acted Illegally

• Court rules Trump’s National Guard deployment to LA was unconstitutional.
• National Guard Troop control must return to Gov. Newsom.
• Newsom: “Democracy is next.”

Protests in Utah

• Anti-ICE protest happening now in Salt Lake City.
• Statewide rallies expected for “No Kings Day” on Saturday.
• Gov. Cox, Mayor Mendenhall warn against violence but support peaceful protest.
• Flashback: 2020 protest fallout resurfaces—Sim Gill questioned SLC’s lack of police response in 2020.

SLC Council Race Heats Up

• Liddy Huntsman, daughter of former Gov. Jon Huntsman, joins the race.

AI Moratorium Fight

• Utah lawmakers oppose pause on AI development in the “Big Beautiful Bill.”
• Concerns over innovation and economic growth raised.

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On this week’s episode of the Take 2 Podcast, Heidi Hatch is joined by Maura Carabello of the Exoro Group and KNRS host and former House Speaker Greg Hughes to break down a busy week in politics, from national feuds to shifting Utah leadership.

The Trump–Musk Bromance Ends

What began as a mutual admiration between Donald Trump and Elon Musk has unraveled in public view. Musk recently criticized the federal deficit, saying, “We have a $2 trillion deficit. It keeps growing. Our interest payments are higher than our defense department budget.” That didn’t sit well with Trump. While the split has sparked national chatter, Utah Sen. Mike Lee tried to play peacemaker, saying simply, “But I really like both of them.”

New Leadership in Utah’s House GOP

Following a special election, Utah House Republicans selected a new leadership team:

• Speaker: Mike Schultz
• Majority Leader: Casey Snider
• Majority Whip: Candice Pierucci
• Assistant Whip: Bridger Bolinder

Utah Democrats Elect New Party Leaders

Roughly 1,400 delegates, both in person and remote, participated in the Utah Democratic Party’s convention over the weekend. Former lawmaker and 2024 gubernatorial candidate Brian King was elected party chair. Other leadership includes:

• Vice Chair: Susan Merrill
• Secretary: Brad Dickter
• Treasurer: Catherine Voutaz

King, who spent 16 years in the Utah Legislature, will now steer the party into 2026 and beyond.

GOP Lawmakers Threaten Legislation Over Pride Month

Utah Jazz and the Utah Mammoth celebrating Pride Month sparked pushback from some Republican lawmakers. Rep. Trevor Lee posted on X, “Nothing makes Utahns more mad when political ideologies get pushed into their lives Watch for some significant legislation this next session that pushes back onto these woke groups!” The debate centers on whether tax dollars should support private entities that publicly support LGBTQ+ causes.

Cox Appoints Former Reyes Aide to Lead Records Office

Gov. Spencer Cox named Lonny Pehrson to lead Utah’s new Government Records Office. Pehrson previously served in the Attorney General’s Office and was involved in efforts to keep AG Sean Reyes’ calendar from public disclosure, raising concerns from transparency advocates.

Utah Supreme Court Justice to Step Down

Justice John Pearce will leave the bench in December after a decade on the state’s high court. In his resignation, Pearce said he plans to return to private practice and continue teaching at the University of Utah’s S.J. Quinney College of Law. Cox will appoint a replacement from a list of seven candidates provided by the Appellate Nominating Commission. Senate confirmation is required.

ATVs Return to Glen Canyon

Off-road vehicles are officially back at Glen Canyon after former President Trump signed a resolution overturning a National Park Service rule. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Celeste Maloy and Sens. John Curtis and Mike Lee, restores ATV access to 24 miles of park roads.

Phil Lyman Teases 'Major Announcement'

Utah Rep. Phil Lyman hinted at a big development as a public interest group from the East Coast plans to file a lawsuit in the state.

Listen to the full episode of the Take 2 Podcast for in-depth commentary from Heidi, Maura, and Greg.

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Former Utah Gov. Gary Herbert joined former CIA Director and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday at the Crossroads of the World International Trade Summit.

The two shared a wide-ranging discussion on trade, immigration, and global power dynamics.

The invite-only event, sponsored by Zions Bank and World Trade Center Utah, focused heavily on international trade and ongoing tariff negotiations with the Trump White House. Leaders from around the globe gathered in Salt Lake City to explore Utah’s growing influence on the international stage.

Pompeo, who supports President Donald Trump, said he remains concerned about the long-term impact of tariffs.

“President Trump hasn’t been clear about his overall strategic objective here,” he said, referring to the escalating trade measures involving nearly every major economy.

Herbert said Utah is well-positioned to navigate trade challenges on a state level, but acknowledged the uncertainty is troubling.

He also touched on divisions within the Republican Party, especially over trade, noting there are many in the GOP who support Trump but disagree with some of his economic policies.

Herbert said his conversation with Pompeo also included discussions on Israel, Russia, China, and other global powers. The two also shared perspectives on U.S. immigration policy, an issue Herbert says Congress has failed to seriously address.

“What happens, unfortunately, in my view, is we have too many in Congress setting aside solving a problem as a top priority to getting re-elected as the number one priority — and then they get re-elected, but the people suffer,” Herbert said.

On border security, Herbert stressed the need for a “working door” to allow legal entry after the border is secured. He also defended Utah’s reputation as a welcoming state, referencing the Utah Compact, a set of principles focused on humane and practical immigration reform.

When asked directly whether Utah has become a sanctuary state, Herbert was clear: “Utah is not a sanctuary state.”

The former governor also highlighted the work of the Herbert Institute, which is currently focused on researching the use of artificial intelligence in Utah businesses.

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HOST: Heidi Hatch

Guests: Maura Carabello, Exoro Group; Greg Hughes, Former House Speaker/KNRS

Special guest: Former SLCPD Chief Chris Burbank

• Kamala Harris weighs run for governor or another presidential bid
• National Security Advisor Mike Waltz out – nominated to represent the US at the United Nations
• Utah GOP Leadership Elections coming up in a couple weeks
• United Utah, Forward Party merge
• 146,000+ signatures verified for the referendum to overturn a Utah bill restricting bargaining rights for unions
• USU Pres. Cantwell spent $660K on new cars, SLC apt., office bidet per SLTRIB reporting  
• Governors of Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming sign tri-state agreement to strengthen regional energy collaboration
• Trump’s first 100 days
• Border Security, drug/human/oil flow, and cartels with Special guest Former SLCPD Police Chief Chris Burbank

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HOST: Heidi Hatch

GUESTS: Maura Carabello, Exoro Group and Greg Hughes, Former House Speaker/KNRS

Judge rules Utah Fits All scholarship unconstitutional

• Governor Cox appeals

• Wednesday, the Judge rules that the program can continue while the court case plays out – teachers keep their raises

Former Speaker of the House Brad Wilson Named 47G Board Chair

RFK bans food dyes will phase out in US over the next two years.

House Speaker Mike Schultz was at the FDA announcement with a Utah Delegation

USU first to list program cuts after Utah Legislature cuts funding

https://www.usu.edu/president/reinvestment/programs.cfm

Trump Approval Ratings Dropping

https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2025/04/23/trumps-job-rating-drops-key-policies-draw-majority-disapproval-as-he-nears-100-days/

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Take 2 Podcast

Host: Heidi Hatch

Guests: Maura Carabello, Greg Hughes

Utah Unions turn in 320k signatures

Bernie Sanders and AOC rally gets crowd of 20k – Why does Utah tend to lean hard left and hard right?

Utah named state with the best economic outlook for 18th straight year

Rich States Poor States Report https://www.richstatespoorstates.org/states/UT/

Utah domestic violence shelters face funding crisis amid rising demand

Deportation war rages in DC over flights sent to El Salvador and Kilmar Abrego Garcia

Columbia and Harvard respond to Trump funding cuts

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Take 2 Podcast

Heidi Hatch 

Maura Carabello, Exoro Group

John Dougall, Former State Auditor

• Signature gathering deadline looms for effort to overturn HB 267
• Trump crashes the stock market and brings it back to life
• Art of the deal or cleaning up the mess he made?
• Universities in Utah reporting student visas being revoked - many without notice
• University of Utah Faculty Losing power after legislative session
• Bernie and AOC will be in Utah this Sunday “Fighting Oligarchy” Tour stops
• RFK JR. stops in Utah
• EPA’s Lee Zeldin met with Utah leaders on transportation and air quality issues
• Trump’s tax plan uncertain as House delays vote
• US HOUSE passed Senator Mike Lee’s SAVE ACT
• Judge restores White House access for The Associated Press

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Friday March 7, 2025

Heidi Hatch

Maura Carabello Exoro Group

Rob Axson Utah GOP Chair

A note to listeners, due to technical difficulties the podcast stopped abruptly twice during recording. The segments were restarted and edited together so there are a couple abrupt stops and restarts.

Utah's 2025 Legislative session nears end after more than 900 bills in 45 days

Collective Bargaining Referendum

SB142: Groundbreaking App Store Accountability Act

UTAH LEGISLATURE APPROVES TAX CUTS

• Income Tax: Reducing income tax rate to 4.5% from 4.55%.
• Social Security Tax: Eliminating social security tax for those earning up to $90,000 previously $75,000.
• Child Tax Credit: Expanding the child tax credit by two years up to 5 years old.

Legislature announces an agreement with Judiciary on proposed legislation

Utah Fits All Scholarship Program Amendments signed by the Governor

Food additives prohibited in Utah Schools HB 402 

Bill to keep Pride flags from classrooms clears Utah Senate HB 77

Utah’s first female State Auditor sent packing from the Capitol building

Trump Joint session of Congress address

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Take 2 Podcast

Friday Feb 28, 2025

Heidi Hatch

Maura Carabello Exoro Group

John Dougall – AG Office Admin former State Auditor

Fighting words in the oval office with Ukraine’s Zelenskyy

Utah Legislative session- 1 week to go

• State leaders announce $1,500 pay raise for teachers
• Utah student cellphone ban heads to the governor for approval
• Bill removing Fluoride From water heads to the Governor’s desk
• New Bill: Speaker Schultz just dropped a bill which would change the responsibility for writing the ballot language BACK to legislative counsel. (17:00)
• Election law amendments pass the House after House and Senate negotiate a new version (21:00)
• Debate Commission overhaul Bill
• Judicial retention recommendations on ballots (35:00)
• Gun Education in schools (41:00)
• HB100 School lunch bill passes House
• Utah bill would create tax zones to fund Olympic-related infrastructure
• Bill dies trying to give force homeowners to sell to families before investors

National News

• US House Passes a budget proposal – All four Utah Reps voted in favor (March deadline looming)
• Judge finds mass firings of federal probationary workers to likely be unlawful

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Take 2 Podcast

Feb. 21, 2025

Heidi Hatch

Maura Carabello Exoro Group

John Dougall AG Administrator

SLC Mayor named her pick for Chief, 8 days after firing Chief Mike Brown

• No national search
• Brian Redd will go up for a vote March 4th
• Was appointed to DOC by Cox in May 2023

https://kutv.com/news/local/salt-lake-city-mayor-to-announce-recommendation-for-new-chief-of-police#

Concerns raised over decision to join SEC 504 lawsuit that could remove disability protections

• Last May, the Biden administration added "gender dysphoria" as a disability, and now the states are suing to find out if it was constitutional.
• Section 504 protects people with disabilities, including children who need accommodation in school. Children like Richardson’s son.

Senate panel advances major change to Utah public records law - out of committee 6-2 vote 

• SB277 proposed to disband a volunteer committee that decides disputes over access to government records.
• The revised bill would eliminate a key test for determining whether records are public or private.
• A Senate committee advanced the legislation despite strong opposition from Utahns.
• State and legislative audits found that few cases in the past few years were resolved within the 73 days the law requires and last year the average time was 156 days, he said.

https://www.deseret.com/politics/2025/02/18/utah-public-records-law-sunshine-act-grama-legislature/

Utah Legislature considers tougher rules for ballot initiative

A proposed Utah bill that would make it harder for Utahns to bring issues directly to the ballot is stirring up debate in the Legislature.

Senate Bill 73, sponsored by Sen. Lincoln Fillmore, would require sponsors of initiative petitions to publish the full text of their proposed initiative in newspapers across the state for two months leading up to the election. If sponsors failed to do so, the initiative would become invalid — meaning that votes cast for or against the initiative would not be counted, and the proposed law would not be presented to voters.

https://www.upr.org/utah-news/2025-02-20/utah-legislature-considers-tougher-rules-for-ballot-initiatives

Clock runs out on bill that would eliminate Daylight Saving Time in Utah (we will Spring forward 3/9)

A legislative panel on Wednesday voted to "table" HB 120, signaling state senators' lack of desire to spend more time talking about time--and effectively killing time for this session.

DOGE cuts continue

• Utah cuts at Federal parks
• Federal employees cut at IRS
• Congressman Mike Kennedy suggests Utah fill positions if the cut is too deep at our National Parks

DEA DHS ICE arrest 13 people for deportation, 4 are members of Tren De Aragua

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Utah’s newest Congressman, Dr. Mike Kennedy sat down with Heidi Hatch to discuss his first weeks in Washington, Trump’s fast-moving Executive orders and getting a budget before the next looming March deadline.

• -Adjusting to voting and acting in Congress
• -IRS and Federal layoffs including here in Utah
• -Congressional Budget
• -DOGE CUTS
• -Ukraine Negotiations
• -Border and immigration issues
• -Federal Lands
• -Senate Confirmations
• -UT may need to fill void in National Parks with cuts

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Heidi Hatch

Maura Carabello Exoro Group

Rob Axson Utah GOP chair

Utah Legislature

• FUN FACT: Utah’s population reached 3,506,838 on July 1, 2024, where is the growth happening
• SLCPD Chief will step down at the end of the month and retire, Mayor today saying she fired Chief Mike Brown
• Rep. Casey Snider says HB465 Allows DPS to step in where there are safety concerns alluding to SLC
• Salt Lake County Council approves new sales tax to fund jail, transportation improvements
• Utah House votes to streamline deportations of immigrants convicted of crimes HB 226
• Utah lawmakers halt 2 housing bills aimed at allowing smaller homes
• School cellphone, smartwatch ban clears Utah Senate SB 178

National headlines

• Tulsi Gabbard and RFK Jr sworn in
• Trump called Putin – Rubio on his way to negotiate with Ukraine
• Nearly a dozen lawsuits currently holding up Trump action

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Heidi Hatch

Maura Carabello: Exoro Group

Dave Alvord: Former SoJo Mayor/SL County Council District 2

TRUMP WEEK 3

• USAID: Your taxpayer dollars
• Trump Floats the US rebuilding GAZA strip – Impeachment articles file because of it
• Trump signs Executive Order banning trans athletes from Women’s and girls’ sports. NCAA agrees to comply.
• Federal judge puts hold on Federal employee buyouts, hearing on Monday – funding not in place

UTAH LEGISLATVIE SESSION

• HB81: Fluoride In Utah’s water, keep it or kill it
• HB 288, Health Care Malpractice Amendments on statute of limitations in malpractice
• HB 267: Utah bill to end collective bargaining for public workers passes heads to Cox
• HB267 prohibits collective bargaining across all government organizations, including public schools, law enforcement and fire
• HB 312: Lisonbee's "Jail must not release" bill. “Salt Lake County jail is releasing ~4000 inmates per year due to overcrowding??! That’s over 10 per day. We are the only county in Utah that overcrowd releases (OCR) from our jail. This is NOT okay.”
• HB300: Voter ID bill

The Sutherland Institute’s poll after 2024 election: Released Jan 15, 2025

• 74% of Utah voters prefer to have the person overseeing elections be elected by voters, rather than appointed by elected officials.
• 87% of Utah voters are confident that ballots in Utah are counted accurately, while 69% are confident that ballots in the United States as a whole are counted accurately.

HB 120, Daylight Saving is back again

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HOST: Heidi Hatch

GUESTS: Maura Carabello, Exoro Group; Trent Staggs, Riverton Mayor

PRESIDENT TRUMP’S FIRST WEEKS IN OFFICE

• DC Air tragedy and response
• Federal workers have until Feb. 6 to return to work
• Opt out package
• ICE deportations: Schools and churches no longer off limits for arrests; in Trump's first week in office, there were 5,500 ICE arrests from Jan, 20-26; in comparison to FY 2024 the Biden administration averaged 5,206 arrests per week or 743 a day.

CONFIRMATION HEARINGS

• RFKJ - HHS
• Tulsi Gabbard – Director of National Intelligence
• Kash Patel – FBI Director

UTAH LEGISLATIVE SESSION

• Labor Union vote on hold with new version after large response against the bill
• Senator Todd Weiler's bill would allow sex offenders to plead their case to get off the sex offender registry
• A new bill would make election day a holiday
• Montana vehicle Tax Evasion bill
• Governor joins Trump in speaking out against DEI

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Heidi Hatch – KUTV 2 News

Scott Howell -Former Utah Senate minority leader and a Harris surrogate

Jeff Stenquist – Former Republican Legislator

STATE OF THE STATE PROPOSALS: “We must build”

Housing attainability

Energy abundance

Infrastructure and permitting reform

Community safety and support

homeless initiatives

Utah Legislative Session Underway

Nuclear powered future

Organized crime bill -polygamy connection

Utah Election Changes

End collective bargaining for public employees

TRUMP FIRST WEEK

J6 releases

Illegal Immigrant ICE arrest underway

Signed order to release JFK, RFK and MLK assassination files

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Heidi Hatch

Maura Carabello Exoro Group

Mike Schultz House Speaker

• Inauguration Day moved inside
• Tik Tok Ban

Supreme court:

• Denies Utah case to control public lands
• Denies Lyman V Cox 

Utah Legislative session gets underway next week:

• Birkeland seat filled in last minute election House District 4 Tiara Auxier
• Priorities Energy, K-12 Education, Higher Ed, Public Safety
• Election reforms on the table?
• Salt Lake Homeless Plan

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January 15, 2025, Russel Rotunda US Senate, Washington DC

• Senate Confirmation Hearings
• Pam Bondi questioned on weaponization of DOJ
• Joni Ernst a possible holdout says she’ll vote to confirm Pete Hegseth
• Cabinet picks, Kristi Noem, Doug Bergum, and Tulsi Gabbard confirmation hearings postponed
• Hamas Israel Cease fire deal
• President Biden working overtime in final weeks
• SCOTUS denied Utah case to grant rights to the state over federal lands

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Heidi Hatch

Maura Carabello

Jeff Stenquist

New Year, New Podcast

• Fire politics in LA after 10,000 + homes and businesses burned at least 6 dead in historic wildfires are their lessons to be learned
• Cox and newly elected Utah leaders sworn in with fireworks and cannon salute at inaugural party
• Cox has said his second term will focus on increasing the number of starter homes by 35,000 units and doubling the state’s energy production
• Cox met with Trump Thursday night at Mara Lago with GOP Governors
• New Utah AG Derek Brown
• Phil Lyman SCOTUS case
• Social Security Taxes in Utah could be axed this session
• Legislative Session- talk behind the scenes of getting rid of Caucus and Conventions
• NY congresswoman floats withholding funds from states like Utah giving noncitizens driver's licenses or identification cards

Next week on Take 2 – Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz joins us ahead of the Start of the Utah Legislative Session

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Take 2 Podcast

Heidi Hatch

Maura Carabello Exoro Group

Rep. Jeff Stenquist

Continuing resolution vote in congress or government shut down?

Plan B failed in the House Thursday night with Curtis and Moore voting No.

Lee said he would vote no if debt ceiling is removed without spending reforms

Trump and Vance call for getting rid of the debt ceiling

Lee Introduces America First Act to Remove Federal Benefits from Illegal Immigrants

Utah’s governor doubles down on support for Trump mass deportations

Utah’s Delegation gets 3 bills through Congress before the end of the year

Great Salt Lake Stewardship Act

Expands the Central Utah Project Completion Act’s water conservation program to include the entire Great Salt Lake drainage basin.

The legislation unlocks tens of millions of dollars in unexpended budget authority to be used for conservation efforts critical to restoring the lake’s declining water levels.  

Mountain View Corridor Completion Act

Transfers over 200 acres of federally owned land to the State of Utah to enable the completion of the Mountain View Corridor, a vital highway project near Camp Williams.

Utah State Parks Adjustment Act

Transfers parcels of federally owned land adjacent to Antelope Island, Fremont Indian, and Wasatch Mountain State Parks to the State of Utah.

These adjustments will consolidate ownership, streamline land management, and enhance public access to these popular destinations.  

President Biden calls for gun control after school shooting, but no such call after United CEO shot and killed with ghost gun

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Government shutdown looming with new 1,547-page budget bill

Plan B CR backed by Trump

Trump backs raising debt Ceiling, Lee will not unless reforms are made

 Lee Introduces America First Act to Remove Federal Benefits from Illegal Immigrants

President Trump’s Cabinet Picks

 Utah Centric Bills headed to the President’s Desk

 Great Salt Lake Stewardship Act

 Mountain View Corridor Completion Act

           Utah State Parks Adjustment Act

 Two Utah Bills that have passed the Senate and are headed to the House

 S.2151 - Utah Wildfire Research Institute Act

S. 5000 – Addressing Glen Canyon Dam Hydropower and Environmental Impacts

 National Guard Funding for states

Wall Street Journal reaction, “How the White House Functioned With a Diminished Biden in Charge”

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Heidi Hatch

Maura Carabello Exoro Group

Rep. Mike Schultz Utah House Speaker 

• Mike and Maura make good on their Presidential Election bet with a MAGA hat, and bedazzled Jewels.

Trump won, so Carabello had to wear a MAGA hat for the day, with Schultz refusing to offer clemency during her meetings at the Utah State Capitol

• Alliance for a Better Utah files a campaign finance complaint against Stuart Adams.
• Utah legislative Election Audit
• Speaker Schultz questions future of vote by mail following legislative audit reports
• House Speaker Mike Schultz gave $120,000 to Preserving Utah Values PAC
• Women’s SLC Republican drama with leadership election: https://x.com/highergroundUT/status/1867289487858102612
• Salt Lake City and Millers reach MLB deal before losing control
• Trump is TIME’s Person of the year
• Biden Commutes record 1500 sentences
• Trump saying he will pardon Jan 6th defendants
• Trump wants to end Birthright citizenship – Mike Lee agrees

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Take 2 Podcast

Heidi Hatch

Maura Carabello Exoro Group

Rob Axson Utah Gop Chair

• Governor Cox lays out his budget proposal “Where we’ve been and where we’re going”

$1,000 in tax relief to 150,000 Utahns receiving Social Security benefits

Open to reducing income tax

Higher Education changes

Nuclear power $20 million

• Governor Cox Will help Trump with deportations

• Biden Pardon’s son Hunter Biden 

• Blake Moore DOGE Caucus Co-chair

• Mitt Romney gave his farewell address to the Senate: What will his legacy be

• Blake Moore DOGE Caucus Co-chair

• Senator Mike lee on Pete Hegseth nomination

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Heidi Hatch

Maura Carabello, Exoro Group

Rep. Ryan Wilcox Utah Legislator

• Trump Cabinet Picks the good, the bad and the MAHA
• Utah Elections wrap up: Flipped Legislative seats
• Utah’s vote counting, is it too slow?
• The winning Utah candidate for Wasatch School Board disqualified 9 days after election
• Phil Lyman keeps court filings going – after filing 501C4
• USU Joins lawsuit filed by women’s volleyball captain against the Mountain West Conf.
• Big news for Utah: Mike Lee to head Senate energy, natural resources committee
• Utah Legislative Session 60 days away
• Bills focusing on child abuse: Ritualistic sex abuse bill and False Child abuse claims charges
• Legislative work on school security
• Utah police move to encrypt their radio from public scanners: Is this good for transparency?

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Heidi Hatch

Speaker Mike Schultz -home from celebrating at Mara Lago

Maura Carabello Exoro Group

WINNERS AND LOSERS 2024

• Red Wave sweeps the Country

• Exit polls show Mormons vote 64% for Trump

• Trump support among Hispanic voters and young men up

• Utahns who might serve in Trump cabinet

• Abortion measures passed in 7 states expanding access

• Long lines across Utah on election Night -turnout at 73%

• Utah Congressional Races- clean sweep for Republicans

• Utah Governor’s Race

• Salt Lake County Council races undecided

• Utah’s Constitutional Amendments Pass by large margins

• Salt Lake county Jail Bond is currently failing

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Heidi Hatch

Maura Carabello Exoro Group

Rob Axson Utah GOP Chair

• Utah Voter turnout
• New Gubernatorial Poll
• Phil Lyman using video of Cox to “prove” why he should be on the November ballot- we add context and State law which Trumps private party rules
• https://x.com/phil_lyman/status/1851783821076632025
• Utah’s 2014 County My Vote Law: Dual path to the ballot and Utah primaries https://countmyvoteutah.org/overview
• Utah County Attorney’s office investigating Utah County Clerk
• Atlas polls most accurate in 2020 presidential race out with latest swing state poll
• Will Outreach to LDS voters in Nevada and Arizona help either campaign?
• Political “Garbage” drama in final days of Presidential election

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Democrat Bill Campbell, running for Utah Congressional District 1 joined KUTV’s Heidi Hatch October 28th to discuss issues important to Utah voters.

Campbell has run for office before, but as a Republican. Campbell is a CPA, with a master’s degree in business administration from Utah State University.

• Economy
• Inflation
• Continuing resolution
• Energy
• Social Security
• Immigration
• Ukraine/Israel Funding

Candidates:

• Republican Blake Moore https://blakemoore.house.gov/
• Democrat Bill Campbell https://www.bill4u.org/meetbill
• Libertarian Daniel Cottam

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Take 2 Podcast 10/24

Heidi Hatch

Maura Carabello Exoro Group

Rep. Tyler Clancy

• Rich Lyman drops out of Governor’s Race, retains and attorney after Phil Lyman sues him
• Utah Voter Turnout 16% statewide
• Republican Early Voter turnout for Republicans up in Battleground States
• You can now get text updates to track your ballot
• Washington County making an effort to make sure ballots are postmarked properly
• New Poll numbers looking at Utah voters, Governor Cox approval
• 51% of voters polled believe Utah is headed in the wrong direction
• October Surprises
• US Senate/US House could make history and flip control
• What’s old is new again in Utah: New Homeless 1,200 bed homeless center in the works after Rio Grande shut down

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Congressman Blake Moore currently representing Utah’s CD1 is the incumbent and Republican candidate. Moore has served the 1st District since 2021; he is currently the Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference.

Heidi Hatch interviewed the Congressman and candidate on October 23, 2024.

• Economy
• Continuing resolution
• Social Security
• Debt: $35 trillion
• Immigration
• Ukraine/Israel Funding

Republican Blake Moore https://blakemoore.house.gov/

Democrat Bill Campbell will join Heidi Hatch for an interview October 28, 2024 https://www.bill4u.org/meetbill

Libertarian Daniel Cottam

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UTAH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 3 RACE

Utah State Senator Mike Kennedy, Republican Candidate for Utah Congressional District 3. Kennedy is a family practice doctor, attorney, and business owner. Heidi Hatch interviewed the candidate on October 22, 2024, two weeks before the Election

• Healthcare
• Economy
• Debt: $35 trillion
• Ukraine/Israel Funding
• Legislative Funding lessons for Federal gov
• Social Security
• Immigration and Border Issues

Glenn Wright (Democrat) https://wrightforutahcongressionaldis...

Mike Kennedy (Republican) https://mikekennedyforutah.com/

Utah voter information found here: https://vote.utah.gov/

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UTAH US SENATE RACE

Congressman John Curtis currently representing Utah’s CD3 is the Republican Candidate for US Senate. Curtis serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee including as Vice-Chair of the Energy, Climate and Grid Security Subcommittee and a member of the Communications & Technology Subcommittee. Heidi Hatch interviewed the candidate on October 22, 2024, two weeks before the Election

• Economy
• Clean energy
• Debt: $35 trillion
• Ukraine/Israel Funding
• Immigration and Border Issues 
• Continuing Resolution Vote
• Social Security solvency
• Home Ownership, Mortgage, and Equity Savings (HOMES)

Utah U.S. Senate Candidates Caroline Gleich Democrat https://www.carolineforutah.com/about

John Curtis Republican https://www.johncurtis.org/

Carlton Bowen Independent https://www.carlton4ussenate.com/

Utah voter information https://vote.utah.gov/

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Heidi Hatch interviewed the Congressman on October 14th of the November election.

• Appeal to LDS voters Arizona 5-7% - campaigning for down-ballot races
• Border security
• Congressional Deal
• Israel
• Ukraine
• Economy
• FEMA
• Funding Bill pushed to December
• Social Security, innovation to solve

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Heidi Hatch

Maura Carabello Exoro Group

Speaker Mike Schultz Utah Legislature

• Amendment A Voided (Following amendment D)
• NEW Gubernatorial Poll
• Poll Finds Harris Rising as She Challenges Trump on Change
• Religion and Politics
• Utah Hockey launched this week SLC Council passes .5% tax increase
• Utah Debate Commission Senate Debate Thursday night

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Take 2 Podcast

Heidi Hatch

Maura Carabello Exoro Group

Rep Ryan Wilcox Utah Leg.

• Dock workers Strike Suspended: Tentative deal 62% wage increase over 6-year contract
• Consumer Sentiment in Utah is down
• SUU and USU cancel matches with San Jose State Volleyball:
• Lt Governor calls on Utahns to trust Utah Elections and the election process Thursday
• DEBATE WINNERS AND LOSERS
• VP Debate Vance and Walz largely Civil
•  
• Utah AG Debate – Hosted By Maura at SUU
•  
• Salt Lake County Mayoral Debate.
• Salt Lake City Approves 0.5% sales tax increase for entertainment district approves IHC Hospital

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KUTV Campaign 2024 Candidate Interview Congressional District 3 – Democratic Nominee Glenn Wright spoke to Heidi Hatch on September 30th, 2024.

Wright calls himself a modern family man as an adoptive parent with multiracial and LGBTQ+ identifying family members. Wright is an aerospace engineering graduate, Vietnam combat veteran, and pilot. “My time serving my country has made me a loyal supporter of the Constitution, a fair democracy, and the new American Dream. But as each year passes, I witness the American Dream of my childhood slip further and further away.”

https://x.com/SummitCoDem/status/1819566644940747030

Glenn Wright (Democrat) https://wrightforutahcongressionaldistrict3.com/

Mike Kennedy (Republican) https://mikekennedyforutah.com/

Utah voter information found here.

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Take 2 Podcast Friday 9/27

Heidi Hatch

Maura Carabello Exoro Group

Rep. Jeff Stenquist Utah House

• GOV COX HELD A THE ANNUAL GOVERNOR’S GALA AND FUNDRAISER
• VP HARRIS— the ‘sweariest’ politician?
• UTAH SUPREME COURT RULES AMENDMENT D VOID:
• AMENDMENT A HANGS IN THE BALANCE – NEXT COURT DATE OCT. 15
• UTAH AG DEBATE 4 CANDIDATES QUALIFIED
• UTAH HOUSING CRISIS: Can ADU’s help?
• CONTINUING RESOLUTION PASSES IN CONGRESS: Next funding deadline December 20th

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Katrina Fallick Wang is the Democratic Candidate running for Congress in Utah’s 4th Congressional District. This is Fallick-Wang’s first foray into politics, she is a mom of four and graphic Designer.

Heidi Hatch interviewed the candidate on September 24th ahead of the November election.

• Spending Bills deal more money Secret Service
• Economy
• Social security
• Energy/Fracking
• Immigration US Mexico border
• Israel/Hamas
• Ukraine

Katrina Fallick-Wane Democrat  https://katrinaforcongress.us/

Burgess Owens Republican https://burgess4utah.com/

Vaugh Cook United Utah  https://www.votevaughncook.com/

M Evan Bullard Unaffiliated https://vote.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/42/2024/06/M.-Evan-Bullard-CD4.pdf

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