AGP Executive Report

Pentagon Religious List: Utah’s Mike Lee and John Curtis helped force a reversal after the Defense Department briefly stripped The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from its “Christian” category, then narrowed and reworked the recognized faiths list again. Immigration Detention Fight: Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County sued DHS/ICE to block a west-side ICE warehouse from becoming a detention center that could hold up to 10,000, citing water/sewer strain, air quality, traffic, and public health concerns. Colorado River Deadlock: Negotiators for Utah and other basin states say talks are still stuck as federal officials move toward formalizing a new plan soon, with no voluntary agreement in sight. Utah Federal Land Management: Utah and the federal government signed a long-term deal to jointly manage the San Rafael Swell, shifting maintenance and law enforcement hours to the state. Utah Politics & Housing: Cox’s nominees for the Utah Housing Corporation board advanced, including Zions CEO Harris Simmons and former Utah Senate president Wayne Niederhauser. Local Pride Politics: Centerville’s councilmember vowed to keep flying a pride flag despite a state auditor inquiry tied to Utah’s flag ban.

Pentagon Religious Codes: After Utah lawmakers and Mormon leaders blasted the Pentagon’s faith-code update for not labeling the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as “Christian,” the DoD walked back the change—removing the “Christian” label from other groups instead, saying it was a “mistake” tied to redundant labeling. Local Immigration Fight: Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County sued DHS and ICE over a planned ICE detention warehouse near the airport, arguing the process was secret and that it raises environmental, economic, and public health concerns. Utah Primary Reminder: Utah’s 2026 primary voter registration deadline is Friday, with options to register online and vote provisionally if you miss the cutoff. Data Centers vs. Water/Power: Utah’s AI/data-center backlash keeps growing, with reporting highlighting how residents weigh AI benefits against water, air, and power impacts. Colorado River Pressure: The West’s water war is heading toward another crunch as negotiators face steep cuts and a looming deadline for a new Colorado River plan. Park City Pay Debate: Park City council leaders are revisiting recently approved mayor and council pay increases after community criticism.

Pentagon Religion Fight: Utah lawmakers Mike Lee, John Curtis, and Rep. Mike Kennedy are blasting a new Department of Defense religious affiliations list that keeps the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the roster but removes it from the “Christian” category, calling it wrong and urging a correction. Immigration Detention Watch: Protesters at a Salt Lake City ICE-owned mega-warehouse say semitrailers have appeared and multiplied in recent weeks, fueling concerns the largely paused site could be shifting toward holding detainees while the agency reviews contracts. AI + Water Stress: A new analysis finds most planned U.S. AI datacenters are slated for drought-hit areas, raising fresh alarms about water demand as drought expands and wildfire risk grows. Semiconductor Workforce: NSF and Commerce are expanding the CHIPS & Science Act’s microelectronics education network with new regional nodes to better align training with industry jobs. Utah Pride in Full Swing: Tens of thousands packed Salt Lake City’s annual Pride Parade, with city leaders and candidates joining the marchers along 100 South. Rural Connectivity Win: Emery Telcom finished a major fiber build that now brings high-speed internet to every public school in Utah, including remote Navajo Mountain. Wildfire Readiness: The Red Cross put shelter volunteers on standby as hot, dry, windy conditions raise fire danger statewide.

Pentagon Faith Classification Clash: Utah GOP Sens. Mike Lee and John Curtis, plus Rep. Mike Kennedy, are pushing back hard after the Pentagon recategorized the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as separate from “Christian” faiths—calling it inaccurate and demanding a correction. Surveillance Showdown: The U.S. Senate blocked extending the FISA Section 702 warrantless surveillance program, with seven Republicans joining Democrats; Utah Sen. Mike Lee voted no as the June 12 deadline nears. World Cup Security in Utah’s Orbit: Local police and federal agencies are racing to defend the World Cup from drones, with Homeland Security admitting the U.S. is behind on preparedness. Utah Legal Landscape (State Bar Data): Utah State Bar counts show Salt Lake City at 4,400 active attorneys, Provo at 457, and Park City at 186 as of May, alongside smaller community snapshots like Alta (1) and Newton (1). Utah Military & Public Lands: U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren is renewing a public lands fight with a plan to end new oil and gas drilling on federal lands, including restoring Utah monuments to Obama-era boundaries.

Utah Data Center Fight: Kevin O’Leary’s Stratos project in Box Elder County is getting cut roughly in half after thousands of residents protested water rights and environmental concerns, with locals also challenging the plan in court and questioning claims about water use. Pentagon & LDS Classification: Utah Sens. John Curtis and Mike Lee are pushing back hard after the Pentagon reclassified the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as separate from “Christian,” calling it unacceptable and demanding a fix. Elections & Messaging: In Utah’s GOP primary politics, Rep. Blake Moore faces a challenge from Karianne Lisonbee, who is tying her campaign to the national debt and criticizing performative politics. National Politics: The Senate blocked a key FISA surveillance extension as the June 12 deadline nears, while redistricting battles keep shaping House races. Public Safety: A 17-year-old died after falling off a paddleboard at Bear Lake; authorities say the incident is under investigation. Defense Industry in Utah: Janicki Industries highlighted F-35 maintenance expansion tied to Hill Air Force Base, with Rep. Blake Moore touting jobs and investment.

Utah & LDS in the Pentagon fight: Utah Sens. John Curtis and Mike Lee are pushing back after a new Pentagon religion-code list leaves The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints out of the “Christian” designation, calling it “unacceptable” and urging a correction. Box Elder data center legal pressure: A second lawsuit targets the Stratos/Box Elder County data center approvals, arguing state officials and the Military Installation Development Authority violated Utah’s constitution; the project is already facing scaled-back plans after public backlash. Great Salt Lake funding push: Rep. Celeste Maloy secured initial $10M for a Great Salt Lake Watershed Recovery Program, aiming toward a larger $1B request. Election rules in Washington: The U.S. Senate blocked Trump’s SAVE America Act, a blow to efforts to impose new voting restrictions. Public safety & local politics: Davis County sheriff candidates Aaron Perry and Jon Atkin both frame the race around coordination, innovation, and department culture. National policy ripple: A coalition of 21 states and industry groups backed the U.S. Air Force in a Tarague Beach detonation lawsuit, while Utah’s senators keep spotlighting federal decisions that hit Utah directly.

Utah Supreme Court nominations: KSL Investigators reports Gov. Spencer Cox’s picks, Jay Jorgensen and Stephen Dent, would join the Utah Supreme Court without prior judicial experience—an unusual gap compared with current justices, raising questions for Senate confirmation. Utah politics & elections: Utah County GOP primary ballots are out, with two commissioner seats up and candidates pitching budget control and efficiency amid housing and tax pressure. Data center fight in Box Elder: A Democratic consulting effort is running “Republicans Against the Stratos Project Data Center” ads urging voters to oust two GOP commissioners tied to a special zoning deal. Local governance & permitting: Iron County’s Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit for a massive Cedar City-area data center despite resident concerns over water, traffic, wildlife, and air quality. Public safety: A Utah Highway Patrol trooper was ruled justified in a liquor store shooting where he returned fire during an active-shooter incident. Nursing home watch: CMS ratings spotlight mixed outcomes across Utah facilities, including a 5-star Pine View Transitional Rehab and lower ratings for others in Salt Lake and Utah counties.

Data Center Fight in Utah: A new report maps which states are handing out the biggest tax breaks for data centers, showing Washington and Texas leading while Utah gets fewer than 10 deals—fueling the debate over whether Utah should keep courting mega-builds. Box Elder Politics & Courts: A progressive nonprofit lawsuit challenges Utah’s Military Installation Development Authority framework tied to the Stratos Project, arguing it effectively locks in local decisions and limits citizens’ direct-democracy rights. Local Elections: Tooele County is reissuing ballots after about 9,000 voters received incorrect versions, with the error traced to a printer/vendor system. Voting Integrity Study: Utah’s lieutenant governor says a review found 99%+ of voters verified as U.S. citizens, with only a couple “likely” non-citizen cases in Wasatch County removed from rolls. Federal Surveillance: The U.S. Senate blocked debate on a warrantless spying law extension just days before it expires, with Utah Sen. Mike Lee among Republicans voting no. Public Safety: A 65-year-old woman was arrested in Southern Utah after allegedly refusing to pull over on I-15 and being spiked by deputies. Health & Security: The CDC reports U.S. measles cases topped 2,000 for the second year in a row.

Utah Data Center Showdown: Kevin O’Leary’s Stratos AI project just got a major rollback after pressure from Utah Senate President J. Stuart Adams—O’Leary says the footprint will be cut in half to 20,000 acres, with claims of habitat protection and water-saving tech, as lawsuits and public backlash keep the fight hot. Federal Immigration Funding Fight: The U.S. Senate passed a $70B immigration bill, but Utah Sen. John Curtis broke with his party to vote to dismantle Trump’s “anti-weaponization” fund—an effort that failed, leaving the dispute unresolved. Utah Courts & Public Safety: A West Jordan man faces serious charges for alleged sexual assaults during “hypnotherapy” sessions, while Utah Valley University’s Tyler Robinson continues pushing to block hearsay in his preliminary hearing tied to the Charlie Kirk killing case. Energy & Environment: Utah and neighboring states formed a Mountain West Geothermal Consortium to speed geothermal development, aiming for big baseload power gains—while Utah’s nursing homes saw low CMS ratings at multiple facilities. Culture War on June: Utah Gov. Spencer Cox joined other GOP leaders in rebranding June as “Fidelity Month,” keeping the Pride counterprogramming debate front and center.

Data Center Showdown: Utah Senate President Stuart Adams says Shark Tank investor Kevin O’Leary agreed to cut the Stratos AI data center footprint roughly in half after a public fight over water, wildlife, and environmental impacts. Local Governance: Provo residents packed City Hall to question the proposed Vesper Amphitheater at the mouth of Provo Canyon, pushing for clarity on zoning and community effects. Courts & Public Safety: Ogden police say a stabbing suspect was fatally shot by an officer Thursday morning after officers responded to a Madison Avenue apartment complex. Education Policy: A growing wave of state laws targets cellphone use in schools, while new research challenges claims that bans improve learning. Civil Rights & Law: Utah’s VPN law for blocking minors from explicit content is on hold amid a federal lawsuit from Pornhub’s parent company, raising questions about how location can be detected. Federal Politics: Utah Sen. John Curtis warns Trump’s attorney general nominee could face confirmation trouble tied to the fate of the DOJ’s “anti-weaponization” fund. Energy & Economy: Trump announced nearly $700 million in support for coal plants and exports, including a new push for an Oakland terminal. Health & Climate: A national report warns weakened public health powers post-COVID could raise outbreak risks, as extreme heat and climate disasters intensify.

Data Center Fight: Box Elder County Stratos Project opponents have filed a promised referendum appeal in Utah First District Court, challenging the county’s denial of their bid to put the project on the November ballot. Regional Backdrop: The dispute is part of a wider Mountain West pushback on data centers, with other states and cities weighing pauses or moratoriums amid water and pollution concerns. Great Salt Lake Funding: Utah Rep. Celeste Maloy’s appropriations push secured $10 million for a Great Salt Lake Watershed Recovery Program, framed as a step toward the $1 billion Trump recommended. Social Security Anxiety: A new analysis warns Social Security checks could drop by about $500 a month by 2032 without congressional action, with Utah among the hardest-hit states. Medical Cannabis Access: Utah’s agriculture department survey finds enrollment cost is a barrier for 27% of respondents, alongside awareness and complexity hurdles. AI & Policing: A national report highlights AI tools that draft police reports from body-cam audio, raising concerns about accuracy and public safety. Culture & Community: 906 Fest returns for two days of music in Iron Mountain, featuring local vendors and headliner Poolhouse.

Citizenship & Courts: U.S. senators spar over Trump-era denaturalization efforts, with Republicans arguing fraud during naturalization should make removal easier and Democrats calling it unconstitutional and anti-immigrant. Utah Elections: Tooele County says about 9,000 voters got the wrong primary ballots due to a print-vendor data-matching error, with corrected ballots and deactivation steps underway. Culture-War Politics: Gov. Spencer Cox declares June “Fidelity Month,” joining other red-state proclamations that frame June as a counter to Pride Month. Higher Ed Reform: Utah Sen. John Curtis and others back the Protect College Sports Act as Congress debates NIL, transfers, and athlete protections; Utah’s Lance Holtzclaw faced Curtis’s “favorite team” banter. Utah Supreme Court: Cox picks Jay Jorgensen and Stephen Dent for two new seats, drawing Co-Equal Utah criticism over lack of judicial experience. Data Center Backlash: Kevin O’Leary responds to Utah Senate President Stuart Adams’ demand to shrink the Stratos Project by 75%, saying the cut wasn’t part of the original deal. Homeowner Protections: Utah’s construction-lien homeowner safety net (Residence Lien Recovery Fund) is effectively winding down to zero. Social Security: A new analysis warns Utah retirees could face among the steepest Social Security cuts if the trust fund runs out by 2032.

Utah Supreme Court Appointments: Gov. Spencer Cox’s latest picks, Jay T. Jorgensen and Stephen P. Dent, are now up for public comment as the Utah Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee prepares a hearing and recommendation—comments are due June 16. Utah Politics & Trust: In House District 69, voters choose in the June 23 GOP primary between Rep. Logan Monson and challenger Dan Gardner, with corruption and affordability among the top issues driving the race. Local Government Finance: Ogden Valley’s new city faces a $2.2M budget shortfall, putting residents on the hook for either steep tax increases or a mix of fees and cuts depending on what state law allows. Courts & Transparency: The Charlie Kirk murder case continues to draw attention as the defense fights for more secrecy while Utah courts weigh public access. Education & Phones: A national push for cellphone bans in schools is gaining momentum, with Utah readers likely to watch how Utah’s own policies evolve as more states tighten rules. Sports & Utah’s Spotlight: South Korea’s World Cup squad trained together in Herriman, underscoring Utah’s role as a major sports staging ground.

Utah Supreme Court Shake-Up: Gov. Spencer Cox appointed Jay T. Jorgensen and Stephen P. Dent to two newly created seats as Utah expands the court from five to seven justices—both picks are first-time judges and say they’ll follow textualism and originalism, setting up Senate confirmation fights. Data Center Showdown: Utah Senate President Stuart Adams escalated pressure on Kevin O’Leary’s Box Elder County data center, demanding a 75% smaller footprint and tighter water, Great Salt Lake, and environmental safeguards plus more public transparency. CD3 GOP Debate: In Utah’s 3rd District primary, Celeste Maloy defended her record while Phil Lyman attacked the GOP establishment and pressed differences on issues like immigration and data centers. Federal Politics Spillover: Nationally, Republicans say Trump’s “anti-weaponization” fund is off the table, a move tied to stalled immigration funding negotiations. Public Safety & Health: SUU police joined multi-agency active shooter training; meanwhile, Cache County dairies face mandatory weekly avian flu surveillance after a positive HPAI detection.

Utah Data Center Fight: Utah’s GOP primary debate in the 2nd District turned into a referendum on Kevin O’Leary’s Box Elder “Stratos” hyperscale project, with Karianne Lisonbee calling it a “failure of process” and saying she’s not supportive “at this point” until water and environmental questions are answered, while Blake Moore backed the idea but urged a more “bite-sized” approach. State Policy Pushback: Utah Senate President J. Stuart Adams is now demanding a 75% reduction in the proposed data center’s footprint and water demand, including protections for wildlife and agriculture and sending excess water to Great Salt Lake. Local Cost Pressure: South Salt Lake businesses say a new Transportation Utility Fee is hitting them hard after a utility bill line item spiked, prompting council action to adjust who gets charged. Public Safety & Courts: A judge ordered prosecutors to answer claims they violated a gag order in the Tyler Robinson case tied to the killing of Charlie Kirk, setting a June 12 hearing. Health & Community: Utah’s Newborn Safe Haven law turns 25, with advocates and an adopted “Safe Haven” baby marking how the policy has saved lives. International Spotlight: Michael Young, a Utah expert in international law, was nominated as U.S. ambassador to Serbia, pending Senate confirmation.

Courts & Civil Liberties: A Utah judge ruled Tyler Robinson’s July preliminary hearing in the Charlie Kirk murder case will stay open to the public, while scheduling a June 12 evidentiary hearing on whether prosecutors violated a pretrial publicity gag order—keeping major forensic and witness material in the spotlight. State Politics: Utah Senate President J. Stuart Adams escalated the fight over Kevin O’Leary’s Stratos data center, demanding a 75% footprint cut (to about 10,000 acres), stronger Great Salt Lake water protections, and more transparency before the project can move forward. Government Tech: The VA is seeking AI tools via a new RFI for workforce use, including user interface and API services for large language models. Elections Watch: Utah’s 3rd Congressional District GOP primary debate aired as mail ballots head out June 2 and voters can register through June 12. Energy Prices: Oil and gas prices ticked up again amid renewed Middle East tensions, with Utah still ahead of the national average at the pump.