Advertise on podcast: Take 2

In an exclusive interview with KUTV’s Heidi Hatch, Mike Schultz said voters felt unheard. He also outlined a plan to reduce K-6 class sizes and said President Trump may have gone too far on immigration enforcement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Democrats could break the GOP’s supermajority in the Utah House. Democratic and unaffiliated candidates were on track to flip 15 House seats and two Senate seats. Republicans are expected to keep control, but losing the House supermajority would limit their ability to override vetoes or advance constitutional amendments without support from other lawmakers.   Senate leadership is in limbo. Senate Majority Leader Kirk Cullimore was trailing Democrat Shana Anderson by more than 4,000 votes, after being considered a possible successor to Senate President Stuart Adams, who lost his primary. Senate leaders are scheduled to choose leadership Friday, while ballots are still being counted.   Sen. Scott Sandall of Box Elder County could jump into the Senate leadership race with Sen. Evan Vickers   Mike Schultz will lead House again, but who else will fill in leadership positions in the House?   Ben McAdams won Utah’s new 1st Congressional District. His victory returns a Democrat to Utah’s House delegation for the first time since 2021. Blake Moore won the new 2nd District, and Celeste Maloy won reelection in the 3rd. Mike Kennedy won the 4th District.   Utah voters rejected Amendment B and approved Amendment A. B would have required a 60% vote to pass certain citizen-led initiatives involving taxes. A removes the requirement that future proposed amendments and initiatives be published in newspapers before an election.   The count is continuing, with local races still in play. Salt Lake County had more than 100,000 Election Day ballots to process, and the added voter-information verification is slowing the count. Early returns also pointed to a possible Democratic majority on the Salt Lake County Council and support for a parks and recreation bond.   Sen. Kathleen Riebe faces calls to resign says she will not. The Utah Senate Minority Caucus voted to remove Riebe from the caucus and called for her resignation after an independent investigation found a pattern of conduct likely motivated by race, national origin or ethnicity, along with statements about employment decisions involving protected characteristics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi Hatch, Maura Carabello and Thomas Wright Amendment B: New poll shows a shift in voter sentiment   GOP Statement on Amendment B Polling Utah Poll of Record: 56% oppose Amendment B   Noble Predictive Insights polling record? Are they usually on target or off base?   Trump’s approval in Utah   Trump is urging voters to treat the midterms as if his name were on the ballot. Noble’s Utah poll finds his approval at 66% among Republicans. Democrats disapprove 99% to 1%, while independents disapprove 72% to 25%.    Trump cancels weekend rallies then rebooks   Salt Lake County tax and bond mailer   Salt Lake County sent a mailer this week about a proposed tax increase while also asking voters to approve a bond. Will the tax increase kill voters desire to say yes to the recreation bond?    Utah legislative leadership elections   Leadership elections are scheduled for next week.   Senate President: Sen. Evan Vickers (R-Cedar City) vs. Sen. Kirk Cullimore (R-Draper)   Ballot packet errors in two counties   Early turnout   Judicial retention debate   Economy and Affordability   Mortgage rates   Utah home prices and buyer leverage   Alaska double candidate-name controversy   Utah Voting Reminder Mail ballots must reach county election officials by 8 p.m. on Nov. 3. Voters can also use a drop box or vote in person. Same-day registration is available at vote centers with two forms of valid ID. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host: Heidi Hatch Guests: Maura Carabello and Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz What you'll hear this week: Utah congressional debates: What issues will drive voters to the polls? Data center protests, arrests and potential legislation in 2027. Could data centers become a national election issue? Constitutional Amendments A & B: What's at stake? DOJ election monitors coming to Utah. Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson's 60 Minutes interview and threats against election officials. Federal judge stalls U.S. Forest Service headquarters move to Utah. Utah legislative races to watch. Criminal charges against Utah sheriffs and questions about accountability. National election outlook: Who will control the U.S. House and Senate? Election Day: November 3, 2026. Listen to this week's Take 2 Podcast for political analysis and discussion from both sides of the aisle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Take 2 Podcast: Heidi Hatch is joined by Maura Carabello of the Exoro Group and Utah GOP Chair Rob Axson.  The 2026 election sprint: Mail ballots go out Oct. 13 ahead of Utah’s Nov. 3 general election. The new Salt Lake-centered 1st Congressional District and whether it could help determine the balance of power in Washington. Breaking down the CD1 debate between Democrat Ben McAdams and Republican Riley Owen: Did either candidate move undecided voters? What to watch for in the CD3 debate between Republican Rep. Celeste Maloy and Democratic challenger Kent Udell. New polling on how Utahns are feeling about the midterms — and whether optimism, anxiety and the national political environment will shape turnout. Constitutional Amendments A and B, including the proposed 60% threshold for citizen initiatives that create or increase taxes. Former Utah Rep. Trevor Lee’s fraud charges, resignation and the impact on public trust. Two major death-penalty developments: the halted execution of Tennessee inmate Christa Pike and the release on bond of Utah death-row inmate Douglas Carter after more than 40 years. CBS News’ partnership with prediction market Kalshi: Useful political data or a risky new influence on election coverage? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi Hatch is joined by Maura Carabello with the Exoro Group and Rep. Ryan Wilcox, who sits on the Utah Legislative Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee. The 158-page UVU campus-safety review following the Charlie Kirk shooting: staffing, coordination and accountability. The Supreme Court allowing the Trump administration to use the SAVE database to check voter citizenship — and what it means for Utah’s election administration and voter privacy. The federal case against a Utah postal worker accused of discarding about 300 Eagle Mountain ballots and other mail — and whether the case undermines trust or shows election safeguards working. Sen. John Curtis calling for an investigation into Donald Trump Jr. and Hunter Biden over presidential family business dealings and foreign connections. Whether Utah lawmakers can write meaningful guardrails for Flock cameras, license plate readers and artificial intelligence before the 2027 legislative session. New polling showing Utahns’ concerns about data-center growth, water use and the pressure to keep up with the tech economy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the Take 2 podcast, Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson joins Heidi Hatch to discuss Utah’s legal fight with the U.S. Department of Justice over access to voters’ unredacted personal information. The interview was recorded Sept. 14, just hours before the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the separate USPS case. Henderson says the lawsuit will not affect Utah’s upcoming election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi Hatch joins Maura Carabello and former Utah State Auditor John Dougall to examine how America has changed in the 25 years since 9/11 and debate plans to memorialize Charlie Kirk at UVU. They also discuss Gov. Spencer Cox’s “Disagree Better” campaign, questions surrounding his growing national profile and a Justice Department lawsuit challenging Utah’s in-state tuition policy for undocumented immigrants. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host: Heidi Hatch Guests: Maura Carabello, Exoro Group, and Doug Fiefia, Utah representative and Senate candidate Utah Legislature dives into issues months before the session To Flock or Not to Flock? This week: Utah lawmaker to propose “parameters” for Flock cameras and ALPRs Two months out from Election Day President Trump on the campaign trail Bears Ears and Grand Staircase protections Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Take 2 Podcast Host: Heidi Hatch Guests: Maura Carabello and Adam Gardiner Welcome back after the Take 2 summer break. While we were taking a break - Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall’s divorce filing and whether she will run for reelection as Luz Escamilla enters the race. Sen. Todd Weiler’s new role leading the Sutherland Institute. Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante resized. The continuing war with Iran. More than half a million acres burned in Utah this summer. Flock cameras—and why so many Utahns are pushing back. Nine weeks until Election Day. Election watch The SAVE America Act: voter ID, proof of citizenship and whether changes can be implemented before November. Utah voters on election requirements: 66% support proof of citizenship at registration, according to the latest Deseret News-Hinckley Institute poll. The Supreme Court’s mail-voting ruling and Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson’s response that it currently has no effect on Utah. New polling: Gov. Spencer Cox, Sen. Mike Lee and Sen. John Curtis all in negative territory, with independents moving away from Cox. Utah politics and policy The Stratos AI data-center backlash, calls to reform MIDA, and questions over water, heat, noise and public accountability. Utah Senate President Stuart Adams’ demand for retractions and threats of lawsuits. Inflation, high gas prices and high beef prices. Trump’s imported-beef plan—and pushback from Utah ranchers and members of Utah’s congressional delegation. Tyson’s Eagle Mountain closure: 700 jobs lost after five years, despite a 10-year agreement and major tax incentives. Utah’s $212 million Meta settlement and how the state should spend it on youth mental-health concerns. If time: Gov. Cox’s new book, Off Ramp, out Sept. 8. Coming up Friday, Sept. 4: Rep. Doug Fiefia Friday, Sept. 11: Rep. Cal Roberts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host: Heidi Hatch Guests: Maura Carabello, Exoro Group & Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz Utah Legislative Primary Races Lessons Learned, who will lead the Utah Senate Wildfire Crisis in Utah Fallen Firefighters Three wildland firefighters killed on the Utah-Colorado border Two additional firefighters seriously injured Cottonwood Fire More than 100 condos and 30 cabins destroyed at Eagle Point Resort Damage assessment continues Wildland Firefighter Employment Protections Should part-time wildland firefighters have job protection when called to active duty? Forest Service Staffing Cuts Are management and staffing cuts contributing to current wildfire challenges? Headquarters relocation from Washington, D.C., to Salt Lake City Supreme Court Decisions Transgender Sports Supreme Court upheld state laws banning transgender students from participating on girls sports teams 6-3 decision Mail Ballots Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that states may count mail ballots received after Election Day if they were postmarked by Election Day More than a dozen states currently follow this practice Birthright Citizenship Supreme Court struck down President Trump's executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship 6-3 decision in Trump v. Barbara Charlie Kirk Murder Case Court Hearing Next Week Accused killer Tyler Robinson back in court Charlie Kirk's parents, widow Erika and others expected to attend Tight courtroom security, no electronics allowed Utah Supreme Court expected to decide before Monday whether Robinson's roommate/romantic partner must testify   Happy Birthday America – 250 years’ worth celebrating   We will be taking a July summer break. Thanks for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts: Heidi Hatch Maura Carabello, Exoro Group Rob Axson, Utah GOP Chair (joining from Washington, D.C.) Fire danger across Utah Statewide fireworks restrictions and the new law allowing cities to designate safe discharge zones. The Cottonwood Fire in Beaver County, now expected to become the costliest wildfire in Utah history. Gov. Spencer Cox's comments on the destruction. Looking ahead to the dangerous fire weather forecast. Primary election shakeup Several high-profile incumbents lost Tuesday's primary: Senate President Stuart Adams Sen. Dan McCay Rep. Trevor Lee Two Box Elder County commissioners What do these results say about the direction of Utah Republican politics? Congressional races Democrats Ben McAdams wins the Democratic nomination in Congressional District 1. What does his victory say about the party moving away from convention-selected candidates? Republicans Rep. Blake Moore wins his primary over Karianne Lisonbee. Does Lisonbee have a political future after this race? Rep. Celeste Maloy defeats Phil Lyman. Is this the end of Lyman's statewide political influence? Voting issues Some Democratic voters reported not receiving ballots. Was this simply a learning curve with the first Democratic congressional primary conducted this way, or is there more to examine? Supreme Court rulings Major decisions released this week. Which rulings have the biggest impact on Utah and national politics? SAVE Act President Trump's push for the SAVE Act. Why is the administration making a full-court press now? What are the political and legal implications? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

HOST: Heidi HatchGUESTS: Maura Carabello, John Dougall ICE plans to sell warehouse facilities in Salt Lake, six other cities moving back to existing detention space “From day one, DHS has remained singularly focused on removing the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from the United States and is always evaluating the best methods to do so. These heinous criminals, once arrested, should be removed at lightning speed, not housed on American soil at the taxpayer’s expense. DHS is moving swiftly to utilize EXISTING detention space with our state and county partners.” - DHS Voter Turnout - Thursday 5pm Salt Lake County 20% A new Utah law requires mail ballots to be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Previously, ballots only needed a postmark by the day before Election Day. The change comes from HB300, which passed the Legislature last year. Trump on Utah Mail in Ballots Will Utah’s new deadlines avoid headlines we are seeing out of California with long delays Utah County Clerk's Office hired a 23-year-old conservative influencer to be the chief deputy clerk Karianne Lisonbee, without evidence, accuses Blake Moore of ‘insider trading’ before deleting X post Salt Lake County Allegations Liban Mohamed was escorting voters to the polls- Clerk apologizes Utah Supreme Court Justices approved by Senate Statement from the Utah Democratic Party on the Packing of Utah's Supreme Court “It is not a coincidence that these appointments come as the Supreme Court prepares to hear landmark cases on redistricting and reproductive rights. Across this country, courts are being reshaped not to deliver justice, but to preserve political power. Our state is not immune. Utahns deserve better.” Iran Memorandum of Understanding Both sides agreed to "the immediate and permanent end to military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon." Iran can begin exporting oil as soon as the MOU is signed. Iran "will make arrangements using its best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels with no charge for 60 days only from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman and vice versa." The U.S. and regional partners will develop a reconstruction plan for Iran worth at least $300 billion. Iran affirms that it "shall not procure or develop nuclear weapons." The two sides "have agreed to resolve the disposition of stockpiled enriched material." U.S. sanctions on Iran will be lifted on schedule as a part of a final deal, linked to nuclear compliance. There will be 60 days to sign a final agreement, which the two sides can agree to extend. AMERICA 250 UVU Professor Greg Jackson book release “Been There Done That” Professor Greg Jackson, podcast host of History That Doesn’t Suck, proves that while today’s political climate may be dark, these aren’t as unprecedented times as we may think. COMING UP watching KUTV 2 News for post election results Tuesday Next Friday Post Election discussion Wednesday July 1st Speaker Mike Schultz will be back, he attended the UFC fight night at the White House, walked past the highly debated reflecting pool. _____ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

THE POLITICS OF FIRE  Fires in Utah in full swing this week Tooele County, multiple fires, arson arrest SLC Capitol Hill Fire - State says started by homeless, City says they don’t know Mike Lee ignites controversy after adding roadless rule repeal to a wildfire bill 13-year-old girl dies at Pineview after dead tree falls: Would Pineview Reservoir be safer if it were a state park? Not US Forest Service land   Pentagon Classification of Latter-day Saints   Election Day 11 days out - Drama between campaigns ramps up   PAC cash flowing into Congressional races   Trevor Lee Race - voters get video text describing fraud allegations   Senator Dan McCay sends out mailer with endorsement from Senator John Curtis - Curtis said he is neutral on the race    Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, warned states involved in Colorado River disputes could lose access to remaining federal conservation funding if they pursue litigation over water rights.   SLC Council picks new member with a coin flip    SLC, Salt Lake County sue DHS over planned Detention Center   House GOP Vice Chair Blake Moore will host the annual NRCC summer meeting in Utah this weekend Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host: Heidi Hatch Guests: Maura Carabello, Rep. Cal Roberts   Gov. Spencer Cox declared June "Fidelity Month in Utah."   In his declaration, Cox said that American support for traditional values has "significantly declined." "A majority of Americans no longer esteem values like faith, family, patriotism or community involvement," he continued. He said it is "imperative" that Utah's "recommit" themselves to the pursuit of fidelity, defined as "dedication to faith, family and country."   DATA CENTERS   Senate President Stuart Adams and Kevin Oleary, write each other letters and make a deal to downsize   No referendum BEAR group files lawsuit to get the issue on the November ballot   Should massive data centers get tax incentives    PRIMARY ELECTION JUNE 23RD   Winner and Losers or nothing gained or lost in Congressional Debates?   Ballots should be in your mailbox this week   Tooele County sent out 9,000 bad ballots, mistake made at printer   U of U private equity capital deal for the athletic program   The University of Utah's groundbreaking private equity deal is a historic $500 million partnership with the New York-based firm Otro Capital. The deal shifts the school's commercial revenue operations—like ticketing, corporate sponsorships, and licensing—into a for-profit entity called Crimson Brand Partners (formerly Utah Brands & Entertainment LLC)   Utah state auditor says Utes’ private-equity deal has ‘significant risks.’ Here are her concerns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices