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Katie McKellar

@kmckellar.bsky.social
927 followers 297 following 222 posts

Senior reporter for @UtahNewsDispatch.com, part of @StatesNewsroom.com, the nation’s largest nonprofit news organization focused on state policy. Fair. Fearless. Free.

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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
By @alixelcabrera.bsky.social: Utah 1st Congressional District debate found middle ground among two moderates #utpol utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/09/30/u...
utahnewsdispatch.com
Utah 1st Congressional District debate found middle ground among two moderates • Utah News Dispatch
Ben McAdams, a Democrat, and Riley Owen, a Republican, shared common ground in a debate in their race for Utah's 1st Congressional District.
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
NEW: Developer eyes ‘GoldMine’ data center project in Fairfield, near Eagle Mountain’s Meta campus #utpol utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/09/25/d...
utahnewsdispatch.com
Developer eyes ‘GoldMine’ data center project in Fairfield, near Eagle Mountain’s Meta campus • Utah News Dispatch
In Fairfield, Utah, a developer wants to build a project named “GoldMine,” which could include hundreds of acres for a data center.
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
NEW: Developer of Delta data center announces ‘revolutionary’ tech to turn natural gas into water #utpol utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/09/09/d...
utahnewsdispatch.com
Developer of Delta data center announces ‘revolutionary’ tech to turn natural gas into water • Utah News Dispatch
Creekstone Energy, the company behind a data center campus being built near Delta, Utah, said its technology can turn natural gas into water.
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Concerns swirl over a developer’s push for a Tooele Valley data center, but plans are on pause #utpol utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/09/03/c...
utahnewsdispatch.com
Concerns swirl over a developer’s push for a Tooele Valley data center, but plans are on pause • Utah News Dispatch
Tooele County residents are concerned about a proposal to build a data center near the Great Salt Lake; the proposal is paused.
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
NEW: Longtime Utah homeless cleanup nonprofit Advantage Services is on the brink of bankruptcy, issues ‘urgent’ call for help #utpol utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/08/27/l...
utahnewsdispatch.com
Longtime Utah homeless cleanup nonprofit on brink of bankruptcy, issues ‘urgent’ call for help • Utah News Dispatch
Advantage Services, a nonprofit that hires people experiencing homelessness and other disadvantages, is at risk of going out of business.
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Utah governor says he’s ‘deeply troubled’ by Flock cameras, calls for review to protect privacy #utpol utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/08/20/u...
utahnewsdispatch.com
Utah governor says he’s ‘deeply troubled’ by Flock cameras, calls for review to protect privacy • Utah News Dispatch
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox told reporters he shares concerns around privacy and whether Flock cameras are being misused.
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
NEW: ICE no longer intends to turn Salt Lake City warehouse into detention center, court filing says #utpol utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/08/19/i...
utahnewsdispatch.com
ICE no longer intends to turn Salt Lake City warehouse into detention center, court filing says • Utah News Dispatch
Through their attorneys, Department of Homeland Security officials told Salt Lake City leaders that they “no longer intend to convert” a Salt Lake City warehouse purchased earlier this year for $145.4...
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Environmental groups file FTC complaint against Utah’s pro-nuclear energy campaign utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/08/17/e... #utpol
utahnewsdispatch.com
Environmental groups file FTC complaint against Utah’s pro-nuclear energy campaign • Utah News Dispatch
Downwinders allege Utah’s $1.8 million taxpayer-funded "nuclear education" campaign is misleading and downplays nuclear’s risks.
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Unpacking Utah’s primary upsets: The race that’s sending ‘shockwaves’ through the Legislature #utpol utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/06/24/u...
utahnewsdispatch.com
Unpacking Utah’s primary upsets: The race that’s sending ‘shockwaves’ through the Legislature • Utah News Dispatch
Political pundits didn't see Senate President Stuart Adams' primary loss coming. Why not, and what happened?
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Stuart Adams is out: Utah Senate president concedes to Republican challenger #utpol utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/06/23/u...
utahnewsdispatch.com
Stuart Adams is out: Utah Senate president concedes to Republican challenger • Utah News Dispatch
Senate President Stuart Adams trailed Republican challenger Stephanie Hollist, according to preliminary election night results.
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
NEW: Utah school trust lands officials eye selling 50,000 acres in Book Cliffs for nearly $30 million #utpol utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/06/09/u...
utahnewsdispatch.com
Utah school trust lands officials eye selling 50,000 acres in Book Cliffs for nearly $30 million • Utah News Dispatch
Utah Trust Lands Administration officials are poised to sell 50,000 acres of the Book Cliffs area in Grand County to another state agency.
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
BREAKING: Amid affair allegations, Utah Supreme Court Justice Diana Hagen resigns #utpol utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/05/08/u...
utahnewsdispatch.com
Amid affair allegations, Utah Supreme Court Justice Diana Hagen resigns • Utah News Dispatch
Utah Supreme Court Justice Diana Hagen resigns amid affair allegations and after top state leaders called for an "independent investigation."
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Effort to repeal Utah anti-gerrymandering law officially fails, lieutenant governor says #utpol utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/04/30/e...
utahnewsdispatch.com
Effort to repeal Utah anti-gerrymandering law officially fails, lieutenant governor says • Utah News Dispatch
The effort to repeal Utah’s 2018 voter-approved anti-gerrymandering law known as Proposition 4 has failed to qualify for the 2026 ballot.
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
What’s at stake in the Utah Republican Party’s nominating convention this Saturday utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/04/23/w... #utpol
utahnewsdispatch.com
What’s at stake in the Utah Republican Party’s nominating convention this Saturday • Utah News Dispatch
Utah Republican Party state and congressional candidates will face about 4,000 delegates at the GOP state nominating convention.
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Reposted by Katie McKellar
Utahbug @utahbug.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
Want a tortoise? The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has Mojave desert tortoises up for adoption. @kmckellar.bsky.social @utahnewsdispatch.com utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/04/21/w...
utahnewsdispatch.com
Wanted: Good homes for 15 desert tortoises up for adoption in Utah • Utah News Dispatch
Utah wildlife officials say they have 15 Mojave desert tortoises available for adoption, and they’re fielding applications from eligible Utahns.
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
Utah Supreme Court says affair allegations against Justice Hagen were ‘inappropriately’ released The JCC investigator called the complaint 'speculative, overstated, and misleading' and with 'very little credibility.' It was ultimately dismissed #utpol utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/04/17/u...
utahnewsdispatch.com
Utah Supreme Court says affair allegations against justice were ‘inappropriately’ released • Utah News Dispatch
Utah state leaders are calling for an independent investigation of Utah Supreme Court Justice Diana Hagen on allegations of an affair.
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
Some Utah voters weigh unregistering because of new law lifting certain privacy protections #utpol utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/04/14/s...
utahnewsdispatch.com
Some Utah voters weigh unregistering because of new law lifting certain privacy protections • Utah News Dispatch
Some Utah voters are weighing whether to unregister to vote because of SB153, a new law lifting some privacy protections except for "at-risk" voters.
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
Salt Lake City police chief meets with ‘nomads’ to talk homeless problems and solutions #utpol utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/04/14/s...
utahnewsdispatch.com
Salt Lake City police chief meets with ‘nomads’ to talk homeless problems and solutions • Utah News Dispatch
Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd met with people who have been homeless for a discussion hosted by the Nomad Alliance.
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
NEW from me: Kamala Harris and Salt Lake City Mayor Mendenhall walk into a bar… #utpol Here’s what the former VP was doing in Utah, and why @slcmayor.bsky.social wants her to run again in 2028 utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/04/02/k...
utahnewsdispatch.com
Kamala Harris and Salt Lake City Mayor Mendenhall walk into a bar • Utah News Dispatch
Former Vice President Kamala Harris met with Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall at a bar in Salt Lake City before a speaking event.
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
From Annie Knox with @utahnewsdispatch.com: Hundreds demand ‘ICE out’ of Salt Lake warehouse set to become detention center #utpol utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/03/19/p...
utahnewsdispatch.com
Hundreds demand ‘ICE out’ of Salt Lake warehouse set to become detention center • Utah News Dispatch
Protesters rallied outside a Salt Lake City warehouse purchased to become an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility.
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
@slcmayor.bsky.social ‘encouraged’ by lawmakers’ approach to homeless funding this year #utpol utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/03/11/s...
utahnewsdispatch.com
Salt Lake City mayor ‘encouraged’ by lawmakers’ approach to homeless funding this year • Utah News Dispatch
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall said the city is encouraged by new recurring and one-time homeless funding from the Legislature.
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
BREAKING: Senate President Stuart Adams just issued a statement saying after review, he's determined HB212, the bill allowing Salt Lake County a new pathway to split, DIDN'T pass before midnight, and therefore has failed. #utpol #utleg
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
Such a heartwarming read from Annie Knox with @utahnewsdispatch.com as we all recover from the session #utpol #utleg As the legislative session ends, a beloved Utah couple turns a new page utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/03/09/u...
utahnewsdispatch.com
As the legislative session ends, a beloved Utah couple turns a new page • Utah News Dispatch
A chapter of public service in a Utah couple’s 64-year love story came to a close when the legislative session adjourned at midnight.
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 07/03/2026
BREAKING: This morning Gov. Cox quickly signed the bill that included a final-hour change to prohibit pre-paid postage on signature removal requests. #utpol #utleg le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/...
le.utah.gov
HB0242
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 07/03/2026
2026 Utah Legislature comes to an end: It ‘could have been worse,’ Democrats say, while Gov. Cox says it couldn’t have been better #utpol #utleg utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/03/07/2...
utahnewsdispatch.com
2026 Utah Legislature ends with feelings of one long ‘Groundhog Day’ • Utah News Dispatch
The 2026 Utah Legislature’s general session came to end Friday at midnight. Here's what lawmakers did — and didn't — do.
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
Facing new congressional boundaries, Utah Rep. Burgess Owens won’t seek reelection #utpol utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/03/04/u...
utahnewsdispatch.com
Facing new congressional boundaries, Utah Rep. Burgess Owens won’t seek reelection • Utah News Dispatch
Facing a new congressional map that turned one of Utah's Republican-majority districts blue, U.S. Rep. Burgess Owens won’t seek reelection.
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
From @alixelcabrera.bsky.social:With a kratom bill on the table, lawmaker asks — why not write the Word of Wisdom into law? #utpol utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/03/04/k...
utahnewsdispatch.com
With a kratom bill on the table, lawmaker asks — why not write the Word of Wisdom into Utah law? • Utah News Dispatch
With Utah seeking to ban most kratom products, lawmaker asks — should Legislature make the LDS church's Word of Wisdom a law?
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
Utah lawmakers move to boost ongoing funding for homeless with help from ZYN tax #utpol #utleg utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/03/02/u...
utahnewsdispatch.com
Utah lawmakers move to boost ongoing funding for homeless with help from ZYN tax • Utah News Dispatch
Utah’s legislative leaders have given a green light to a significant infusion of new ongoing money for homelessness programs.
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
STORY: Federal panel denies bid to overturn Utah’s court-ordered congressional map The ruling leaves no time for additional litigation challenging the new map ahead of 2026 elections — unless lawmakers move the deadline again #utpol #utleg utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/02/23/r...
utahnewsdispatch.com
Redistricting: Federal panel denies bid to overturn Utah’s court-ordered congressional map • Utah News Dispatch
A federal three-judge U.S. District Court panel denied a bid to overturn Utah's new court-ordered congressional map.
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
BREAKING: The three-judge federal panel that heard Reps. Maloy and Owen's redistricting challenge has REJECTED their bid to block the new court-ordered map and revert back to 2021 boundaries. #utpol #utleg
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 21/02/2026
NEW: Utah Supreme Court rejects Legislature’s redistricting appeal; court-ordered map still stands #utpol #utleg utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/02/20/u...
utahnewsdispatch.com
Utah Supreme Court rejects Legislature’s redistricting appeal; court-ordered map still stands • Utah News Dispatch
Yet again, the Utah Supreme Court has ruled against the Utah Legislature in the state’s ongoing redistricting legal battle.
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
UPDATE on this bill: Sen. Escamilla successfully motioned to reconsider the bill, and Sen. Brammer said he supports the changes. Debate on whether it advances is forthcoming, likely later this afternoon #utpol #utleg
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
ICYMI from @alixelcabrera.bsky.social: Curtis hopes DHS follows reforms and ‘the Utah way’ weeks after deadly Minnesota shooting #utpol #utleg utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/02/19/c...
utahnewsdispatch.com
Curtis hopes DHS follows reforms and ‘the Utah way’ weeks after deadly Minnesota shooting • Utah News Dispatch
Utah Republican Sen. John Curtis remained critical of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and wants an investigation after the shooting of Alex Pretti.
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
‘Biscuit’s Bill’ fails in Utah Senate. Shelter animal advocates say they’ll keep fighting #utpol utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/02/19/b...
utahnewsdispatch.com
‘Biscuit’s Bill’ fails in Utah Senate. Shelter animal advocates say they’ll keep fighting • Utah News Dispatch
"Biscuit's Bill" is meant to prevent animals seized from abuse situations from waiting years in shelters before being eligible for adoption.
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
Utah’s anti-gerrymandering law may go back to voters: Prop 4 repeal effort files 200,000 signatures #utpol utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/02/16/q...
utahnewsdispatch.com
Utah’s anti-gerrymandering law may go back to voters: Prop 4 repeal effort files 200,000 signatures • Utah News Dispatch
The effort to repeal Utah’s voter-approved, anti-gerrymandering law known as Proposition 4 submitted more than 200,000 signatures for verification.
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
UPDATE: Ivory Foundation has issued a statement addressing Snider's bill and providing more details about the land swaps in dispute #utpol
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
Blaming broken promises for Great Salt Lake, lawmaker threatens to block homeless campus #utpol utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/02/09/g...
utahnewsdispatch.com
Blaming broken promises for Great Salt Lake, lawmaker threatens to block homeless campus • Utah News Dispatch
Blaming broken promises for the Great Salt Lake, a Utah lawmaker is threatening to block progress on a large homeless campus.
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
New from @alixelcabrera.bsky.social: Kratom has given and taken from chronic pain patients — will Utah ban it #utpol #utleg utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/02/09/u...
utahnewsdispatch.com
Kratom has given and taken from chronic pain patients — will Utah ban it? • Utah News Dispatch
The Utah Legislature is proposing three bills to regulate kratom, a plant that has led to relief, but also death among chronic pain patients.
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
From @alixelcabrera.bsky.social: Utah is proposing a gas tax restructure — Idahoans and petroleum industry aren’t having it #utpol utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/02/03/u...
utahnewsdispatch.com
Utah is proposing a gas tax restructure — Idahoans and petroleum industry aren’t having it • Utah News Dispatch
The news on a proposal to change Utah's gas tax structure has fueled tensions with the Idaho Legislature and the petroleum industry.
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
In a new redistricting legal challenge, 2 of Utah’s all-Republican congressional delegation and local leaders are urging a federal court to block the state's court-ordered map #utpol utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/02/03/u...
utahnewsdispatch.com
Utah Reps. Maloy, Owens ask federal court to block new court-ordered congressional map • Utah News Dispatch
Utah Reps. Celeste Maloy and Burgess Owens are asking a federal court to block Utah's court-ordered congressional map.
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
Utah Legislature passes bill to expand Utah Supreme Court, add 5 more lower court judges. The bill now goes to Gov. Spencer Cox's desk #utpol utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/01/30/u...
utahnewsdispatch.com
Utah Legislature passes bill to expand Utah Supreme Court, add 5 more lower court judges • Utah News Dispatch
A bill to expand the Utah Supreme Court from five justices to seven has won final approval from the Utah Legislature.
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
‘Housing not handcuffs’: National advocacy groups take aim at Utah’s homeless campus #utpol #utleg utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/01/30/n...
utahnewsdispatch.com
‘Housing not handcuffs’: National advocacy groups take aim at Utah’s homeless campus • Utah News Dispatch
National homelessness advocates and Democratic members of Congress aimed criticisms in a new campaign called “Housing Not Handcuffs.”
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
ICYMI from @alixelcabrera.bsky.social: Rising costs of living and health care are consuming Utahns’ budgets. Here’s what lawmakers propose #utpol utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/01/29/u...
utahnewsdispatch.com
Utah State Bar ‘deeply alarmed’ by bills it says would ‘weaken’ the judiciary’s independence • Utah News Dispatch
Utah lawmakers advanced three bills impacting the courts despite objections from legal professionals and the Utah State Bar.
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
Utah State Bar ‘deeply alarmed’ by bills it says would ‘weaken’ the judiciary’s independence Attorneys cry ‘forum shopping’ as Utah lawmakers move to create new ‘constitutional court’ #utpol utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/01/29/u...
utahnewsdispatch.com
Utah State Bar ‘deeply alarmed’ by bills it says would ‘weaken’ the judiciary’s independence • Utah News Dispatch
Utah lawmakers advanced three bills impacting the courts despite objections from legal professionals and the Utah State Bar.
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Utah lawmakers advance bill to turn moratorium on transgender care for minors into a full ban #utpol utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/01/28/u...
utahnewsdispatch.com
Utah lawmakers endorse bill to turn moratorium on transgender care for minors into a full ban • Utah News Dispatch
Utah lawmakers advanced a bill restricting hormonal treatment for transgender kids, changing the state's moratorium into a full ban.
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
From @alixelcabrera.bsky.social: Utah leaders ask for Minnesota shooting investigation — and de-escalation utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/01/26/u...
utahnewsdispatch.com
Utah leaders ask for Minnesota shooting investigation — and de-escalation • Utah News Dispatch
Utah Republican Sen. John Curtis called for an investigation after the Minnesota shooting and state lawmakers ask for Congressional action.
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Reposted by Katie McKellar
Minnesota Reformer @minnesotareformer.com · 25/01/2026
Over a thousand people gathered for a vigil and rally Saturday night to mourn Alex Pretti, the man who was shot and killed by a Border Patrol agent. After the vigil, demonstrators marched in subzero temperatures to the growing memorial where Pretti was killed.
minnesotareformer.com
Minnesotans mourn Alex Pretti, man killed by Border Patrol agent • Minnesota Reformer
Over a thousand people gathered for a vigil and rally Saturday night at Whittier Park in Minneapolis to mourn Alex Pretti, the man who was shot and killed by a Border Patrol agent. After the vigil, de...
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Reposted by Katie McKellar
Minnesota Reformer @minnesotareformer.com · 24/01/2026
Another person in Minneapolis shot and killed by feds minnesotareformer.com/2026/01/24/a...
minnesotareformer.com
Another person in Minneapolis shot and killed by feds • Minnesota Reformer
Over 10 shots can be heard in the video, but it’s unclear if more than one agent fired a weapon.
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
Important read from @minnesotareformer.com as news of yet another shooting comes out this morning 8 weeks under siege in Minnesota minnesotareformer.com/2026/01/23/8...
minnesotareformer.com
8 weeks under siege in Minnesota • Minnesota Reformer
Frank has a hard time explaining to his 8-year-old daughter why they rarely leave their home in the Twin Cities. Why she can’t go to school, and why he can’t work. “The only thing we tell her is that ...
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Katie McKellar @kmckellar.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
JUST NOW: The Utah Senate just voted 22-7 to give initial approval to the bill to expand the Utah Supreme Court, along with other courts. It needs one more vote in the Senate before heading to the House... #utpol #utleg utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/01/22/b...
utahnewsdispatch.com
Lawmakers advance bill to expand Utah Supreme Court — and add 3 district court judges • Utah News Dispatch
Lawmakers advanced a bill to expand the Utah Supreme Court from five justices to seven — while also adding three new district court judges.
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