Inside Sources

 Boyd shares advice for being a better, more loving, neighbor. 

US intelligence believes the Chinese spy balloon is part of a broader surveillance program run by the Chinese military, not just in the US, but all around the world. Clearly, privacy and security are some of our biggest issues with China. So where do we go from here? R Street's Brandon Pugh testified to Congress about how we need a comprehensive privacy and security law and greater specifics from the White House to compete with China moving forward. He joins Boyd to discuss what that would look like.

That's a fact. No Joke. Check it out. Those are just a few of the phrases President Biden used in his State of the Union and other speeches to convince people everything he was saying was true. Glenn Kessler is the editor and chief writer of The Fact Checker at the Washington Post. He breaks down how much of the State of the Union was "no joke" and how much of it was a little less true. 

President Zelenskyy made a surprise visit to the U.K. today where he met with King Charles III and addressed both chambers of parliament. And he had one big request for our friends overseas: fighter jets. The US has said it will not send planes to Ukraine. Boyd looks at how members of parliament are reacting and whether or not Western planes could be part of Ukraine's future. 

Americans don't have much confidence in Democrats OR Republicans to lead the country... that's according to new polling from the public opinion company Schoen Cooperman Research. But where does voters' distrust in Washington stem from? Carly Cooperman from Schoen Cooperman Research breaks down the numbers and explains why this crisis of trust poses a challenge to both parties going into 2024 and beyond.

Last night, President Biden declared that the state of the union is strong. His speech was focused on healthcare and the economy as the President pivots to election mode. Boyd says his speech was mostly political, with some genius political moments. But is that the purpose of the State of the Union? Boyd also looks at the Republican response from Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the lack of decorum from members of Congress during the speech. 

Boyd delivers his annual State of the Union address calling on Americans to make kindness the nation's superpower.   

The State of the Union has a long storied history. But in recent years, there's been a lot of research into the impact of applause on the address. Should we get rid of clapping during the speech? What are some ways we can restore the State of the Union to its original purpose? Boyd discusses and breaks down what he thinks should change. 

Across the country, employers are dealing with a tight labor market. But Utah is making some important changes to help boost the economy and fill needs in our own state. How? By loosening occupational licensing requirements. In fact, we're paving the way on occupational licensing reform. Executive Director of the Utah Department of Commerce Margaret Busse breaks down what other states can learn from us. 

President Biden and Speaker McCarthy are still negotiating the debt ceiling. But Kevin Kosar from the American Enterprise Institute says there's one thing the President could, should, and is required to have sent Congress to make negotiations easier: his budget proposal. Kevin explains why the President should include spending cuts in his budget proposal and talk through them with Congress.

A bill addressing safety on dating apps has passed through both chambers of the Utah Legislature. Rep. Angelo Romero sponsored the bill to help save people from fraud, sexual harassment, or assault. KSL NewsRadio reporter Aimee Cobabe joins Inside Sources to break down the details of the bill which is headed to the Governor's desk. 

Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders will deliver the Republican response to the President's State of the Union address. Delivering the response is no easy task and, historically, has often halted the momentum of rising political stars. Will Governor Sanders be able to defy the odds? GOP Strategist from Arkansas Robert Coon explains what to expect from her tonight and why her experience as a former White House press secretary is a big help. 

Tonight, President Biden will deliver his State of the Union address. It's the biggest, most watched speech the President will give this year. So what should we be listening for? Olivier Knox from the Washington Post explains how the President will address a divided Congress with focus on issues of bipartisanship and what he might say regarding his 2023 agenda. 

Annalee Lundell Dinkel understands what it really means to sing in the rain. Annalee is deaf and attending the Berklee College of Music. Boyd talks about how we can learn to sing when life doesn't go as planned. 

When writing a big speech like the State of the Union, how do you craft your message so it's memorable, focused, and effective? Former Senate Staffer and current principal at Inkling Communications Michael Connolly breaks down the tenants of great speech writing and delivery and shares his advice for President Biden ahead of tomorrow's big address. 

While all eyes are on the Chinese spy balloon, China is currently trying to buy up land and build a corn plant in North Dakota, something the Airforce opposes. Rep. Candice Pierucci has introduced a new bill to restrict foreign entities, like China, from purchasing land in Utah. She joins Boyd to discuss the details of the legislation.

It feels like show time for President Biden's re-election campaign. During a speech in Philadelphia on Friday, the President and Vice President rallied the crowd at the DNC in what some are calling a "soft launch" of his 2024 campaign. Boyd looks at what his 2024 campaign message could look like.

In Washington DC, lawmakers are always try to solve the two big immigration issues.... border security and the immigration process... with one fell swoop. But recently, Rep. Abigail Spanberger of Virginia suggested an alternative course of action. Why not decouple the two issues and deal with them separately? Boyd breaks down why this could work and move us forward on immigration. 

Tomorrow, President Biden will deliver the annual State of the Union address. Republicans will be watching for weaknesses to exploit, especially going into 2024. But Democrats will also be eyeing the speech to determine whether President Biden is the future of the party. Chris Stirewalt from The Dispatch explains what The President needs to say and prove to his own party if he wants to have another term. 

Fiscal policy in Washington has created a rift in GOP leadership in the Senate, namely between current Leader Mitch McConnell and Senator Rick Scott from Florida. Florida Senator Rick Scott is tired of Leader Mitch McConnell "caving" on the debt limit. The Hill's Alexander Bolton breaks down the divisions that are forming between Senate Republicans and how it would impact negotiations if Speaker McCarthy and President Biden fail to make a deal. 

Over the weekend, the Pentagon finally shot down the Chinese spy balloon that made its way across the entire continental US. Today, the US is scrambling to pick up the pieces that dropped into the ocean to assess China's capabilities. But Boyd points out that China used the balloon to measure America's capabilities and how we might to react to things like a future invasion of Taiwan. 

A 60-year old man in Vermont died this week after a brawl broke out during a middle school basketball game. Boyd compares this to the old Texas Rangers' manager who laughed when his team made a big mistake on the field. Boyd says we should focus more on the individuals than on the wins and losses. 

Various circumstances can result in family members or close loved ones becoming separated in life without a way to find each other. This happens even in today's environment of social media where we are more connected than ever. Troy Dunn has made it his life's mission to reunite lost loved ones. He joins Boyd to discuss his organization The Locator and how he's bringing people back together.

At a joint press conference with the South Korean Foreign Minister, Secretary Blinken confirmed that the spy balloon was China's and the reason why his trip to Beijing was postponed. Boyd digs into his remarks as well as remarks from the CCP House Select Committee Chairman Mike Gallagher. Plus, he explains why the US should use this moment to exact concessions from China on things like fentanyl.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has postponed his trip to Beijing after a Chinese spy balloon was found hovering over Montana. Since then, China has come out saying it's a weather balloon AND offered their regrets (which never happens). POLITICO Correspondent Phelim Kine explains why this gives the US the upper hand in the diplomatic channel and how this will impact US-China relations. 

Education was a big issue for voters this past year, and it continues to be a kitchen table issue for families, both in terms of federal and state education policy. So, the Manhattan Institute has released an in depth look at education policy during some of the recent gubernatorial elections. Andy Smarick from the Manhattan Institute breaks down the hot button issues, how they were divided along partisan lines, what worked, and what didn't. 

In recent years, a lot of people have been saying good riddance to an important political tool: the filibuster. But a new report from the Orrin G Hatch Foundation has found that the filibuster is critical if we want to maintain bipartisanship, compromise, and more. Martin Gold is a visiting scholar at the Foundation. He authored the report and joins Boyd to discuss why we should defend the filibuster. 

A new report from the St. Louis Federal Reserve shows that COVID stimulus spending played a huge role in today's inflationary economy. Eric Boehm from Reason joins Inside Sources to explain how much this spending added to the inflationary pressure and why we need a change in fiscal policy rather than just monetary policy if we want to get our economy back on track. 

Today, President Biden and lawmakers gathered for the National Prayer Breakfast. Boyd chats about why prayer is so central to the American identity. 

Is the American dream still alive and well in the United States? While American life is significantly better than other places around the world, Scott Winship from the American Enterprise Institute says there are significant barriers to upward mobility and other challenges that are holding many citizens back. He joins Boyd to discuss what's going on and how our politicians' rhetoric surrounding the American dream is conflicting and confusing.

There have always been heated fights over congressional committee assignments. But over the last several years, we've witnessed the weaponization of committee assignments. Just today, Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar was removed from her position on the Foreign Affairs committee. James Wallner from R Street breaks down the unintended consequences of making these committees tools for political punishment.

A new report from the Manhattan Institute says that the makeup of the Democratic party has changed to include more college-educated whites and non-college-educated minorities. But Zach Goldberg from the Manhattan Institute says the former is having a greater influence on the party's agenda and message... sometimes to the detriment of the latter. 

This morning the President and lawmakers gathered for the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington D.C. This annual tradition invites leaders of all stripes to step back from politics and join together in faith and prayer. Boyd looks at the messages shared. 

Last month a group of Senators visited the border, drawing a comparison to the Gang of 8 in 2013. These Senators face some of the same political headwinds to pass an immigration deal as the Gang of 8 did 10 years ago. Plus, Republicans have started their first round of hearings into the Biden Administration's immigration policy at our southern border. Suzanne Monyak from Roll Call joins Boyd with the latest updates. 

Yesterday, President Biden and Speaker Kevin McCarthy met to discuss the debt ceiling. Both came away optimistic, saying it was a good conversation. But where we're headed. We're not headed for economic catastrophe. But what can come out of this meeting when there were no agreements or promises made? Boyd breaks down the negotiations.

Yesterday, the Federal Reserve announced it was raising interest rates again, this time by a slightly lower quarter of a percentage point. Does this mean the hard part is over, inflation is easing, and we're going to avoid a recession? Jeff Cox, the economics editor for CNBC, joins the show to talk about the implications of this latest rate hike and what to expect in the months ahead. 

Lord Rabbi Jonathan Sacks worried about the arctic frost of loneliness and the heat of division. Boyd chats about a new social covenant that could help heal our society of these ills. 

New polling from Schoen Cooperman Research shows that many Americans and many Republicans see the GOP as the party of chaos for chaos' sake. But are Republican members united behind a disruptive political agenda? Or are there cracks in the coalition? Carly Cooperman from Schoen Cooperman Research joins Boyd to break down the latest polling data and what it means for Republicans.

BYU Sports host and former KSL News anchor Dave McCann has had the rare opportunity to interview some of the greatest sports legends to ever compete in our country. These interactions have given Dave invaluable insights and lessons, not just about competition and sports, but about life and the best ways to live it. He joins Boyd to discuss what he's learned throughout his career from the likes of Mike Tyson and Mickey Mantle. 

Over the past few years, China has been increasingly testing America's influence around the world. But 2023 could be the year that changes everything for US-China relations. From warnings of war to high tech industrial battles, The Washington Post's Olivier Knox breaks down the events that could put US-China relations on a new trajectory this year. 

Bipartisanship is often lauded as something essential for progress and lacking in Washington these days. However, there are several areas where bipartisanship remains stronger than ever. But is that necessarily a good thing? Jonathan Bydlak from the R Street Institute explains how bills that have passed with bipartisan support have increased our debt, wasted taxpayer dollars, and even kept us in a 20-year war. 

UN ambassador Nikki Haley is expected to announce a 2024 presidential bid as soon as February 15th. She will be the first Republican to formally challenge Donald Trump's bid. David Drucker of The Dispatch says she's entering the ring now to win hearts in South Carolina, while other potential candidates like Ron DeSantis continue to wait.

In higher education, there's a certain set of metrics used to rate success at a university. But can we really measure Ivy League Schools and regional universities by the same metrics? The students who attend Harvard and Yale are very different from those who attend Utah Valley University and the University of Utah. UVU President Astrid Tuminez explains how we can capture the real story of student success. 

This afternoon, President Biden will sit down with Speaker Kevin McCarthy to discuss the debt ceiling. Both leaders have flipped and flopped on their debt ceiling position over the years. So will the President negotiate despite promises not to? Will Speaker McCarthy really let America default on its debts? Boyd looks at what both sides are saying and what it means for today's meeting.   

Guest Hosts: Marty Carpenter and Leah Murray

The Fed is showing signs that they will once again raise interest rates next month to combat inflation. This will likely be a smaller rate increase than previous ones, as there are signs that inflation is beginning to ease. Jessica Dickler from CNBC explains how it will impact you and your loans.

Guest Hosts: Marty Carpenter and Leah Murray

Earlier today, President Biden rejected Ukrainian requests for US fighter jets. But POLITICO is reporting that in route to New York today... the President told reporters he would talk to Zelenskyy. Plus, another report says that Pentagon officials are quietly pushing for F16 fighter jets to go to Ukraine ahead of a springtime offensive. POLITICO's Paul McLeary explains where the administration stands on sending F-16s to Ukraine and what the ramifications would be.

Guest Hosts: Marty Carpenter and Leah Murray

The domestic violence threat assessment bill has passed the Utah Senate. Lt. Governor Deidre Henderson was there for the bill's passage along with Gabby Petito's family. The Lt. Governor joins Leah and Marty to discuss why she's invested in this bill and what this legislation would do.

Guest Hosts: Marty Carpenter and Leah Murray 

Utah and five other states have signed a proposal to reduce water use of the Colorado River. But California has refused to join the coalition. Amy Haas of the Upper Colorado River Commission joins Inside Sources to break down the details of the proposal and why California isn't on board. 

Guest Hosts: Marty Carpenter and Leah Murray

The temperature along the Wasatch front has been in the single digits for the last few days... which is dangerously cold, especially for the homeless. So this week, Salt Lake set up a warming center. State Homeless Services Coordinator Wayne Niederhauser discusses why this center was built, what the homeless population is in need of right now, and how we can help. 

Guest Hosts: Marty Carpenter and Leah Murray

We're continuing the conversation today on police reform following the death of Tyre Nichols at the hands of 5 Memphis police officers. Many are calling on President Biden to act. Meanwhile Senators are looking to revive police reform talks and pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. But Jillian Snider from R Street Institute says that the federal government and Biden's 2022 executive order don't really have an impact on policing at the state and local level. 

Guest Hosts: Marty Carpenter and Leah Murray

There is an ongoing debate among lawmakers in this country about the security concerns posed by the social media app TikTok. The Chinese owned app has been under intense scrutiny, and some lawmakers have made calls to ban the app nationwide. But Daniel Lyons from AEI and Boston College Law School says such a ban would be unconstitutional because it would violate the first amendment. 

Guest Hosts: Marty Carpenter and Leah Murray

This week the Governor signed the School Choice vouchers bill that passed through the Utah Legislature. But beyond school choice... what are some of the other education bills that lawmakers are proposing on Capitol Hill? House Majority Whip Rep. Jefferson Moss joins Marty and Leah to discuss what's on the table.  

Guest Hosts: Maura Carabello & Taylor Morgan

America is mourning the death of Tyre Nichols at the hands of several brutal police officers in Memphis, Tennessee. The traffic cam footage that captured the events leading to his death was released on Friday, and the brutality of the police officers shocked Americans. Jeanetta Williams from the NAACP Salt Lake Branch explains how the black community is responding and how we can promote greater equality in our own communities.

Guest Hosts: Maura Carabello and Taylor Morgan

ACLU Utah and NCL Rights have announced they will file a lawsuit against the new Utah bill banning transgender surgery on minors and limits on hormone treatments. KSL NewsRadio Reporter Lindsay Aerts joins Taylor and Maura to discuss what they're arguing. Plus, last week the usually overlooked Wasatch Front Regional Council meeting drew hundreds of people in protest. They were protesting against the proposed Gondola project in Little Cottonwood Canyon intended to reduce traffic during ski season. Maura and Taylor discuss whether a gondola is a good idea or not.

Guest Hosts: Maura Carabello & Taylor Morgan

Utah House and Senate leaders are preparing to reveal a series of water-related bills during week 3 of the legislative session. Some are aimed at conserving water. Some are aimed at saving the Great Salt Lake. Senate President Stuart Adams joins Maura and Taylor to discuss what's on the table and what the Senate is focusing on this week. 

Guest Hosts: Maura Carabello and Taylor Morgan

The recent killing of Tyre Nichols in Memphis by 5 police offers has re-energized the national conversation around policing in our country. This has been a long ongoing debate, with no federal reform passing in Congress. So, the question is, where do we go from here? Chris Burbank from the Center for Policy Equity explains what we can do to address some of the systemic problems in law enforcement.

Guest Hosts: Maura Carabello and Taylor Morgan

This Thursday, Congress and the President will gather for the annual National Prayer Breakfast. The the event is going to look a lot different than years past. One Senator says Congress is taking it back to its roots. So, what will it look like? Kelsey Dallas from the Deseret News breaks down the history of the National Prayer Breakfast and how recent scandals may have led to some of this year's changes. 

Guest Hosts: Maura Carabello and Taylor Morgan

The Utah State Senate has passed a slightly altered version of the new Utah State Flag. The new design has caused division among lawmakers on the Hill. So, what makes a good flag design? DeVaughn Simper is a vexillologist at the Colonial Flag Foundation, and he joins Inside Sources to share the elements of good flag design and give his analysis of the new Utah state flag. 

To pre-order the flag visit: https://www.colonialflag.com/utah-state-flag-2023/

Guest Hosts: Maura Carabello and Taylor Morgan

Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel today amid rising tensions in the region. Violence between Israel and Palestine has been escalation. And Israel's new government is proposing sweeping changes to the country's judicial system sparking protests. Amos Guiora from the University of Utah breaks down what's going on in the Middle East and how Secretary Blinken can navigate the tense environment. 

Guest Hosts: Maura Carabello and Taylor Morgan

It's water week at the Utah Legislature. Water is at the top of the agenda, and there are many critical bills being proposed that could determine the future of Utah's water security and infrastructure. House Majority Leader Rep. Mike Schultz breaks down what's on the House's agenda particularly when it comes to conservation and the Great Salt Lake. 

Guest Host: Marty Carpenter

Today is International Holocaust Remembrance Day, marking 78 years since the Soviet Army liberated Auschwitz. The Holocaust is obviously a difficult event to remember and contend with, but it's also vitally important that we never forget what happened. Rabbi Avremi Zippel explains how we can honor this day and promote awareness among our community. 

Guest Host: Marty Carpenter

Ryan Starks was named the new executive director of the Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity. His appointment comes as Utah and the nation face a series of economic headwinds and a looming recession. Ryan joins Inside Sources to discuss how he plans to steer the economic ship and bring jobs in while the economy struggles against inflation. 

Guest Host: Marty Carpenter

There's a lot of news on the legal front today... 5 Memphis cops have been charged with the death of a black motorist... the DOJ has arrested 3 men in connection with a plot to assassinate a US-Iranian journalist.... and the body cam video capturing the attack on Paul Pelosi has been released. KSL's Legal Analyst Greg Skordas gives an overview of all these cases.

Guest Host: Marty Carpenter

Just last week, the US hit its $31 trillion dollar debt ceiling. But while Democrats and Republicans in DC argue about whether or not to raise the debt limit... how did we get here? How did we amass trillions and trillions of dollars in debt at the national level? Marc Goldwein from the Committee for a Responsible Budget says the left and the right are both responsible for the tax cuts and spending increases that got us here.

Guest Host: Marty Carpenter

The School Choice Scholarship Bill is headed to the Governor's desk after passing through both chambers in the Utah Legislature. Speaker Brad Wilson tells Marty why the bill's component that gives teacher salaries a boost was so important to leadership. Plus, he previews what's to come with tax cuts and water in the House.  

Guest Host: Marty Carpenter

Utah is having its best winter in nearly 20 years... that's what the headlines say. But Utah is still one of the driest states in the nation. So how will all of this snowfall impact our lakes and long-term drought? Gene Shawcroft from the Colorado River Authority joins Marty to discuss our current water situation. 

Guest Host: Marty Carpenter

The new AI programmed tech tool, ChatGPT, is making waves among the education community. The revolutionary technology can write on almost any subject in any style, often quite well. Rick Hess from the American Enterprise Institute breaks down how this technology is impacting the classroom. 

Guest Host: Marty Carpenter

As promised... newly elected Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy is opening up the legislative process. Yesterday, DC lawmakers debated more than 140 amendments to a bill on the floor of the House for the first time in 7 years. And Democrats and Republicans are cheering. Rep. John Curtis explains why opening up the amendment process allows representatives to be representatives again.

Guest Hosts: Leah Murray and Scott Simpson

Meta has decided to reinstate former President Trump's Facebook and Instagram accounts. The decision could give Trump a major fundraising boost for his 2024 campaign. But how could this impact the fundraising ecosystem in Utah? Leah and Scott discuss. 

Guest Hosts: Leah Murray and Scott Simpson

President Biden is potentially just a few short weeks away from announcing his reelection bid. Meanwhile, the US has just agreed to send tanks to Ukraine... further entrenching us in a war that has no end in sight. But some aides and Democrats are worried a lack of progress in the war could hurt the President's reelection chances. Alexander Ward from POLITICO explains what's at stake and what the President has to manage politically and militarily over the next 2 years.

Guest Hosts: Leah Murray and Scott Simpson

Attempts to reform our elections and change rules never seem to be coming from a place of good faith, rather a place of partisanship. So, as the US Congress gets back to work, and state legislatures are in session, what should we be thinking about this year when it comes to election reform? Ryan Williamson from the R Street Institute joins the show to discuss the genuine issues that need reform. 

Guest Hosts: Leah Murray and Scott Simpson

The US economy closed out 2022 doing better than expected... according to the recent 4th quarter economic numbers. But many economists are still worried about a possible recession this year. Senior VP at Zion's Bank Robert Spendlove breaks down the numbers and explains what they signal about inflation, a recession, and what to expect from the Federal Reserve in the coming months. 

Guest Hosts: Leah Murray and Scott Simpson

The 2023 legislative session continues to heat up with many bills and proposals being discussed in committees and debated on the floor. KSL NewsRadio Reporter Lindsay Aerts breaks down everything you need to know about the school choice bill, the transgender related bills, the Halloween resolution, and more. 

Guest Hosts: Leah Murray and Scott Simpson

An interesting clash between government and big business is coming after the DOJ announced that it's bringing a lawsuit against Google. The basis of the lawsuit relates to Google abusing its power over the digital advertising space. James Czerniawski from Americans for Prosperity gives an overview of the case and breaks down why it's hard to prove that Google is a monopoly. 

Guest Hosts: Leah Murray and Scott Simpson

If there's one thing being talked about at the Utah Legislature today, it's water. And several democratic lawmakers have introduced new bills to help address the problem of our shrinking Great Salt Lake. Zachary Frankel from the Utah Rivers Council breaks down what's in these bills and why they're important. 

Guest Hosts: Leah Murray and Scott Simpson

Young voters. They're not just turning out to vote, but they seem to have mastered the art of the follow up question. We voted for you, so will you do what you promised? For evidence of this, look no further than the Taylor Swift fans AKA the Swifties. They've gotten lawmakers to respond with a hearing after Ticketmaster crashed in mid-November. Caroline Anders from the Washington Post explains what this reveals about young voters. 

Guest Hosts: Maura Carabello and Taylor Morgan 

Should Halloween be permanently celebrated on Friday? A new resolution making its way through the legislative session would designate Friday as the permanent date for celebrating Halloween. The goal is to avoid those awkward years where the holiday falls on a Sunday or a weekday and parents are split on when to send their kids out trick-or-treating. Maura and Taylor debate whether or not this is a good idea. 

Guest Hosts: Maura Carabello and Taylor Morgan 

During this legislative session, water is on the mind of Utahns, and there are many proposals on the table to conserve water and improve the Great Salt Lake. Speaker Brad Wilson joins Maura and Taylor to outline the discussions happening around water and give an update on week two of the legislative session. 

Guest Hosts: Maura Carabello and Taylor Morgan

After Ticketmaster crashed in November following an unprecedented demand for Taylor Swift concert tickets, the US Senate held a hearing this week looking at the lack of competition in the ticket sales industry. Sal Nuzzo from the James Madison Institute testified at the hearing. He tells Inside Sources why Ticketmaster is in hot water, why it's being accused of being a monopoly, and what policy options are on the table. 

Guest Hosts: Maura Carabello and Taylor Morgan 

The Bee's Baseball stadium is leaving Salt Lake City and going to Daybreak... and it's leaving its former home looking much the way it did 3 decades ago. Jay Evensen from the Deseret News explains why former SLC Mayor Corradini's vision for the area was never realized, what it takes to foster community development, and the value of a baseball stadium. 

Guest Hosts: Maura Carabello and Taylor Morgan 

Ahead of the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and in a major shift to NATO policy, the US and Germany are sending tanks to Ukraine to help with the war effort. Dan Lamothe from the Washington Post provides the latest updates on this weapons transfer and explains how it could impact the fate of the war. 

Guest Hosts: Maura Carabello and Taylor Morgan 

The Utah Education Association and the NEA have been publicly discussing a potential initiative to undo the School Choice Scholarship bill. Maura and Taylor explain the initiative process and whether or not they think such an initiative could be successful. Plus, they explain why the bill would be referendum proof if it passes in the Senate with 20 or more votes. 

Guest Hosts: Maura Carabello and Taylor Morgan 

The School Choice Scholarship Bill, HB215, is one step closer to passing after going through several rounds of voting in the Utah Senate. Tomorrow it'll go through its final round of voting before it goes to the Governor's desk. Senate Sponsor of the bill Kirk Cullimore joins the show to discuss the bill, why it's coupled with teacher's salaries, and what comes next. 

Guest Hosts: Derek Brown and Leah Murray

Tax season has finally begun... and many Americans have started receiving their W-2s in the mail. But it's also the first "post-pandemic" tax season... and taxpayers can expect a lot of changes and a lot of delays this year. Garrett Watson from the Tax Foundation says a lot of pandemic era tax changes are going away. Plus, he explains why Americans can expect a lot of delays from the IRS and calls for a simpler tax code. 

Guest Hosts: Derek Brown and Leah Murray

The Utah legislature is working on solutions to a variety of problems facing the state. But how can the government and the Utah business community work together to solve them? Derek Miller from the Salt Lake Chamber explains how Utah has a series of shortages from water to labor that require unity from government and business to find solutions. 

Guest Hosts: Derek Brown and Leah Murray

The White House is bringing in a new chief of staff: Jeff Zients. He's known as a great manager, a Mr. Fix it.  But the Biden administration has a lot of problems on its hands from the classified documents scandal, Ukraine, House investigations, high inflation, and more. Can he navigate the choppy waters and help bring the President's approval rating back up? Adam Cancryn from POLITICO explains what Jeff brings to the table and what it means to be chief of staff. 

Guest Hosts: Derek Brown and Leah Murray

It's week two of the 2023 Legislative Session... and there is a lot on lawmakers' agenda. Utah Senate Majority Leader Evan Vickers joins Derek and Leah to discuss what Utahns can expect from lawmakers this week and what bills we should be paying attention to. 

Guest Hosts: Derek Brown and Leah Murray

Who leaked the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision last year? An internal investigation by the High Court has failed to find out. Last year, the Supreme Court opted for an internal investigation rather than involving the Justice Department. But was that a mistake? KSL's Legal Analyst Greg Skordas breaks down the problems with the investigation and what he expects going forward. 

Guest Hosts: Derek Brown and Leah Murray

When Republicans took back the House this year... they promised to balance the budget in a decade. But is this lofty goal as attainable as it seems? Probably not. And this current debt ceiling fight isn't the first time Republicans have promised big spending cuts, threatened a default, and then gone back to business as usual. Brian Riedl from the Manhattan Institute explains the GOP's spending and backlash cycle and offers a path forward for fiscal conservatives. 

Guest Hosts: Derek Brown and Leah Murray

Classified documents continue to pop up in President Biden's residences. And now, former Vice President Mike Pence has found classified documents in his Indiana Home. All of this comes on the heels of classified docs found at Donald Trump's Mar-a-lago. Sarah Isgur from The Dispatch breaks down what questions we should be asking and why all these cases makes it difficult to prosecute any of these public figures. 

Guest Hosts: Derek Brown and Leah Murray

A bill that boosts teachers' salaries and gives funding to parents for more school choice is in the hands of the Utah State Senate. The legislation has faced a lot of criticism from the public school system. Rep. Candice Pierucci sponsored the bill, and she joins Leah and Derek to discuss why this bill will benefit kids and their parents.

Got eggs? If you've made a trip to the grocery store recently, you may have noticed that egg prices have skyrocketed OR that egg shelves are completely empty. If you have, you're not alone. Expensive eggs have turned into a nationwide crisis. Alex Stone from ABC joins the show to discuss the reasons behind the higher prices and how eggs are now being smuggled across the southern border. 

Guest host: Greg Skordas

Ex-cons face a variety of barriers when trying to re-enter the workforce. Some of those barriers include strict occupational licensing requirements, housing laws, and more. Ben Shelton from the Libertas Institute breaks down the obstacles and explains how we can better support ex-cons attempting to rejoin society.

The pace of this year's legislative session is blowing Utahns away. Bills are moving quickly through the session... including a bill linking school choice with a raise in teachers' salaries. The School Choice Scholarship bill has passed the House 54-20. Utah Speaker of the House Brad Wilson explains why he supports school choice and breaks down the next steps for this legislation. 

Guest host: Greg Skordas

The pentagon is sending a $2.5 billion weapons package to Ukraine. This is just one of the ways the US is stepping up to help Ukraine in its war with Russia. But that's not all. The Director of our CIA has traveled to Ukraine to meet with the president Volodymyr Zelensky. John Hudson, a national security reporter at the Washington Post explains what happened during that meeting and how this war may progress in the Spring.

Guest host: Greg Skordas

The Utah Senate has passed 3 transgender related bills today. These bills will now go to the House for consideration. But if passed by the House... could they open the door for lawsuits against the state? Greg provides his legal analysis. 

Guest host: Greg Skordas

Actor Alec Baldwin has been charged with 2 counts of involuntary manslaughter after the fatal shooting of a cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, on a movie set in New Mexico. Greg explains why he's being charged twice when there was only one death and how this trial might play out.

Guest host: Greg Skordas

Labor Secretary Marty Walsh back in October issued a warning of an economic catastrophe if lawmakers didn't come to a comprehensive, bipartisan agreement on immigration. But could his own Labor Department be to blame for our current labor shortage? Chris Richardson, former U.S. diplomat and expert on immigration policy talks about how the Labor Department can expedite its own legal immigration process.

Guest host: Greg Skordas

Last night our Governor gave his annual "State of the state" address to the Utah legislature. But many of his remarks were not directed at the lawmakers gathered in the chamber, but rather to the young people gathered there and throughout the state. Greg breaks down what his message was and why it matters. 

Guest host: Leah Murray and Greg Skordas

It's day 3 of Utah's 2023 Legislative Session. Taylor and Leah go over what bills and debates are standing out to them so far.