AGP Executive Report

Utah Data Center Fight: Kevin O’Leary says he’ll cut his Stratos AI data center plan in half after Utah lawmakers pushed back, with claims the revised project will protect bird habitat and use water-saving tech. Federal Immigration Funding: The U.S. Senate passed a $70B immigration bill funding ICE and Border Patrol over months of dispute, including fights over an “anti-weaponization” fund and dropped White House ballroom money. Utah Health & Research: The University of Utah named David B. Larson as its next radiology chair, bringing an AI-focused background from Stanford. Mining Watch (Utah): Diablo Resources bought an 80% stake in Utah’s Horn silver project, expanding a silver-antimony district position and setting up near-term drilling. Local Safety: A Utah-registered car accidentally drove onto a Seattle light-rail track after following GPS, pausing service while crews removed it. Nursing Home Ratings: CMS data show Utah for-profit facilities like Rocky Mountain Care–Cottage on Vine and Orem Rehabilitation and Nursing Center earning 2-star overall ratings for Q1 2026.

Utah Data Centers: Kevin O’Leary agreed to cut his Stratos AI data center footprint in northern Utah in half after pressure from Utah Senate President Stuart Adams, with Adams also demanding a 75% reduction, stronger water protections for the Great Salt Lake, and more transparency as the project faces ongoing backlash. Public Safety Tech: UDOT and Brigham City rolled out vehicle-to-everything signal preemption for emergency vehicles, aiming to shave seconds off response times and reduce crash risk at busy intersections. Wildfire Preparedness: Carbon County commissioners discussed expanding statewide fire restrictions, including bans on open fires and fireworks in unincorporated areas and limits on equipment use near dry vegetation. Crime & Courts: Ogden police said a stabbing suspect was fatally shot by an officer after a struggle at an apartment complex; separately, Murray police sought a fugitive with more than 20 years of felony charges. Community & Culture: Heber Valley’s Red, White, and Blue Festival is expanding to a three-day America250 celebration July 2-4.

Stratos Data Center Fight in Court: Box Elder County opponents behind the BEAR referendum group filed an appeal in Utah First District Court after the county attorney blocked their bid to put the controversial Stratos hyperscale project on the November ballot, arguing the denial was improper and that the resolutions should be referable to voters. Wildfire Reality Check: New research on Western wildfires finds fewer fires are starting, but the ones that do burn are growing larger—matching Utah’s recent pattern of slightly fewer blazes and far more acres burned—driven by warmer, drier conditions even as prevention efforts reduce ignitions. World Cup Warmup in Provo: South Korea beat El Salvador 1-0 at BYU’s South Field in Provo, with Lee Dong-gyeong scoring a free-kick goal, as the team heads to Mexico for Group A matches starting June 11. Utah Wildlife Funding: Utah’s Species Protection Account approved $5.1 million for 33 projects to help wildlife recover and prevent future Endangered Species Act listings. USU Plant Lab Boost: Utah State University’s Plant Pest Diagnostic Lab earned national “core accredited” status from the National Plant Diagnostic Network, strengthening its ability to keep diagnostic costs low for clients.

Data Centers & Water: Utah’s Stratos AI/data-center fight is heating up as Kevin O’Leary pushes back on a Senate president’s demand to cut the project footprint by 75%, arguing the deal never included that kind of change. Elections: Tooele County says about 9,000 voters got incorrect primary ballots due to a print-vendor data-matching error, with replacements and deactivation underway. Public Safety: A man riding an electric scooter died after a crash in Kearns when a vehicle cut him off and he was struck by another car. Housing/Consumer Protection: Utah is ending a homeowner “safety net” for construction liens tied to unpaid suppliers, leaving fewer options for people caught between contractors. Education & Fraud: Rep. Burgess Owens advances a bill targeting “ghost students” who steal identities to claim FAFSA aid. Community & Loss: Karen Huntsman, a major Utah philanthropist, died at 88. Sports & Culture: Utah’s “Movies in the Alley” outdoor series returns at a Salt Lake food hall, starting with The Princess Bride.

Public Health: Federal health officials reopened a salmonella investigation tied to imported moringa “super greens,” adding new brands and warning consumers to check homes even if they haven’t bought recently. Utah Outdoors & Wildlife: With drought pushing animals toward neighborhoods, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources urges deer-proofing gardens (fencing, motion sprinklers) and warns hikers to keep distance from moose. Great Salt Lake & Water: A Utah State University study finds Great Salt Lake decline pressures farmers, who say growth and urban water demand—not farming—are the biggest drivers. Weather & Food: Late spring frosts are expected to slash Utah fruit production, creating a “fruit famine” for many growers. Arts & Culture: Helper En Plein Aire returns with a cash-prize competition and a new “Helper Beer Label Award.” Travel & History: A new feature spotlights Salt Lake’s Spiral Jetty and its enduring mystery as Great Salt Lake levels shift.

Utah Supreme Court: Gov. Spencer Cox appointed two new justices, Jay Jorgensen and Stephen Dent, to fill seats created by the Legislature’s expansion of the Utah Supreme Court from five to seven. Public Health: Utah officials confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza at a dairy in Cache County and ordered mandatory weekly surveillance, with quarantines for any facility that tests positive. Politics (Utah): The Utah 2nd Congressional District redistricting fight is back in the spotlight as Republican candidates clash over support for Proposition 4 and its court battle. Courts & Families: A custody case involving KayLee Dutton’s accused killers and the broader criminal justice process continues to unfold in Iron County, with sentencing for some defendants and a trial expected for the last. Community Safety: Southern Utah University police coordinated a multi-agency active shooter training exercise as part of its emergency action plan. Weather & Preparedness: The Red Cross of Utah urged residents to prepare for extreme summer heat, emphasizing cool-down plans, hydration, and warning signs.

Utah Politics: In the GOP fight for Utah’s 2nd Congressional District, Rep. Blake Moore defended his record while challenger Karianne Lisonbee attacked his role in a 2018 anti-gerrymandering measure tied to the map fight, with both candidates also trading views on a massive hyperscale data center plan and Great Salt Lake funding. Courts & Transparency: A judge ruled that the preliminary hearing in the Charlie Kirk murder case will be open to the public and media, rejecting a defense bid to restrict access (though some exhibits may be limited). Data Centers & Water: Utah leaders continue tightening rules and pushing back on mega data center proposals, as lawmakers debate scale, standards, and impacts on water and Great Salt Lake. Public Safety & Health: Utah’s Newborn Safe Haven law turns 25, and a family story highlights how the option has helped create lasting adoptions; meanwhile, a Lehi couple says a construction lien dispute over their paid-for roof is leaving them stuck. Community & Sports: BYU gymnastics welcomes Shannon Evans back as an assistant coach, and Utah’s NCAA and pro sports coverage keeps rolling into the Stanley Cup Final spotlight.

Courts & Public Access: A Utah judge ruled Tyler Robinson’s July preliminary hearing in the Charlie Kirk murder case will stay open to the public, rejecting efforts to restrict media access and setting a June 12 evidentiary hearing over whether prosecutors violated a pretrial publicity order. State Politics: Utah Senate President J. Stuart Adams pressed Kevin O’Leary to shrink the Stratos data center footprint by 75% and demanded tighter environmental protections, more transparency, and independent scientific reviews before the project moves forward. Public Health: Utah is seeing a measles and whooping cough surge tied to low vaccination rates, with Utah’s measles outbreak already far above last year’s totals. Sports—Utah Teams: The Utah Royals extended their unbeaten run to 10 games with a 2-2 draw at Portland. Community & Culture: Logan’s Lyric Repertory Company launched its 60th anniversary season with Page-to-Stage events and a major restoration at the Caine Lyric Theatre. Healthcare Costs: A WalletHub report says Americans are spending a growing share of income on health care, with Utah among states facing rising burdens.

Utah Politics & Elections: Utah’s new, blue-leaning 1st Congressional District is heating up ahead of the June 23 Democratic primary, with candidates Liban Mohamed, Michael Farrell, Ben McAdams and Nate Blouin battling over issues like Great Salt Lake, affordability, and—again—AI/data centers. AI & Data Centers: Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary is pushing a massive AI campus plan near the Great Salt Lake, but Box Elder County residents and opponents say the project’s footprint and costs are too big; Utah Gov. Cox has also tightened rules for data centers and public input. Public Health: A measles outbreak in Shasta County, California, shows how fast local response can matter—Utah readers may be watching for similar risks as vaccination access and outreach remain key. Local Media Business: The Salt Lake Tribune is moving away from a paywall to membership tiers, betting that keeping journalism free for most readers can still fund reporting. Sports & Community: Utah’s sports scene stays busy, from recruiting and local athletics to major national events, while wildfire and weather coverage across the West keeps summer planning on everyone’s mind.

Utah Data Center Rules: Utah Gov. Spencer Cox issued new standards for Kevin O’Leary’s massive AI data center push, tightening requirements and emphasizing public input as opposition continues. Local Courts: Utah’s judicial selection system is in the spotlight as Gov. Cox reshapes the Utah Supreme Court with new nomination rules, transparency demands, and upcoming justice interviews. Public Safety: A rollover on I-80 in Summit County killed one and left two others critically injured; investigators are still looking at the cause. Wildlife Watch: Park City residents reported a moose giving birth to twin calves, with officials urging people to keep distance as baby animals appear. Sports & Community: Real Salt Lake’s Juan Manuel Sanabria was named to Uruguay’s World Cup roster, while BYU hosted a sold-out South Korea vs. Trinidad and Tobago friendly that drew thousands of fans to South Field. Boating Prep: Utah’s boating season guidance includes mussel-aware course requirements and aquatic invasive species rules for 2026.

Data Center Oversight: Utah Gov. Spencer Cox signed an executive order setting a “higher bar” for data center development after backlash over Kevin O’Leary’s massive Stratos Project, directing agencies to tighten reviews on water, air quality, wildlife, utility-rate impacts, and public input, with phased permitting instead of one blanket approval. World Cup Prep in Utah: South Korea routed Trinidad and Tobago 5-0 in a pre-World Cup friendly at BYU South Field in Provo, with Son Heung-min scoring twice and Cho Gue-sung adding two more; the team will play El Salvador next at the same venue. BYU Track Success: BYU’s Taylor Lovell won the 3,000-meter steeplechase at NCAA West prelims, helping the Cougars qualify 10 women for nationals. Utah Sports Spotlight: The Utah Royals drew Portland Thorns 2-2, with Wilson scoring a late equalizer on a penalty kick. Local Safety: A Park City resident says he held a suspect at gunpoint after a break-in involving scissors, until sheriff’s deputies arrived and arrested the man.

Data Center Rules: Utah Gov. Spencer Cox issued an executive order setting a “higher bar” for AI data centers, aiming to protect water, air quality, wildlife, and utility rates while requiring meaningful public input. Public Safety: Utah Highway Patrol and Juab County deputies are searching for an “armed and dangerous” fugitive, Curtis Heisler, after a high-speed chase near Nephi; a shelter-in-place was issued then lifted. Courts & Speech: An Indiana university agreed to pay $225,000 to settle a lawsuit from a fired employee who said her termination over a Facebook post criticizing Charlie Kirk violated her free-speech rights. Utah Community & Jobs: Park City Fire District is running a free wood-chipping program to reduce wildfire fuel ahead of an above-normal fire season. Sports (Utah ties): Jusuf Nurkic says his comments about Partizan were taken out of context and he has “no intention” of leaving the NBA, with Utah still in the mix. Local Life: Utah’s late-spring frosts have severely damaged fruit production, with USU warning growers may face a “fruit famine.”

Data Centers & State Policy: Utah Gov. Cox signed an executive order raising the bar for data center development after public backlash, with new standards aimed at protecting the Great Salt Lake and air quality and requiring more public input. Local Food Access: The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food won a $350,000 USDA Farm to School grant to expand Utah-grown fruit in school meals and add hands-on ag and nutrition lessons statewide. Consumer Scam Alert: A Better Business Bureau investigation describes a Facebook Marketplace-style fake equipment scheme that pushes buyers to wire money upfront, then cuts off contact—reporting losses of tens of thousands. Public Safety: A Cedar City structure fire damaged two neighboring homes; both were deemed uninhabitable, and officials said the cause is under investigation. Sports (Utah ties): BYU’s men’s golf team played its NCAA round solo for religious reasons, and BYU’s distance runners advanced in NCAA West prelims, earning spots at nationals. Tech & Privacy: Utah election officials and lawmakers continue wrestling with voter-roll and data-privacy concerns, including scrutiny over noncitizen registrations and how personal info can be removed from major platforms.

Local Courts & Public Access: Tyler Robinson’s defense asked the Utah Supreme Court to review a judge’s order that allows cameras in the courtroom, arguing for limits after Judge Tony Graf denied a blanket media ban. Public Safety & Justice: A Salt Lake City hypnotherapist, William Del Draney, faces charges including forcible sodomy and sexual abuse, with allegations that he abused clients “under the guise of treatment” over about a decade. Elections & Voting Rules: A federal judge in New Hampshire ruled the state must make voter registration easier by letting applicants attest to U.S. citizenship when they lack documents—an early test of stricter proof-of-citizenship rules. Utah Policy & Data Centers: Gov. Spencer Cox issued an executive order raising the bar for Utah data center development, with public input emphasized amid ongoing backlash. Sports (Utah): Wasatch swept Region 7 boys volleyball awards, taking offensive MVP, blocker MVP, and defensive MVP.

Box Elder Data Center Fight: Utah’s State Auditor launched a new “Transparent Utah” dashboard on the Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA), aiming to answer public questions tied to the Stratos AI data center push—after residents challenged the project and sought a local vote. Wildlife Safety: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is warning people not to touch or take home baby deer and elk during June, saying mothers often leave fawns alone on purpose. Utah Courts & Voters: The Utah State Bar urged voters to rely on judicial performance evaluations in retention elections, defending Utah’s merit-based judge selection and review system. Public Safety: A head-on crash on U.S. 89 near Big Water sent one passenger to the hospital in serious condition and shut down the road for hours. Local Tech & Scams: Utahns were warned about suspected fraud by cryptocurrency investment firm BG Wealth Sharing, after reports of high-pressure events and promised returns.

Utah Elections: Utah’s top election official says a citizenship audit found only 27 confirmed noncitizens on voter rolls out of more than 2.06 million records reviewed, with 13 of those tied to votes since 2018—plus 25 “probable” cases now facing proof deadlines. Box Elder Data Center Fight: Opponents of the Stratos Project say they’ll appeal after Box Elder County rejected referendum attempts, arguing the project could worsen air quality and water impacts. Earthquakes: A 3.1-magnitude quake rattled northern Box Elder County near Snowville, with no damage reported. Public Safety & Weather: A wildfire in southeastern Utah County threatened structures as crews battled the Anderson Point Fire; officials cite drought, low humidity, and wind. Wildlife: Utah wildlife officers tranquilized and removed a bear from a Park City tree after a 5:30 a.m. call. Green River Nuclear Momentum: A decade-old Green River nuclear plan is gaining traction again, shifting toward small modular reactors in a new deal. Community & Sports: Real Salt Lake’s youth academy hosts the MLS NEXT Cup in Utah with 7,500+ players, while Utah’s youth baseball honors include Region 8 MVP Cooper Hawkes.