Podcasts about Deseret News

The Rod and Greg Show Daily Rundown – Thursday, July 30, 2026Jim Antle, Politics Editor for the Washington Examiner, joins the program for a conversation about his piece on the different paths Democrats can take in the fight over socialism.Economist Steve Moore, co-founder of Unleash Prosperity, joins the show for his weekly visit with Rod and Greg about politics and the nation's economy, and today they'll discuss this week's Fauci hearing and how Fauci's wrote in his diaries that he wanted to shut Steve up.Tyler O'Neil, Senior Investigative Reporter at the Daily Signal, joins the program for a conversation about his piece on how things are progressing for people who have sued for medical malpractice after undergoing experimental treatment to change their genders.Naomi Schaefer Riley, Resident Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, joins the show to discuss her piece for the Deseret News about the everchanging definition, and cost, of adulthood.

When you hear the term "downwinders," you might only think of people living in Southern Utah during the government's nuclear testing decades ago. But the government has actually expanded who qualifies as a downwinder. For people who were made ill by nuclear testing -- but lived in places like Northern Utah -- they haven't qualified for help.... until now. Deseret News reporter Lois Collins explains.

Wild Utah Weather: Lightning strikes truck in Southern Utah Imagine this: you're driving down the highway and then *BAM* ... you've been hit by lightning. A man driving on I-15 outside of Cedar City found himself in this exact situation yesterday. He was driving on the freeway minding his own business when suddenly, his truck got hit with a bolt of lightning. When all was said and done, the truck was a total loss. The whole front part of the truck -- everything but the bed -- was burned or melted. Greg and Jim pose the question: if you only have 10 seconds to get out of your car, what would you grab?    - Utah Heat: Is this the warmest summer on record? Get ready for more triple-digit heat. Only the upper 90s today, but more potentially record-breaking highs are on deck for this weekend. And with those highs, many have asked the question: are our summers actually getting hotter? Or is this year more of a fluke? KSL Meteorologist Matt Johnson joins with some answers.    - War in Iran: New data on economic effects, Israel PM not backing down The War in Iran is being blamed -- at least in part -- for a slowing U.S. economy. This morning, new data released from the Feds show that the economy slowed more than expected due to the war and stubborn inflation. We've talked a lot about the roller coaster of gas and oil prices, but is there more to the story? Professor Jason Kotter, Assistant Professor of Finance at the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University shares his insights. At the same time attacks on Iran are ramping up, President Trump is voicing frustration with the way Israeli leadership are handling the conflict. We hear some of an exclusive interview from ABC News, and then the hosts discuss.    - Privacy vs. Safety: Flock cameras and automated license plate readers As technology expands and improves, it brings up a really interesting discussion on safety versus privacy. Right now, leaders in Salt Lake City are trying to decide how to best use automatic license plate readers -- trying to balance privacy and safety. And across the country, Americans from all walks of life are pushing back on this expansion of private "Flock" cameras, saying it's moving us closer and closer to being a surveillance state. What do you think?    - Emergency response aircraft coming soon to a sky near you The future is here, and it could mean the difference between life and death, especially in rural parts of the state. A new electric aircraft would provide speedy emergency response and it could be in the air before you know it. Rather than drones delivering packages and such, this kind of aircraft would help get first responders to the scene or rural or hard-to-reach emergencies. Greg volunteers on a local ski patrol and shares his thoughts on how this could help in a plethora of situations.    - Kouri Richins' motion to remove judge in new trial denied Even after being convicted of killing her husband and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, Kouri Richins isn’t giving up. She and her legal team are trying to get a whole new trial, claiming that the judge who oversaw the original case wasn’t fair and came off as “hostile” to their side. Another judge denied that motion last night. KSL Legal Analyst Greg Skordas explains the development and the future of all the appeals.    - First feature film made using AI coming to theaters this fall So-called AI "slop"... coming soon to a cinema near you?? The country's first AI-generated film is set to debut on the silver screen this fall. Now it's not fully artificial intelligence -- there are real people involved as well. But this movie does rely heavily on AI for special effects and other visuals. This segment, we have a conversation about what this could mean for the movie industry overall; KSL Movie Show host Andy Farnsworth joins in.    - Poll: Majority of Utahns willing to pay higher energy costs if it promotes clean energy Would you be willing to pay more for your electricity if you knew it was coming from clean energy sources? A new poll from Utah State University says more than half of Utahns are willing to pay more on their power bills if it means supporting clean energy. Greg and Jim see both benefits and flaws to this idea; listen in for more details.    - Lame-duck Senators stand in way of Attorney General confirmation Another day… another hiccup in the confirmation process for Todd Blanche as he works to become the country's next Attorney General. Now, President Trump is floating the idea of pulling the nomination… at least temporarily. What's been really interesting about this whole process is who's holding it up: two lame-duck Republican Senators. We get updates on the hearing thus far and discuss the specific reservations the two Senators seem to have.    - Federal government expands law helping 'downwinders' When you hear the term "downwinders," you might only think of people living in Southern Utah during the government's nuclear testing decades ago. But the government has actually expanded who qualifies as a downwinder. For people who were made ill by nuclear testing -- but lived in places like Northern Utah -- they haven't qualified for help.... until now. Deseret News reporter Lois Collins explains.    - Davis School District superintendent wins state award Some exciting recognition in Davis School District -- their superintendent has received the award for Utah Superintendent of the Year. Dr. Daniel Linford was recognized by his peers from around the state, who say he uplifts and trains education leaders both in his district and around the state.

It can sometimes feel a little weird to talk about gambling in a state like Utah, where we're not allowed to gamble. But that doesn't mean people don't find ways around it. And more and more, we're seeing the negative effects of gambling -- how it can really impact a person and our communities. Jay Evensen, Opinion Editor at the Deseret News has a new piece examining how gambling can affect young people; he joins the show to share his thoughts.

Calls for Congress to forego August recess and pass SAVE America Act instead Congress is about to head out from Washington, D.C. for about a month, but Utah's own Senator Mike Lee says members of Congress should forego the trip back home to meet with constituents and pass the SAVE America Act instead. The problem is that the bill still doesn't have the votes, even among Republicans. So why's Senator Lee pushing for this move? Deseret News Congressional Correspondent Cami Mondeaux explains the Senator's recent moves.    - WSJ: Major companies hiring retired CEOs to run their business A new article in the Wall Street Journal says more and more companies are bringing older CEOs out of retirement to run major corporations again. These aren't younger guys who retired early; they're generally men older than 70. Cracker Barrel, Boeing, and Verizon are just a few of the latest companies to go this route. Is that wise? Could it jade younger people who are already struggling to get a foot in the door? Millennial and Inside Sources Executive Producer Andy Cupp shares his thoughts.    - Ask the Attorney: Brian Kohberger wants to withdraw guilty plea At what point is it too late to take back a guilty plea? The man accused of killing four students from the University of Idaho in 2022 is now trying to take back his guilty plea and go to trial. Brian Kohberger is petitioning a judge to withdraw his earlier guilty plea, saying he wants this to go to trial now instead. What would have changed Kohberger's mind, and it is a smart move? KSL Legal Analyst Greg Skordas breaks it down.    - Pres. Trump asks SCOTUS to take up executive order on mail-in voting The fight from the Trump Administration against mail-in voting continues today. Over the weekend, an appeals court sided against the President, saying he's not allow to impose restrictions on mail-in voting. Now, President Trump is taking that fight to the United States Supreme Court. Greg and Jim are both skeptical of a win for the administration; they explain why.    - The ongoing effects of gambling on America's young people It can sometimes feel a little weird to talk about gambling in a state like Utah, where we're not allowed to gamble. But that doesn't mean people don't find ways around it. And more and more, we're seeing the negative effects of gambling -- how it can really impact a person and our communities. Jay Evensen, Opinion Editor at the Deseret News has a new piece examining how gambling can affect young people; he joins the show to share his thoughts.    - 98 days to go until the midterm election Gambling might not be allowed in Utah, but that doesn't mean we can't make some predictions on the upcoming midterm elections. With less than 100 days to go until folks cast their ballots around the country, Greg and Jim discuss the chances Democrats have to regain the House and/or the Senate.    - More homebuyers looking at wildfire risk when purchasing a new house When buying a home, people tend to look at the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the size of the yard, and the amenities like a hot tub, den, or a double oven. And now, more and more people are also looking at wildfires when shopping for a new place to live. Is this just our new reality with warmer temperatures and a hotter climate?    - Social: Fly 24 hours straight or take a few layovers? If you had to travel to the other side of the world -- say from Europe to Australia -- would you rather take a single nonstop flight or split it up with a layover or two? Overnight, plane maker Airbus and Qantas Airways broke a world record in an initiative called "Project Sunrise." In a journey lasting 24 hours and 24 minutes, a brand new plane flew from southern France to southeast Australia. Inside Sources Executive Producer and self-proclaimed plane nerd Andy Cupp has the story; Greg and Jim give their thoughts on the option.    - Utah ranked as number one state in the nation… for the 4th year in a row Utah's been ranked the number one state in the nation for the 4th year in a row. But it's not all sunshine and roses and unicorns -- we come in near the very bottom of the list in one category: natural environment. Greg Skordas and Jim Bennett go through some of the rankings and why U.S. News and World Report says the Beehive State is the best in the country.

Ben Criddle talks BYU sports every weekday from 2 to 6 pm.Today's Host: Ben Criddle (@criddlebenjamin) and Co-Hosts: (ronthe3manweav)Subscribe to the Cougar Sports with Ben Criddle podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/cougar-sports-with-ben-criddle/id99676

Ben Criddle talks BYU sports every weekday from 2 to 6 pm.Today's Host: Ronald Weaver III (@ronthe3manweav) and Co-Hosts: Caleb Lyons (@Caleb_Lyons7), Vic Cram (@viccram), Zach Robinson (@zach_robinson17)Subscribe to the Cougar Sports with Ben Criddle podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/cougar-sports-with-ben-criddle/id99676

Despite what years of experience and evidence show us, Senator Mike Lee is once again going after mail-in voting. He says that it "should not survive much longer" except for a few exceptions. It's just the latest in a series of moves by Republicans this year to change how the country votes. Joining Inside Sources for this discussion is Deseret News congressional correspondent Cami Mondeaux.

The Rod and Greg Show Daily Rundown - Friday, July 17, 20264:20 pm: Stephen Soukup, Director of The Political Forum Institute, joins the show to discuss his piece for American Greatness on how the politicization of everything allows for shady tactics in attempts to gain power.4:38 pm: Todd Bensman, Senior Research Fellow at the Heritage Foundation's Border Security and Immigration Center, joins Rod and Greg to discuss his piece about why stopping asylum fraud schemes should be the next tool used to secure the nation's borders.5:05pm: Cleta Mitchell, Founder of the Election Integrity Network and a Senior Research Fellow at the Conservative Partnership Institute, joins the program to discuss the takeaways from President Trump's speech last night, and to explain why people from the intelligence community haven't been prosecuted for hiding information about the election from Trump.6:05 pm: Jennifer Graham, Ideas and Culture Editor for the Deseret News, joins Rod and Greg for a conversation about her piece on President Trump's claim of having an approval rating of 59% with no polls found to substantiate the claim.6:20 pm: We'll listen back to this week's conversations with Utah Speaker of the House Mike Schulz on his conversations with President Trump as the President prepared to deliver on his promise to shrink the acreage footprint of Bears Ears and Grand-Staircase Escalante, and (at 6:38 pm) with Peter Laffin of the Washington Examiner on how President Trump needs to reset the conversation about Iran, beginning with American citizens.6:50 pm: A new episode of CEO's You Should Know with April James of Hearts Knit Together.

The Utah Jazz beat writer for the Deseret News on the Utah Jazz offseason, Darryn Peterson's play in summer league + more

“Why are Americans still feeling kind of ‘meh’ about higher education?” It’s a good question, and it’s also the headline of a new Deseret News piece examining changing education trends across the country. Deseret News reporter Jason Swensen dug into polling both in Utah and around the country, which finds more and more Americans have little or no trust in the country's institutions of higher education. He joins Greg and Holly to share more about what he found.

visit: https://www.ysguys.comDave McCann welcomed Jason Shepherd as his co-host for the night, with Blaine Fowler out of town, for a preseason-heavy edition of Y's Guys covering the Big 12 football meetings in Frisco, Texas. The two broke down BYU's new Entrata jersey patch and the Big 12's new neon-green Monster Energy branding, ran through a stack of preseason rankings (BYU landing at No. 2 in the Y's Guys' own Big 12 poll, No. 10 in Phil Steele's national top 40, and near the top of ESPN's FPI and CBS/Athletic "biggest brand" conversations), and debated where BYU should play its next international game. Deseret News beat writer Jay Drew joined for an extended interview on his Big 12 Media Days takeaways, the Big 12's biggest brand, BYU's most program-legitimizing win of the last two seasons, fall camp storylines at receiver and tight end, and his own preseason Big 12 top five.The show's Re-Lyte Athlete of the Week honored safety Faletau Satuala for his pick-six against Iowa State last October, followed by a wide-ranging interview with Bill Ekblad of Hotel Park City and Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, the new presenting sponsor of the show's BYU Superfans segment. Three superfans debuted in that role this week: sisters Ashley and Lindsay Turner of Las Vegas, and longtime fan Scott Gambles of Soda Springs, Idaho, who once walked onto the BYU football team alongside Blaine Fowler in 1982 and has autographs from LaVell Edwards dating back to 1972.Rounding out the show were quick hits on BYU basketball (a commitment from Lithuanian wing Dovydas Buika, five-star 2027 target DeMarcus Henry, and NBA Summer League updates on AJ Dybantsa, Egor Demin and Keba Keita), baseball's MLB Draft class, and men's golf. Dave and Jason closed with the "On This Day" trivia segment and a farewell to longtime show producer DJ, who is moving on to a new job at Western Governors University.#YsGuys #BYU #BYUFootball #BYUCougars #CougarNation #GoCougs #Big12Football #Big12MediaDays #KalaniSitake #BearBachmeier #LJMartin #KeanuTanuvasa #FaletauSatuala #JayDrew #DeseretNews #BYUBasketball #AJDybantsa #EgorDemin #BYUSuperfans #CollegeFootball #LDS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sources tell the Deseret News that President Trump will sign an executive order today to shrink the Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears national monuments. If it sounds familiar, you're spot on. President Trump did a similar thing in his first term. And then President Biden reversed it. And now it sounds like the reversal is going to be reversed. Ahead of the announcement this afternoon, Greg and Holly share the history of the monuments and give their thoughts on the Antiquities Act.

Ben Criddle talks BYU sports every weekday from 2 to 6 pm.Today's Host: Ben Criddle (@criddlebenjamin) and Co-Host: (ronthe3manweav)Subscribe to the Cougar Sports with Ben Criddle podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/cougar-sports-with-ben-criddle/id99676

-Deseret News' Brandon Judd put his 5 storylines to watch today and tomorrow, landing on these: CFP expansion and the Big 12'sstance; Texas Tech and the Brendan Sorsby situation; What to do about the revenue gap; The Protect College Sports Act; and whatother member say about BYU and Utah-You know who no one ever talks about anymore? Deion Sanders. Prime is just a guy now…strange to see itAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

People can bet on just about anything nowadays. But wildfires? That's a new one... and it's quickly burning out of control. We're talking about prediction markets -- the very things the Utah legislature has been trying to rein in over the last few years. But this isn't just a legal question; it's a moral question. Is it okay to bet on new and ongoing wildfires? And could that lead some people to start fires... just to make a buck? Deseret News opinion editor Jay Evensen has been following all sorts of gambling stories -- he's basically an expert -- and he joins the program for this conversation.

  Many people are still eagerly awaiting more details on what's been billed as the American wedding of the century: the wedding of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. The rather hush-hush event has garnered international attention over the last week. With that massive wedding in mind, Inside Sources talks about what it takes to keep a marriage going strong and long. Deseret News family reporter Lois Collins recently spoke with two couples who've been married for more than 70 years to find out what makes their marriage work so well; she shares what she learned. 

The Utah Jazz beat writer for Deseret News on Darryn Peterson's debut in the NBA Summer League, Impact Walker Kessler trade has on the Jazz next season + more

Polarization in the U.S. is not just a Washington problem. It also shows up in our newsrooms, our social media feeds, our schools, our dinner tables, and most importantly, in the stories we tell about each other.  That's why Making Peace Visible is launching a new limited podcast series called Beyond Polarization. We're speaking with people from across the political spectrum to break down what these deepening divisions are actually costing Americans — all of us. Across six sectors — journalism, new media, higher education, technology, government, and civil society — we'll examine where familiar solutions have fallen short, what evidence-based efforts are working, and how trust can be rebuilt in practical, durable ways. Beyond Polarization launches in this feed on July 21 and will include in-depth conversations with:   Harvard professor Julia Minson, author of How to Disagree Better, whose research explores the psychology of conflict and what it takes to engage more productively across political divides. Tina Rosenberg of The Solutions Journalism Network and Sarah Jane Weaver, Editor-in-Chief of Deseret News on the role solutions journalism can play in depolarization. Ethnomusicologist and University of Maryland dean Stephanie Shonekan and John Rose, professor of civil discourse at UNC Chapel Hill, who are teaching college students how to have difficult conversations with dignity.  Larry Rosen, host of The Enemies Project YouTube Channel, and Monica Guzman, host of A Braver Way podcast, on telling stories that unite within an online ecosystem built on division.  Plus technologists, elected officials, community leaders, and more. ABOUT THE SHOW The Making Peace Visible podcast is hosted by Jamil Simon and produced by Andrea Muraskin. The associate producer and graphic designer is Faith McClure. Learn more at makingpeacevisible.orgSupport our workConnect on social:Instagram @makingpeacevisibleYouTube @makingpeacevisibleLinkedIn @makingpeacevisibleBluesky @makingpeacevisible.bsky.socialMaking Peace Visible is a proud member of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts dedicated to creating a more informed, civically engaged electorate.We want to learn more about our listeners. Take this 3-minute survey to help us improve the show!

Happy Birthday America! As we prepare for the Fourth of July, we compare two lists of the best fourth of July films - one from Entertainment Weekly and another from the Deseret News—to build our own ultimate Fourth of July playlist. Then we explore 10 filming locations we would have to visit on our Epic JULY 4th Roadtrip! Finally, what 3 films are we locking in a vault for people to watch on the 500th Birthday of the United States? Happy Fourth, send pictures!

Ben Criddle talks BYU sports every weekday from 2 to 6 pm.Today's Host: Ben Criddle (@criddlebenjamin) and Co-Host: (ronthe3manweav)Subscribe to the Cougar Sports with Ben Criddle podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/cougar-sports-with-ben-criddle/id99676

Ben Criddle talks BYU sports every weekday from 2 to 6 pm.Today's Host: Ben Criddle (@criddlebenjamin) and Co-Host: (ronthe3manweav)Subscribe to the Cougar Sports with Ben Criddle podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/cougar-sports-with-ben-criddle/id99676

  New reporting says that the number of ultra-rich continues to grow around the world and especially here in the U.S. Jay Evensen at the Deseret News writes that despite pushes from more socialistic candidates across the country, Americans still show a strong desire for wanting to get rich. After all, isn't wealth a part of the American dream? Jay shares what he learned as he prepared his most recent column. 

Ben Criddle talks BYU sports every weekday from 2 to 6 pm.Today's Host: Ben Criddle (@criddlebenjamin) and Co-Host: (ronthe3manweav)Subscribe to the Cougar Sports with Ben Criddle podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/cougar-sports-with-ben-criddle/id99676

1. HEART OF THE MATTER 1A. Record-Breaking Missionary Numbers — Pres. Oaks at New Mission Leader Seminar At the 2026 Seminar for New Mission Leaders (June 18–21, Provo MTC), President Dallin H. Oaks announced that the Church will soon have the largest number of full-time missionaries in its history, surpassing the current 87,000+ serving worldwide. The surge is driven by the first wave of 18-year-old sister missionaries (following the November policy change lowering the minimum age from 19) and the addition of 55 new missions in July, bringing the global total to 506. President Oaks outlined three characteristics defining the restored Church: (1) the fulness of doctrine (including eternal marriage between a man and a woman); (2) priesthood authority and keys; and (3) a unique testimony of Christ grounded in modern revelation and the First Vision. Sister Kristin Oaks also spoke, sharing six core truths missionaries teach. Source: Church Newsroom, June 20, 2026 Note: Strong potential for discussion on what ‘only true and living church’ means in a pluralistic world — Richie angle? 1B. New Hymn ‘Welcome Home’ — The Story Behind It Composer Andrea Brett explains how a 2017 encounter with Demetrius O’Neal — a recent convert serving as a greeter at a Spokane ward on a snowy Sunday morning — inspired her hymn ‘Welcome Home,’ now published in the new Hymns for Home and Church. Brett submitted 10 pieces when the global hymnbook was announced in 2018; this was the only one she’d written before the call. She received confirmation of its selection in February 2025, then had a full-circle moment when she and O’Neal sat near each other at the April 2025 General Conference as the Tabernacle Choir performed it. O’Neal’s name appears in the hymn’s tune name as a tribute. The hymn is now translated and sung globally. Source: Church Newsroom / Richie’s document 1C. Family History Records Are a ‘Sacred Thread’ — Elder Bragg at International Archivists Congress Elder Mark A. Bragg, General Authority Seventy and executive director of the Church’s Family History Department and FamilySearch International, was a keynote speaker at the III Congress of Archivists: Digital Archive Expo (DA-EXPO), held June 8–12 in Astana, Kazakhstan. He called family history records ‘the thin but sacred thread’ tying people together across generations, and argued that records are ‘in a very real sense, witnesses.’ Elder Bragg framed the digital revolution in genealogy in moral terms: for most of history, access to records was shaped by ‘proximity, resources and specialized knowledge,’ but today a record created in one place can be preserved in another, indexed in a third, and discovered by someone on the other side of the world. ‘The reach is astonishing. The speed is breathtaking. The possibilities are almost beyond measure.’ He also said that ‘access is an act of kindness’ — records only fulfill their divine purpose when they are found, understood, and used. His core message: preserving memory is an act of hope. ‘It says that the past is not dead to us and that the future deserves more than fragments.’ Source: Church News, June 17, 2026 Angle: Great ‘quiet but meaningful’ story — LDS family history going global and leveling the playing field for genealogy worldwide. 1D. America Gives — All 50 States Receive Food Donations The Church completed a milestone in its ‘America Gives’ initiative by delivering a shipping container of food to Hilo, Hawaii — marking all 50 states reached. The initiative aims to deliver 250 truckloads of food nationwide in 2026 to celebrate the U.S. 250th anniversary. In Hawaii, the food went to The Food Basket, distributed to 10 local nonprofits. Notably, 42% of residents on the island of Hawaii face food insecurity — the state’s highest rate. Rosie Rios, chair of America 250 and former U.S. Treasurer, praised the milestone. Local Methodist pastor Ted Lesnett said recipients will know ‘when they were hungry, someone cared.’ Source: Church Newsroom / Richie’s document 1E. Church Donates $250,000 NZD to Christchurch Anglican Cathedral Rebuild The Church announced a NZ$250,000 donation (June 19, 2026) toward the restoration of Christchurch’s iconic Anglican Cathedral — damaged in the February 2011 earthquake. Elder Peter F. Meurs (Pacific Area President) and Anglican Bishop Peter Carrell presided at the announcement. The donation comes as the project faces a $45M funding shortfall and an overall $219M budget. The Christchurch City Council has offered $15M contingent on government and Anglican Church matches. Notably, a New Zealand Buddhist community made a similar gift in 2023 — the LDS donation continues a cross-faith pattern of support for the heritage project. Source: Richie’s document Angle: Rare and heartwarming — LDS funds an Anglican cathedral. Good interfaith story. 1F. Central America Humanitarian Blitz — 5 Projects, 500,000+ People In late May and early June 2026, the Church announced five humanitarian projects across Central America (with Sister J. Anette Dennis, First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, representing the Church). Projects include: the ‘Windows of Light’ eyecare program in El Salvador (350,000+ screenings to date); safe water access for 250,000+ in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua (with UNICEF); nearly 750 computers/tablets donated to 66 educational institutions in Guatemala; and medical equipment for the ‘La Mascota’ children’s hospital in Nicaragua. Source: Church Newsroom, June 2026 2. FAITH & DOCTRINE 2A. President Christofferson in Philadelphia & Toronto A busy week of ministry for President D. Todd Christofferson: He offered the invocation at Becket’s Canterbury Medal Gala in Philadelphia (multifaith event celebrating religious liberty), alongside Elder Gary E. Stevenson and others. The group also visited the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall — fitting, ahead of America’s 250th. Christofferson reflected on D&C 101 and the Constitution’s purpose to protect ‘all flesh.’ From Philadelphia, he and Sister Christofferson traveled to Toronto, meeting 250+ missionaries in the Canada Toronto Mission weeks before it divides into three missions (Toronto West, Toronto East, and Montreal). He also spoke to hundreds of LDS youth, with one — Amelia Fischer — saying ‘no amount of words can describe how I felt tonight.’ Source: Richie’s document / Church Newsroom 2B. BYU Scholar Study: Religion Adds 7.6 Years to Life The BYU Wheatley Institute is releasing three reports analyzing 3,000 of the most scientifically rigorous studies (culled from 60,000+ papers by Duke University) on religion and health. Key findings: 33/34 studies show improved social health; 10/11 show improved mental health; 7/8 show improved physical health. Regular worshippers live an average of 7.6 years longer (up to 13.7 years longer for African Americans). A ‘landmark finding’: 256 studies show religion prevents/aids recovery from substance abuse (vs. 6 showing negative impact). Author Loren Marks recommends public health frameworks treat religious involvement like exercise recommendations. Source: Richie’s document 2C. Elder Soares Testifies in the Philippines Elder Ulisses Soares completed a two-week ministry in the Philippines (mid-May 2026), meeting with 600+ young single adults in Cebu, 450+ in Quezon City, and 340+ missionaries at the Philippines MTC. His recurring message: ‘His arms are extended to all of us.’ The Philippines has more than 905,000 Latter-day Saints — the Church’s fourth-largest national membership. Two new temples were also dedicated in the Philippines this month: the Davao Philippines Temple (Elder Renlund, May 3) and the Bacolod Philippines Temple (Elder Andersen, May 31). Source: Church Newsroom, June 17, 2026 3. CULTURE & CURIOSITIES 3A. LDS Author in Everyman’s Library — A First BYU biology and bioethics professor Steven L. Peck has reportedly become the first Latter-day Saint author included in the prestigious Everyman’s Library series (publishing canonical English fiction since 1906). His 2012 novella A Short Stay in Hell — a philosophical horror story about a Mormon man condemned to an afterlife library containing every possible book — went viral on BookTok and found a new audience. A literature historian noted: ‘No Mormon or Mormon-adjacent writer that I know of has ever been featured in this prestigious series.’ The Salt Lake Tribune covered the story, noting the irony that a theological horror story marks one of the most significant moments in LDS literary history. Source: Salt Lake Tribune / Richie’s document 3B. The Sasine Family — 40 Countries Before Age 1 Keith and Chelsea Sasine, an LDS couple stationed in Germany (Keith is an Army oral surgeon), made history in November 2025 by taking their youngest daughter Mia to 40 countries before her first birthday (March–November 2025), using a Honda Odyssey for European road trips. The family of six (including Izzy, 10; Abby, 9; and John, 4) attends local wards wherever they travel — a faith anchor the couple says strengthened their testimony and taught their kids the importance of the Sabbath globally. They’re planning a move to Colorado Springs in 2026. Source: Richie’s document 3C. Jen Affleck (Secret Lives of Mormon Wives) Expecting Baby #4 Jen Affleck, 27-year-old star of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and Dancing with the Stars alum, announced June 18 that she and husband Zac Affleck are expecting their fourth child. She shared the news on Instagram captioned ‘Chapter Four.

In commemoration of the 300th episode of the Church News podcast, three of the hosts come together to reflect on this milestone. Sarah Jane Weaver, former editor of the Church News and current editor of the Deseret News; Church News editor Ryan Jensen and Church News reporter Mary Richards talk about the beginning of the podcast in 2020 to where it is now.They share experiences with interviewing guests and covering the ongoing Restoration of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including what they have seen and felt over the years and answering the question, “What do I know now?”

As data centers continue to expand across the country, the pushback from locals near these planned facilities has been growing and growing.  While it appears that the majority of people opposed to these centers are local Americans, a common talking point from GOP lawmakers across the country is that China has been influencing much of this vitriol against the projects. In addition, many say the fears around data centers are unwarranted and that new data dispels many earlier concerns. Deseret News reporter Eva Terry joins the conversation with her findings.

Today we're delighted to share a conversation with Robin Ritch about her new book, Using Friction to Grow: Stories of Strength and Resilience.Many of us spend our lives trying to avoid friction. We want our faith to feel clear, our communities to feel supportive, and our spiritual lives to move forward without too much tension or uncertainty. But today Robin's asking, "What if our deepest growth comes not in spite of friction, but because of it?"And that's at the heart of her book. Through interviews with a remarkable generation of Latter-day Saint women—many of them grandmothers now—Robin uncovers stories of faith, resilience, and spiritual maturity that feel so relevant today. These women faced difficult questions, competing loyalties, and real tension between their deepest convictions and the world around them. Yet rather than allowing that friction to diminish their faith, they used it to deepen their relationship with God and expand their capacity to serve.Robin herself has spent a career building and leading transformative organizations, including at Microsoft, Intel, and most recently as President and Publisher of Deseret News. But this book grew out of a lifelong fascination with women's spiritual lives and the wisdom that can be found in their stories.Whether you're currently navigating friction in your own faith journey or simply looking for examples of courage and grace, we think you'll find this conversation both reassuring and inspiring.You can buy your copy of Using Friction to Grow on Bookshop.org, Amazon, or wherever books are sold.Join us on July 11 for the Wayfare festival! RSVP here.

The Rod and Greg Show Daily Rundown – Thursday, June 18, 20264:20 pm: Ian Haworth, author and political commentator, joins the show to discuss his piece for the Washington Examiner about why he came to America, and why he decided to stay.4:38 pm: Brigham Tomco, Politics Reporter at the Deseret News, joins the show for a conversation about how Republican voters may very well decide the Democratic primary in the state's 1st Congressional District race.6:05 pm: Economist Steve Moore, co-founder of Unleash Prosperity, joins Rod and Greg for their weekly conversation about politics and the nation's economy, and today they'll discuss the economic impact of President Trump's deal with Iran to end the war.6:20 pm: Geoff Dickens, Director of Media Analysis for the Media Research Center, joins Rod and Greg to discuss his piece for NewsBusters about how the opening of Barack Obama's Presidential Center will give the media another opportunity to fawn over the former president.6:38 pm: Dr. Brad Birzer, History Professor at Hillsdale College, joins Rod and Greg for a conversation about his book “The Declaration of Independence: A Radical Experiment in Liberty.”

Brogan Houston of the Deseret News is here to talk Utah Mammoth! Victor and Jesse ask about pros Clayton Keller, Dylan Guenther, Nick Schmaltz, Logan Cooley, JJ Peterka, Lawson Crouse, Barrett Hayton, Kailer Yamamoto, Michael Carcone, Alex Kerfoot, Mikhail Sergachev, MacKenzie Weegar, John Marino, Sean Durzi, Karel Vejmelka, and Vitek Vanacek. In Cat's instincts, Cat Silverman of InGoal Mag discusses prospect goalies Michael Hrabal, Matt Villalta, Jaxson Stauber, and Melker Thelin. In the Dynasty Dig, we talk Tij Iginla, Caleb Desnoyers, and Cole Beaudoin with the help of FHL Scouts Austin and Kara as well as polls from NHLRankKing Mason Black. Have a listen! Our show is part of the Dobber Podcast Network and sponsored by Fantrax.com. Email fantasyhockeylife@gmail.com and ask to join our free discord. Join our Patreon at Patreon.com/fantasyhockeylife for rankings, bonus podcasts, in-depth prospect reports with video, show notes and more. Check out our YouTube for more prospect videos at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQPYVXp3foOcvh7344fjKmA. Listen and subscribe wherever podcasts are posted - and give us 5 stars! We want to be your best place to talk about the game of dynasty fantasy hockey

CannCon and Ashe in America take apart a Deseret News profile that positions Steven Richer, the former Maricopa County recorder behind the infamous "Drawer 3" ballot scandal, as the trusted Republican voice on why California's elections are secure. They walk through his claims about audits, fraud detection, and mail-in deadlines, pointing out that the very system he defends prioritizes ballot access over ballot accuracy. A philosophy clip on the structural impossibility of proving election fraud sparks a deeper conversation about why the design of the system, not any single data point, is the real evidence of intent. The bulk of the episode is dedicated to a detailed reaction to an interview with Nathan Taylor, cofounder of the Election Truth Alliance, where CannCon and Ashe scrutinize his heat map methodology comparing US elections to Russian vote-rigging patterns, question his claimed cybersecurity credentials, and point out that the interviewer never asked a single hard question. They close by noting that despite years of public invitations, groups like ETA still refuse to appear on the show, a pattern they argue reveals selective, partisan motives rather than genuine election truth seeking.

In recent years, artificial intelligence has moved from being a concept illustrated in science fiction books and movies to being something that many individuals use on a daily basis. Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has spoken about AI to Church members, to politicians, to business leaders and to others. And he has done so in the United States, Italy, Turkey and Greece, among other locations.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints published a video on Sunday, June 7, featuring Elder Gong teaching how to hear God’s voice in an age of AI.  On this episode of the Church News podcast, Deseret News reporter Tad Walch joins Church News editor Jon Ryan Jensen to talk about AI and principles he has learned while covering Elder Gong. “I've dived into AI closely with one Apostle, and it's remarkable to see the knowledge that he has about AI, the deep understanding of the technology, and also the ability to provide direction around faith to help people use AI in an ethical and appropriate way so that they can continue to be faithful members of Christ's kingdom,” Walch said. 

Ben Criddle talks BYU sports every weekday from 2 to 6 pm.Today's Host: Ben Criddle (@criddlebenjamin) and Co-Host: (ronthe3manweav)Subscribe to the Cougar Sports with Ben Criddle podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/cougar-sports-with-ben-criddle/id99676

  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is seeking nearly 30,000 enthusiastic volunteers to welcome the world to the Salt Lake City Temple from April to October 2027. Sarah Jane Weaver, Editor of the Deseret News, joins Greg and Holly to discuss volunteering.  

  A lot of people don't like to face getting older, but it is an important thing cities and states need to address. According to Deseret News, Utah's aging population has grown by over 50 percent between 2010 and 2020, surpassing the national rate. Holly and Greg speak to article author Lois Collins from the Deseret News.  

  Greg and Holly talk to Jay Evensen, Opinion Editor of the Deseret News, about a judge's decision to let a college football player continue to play despite a pattern of gambling, and America's struggle with gambling at large.  

The Rod and Greg Show Daily Rundown – Friday, June 12, 20264:20 pm: Box Elder County Commissioner Boyd Bingham joins Rod and Greg to discuss a conflict-of-interest complaint that's been filed against him by the Utah Civic Compact, a complaint seemingly tied to the Stratos data center project.4:38 pm: Gary Abernathy, author and contributor to Real Clear Energy, joins the show to discuss his recent piece about how the opposition Americans hold to data centers will eventually have to give way to the nation's security.6:05 pm: Anna Pingel, Visiting Fellow at the Independent Women's Voice, joins the show to discuss her piece for Real Clear Politics in which she writes the real victims of gerrymandering are the independent voters.6:38 pm: Jennifer Graham, Ideas and Culture Editor for the Deseret News, joins Rod and Greg to discuss her piece about how it's likely we are being recorded during nearly everything we do these days.

  A new study has revealed that 9-year-olds' reading levels across American schools are on the rise, but teenagers may need more help. Jason Swensen from the Deseret News joins the show to break down just what these results mean.  

  Holding to our own convictions while also staying genuinely curious about the convictions of others -- it's the goal of a new council that was just announced by the group Braver Angels. This advisory council features 23 leaders who disagree on many things, but still find ways to find common ground. This includes Governor Spencer Cox, several Deseret News contributors, and the director of BYU's Wheatley Institute, Paul Edwards. He joins the show to talk more about this new initiative. 

AI and "big data" has sure taken a prominent place on the midterm stage both here in Utah and around the country. Now, we're learning more about the influence AI groups have on some Utah candidates, as AI-related PACs give money to a few people hoping to represent Utahns in the U.S. Congress. It's not chump change -- we're talking more than $1.3 million spent on Utah's primaries alone. Deseret News political reporter Brigham Tomco explains his latest reporting.

We've heard the same warning for decades now: Social Security is running out. Just yesterday, we learned Social Security could become insolvent by 2032… much faster than previously thought. Among the reasons for this drop are stiffening immigration policies and tax cuts. So if Social Security actually does run low on money -- or fully runs out -- what would that look like? Deseret News opinion editor Jay Evensen joins Inside Sources to share his thoughts.

As you look back on your childhood and the summers you experienced as a kid, do you remember the things you did? Do you remember the things you learned? A new opinion piece in the Deseret News explains how the summer activities we did as children can have a profound effect on adulthood and the way we act. Greg and Holly reminisce about their own summers as kids.

The Deseret News' Jackson Payne joins Cougar Sports to discuss AJ Dybantsa and where he'll be drafted, BYU Basketball's search for a center, and more!

Younger couples are waiting longer and longer to have kids -- we've talked about this trend several times over the last year. But is there anything we -- the elder adults -- can do to help our adult children have more children of their own? Also, raising a teen can be challenging and loud; but it can also involve a lot of silence between parents and kids, especially when it comes to really important topics. Deseret News reporter Lois Collins joins Inside Sources to share data on the disconnect between teens and parents.

The Deseret News' Jay Drew joins Cougar Sports to discuss his time covering sports in the state of Utah, Drew Jensen, BYU's rise in the Big 12, and more!

Brett Hammer fills in for Ben Criddle and discusses LJ Martin's chances of winning another Big 12 Player of the Year award, the latest AJ Dybantsa news, all of the news and notes out of Cougar Country, and more! The Deseret News' Jay Drew and BYUtv's Jarom Jordan to the program.

Brett Hammer fills in for Ben Criddle and discusses LJ Martin's chances of winning another Big 12 Player of the Year award, the latest AJ Dybantsa news, all of the news and notes out of Cougar Country, and more! The Deseret News' Jay Drew and BYUtv's Jarom Jordan to the program.

Brett Hammer fills in for Ben Criddle and discusses LJ Martin's chances of winning another Big 12 Player of the Year award, the latest AJ Dybantsa news, all of the news and notes out of Cougar Country, and more! The Deseret News' Jay Drew and BYUtv's Jarom Jordan to the program.

Brett Hammer fills in for Ben Criddle and discusses LJ Martin's chances of winning another Big 12 Player of the Year award, the latest AJ Dybantsa news, all of the news and notes out of Cougar Country, and more! The Deseret News' Jay Drew and BYUtv's Jarom Jordan to the program.

There are 48 data centers currently in operation across Utah. Few of them received public attention as they went through the public planning process. But the data centers currently in development are being put under the public's microscope. Deseret News reporter Art Raymond and New York Times reporter Karen Weise join us to help understand why that is.