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Earlier this month Governor Spencer Cox signed an executive order, launching GRIT, which stands for government reform innovation and transparency. Governor Cox recently said that Utah has been doing DOGE before DOGE ever existed. Debbie and Erin discuss this new initiative.
Governor Cox launched Operation Gigawatt. He wants to double our energy production to accommodate the demands of the coming decade. Does nuclear energy have to be part of that future? KSL Newsradio's Amanda Dickson asked her guests on A Woman's View. Her guests this week are Natalie Gochnour, Associate Dean in the David Eccles School of Business and Director of the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah and Lisa Walker, certified athletic trainer and teacher at Springville Hill School.
Governor Cox has issued a state of emergency... due to drought conditions in 17 Utah counties. Joining me live is Engineer at Utah Division of Water Resources... Laura Haskell
Hosts: Adam Gardiner and Guest Host Emily Lockhart Utahns continue to support Governor Cox and the State Legislature -- that's according to new polling from the Deseret News. But the overall support numbers are dropping, a potential indicator of trouble. The group of voters who seem to be waning in their support are more Democratic-leaning individuals. How much of an effect could that actually have? Adam Gardiner and Emily Lockhart discuss.
Hosts: Adam Gardiner and Guest Host Emily Lockhart The political legacy left behind by Pope Francis Thousands of people are expected to visit the Vatican to pay their respects for Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88. The Pope's legacy wasn't just a spiritual one; it was a political one too. He often spoke up against U.S. Presidents, encouraging them to be more charitable, loving, and peaceful. Kyle Palmer, local Utah Catholic and Principal at Irish Elk, LLC joins Inside Sources to share his takes on the political legacy Pope Francis leaves behind. China threatens neighboring countries about making trade deals with the US President Trump's tariffs have contributed to a volatile global stock market, and foreign countries have been clamoring to meet with the President to negotiate tariffs and new trade deals. China is notably not seeking negotiations right now. But the country is exerting pressure on neighboring Asian countries, warning them of retribution if they make deals with the United States that could put Beijing at a disadvantage. To get some perspective on this and what China could do, the hosts are joined by Dr. Anna Pechenkina, associate professor of Political Science at Utah State University. Op-Ed details chaos and dysfunction under Secretary Hegseth’s command Between a new op-ed detailing the chaos and dysfunction within the Department of Defense and a new report from The New York Times outlining another instance of sharing sensitive information via Signal, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is in the spotlight today. Will the newest stories lead to his removal by President Trump? The Inside Sources hosts share their thoughts on the growing security issues. Carelessness abides over how sensitive government information is stored Sloppy handling of sensitive documents has become all-too-commonplace among the last two administrations. The latest instance involves a Google Drive folder -- which contained documents like White House floor plans -- being inadvertently shared among employees who weren't supposed to have access. In this day and age, how have we gotten to this point where there's such disregard for protecting sensitive and classified government information? Judge rules that Utah Fits All Scholarship is unconstitutional State lawmakers are preparing their appeal today following last week's ruling by a Utah judge that the Utah Fits All Scholarship program is unconstitutional. It's left a lot of questions for the thousands of children who were beneficiaries of the program. It's also sparked outrage and anger from legislative proponents of the program. The Inside Sources hosts try to answer some of the questions they’ve thought of. Updates on Utah’s strategic reinvestment bill for higher education Utah's strategic reinvestment bill for higher education aimed to cut inefficiencies, help with rising tuition costs, and loosen blockades in high-industry-demand majors like nursing and engineering. Now, House leaders say that shuffling funds could also help the mental health crisis facing Utahns by opening up access for future mental health practitioners. State Representative Karen Peterson sponsored the legislation and joins the show to explain how the bill could affect mental health resources. Poll: Support strong but waning for Gov. Cox, State Legislature Utahns continue to support Governor Cox and the State Legislature -- that's according to new polling from the Deseret News. But the overall support numbers are dropping, a potential indicator of trouble. The group of voters who seem to be waning in their support are more Democratic-leaning individuals. How much of an effect could that actually have? Adam Gardiner and Emily Lockhart discuss. Utah’s innovation blueprint and how it could strengthen America’s place in the global tech race While China continues to ramp up and develop its own AI and technology, the United States stands in a unique position that could result in either technological growth or collapse. Sure, it'll take strong federal action to ensure growth. But as a new opinion piece in the Deseret News points out, it'll also take action from each individual state. Utah is in a good position for exactly this kind of thing. Joining Inside Sources to share more about his opinion piece is Matt Waldrip, Managing Partner at Dauntless Capital Partners and the former chief of staff to Senator Mitt Romney.
Hosts: Leah Murray and Guest Host Holly Richardson Utah's Lieutenant Governor says her office will conduct a thorough audit of the state's voter rolls, looking for vulnerabilities or areas where non-citizens might be able to get in and vote. It comes following the Lieutenant Governor voicing concerns with Senator Mike Lee's SAVE Act and a call-out on X from Elon Musk about it. Leah and Holly get into this story and why Governor Cox says he supports the SAVE Act, even if his second-hand does not.
Hosts: Leah Murray and Guest Host Holly Richardson How might the El Salvadorian prison story affect the political capital of Pres. Trump and other Republicans? As the story around Kilmar Abrego Garcia – the Maryland man mistakenly sent to an El Salvadorian prison – continues to grow, it’s begun prompting responses from Republican lawmakers. Utah’s Congressman Mike Kennedy recently visited the prison, saying it was “very depressing.” And the story has become a hot topic at Republican town halls nationwide. What is it about this story that’s angry both the GOP and Democrats? What could the Trump administration do to fix the story and come out the hero? Hosts Leah Murray and Holly Richardson share their thoughts. Sec. of State Rubio says the U.S. may walk away from peace talks between Russia and Ukraine One of President Trump's campaign promises was to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine and end the war there; he said he could do it in 24 hours. But no deal has been reached -- both sides have dug in. And now, Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the administration may step away altogether if a peace deal isn't reached... within a few days. The Inside Sources hosts discuss the ramifications if the U.S. did indeed walk away from the peace talks. U.S. State Department changing reports looking at human rights violations Over the years, the U.S. State Department has broadened its definitions of what constitutes a human right, and their reports have tracked those too. But now, it appears there's a narrowing-in on tracking human rights violations around the world. And it doesn't target specific countries, but entire categories of abuses. Inside Sources talks about potential effects from these slimmer reports. Lieutenant Governor’s Office to launch full audit of Utah voter rolls Utah's Lieutenant Governor says her office will conduct a thorough audit of the state's voter rolls, looking for vulnerabilities or areas where non-citizens might be able to get in and vote. It comes following the Lieutenant Governor voicing concerns with Senator Mike Lee's SAVE Act and a call-out on X from Elon Musk about it. Leah and Holly get into this story and why Governor Cox says he supports the SAVE Act, even if his second-hand does not. Governor Cox shares thoughts on revoking student visas, possibly changing Harvard’s tax-exempt status During his monthly news conference, Governor Spencer Cox spoke a bit about the dozens of foreign students attending Utah universities who've recently had their visas revoked. He also spoke a little bit about the push to end Harvard's tax-exempt status. The Inside Sources hosts spend this segment chatting about the governor's reaction to higher education attacks. Republican lawmakers admit being “afraid” of President Trump In recent town halls across the country, angry voters have unleashed their frustrations on lawmakers for -- what they say -- is rolling over to President Trump. This whole idea that Republican lawmakers should be standing up to some of the things the president is doing has gained momentum over the past few weeks. Now, several of those same GOP lawmakers say they're afraid to speak out against the President for fear of retribution. Friday Roundup: Paul Revere, “Peace by Piece”, Good Friday Inside Sources finishes the week off with some lighter news. This weekend is the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s legendary ride through Boston the night before the battles of Lexington and Concord really began the American Revolution. Utah women are using quilts to spread messages and hope and peace. And it’s Easter weekend (and Good Friday today). The hosts share their thoughts on all of it.
Hosts: Leah Murray and Erin Rider Governor Spencer Cox is telling state agencies to be prepared for a potential recession. It comes amid concerns from economists that the trade wars between the U.S. and foreign countries could throw the global economy into a tailspin. Governor Cox spoke about his guidance to state agencies this morning during his monthly press conference. He says ultimately, it's best to be prepared for the worst.
Hosts: Leah Murray and Erin Rider Gov. Cox urging state agencies to prepare for a recession Governor Spencer Cox is telling state agencies to be prepared for a potential recession. It comes amid concerns from economists that the trade wars between the U.S. and foreign countries could throw the global economy into a tailspin. Governor Cox spoke about his guidance to state agencies this morning during his monthly press conference. He says ultimately, it's best to be prepared for the worst. State lawmakers may hold impeachment proceedings against Utah judge Nationwide, there have been calls for impeaching judges based on their decisions -- namely those who've ruled against President Trump. In Utah, lawmakers may begin impeachment proceedings for a judge accused of actual crimes. The Inside Sources hosts spend a few minutes talking about the novelty of impeachment and why it still matters. Trump administration continues fight against Harvard University The fight between the Trump administration and Ivy League universities continues today... with the focus ramping up on Harvard University. Now, there are reports that the IRS is looking for ways to remove Harvard’s non-profit tax status while the Department of Homeland Security looks to bar the university from admitting foreign students. Pres. Trump says he can’t wait for Fed Chair to be terminated President Trump is lashing out at the Chair of the Federl Reserve Jerome Powell today after Powell told the Economic Club of Chicago that the President's tariffs were bound to result in "at least a temporary rise in inflation." Inside Sources talks about the independence the Fed is supposed to have and why it matters. SCOTUS to hear arguments on future of birthright citizenship A new development today in the fight to redefine who gets citizenship. The United States Supreme Court has agreed to hear arguments as the Trump administration moves to redefine the 14th Amendment. It comes after several nationwide injunctions on the President's executive orders to end Birthright Citizenship. Republican lawmakers continue to face angry constituents at town hall meetings Republican lawmakers have faced some rather rough town halls over the past few months. What are usually peaceful (boring) town hall meetings have turned loud and rambunctious thanks to angry constituents voicing frustration over things President Trump is doing. Republicans continue to hold those town halls and are even fighting back a bit themselves now. Inside Sources discusses a few of the events from this week. Democratic vice chair to fund challengers of “ineffective” incumbents in primaries During the 2024 election cycle, we spoke several times about infighting among Republicans and unity among Democrats. But now, the infighting could be moving into the Democratic Party. The new 25-year-old vice chair of the Democratic National Committee is taking a hard stand against traditional Dems, pledging to fund primary challengers who will do more than the incumbents..
Hosts: Leah Murray and Greg Skordas SCOTUS chimes in on wrongful deportation case The fight over the future of a Maryland man wrongly deported to an El Salvador prison continues today. Last night, the Supreme Court said the man must be returned to the United States but also said that the courts can't just tell the executive branch how to bring the man home. The Supreme Court passed the case back to the lower courts, who held a hearing earlier today. The Inside Sources discuss the latest on the case. Can non-citizens be deported for their beliefs? Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil is a legal permanent U.S. resident. But the government is trying to deport him for his alleged antisemetic beliefs. The federal government was ordered to turn over evidence to the courts explaining why they felt he should be deported; instead, they submitted a brief memo in which Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Khalil could be expelled for his beliefs. Can a non-citizen be deported for their beliefs? It’s a little complicated... The Inside Sources hosts explain. Senator John Curtis explains some recent initiatives with Inside Sources Energy dominance doesn't come without a cost. And while Congress works on the full budget and tax package, Senator John Curtis (R-UT) is asking Congressional leaders to keep some of the energy tax credits put in place by the Biden Administration. Senator Curtis is also looking at ways to fix and improve our forests -- something we here in the West are all-too-familiar with. The Senator joins the program to discuss both of these initiatives. Utah leaders hope to turn state into an AI hub following trade mission to Canada Artificial intelligence -- it's one of the biggest buzzwords in technology right now. And in a technology-friendly state like Utah, the inclusion of AI is all but guaranteed. This week, Governor Cox and other Utah leaders have been travelling through Canada, meeting leaders in energy and AI. Now, that trade delegation is hoping to take what they learned and make Utah the next global hub of artificial intelligence. Utahns involved in Congo coup attempt now facing charges in the US You may recall an interesting story from several months ago about a couple of Utahns being involved in an attempted coup in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Those men were imprisoned in the country and faced the death penalty... until this week. Now, they're back in the United States facing additional charges. It's a bit of a complicated situation, so KSL Legal Analyst Greg Skordas breaks it down. Trump administration wants more federal oversight of Columbia University Schools that receive federal funding often must do certain things to keep that money (Title IX is a good example -- schools must not discriminate based on sex). But to what extent can the federal government enforce that? The Trump administration says that for Columbia University -- which was a central part of the pro-Palestinian protests last year -- to keep their funding, they need to allow more federal control and oversight. Erasing shame or erasing history The philosopher George Santayana said it best: "Those who forget their history are condemned to repeat it." It's been a quote used by history teachers and professors for more than 100 years, showing the importance of learning our history. But history isn't always pretty -- it can be raw, ugly, and absolutely terrible. President Trump's administration says it wants to erase the kind of shame associated with those awful events. But is that the best move... to ensure we don't repeat the atrocities of the past? Resources for people experiencing homelessness People experiencing homelessness tend to face some unique challenges most of us might not think of. To help with some of these unique issues, the courts hold a kind of homeless outreach program. Greg Skordas took part in some of that this morning; he talks about it with co-host Leah Murray.
Hosts: Leah Murray and Greg Skordas Artificial intelligence -- it's one of the biggest buzzwords in technology right now. And in a technology-friendly state like Utah, the inclusion of AI is all but guaranteed. This week, Governor Cox and other Utah leaders have been travelling through Canada, meeting leaders in energy and AI. Now, that trade delegation is hoping to take what they learned and make Utah the next global hub of artificial intelligence.
Hosts: Taylor Morgan and Rusty Cannon Uncertainty thrives before Wednesday’s upcoming 'Liberation Day' 'Liberation Day' -- it's what President Donald Trump is calling Wednesday, April 2nd. Why? Because it's the day, he says, when the U.S. will see a reduction in all trade imbalances. But there's still a lot of uncertainty about what will come on Liberation Day and how it'll affect the American people. Inside Sources begins with a discussion on how that uncertainty is contributing to several days of a more volatile stock market and already-raising prices. GOP Senators push back on proposal to impeach judges who rule against Trump As President Trump continues his push for federal judges who rule against him to be impeached, Senate Republicans have a warning: don't try it. Even Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley said it's not appropriate to impeach a judge just because the president disagrees with their opinion. But that's not stopping House Republicans from still moving forward with plans to restrict the judiciary. The Inside Sources hosts describe the whys and hows. Special elections could affect the makeup of Congress A few special elections tomorrow could affect the national stage, both immediately and in the long-term. In Wisconsin, voters will pick a new Supreme Court justice who could play a role in the district maps within that state. There are also two congressional races in Florida; Republicans are favored to win those seats again, but there seems to be some worry about Democrats performing well. Taylor Morgan and Rusty Cannon share their thoughts on whether these races might be an indicator of President Trump’s approval so far this term. Poll: 1/3 of Utahns have thought about leaving due to housing costs Have you ever toyed with the idea of leaving the state of Utah due to high housing costs. If so, you're in company with about 1/3 of the state. That’s according to a new poll conducted by Noble Predictive Insights. The polling also says that 53% of Utahns rank affordable housing as one of their top three concerns. Inside Sources dig into it a bit more. Governor Cox calls for new criminal justice task force Governor Cox finished his bill review last week with a lengthy letter to legislative leaders. In it, he outlined reasons for why he vetoed certain bills, and what he wants the legislature to change about other bills in special sessions. He also wrote about creating a new task force to tackle criminal justice reform, saying that it needs to be a priority for state leaders. Could Pres. Trump run for a 3rd term? While he's joked about it in the past, this weekend President Trump told NBC News that he's no longer joking -- he's looking into the possibility of running for a third term as President. The 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution forbids a president from being elected more than twice. But the President says he and his team are looking into other ways to go about this, with the president saying he "likes working." Long-delayed high-speed rail project in California needs $7 Billion more For a cost of only $40 Billion, California set out to build a high-speed railway from San Francisco and Sacramento to Los Angeles. The opening date? Well, it was supposed to be 2020. Now, the cost of the project has ballooned to more than $100 Million and won't open until 2030... with the system not being fully operational until 2050. Oh, and the state says they now need another $7 Billion to finish the part they're working on now. The hosts talk about this “colossal failure” of a project.
Hosts: Taylor Morgan and Rusty Cannon Governor Cox finished his bill review last week with a lengthy letter to legislative leaders. In it, he outlined reasons for why he vetoed certain bills, and what he wants the legislature to change about other bills in special sessions. He also wrote about creating a new task force to tackle criminal justice reform, saying that it needs to be a priority for state leaders.
Governor cox says Utah is passing too many bills...Dave and Taylor Morgan discuss Utah's bill issue.
Governor Cox chose not to sign a few bills but still allow them into law... Taylor explains why he thinks he should have just issued a veto.
How Trump could serve a third term as President Governor Cox says Utah is passing too many bills Is Greenland going to be President Trump's Louisiana Purchase? Police issue warning on 'The Assassin's Game' To sign or not to sign Special election: Balance of Supreme Court at stake in Wisconsin
Governor Cox signs statewide fluoridated water ban bill -- FTP Movie Show: A Working Man, The Woman in the Yard
Hosts: Adam Gardiner and Marty Carpenter The closing chapter of the 2025 Legislative General Session is now complete. Last night, Governor Cox vetoed and signed the final bills of the session. He also let a few bills go into law without his signature. Inside Sources spends a special half hour digging into some of the final actions of the session, as well as the letter Governor Cox sent to legislative leaders about his decisions.
Hosts: Adam Gardiner and Marty Carpenter Trump administration appeals deportation lawsuit to SCOTUS The Trump administration is taking their fight to deport alleged Venezuelan gang members all the way to the Supreme Court. This morning, the administration filed an appeal to the highest court in the land as they try to restart deportation flights for people the administration claims as dangerous gang members in the United States illegally. KSL Legal Analyst and Inside Sources co-host Greg Skordas breaks down the latest developments. Looking into which foreign aid programs have been cut As the Trump administration -- working with DOGE -- has cut many foreign aid kinds of programs, many people have wondered which programs were actually cut. What might some of the far-reaching effects of those cuts be? Documents recently obtained by Politico give us a clearer picture of the foreign aid cuts – Marty and Adam discuss those cuts. On the Hill 2025: Gov. Cox signs, vetoes final bills of the session The closing chapter of the 2025 Legislative General Session is now complete. Last night, Governor Cox vetoed and signed the final bills of the session. He also let a few bills go into law without his signature. Inside Sources spends a special half hour digging into some of the final actions of the session, as well as the letter Governor Cox sent to legislative leaders about his decisions. Sen. Mike Lee joins American envoy visiting Greenland Utah’s Senator Mike Lee is in Greenland today with Vice President JD Vance and others as part of an envoy visiting a U.S. Space Base there. What does he hope to accomplish on this trip? The Inside Sources share their thoughts on whether the U.S. will ever take over Greenland. New report released on status of the Great Salt Lake You've heard it many times over the past several years -- the Great Salt Lake is in danger. State leaders have made many moves to try and save the lake... passing bills affecting the lake during the last several legislative sessions. A new report looks at how the State of Utah's "moonshot" to restore the lake is going, and what still needs to be done. Katie Wright, Senior Researcher at Property and Environment Research Center (PERC) join Inside Sources to break down their findings and recommendations. Potential effects of the Sundance Film Festival leaving Utah Sundance Film Festival will leave Utah in 2027, ending a decades-long tradition of the film festival showing independent films each Winter. Many state leaders had been pushing for Sundance to stick around, saying it was an important part of Utah. Others said they couldn't care less if Sundance stayed or went. Inside Sources discusses the impacts of Sundance leaving and if it really matters or not. Utah billionaire pardoned by President Trump A new pardon today for a Utah former billionaire who also donated $1.8 million dollars to President Trump's 2024 election campaign. Trevor Milton was convicted of defrauding investors in 2022, resulting in those investors losing $660-million dollars from Milton's electric truck company "Nikola." Inside Sources hosts Adam Gardiner and Martey Carpenter discuss the latest.
Gov. Cox has finished taking action on all 582 bills of the Utah legislative session. Holly Richardson, Editor with Utah Policy joins to break down what is now law in Utah including the controversial flag and fluoride bills. Greg gets into judiciary legislation he's been watching.
Sen. Mike Lee joins JD Vance in trip to Greenland Sen. Mike Lee wants to get rid of the TSA Utah loses Sundance Film Festival Turkish student at Tufts University detained by U.S. Department of Homeland Security agents The KSL Movie Show's big movie of the week and reaction to Sundance leaving Utah!
Hosts: Rusty Cannon and Leah Murray Pres. Trump announces 25% tariffs on automobiles, car parts It's likely that the price for a new vehicle could rise in the coming weeks. Yesterday, President Trump announced a 25% tariff on all imported automobiles and car parts coming into the U.S. He says the move will push foreign car makers to build factories here in the United States. But will it? Hosts Leah Murray and Rusty Cannon share their thoughts on the impending tariffs. Are Republicans worried about losing their U.S. House majority? Republicans have a thin majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. And reports say they're nervous about losing that majority should they lose some special elections. And just before today's show, President Trump announced that he was withdrawing current U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik's nomination to be a U.N. Ambassador, saying he didn’t want to take any chances. Leah thinks Republicans are worried; Rusty disagrees. Listen to hear their conversation. Pending changes to elections on a national and statewide level Love it or hate it, elections processes are changing nationwide and here in Utah. This week, President Trump signed an executive order to overhaul U.S. elections in two ways: requiring proof of citizen to register to vote in federal elections and a mandate that all ballots be received by Election Day nationwide. Then yesterday, Governor Cox signed HB300 into law, making additional modifications to Utah's vote-by-mail system. Inside Sources both changes. Tech developments in West Jordan Utah's Silicon Slopes are still growing. And we often think of the "Slopes" as being the Draper/Lehi area. But other areas along the Wasatch Front are also growing their tech industries, including West Jordan. It was recently announced that a 100-acre data center for artificial intelligence will be built in the city, using one of the largest construction loans ever given to a data center. West Jordan Mayor Dirk Burton joins the show in studio to talk about this and other exciting tech developments in his city.
Hosts: Rusty Cannon and Leah Murray Love it or hate it, elections processes are changing nationwide and here in Utah. This week, President Trump signed an executive order to overhaul U.S. elections in two ways: requiring proof of citizen to register to vote in federal elections and a mandate that all ballots be received by Election Day nationwide. Then yesterday, Governor Cox signed HB300 into law, making additional modifications to Utah's vote-by-mail system. Inside Sources both changes.
The judiciary bills Governor Cox didn't veto SCOTUS upholds government regulation of 'Ghost Guns' Crime roundup: New details in Idaho college murder case + Lori Vallow Daybell to represent herself in upcoming trial The deportation legal battle Relaxing child labor laws? President Trump is cracking down on 'Big Law' It's game day! BYU's March Madness dance
Earlier this week Governor Spencer Cox vetoed a bill that would change who chooses the Utah Supreme Court chief justice... Ultimately not allowing himself more power. However, Gov. Cox did sign two other bills that will impact the judiciary. KSL Legal Analyst, Greg Skordas explains what those are.
4:20 pm: Senator Mike Lee joins Rod and Greg for their weekly conversation about what's happening in Washington, D.C., and today they'll discuss budget reconciliation, among other topics.4:38 pm: Senator John Johnson joins the program to discuss his bill, recently signed into law by Governor Cox, that will now require the state's college and university students to take classes focusing on Western civilization, the rise of Christianity and the American Founding Fathers.6:05 pm: Fox News Columnist Liz Peek joins the show for a conversation about her piece on how President Trump, Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lee Zeldin have offered a special solution to the “green agenda” of Joe Biden.6:38 pm: Spence Purnell, Resident Senior Fellow in Technology and Innovation at the R Street Institute joins Rod and Greg for a conversation about why he says new online safety laws, like those enacted in recent years in Utah, could backfire.
Governor Cox vetoed the proposal that would have rerouted property tax revenue for schools. Now, Dave asks the question, should we pool property taxes and redistribute and set a flat basis tax that goes to schools? Dave and Erin discuss and take listener calls.
Hosts: Leah Murray and Rusty Cannon Fallout on “SignalGate” continues to grow It's now being called “SignalGate” -- messages about military plans being inadvertently shared with a journalist through an app called Signal. The story broke yesterday from The Atlantic's editor-in-chief, and it's been the biggest political story of the last 24 hours. Many in the national security sector say this is a huge breach; the White House says no classified information was actually shared. The Inside Sources hosts discuss this developing story and get a cybersecurity perspective from Brandon Amacher, director of the Emerging Tech Policy Lab and an instructor at Utah Valley University. The hosts also talk about potential legal ramifications with KSL Legal Analyst and Inside Sources co-host Greg Skordas. GOP Senators balance needs of the budget and Pres. Trump’s agenda Republican Senators are working hard to keep President Trump's agenda alive, focusing on several things like addressing Medicaid and Social Security, tackling the nation's debt, and boosting defense spending. The Inside Sources host talk about a few of those points and what Utah’s Senator John Curtis is saying about potential cuts. Governor Cox vetoes first bill of 2025; also signs another 75 bills Governor Cox has vetoed his first bill of the year -- one that would have changed the process by which some property taxes are collected and distributed to local school districts. The bill, Senate Bill 37, was sponsored by Senator Lincoln Fillmore. It faced opposition from many educational groups and the State Auditor. Hosts Leah Murray and Rusty Cannon share their thoughts on the governor’s decision to veto and also discuss some of the other 75 bills he signed yesterday. Civics education: The three branches of government In the past few weeks, there's been a lot of discussion about each of the three branches of government and their roles. Many people have said things like "the courts can't tell a President what to do" or "Why is the President talking about budgets when that's up to Congress to decide." Rusty recently finished a book called "A Republic If You Can Keep It" -- he shares some thoughts from that book that tie in with the discussions currently going on in our country. Pres. Trump: Portrait in Colorado Capitol was “purposefully distorted” Have you ever had a bad photo taken of yourself? How about a bad portrait? Some people – including the President himself – have taken to social media to complain about a portrait of President Trump hanging in the Colorado State Capitol. Leah Murray and Rusty Cannon have a fun conversation on artistic standards.
Hosts: Leah Murray and Rusty Cannon Governor Cox has vetoed his first bill of the year -- one that would have changed the process by which some property taxes are collected and distributed to local school districts. The bill, Senate Bill 37, was sponsored by Senator Lincoln Fillmore. It faced opposition from many educational groups and the State Auditor. Hosts Leah Murray and Rusty Cannon share their thoughts on the governor’s decision to veto and also discuss some of the other 75 bills he signed yesterday.
"It’s time to wind down the Department of Education" That's the headline for Governor Spencer Cox's new op-ed... in the Washington Examiner.. KSL Newsradio Reporter Adam Small gives an overview of what's in the piece. Co-Host of Inside Sources and Political Insider, Taylor Morgan joins the show with analysis on the message Governor Cox may be sending.
Hosts: Leah Murray and Rusty Cannon One teacher in Weber County is using TikTok -- and her smooth dance skills -- to raise money for school lunches. Kati Jo Christensen dances on her TikTok channel and raises funds to help pay off school lunch debt for students around the district. While she’s dancing around, we wait to see if Governor Cox will sign HB100, which would also help kids get free lunches at school.
Hosts: Leah Murray and Rusty Cannon Trump appeals to SCOTUS on birthright citizenship; Judge says some federal employees must be rehired The Trump Administration is now taking their appeal for a rethinking of birthright citizenship to the highest court in the land. The Supreme Court has not yet said if they will or will not take the case, but it’s a major update in this fight involving the 14th Amendment. At the same time, a federal judge has ruled that the Trump Administration must also rehire thousands of probationary federal workers who were laid off. We begin Inside Sources discussing the latest on these two legal challenges. Putin agrees ‘in principle’ to temporary ceasefire with Ukraine New developments today in the potential for a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia: Russian President Vladimir Putin said he agrees in principle with a U.S.-backed proposal for a 30-day ceasefire with Ukraine. Okay... so what does that mean? And is that enough? Inside Sources delves into this update and analyzes whether or not it could lead to lasting peace. President Trump says he won’t back down on tariffs The back-and-forth on tariffs continues today. President Trump says he will impose a 200% tariff on all wine, champagne, and alcohol coming in from France and other EU countries. The only way he won't put these tariffs in place is if the European Union lifts the tariffs they put in place on the US ... in response to the President's tariffs that he put in place this week on steel and aluminum imports. The Inside Sources hosts discuss how these reciprocal tariffs are affecting consumer sentiment. Congressional check-in with Representative Mike Kennedy Utah's newest Congressman has been in office for just under three months, so we wanted to check in with him on how things are going. 3rd Congressional District Representative Mike Kennedy is sponsoring legislation with Senators Mike Lee and John Curtis that would block 'Wall Street' control of Utah's public lands. He joins Inside Sources to explain the bill and give his takes on the federal budget. Two methods of providing lunches to Utah’s students One teacher in Weber County is using TikTok -- and her smooth dance skills -- to raise money for school lunches. Kati Jo Christensen dances on her TikTok channel and raises funds to help pay off school lunch debt for students around the district. While she’s dancing around, we wait to see if Governor Cox will sign HB100, which would also help kids get free lunches at school.
Governor Cox pitched late last year his hopes to eliminate the tax on social security in Utah. Now it seems that dream is far from reality. Holly Richardson, Editor with Utah Policy joins with the latest information on where things stand. Senator Dan McCay calls in to discuss his views on the eliminating the tax. Listeners join the show with their take on the matter.
The Rod and Greg Show Daily Rundown – Friday, February 28, 20254:38 pm: Senate President Stuart Adams joins Rod and Greg for their weekly conversation about the week at the 2025 Utah Legislature, and today they'll discuss a new raise for the state's schoolteachers.6:05 pm: Representative Rex Shipp joins the program to discuss his bill which would make the decisions of school boards in Utah subject to voter referendum.6:20 pm: Benjamin Dierker, Executive Director of the Alliance for Innovation and Infrastructure joins the show for a conversation about his piece for Real Clear Energy in which he writes that carbon emissions in America will fall under the leadership of President Donald Trump.6:38 pm: We will listen back to this week's conversations with Representative Stephanie Gricius on her bill banning the use of fluoride in Utah drinking water, a bill that now awaits the signature of Governor Cox, and (at 6:50 pm) with Christopher Bedford of Blaze Media on how the GOP's old tricks to ignore a President's wishes aren't working on Donald Trump.
Hosts: Marty Carpenter and Erin Rider Last night, Governor Spencer Cox gave his annual ‘State of the State’ address before the Utah Legislature. It’s arguably his biggest speech of the year, and his message was all about building. He highlighted 5 specific areas where Utah can “build” as we grow. Inside Sources hosts Erin Rider and Marty Carpenter discuss the overall message and share their biggest takeaways from the governor’s speech.
Housing is a large priority for the Utah legislature. Governor Cox and House Speaker Mike Shultz have discussed the need for more supply of starter homes in the states. Are cities on board to bring in these new starter homes or is it time for the state to step in? Dave and Taylor speak with Cameron Diehl, Executive Director of Utah League of cities and towns to get insight.
In January of 2023, Brigham Young University released a dire report about the Great Salt Lake. The biggest takeaway? The lake will be gone in five years. Then, a major snowfall hit the state, we had a record-breaking winter and Governor Cox called the report a joke.
Host: Taylor Morgan Pres.-elect Trump pushes for Supreme Court to block sentencing in ‘hush money’ trial President-elect Donald Trump is asking the United States Supreme Court to block his criminal ‘hush money’ trial. It comes just days before sentencing was supposed to happen, this Friday. KSL Legal Analyst and Inside Sources co-host Greg Skordas breaks down the latest developments and discusses the authority SCOTUS may or may not have in this case. Governor Cox takes oath of office for second term Earlier today, Utah Governor Spencer Cox was publicly inaugurated for his second term in office. In his inauguration speech, he spoke often about what makes Utah different from the rest of the country: that we focus on faith, family, and community. Former Governor Gary Herbert – who chose Cox to join his ticket at Lieutenant Gover several years ago – joins Inside Sources to share his analysis of today’s ceremony. Rep. Celeste Maloy calls for a size reduction for federal agencies In a recent opinion piece featured in The Hill, Utah’s Second Congressional Representative Celeste Maloy called on a size reduction for federal agencies. She believes – as do many of her Republican colleagues – that non-elected bureaucrats are too plentiful in federal government. She explains her thoughts on the lack of accountability for so-called “experts” working in federal agencies. New Elected Officials: Derek Brown, new Utah Attorney General New Utah Attorney General Derek Brown says he wants to restore trust and transparency to the office. Some of the ways he plans to do this are through releasing his public calendar, putting personal assets in a blind trust, and resigning from boards he sits on. He joins Inside Sources host Taylor Morgan to talk more about his priorities for office. Utah’s Senate Majority releases top priorities ahead of Legislative General Session Inside Sources is the place to get all your news on the upcoming 2025 Legislative General Session. Today, we spoke with Senate Majority Leader Kirk Cullimore about Senate Republicans’ top priorities for the session. This include focusing on legislation surrounding energy, education, public lands, and affordable housing. New Elected Officials: Cole Kelley, new State School Board Member In the last election, 8 of the 15 seats on the Utah State Board of Education were up for grabs. 3 of those seats were won by new members. One of those new elected officials is Cole Kelley, Utah State School Board representative for District 12. He calls into Inside Sources to talk about the things he heard from constituents as he ran for office, and how he thinks the Board can better work with the State Legislature. New Elected Officials: Amanda Bollinger, new State School Board Member Representing District 9 on the Utah State School Board is new member Amanda Bollinger. She comes into the position with a solid background in education, having defeated the incumbent during last year’s primary election. She calls into Inside Sources to explain her top priorities for office and how she sees the State School Board evolving alongside the State Legislature.
Host: Taylor Morgan Earlier today, Utah Governor Spencer Cox was publicly inaugurated for his second term in office. In his inauguration speech, he spoke often about what makes Utah different from the rest of the country: that we focus on faith, family, and community. Former Governor Gary Herbert – who chose Cox to join his ticket at Lieutenant Gover several years ago – joins Inside Sources to share his analysis of today’s ceremony.
Hosts: Erin Rider and Taylor Morgan Presidential election results certified without any issue It’s officially official: Donald Trump will be the next President of the United States. Earlier today, the electoral college voted to certify the results of the presidential election. The mood was solemn at the Capitol for a few reasons; not least of which is the memory of the insurrection four years ago. We discuss the calm and cordial atmosphere of the vote today, and how Vice President Kamala Harris did as she oversaw the vote finalizing her presidential loss. $200+ Million set aside to provide tax cuts for Utahns The upcoming Legislative General Session begins in about two weeks, and it could result in some large tax cuts for Utahns. The exact details are still unknown at this time, but the cuts come as Governor Cox has pushed to eliminate the state income tax on Social Security benefits. The Inside Sources hosts discuss the support the plan seems to have on Utah’s Capitol Hill. On the Hill 2025: Previewing legislation on public safety, border security Today, several members of the Utah State Legislature outlined pieces of legislation to improve public safety and address impacts of illegal immigration at the United States’ Southern Border. These bills, which will be discussed and voted upon during the General Legislative Session, deal with things like fentanyl, organized crime, property rights, and English language learners. State Rep. Karianne Lisonbee joins Inside Sources to describe some of these bills. Gov. Cox calls for removal of ICE director in Salt Lake City According to an investigation from our partners at the Deseret News, Governor Spencer Cox sent a letter to the incoming Trump administration asking for the immediate removal of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) director in Salt Lake City. Why? We discuss some of the reasons outlined in the letter, and how the Governor has also asked for more funding to remove migrants. New Elected Officials: Ross Romero, new Salt Lake County Council Member Several new members joined the Salt Lake County Council this morning, taking their oaths of office in a ceremony held at the Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center in Taylorsville. We’re joined in the studio by new Salt Lake County Council Member for District 4, Ross Romero. He outlines some of the things he wants to prioritize during his first term. Park City Ski Patrol strike enters 10th day Park City Mountain ski patrols are entering their tenth day of striking as they demand a $2 an hour raise. The strike has contributed to long lines at the ski resort and has led to national outcry for and against the owner of Park City Mountain, Vail Resorts. Inside Sources hosts Taylor Morgan and Erin Rider share updates on the strike. New Elected Officials: Natalie Pinkney, new Salt Lake County Council Member Also joining the Salt Lake County Council as an At-Large Member is Natalie Pinkney. She also took the oath of office today and says she wants to celebrate diversity while still addressing important issues like homelessness and public safety. She joins Inside Sources in the studio to talk about her priorities for her first term. Tips to avoid the ‘winter blues’ Today was a rather gray, dreary day here in Salt Lake City. It got us thinking about the ‘winter blues’ -- a kind of slump or sadness many people feel once the holidays end. The Inside Sources hosts share some tips for listeners who need a little pick-me-up during the cold winter months.
Hosts: Erin Rider and Taylor Morgan The upcoming Legislative General Session begins in about two weeks, and it could result in some large tax cuts for Utahns. The exact details are still unknown at this time, but the cuts come as Governor Cox has pushed to eliminate the state income tax on Social Security benefits. The Inside Sources hosts discuss the support the plan seems to have on Utah’s Capitol Hill.
Hosts: Erin Rider and Taylor Morgan As a new year begins, Governor Spencer Cox begins his second term in office. Inside Sources spends a few minutes discussing Governor Cox’s first term – his accomplishments and how he did on campaign promises. Then we preview what Utahns may see in his second term as Utah’s top elected official.
Hosts: Erin Rider and Taylor Morgan The New Year rings in with terror attacks across the United States 2025 began in a grim manner with two separate attacks on New Year’s. An attack in New Orleans has left at least 15 dead, while a Tesla Cybertruck explosion in Las Vegas left several bystanders injured. Inside Sources hosts Taylor Morgan and Erin Rider give listeners an update on both situations and how they could affect the incoming Trump administration’s plans and cabinet nominations. On the Hill 2025: Previewing legislation on ballot signature requirements Without eliminating the caucus/convention route to the ballot, some Utah lawmakers want to revisit the signature-gathering route. State Representative Ray Ward is working on legislation that would decrease the threshold of signatures needed to make the ballot. He joins Inside Sources to share his thoughts on the bill and what the new thresholds could be. Speaker Johnson could fight to maintain speakership... again Each time Congress begins a new session, they must vote on a new House Speaker. Current Speaker Mike Johnson would like to maintain his position and has the endorsement of President-elect Donald Trump. But some Republicans are upset over the way Speaker Johnson handled the last continuing resolution. Inside Sources discusses the state of the race and possible rule changes as well. New 2025 laws dealing with license plates go into effect January 1, 2025 brought several new laws in Utah, including one that requires “obscenity filters” on tech devices used by kids, several kinds of tax changes, and another that deals with your car’s license plates and registration. State Senator Dan McCay sponsored Senate Bill 45 last year, which removed the requirement for a front license plate. He joins the show to inform listeners about the changes. Rating Governor Cox on his first term; previewing his second term As a new year begins, Governor Spencer Cox begins his second term in office. Inside Sources spends a few minutes discussing Governor Cox’s first term – his accomplishments and how he did on campaign promises. Then we preview what Utahns may see in his second term as Utah’s top elected official. On the Hill 2025: Previewing legislation on homeless shelter safety and security In 2024, we saw several controversial and combative incidents involving proposed homeless shelters. In the coming legislative session, one Utah lawmaker wants to address some of the concerns Utahns had regarding homeless shelters and their placements. State Representative Tyler Clancy joins Inside Sources to share his motivation and plans for this legislation. Political predictions for 2025 Inside Sources wraps up the first show of 2025 discussing political predictions. What do hosts Taylor Morgan and Erin Rider hope or expect to see in the political world this year? Listen to find out.
Hosts: Adam Gardiner and Greg Skordas Governor Spencer Cox recently said that he’s worried about affordable housing in Utah – to the point that he thinks the American Dream could fade away unless housing reform happens. At the same time, the federal government has announced an investment into building homes, including here in Utah. Steve Waldrip, Senior Advisor to Governor Cox for Housing Strategy gives some insights and updates on the housing crisis.
Hosts: Adam Gardiner and Greg Skordas Government Shutdown Watch: GOP lawmakers agree to funding deal Republican lawmakers say they’ve reached a deal with party members to keep the government funded past tomorrow. It comes after Tuesday’s Continuing Resolution failed following opposition from President-elect Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk. The deal isn’t done yet though; Democrats still have to approve it and President Biden has to sign it. Matt Waldrip, Managing Partner at Dauntless Capital Partners in Washington, D.C. joins Inside Sources to give an inside look at what’s happening on Capitol Hill. Poll: Republicans trust Utah elections more than Democrats In a flip-flop from 2020, new polling data shows Republicans appear to trust elections more than Democrats. Would the results be different if Kamala Harris had won the presidential election? What other kinds of things would affect this kind of trend change? Inside Sources breaks down the latest numbers and the hosts share their thoughts. Unaffordable housing – is it causing the American Dream to fade? Governor Spencer Cox recently said that he’s worried about affordable housing in Utah – to the point that he thinks the American Dream could fade away unless housing reform happens. At the same time, the federal government has announced an investment into building homes, including here in Utah. Steve Waldrip, Senior Advisor to Governor Cox for Housing Strategy gives some insights and updates on the housing crisis. Lawsuit filed against other lawsuit as Utah fights for control over public lands The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance has filed a new lawsuit against state leaders following the state’s lawsuit against the federal government over land management. It’s a lawsuit over a lawsuit. KSL Legal Analyst Greg Skordas takes a few moments to discuss this new suit and how it may affect the existing lawsuit. Report: Mike Pompeo’s hopes of joining new Trump administration crushed New reports say that Mike Pompeo – who served as Secretary of State during the first Trump administration – has been the target of a coordinated effort to prevent him from joining the new administration. Sources say Tucker Carlson and Donald Trump Jr. were behind the move. The news has Inside Sources host Adam Gardiner up in arms. He explains why in this segment. Trust in the judicial system falls to all-time low In recent years, the judicial system in the United States has fallen prey to lower public confidence. Many folks today say the courts are way too political. Now, we’re getting a better look at data that shows just how low confidence has fallen. Inside Sources discusses the effects this distrust could have on the future of the judiciary. Is Santa Claus a Republican or a Democrat? With the holiday season in full swing, we wanted to have a light conversation: is Santa Claus a Republican or a Democrat? We’re not the only ones thinking about it – a new YouGov survey asks that same question. So what do most Americans think? If you like the holidays AND politics, you won’t want to miss this discussion.
Rich Nye (Senior Advisor of Education to Governor Cox) joins Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox, to talk about how his education experience growing up helped shape his passion for pursuing education as a career, the profound impact that teachers can have on students and their academic goals, and how the Information Age is evolving education at a quicker rate than we could have expected. Then we talk about how transparency in the classroom is rebuilding trust between educators and parents, different ways parents can become better partners with educators to help support the needs of our children, as well as the positive research we see from schools that have placed restrictions on smartphone use in the classroom to improve academic outcome. Lastly, we dive into how Artificial Intelligence can safely and effectively be used in the classroom to help promote a positive learning ecosystem for the student without replacing the role of the teacher. Related Links Sen. Fillmore, Rep. Welton and The Policy Project Announce Legislation to Limit Cellphone Use in Schools: https://senate.utah.gov/sen-fillmore-rep-welton-and-the-policy-project-announce-legislation-to-limit-cellphone-use-in-schools/#:~:text=Lincoln%20Fillmore%2C%20Rep.,opts%20to%20allow%20phone%20use.
It's a scary situation... your child is in a jam and they call you for help. But, it may not be your child and, instead, that voice you hear could be a computer-generated voice message with the intent of scamming you out of money. Governor Cox is making moves to protect seniors by calling on more funding to educate them about phone call, text and email scams.
Gov. Cox says 2024 election brings lessons for both political parties Gen Z racking up credit card debt faster than any other age group Do's and don'ts of purchasing timeshares Walking away from a toxic sibling Governor Cox 2026 budget recommendations include elimination of social security tax Protecting your eyes in the winter
Hosts: Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray The governor’s office released a statement today saying it will support the incoming presidential administration’s priorities on illegal immigration. Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray break down this stance from the Governor and how it relates to other states and the rest of the country
Hosts: Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray Governor Cox will support Trump’s illegal immigration policies The governor’s office released a statement today saying it will support the incoming presidential administration’s priorities on illegal immigration. Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray break down this stance from the Governor and how it relates to other states and the rest of the country Trump proposes new tariffs on Mexico and Canada; interest rate cut announcement President-elect Donald Trump has proposed new 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada that he wants to put into effect on Day 1 of his presidency. Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray talk about the impact these tariffs are going to have on the US. Robert Spendlove, Senior Economist at Zions Bank, joins the discussion to give his take on these proposed tariffs, and gives an update on the new interest rate cuts. President Biden announces ceasefire agreement between Israel Today, President Biden announced a permanent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah. It involves Israel removing its troops from Lebanon over the next 60 days. Israel says the agreement will allow them to focus their efforts on Iran instead. Inside Sources hosts Leah Murray and Taylor Morgan share their thoughts on this breaking news. What do Utah’s election results say about Utah voters? Is Utah getting more progressive or more conservative? With the election results getting certified on Monday, it looks like Utah is leaning more to the right than in previous years. Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray take a look at the final numbers and break down some of the surprises in Utah. Harris’ disconnect with women One of the reasons Harris’ presidential campaign was unsuccessful was the inability to connect with one of the biggest demographics: women. Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray discuss why Harris came off as inauthentic and how she was unable to understand her voters. Cameo app brings in questions about Congress ethics Rep. Lauren Boebert is facing questions regarding her videos on the Cameo app. The ethics involved are murky enough that it’s hard to determine whether or not she did anything wrong. Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray discuss their opinions on whether or not politicians should be able to use their station to earn them extra money or power.