INSIDER
Lawsuit accuses Mormon church of fraud in use of donations
Read full article: Lawsuit accuses Mormon church of fraud in use of donationsFILE - In this April 4, 2020, file photo, is The Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City. The federal lawsuit, filed Monday, March 22, 2021, asserts that the church spent members donations that were solicited for charity on commercial purposes. The federal lawsuit, filed Monday, asserts that the church spent membersโ donations that were solicited for charity on commercial purposes. AdโThis is not a case about faith; it is a case about fraud and corporate greed,โ the lawsuit said. The practice, which is used in other faith groups, isnโt required for church members but is strongly encouraged.
Campaigning during coronavirus, GOP ex-envoy falls short
Read full article: Campaigning during coronavirus, GOP ex-envoy falls shortUtah Republican gubernatorial candidate Lt. Gov. The competitive four-way contest was conducted entirely by mail during the coronavirus pandemic, which also shaped the campaign. But his comeback attempt fell short in a GOP primary as he contended with a crushing pandemic and a fresh-faced opponent. A very early start to his campaign also proved fortuitous in hindsight, allowing Cox, 44, to clock months visiting voters before the coronavirus hit. The Huntsman campaign answered those challenges in part by encouraging people to register as Republicans so they could vote in the closed primary.
Utah Democrats cross party lines to have political impact
Read full article: Utah Democrats cross party lines to have political impactThe state's June 30 primary will decide the Republican nominee for the first open governors race in more than a decade. Some high-profile Utah Democrats have encouraged voters to register as Republicans to vote in the primary, which is closed to non-members. Hard-right candidate Greg Hughes, a vocal Trump supporter, has railed against the party switching, saying Democrats are joining the party to blunt his recent rise in polling. We wont allow anybody to wait any longer to make that change.For party officials, the Democrat influence on the Republican primary is frustrating. I think it shows a lack of integrity, said Utah Republican Party Chair Derek Brown.
Utah candidate and ex- envoy Huntsman says he has COVID-19
Read full article: Utah candidate and ex- envoy Huntsman says he has COVID-19Jon Huntsman, Jr., speaks during the Utah Gubernatorial Republican Primary Debate in Salt Lake City. Huntsman Jr. has one of the most recognizable names in the state as a former popular governor and son of a billionaire philanthropist. (Ivy Ceballo/Deseret News, via AP, Pool)SALT LAKE CITY Republican Utah gubernatorial candidate and former ambassador Jon Huntsman Jr. said Wednesday he has tested positive for COVID-19. Huntsman previously served as Utah governor until 2009, when he left to be the U.S. ambassador to China under then-president Barack Obama. Jon Huntsman Sr. was a billionaire industrialist and philanthropist.
Utah governor race has conservative coronavirus fault lines
Read full article: Utah governor race has conservative coronavirus fault linesJon Huntsman, Jr., speaks during the Utah Gubernatorial Republican Primary Debate in Salt Lake City. He stepped down as U.S. ambassador to Russia under Donald Trump to return to Utah and make a run and reclaiming his seat. Now, it's showcasing conservative fault lines over the coronavirus crisis response and what recovery looks like. Hes still deciding between Huntsman and Cox, but has so far been impressed with the states handling of the coronavirus crisis. You keep hearing over and over that Utah wasn't locked down, Utah is doing so great, he said.
Huntsman announces GOP bid for old job as Utah governor
Read full article: Huntsman announces GOP bid for old job as Utah governor(Steve Griffin/The Deseret News via AP)Former U.S. ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman Jr. announced Thursday that he will try to reclaim his old job as Utah governor. After two years, Huntsman left Russia amid heavy speculation about a potential gubernatorial run. Republican state Sen. Todd Weiler said Huntsman is going to have to convince voters that Utah isnt an overlooked girlfriend or a platform between more high-profile roles. Herbert has served since Huntsman left for China but is not running again. Other Republicans who have already declared include Utah County businessman Jeff Burningham and Salt Lake County Councilwoman Aimee Winder Newton.