July 2, 2026
Take 2 Podcast: Utah's wildfire crisis, Supreme Court decisions, and what's next in Utah politics
Host: Heidi Hatch
Guests: Maura Carabello, Exoro Group & Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz
Utah Legislative Primary Races
Lessons Learned, who will lead the Utah Senate
Wildfire Crisis in Utah
Fallen Firefighters
- Three wildland firefighters killed on the Utah-Colorado border
- Two additional firefighters seriously injured
Cottonwood Fire
- More than 100 condos and 30 cabins destroyed at Eagle Point Resort
- Damage assessment continues
Wildland Firefighter Employment Protections
- Should part-time wildland firefighters have job protection when called to active duty?
Forest Service Staffing Cuts
- Are management and staffing cuts contributing to current wildfire challenges?
- Headquarters relocation from Washington, D.C., to Salt Lake City
Supreme Court Decisions
Transgender Sports
- Supreme Court upheld state laws banning transgender students from participating on girls sports teams
- 6-3 decision
Mail Ballots
- Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that states may count mail ballots received after Election Day if they were postmarked by Election Day
- More than a dozen states currently follow this practice
Birthright Citizenship
- Supreme Court struck down President Trump's executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship
- 6-3 decision in Trump v. Barbara
Charlie Kirk Murder Case
Court Hearing Next Week
- Accused killer Tyler Robinson back in court
- Charlie Kirk's parents, widow Erika and others expected to attend
- Tight courtroom security, no electronics allowed
- Utah Supreme Court expected to decide before Monday whether Robinson's roommate/romantic partner must testify
Happy Birthday America – 250 years’ worth celebrating
We will be taking a July summer break. Thanks for listening!
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