First, Chick-fil-A was the target of a boycott by the gay community for allegedly funding anti-gay efforts through its WinShape Foundation. Now, some evangelicals claim the chicken chain is too gay friendly. The crime this time? A Utah franchise publicly…
Arthur Brooks receives the Deseret News Civic Charity Award
Do not run from contempt; run toward it at full speed with your love.
Attacks on religious buildings and communities have been on the rise. Utah’s Krishna Temple is the latest one
The first bullets struck the radio station located on the south end of the 15-acre property of the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork, Utah. A week later, over the course of two days, more bullets hit the temple…
Oklahoma and Utah consider far-reaching ‘conscientious objection’ bill for medical providers
Oklahoma and Utah are among the latest states with proposed legislation that would allow health care providers to refuse specific procedures, care or medication based on vaguely defined moral, religious or conscientious beliefs. So-called “conscientious objection” laws are not entirely…
Utah’s flag ban: Does it target LGBTQ or promote political neutrality?
A Utah bill banning most flags in public school classrooms and government buildings will advance to a Senate vote one year after lawmakers rejected a similar bill inserted during the final hours of the session.
Utah Legislature OKs bill limiting access to dorms for transgender students
Utah lawmakers gave final approval to a bill limiting where transgender students can reside in dorm rooms at public universities Monday, after online backlash against a transgender resident assistant at Utah State University. Sponsor Rep. Stephanie Gricius, R-Eagle Mountain, said the bill allows transgender…
More child sexual abuse bills filed in 6 states
In January, several bills were proposed across different states relating to child sexual abuse — many addressing statutes of limitations, nondisclosure agreements or settlement payouts. Legislators said they hope these changes will make it easier for child sexual abuse victims…
Some Utah schools are struggling to keep up with migrant students. This bill would give them emergency funds
In early January, six students arrived at Riverton High School ready for their first day of class but unable to speak English fluently.
Three cheers for Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb
In a sign that sanity is possible amid today’s culture wars, the Republican governors of Utah and Indiana this week vetoed mean-spirited bills passed by their legislatures to address a fake crisis about transgender student athletes. This year already is…
Utah bill to end capital punishment stalls in committee
A bill that would end capital punishment in Utah stalled in a state legislative committee Feb. 14, leaving death penalty opponents saddened but determined to carry on their fight for abolition. House Bill 147 was voted down 5-6 during a…
The election seen from an Arizona slot canyon
This opinion piece was also delivered as a sermon at the historic Madison Avenue Baptist Church in New York City on Nov. 13, 2016. Recently, my husband and I were in Arizona and Utah. We love that area of the…
Immigrants and other neighbors God told me to love, Part 2
I applaud, for whatever motives, that I was invited a “National Strategy Session and Advocacy Day” convened this week in Washington by Mark Shurtleff, Republican Attorney General of Utah. I was interested in the meeting—any meeting that has both Jim…