AGP Executive Report

Utah Politics & Elections: A Midway voter says Americans for Prosperity is spending to help elect Luke Searle in Utah District 59, framing it as big-money influence tied to the Koch network and development interests. Local Governance & Housing/Pay: A Park City resident argues the city’s living-wage backlash misunderstands how complex, high-stakes local decisions drive costs in a world-class resort economy. AI & Data Centers: Utah’s data-center fight stays in the spotlight as Iron County planners approve a conditional use permit for a major rural campus, despite resident concerns over water, wildlife, noise and long-term impacts. Energy & Cost Pressures: A new look at electricity prices shows Utah among states with rising residential costs, with AI-driven demand and grid investment cited as pressure points. Healthcare & Aging: CMS ratings highlight mixed performance across Utah nursing homes, including a top five-star score in Weber County and lower ratings in Salt Lake County facilities. Business & Travel: Hilton outlines continued global expansion, including multiple new openings in Greece, signaling ongoing strength in luxury travel demand. Research & Innovation: A Utah-linked prostate cancer trial discusses neoadjuvant apalutamide aimed at preserving potency in high-risk cases.

Retail & Expansion: Hy-Vee is selling 21 standalone Fast & Fresh convenience stores to Nebraska-based Bosselman Enterprises, which will rebrand them as Pump & Pantry in July, while Hy-Vee keeps its larger adjacent Fast & Fresh locations. Health Policy: CMS guidance tightens Utah Medicaid work requirements starting January 2027, and advocates warn more than 180,000 Utahns could lose coverage without enough “guardrails.” Energy & Tech: The Idaho National Lab says Antares’ advanced microreactor reached criticality, a milestone toward electricity production in 2027. Local Business & Community: Granite Credit Union opens a new Eagle Mountain branch with a community celebration, and Park City’s Downtown Farmers Market returns with a new look as Pioneer Park construction reshapes the layout. Civic/Legal: A judge blocks Spoil to Soil from operating its Browns Canyon facility until its lawsuit against Summit County is resolved. Utah Leadership: BYU promotes longtime assistant Todd Miller to head men’s golf coach. National Business Watch: Netflix confirms Reed Hastings has officially left the board; Jay Hoag becomes chairman after the annual shareholder meeting.

Utah Data Centers: Utah Senate President Stuart Adams pushed Kevin O’Leary to shrink his Box Elder County AI data center footprint from 40,000 acres to 20,000, with O’Leary saying most of the remainder will become open space and promising a public website with updated details. Federal Immigration Funding: The U.S. Senate passed a $69.5B bill funding immigration enforcement over three years, dropping White House ballroom money and stripping DOJ “anti-weaponization” fund dollars after a contentious fight. Energy & Jobs: President Trump announced nearly $700M to support coal-fired power plants and exports, using Cold War-era defense authorities and citing thousands of jobs. Geothermal Push: Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico formed the Mountain West Geothermal Consortium to accelerate permitting, financing and regulation for geothermal baseload power. Mining Watch: American Tungsten & Antimony reported its strongest antimony drill results yet at its Little Emma prospect in Utah, extending high-grade mineralization. Healthcare Oversight: CMS ratings showed two Utah nursing homes—Rocky Mountain Care in Salt Lake County and Orem Rehabilitation and Nursing Center—scoring 2 overall in Q1 2026, below the state average. Local Business: Bricks and Minifigs, a Utah-based Lego reseller, said it’s parting ways with two franchise owners tied to a viral consignment dispute in Oregon.

Data Center Fight (Utah): Utah Senate President Stuart Adams says AI investor Kevin O’Leary agreed to cut the Stratos project footprint nearly in half, from 40,000 acres to about 20,000, with additional removals tied to the Locomotive Springs area and commitments aimed at protecting water and wildlife as the review process continues. Energy Policy (Southern Utah): The U.S. House advanced a bipartisan geothermal package, highlighting Rep. Celeste Maloy’s GEO Act push to speed federal permitting after “permit limbo” delays. Housing & Costs (Utah): New reporting points to steep homeowner insurance premium hikes, with inland states like Utah seeing some of the biggest increases as insurers reprice risk. School Tech (National): More states are moving toward cellphone limits in schools, with Utah watching the broader policy shift as lawmakers weigh distraction and student well-being. Consumer/Local Business (St. George): Authorities arrested a Nevada man tied to terroristic threats against the St. George Costco, following a cross-state investigation. Business/Community (Heber Valley): Heber Valley’s Red, White, and Blue Festival expands to three days for America250, adding new events alongside the parade and races.

Data Center Fight in Utah: Box Elder County’s Stratos hyperscale project backed by Kevin O’Leary is headed back to court as the BEAR citizen group appeals a ruling that blocked their referendum push, arguing the county’s approvals effectively carry the force of law. Regional Backlash: Utah’s data-center controversy is part of a wider Mountain West trend, with other states and cities weighing pauses or moratoriums while Wyoming moves ahead with a “Wyoming Way” framework. Water Stress Watch: A new Colorado River analysis warns another dry winter could push reservoirs toward a “crash” scenario, underscoring the need for faster conservation. Wildfire Reality Check: Research finds fewer wildfires are starting in the West, but fires are burning far more land—Utah mirrors that pattern with acreage up sharply despite slightly fewer starts. Social Security Shock: A new report projects trust-fund exhaustion by 2032 could cut benefits by about $500 per month on average, with Utah among the hardest-hit states. Utah Wildlife Funding: The state’s Species Protection Account approved $5.1 million for 33 projects to help prevent future endangered listings. Healthcare Policy: Utah’s new “conscience protection” law for healthcare employers takes effect, joining a growing national wave of similar rules.

Utah Data Center Fight: Kevin O’Leary pushed back after Utah Senate President Stuart Adams asked him to shrink the Stratos Project by 75%, calling the demand “outrageous” while insisting he won’t walk away. Homeowner Protection: Utah is ending the Residence Lien Recovery Fund safety net that helped homeowners when contractors didn’t pay suppliers—even after homeowners paid the contractor. College Sports Overhaul: Utah defensive end Lance Holtzclaw joined a Senate hearing where Nick Saban and others backed the Protect College Sports Act, aiming to curb NIL and transfer chaos with a national rulebook. Social Security Warning: A new analysis says Social Security could cut benefits by about $500 a month on average by 2032, with Utah among the hardest-hit states. AI in Healthcare: Mayo Clinic and Microsoft are teaming up to build a healthcare “frontier” AI model using de-identified clinical data. Local Economy: Salt Palace Convention Center is set to fully close for three years starting in 2027 as Salt Lake County redevelops downtown around a new sports and entertainment district.

Food Safety: The FDA and CDC reopened a salmonella investigation tied to imported “super greens” supplements after new illnesses surfaced, bringing the total to 119 cases across 36 states and adding more brands to the recall list. Energy & Industry: Energy Fuels is pushing forward on New Mexico’s Roca Honda uranium project, filing updated plans as uranium demand and nuclear fuel concerns keep pressure on permitting timelines. Education & Tech: More states are moving toward cellphone limits in schools, but new research finds limited support for the benefits claimed by supporters of phone bans. Utah Growth & Water: Utah State University research says Great Salt Lake Basin farmers feel population growth and urban water demand—not farming—are driving pressure on agriculture and water resources. Local Business & Real Estate: Newport National Corporation completed its acquisition of Hobble Creek Business Park in Springville, with plans to add roughly 230,000 square feet of industrial space as the park nears full occupancy. Utah Economy & Public Finance: Utah’s unclaimed property total hit $178 million, and the treasurer’s office is ramping up efforts to reunite residents with lost money.

Utah Supreme Court Shake-Up: Gov. Spencer Cox appointed two first-time justices, Jay Jorgensen and Stephen Dent, to newly created seats after the Legislature expanded the court from five to seven members—both picks face Utah Senate confirmation. Data Center Fight: Utah Senate President Stuart Adams urged Kevin O’Leary to cut his Box Elder County data center footprint by 75% (from 40,000 acres to about 10,000) and add stronger water, land, and heat-impact safeguards, plus more public transparency. Health Care & Tech: Intermountain Health researchers say an AI-enabled care approach for COPD and asthma cut hospitalizations by 50%, emergency visits by 20%, and overall costs by 57%. Business Moves: Sportsman’s Warehouse reported first-quarter results with net sales up 2.8% and e-commerce sales up more than 6%, while SunPower outlined a stock-in-lieu interest plan for its convertible notes. Local Economy: Salt Lake City’s Blocks project is launching an “Art Garten” at the old Utah Pantages Theater site with outdoor events, food trucks, and lawn games.

Utah Data Center Policy: Utah Senate President pushes for a 75% reduction in a proposed mega data center footprint, arguing utility costs and environmental impacts are rising as public scrutiny intensifies. Local Business Impact: South Salt Lake businesses say a new Transportation Utility Fee is hitting them hard, with some owners reporting utility bills jumping about eightfold after the ordinance change. Water & Agriculture: Central Utah ranchers are cutting herds and feeding livestock by hand as drought leaves spring runoff near nonexistent, while irrigation deliveries fall to a fraction of normal. Healthcare Real Estate: Ensign Group expands in senior care, buying a 62-bed skilled nursing facility in Iowa and adding a 46-unit memory care property in California. Cybersecurity: A Latvian negotiator tied to Karakurt ransomware is sentenced to 8.5 years for helping drive $56 million in cyberattacks. Housing Watch: National reports point to a potential 2026 housing “reset” as mortgage rates ease, sales rise, and prices stabilize—though markets vary locally. Tourism & Retail: Magnolia Bakery opens in Utah, and Southern Utah glamping spots earn top national rankings.

Utah Data Centers: Utah Senate President Stuart Adams asked Kevin O’Leary to cut the proposed Stratos Project footprint by 75% (from 40,000 acres to about 10,000) and tighten water, wildlife, and transparency requirements amid ongoing public backlash. Public Safety & Policy: Journalist Cristina Quinn’s new “Fighting Crime” podcast takes on what actually works to improve public safety, from incarceration models to air pollution and addiction recovery. Household Budgets: A WalletHub report finds Americans are devoting a bigger share of income to health care, with some states spending over 10% of income on medical care. Health Tech: Researchers at the University of Utah and UIC Chicago unveiled a wearable smartwatch approach aimed at continuous, cuff-free blood pressure monitoring using physics-informed AI. Sports Business: Utah Athletics has started a reduction in force as it moves toward a private equity deal with Otro Capital and the creation of Crimson Brand Partners. Local Economy: WalletHub also ranked Utah among the top states for overall economic performance, with Utah placing third behind Massachusetts and Washington.

Private Equity Fallout in Utah Sports: Utah’s university athletics department is facing layoffs after a private equity deal tied to Crimson Brand Partners, with staff told the cuts are part of a “transition” while the university’s public explanation drew sharp scrutiny. Great Salt Lake Water Pressure: New polling shows Utahns’ concern about the lake’s water levels jumped from 81% in March to 86% in May, as leaders push for major water and engineering help and Gov. Spencer Cox declared a statewide drought emergency. AI Data Center Backlash: Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary is pitching a massive AI campus near the Great Salt Lake, but Box Elder County residents are resisting, keeping Utah’s data-center fight front and center. Insurance Meets AI: Liberty Mutual launched a ChatGPT-style motor insurance quoting app, with Utah included as it plans to expand conversational AI quoting to more states. Local Housing Rules: Orem City Council narrowed short-term rental options to owner-occupied only or tightly regulated non-owner-occupied rentals, setting up a draft ordinance vote. Utah Economy Watch: Utah’s April jobs report showed unemployment unchanged from March, offering a quick read on labor-market stability.

Data Centers in the Spotlight: Utah Gov. Spencer Cox issued an executive order setting a “higher bar” for data center development after the Stratos Project drew intense community backlash, with new state standards covering water, air quality, wildlife, utility-rate impacts, and stronger public input plus phased permitting instead of one blanket approval. Tech & Privacy Pressure: Polymarket is cracking down on VPN use by blocking suspicious IPs and asking some users to verify identities, as regulators and platforms tighten rules around access and anonymity. Utah Housing/Finance Signals: Extra Space Storage, a Salt Lake City-based REIT, declared a $1.62 per share Q2 dividend payable June 30, a reminder that local real estate plays are still paying shareholders. Energy & Critical Minerals: A renewed push for U.S. critical minerals—like antimony—keeps accelerating as federal and state funding and private investment target supply gaps tied to defense and electrification. Local Business Culture: A Spanish Fork collector is hosting an open-house to display a rare newspaper collection, highlighting how niche markets and preservation can become community events.

Data Center Policy: Utah Gov. Spencer Cox signed an executive order setting a “higher bar” for data center development after backlash tied to Kevin O’Leary’s massive Stratos Project, directing agencies to adopt eight standards covering water, air quality, wildlife, utility-rate impacts, and public comment, and requiring phased permitting rather than blanket approvals. Great Salt Lake: Great Salt Lake Marina access is still open, but Utah State Parks pulled boats from the marina as water levels dropped too low, underscoring the ongoing water crisis. Local Business & Jobs: Stadler opened its Salt Lake City train manufacturing facility to the public, giving residents a behind-the-scenes look at passenger rail car production at a site that has grown to 700+ employees. Community & Infrastructure: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded a major contract for Albeni Falls Dam spillway gate replacement, aiming to improve flood control, hydropower, navigation, and fish and wildlife outcomes. Public Safety: A 59-year-old South Weber man was arrested on allegations of forcible sexual abuse involving a teen at a Job Corps electrical trade program.

AI Data Centers: Gov. Spencer Cox signed an executive order setting a “higher bar” for data center development in Utah, responding to public backlash over the Stratos project tied to Kevin O’Leary—guiding principles include protecting the Great Salt Lake and other water, air quality, utility ratepayers, and requiring transparent public comment. Local Business & Jobs: Utah’s 2026 “CEO of the Year” Jeremy Barker, founder of Murphy Door in Ogden, credits hard lessons from a rough early career and a “hidden door” product line now projected near $60M in revenue this year. Housing & Cost Pressures: Ground broke on “Erma’s at Fairmont,” a new affordable senior housing project in Salt Lake City aimed at helping older residents stay put as costs rise. Energy & Wildfire Readiness: Park City Fire District is running a free wood chipping program for residents during an above-normal wildfire season tied to drought conditions. Consumer Food: Kraft Heinz is rolling out Jell-O Simply, a more natural-leaning gelatin line with real fruit juice and less sugar. Sports Business: John Tortorella’s quick turnaround with the Vegas Golden Knights is fueling Stanley Cup Final buzz.

NBA Lottery Reform: The NBA Board of Governors approved a new “3-2-1” anti-tanking draft system, expanding the lottery from 14 to 16 teams and tightening pick protections—while La Salle researchers say their own proposed fix for tanking is still stuck in peer review. Local Food & Schools: Utah Department of Agriculture and Food won a $350,000 USDA Farm to School grant to boost Utah fruit in school meals and add hands-on ag and nutrition education statewide. Consumer Scam Watch: The Better Business Bureau detailed a Facebook Marketplace farm-equipment scam that pushed victims to wire money upfront, with losses reported at $35,000+ in one case. Utah Jobs: Utah’s April jobs report showed unemployment at 3.8%, unchanged from March, with modest year-over-year payroll growth. Energy & Renewables: Kearns debated a community clean energy program tied to Rocky Mountain Power, with residents pushing back on costs and asking the utility to cover more. Sports Business: Wasatch Food Co-op opened in Salt Lake City’s Liberty Wells neighborhood, aiming for at least 20% locally sourced inventory. Data Center Policy: Utah Gov. Cox continues rolling out higher standards for data center development amid public outcry and scrutiny of environmental impacts.

Data Centers & Great Salt Lake: Gov. Spencer Cox signed an executive order raising the bar for Utah data center approvals, directing agencies to prioritize Great Salt Lake protection, air and water quality, wildlife impacts, utility ratepayer safeguards, and more public input after backlash to the proposed Stratos Project. State Oversight: Utah’s state auditor flagged “significant risks” in the University of Utah’s pending private-equity deal with Otro Capital, warning the expected athletic funding may not cover long-term costs without cost controls or operating-income growth. Inflation & Household Budgets: New Commerce Department data says U.S. inflation hit a three-year high in April, with Iran-war fallout pushing prices beyond energy and savings rates slipping. Healthcare Costs: Utah ranks best in the nation for healthcare spending as a share of income, according to WalletHub, offering a rare bright spot amid cost-of-living pressure. Local Business Support: Summit County launched SizeUp Summit County, a free online market-research tool to help small businesses benchmark competitors and customers. Finance & Privacy: Utah AG Griffin led a multistate amicus brief challenging the SEC’s Consolidated Audit Trail, calling it a major security and privacy risk to investors. Sports Business: The Big 12 projected $710M in gross revenue for fiscal 2026 and is pushing for a 24-team College Football Playoff, with coaches backing the expansion.