US Interior secretary begins Utah tour to eye monument sites

This May 23, 2016, file photo, shows the northernmost boundary of the proposed Bears Ears region, along the Colorado River, in southeastern Utah. The re-evaluation of the new Bears Ears National Monument and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is part of President Donald Trump's executive order calling for a review of 27 national monuments established by several former presidents.

Zinke says monument designations have been an ‘effective tool,’…

The Salt Lake Tribune) Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke spoke at a brief press conference after having met with members of the Bears Ears Commission Sunday at the Bureau of Land Management office at the Gateway in Salt Lake City, Sunday, May 7, 2017. The Salt Lake Tribune) Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke spoke at a brief press conference after having met with members of the Bears Ears Commission Sunday at the Bureau of Land Management office at the Gateway in Salt Lake City, Sunday, May 7, 2017.

US interior secretary starts Utah red rocks monuments review

U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke will start a four-day Utah trip Sunday to assess whether 3.2 million acres of national monuments in the state's southern red rock region should be scaled down or even rescinded. The re-evaluation of the new Bears Ears National Monument on sacred tribal lands and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, created in 1996, is part of an executive order signed last month by President Donald Trump's calling for a review of 27 national monuments established by several former presidents.

Monuments under the microscope: Subcommittee debates designations

An undated photo of an Ancestral Puebloan ruin site within the boundaries of Bears Ears National Monument. The Subcommittee on Federal Lands held a two-hour plus oversight hearing on the merits and detriments of monument designations, particularly Bears Ears and Grand Staircase in Utah comprising more than three million acres.

Political mainstay heads home to Utah, questions in his wake

" Since arriving in Washington in 2009, Republican Rep. Jason Chaffetz has been a political mainstay, doggedly investigating Democrats, frequently appearing on cable TV and regularly updating his legions of social media followers with photos of himself, his family and even his dog, Ruby. His Twitter handle reminds people that of the 435 members, he's @jasoninthehouse.

Utah poll: Evan McMullin leads Orrin Hatch in potential Senate matchup

A new poll revealed that former independent presidential candidate Evan McMullin would defeat incumbent Utah Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch in a potential matchup in a US Senate race, Salt Lake City's KSL-TV reported . The poll by JMC Analytics and commissioned by The Centrist Project, an organization that is recruiting candidates for public office in 2018, found that 33 percent of Utah residents would vote for McMullin and 29 percent would vote for Hatch, while 11 percent would vote for a Democrat if the election were held today.

Getting out was Jason Chaffetz’s only good option

House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz announced Wednesday that he will not run for reelection to his House seat in 2018. The Utah Republican said he won't seek any political office in 2018, stirring speculation that he may run for governor in 2020.

April 21 date set for Sen. Bernie Sanders rally in Utah

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, the overwhelming pick of Utah Democrats in last year's presidential caucus vote, will hold a rally in Salt Lake City on April 21, the Utah Democratic Party said Thursday. Earlier this week, the national party announced Utah was one of the stops Sanders and new Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez would make on their multi-state "Come Together and Fight Back" tour.

Utah man killed in London attack was hit on bridge

This undated photo provided by Clint Payne shows his sister, Melissa, and her husband, Kurt Cochran. A statement from the Mormon church issued Thursday, March 23, 2017, on behalf of relatives said Kurt Cochran was among those killed in the London attack Wednesday and Melissa was seriously injured.

Chaffetz: President ‘absolutely’ wants to take action on Bears Ears

President Donald Trump "absolutely" wants to take action to change the Bears Ears National Monument designation made by his predecessor, said Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah. "I hope it is rescinded.

Angry voters flood town halls of GOP lawmakers – Sun, 12 Feb 2017 PST

People react to Rep. Jason Chaffetz as he speaks during a town hall meeting at Brighton High School on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017, in Cottonwood Heights, Utah. Hundreds of people lined up early for the town hall with Chaffetz on Thursday evening, many holding signs criticizing the congressman's push to repeal the newly-named Bears Ears National Monument in southern Utah.

Anti-Trump crowds rule at Republicans’ town halls

COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS, Utah-A crowd of about a thousand people, dominated by opponents of President Donald Trump's agenda, packed a raucous town-hall event here in the latest example of increased activism targeting Republican members of Congress. Five-term Rep. Jason Chaffetz won his most recent race by nearly 50 points, but returned to his home district to find himself confronted by a sign-waving, heckling and booing chorus.

This May 23, 2016, file photo, shows the northernmost

The maker of Patagonia has a message for Utah government officials: If you want big outdoor business, act like it. Patagonia pulls out of Utah outdoor show amid Bears Ears National Monument battle The maker of Patagonia has a message for Utah government officials: If you want big outdoor business, act like it.

Evan McMullin starts group to serve as Trump watchdog

This Nov. 8, 2016, file photo, conservative presidential candidate Evan McMullin speaks to his supporters during an election night watch party after Republican Donald Trump won Utah, in Salt Lake City. McMullin has created a group that he says will expand his ability to serve as a watchdog over President Donald Trump.

Utah Republicans say they worry Utah monument is looming

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert, front left, talks with Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, following the governor's monthly news conference at KUED-TV in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016. At back left, Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, talks with Bob Bernick.