Latest news with #GovernorCox
Yahoo
02-08-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gov. Cox appoints Erin Longacre to Utah State Board of Education vacancy
SALT LAKE CITY () — Governor Cox filled the vacant seat on the state board of education this week by appointing Erin Longacre to represent District 7, which covers the southeast portion of Salt Lake County, the seat left vacant when Dr. Molly Hart was chosen as the state superintendent. Longacre was appointed on Tuesday, July 29, the Governor's office told and they said that they typically do not announce when they fill a vacancy. Longacre was one of three finalists chosen by the Republican Party's State Central Committee (SCC) over a month ago, on June 21, and submitted to the Governor for him to appoint. Since outgoing member Dr. Hart was a Republican, state law outlines that the SCC — the party's governing body — submit three names to the Governor. Lt. Gov. Henderson sends DOJ public voter info after letter questions maintenance of voter registration rolls 'She brings experience in education and a focus on student outcomes and parent engagement,' said Rob Caroll, Communications Director for Governor Spencer Cox. 'Two areas that continue to be priorities for the Governor.' Longacre, along with her two fellow Republican candidates, Kris Kimball and Glen Burton, were all backed by Natalie Cline and her organization, Higher Ground, which she co-runs with Monica Wilbur. Cline is the former highly controversial school board member who was censured by both the legislature and the governor and stripped of her school board duties by USBE after she falsely and publicly accused a student of being transgender. Higher Ground labeled Longacre, Kimball, and Burton as their 'three top picks' and 'solidly conservative.' They listed their support for Longacre because they say she has extensive experience in Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in schools — two issues that Cline and Wilbur rallied against having in Utah's schools. 'It takes extraordinary courage for anybody going into the USBE's Great and Spacious Building to resist the pressure and deceptions that its entire transformative Global Education agenda depends on,' Wilbur wrote on social media. 'Pray for Erin very hard, she will need all the help she can get.' In 2022, Longacre also ran against Incumbent Amanda Oaks in the general election for Canyons School District, District 6 in November 2022, but lost that year. Longacre will serve the remainder of Hart's term until 2026, when voters will weigh in during that year's election. has reached out to Longacre for comment and is waiting to hear back. Latest headlines: One dead after rollover crash at Kyhv Peak on Friday morning Gov. Cox appoints Erin Longacre to Utah State Board of Education vacancy 85% of parents worry about tariffs affecting back-to-school cost: Survey Woman charged in connection with massage studio that offered 'illicit' services, documents say Ohio couple welcomes baby from embryo frozen over 30 years, a new record: report Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Fox News
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Blue cities adopt Pride flags as official symbols in bid to skirt red-state laws
Two Democrat-run cities in the Rockies are skirting state laws dictating which flags can be flown on government property, according to The Associated Press – and are granting particular attention to the LGBTQ Pride flag. Utah and Idaho both have laws on the books barring government buildings from flying most flags, save for a select few – like the American flag and military flags. Utah's law went into effect Wednesday. UTAH BANS LGBTQ+ PRIDE FLAGS, MAGA FLAGS, OTHER UNAPPROVED FLAGS IN GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS, SCHOOLS In an eleventh-hour bid to circumvent the coming restrictions, Salt Lake City adopted four flags Tuesday: its existing flag, as well as modified versions of the Progress Pride, Transgender Pride and Juneteenth flags – each including the city's signature sego lily. They were presented by Mayor Erin Mendenhall for adoption via ordinance, explained her spokesperson, Andrew Wittenberg, to Fox News Digital. "My sincere intent is not to provoke or cause division," Mendenhall said, according to The AP. "My intent is to represent our city's values and honor our dear diverse residents who make up this beautiful city and the legacy of pain and progress that they have endured," she continued. Violators of the Utah law, which Republican Gov. Spencer Cox, allowed to pass without his signature, can be fined $500 per day. The law's supporters maintain that it's a matter of institutions maintaining political neutrality. STATE DEPARTMENT BLOCKS PRIDE, BLM FLAGS FROM EMBASSIES, OUTPOSTS WITH 'ONE FLAG POLICY' "This law is about keeping government spaces neutral and welcoming to all," Republican House Speaker Mike Schultz said. "Salt Lake City should focus on real issues, not political theatrics." Meanwhile, in Boise, Idaho, Mayor Lauren McLean issued a proclamation last week retroactively designating the pride flag as an official city flag. McLean has maintained that the Idaho law is not sound – and has even flown the pride flag over City Hall after it was enacted. McLean has yet to respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP McLean and Mendenhall spoke Monday night to discuss their cities' respective plans, though Wittenberg stressed to Fox News Digital that there was "no prior or additional coordination" between the cities' officials. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
