KDXU up to the minute News

Church Stake Presidents to assign political specialists

A new policy within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints directs stake presidents to assign political specialists to get church members engaged politically. Some church members say they are uncomfortable with the policy. Others say it’s an exciting possibility for people to get more engaged in government.

Utah man held in Mexico after crashing truck at border

Mexican police say a Utah man was driving a truck that struck multiple pedestrians and several vehicles in Tijuana on Monday.  Investigators say Frank Eddie Stricker was driving a black pickup truck that hit five pedestrians, 17 vehicles and 14 vendor stalls near a U.S. border crossing.  The truck he was driving belongs to a Utah rental agency.  Stricker is being held in Mexico on charges including attempted homicide and property damage.

Senator Romney breaks ranks with Republican colleagues

Utah Senator Mitt Romney is breaking ranks with his Republican colleagues by opposing a judge nominated by President Trump.  Romney voted no yesterday on the confirmation of Michael Truncale to a judgeship on the U.S. District Court in Texas.  Romney said his opposition was based on Truncale's 2011 comments calling then-President Barrack Obama an "un-American impostor."

Honor Code at BYU changing

After weeks of criticism from students and alumni, the Honor Code Office at Brigham Young University has announced what it calls sweeping changes to its policies.  BYU students will still be asked to live by standards prohibiting drugs and alcohol use, as well as premarital sex.  However, students called into the Honor Code Office will know why they are being called in before their appointment, and will be told the name of the person who reported their alleged violation.

Festivals banning water bottles

Several Salt Lake City festivals are banning the sale of single-use water bottles.  Megan Risbon of the Salt Lake City Arts Council says the move will reduce the number of plastic bottles thrown away at festivals like Living Traditions, which starts this Friday. Living Traditions will be the first of about a half-dozen festivals that will bar the sale of single-use plastic bottles.  Festival-goers will be encouraged to bring their own bottle or buy a reusable one onsite.

Utah native flying plane that collided mid-air

Two float planes collide mid-air with 14 passengers onboard just outside of Ketchikan, Alaska. At least four people are confirmed dead, two are missing. At one of the plane's controls, 57-year-old Eden Utah native, Lewis Buck. Our partners at ABC4 spoke to his wife Cynthia Buck Tuesday afternoon. She declined an on-camera interview but said her husband does work for Taquan Air which is based in Ketchikan. He is alive but was injured in the crash.

Spencer Cox to run for Governor

Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox is in the race to be the next governor of Utah.  Cox made his candidacy official yesterday.  A poll from UtahPolicy.com in January showed Cox with the most support of nine potential candidates in the 2020 governor's race.  Other candidates thought to be considering a run for governor include former House Speaker Greg Hughes, former Congressman Jason Chaffetz and current state Attorney General Sean Reyes.

Want to marry an LDS millionaire ?

Billboards advertising an anonymous LDS millionaire seeking a wife are drawing attention around Utah and the rest of the United States.  The matchmaker behind the billboards says that there are ten of the large signs along Interstate 15 from Utah County to North Salt Lake.  The billboards went up almost two weeks ago and have drawn nearly a thousand applications from women interested in meeting and possibly marrying the unidentified bachelor.