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** Letter from Gov. Cox: Utah’s Pioneer Spirit
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Last week, Abby and I saddled up and drove a herd of longhorn cattle through downtown Salt Lake City, marking the start of the Pioneer Day celebrations and the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo ([link removed]) .
The drive (and the five‑night rodeo that follows) reminds us of July 24, 1847, when exhausted settlers rolled into this valley and went to work building homes, canals, and a future.
Whether you watched the action at the Fairpark, lined a parade route, or simply paused to appreciate the courage of those who came before us, thank you for keeping Utah’s pioneer spirit alive. Let’s keep building.
Sincerely,
** Celebrating Basin heritage and hard work
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Gov. Cox began the week in the Uintah Basin, where Vernal and Roosevelt are pairing vision with hard work to revive main streets, grow jobs, and protect local landmarks.
Vernal’s main street ([link removed]) now counts fewer than five vacant storefronts — down from twenty‑five just three years ago — and is home to local favorites such as the 7‑11 Ranch Restaurant and the Hotel Vernal Haunt ([link removed]) , whose 2024 haunted house raised $73,000 for charities in the area.
Business leader and volunteer Ann Stewart ([link removed]) was honored as a Utah Treasure, while a visit to McConkie Ranch ([link removed]) spotlighted some of Utah’s best‑preserved petroglyphs and the Cultural Site Stewardship volunteers who safeguard them.
The trip also included conversations with state employees ([link removed]) at Remember the Maine Park, a stop at Skinwalker Ranch, and a burger run to Marion’s Variety ([link removed]) in Roosevelt. Each stop underscored the Basin’s knack for turning bold ideas into practical results — a spirit the state is committed to supporting.
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** Restoring Utah Lake
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A century ago, carp were introduced to Utah Lake as a quick fix — now we are pulling them back out, one trapload at a time.
Lt. Gov. Henderson joined the June Sucker Recovery team as they tested new gear to haul out the invaders and clear space for our native fish. Their hard work, along with strong local, state, and federal partnerships, is moving us closer to a healthy, resilient lake.
Learn more > ([link removed])
** Election security briefing at the White House
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Lt. Gov. Henderson joined other Secretaries of State this week in a productive meeting with senior officials at the White House. The discussion centered on the protection and maintenance of our voter registration rolls. We appreciate the Administration's willingness to listen to and incorporate feedback from the states to enhance election security nationwide.
** State agency updates
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The Utah Department of Health and Human Services has teamed up with the Utah Cowgirl Collective ([link removed]) to bring the state's suicide prevention campaign, Live On ([link removed]) , to rodeos all across the state this summer, most recently the Days of ‘47 rodeo.
Since 2018, the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food has collected over 60 tons of waste pesticides through free public disposal events, held with UDOT and Clean Harbors. This year’s event ([link removed]) is Sept. 3, 9 a.m.–1 p.m., at the Logan UDOT Shed (790 W 200 N), helping prevent expired or banned pesticides from threatening public health or the environment.
As part of the Utah Department of Cultural & Community Engagement’s America250 Utah initiative, the United in Service project in Vernal brought together 118 volunteers to place 700 flags honoring veterans. The UServeUtah event launched the “America Gives” campaign, encouraging ongoing service in Uintah County.
Last week was Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week. The Governor issued an official declaration ([link removed]) recognizing the more than 500 Adult Probation and Parole staff within the Utah Department of Corrections who serve nearly 16,400 Utahns. This video ([link removed]) highlights one powerful success story of recovery and redemption.
The Utah Attorney General’s Office and Department of Commerce secured protections for Utahns’ genetic data after 23andMe’s asset sale. Consumers can delete their data anytime, and privacy policies remain in place. Utahns retain full control over their genetic information.
Tomorrow, Gov. Cox will address Utah’s Tribal leaders. The public is invited to Friday’s Changemaker Awards at Utah Valley University, presented by the Utah Division of Indian Affairs within the Utah Department of Cultural & Community Engagement.
Over Pioneer Day weekend, Utah Department of Natural Resources officers and partners inspected over 13,000 boats to prevent the spread of quagga mussels and other aquatic invasive species, protecting Utah’s lakes from threats linked to Lake Powell and beyond.
The Utah Department of Commerce’s Division of Consumer Protection unsealed most of its lawsuit against Snap, Inc., exposing reckless AI practices and alleged exploitation of children. The complaint says Snapchat ignored 96% of abuse reports and secretly shared geolocation data and private conversations with third parties.
** 🗞️ ICYMI
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🌾 USDA reorganization adds a regional hub in Salt Lake City. Read more > ([link removed])
🏛️ Fentanyl drug busts are up, overdose deaths down in Utah, task force reports. Read more > ([link removed])
🏥 Ribbon cut on new Comprehensive Medical & Therapies Building at Utah State Developmental Center. Learn more > ([link removed])
🏢 The Utah Department of Workforce Services Employment Report once again places Utah’s economy ahead of the national average. Read more > ([link removed])
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Copyright (C) 2025 Office of Utah Gov. Spencer Cox. All rights reserved.
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