Tag Archives: Utah

Using AI to ban books

Posted on April 6, 2026 by Charles Kuffner

And also to review books that have been challenged. The AI vendors want a piece of the action either way. Conservative parents’ advocacy groups have been experimenting with using commercially available artificial intelligence tools to help them flag more books … Continue reading →

Posted in School days, Technology, science, and math | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Using AI to ban books

First attempt to regulate prediction markets

Posted on March 31, 2026 by Charles Kuffner

This isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, but it has had some effect and is worth keeping an eye on. After two United States senators introduced a bipartisan bill on Monday aimed at banning sports futures on prediction markets, Kalshi and … Continue reading →

Posted in Jackpot!, National news | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on First attempt to regulate prediction markets

South Carolina is the new measles champ

Posted on February 2, 2026 by Charles Kuffner

They took the crown from Texas. Great job, everybody! The record-breaking measles outbreak in South Carolina continues to grow with 89 new cases reported since the last update on Friday. This brings the total number of cases in the outbreak … Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on South Carolina is the new measles champ

South Carolina is where the measles action is now

Posted on January 24, 2026 by Charles Kuffner

I wish I didn’t feel the need to keep following these stories, but unfortunately I do. South Carolina on Friday reported 124 new measles cases in the last three days, bringing the total number to 558 in the state’s fast-growing … Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on South Carolina is where the measles action is now

DNC threatens to sue over surrendered voter files

Posted on January 14, 2026 by Charles Kuffner

We’ll see. Democrats warned 10 states Friday that they may have violated federal election law after entering into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to share sensitive voter data. In response, Harmeet Dhillon, head of the DOJ’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on DNC threatens to sue over surrendered voter files

On e-bikes

Posted on December 24, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

I’m keeping an eye on this. E-bike of Colorado sales manager Perry Fletcher said his sales and repair shop saw an increase in back-to-school sales to young riders and families this fall as the popularity of the battery-powered bicycles revs … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Yep, more measles

Posted on December 3, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

It’s having its best year in a long time. The surging number of measles cases around the world is a stark warning sign that outbreaks of other vaccine-preventable diseases could be next, the World Health Organization warned Friday. “It’s crucial … Continue reading →

Posted in Around the world | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Yep, more measles

Second lawsuit filed over Texas app age verification law

Posted on November 4, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

Noted for the record. A coalition of major technology companies has filed a federal lawsuit against Texas over its new App Store Accountability Act, arguing that the measure violates the First Amendment by imposing sweeping age-verification and parental consent requirements. … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Second lawsuit filed over Texas app age verification law

Measles isn’t done with us yet

Posted on October 7, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas outbreak may be over, but there are other outbreaks out there. One of the largest measles outbreaks in the U.S. is now centered in bordering areas of southwestern Utah and Arizona. In Southwest Utah, all but one of … Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Measles isn’t done with us yet

By the way, COVID is still out there

Posted on August 30, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

Just FYI. Covid cases are climbing again this summer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s forecasting model estimates that infections are growing, or likely growing, in most states. While the agency is reporting low levels of the virus in wastewater nationally, some … Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on By the way, COVID is still out there

More on Austin’s MLB ambitions

Posted on May 25, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

Veteran Longhorn sports-knower Kirk Bohls, formerly of the Statesman and now of the Chron, has a long look at the team working to bring an MLB franchise to Austin. Matt Mackowiak has a plan. The long-time Austin political strategist and … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on More on Austin’s MLB ambitions

It’s not just measles

Posted on April 14, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

Welcome back, whooping cough. We didn’t miss you, but here you are again. In the past six months, two babies in Louisiana have died of pertussis, the disease commonly known as whooping cough. Washington state recently announced its first confirmed … Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on It’s not just measles

MLB to Austin?

Posted on July 24, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

It could happen. [W]ith expansion teams on the horizon, the MLB believes that Austin is one of a few cities that has the potential to host a team. Exactly when the league may expand is a question that hasn’t been … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Not just Fertitta wants a hockey team here

Posted on May 25, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Do tell. Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta has company when it comes to bringing a pro hockey franchise to Houston. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman confirmed Tuesday that the league has received interest from other parties about a team in Houston. “Tilman … Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Are we talking hockey in Houston again?

Posted on February 27, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

It appears we are. Billionaire restaurateur and casino magnate Tilman Fertitta sees a professional hockey team as the next building block for the downtown Houston economy. The owner of the National Basketball Association’s Houston Rockets and the Golden Nugget casino … Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The PAC-ACC Conference?

Posted on August 10, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

This stuff is getting weird, y’all. The four remaining Pac-12 schools still aboard for next season — California, Stanford, Oregon State and Washington State — have options if they are looking for another conference. The Atlantic Coast Conference is exploring … Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The PAC-ACC Conference?

RIP, PAC 12

Posted on August 7, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Wow. The landscape of college sports continues its drastic change. The Pac-12 Conference is down to only four schools remaining as the University of Arizona, Arizona State University and the University of Utah announced Friday they are leaving to join … Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Colorado to return to the Big XII

Posted on July 29, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

It’s about to be the Big XIII, not that they will ever call it that, nor stay at that number. But it’s my blog and I can call it as I see it. The University of Colorado will leave the … Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Big XII remains “open” to more expansion

Posted on June 9, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Maybe they’ll eventually call themselves the Big XVI. The Big 12 is open to further expansion, commissioner Brett Yormark said Friday, as the league prepares to welcome four new members, including the University of Houston, on July 1. Expansion was … Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Big XII remains “open” to more expansion

MLB in Utah?

Posted on April 22, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

It’s on the table. A Salt Lake City consortium led by the former owner of the Utah Jazz plans to pursue a Major League Baseball franchise in the coming years, touting the area’s population growth, strong economy and baseball history … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Big XII now looking to expand

Posted on February 14, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Probably a good idea to try, as a defensive measure if nothing else. The Big 12’s next step is clear after the early exit of Texas and Oklahoma was agreed upon Thursday night. The conference now plans to aggressively pursue expansion in some … Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Big XII now looking to expand

UIL still nixes NIL

Posted on July 23, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

Sorry, Texas high school athletes. You’re still not getting paid. Even if state lawmakers change legislation to allow high school athletes in Texas to profit off their name, image and likeness, the University Interscholastic League may not be ready to … Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on UIL still nixes NIL

Lawsuit filed over Texas trigger law implementation

Posted on June 28, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

One last fight before the curtain comes down. Texas abortion providers are making a last-ditch effort to temporarily resume procedures by challenging a pre-Roe v. Wade abortion ban that has not been enforced for nearly a half-century, but that some … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Feds officially investigating Texas mask mandate ban

Posted on September 22, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Good. The U.S. Department of Education on Tuesday launched a civil rights investigation into Gov. Greg Abbott’s ban on mask mandates in schools, making Texas the sixth state to face a federal inquiry over mask rules. The investigation will focus … Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Feds officially investigating Texas mask mandate ban

The Big XII is finally ready for UH

Posted on September 7, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Hope it was worth the wait. Five years after a potential match fizzled, the University of Houston and Big 12 Conference are on the verge of uniting after all. UH has emerged as a leading contender to join a reconfigured … Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Feds take first steps in the mask mandate fight

Posted on September 2, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Coming attractions. The U.S. Department of Education is opening civil rights investigations to determine whether five states that have banned schools from requiring masks are discriminating against students with disabilities, the agency said on Monday. The department is targeting Iowa, … Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The traveling Paxtons

Posted on February 23, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Seriously? While millions of Texans languished in their homes last week without heat, many of them racking up astronomical electricity bills, the state official in charge of consumer protection left to take an out-of-state trip. According to a campaign spokesman, … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Now we wait on SCOTUS

Posted on December 12, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

The state of Texas filed its reply to the defendants’ responses to its democracy–killing lawsuit, and, well, it’s something. This brings us the Texas AG Ken Paxton’s reply–or, rather, replies, as there are multiple filings, including a motion to enlarge … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020, Legal matters, The making of the President | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 26 Comments

In case you needed another reminder that this coronavirus thing is dangerous

Posted on June 24, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Here you go. The Orlando Pride have withdrawn from the upcoming NWSL Challenge Cup after six players and four staffers tested positive for the coronavirus, a significant setback for a league attempting to become the first in American professional team … Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

NWSL will be the first American sports league to return to play

Posted on May 30, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

We’ll see how it goes. The National Women’s Soccer League will become the first U.S. team sport to resume play June 27 with a month-long tournament in suburban Salt Lake City, and the rebuilding Houston Dash hope the unique format … Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

How other states are handling the Census

Posted on October 17, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Better than we’re handling it. So cities and states with big immigrant populations — like California and New York City — are supplementing the Census Bureau’s efforts like never before, allocating money to outreach groups that can go to communities … Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on How other states are handling the Census

SCOTUS declines to hear Ted Cruz birther lawsuit

Posted on June 3, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Not that it really matters at this point. The Supreme Court declined Tuesday to hear a lawsuit arguing that Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz is ineligible to be president because his Canadian birth means he is not a “natural born … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters, The making of the President | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

SCOTUS asked to rule on Cruz birther lawsuit

Posted on April 12, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

What fun. A Utah man became the first to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to take up a “birther” lawsuit against Ted Cruz which challenges the White House hopeful’s eligibility for office. The request by Utah attorney Walter Wagner, who … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters, The making of the President | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

When are we going to get a general election poll of Texas?

Posted on March 23, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

As goes Utah… According to a new Deseret News/KSL poll, if Donald Trump becomes the GOP nominee, the voters of Utah would opt for a Democratic candidate for the first time in over 50 years. Poll respondents said they would … Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments