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2News Anchor Heidi Hatch hosted Maura Carabello, from the EXORO Group, and Greg Hughes, former Utah House Speaker for a new episode of the Take 2 podcast.

The 3-member panel squabbled over issues that ranged from “The Holy War” ( Utah vs. BYU) outcome to the shrinking Democratic pool of presidential candidates.

Other issues debated include:

• INLAND PORT AGREEMENT FROM SLC MAYOR AND COUNCIL; Despite overwhelming public opposition, the Salt Lake City Council voted Tuesday to approve a hefty tax reimbursement to a developer in the city’s northwest quadrant, where an inland port is planned.
• FIREARM SAFETY: Will it stop school violence and or suicides? “This addresses the reality that guns are a part of our society and are often in places where children can find them,” Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes said.
• STDs ARE THE MOST COMMON DISEASE IN UTAH OVER INFLUENZA: Two sexually transmitted diseases top the list for the most common diseases in Salt Lake County and the health department says the current approach to sex education is not working. Chlamydia and gonorrhea — the two top reported diseases — are more common than the flu (influenza,) hepatitis C and tuberculosis.
• TRUMP USES FEMA FUNDS FOR ICE COURTS AND IMMIGRATION JAILS: Good idea to solve border issues or bad idea as a Cat 4 Hurricane barrels toward Florida?
• 2020 RACE GETS SMALLER: Sen. Kiersten Gillibrand bowing out leaves only 10 will debate in Houston in September.

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This week, 2News Anchor Heidi Hatch hosted Maura Carabello, from the EXORO Group, and Greg Hughes, former Utah House Speaker for a new episode of the Take 2 podcast.

The panel discussed the abrupt resignation of Overstock CEO Patrick M. Byrne. The head of the Utah-based company stated:

I now plan on leaving things to the esteemed Department of Justice (which I have doubtless already angered enough by going public) and disappearing for some time.

Additional issues that resulted in highly charged conversation included:

• VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE IN UTAH – He touted Utah’s trade prowess saying, “Utah sends $2 billion worth of goods to Canada each year and $750 million worth to Mexico. Exports have doubled to Canada and tripled to Mexico over the past five years, according to Miller.” The trio speculated about whether Pence does the POTUS any good by showing up in a Republican state that doesn’t like his boss.
• INTERIM LEGISLATIVE SESSION – State abandons DABC-style control over medical cannabis; private dispensaries will be used instead. This switch will be addressed in the special session, possibly mid-September.
• OPERATION RIO GRANDE 2 YEARS LATER – The state touts success as we wait on new shelters. Is it really a victory?
• 4th DISTRICT ANNOUNCEMENT – State Sen. Dan Hemmert is in a growing and crowded Republican race against Rep. Ben McAdams
• UTAH BAD FOR WOMEN – Utah ranks dead last when comparing workplace environment (which includes wage, hours worked, unemployment rate), education, political empowerment against their male counterparts. Hawaii and New York ranked 1st and 2nd, respectively for the best states for women’s equality.

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Heidi Hatch hosts Maura Carabello from the EXORO Group and former Utah House Speaker Greg Hughes.

The trio discusses the just tallied mayor voting for Salt Lake County with results that went against polls. 

Vice President Mike Pence is heading to Utah, but why is his visit a secret? And the gun debate continues after six officers were shot in Philadelphia. The Trump administration makes major changes to endangered species rules and wants economics to decide the fates of animals.

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This week on the Take 2 podcast, 2News Anchor Heidi Hatch is joined by former The Exoro Group’s Maura Carabello and former radio host and congressional candidate Jay McFarland.

The three-member panel discussed the recent shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, which brings the total number of such incidents up to at least 17 this year. 

Additional topics discussed include:

• MASS SHOOTINGS: What can be done? A space for hopes, prayers, regulation and change.
• MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS: Salt Lake City has had 20,544 ballots returned so far for 22.75 % turnout. That won’t include ballots being picked up Friday in drop boxes. For all the races in Salt Lake County, it is only 54,877 or 17.16% so far. Review of vote-by-mail instructions because Utahns proved in the last election they did not understand how it worked (Utah County in particular).
• JON HUNTSMAN, JR. RESIGNATION AS U.S. AMBASSADOR TO RUSSIA:  How would he shake up the governor race or would he?

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The 25th episode of the Take 2 podcast features 2News Anchor Heidi Hatch and former Speaker of the House Greg Hughes (R) and The Exoro Group’s Maura Carabello.

The 3-member panel paid tribute to Norma Matheson, the former First Lady of Utah, who died late Sunday night. She was 89. 

Norma was the wife of former Democratic Gov. Scott M. Matheson, and the mother of former U.S. Congressman Jim Matheson and 10th U.S. Circuit Court Judge Scott Matheson, Jr., along with former Rep. James Matheson.

The panel then turned their attention to the following topics in a lively debate:

• Democratic Debates Round 2: Did anyone make headway or lose ground? Mitt Romney goes after Bernie Sanders after the debate.
• Health insurance: Private vs. Medicaid – During the discussion on health care, Montana Gov. Steve Bullock credited medical treatment in Salt Lake City and “good insurance” with saving his child’s life. “Health care is so personal to all of us,” Bullock said. “[I’ll] never forget when my 12-year-old son had a heart attack, within 24 hours of his life, had to be life-flighted to Salt Lake City, but because we had good insurance, he’s here with me tonight. At the end of the day, I’m not going to support any plan that rips away quality health care from individuals.”
• Utah Medicaid waiver not approved by the Trump Administration: What happens next?
• Gov. Gary Herbert issues statement telling county attorneys their health departments must dispense medical cannabis according to state. Davis County Troy Rawlings said current state law requires county employees to distribute a federally controlled substance in violation of Controlled Substance Act.
• Utah is one of the first states to allow birth control to be sold without a doctor. Pharmacists can now prescribe birth control. Is this a good idea?
• Rep. Rob Bishop confirms he won’t run again and keeps his campaign promise.

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 The 24th episode of the Take 2 podcast features 2News Anchor Heidi Hatch and former Speaker of the House Greg Hughes (R) and The Exoro Group’s Maura Carabello.

Topics the panel tackled include aerial fireworks that were legalized in the Utah Legislature in 2011.  The discussion included sales doubling in the first year the aerial fireworks were permitted but now 8 years later if fires and air pollution are issues concerning enough to dial back the firework laws. Should we be able to blow stuff up because it’s patriotic? 

Find out how the discussion played out in addition to the lively debate on these topics:

• MEDICAL MARIJUANA LAWSUITS: The state said it would pick 10 growers but ultimately chose 8. Now those who were not chosen were suing. The number dropped so Utah doesn’t end up with too much marijuana.
• MUELLER TESTIMONY: Rep. Rob Bishop said, “the book was better than the movie.” Is impeachment possible?
• UTAH NO. 2 IN LGBTQ SUPPORT NATIONALLY: 2018 poll just released by the Public Religion Research Institute, 77% of Utahn’s either favor or strongly favor “laws that would protect (LGBT) people against discrimination in jobs, public accommodations, and housing.” Surprising? The Legislature couldn’t ban conversion therapy this last session but 4 years ago passed the anti-discrimination bill.
• SLC MAYORAL RACE: Ballots are in the mail. Are voters fired up or is turnout going to be garbage? Free billboards for 3 candidates:  Luz Escamilla, David Garbett, and David Ibarra. Did the PACs put them up?

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 The 23rd episode of the Take 2 podcast features 2News Anchor Heidi Hatch and former Speaker of the House Greg Hughes (R) and The Exoro Group’s Maura Carabello.

The panel tackles the latest poll on how Utahns feel about President Trump’s job performance and his social media posting habits.

Other topics discussed include:

• Racist tweets or POTUS speaking truth?
• Abortion Resolution: Local municipalities chiming in
• 9/11 bill: Sen. Mike Lee was a big part in holding it up, then pushing a much different plan. (Still $10 billion for 10 years.)
• Homeless shelters behind schedule: Asking for $21 million bridge loan. Need the money to pay contractors on time. Fundraising would pay it back.
• Utah lawmaker wants to legalize safe places to inject heroin and provide treatment options. Great idea or worst ever? Utah lawmakers will soon debate the idea. State Rep. Jennifer Dailey-Provost is leading the charge.
• Federal minimum wage $15 an hour: 6 Democrats voted against it yesterday in the House. Rep. Ben McAdams was one.

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This week on the Take 2 podcast, 2News Anchor Heidi Hatch is joined by former Speaker of the House Greg Hughes (R) and The Exoro Group’s Maura Carabello.

The trio discussed if Utah driver’s license information is being used illegally by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and additional topics including:

• Utah Inland Port Authority protesters: Police, media and messaging.
• Trump announcing he will drop the census fight: Is there a reason to fight for the citizenship question?
• State 3-day teleworking: Does it work?
• Presidential candidate Kamala Harris: Utah visit a hoax but is she still invited to the Beehive State? 
• District 4 has a new candidate: KSL Radio’s Jay McFarland enters the race against Rep. Ben McAdams, days after Mia Love says she may run again.
• ICE raids start this weekend: Gov. Gary Herbert says not in Utah.

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 This week on the Take 2 podcast, Heidi Hatch is joined by former Speaker of the House Greg Hughes (R) and Jan Seelig, Ph.D. to discuss a variety of topics and issues. 

This week’s topics include:

• Mackenzie Lueck’s body is found. We talk about legal issues that hold up missing adult investigations. What’s more important- right to privacy or giving it away so we can be found faster?
• Trump Parade “Salute to America: Celebration.  Hit or Miss?
• Emergency on the border- overcrowding and unhealthy conditions. $4.6B funding headed that way. Can money fix the problem?
• Dem Debate- winners and losers a week out
• Kamala Harris Headed to Utah July 17
• Should college debt be wiped out?

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 The weekly Take 2 podcast hit its 20th episode including the special on the legislature killing the massive tax overhaul bill. 

The milestone podcast featured 2News Anchor/Reporter Heidi Hatch hosting former Speaker of the House Greg Hughes (R) and guest Robert Gehrke, an award-winning columnist from The Salt Lake Tribune.

Topics discussed included:

• A new pilot project set to start this fall – charging drivers of electric cars per mile.
• U.S. Border. Detention versus concentration camps.
• Salt Lake City Teachers at impasse headed for mediation.
• Looking forward to a new season with the Utah Jazz and Mike Conley, Jr.
• Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox pulls in $250k in 4 weeks in his bid for the governor’s seat – kind of. Meanwhile, Utah County Businessman Jeff Burningham quietly has $570k.
• SLC Mayor gets sassy online.