In the days since Utah’s top election official sent letters to more than 300,000 Utahns who previously opted to keep their voter registration records private, warning them their personal information is about to become public, questions and panic over the change have flooded social media platforms.

Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson mailed the notices earlier this month, informing voters that under the recently passed SB153, most voters’ data currently classified as “private” or “withheld” will be publicly accessible to anyone willing to pay a hefty fee beginning May 25.

Critics say the new state law puts vulnerable residents at risk, and that voters who sought privacy protections are right to be concerned.

The change coincides with sweeping efforts by President Donald Trump’s administration to obtain the entirety of state voter databases as he continues to make unsubstantiated claims of widespread election fraud. Henderson has resisted the move, embroiling her in a legal battle with the Justice Department.

Read Emily Anderson Stern and Sydney Jezik’s full story at sltrib.com.

This article is published through the Utah News Collaborative, a partnership of news organizations in Utah that aims to inform readers across the state.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who the Green Bay Packers could select in the 2026 NFL draft.

As it stands right now the Green Bay Packers have a pair of seventh-round picks during the 2026 NFL Draft. A potential target with one of those picks could be Anterio Thompson. The Washington defensive tackle had a 30 visit with the Packers and checks in at No. 11 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.

A Wisconsin native, Thompson didn’t start playing football until his senior year of high school. He started his collegiate career at the JUCO level at Iowa Western Community College. He then transferred to Iowa for the 2023 season and logged 41 snaps on special teams and blocked two punts.

Following his lone season with the Hawkeyes, he transferred to Western Michigan for the 2024 season and recorded 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack and blocked another punt.

CASPER — A former longtime employee of Special Olympics Wyoming has been arrested on suspicion of embezzling more than $200,000 from the nonprofit group.

Following a monthslong financial crimes investigation, Christine Rodriguez, 57, of Bar Nunn, was arrested Tuesday on recommended charges of two counts of felony theft and seven counts of felony forgery, the Casper Police Department (CPD) reports.

She’s accused of operating a sophisticated scheme within the organization’s routine financial operations over multiple years that led to identified losses exceeding $180,000 in unauthorized checks and more than $26,000 in cash discrepancies, according to the CPD report.

Investigators say the case began in June 2025 after Special Olympics Wyoming reported financial irregularities following an internal review conducted after Rodriguez’s employment ended earlier that year. 

Rodriguez had worked for the organization for roughly a decade.

Her role with Special Olympics reportedly included handling donations, preparing deposits, and maintaining financial records — duties that provided access to money and documentation that were allegedly manipulated, the CPD reports.

Authorities allege the scheme included falsified deposit records, misapplied check deposits used to cover missing cash, issuance of unauthorized checks, and forged signatures as well as internal approval initials. Investigators also report alleged alterations to records maintained for audit purposes.

Based on a review of financial documentation to date, detectives allege total losses of about $206,000, and officials say a final tally will be determined through the court process.

‘Fully Cooperating’

Special Olympics Wyoming said it discovered the alleged embezzlement after Rodriguez was fired for an undisclosed reason, according to a statement to Cowboy State Daily from President and CEO Jennifer Haines.

“Special Olympics Wyoming is aware of the arrest of Christine Rodriguez, a former employee, for alleged financial irregularities during her time of employment with the organization,” the statement says. “Upon discovery of the irregularities following Ms. Rodriguez’s termination from employment with the organization, this discovery was immediately reported to the Casper Police Department, and a full investigation was launched.”

Haines also said the organization is “fully cooperating” with the investigation, and because that’s still active, the group “has no further comment at this time.”

“Special Olympics Wyoming is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and protecting the interests of all of our athletes, donors, and supporters,” she added.

‘Position Of Trust’

Special Olympics Wyoming provided extensive documentation and assistance throughout the investigation, according to police. 

Because of the complexity of the financial review, investigators also worked with the Rocky Mountain Information Network, a regional law enforcement support system within the Regional Information Sharing Systems network, to assist with analysis of records.

The Casper Police Department noted the case comes amid the organization’s visible role in Wyoming communities, including longstanding participation from law enforcement in programs such as the Law Enforcement Torch Run and Tip-A-Cop fundraising efforts.

“When someone abuses a position of trust for personal gain, it harms more than an organization,” said lead investigator Officer Jace Carver. “In this case, the people who ultimately feel that harm are the athletes and families who work hard to support Special Olympics programs across Wyoming.”

Carver added that investigators appreciate the cooperation of Special Olympics Wyoming, saying it helped build an evidence-based case for prosecution.

Rodriguez was scheduled to make her initial appearance in Natrona County Circuit Court on Wednesday afternoon, but it was rescheduled for Thursday.

Kolby Fedore can be reached at kolby@cowboystatedaily.com.