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‘Civil war’: Utah, PA governors call out political violence in bipartisan panel

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‘Civil war’: Utah, PA governors call out political violence in bipartisan panel



Republican Governor of Utah Spencer Cox and Democratic Governor of Pennsylvania spoke in Washington, D.C. They called on Americans to stop using violence against political opponents.

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Two of the nation’s top state leaders who have had close brushes with political violence in 2025 hosted a panel on Dec. 9 where they called on Americans to stop hating their political enemies before it leads to “civil war.”

“We’re passing all the checkpoints, well ultimately towards failed states and things like civil war, I hate to even use that phrase,” said Spencer Cox, Utah’s Republican governor whose longstanding campaign for political unity was thrust into the national spotlight with the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in September.

Cox participated in the panel alongside Pennsylvania’s Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro, whose house was firebombed in April. 

Tuesday’s panel comes at a point where in addition to the killing of Kirk and the firebombing of the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion, a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband were killed and another lawmaker and his wife were injured at their homes in June; two Israeli embassy workers were shot and killed in D.C. in May; and a National Guard member was killed and another injured in a shooting also in the nation’s capital in November.

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The pair spoke at Washington National Cathedral, about three and a half miles northwest of the White House.

Early on in the panel, Shapiro called out President Donald Trump for stoking hate in politics.  

“When you’re a governor, when you’re a president of the United States, you’re looked to for that moral clarity,” Shapiro said, “and we have a president who fails that test on a daily basis.”

Trump at a rally in September following the killing of Kirk said that he hates his opponents. 

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“That’s where I disagreed with Charlie,” Trump said. “I hate my opponent, and I don’t want the best for them.”

Cox closed the panel by calling for a return to a period where political party affiliation took a backseat to aspects including profession or one’s family. 

“To my fellow Americans, to my fellow worshipers, whatever it is, whether you’re in a sacred place like this, whether you’re in a synagogue, whether you’re in a mosque, I don’t care where it is, you are are fellow Americans,” said Cox, who has been speaking about the need for political civility since first running for governor in 2020. “We need you now more than ever, this country, if we’re going to make it another 250 years, if we’re going to make it another two point five years, we desperately need you to lay down your swords and treat each other with dignity and respect again.”



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Utah

Large police presence responds to the area of Crestwood Drive in South Ogden

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Large police presence responds to the area of Crestwood Drive in South Ogden


SOUTH OGDEN, Utah (ABC4) — There is a heavy police presence in the area of Harrison Blvd in South Ogden. ABC4 is working to learn more.

While police have not confirmed any information, ABC4 has acquired footage from a bystander that shows law enforcement detaining one individual. The individual can be seen handcuffed and without a shirt.

Several residents have also reported seeing over a dozen police vehicles heading to the area and reported hearing gunshots on social media.

Courtesy: Kade Garner // KTVX

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Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the scene, including Davis County SWAT, Weber County Sheriff’s Department, and Morgan County Sheriff’s Department. Officers from Riverton Police Department, Roy Police Department, Clinton Police Department, and Layton police Department all responded to the scene.

Law enforcement also used several drones and several armored vehicles responded to the scene. Additionally, it appears at least one person was transported from the scene by ambulance

Courtesy: Randy Ferrin

At this time, law enforcement has not confirmed any details regarding this incident. However, they appeared to have cleared from the scene.

This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post as more information becomes available.

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Penalties to be enforced if Trump’s face covered on national park passes, reports say

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Penalties to be enforced if Trump’s face covered on national park passes, reports say


SALT LAKE CITY — Those using a new national park pass who want to enjoy Utah’s “Mighty Five” better do so with President Donald Trump’s face perfectly intact, or you might pay a literal price.

The new annual park passes, which debuted on Jan. 1, feature Trump’s image alongside that of George Washington. At the same time as the release, the Department of the Interior reportedly updated its rules to ensure Trump’s face remains free and clear.

According to the Washington Post, the updated “Void if Altered” policy prohibits anyone from defacing the pass or covering up any images or information on the cards. Visitors found by rangers to have altered a pass by any means will be ordered to return it to its original condition or possibly be charged a regular entrance fee.

SFGate reported the policy originally prohibited any alteration of the signature portion of the pass, with the updated policy including the front of the card, with a warning that “writing on it or adding stickers or other coverings” is no longer allowed.

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Many believe the updated policy is in direct response to the large pushback over the inclusion of Trump, leaving people to share creative ways to hide the president’s image from passes, including stickers and sleeves.

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Along with the suggestions on how to hide Trump’s image, a nonprofit environmental group has filed a lawsuit claiming its design did not comply with legislation that requires public participation in the selection.





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Two killed, six wounded in shooting outside Mormon church in Utah

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Two killed, six wounded in shooting outside Mormon church in Utah


Two people were killed, and at least six were wounded when gunfire erupted outside a funeral at a Mormon church in Utah on Wednesday night, according to authorities and reports.

Eight people were hit by gunfire when shots rang out outside The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Redwood Road in Salt Lake City around 7:30 p.m., Salt Lake City Police Department spokesperson Glen Mills told the Salt Lake City Tribune.

Two people were killed, and six people were injured in the shooting that occurred outside in the church’s parking lot as dozens were attending a funeral service inside.

Of the six wounded, three individuals are in critical condition, the Salt Lake City Police Department posted on X. All of the victims were adults.

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Police stand outside the Salt Lake City church where at least eight people were shot, including two fatally on Jan. 7, 2026. AP
People hug outside the church after the shooting in Salt Lake City, Utah. AP

There were no suspects in custody as of late Wednesday night, and it is not immediately clear if there were multiple gunmen involved. A motive was also unknown.

However, police said they have obtained solid leads in the investigation and are working to locate individuals involved in the shooting.

“We believe this was not a random incident,” Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd told reporters. 

The shooting was not believed to be targeting a religion, Redd clarified. 

Roughly 100 law enforcement vehicles swarmed the area in the aftermath of the gunfire as helicopters flew overhead. 

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The area around the Mormon church remained closed into the evening as authorities urged the public to stay clear of the still active scene.

Funeral attendees walk out of the meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Jan. 7, 2026. AP

“This should never have happened outside a place of worship. This should never have happened outside a celebration of life,” said Mayor Erin Mendenhall.

The Salt Lake City Police Department did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.

The incident remains under investigation.

With Post wires.

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