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Jill McCluskey says improvements at the University of Utah since her daughter’s death have helped with her grief

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Jill McCluskey says improvements at the University of Utah since her daughter’s death have helped with her grief


A number of months after her daughter was murdered on campus, Jill McCluskey spoke out for the primary time — blaming the College of Utah and charging its police division with an “unforgivable lapse of judgment.”

On Thursday, almost 5 years after Lauren McCluskey’s loss of life, she mentioned the loss will at all times harm, however seeing the enhancements on the faculty to higher help victims has helped her as she continues to mourn.

“It means a lot to me,” she mentioned. “This truly helps me in my grief to see the modifications right here.”

The college nonetheless has flaws to appropriate, Jill McCluskey mentioned. She pointed to the February 2022 loss of life of worldwide U. scholar Zhifan Dong, whose home violence case was mishandled in ways in which mirrored a few of the errors made in responding to her daughter’s considerations, notably with the dearth of motion by campus housing officers.

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“The housing crew once more failed with Zhifan,” she mentioned.

And he or she cautioned that college students proceed to battle with trusting the college’s law enforcement officials.

“With all that you just’re doing, there may be nonetheless a problem,” she mentioned. Then McCluskey paused and added: “However I belief you now.”

(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Alexandria greets company on the College of Utah at a desk the place they may pledge help for the “I Made Lauren’s Promise” marketing campaign, in help of these experiencing home violence, Mar. 2, 2023. Lauren McCluskey was killed on campus in 2018 by a person she had briefly dated. Alexandria, who requested to be recognized by her first identify, shared a dorm room with McCluskey on the U. their freshman yr.

It was a hopeful sentiment that got here through the U.’s first campus security convention. The daylong occasion featured outstanding audio system from throughout the college and from different campus police departments within the state, who got here collectively to speak about methods to guard younger college students. McCluskey was the keynote, and far of this system echoed her tone and checked out discovering methods to proceed bettering, notably with relationship violence.

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McCluskey mentioned it’s a difficulty that must be addressed — broadly and responsibly.

“Earlier than we misplaced Lauren, I didn’t know in regards to the seriousness myself,” she mentioned.

Lauren McCluskey, a 21-year-old observe athlete, was killed in October 2018 exterior her dorm room by Melvin Rowland, a person she had briefly dated. She had gone to campus police a number of instances to report her considerations about Rowland extorting her, and she or he and her associates instructed housing officers about her considerations. Lauren even twice reported to Salt Lake Metropolis police when she didn’t hear again from U. officers.

However her reviews had been largely ignored, a later unbiased research confirmed.

On Thursday, Jill McCluskey recounted these occasions in stark element. “She met him in September. He killed her in October,” she mentioned about Rowland. And he or she spoke, too, in regards to the remaining moments of her daughter’s life, when Lauren was strolling residence from class and telling her mother about tasks she was excited to pursue. Lauren screamed, “no, no, no” earlier than dropping the telephone, Jill McCluskey mentioned, and Rowland shot her.

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“I need to inform Lauren’s story so folks consider that after they’re interacting with victims,” she instructed a room full of greater than 100 officers and college officers, with a line of media cameras in opposition to the again wall. Photos from her presentation projected on a display screen confirmed Lauren holding a cat, leaping over observe hurdles and sitting behind an area TV information desk whereas she shadowed an anchor.

(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Jill McCluskey speaks about her daughter, Lauren McCluskey, through the College of Utah’s campus security convention, Mar. 2, 2023. Lauren McCluskey, a 21-year-old observe athlete, was killed in October 2018 exterior her dorm room by a person she had briefly dated.

Keith Squires, who was a member of the unbiased assessment crew that appeared on the errors the college made in responding to Lauren’s considerations, has since been employed by the U. because the chief security officer to steer efforts to vary policing within the wake of the tragedy. He began the convention by acknowledging each Lauren and Dong’s murders.

We’re “acknowledging what may have been finished higher,” he mentioned.

The college, he added, has “realized from these experiences” and likewise has “quite a bit to do forward of us.” On Thursday — similtaneously the convention — state lawmakers permitted the college’s settlement settlement with Dong’s household, granting her dad and mom $5 million for his or her loss.

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Squires highlighted hiring new policing employees and opening a brand new public security constructing on campus, however he didn’t particularly touch upon the repetition of errors made in Dong’s case, which got here greater than three years after Lauren’s homicide. He famous solely: “We are going to maintain shifting ahead with goal.”

Dong, who was 19 when she died, spoke to U. housing employees a number of instances, alleging that her ex-boyfriend Haoyu Wang had had hit her after she broke up with him and reporting that she was scared about what he would do subsequent. Campus police weren’t known as, although, till virtually a month after her first report; she died three days after that.

Wang has been charged with injecting medication into Dong at a downtown Salt Lake Metropolis resort. He’s at present in jail and has up to now been declared incompetent to face trial.

In her deal with, Jill McCluskey outlined a collection of fixes — some which have already been applied and others she believes may stand to be strengthened — in responding to college students reporting interpersonal violence.

She notably desires the U. to proceed breaking down silos that exist between departments, the place info just isn’t shared, which occurred with each Lauren and Dong.

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“I’m not being essential right here,” McCluskey mentioned. “However housing didn’t talk with police. Safety and police didn’t discuss. Police jurisdictions didn’t discuss. There was no communication with counseling and police.”

She additionally pushed for campus police departments to reply in a well timed matter to victims, and if a police officer or detective has a scheduled break day, to have a system the place there may be appointed backup to proceed responding to a case. And he or she desires officers to make use of what’s known as a lethality evaluation program, or LAP, to evaluate the danger a sufferer of home violence is in when reporting to police. A invoice at present being debated this legislative session would require police departments in Utah to try this.

Officers ought to consider girls, and departments ought to domesticate a tradition the place that’s the usual, McCluskey mentioned. There must be sufferer advocates, too, for any scholar who may use that service. And he or she desires victims to have the precise to ban somebody from campus when a person is harassing or threatening them.

She has confronted threats, herself, the place she works at Washington State College, with folks attacking her about Lauren’s case and victim-blaming, she mentioned. She’s known as campus police there a number of instances for assist.

McCluskey desires to launch a program with U.S. Information and World Report that might rank every faculty within the nation on their public security efforts — just like the information group at present does on teachers. That may give potential college students perception, she mentioned, to how secure they could be on a campus. And it could immediate faculties, she believes, to take the problems extra significantly.

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Every faculty can be ranked on their police insurance policies, response instances, trainings and entry to victims advocates.

McCluskey applauded the U. setting apart comfortable interview rooms to speak to victims in a relaxing atmosphere in its new police constructing. And he or she’s glad to listen to that a lot of the officers within the division are new and have undergone intensive coaching on responding to trauma and associate violence. She ranks the division larger than she would have years in the past.

“I see a lot sincerity and authenticity and willingness to make change,” she mentioned. “From this, we should all take motion.”

(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) College of Utah’s campus security convention attendees hear as Jill McCluskey addresses the gang, Mar. 2, 2023. McCluskey’s daughter, Lauren McCluskey, a 21-year-old observe athlete, was killed in October 2018 exterior her dorm room by Melvin Rowland, a person she had briefly dated.



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What to expect for the Nov. 5 general election in Utah

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What to expect for the Nov. 5 general election in Utah


SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Polls closed for Utah’s primary elections on June 25 and preliminary results began coming in, setting the stage for the upcoming general election on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

While official voter canvassing results were not scheduled to be available until July 22, the Associated Press projected winners for several races by June 25.

Here’s what to expect for the voting process for the general election in November.

Who is running in Utah?

The June 25 primaries narrowed down the list of candidates running for office in Utah.

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Gov. Spencer Cox was the projected winner for the gubernatorial race, according to the AP.

Rep. John Curtis was expected to clinch the Republican nomination to replace Sen. Mitt Romney, and would face off against Democratic challenger Caroline Gleich and Independent challengers Carlton E. Bown and Robert Newcomb in the 2024 General Election in November.

For a full list of Utah’s candidates, click here.

When are the registration and voting deadlines?

Depending on how Utahns register to vote, the deadlines for registration may vary.

Deadlines for registration (and how to register)

Voters in Utah can register online, in person, or by mail.

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Online voter registration is available at vote.utah.gov, and it must be completed by Oct. 25, 2024. The deadline for registering by mail is also Oct. 25.

If registering to vote in person, the deadline is Nov. 5, 2024 (meaning you can register on Election Day if you have the proper forms of identification).

Deadlines for voting

Early in-person voting at the Government Center begins Oct. 22, 2024, and ends Nov. 1, 2024. Early in-person voting at satellite locations begins Oct. 29, 2024, and ends Nov. 1, 2024.

If returning a ballot by mail, the ballot must be postmarked by Nov. 4, 2024. Ballots should be sent to voters by Oct. 15, and the last day to request a mail ballot is Oct. 29.

On Election Day — Tuesday, Nov. 5 — Utahns can vote at polling locations from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.

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To find the closest polling location to you, visit votesearch.utah.gov and enter your address.

How do you check registration status in Utah?

If you want to vote but are unsure if you have already registered, you can check your status online at votesearch.utah.gov. To check your registration status, you need to provide your name, date of birth, and address.

That website can also display tracking information for mail ballots or provisional ballots, but not if you voted at a voting machine or in person.

Once you register to vote in Utah, you don’t need to re-register unless your registration status changes.

“If you have moved outside of the state and returned, or your name has changed, or your registration has lapsed by not voting in the last two presidential elections you will need to re-register,” according to the Salt Lake County Clerk’s Office.

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Registering on Election Day

Did you know that if you are not yet registered to vote you can do so on Election Day?

“A poll worker will assist you in registering to vote and casting a provisional ballot on an electronic voting machine,” the Salt Lake County Clerk’s Office said.

To register on Election Day, you must bring a valid photo ID and proof of Utah residency to an Election Day vote center during polling hours. To see the full list of approved forms of identification, click here.

Who can vote in Utah?

There are three criteria for voters in the Beehive State.

First, you must be a resident of the United States in order to be eligible to vote in Utah. Second, you must reside in Utah for at least 30 days prior to the next election.

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Third, you must be at least 18 years old on or before the general election. If you are 17 years old at the time of the primary election, you may still vote if you are 18 years old on or before the date of the general election.



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Utah Jazz NBA Draft Preview: 2024

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Utah Jazz NBA Draft Preview: 2024


The Utah Jazz have an exciting night tomorrow because they have the 10th, 29th, and 32nd pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. the Jazz have been in several rumors regarding the draft. Some rumors suggest the Jazz will trade up for higher than pick number 10. Some rumors suggest the Jazz will package picks 29 and 32 for a higher second pick in the first round. The honest observation at this point is that the Jazz might do just about anything for the draft. Tune in tomorrow night from home or from the Delta Center to find out what the Jazz do in round one! To watch the draft, tune in to ABC or ESPN.

Round One Draft: 6 PM MST, June 26th

Round Two Draft: 2 PM MST, June 27th

Below are projections on who the Jazz could select with their 3 picks. The projections are based on the Jazz’s rumored interest and generally where players are projected to be picked.

10th Pick Projections:

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Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images

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Ron Holland

Nikola Topic

Rob Dillingham

Cody Williams

Zach Edey

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Dalton Knecht

2024 NBA Combine

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Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/NBAE via Getty Images

29th Pick Projections:

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2024 NBA Combine

Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images

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Kyshawn George

Ryan Dunn

Baylor Scheierman

AJ Johnson

Justin Edwards

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Cam Christie

Tyler smith

Johnny Furphy

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Notre Dame v Virginia

Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images

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Pick 32 Projections:

2024 NBA Combine

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Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images

Picks 29 and 32 are close so these projections mainly overlap.

Harrison Ingram

Kyle Flipowski

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Trentyn Flowers

Jonathan Mogbo

Jaylon Tyson

Tyler Kolek

Bronny James

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Bobi Klintman

2024 NBA Combine

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Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/NBAE via Getty Images

Final Prediction

This projection could be way off because this draft has a lot of parity and the Jazz could very well trade some of their picks. With that said, I predict that the Jazz select Nikola Topic with the 10th pick. For the 29th pick, The Jazz go for Ryan Dunn. For the 32nd pick, I predict that the Jazz select Jaylon Tyson. I think the Jazz will almost make a trade or two tomorrow but don’t quite pull the trigger.

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Houston Rockets v Utah Jazz

What do you think the Jazz will do tomorrow night? Comment below!



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4 Utah Jazz rumors to watch before the NBA Draft

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4 Utah Jazz rumors to watch before the NBA Draft


The Tribune’s Andy Larsen breaks down the latest reports.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Brooklyn Nets forward Mikal Bridges (1) tries to evade the block attempt by Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) during NBA basketball in Salt Lake City Monday, Dec. 18, 2023.

The NBA Draft starts Wednesday, and the rumor mill is heating up around the Utah Jazz. Here’s the latest news, along with my reaction to the possibilities.

Trading for Mikal Bridges?

Rumor: Yahoo’s Jake Fischer reported that the Jazz are one of the teams interested in trading for Brooklyn wing Mikal Bridges, along with Houston and New York. Bridges is one of “Utah’s most aggressive aspirations,” Fischer wrote.

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Reaction: The Nets have repeatedly declined to trade Bridges despite it probably making sense for the franchise to do so. Instead, they’ve been asking for more than three first-round picks in return for the 27-year-old.

Bridges would make the Jazz significantly better; he’s developed himself into a 20-point-per-game scorer while also being a solid defender. He’s the two-way player with size that these most recent playoffs have shown are extremely valuable. (Though we should note here that he was a far better player before the All-Star break than after it last year.)

The problem is that it’s not immediately clear that the Jazz would be a playoff team even with Bridges — he was an eight-win player last season, and the Jazz finished 15 wins short of the No. 10 seed. For an acquisition of Bridges to make sense, Utah would probably need to acquire other good players around him and Lauri Markkanen to get up in that 45-win range required to make the playoffs in the West. Still, it could be an exciting first step.

Trading for Zach LaVine?

Rumor: The Bulls “remain active” on trade negotiations sending out Zach LaVine involving the Jazz and the Philadelphia 76ers, according to NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson. However, reporter Marc Stein disagreed with the report, saying he had been “advised to dismiss Utah’s interest.”

Reaction: Johnson’s a quality veteran reporter, but I agree with Stein. While I haven’t heard recent updates, Jazz personnel earlier this year indicated that LaVine wasn’t a logical option in the pre-trade deadline market given the Jazz’s place in the standings, LaVine’s poor record of availability, and especially his high contract that pays him a combined $138 million over the next three years.

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Chicago Bulls’ Zach LaVine (8) scores past Toronto Raptors’ Gary Trent Jr. (33) during the first half of an NBA basketball In-Season Tournament game Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

I don’t suspect circumstances have changed enough since to make a LaVine trade make sense now, at least not a trade in which the Jazz are giving up assets. If anything, it might require Chicago to send out assets to push the Jazz to take on LaVine’s deal.

Signing Tobias Harris?

Rumor: The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that the Jazz and the Detroit Pistons “are expected to be the strongest suitors for Tobias Harris,” who is a free agent this summer after his 5-year, $180 million albatross of a deal ended with the 76ers.

Reaction: The Jazz will likely have about $40 million in cap space this summer. Some of that room the franchise anticipates using on Markkanen’s renegotiation and extension as the Finnish star enters the final year of his current contract.

Boston Celtics’ Al Horford (42) defends against Philadelphia 76ers’ Tobias Harris (12) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

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Harris is theoretically someone who could help the Jazz. At this point in his career, he’s statistically pretty average across the board — his shooting, rebounding, passing, steals, and block rates are just around the 50th percentile, maybe a bit higher. Even average, though, would make Harris the Jazz’s best wing by a lot.

He turns 32 this summer, so Harris doesn’t make sense for the Jazz’s long-term future, and signing him would also mean fewer minutes for last year’s No. 9 pick, Taylor Hendricks. But if they could get him on a short-term deal for a discount, he could also be a tradable piece in a move later while helping the Jazz improve now.

Looking to move up?

Rumor: Multiple reporters indicated that the Jazz are looking to move up in the draft using the No. 29 pick and the No. 32 pick. First, ESPN’s Jonathan Givony reported Monday morning that the Jazz are looking to trade the two picks for a “pick in the late teens.” Arizona sports radio host John Gambadoro reported that he believed that the Suns had had discussions with the Jazz, sending the No. 22 pick to Utah for No. 29 and No. 32. Fischer, meanwhile, floated the idea of the Jazz acquiring No. 17 from the Lakers in exchange for the two picks.

Reaction: Jazz general manager Justin Zanik acknowledged that the club has reservations about having six first- or second-year players on the roster next season, the logical outcome if the team makes all three selections on Wednesday. So the Jazz consolidating these picks in this fashion follows that line of thinking, especially if they are targeting a player they believe is significantly better than what’s available around the turn of the draft.

My only concern is that, in general, teams trading up in drafts get a little less value than those trading down when you study the issue analytically. The NBA Draft Pick Trade Simulator at nbasense.com is a good tool for looking at this — trading No. 29 and No. 32 for No. 17 is a pretty fair deal, but trading those picks for No. 22 would be analytically a bad idea. That’s especially true in a “flat” draft, where players’ values are considered pretty close throughout the first round.

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If the Jazz are going to defy the analytics, they should be really sure that the player they’re acquiring with the higher pick is worth giving up two chances to place bets further down in the draft.

Editor’s note • This story is available to Salt Lake Tribune subscribers only. Thank you for supporting local journalism.



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