Take 2: Assassination Attempt, Data Center, Statewide Convention winners and losers, Iran, SCOTUS ruling

Host: Heidi Hatch

Guests: Maura Carabello (Exoro Group), Thomas Wright (Former Utah GOP Chair, 2020 Gubernatorial Candidate, Real estate broker)

White House correspondents’ dinner attempted assassination

Utah Box Elder County Data Center

Governor Cox:  Utah and other states have an obligation to "allow" the sprawling facilities. "There is a national security piece to this that has to be acknowledged," Cox said in response to a 2News question at his monthly PBS Utah news conference. "We have to do this. We just can't say no and shut the doors and go home and let China win this technology race."

Scale: The project would cover approximately 40,000 acres in the remote Hansel Valley area of western Box Elder County.

Power Demand: It is planned to produce and consume up to 9 gigawatts (GW) of power at full capacity (initially 3 GW), which is more than double the entire state of Utah's current average usage of roughly 4 GW.

Energy Source: Power would likely be generated on-site using natural-gas-fired plants hooked into the Ruby Pipeline, which runs through the area.

Water Usage: The project proposes a "closed-loop" water system to cool the systems, with officials claiming it will be a net positive for the Great Salt Lake. However, critics and some scientists have raised major concerns about the "heat island effect" and the impact on local water resources.

Status & Approval: On April 27, 2026, the Box Elder County Commission tabled a decision on the proposal following public outcry and concern that the process was being rushed.

Upcoming Action: A public meeting is scheduled for May 4, 2026, at 4 p.m. at the Box Elder County Fairgrounds in Tremonton.

Democratic Convention