"Last weekend, Cowley, who is a successful lobbyist when she’s not competing in rodeo, hit three rodeos in 72 hours in Nephi, Elko and Laramie."

We are grateful for Utah politicians. They keep us engaged in local issues while the rest of the country obsesses about Russians and tweets. We explore political topics on the minds of Utahns (but we can’t completely avoid that Russia problem).

Team member Renae Cowley excels in more than the political arena. 

Since politics is both dysfunctional and unfathomable at the national level, we’ll start off the dog days of summer looking at local politics — particularly a Utah anomaly: a congressional special election, including its cause.

We wish our readers a happy Independence Day holiday. Stay safe. In deference to the dangerously dry conditions, we’ll avoid shooting off real fireworks this year, and instead focus on the political fireworks lighting up Utah and the nation.

Utahns are accustomed to sleepy odd-numbered years without the political noise and tumult of general election years. Well, the 3rd Congressional District special election to replace Congressman Jason Chaffetz is adding some unusual summertime political heat. So what’s to be expected in the weeks ahead?

While the causes of Utah’s recent hot weather might be disputed, there is no question that heated politics in the state are man-made. With our shades on, we explore the warming global political discussions in Utah.

After a week of sunshine, clear skies and warming temperatures, it can be hard for Utahns to focus on politics. Because we are one-dimensional, we insist on dragging readers back to depressing reality.