Utah Bans Pride Flags, Fluoride In Drinking Water, Vote-By-Mail + More

I can’t help but notice Utah is having quite the time this week. Just this morning, Utah made history as the first state in the country to prohibit pride flags from being displayed in all public schools and on government property. This came after Gov. Spencer Cox permitted a bill that forbids the showing of any unauthorized flag to become law without either signing or vetoing it. The law will take effect on May 7. Just four years ago, Gov. Cox became the first governor in the state’s history to issue a Pride Month declaration. My how times change…

Utah becomes the first state in the nation to ban pride flags from government buildings and schools after Gov. Cox refuses to take action on the bill.

[image or embed] — The Salt Lake Tribune (@sltrib.com) March 28, 2025 at 7:45 AM

The bill’s author, Rep. Trevor Lee, R-Layton, has consistently said that he designed the legislation specifically to eliminate pride flags in educational institutions. An amended version of the bill, which passed through both the House and Senate, broadened the ban to include all government properties. But wait….there’s more! Just a few more headlines out of the Beehive state this week: • Utah becomes the first state to ban fluoride in public drinking water despite pushback from dentists who warn about health risks. • Utah becomes first state to phase out universal vote-by-mail. • Sundance Film Festival moves to Boulder, Colorado, after over 40 years in Park City, Utah.

The Sundance Film Festival will move to Boulder, Colorado, in 2027, after 40 years in Park City, Utah.

[image or embed] — The Associated Press (@apnews.com) March 27, 2025 at 10:58 AM