Here’s a look at the news for Feb. 24.
Mia Love to champion over-the-counter contraception bill
Utah Rep. Mia Love made an appearance at the 2017 Legislature session, advocating for a controversial bill that she’s pushing in Washington that would allow contraceptives to be sold over the counter, according to the Deseret News.
She said the bill comes as a way to help empower women.
"If we are going to be pro-life, we need to be able to give people as much access to birth control as possible," Love said. She added, "This is my way of empowering American women and making sure they are in charge of their decision-making.”
The bill, which is still under consideration, would allow birth control to be sold over the counter for $3 a month, rather than the current $30 a month, according to the Deseret News.
Read more about Love’s comments on Washington and the controversial bill at the Deseret News.
How do Utahns feel about the mixed bathroom reversal?
President Donald Trump reversed an Obama-era decision that allowed transgender public school students to use the bathroom of which they identify with, according to CNN. On Wednesday, the change inspired reactions across the country from advocates and opponents.
So how did Utahns feel? A little mixed, according to the Deseret News.
Utah Gov. Gary Herbert agreed with the decision in a statement released to the press, saying that the move sets “aside one of the more egregious overreaches of the Obama administration,” according to the Deseret News.
Cliff Rosky, a law professor at the University of Utah, told the Deseret News this is likely an education policy decision, which means it should be left to the states, as Trump’s reversal suggests.
"This is an abdication of the obligation to enforce federal law. Title IX is a federal civil rights law. It must be enforced by the federal government. The federal government cannot let states decide whether to enforce federal law," Rosky told the Deseret News.
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Gene Davis, D-Salt Lake City, said the policy gives voice to children.
"We have to look at civil rights laws and other legal opinions written in that area that give education the responsibility to give accommodation to children going to school," Davis said.
Read more about Utah reactions at the Deseret News.
Everything you need to know about the Oscars
Not everyone is an Oscars buff. According to a recent poll from the Hollywood Reporter, 6-in-10 Americans can’t name one of the Best Picture nominees.
The poll, which surveyed close to 800 respondents and asked which films they had heard or seen, also said that 70 percent of Americans still plan to watch the ceremony.
So how do you survive the Oscars without know anything about it? BBC has something of a solution.
BBC’s Entertainment & Arts section broke down each of the best picture films, highlighting the actors, directors and storylines of each film. It also reveals what critics said about each movie and how likely each film is to win.
And it gives you a talking point about each movie, too.
“Make sure you read this before going anywhere near a water cooler on Monday morning,” BBC quipped.
Read the breakdown at the BBC.
Trump praised at CPAC
The Conservative Political Action Conference is underway, and American conservative leaders are praising Trump, according to USA Today.
The crowd of conservatives said they approve of Trump’s efforts so far.
“I like how honest he’s been, or appears to be. I like the way he’s being unconventional,” John Hellerman, a communications consultant, told USA Today. “He hasn’t governed in a classical sense, which is partly exciting and partly concerning, And so I would say, so far, I’m still giving him a chance.”
It’s not surprising you’d find a lot of supporters at CPAC, according to USA Today. The annual event gathers top American conservatives, and will feature Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and the Trump administration, who will all speak alongside members of conservative media organizations.
Such topics as immigration, government spending and social security were all raised in the first day of the conference, and many expect that to continue.
“I’m proud of Trump," Ajah Hyten, a student from the University of Nevada Las Vegas, told USA Today. "He’s doing everything he said he would. I know people always have problems with presidential decrees and stuff. But he’s basically bringing it back down from what Obama did so he’s just bringing it down to a main level again,” she said, referring to the flurry of executive orders Trump signed after taking office.
Read more at USA Today.
For Pearl, this UPS delivery man is the GOAT
Meet Pearl, a humble goat who receives treats from a UPS delivery man every day, according to Digg.