A Utah commission that will determine if transgender girls can compete in school sports matching their gender identity will soon go into effect, Utah Senate leaders announced Friday.

Driving the news: The commission was triggered Friday after a Utah judge temporarily blocked HB11, a controversial law that bans transgender athletes from competing in girls' school sports.

Context: The ruling was in response to a lawsuit that the families of three transgender student-athletes filed. They say the ban harmed and discriminated against their children.

Details: The majority of the School Activity Eligibility Commission will consist of seven members appointed by Republican state leaders Gov. Spencer Cox, Senate President Stuart Adams and House Speaker Brad Wilson.

• Under the law, the commission will include a mental health professional, a statistician, a physician with gender identity healthcare expertise, an athletic association representative, an athletic trainer who serves collegiate-level student-athletes, a high school coach and a sports physiologist.
• Commissioners will be tasked with evaluating the physical characteristics of student-athletes, such as weight and height, to determine if they can compete in gender-specific sports teams.

The other side: While the plaintiffs and LGBTQ rights organizations celebrated Kelly's temporary injunction, others have critiqued the commission for being invasive.

• "While parts of H.B. 11 have been mitigated, the injunction fails to shield transgender girls by allowing a commission to make a determination whether or not a transgender girl may play," the Utah Pride Center said in a statement.

What's next: Commissioners will be announced in the coming days.

Full story

Sex abuse survivors, religious leaders and policymakers gathered at the Utah Capitol Friday to call for an end to a reporting exception in state law that doesn't require clergy members to alert law enforcement of child abuse.

State of play: Unlike peace officers and doctors, clergy members are exempt from reporting child abuse or neglect to authorities if they learned about it through a religious confession.

Background: The protest comes weeks after the Associated Press published an investigation alleging leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints failed to inform authorities about ongoing sex abuse in Arizona and West Virginia.

• Of note: Church leaders have refuted the claims, saying the story had "significant flaws."

What they're saying: Rabbi Avrohom "Avremi" Zippel, who was sexually abused as a child by his nanny, said there's no reason why the clergy should be exempt from reporting and called on faith leaders to put children's safety first.

• Stuart Smith, a former Latter-day Saint bishop, said he supported "legislation that will better protect our children and youth from abuse in any form."

Between the lines: Child abuse can happen at home or among trusted community members, Rep. Angela Romero (D-Salt Lake City) said. She plans to reintroduce a bill that would require faith leaders to report child abuse.

• Last week, Gov. Spencer Cox said he would potentially back and sign a bill requiring clergy to report child abuse.

What's next: Rep. Phil Lyman (R-Blanding) also plans to author a bill to end the "clergy exemption" and work with Romero.

Read more

🌧 Moab is recovering after monsoon rains flooded the area this weekend. (FOX 13)

• A hiker in Zion is missing, and her family says video shows her being swept away.

⚖️ Utah Democrats say the acting head of the state DNR should resign from his seat in the legislature and remove his name from the ballot, rather than serving two branches of state government while he waits for confirmation from the state senate. (KUTV)

• If Rep. Joel Ferry (R-Brigham City) is confirmed to the DNR post after winning re-election to the legislature, Gov. Spencer Cox may appoint his replacement.

👮 The head of the state agency that disciplines police officers is stepping down to lead the Utah Fraternal Order of Police. The group defends officers accused of wrongdoing and lobbies for expanded police powers. (Deseret News)

🏫 Davis County schools are reopening with a new superintendent today after federal investigators found "pervasive" racist harassment in the district. (KUER)

👋 Erin here! Coming from a small Iowa town where I'd never seen sushi or basmati rice (or even a bulb of garlic), I still get excited at any chance to try new cuisine.

So when I drove past El Rico Sanguchom D'Chalo in West Valley City (1576 W. 3500 South), I knew I needed my first taste of Peruvian street food.

State of play: You need to try it, too. Tu si ah! (Peruvian slang for, "Go, you! Be bold!")

The secret's in the sauce: Be ready to order from a rainbow of dippin' sauces.

• My favorites were aceituna (olive sauce) and ocopa (peanuts, green peppers and ground crackers).
• Try them with the tender, flavorful anticuchos (beef heart kebabs, $14).

The main course: The Salchibroaster (fried chicken, $15) is incredibly juicy and the best vehicle for sampling sauce.

• Yes, but: The enormous Royal de Carne (burger with egg, $13) is what they're famous for — and it'll ruin American fast food for you. Try it with huancaina (cheese) and at least one other sauce.

🥤Wash it down: If you've never had blue corn juice, try the chicha morada ($3) for a refreshing sip.

💼 Check out who's hiring around the city.

1. Business Project Advisor at Cigna.
2. Field Marketing Specialist at IFS.
3. 3PM Supply Planner at Beiersdorf.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

These birds are what drew us to El Rico Sanguchon D'Chalo in the first place!

Go for the art. Stay for the food.

Congratulations to Paul J., who guessed correctly!