Federal and local funding cuts to the Medicaid program, as well as unnecessary eligibility requirements, could cost thousands of Utahns access to continual and preventative healthcare. On the surface, it appears that Medicaid is sometimes viewed as a line item on the budget and a candidate for cutting back to save pennies and offset tax cuts. However, I caution our federal and local representatives to not underestimate the benefits of our social programs, like Medicaid, beyond their budgetary justification.

My mother enrolled in Medicaid for her three children. When I fell sick, she could afford to take me to a doctor and get the medication I needed. Because she had access to the program, I was able to return to school and I was ready to continue my educational success. Without this public health service, it is likely I would have missed more days of school, and my mind would have often been foggy, interfering with my concentration in school. No school resource, excellent teacher, textbook or private school voucher could have overcome these health-related speed bumps. Not only did having access to healthcare through Medicaid benefit my health, but it also facilitated my academic achievement.

My experience with Medicaid is not unique. Any parent knows that children frequently get sick. In addition, the proportion of children enrolled in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) range from 8% to 43% across school districts in Utah including 27% and 23% of students within Granite and Salt Lake City School Districts, respectively, and 43% within San Juan School District. While these numbers sound like a health-related budgetary challenge, they also play a significant role in our educational system.

Although logical on face value, substantial data show that sick children underperform and miss more days of school compared to their peers. For example, the National Center for Health Statistics reported that, in 2022, nearly 6% of students nationwide missed 15 or more days of school because of health-related issues; among those students, around 29% had fair to poor health compared to only 5% among healthy students. Additionally, acute and chronic health conditions, as well as risky health behaviors, have been associated with lower school grades. Children have a greater opportunity at succeeding in school when they can take care of their health.

Considering that reading comprehension has dipped, on average, and about 20% of Utah students are considered chronically absent, it is crucial for our decision makers to consider all of the holistic factors that contribute to or impede educational success.

So why is public health insurance important for education?

In 2023, over 50,000 Utahns under 19 years old were uninsured, a figure that will likely increase with cuts to Medicaid. Children without insurance coverage are less likely to receive preventative care and have access to prescriptions compared to their insured peers, even when insured for part of the year. In fact, prior expansions of Medicaid were associated with increases in healthcare utilization and decreases in preventable hospital visits and mortality, as well as increased reading test scores, greater rates of graduating high school and upward economic mobility. Restricting eligibility to Medicaid will have negative consequences, not only on children’s health, but also on their educational journey, undermining our state’s investment in public education.

The relation between Medicaid eligibility, educational attainment, future health and economic success creates an inter-related cycle; one that can lead to more successful and healthier Utah families. In other words, families eligible for Medicaid can care for their children’s health needs and, in turn, these children will have a greater chance of graduating from high school, having higher earnings and being more productive, therefore potentially offsetting the costs of the program.

In Utah, we spend billions of dollars on public education. We should be focused on strengthening all social services that get the most out of our constitutional investment. Medicaid is one of those programs. I encourage our federal and state representatives to see Medicaid as more than a budgetary line item. Instead, view it as an investment in Utah’s education and an investment in our future.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox recently announced that the state has partnered with a California startup to bring a nuclear test reactor to the state.

What he didn’t mention is that the state and the company, Valar Atomics, are looking into making the nuclear fuel in Utah, too.

According to a memorandum of understanding obtained by The Salt Lake Tribune through a public records request, Utah’s Office of Energy Development and Valar Atomics “may collaborate to evaluate Valar activating a nuclear test reactor… and TRISO fuel fabrication” at the San Rafael Energy Research Center in Emery County.

Tracy Rees, a public information officer for the Utah Office of Energy Development, added that “this is all the documentation we have at this time.”

“Nuclear reactors need fuel to operate, and the U.S. has been safely operating reactors for decades,” she said.

“The [Nuclear Regulatory Commission] has a robust regulatory framework to ensure public and environmental safety,” Rees continued. “One of the reasons it takes so long to deploy nuclear power is the depth and breadth of our country’s regulatory framework. Any nuclear operations in the state will be subject to NRC regulations.”

The memo is dated May 16, though the governor and Valar Atomics CEO Isaiah Taylor did not announce their partnership until May 23. Also on May 23, President Donald Trump issued executive orders directing the U.S. Department of Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to streamline nuclear reactor testing and fast-track the construction of nuclear power plants.

The fuel that could be made in Utah is called TRISO, which stands for tri-structural isotropic, and was first developed in the 1960s. The Department of Energy calls it “the most robust fuel on Earth” for its inherent safety features. The fuel consists of poppy-seed shaped spheres containing uranium, oxygen and carbon wrapped in layers of carbon and silicon carbide — different from the fuel rods used in traditional nuclear reactors.

Valar Atomics says it plans to use TRISO fuel in its proposed test reactor in Utah.

Rees said the state and Valar “will be conducting research to verify the safety of nuclear technologies. Like other research efforts, there will be testing and retesting to ensure safety and that technologies are performing as expected.”

Other nuclear companies, like Maryland-based X-Energy and California-based Kairos Power, also plan to power their reactors with TRISO fuel. But only BWX Technologies, headquartered in Lynchburg, Va., has a license from the NRC to make the fuel.

Several hazards can arise from manufacturing nuclear fuel, according to the NRC, but “the plant workers have a greater chance of being impacted than the public. These facilities generally pose a low risk to the public.”

The World Nuclear Association, which advocates for the nuclear power sector globally, writes that the mishandling of highly radioactive uranium hexafluoride and the incorrect arrangement of materials that make up nuclear fuel can lead to critical accidents.

The Boston Celtics front office just got smaller, with assistant general manager Austin Ainge reportedly taking the open President of Basketball Operations gig for the Utah Jazz. The Celtics exec will reunite with his father Danny, who, after a playing career in Boston got him a pair of titles, would later return as an executive himself, stepping down from the role in Boston in favor of current Celtics president Brad Stevens before taking on his current role as Jazz CEO.

Per the Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach, the move came about in a hurry, with no replacement currently planned to join the Celtics’ front office, now helmed by Stevens, vice president of basketball operations Mike Zarren, and assistant general manager Dave Lewin. “They’re family to me,” Ainge said. “The amount of hours we spent, I’ll miss everything. But I’ll still talk to them all the time, just like I do with other people that have left in the past.”

“Nobody’s dying, but I’ll definitely miss working with them every day because they’re friends and also because they’re good,” he added. “They’re really good. The Celtics are in good hands.”

The Utah Jazz have hired Austin Ainge, son of Danny Ainge, as the President of Basketball Operations for the Utah Jazz.

The Jazz held an introductory press conference today, where Ryan Smith sat down with Austin Ainge as they took questions from the media.

Advertisement

The press conference was an interesting one, in part because I’m not sure many people were expecting this change. Many of the questions centered on his role within the team. It appears he is the primary decision-maker moving forward (but then Ryan has to approve his decisions, so take that as you will).

It’s an interesting change and will make this offseason especially interesting, especially when you consider the quote that came next.

When asked whether the Jazz will be tanking or manipulating lineups to lose games Ainge replied, “You won’t see that this year.”

It’s a quote that lit up Jazz fans online. Maybe the Jazz are going to do what they can to win right away? Ryan Smith’s body language is interesting with his smirk as the question was answered. Things will certainly be different now, the question is how different. It’s not like before when Dennis Lindsey was put out to pasture. Danny Ainge is still there. He’ll certainly have input, but it appears Austin Ainge is completely in charge of the Jazz’s strategy/direction. There’s also the question of what is Justin Zanik’s input or is he mearly just managing the team in terms of contracts, facilities, and other front office staff? Maybe it’s as simple as that.

Advertisement

The question now is, how does the team move forward? Perhaps Ryan Smith and company are chomping at the bit to be in the same boat as non-tanking teams like the Chicago Bulls, the Sacramento Kings, and the Phoenix Suns. That certainly seemed the hope as the Jazz wasted two years floundering in the delusion of thinking they were anything more than a late lottery team. Or maybe they’d like to double down on contract and trade choices like sending a pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder to move off Derrick Favors’ contract? You know, the one that could go to the Thunder in a loaded upcoming NBA draft if the Jazz don’t fall to the bottom 8? Or contracts like the one they gave to Jordan Clarkson they’ve been unable to trade for the last three seasons. Or the near-max they just gave to Lauri Markkanen, making him even harder to move. I haven’t even mentioned the big game hunting hopes the Jazz had last offseason when they allegedly went all in on Mikal Bridges, then were hopeful to sign Paul George. Although, in fairness, Paul George, who was not good last year, did shoot better than Lauri Markkanen at 35% from three (Markkanen, whose primary skill is three-point shooting, shot 34% from three while making max money).

We’ll see how things go, but there is some attention to detail that needs added to this front office. The Jazz can enter this offseason and do things the right way by actually leaning into their youth movement, building them as a cohesive unit, and letting them develop together. Or they can continue this route of musical chairs with veterans who should never have received contracts in the first place.

One last thing, the funniest part of this, if the Jazz do start trying to make win-now trades, is that there likely won’t be one there. This is one of the most barren free-agent classes ever. The trade market will be crazy, and Utah would be smart to become a seller. They could reap the rewards by taking advantage of other visionless teams making mistakes. It may happen that way whether the Jazz like it or not.

This is all new, it’s the beginning of another new era of Jazz basketball … again. I’m guessing this move didn’t happen overnight. I also think that Austin Ainge understands how to build a basketball team, and I’m always willing to give the new guy a chance. I justhope this sinking feeling that the Jazz are going to give a pick to the Thunder in a loaded draft because of impatience. Time will tell this offseason, but there’s a lot on the line for the Jazz’s new CEO.

Advertisement

More from slcdunk.com:

Austin Ainge is the Utah Jazz’s new president of basketball operations, the team announced Monday.

While he is the son of Utah Jazz CEO Danny Ainge, team owner Ryan Smith wanted to make sure everyone understood that this was not some nepo baby hire. (Quote via Andy Larson of the Salt Lake Tribune.)

Advertisement

“Austin will be running the program. He’s got final recommendation to myself on any decisions that need to be made. I think it’s the job of both Justin (Zanik, Jazz GM) and Danny and myself to kind of plug into him.”

Austin Ainge spent 17 years with the Celtics, working in various basketball-related positions, and has been the team’s assistant general manager for the past six years. He earned a ring with them in 2024.

Ainge takes over a very different franchise in a very different position in Utah. The Jazz are rebuilding, and while they have some interesting young talent — including Isaiah Collier, Keyonte George, Kyle Filipowski, and Walker Kessler — they are a long way from being a playoff team. Utah had the worst record in the NBA last season, but fell to the No. 5 pick in the draft lottery. This roster also features some solid veterans who could draw trade interest this offseason, such as Lauri Markkanen, John Collins, and Collin Sexton. Ainge was diplomatic when asked how far the Jazz are from the playoffs.

“You know, it’ll just depend on how these guys develop and what other moves we make, right? It’s a hard thing to predict. I think it’s fair to say we got a lot of work to do.”

Advertisement

However, when asked about tanking he was more direct.

“You won’t see that this year… If you look at the playoffs and look at all the best players in the NBA, and how many of them went No. 1 — it’s better to have number one, but there’s a lot of other stars that came from all over the draft … it’s not the only way to do it.”

Utah may not tank, but in a ridiculously deep West where very likely at least 13 teams will go in thinking playoffs-or-bust, it could be another rough year for Jazz fans. It’s a fan base accustomed to some level of success, dating back to the Jerry Sloan-coached Malone/Stockton teams, through the Donovan Mitchell/Rudy Gobert era. It’s a fan base that wants to believe.

It just needs a reason to hold on to hope. The Jazz have a strong player development history and a well-respected coach in the recently extended Will Hardy, but they need that player to anchor their future around. It’s now up to the younger Ainge to find that guy.

Austin Ainge is following his father from the Boston Celtics to the Utah Jazz.

Ainge, a former BYU basketball standout from 2002-07, was named the Jazz’s president of basketball operations Monday morning.

Advertisement

He spent the previous 17 years with the Celtics organization in a variety of roles, most recently as the team’s assistant general manager for the past six years.

Ainge will reunite with his father Danny Ainge, who has been the Jazz’s CEO since December 2021 and had previously been a Celtics executive for nearly two decades.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Austin Ainge as our new president of basketball operations,” Jazz co-owner Ryan Smith said in a statement. “Austin is one of the brightest minds in the NBA — his 17 years with the Celtics have given him incredible insight into every part of an organization.

“I’ve known Austin for 15 years, and I’ve watched him grow into an accomplished, innovative, and strategic basketball executive who’s ready to lead this organization.”

Advertisement

The hiring comes just weeks after Utah locked up head coach Will Hardy to a multi-year extension that runs through 2031.

“This is an incredible opportunity to lead Utah Jazz basketball operations,” Ainge said in a statement. ”I couldn’t be more excited about the bright future of this organization. I look forward to partnering with Ryan and Ashley Smith and our other leaders within the Utah Jazz and will utilize my experience over the last 17 years building a championship-caliber organization.

“I have lived this my whole life, constantly studying teams, talent, chemistry and the selflessness necessary to win. I look forward to bringing that to Utah and am excited to give Jazz fans a lot to cheer about as we build our program back up.”

The 43-year-old Austin Ainge, who grew up Gilbert, Arizona, spent one season at Southern Utah as an assistant coach following his career at BYU, then jumped into the NBA executive world as a scout for Boston.

Advertisement

That led to being named the head coach of the Celtics’ G League affiliate, the Maine Red Claws, for two seasons from 2009-11.

Ainge also previously served as the Celtics’ director of scouting and player personnel and has helped assemble rosters in Boston that have included stars such as Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, while being instrumental in trades that netted players like Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick White.

“Austin is experienced, forward-thinking, and laser-focused on building a championship-caliber program. He has been instrumental in every aspect of building great teams — from scouting the best players to constructing a winning roster,” Smith said.

“In this new role leading the Jazz front office, Austin’s ability to identify great talent, scout, and partner with Danny, Justin, and Will and the rest of the front office team will be key. Hiring Austin couldn’t be coming at a better time as we build up as an organization towards our ultimate goal of championship-level basketball.”

Advertisement

Jazz general manager Justin Zanik will remain in his current role with Ainge’s addition, ESPN reported, as the two will work together.

“Austin is one of the most respected executives in the NBA because of his basketball prowess, experience, and work ethic and I am excited to partner with him on our shared goal of success for the Utah Jazz,” Zanik said in a statement. “Once again, Ryan and Ashley illustrate their commitment to Utah as they strive to build the best franchise in the NBA.”

EUGENE, Ore. (ABC4 Sports) – Utah Valley’s historic run through the NCAA Baseball Tournament came to an end Sunday with a heartbreaking 11-inning 7-6 loss to Cal Poly.

Zach Daudet hit a solo home run to lead off the 11th inning to give the Mustangs the victory. Utah Valley went 1-2 in the NCAA Tournament, earning its first ever postseason win over #12 Oregon on Friday.

Advertisement

“I feel like this game kind of summed up what our season is,” said UVU head coach Nate Rasmussen. “A bunch of guys getting punched in the mouth and having to come back in and just a lot of toughness. Really proud of the group.”

Arizona uses long ball to beat UVU, 14-4

“I just feel like we were never out of it,” said UVU reliever Cooper Littledike. “That’s just kind of how I saw it. I honestly thought we were still in it. We were one swing away. We were one at bat away one. Just one moment away.”

The Mustangs took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second, but the Wolverines responded by loading the bases following walks to Joseph Barnhardt and Luke Iverson, along with a single from Jayden Smith. Landon Frei launched a grand slam to left field to put UVU ahead 4-1.

Advertisement

Cal Poly answered with five runs in the bottom of the fourth to reclaim a 6-4 lead. Cooper Littledike entered in the inning and ended the inning for Utah Valley. 

Dominic Longo II trimmed the deficit to 6-5 in the sixth with a solo home run to right field on the first pitch from Chris Downs. In the seventh, Iverson worked his third walk of the game and later scored on Smith’s double down the left-field line, tying the game at 6-6.

In the bottom of the ninth, Cal Poly put runners on first and second with one out, but Alan Huerta got Nate Castellon to fly out. Carston Herman entered with three of the next four batters being left-handed hitters and recorded the final out to force extra innings.

UVU put the go-ahead run on first in the 10th when Longo II walked, but failed to execute a bunt before a pair of flyouts and a caught stealing ended the threat.

UVU shocks #12 Oregon in NCAA Tournament, 6-5

Advertisement

Herman struck out the final two batters of the 10th, and after UVU went down in order in the top of the 11th, Daudet homered to right-center to send Cal Poly to the regional final against Arizona.

“Just being a part of this group, the culture change was unbelievable this year,” said Smith. “Something super special, and this was by far the most fun I’ve ever had playing baseball in my life.”

“It might feel really, really bad right now, but these guys have a ton to be proud of,” Rasmussen said.

This was Utah Valley’s second NCAA Tournament appearance, and first since 2016 when the Wolverines went 0-2.

Advertisement

The Wolverines finish 33-29, winning their first WAC Tournament title since 2016.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.