JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 963

Salt Lake City, Utah lawmakers recently unveiled House Bill 575, proposing a 10‑15% reduction in pump prices and removing a refinery-level tax that prompted criticism from Idaho lawmakers. Idaho introduced a memorial opposing the original proposal; Utah revised the bill to prioritize increasing fuel supply through pipelines and refinery expansion. In Boise, Gov. Brad Little said he supports immigration enforcement but voiced reservations about an ICE arrest outside a preschool. Idaho also enacted tax conformity changes delaying refunds, and advocates observed Foster Care Awareness Day at the Capitol on February 18, 2026. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Madison. Governor Tony Evers delivered his eighth and final State of the State address Tuesday, outlining education, infrastructure and tax priorities while calling the Republican-controlled Legislature into a special session to pursue a constitutional amendment banning partisan gerrymandering. He reiterated demands that any surplus spending plan include K-12 funding and highlighted his administration’s achievements, including school funding increases and signing fair legislative maps in February 2024. Lawmakers held pre-speech news conferences. Republicans responded with mixed reactions, pressing for property tax relief and differing surplus proposals that do not boost general school aid. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington this week: A senior U.S. official disclosed seismic data alleging China conducted an underground low-yield nuclear blast on June 22, 2020. Assistant Secretary Christopher Yeaw said a remote Kazakhstan station recorded a magnitude-2.75 event about 720 kilometres from Lop Nur, and he judged it inconsistent with mining or natural earthquakes. The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization said available data remain insufficient to confirm a nuclear test. China has denied such testing. U.S. officials signalled willingness to resume low-yield tests on an equal basis. Officials provided the assessment at Hudson Institute event. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

San Francisco — Search-and-rescue crews responded Tuesday after an avalanche struck terrain northwest of Lake Tahoe, locating six skiers and reporting 10 others missing as a powerful winter storm battered the region. Authorities said a 911 call about people buried at about 11:30 a.m. prompted crews from the Nevada County Sheriff's Office, sheriff's Search and Rescue and Cal Fire to deploy to Castle Peak. Officials said 46 responders were working, survivors sheltered in place, and teams in skis and a snowcat advanced in blizzard conditions. The Sierra Avalanche Center warned of high avalanche danger. Based on 7 articles reviewed and research.

Washington — CBS declined to air a pre-recorded Stephen Colbert interview with Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico on Monday, citing legal guidance that the Federal Communications Commission's updated equal-time guidance could require offering opposing candidates airtime. Colbert said network lawyers barred the segment; CBS said it received legal advice that airing it could trigger equal-time obligations. Talarico and Rep. Jasmine Crockett commented on X and disputed the characterization in public statements. FCC Chair Brendan Carr said the agency did not censor CBS and confirmed an inquiry into ABC's The View this week. Based on 7 articles reviewed and supporting research.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Capitol Police arrested an 18-year-old man Tuesday after he ran from a parked vehicle toward the Capitol carrying a loaded shotgun. Officers ordered the suspect to the ground; he dropped the weapon, complied and was taken into custody. Chief Michael Sullivan said the man wore a tactical vest and gloves and that officers found a Kevlar helmet and gas mask in the parked Mercedes SUV and additional rounds on the suspect. Congress was not in session and the motive remains under investigation, with police seeking public video of the incident. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington, D.C. — Federal and state officials clashed this week after the Commodity Futures Trading Commission filed briefs asserting exclusive jurisdiction over prediction markets, prompting lawsuits and political pushback. Nevada regulators sued Kalshi on Feb. 17 to block sports-related event contracts. Utah Governor Spencer Cox vowed to challenge federal authority in court, and Connecticut lawmakers proposed raising minimum platform age. Senator Elizabeth Warren publicly criticized the CFTC's move as preempting states. Kalshi and similar platforms operate nationwide under CFTC oversight, while courts prepare to evaluate the boundary between federal and state regulation. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Agriculture Tuesday issued a statewide quarantine to combat the invasive spotted lanternfly. Effective Feb. 17, the order expands an 18‑county effort to all 88 counties and prohibits moving trees, nursery stock and other high‑risk products out of state without a compliance agreement, permit or inspection certificate. Producers shipping to nonregulated areas must inspect stock and include certificates confirming loads are free of the pest. The ODA said plant health experts will work with nurseries and wineries and advised contacting Plant Pest Control Section for assistance. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Tucson — Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said Tuesday that DNA recovered from gloves found two miles from Nancy Guthrie’s home was entered into the FBI’s CODIS database and produced no matches. Investigators continue analyzing additional DNA from Guthrie’s residence and have cleared all family members as potential suspects. Authorities served search warrants last week, questioned and released people, and are canvassing businesses using released video footage. The FBI is employing technology to search for signals from Guthrie’s pacemaker. Guthrie, 84, was last seen after being dropped off at home Jan. 31. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington — President Donald Trump hosted a White House Black History Month reception on Feb. 18, highlighting criminal justice reforms, economic policies and praising guests including Harmeet K. Dhillon and Jesse Jackson; he did not apologize for a deleted social-media post that depicted Barack and Michelle Obama as apes. Local governments also proclaimed February as Black History Month, including Boone and Temple, which held community ceremonies recognizing African American contributions. The White House showcased administration officials and supporters while debate continued over the earlier viral post and administration policy changes impacting diversity programs. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.