The Mormon News Podcast's latest episode examines a controversial video from LDS influencer Becky Squire defending bishop interviews with minors, the shifting political landscape in Utah after the 2026 midterms, and university enrollment changes following the Church's missionary age change, hosts John Dehlin and Meggan Hayes report.

The episode also covers the BYU-Utah football rivalry game and its cultural significance in heavily Mormon Utah. Squire's video argued that bishops "stand in as Jesus" during worthiness interviews with youth, a framing that drew criticism from abuse-prevention advocates.

The 22,000-view video was posted 32 hours before the podcast episode and has generated 81 comments. Utah saw unexpected Democratic legislative gains in November 2026, flipping several seats in LDS-majority districts.