Public News Service Newscasts: Recent Episodes
Public News Service
The Public News Service provides reporting on a wide range of social, community, and environmental issues for mainstream and alternative media.
Political violence remains a concern post Election Day Conservative and traditionally "red" Utah is one of the states that helped elect former President Donald Trump last week but with Election Day behind us, there are rising concerns about the role political violence could play from now until Inauguration Day.Robert Pape, professor of political science at the University of Chicago, said there has not been much activity, but warned it can change in an instant. He compared the country's polarized nature to prime wildfire conditions which do not require much to ignite. ...(Read More)
UT electric provider taps into potential of 'virtual' power plants By Robert Zullo for the Utah News Dispatch.
Broadcast version by Alex Gonzalez for Utah News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News Service Collaborationust about every week, Shawn Grant, who works for Salt Lake City-based Rocky Mountain Power, gets an inquiry from another utility looking for information about the company’s Wattsmart battery program.
“We want to do something. … How did you guys do it?’” Grant, the company’s customer innovation manager, says he’s often asked. “We’re always fielding those questions.”
The program pays customers with solar who opt to install battery storage systems for the ability to use that stored electricity to help balance flows on the electric grid.
For customers, the benefits come in the form of lower electric bills and backup power in case of an outage. ...(Read More)
Utah child care advocates demand change ahead of Election Day Utah child care providers, parents and children's advocates say the state's child care crisis is getting worse and they hope voters will take the issue to the polls.Brigette Weier, program director for the advocacy group Utah Care for Kids, said this year's electoral races up and down the ballot will determine how the state cultivates a stronger child care system, or not. "We want it to be a primary driver, because we really believe that everyone is touched by child care in some part of their daily lives, some aspect," Weier explained. "...(Read More)
Advocates combat Utah factory farming ahead of holidays Animal rights advocates are coming to Utah this week to sound the alarm about the living conditions and treatment of turkeys on large factory farms.On Friday, the group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals will hold a demonstration in Logan to raise awareness of the 46 million turkeys it said are killed each year for the Thanksgiving holiday.DeLana Barrett, campaigns organizer for the group, said they are traveling to 30 states to educate consumers, at a time when bird flu cases are also on the rise in some parts of the country. ...(Read More)
Conservation easements in UT protect 5,500 acres of farm land Utah's leaders are taking steps to protect the state's shrinking agricultural land by issuing conservation easements. The move will limit non-agricultural uses on protected lands and ensure they remain dedicated to farming and ranching.Jeremy Christensen, land conservation program manager for the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, said the easements are necessary so that Utahns in the future can consume locally grown food. ...(Read More)
Utahns are encouraged to explore health care options during open enrollment The annual Medicare open enrollment period is now underway and older Utahns are being encouraged to consider their choices.Advisers said a good first step is to not only understand the options but also weigh health care and budget needs.Dr. ...(Read More)
Weber State University preps auto techs for dynamic industry The automotive industry is changing, and one Utah university is reimagining how to prepare new and current auto technicians to meet the demands of the transition from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles. Brian Rague, associate dean of the College of Engineering, Applied Science and Technology at Weber State University, says their automotive technology program's "stackable" credentialing approach enables students of any age and desire to learn the fundamental skills they'll need to be hired by industry partners."We are a higher education institution, our four-year degrees are valuable to us. "...(Read More)
Report: What UT voters should know about this year's amendments Voting may be a bit more confusing than expected in Utah this year, as two of the four amendments on the ballot have now been voided.The Utah Supreme Court nixed Amendment D, which would have allowed state lawmakers the power to change voter initiatives and prohibit "foreign influence in the initiative process." And this week, a Third District Court judge also voided Amendment A, which would have allowed state income taxes to be used for needs other than public education.A new report from the Utah Foundation examines each of the four amendments. ...(Read More)
UT initiative taps into immigrant population to improve economic vitality Immigrants who arrive in the United States can face significant barriers in integrating and rebuilding their lives but one Utah initiative wants to help qualified individuals reach their greatest potential.Among college-educated refugees, 44% experience an education to occupation mismatch or are unemployed, according to a recent study by the Department of Labor.Natalie El-Diery, director of immigration and new American integration for the Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, said the licensing and re-credentialing process can be a headache for many. ...(Read More)
UT food-safety expert: Food policy 'strong' but implementation could improve The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a widespread recall of Boar's Head deli meats for contamination of listeria earlier this year.The latest outbreak has led to almost 60 hospitalizations and 10 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention....(Read More)
Adoptive family in UT commemorates National Daughters Day Today is National Daughters Day and for one Utah teenager, the title only seemed like a dream until recently.Lilyauna Coffey, 19, lives in Salt Lake City. She spent nine years in the foster care system looking for her forever home and family. ...(Read More)
Research probes health effects of dust from Great Salt Lake Utah's Great Salt Lake is shrinking, exposing more of its playa and lifting more potentially harmful dust particles into the air.A new study seeks to understand the air quality and health impacts of the dust from the drying lake.Kerry Kelly, associate professor of chemical engineering at Utah State University and the study's co-author, whose team took samples from the Great Salt Lake to assess what's known as the "oxidative potential" of dust particles, explained it gives researchers an indication of how materials within the dust could react with the lining of a person's lungs....(Read More)
As USDA announces field trials for bird flu, UT veterinarian expects long process The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved field trials for bird flu vaccines among cattle, but one Utah State veterinarian says to his knowledge those trials haven't begun yet. Dr. ...(Read More)
Utahns feel ignored by politicians. One Democratic Representative agrees Politicians not listening to voters is a top concern for Utahns, and one Utah Democratic representative agrees with that sentiment. Rep. Jennifer Dailey-Provost, D-Salt Lake City, said while many of the issues politicians deal with are nuanced and not as black and white as they might seem, the Utah state Legislature "has continued to grow its own power relative to the other branches of government.""Putting things on the ballot like the gutting of the ballot initiative that created the redistricting commission and doing so with extremely dishonest and misleading language, really pushes that narrative that the Legislature just is not listening to the will of the people," she explained....(Read More)
UT struggles with mental health; school-based services could help School is back in session across Utah and mental health advocates want to ensure children and parents can access adequate school-based services.According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, one in five children and adolescents experiences mental health challenges during their school years....(Read More)
Report: Despite partisan politics, Utahns agree on several priorities Utahns aren't immune from partisan politics and the divisions it can lead to, but a new report shines a light on the issues voters in the Beehive State agree are critical to address across party lines. The Utah Foundation's latest report found that if policymakers are able to better address issues such as K-12 education, water stewardship, decreasing government overreach and improving access to affordable housing, they could please a larger swath of voters. Shawn Teigen president, Utah Foundation, said one of the most surprising findings is that the Utah median voter, regardless of party, was found to be more liberal than their national counterparts....(Read More)
Utah State University looks to improve early identification of autism in children Utah lags behind the national average of identifying children for autism.In an effort to improve the state's standing, the Institute for Disability, Research, Policy and Practice at Utah State University will offer free, remote early identification of autism training for Utah service providers.Janel Preston, special educator at the university, said when early identification is missed, children and families are not getting critical services to increase overall quality of life....(Read More)
Could Utah be the next swing state? Polling shows it's unlikely More than 200 staffers and aides from four previous Republican presidential nominees, including Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, have endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president.Diane Lewis, chair of the Utah Democratic Party, said while polling shows Utah will likely stay a historically "red" state this election cycle, things are changing. ...(Read More)
UT legislature puts critical constitutional amendment on the ballot Utah voters will decide on a critical constitutional amendment this fall. They'll choose whether or not the state legislature can alter or repeal citizen ballot measures after they've already passed. It's a complicated question, and it all stems from a Utah Supreme Court ruling about how the state draws its district lines. ...(Read More)
Farmers want clarity after USDA issues discrimination funds The Biden-Harris administration is awarding 13 grants to Utah farmers, ranchers and forest landowners through the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program.The U.S. Department of Agriculture said it is all about doing what's right, as over the years, Black and other minority ranchers and farmers have experienced discrimination in farm loan programs. ...(Read More)
Tips for success as Utah kids head back to classrooms Utah kids will be heading back to the classroom this month and experts are sharing tips to ensure a smooth transition from summer to school year.McCall Lyon, director of teleconsultation at The Children's Center Utah, described going back to school is a "tolerable stressor," meaning it is a situation children are able to cope with as long as they are receiving adequate support."There's lots of different things that families can do to support children as they head back to school," Lyon explained. "...(Read More)
Report: Pesticide use could do more harm than good A new report sounded the alarm in states like Utah for the adverse health, wildlife and environmental impacts of toxic chemicals known as "PFAS."Sometimes called "forever chemicals," they can be found in a variety of applications and industries, including pest control products. More than 6,000 PFAS compounds exist, according to the Utah Department of Environmental Quality. Groups in the U.S. ...(Read More)
One Utah county looks to buy lawns to save water, residents' money By Morgan Sjogren for Reasons to be Cheerful.
Broadcast version by Alex Gonzalez for Utah News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News Service CollaborationThe Virgin River cuts through a towering red rock gorge flanked by forested plateaus as it meanders through Washington County in southern Utah. The river is the primary source of water for the fastest-growing metropolitan area in the United States, which includes the city of St. George. ...(Read More)
Report outlines 'perceived barriers' to UT affordable housing The Utah Foundation polled municipal officials across the state to gain their insights into affordable housing. The report found many officials feel they face barriers when attempting to introduce more affordable housing into their communities - and they say those barriers often come from residents. Shawn Teigen, president of the Utah Foundation, said anxieties people may have around affordable housing may not be accurate....(Read More)
Forest Corps battles wildfire crisis, gets Utah's young people involved The federal government is looking to combat the climate crisis and protect public lands in Utah and around the country by empowering young adults.Ken Goodson, director of the National Civilian Community Corps for AmeriCorps, said its newly launched partnership with the U.S. Forest Service will give people ages 18-26 hands-on experience in wildfire mitigation, reforestation, conservation and resource management. ...(Read More)
UT governor calls for unity following attempted Trump assassination Gov. Spencer Cox is calling for unity as well as the condemnation of political violence in light of the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump over the weekend.Cox has chaired the National Governors Association and led its "Disagree Better" initiative, which examines the issues surrounding political polarization in the country, while also looking to cultivate solutions and a culture of respect and civility....(Read More)
Utah State University to open center for digital accessibility within education A new center coming to Utah State University this fall will provide accessible digital materials to students with disabilities. Cynthia Curry, director of the National Center on Accessible Digital Educational Materials and Instruction, or NCADEMI, said the facility will address, what she calls, the "longstanding and historical issues" around access to educational materials for students with disabilities. She added the role of NCADEMI is to help ensure those with disabilities receive digital educational materials in a way that they can use them. ...(Read More)
Report: UT answers 94% of mental health crisis calls Two years since Congress designated the new 988 National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, a new report examined each states' progress and found Utah has fared well in terms of responsiveness.The mental health advocacy group Inseparable found Utah's 988 call answer rate was 94%.Angela Kimball, chief advocacy officer for Inseparable, said the report is intended to spark conversations about what is needed at the state level to ensure those who find themselves in mental health emergencies can get the crucial help they need....(Read More)
Utah feels impact of California's ban on gestation crates Farm advocates claim price gouging on meat and poultry in California is spreading across the country, including Utah's pork industry, which garnered close to $122 million of personal income and $195 million of Gross National Product in 2023.California passed a law banning the use of gestation crates for raising hogs and producers said it increased production costs across the board. The ag group Farm Action issued a report, which contended in addition to blaming the California law, corporate meat producers also continue to use supply-chain disruptions as an excuse to price-gouge....(Read More)
Know your status on National HIV Testing Day There are over a million people living with HIV in the United States and just over 3,400 call Utah home.Today, on National HIV Testing Day, public health experts want to encourage testing so people can know their status and get the care they need.A new poll found more than a third of Americans believe sexually transmitted diseases can only be transmitted through sex, which is not totally true. ...(Read More)
Summit County initiative looks to ease childcare cost burden Utah parents can expect to pay between $800 and $1,200 dollars a month for child care but a new program is expanding its reach into Summit County to help with affordability.The nationwide child care network Upwards will offer need-based child care scholarships of up to $1,700 for preschoolers. The group is partnering with Summit County and Park City Municipal....(Read More)
Groups call for new citizens to have greater access to federal lands, waters June is National Immigrant Heritage Month, and advocates in Utah want to see a pathway to U.S. citizenship include easier access to public lands and waters for immigrants who take the Oath of Allegiance each year.Olivia Juarez, public lands program director for the group GreenLatinos, one of the 68 organizations which sent a letter to federal land management agencies and U.S. ...(Read More)
Community action agencies celebrate 60 years, renew calls to battle poverty Community action agencies in Utah and across the nation are celebrating 60 years of battling poverty and empowering communities, which started with the signing of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964.Jennifer Godfrey, CEO of Utah Community Action, said there are a total of nine community action agencies in the Beehive State, with each one aiming to help Utahns in their own unique way. She added all nine organizations have the ability to provide services that can change people's lives....(Read More)
UT ranks third for overall child well-being; more education support urged Utah is among the best states in the nation for children's overall well-being according to a new national report, but experts are emphasizing the need for further investments in education. Utah ranks third in this year's Kids Count Data Book, which examines 16 indicators of economic well-being, education, health, and community and family. Martín Muñoz, Kids Count director with Voices for Utah Children, says policymakers should be concerned that this year's data book shows 63% of Utah fourth-graders weren't proficient in reading and 65% of eighth-graders weren't proficient in math. ...(Read More)
Rural UT produces significant amount of emissions, expert sounds alarm At least 12% of Utah's population lives in rural areas, and a new report finds that a significant portion of the state's greenhouse-gas emissions originate there.A Rural Climate Partnership report finds that 36% of U.S. emissions are produced in rural America. ...(Read More)
Animal rights group wants to end use of livestock gestation crates An international animal right's group is calling on the U.S. restaurant chain industry to reduce or eliminate the use of gestation crates for livestock and poultry grown for meat.Since 2002, 11 states have restricted or banned gestation crates but Utah is not among them. ...(Read More)
One UT county receives federal funds for water reuse project As water scarcity affects states across the West, a Utah community is getting funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help support its water reuse and drought resilience projects. The Washington County Water Conservancy District in St. George received over $20 million in funding for its $1 billion regional reuse water system. ...(Read More)
Research: Many Black Utah residents unable to vote Black Americans account for 14% of eligible voters in the U.S., a figure which has slowly risen over the years but Utah is home to one of the smallest percentages of people who identify as Black, coming in at just over 2%.The Black demographic is Utah's fastest-growing racial group, according to the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah....(Read More)
Report: Longer, more intense fire weather seasons, especially across West A new report finds that climate change is affecting weather conditions in ways that increase wildfire risk, with the West seeing the greatest jump in fire weather days in spring and summer. Climate Central found that parts of Utah are experiencing around three more weeks of fire weather days during the summer.Kaitlyn Trudeau, senior research associate in climate science with Climate Central, said fire weather refers to the meteorological conditions that kick start the spread of fire. ...(Read More)
During Older Americans Month, experts share ways to stay healthy and fit Unintentional injuries are among the top ten leading causes of death for older adults, and during Older Americans Month, experts want to raise awareness about the importance of prevention as adults age. Holly Billie, a tribal injury advocate with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Injury Center, said Indigenous communities around the country, including Utah's eight Tribal Nations, face unique challenges relating to falls and motor vehicle crashes."They have higher motor vehicle crash death rates compared to older adults of other races and ethnicities. "...(Read More)
UT among largest percentage declines in Medicaid, CHIP enrollment A new report from Georgetown University's Center for Children and Families showed Utah is one of the states to see the largest percentage declines in their child Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program population, with 25% fewer children enrolled than prior to the initiation of the unwinding process which started last year.Ciriac Alvarez Valle, senior policy analyst at Voices for Utah Children, said the process was full of "hiccups," and called it disheartening to see how many Utah children have lost coverage, not because they were ineligible, but due to procedural reasons."The real life consequences is that they aren't able to get their prescriptions, they aren't able to visit their doctors, they aren't able to just get those child visit checkups that they need," Alvarez Valle outlined. "...(Read More)
Report examines impacts of 2024 anti-transgender legislation A staggering 93% of transgender teens live in a state that has enacted or proposed legislation that would restrict their rights, according to a new report from the Williams Institute at UCLA's School of Law. Utah was the first state this year to enact a bathroom ban, and that has led to some confusion as school districts aim to come into compliance. Elana Redfield, federal policy director is one of the report's authors and says despite the law being what she terms "more measured," as it may permit some to use the corresponding restroom under limited circumstances, it doesn't mean it is less harmful....(Read More)
National parks in UT benefit from BLM rules Conservation experts are applauding the Bureau of Land Management for releasing two new rules that recognize conservation as an essential part of public lands management and strengthen accountability for oil and gas operations across the West, including Utah. Beau Kiklis is the senior program manager of energy and landscape conservation for the National Parks Conservation Association, and said Utah is home to multiple national parks - many of which border BLM lands. "The fact of the matter is," said Kiklis, "the conditions of the landscape across the state and also throughout the West, are such that the BLM has to shift course and has to respond to these changing conditions as an obligatory matter."Kiklis said historically there has been a "significant imbalance" in terms of land that has been available for oil and gas leasing around the West. "...(Read More)
Report: Cost of living, government dysfunction rank as top issues for Utahns More than three in five Utahns believe the state is on the wrong track and their quality of life is worse today than it was five years ago.A new report by the Utah Foundation paints a bleak picture about how Utah residents feel about their home state. Data in the report found the cost of living and government dysfunction were the most important issues for Utah voters in 2024....(Read More)
Utah opposes BLM's new Public Lands Rule The Bureau of Land Management recently released its final Public Lands Rule, which is set to put conservation on equal footing with other multiple uses taking place on public lands.The state of Utah has come out in opposition, pointing to the impact it could have on the almost 23 million acres of BLM land in Utah.Redge Johnson, director of the Utah Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office, said the state supports conservation efforts but called the rule a "solution looking for a problem.""What we have already put into conservation designations and then what you have for the acts that promote the conservation of the lands, why do you need to level that playing field?" Johnson questioned. ...(Read More)
Report: Suicidal ideation, planning, attempts decrease on college campuses A new report showed a significant decrease in suicidal ideation, planning and attempts on college campuses around the nation, as well as improved levels of those suffering from anxiety and depression.The nonprofit Jed Foundation analyzed a decade's worth of data from higher ed institutions participating in their JED Campus program. It provides colleges and universities with resources and guidance to protecting and improving student mental health....(Read More)
Utahns lost big to scammers in 2023. Expert has tips to protect yourself April is Financial Literacy Month, and the Federal Trade Commission wants to help Utahns spot, avoid and report scams to keep their money safe.Utah residents lost more than $55 million to financial scams in 2023, according to LendingTree, a loan-finding marketplace.Reid Tepfer, Southwest region attorney for the Federal Trade Commission, said they received fraud reports from 2.6 million people last year. ...(Read More)
UT students could get a bachelor's degree in just 3 years A new degree program could grant students across the Utah System of Higher Education a bachelor's degree in just three years.Geoffrey Landward, commissioner of higher education with the Utah System of Higher Education, recently approved a new degree category called the Bachelor of Applied Studies. It would have a minimum of 90 credits for students to complete which would differ from the current standard of 120 credits....(Read More)
Utah mayor calls for more federal dollars for rural communities Federal and agency officials convened with stakeholders in Southeastern Utah to discuss how federal funds can help grow and strengthen local economies.Lenise Peterman, mayor of Helper in Carbon County, said money from major legislation like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act and the Inflation Reduction Act often bypasses communities like hers, which are often the most in need.Peterman was part of the "Coal Country at a Crossroads Listening Session," examining the challenges of smaller, rural communities in addressing needs for clean energy, workforce and economic development, and infrastructure....(Read More)
More UT seniors could qualify for dual-eligible special-needs plans Utah seniors could qualify for dual-use special-needs plans, which offer standard Medicare benefits as well as additional unique coverage and services.Kolbi Young, public information officer for the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, said the plans help individuals who are dually eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid to coordinate their care and provide them with what she calls "enhanced benefits," between the two programs."D-SNP plans may offer extra benefits that are not covered by Medicare or Medicaid, such as dental and vision," Young pointed out."...(Read More)
Greater accountability sought for abandoned well cleanup in West According to the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining, there are at least 49 orphan wells in the state -- wells that are abandoned and not plugged -- on private, state and federal lands.Congress is once again debating who should clean them up. Last year, the Biden administration proposed increasing the minimum bond amounts on oil and gas leases. ...(Read More)
UT poverty simulation aims to catalyze change, empathy More than 8% of Utah's population lives in poverty, according to the Census and an event this month wants to give participants a better idea of the challenges and barriers those in poverty face on a daily basis.Stefanie Jones, program specialist for the Community Action Partnership of Utah, said the poverty simulation happening at the University of Utah on April 9 is all about catalyzing local change as well as empathy for those experiencing difficult times. "Really, I think what these simulations do is show you that there are factors outside of one's will and determination to get out of poverty that might keep them there," Jones explained."...(Read More)
UT governor signs slew of bills targeting homelessness, mental health Almost 2,900 people are unsheltered on any given night in the Beehive State. Gov. Spencer Cox is celebrating signing nine bills he says are geared toward improving the state's homelessness prevention and mental-health systems....(Read More)
Utah officials investigate illegal killings of game animals A Utah wildlife expert considers wild animal poaching to be a significant problem in the Beehive State, following several incidents of game animals being killed and then left to waste.According to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, four deer were killed in the Woodland Hills area of Utah County late last year. The heads were removed from each deer, and the carcasses were left. ...(Read More)
Report: Utah homeownership increasingly out of reach for many For generations, homeownership has been synonymous with the American Dream, but a new Utah report shows housing affordability is at historic lows, with millennials seeing the largest decrease in housing affordability during what the report calls "peak household formation years."Steve Waldrip, senior adviser for housing strategy and innovation for the State of Utah, said while Utah has some of the highest levels of homeownership in the country, wages haven't increased at the same rate home prices have, leading to a housing crisis. "Most of our none-homeowner residents cannot afford to get into a home," Waldrip pointed out. "The vast majority, I think we are probably in the 80% range. "...(Read More)
Concerns around AI ramp up as 2024 election approaches As we inch closer to the 2024 U.S. presidential election, experts are discussing the dangers posed by artificial intelligence and disinformation during elections. In Utah, legislation could mandate disclaimers when AI is used in political ads. ...(Read More)
Utah Food Bank opens two pantries on Navajo Nation Utah Food Bank is expanding in San Juan County, and has announced the opening of two new pantries that will help support residents of the Navajo Nation. President and CEO Ginette Bott said despite the food bank serving San Juan County for about 30 years, it had been a challenge to meet the level of need in the area. She said the Navajo Nation is considered a food desert, with an average driving time to food resources taking up to several hours, one-way. ...(Read More)
UT tax credit bill would loosen rules for unlicensed child care Utah child care advocates are relieved child care is finally a topic of more serious policy discussion on the Hill but they are also voicing concerns about safety-related changes being proposed.House Bill 153 is headed to the governor's desk. It would provide a $2.3 million tax break for some Utah parents but it also would increase the maximum number of children an unlicensed day care center can take, from six to eight, as of May 1....(Read More)
Utahns with student debt: this could ease your burden Student loan borrowers of all ages in Utah and around the country have an opportunity to maybe have their student loans cancelled or the chance to receive credit towards loan forgiveness, but they've got to act soon. The U.S. Department of Education will be conducting a one-time payment count adjustment this coming summer. ...(Read More)
Proposed gas pipeline rule could help keep UT communities safe One Utah public lands advocate is standing behind the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration's proposed rule which aims to improve oversight and reduce pollution from the nation's three million miles of U.S. natural gas pipelines. Ashley Korenblat is the managing director for Public Lands Solutions. ...(Read More)
Proposed UT bill targets AI in political ads One Utah lawmaker wants to regulate artificial intelligence in political ads.Sen. Wayne Harper, R-Taylorsville, is behind Senate Bill 131, which would help ensure Utahns are not being misinformed. ...(Read More)
Group advocates for better transit options in rural Utah A coalition of Utah stakeholders is launching the "Campaign for Public Transit in the 435," which will aim to bring better forms of transit to those who live in rural areas and engage legislators in the process. Scott Mershon, Cache County resident and one of the organizers of the 435 Transit Campaign, said 435 is the phone area code for many who reside in the more rural parts of the state and are typically found outside the Wasatch Front. The 10 county coalition will be advocating for $47 million in new state funding to realize public transit projects of different kinds....(Read More)
UT heart survivor shares story to spread awareness for American Heart Month One Utah woman is sharing her story during American Heart Month to spread awareness about how important preventive heart health care is.Claire Larson, a cardiac arrest survivor, was a 28-year-old aerobics teacher in April 2000, who said she felt healthy and "on top of the world," until she experienced cardiac arrest and was diagnosed with congenital heart disease.Larson explained her heart condition eventually led her to needing a transplant in 2016. ...(Read More)
Report: Utah's tax burden increases, sitting above national average A new report found the State of Utah's overall tax and property tax burden hit record lows over the last five years, while the state's income tax reached an all-time high.The report by the Utah Foundation examined changes in Utahns' tax and fee trends for nearly the last century.Christopher Collard, senior analyst for the Utah Foundation and the report's author, said the state's overall tax burden should be calculated by dividing by all residents' personal income by the amount of tax collected. ...(Read More)
UT Gov. visits southern border over 'public safety issue' After a trip to Texas to visit the southern border, Gov. Spencer Cox expressed concern, calling the situation a public safety issue.Cox joined 14 other governors in Texas in response to what he called President Joe Biden's "open border policies." Cox said illegal crossings have increased significantly, putting strain on all states, especially those close to the border....(Read More)
Federal internet assistance plan winding down in Utah For a number of years now, Congress has appropriated billions of dollars to the Affordable Connectivity Program to help internet access become more affordable for many.The funding for the initiative is set to run out by this April, which means many people around the country and in Utah are preparing for a transition. In just two days the FCC will stop accepting new applications. ...(Read More)
A number of bills could change the way Utahns vote The Utah legislature has been in session for almost two weeks and one group said there have been more than 10 pieces of legislation introduced they called "anti-democracy" bills.TJ Ellerbeck, executive director of the Rural Utah Project, said the bills would put "major limits on the way Utahns can vote, when Utahns can vote and which Utahns can vote.""The worst of those is one bill that would eliminate voting by mail in Utah, and Utah has been an all vote-by-mail state for the last eight years," Ellerbeck explained. "Some parts of the state have been all vote-by-mail for 10 years and over 90% of Utahns vote by mail."Ellerbeck referred to House Bill 92, sponsored by Rep. "...(Read More)
'Sextortion' cases on rise in UT and nationally The FBI is warning the public about an increase in the crime known as "sextortion," when suspects target minors and threaten or coerce them into sending sexually explicit videos and images online.Offenders then threaten to release the content unless the victim produces more. Financially motivated sextortion follows a similar pattern, but ultimately offenders are looking for financial gain. ...(Read More)
UT Mormon steward applauds EPA's final methane rule Members of the Mormon Environmental Stewardship Alliance in Utah are applauding the Environmental Protection Agency's final rule that sharply reduces emissions of methane and other air pollution from oil and natural-gas operations. Soren Simonsen, treasurer and board member with the Alliance, says clean air is fundamental to life, and that the health of the climate is directly related to overall well-being. He added his group is very appreciative of all the work that has gone into what he calls a "thoughtful rule," which helps address methane emissions....(Read More)
UT governor's office discusses importance of service, volunteerism Ahead of National Service Day, the governor's office brought together Utah leaders to discuss the importance of service and volunteerism. Utah Lt. Gov. ...(Read More)
Tech scene grows in states like Utah, but not without challenges A new report showed the share of tech jobs in what are known as "superstar" cities such as the Bay Area, Boston, Los Angeles and New York has dipped in recent years, while it has been growing in other cities including Salt Lake City.According to a recent study from the University of Utah, more than 60% of out-of-state movers have settled in Salt Lake and Utah counties. The state's positive net migration is partially attributed to favorable economic conditions....(Read More)
Research sheds light on current status of Utah women, girls New research spotlights the status of women and girls in Utah, in five areas of focus.At Utah State University, Susan Madsen, founding director of the Utah Women and Leadership Project, said that while Utah has high levels of female participation in volunteerism and voting, more can be done to increase the number of women in elected positions of power. None of Utah's congressional delegation is female, compared with almost 27% nationally....(Read More)
Park City child-care assistance program launches in 2024 A partnership launching next year in Utah has the goal to expand child-care access and affordability for families who live and work in Park City. Park City Municipal and nationwide child-care network Upwards announced the needs-based scholarship program that will offer qualified families assistance in covering the cost of child care. Jessa Santangelo, vice president for business development and community impact with Upwards, said the program came to life after numerous working families in Park City shared the barriers they were facing relating to accessing affordable and available child care - which Santangelo said impacts families' overall economic mobility. ...(Read More)
Majority of seniors with student loans have held their debt at least 15 years New federal data from the Department of Education confirmed retirement-age borrowers are struggling to repay their federal student loans.About 60% of borrowers over age 62 have been making federal student-loan payments for more than 15 years.Tia Caldwell, policy analyst for the Education, Opportunity and Mobility Initiative at the nonprofit New America, suspects many other borrowers have been paying even longer. ...(Read More)
Report: Utah ranks among top 10 states for overall health and well-being Utah ranks among the top 10 states in the 2023 America's Health Rankings report, which "aims to understand the comprehensive health and well-being of the nation." The report highlights the state has a low prevalence of excessive drinking, low income inequality, and has increased the number of mental health care providers - but continues to struggle in other areas, including air quality and other climate risks. Carrie Butler is the executive director of the Utah Public Health Association. She said while Utah has promising state-wide numbers, more work needs to be done at the local level to help specific communities. ...(Read More)
Can narrower roads save lives and help the environment? A new study sheds light on the importance of street design, especially as it relates to traffic and pedestrian safety. In Utah, from 2019 to 2022, the number of traffic deaths increased by almost 30%, according to the National Transportation Research Project. Shima Hamidi, a public-health professor at Johns Hopkins University and director of the Center for Climate-Smart Transportation, helped lead the study. ...(Read More)
Technology, ingenuity deliver addresses to UT residents of Navajo Nation By Peter Yeung for Yes! Magazine.
Broadcast version by Alex Alex Gonzalez for Utah News Connection reporting for the Yes! Magazine-Public News Service CollaborationAbout five miles north of the Arizona border, drive straight along a sand-swept road as it snakes through brush-covered foothills, keep going beyond a row of barns with rusting reddish roofs, make a left after a gray boulder, and the road will eventually lead to a cul-de-sac lined by two dozen homes. ...(Read More)
UT program aims to help first responders through horsemanship A new program in Utah wants to help first responders learn to recognize and work through their traumatic life events through horsemanship. This coming Saturday, Rein in Response will be holding its first official and free kickoff event in La Verkin. Taylor Graff, owner of Rein in Response, said sessions are set to begin early next year and added while pricing is still being finalized, participants will pay a part of the total cost while sponsors will pay the balance. ...(Read More)
Report: Mending the pathway from college to workforce A new report from WGU Labs, a nonprofit affiliate of Western Governors University based in Millcreek, Utah, is shedding light on the importance of strengthening higher education and workforce pathways. Omid Fotuhi, director of learning innovation at WGU Labs, said many people who are considering higher education are asking themselves whether a four-year degree is a worthwhile investment to increase their chances of a prosperous career. Half of those who do graduate from college didn't apply to entry-level jobs because they felt underqualified, according to 2021 research from the Cengage Group. ...(Read More)
Utahns lace up on Thanksgiving Day to fight hunger Today, nearly 4,000 Utahns are lacing up their running shoes and putting on a costume for the Utah Food Bank's 18th annual Utah Human Race.Ginette Bott, president and CEO of the Utah Food Bank, said as many gather in the spirit of Thanksgiving, it is an important time to remember close to 320,000 Utahns face hunger, and one in 10 Utah kids do not know where their next meal is coming from. She explained by running with an "attitude of gratitude," many are helping the food bank in the fight against statewide hunger....(Read More)
Utah mom shares impact of 'diaper assistance' One Utah mom with three children is grateful for assistance from the Utah Diaper Distribution Demonstration Project.Taylor Graff said the program has helped her family "tremendously," and the $100 they are able to save on diapers each month goes to groceries or paying for a babysitter, as Graff is also currently in school. On top of the financial help, the program provides what she calls "sensitive diapers," for infants with delicate skin....(Read More)
Report examines UT child-care crisis A new report found licensed child care programs in Utah are only able to serve about 36% of all children younger than 6 whose parents are working.The Voices for Utah Children report aimed to provide policymakers and the public with an understanding of what is called "the urgent need for child care reform."Mike Wade, owner of First Steps Childcare and Preschool in Salt Lake City, said he views the child care sector as being "stuck somewhere between the private sector and the social service sector." Wade considers child care an essential service, especially for mothers who want to work."With the cost of child care, I am very empathetic to the general public because it is so expensive," Wade explained. "...(Read More)
Utah allocates funds to build more wildlife crossings Budget legislation was signed into law in Utah this week that includes $20 million for building wildlife crossing infrastructure.Utah joins other Western states in enacting bills that allow them to receive millions of dollars in federal matching funds to install wildlife overpasses, underpasses and fencing.Bill Christensen, volunteer government relations representative for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, said Utah has a long history of investing in wildlife crossings, and the state's $20 million appropriation will turn into $100 million. ...(Read More)
Analysis: Utah losing big in natural gas waste and pollution A new analysis found Utah oil and gas companies waste an estimated $48 million worth of natural gas per year, enough to meet the annual needs of more than a fifth of residential customers in Utah, according to the Environmental Defense Fund.The large majority of the gas, 87%, is lost due to leakage from producers.Ashley Miller, executive director of the nonprofit Breathe Utah, said leakage needs to be addressed to ensure better air quality and protect the overall health of Utahns and the environment. ...(Read More)
As UT diaper needs grow, help is available Inadequate diaper supply can jeopardize Utahn's ability to advance financially. That is according to Vic Velivis, the founder and executive director of the Utah Diaper Bank. Velivis was instrumental in helping the Community Action Partnership of Utah apply for a grant earlier this year from the U.S. ...(Read More)
Report: UT gets 'C minus' grade for redistricting policies A new report rates how states are managing their redistricting policies, and the State of Utah didn't fare so well. The national watchdog group Common Cause gives Utah an overall grade of C-minus for the way it draws state and congressional voting-district maps. In 2018, Utah voters passed Proposition Four, which led to the creation of an advisory commission and some new standards to draw voting maps based on public input. ...(Read More)
UT sues TikTok, alleging negative mental-health impacts on youths On Tuesday, the state of Utah announced it is suing TikTok as it claims the social media platform "baits children into addictive and unhealthy use."Gov. Spencer Cox said at a news conference the platform promotes children to stay online for hours at a time.Recent research shows adolescents who spend more than three hours a day on social media face double the risk of experiencing poor mental health outcomes such as depression and anxiety....(Read More)
UT child-care providers, families demand investment in care for kids On Wednesday, child care providers and families will gather at the Utah State Capitol to participate in a stroller rally to advocate for critical investment in the child care system.Federal funds intended to keep child care services afloat during the pandemic as part of the 2021 American Rescue Plan expired last month. Estimates from The Century Foundation suggest more than more than 35,000 Utah children will lose access to child care, and nearly 670 child care programs will be forced to close their doors in the state as a result....(Read More)
Mental health crisis center expected in South Salt Lake A new mental-health crisis center is coming to South Salt Lake.Expected to open in 2025, the new 24/7 Kem and Carolyn Gardner Crisis Center will assist Utahns experiencing mental-health challenges and substance addiction. According to the Kem C. ...(Read More)
Expert: People underestimate railroad collision risks Utah saw 13 railroad-crossing collisions that included three fatalities in 2020, according to the most recent data available from the Federal Railroad Administration.Every five days, a child in the United States is killed in a train collision, said Buck Russel, manager of public safety for Union Pacific Railroad. So, Safe Kids Worldwide has new resources and materials to help raise awareness for families to prevent railroad-related injuries and deaths involving children....(Read More)
Multiple Utah cities set to use ranked-choice voting in next election Across Utah, 10 cities will be using ranked choice voting in the general election in November.In 2018, Utah passed a bill to establish a pilot program in which cities could use ranked choice voting.Kelleen Potter, executive director of Utah Ranked Choice Voting, said the voting method "allows voters to express their will more fully." She pointed out ranked choice voting also encourages civility, especially among candidates who can work to appeal to more voters when they're looking to secure second- and third-choice support....(Read More)
Lawsuit Argues UT Has Failed to Address Shrinking Great Salt Lake Conservation and community groups have filed a lawsuit against Utah for what they claim is the state's failure to ensure enough water gets to the Great Salt Lake, to avoid what they call an "ecological collapse."The lawsuit seeks a court order requiring Utah to let more water reach the largest natural lake in the Western Hemisphere.John Leshy, professor emeritus of law at the University of California-San Francisco, said the lake is a "public trust" resource per the state's constitution. He added the court will examine what the designation means when it comes to managing and protecting it....(Read More)
Eligible Utahns Could Qualify for Supplemental Security Income Payments Many people in Utah and across the country are eligible for financial aid on top of receiving Social Security payments, but are not aware of it.
The Supplemental Security Income program provides monthly payments to people with disabilities or older adults falling under specific financial limits.
Abigail Zapote, senior adviser for the Social Security Administration, said SSI "provides basic financial support," which can go toward things like rent, food, medications or clothing. ...(Read More)
'Disagree Better': Utah Gov Leads Initiative to Ease Hyper-Partisanship Utah Gov. Spencer Cox wants people to learn to disagree.
As the elected chair of the National Governors Association, he is leading a campaign called "Disagree Better" - an initiative "designed to help Americans bridge the partisan divide," and adopt more positive approaches to politics and social discourse. ...(Read More)
Bridging Digital Divide for Low-Income Utahns Utah organizations across the state are wanting to increase awareness and enrollment of the Affordable Connectivity Program. ACP's primary goal is to get lower-income households either a discount on internet access or free service.
Collyn Mosquito, Promise Economic Wellbeing coordinator for Millcreek Promise, has conducted outreach events around Millcreek to spread the word. ...(Read More)
UT Schools Get Free Purifiers to Combat Poor Air Quality A majority of K-12 schools and day-care centers in Utah have received free air purifiers as a result of a federal grant given to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services.
Brandi O'Brien, senior program coordinator and development associate with Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment, said the program ended last month, but adds that 75% of K-12 schools now have air purifiers. For Utah's early childhood education centers it is close to 60%. ...(Read More)
Utah Supreme Court to Hear Oral Arguments on State's Abortion Trigger Ban Tomorrow, the Utah Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in relation to the ongoing lawsuit against Senate Bill 174.
Commonly known as the "trigger ban," it criminalizes almost all abortions in Utah. The measure has remained blocked by a preliminary injunction while litigation continues. ...(Read More)
Report: Majority of U.S. Youth Agree Gun Violence is a Problem Some 74% of young people in the U.S. believe gun violence is a problem, and 60% want to see stricter gun laws, according to a new report from American University, the Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund and the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Researchers polled a representative sample of 4,100 people, ages 14 to 30. ...(Read More)
Survey: Social Emotional Development a Top Priority for Parents A new survey finds a majority of parents of children younger than six in Utah and across the country rated social emotional development the most important factor when choosing a child-care provider or school.
Chairman and CEO of Goddard Systems Dennis Maple said social emotional learning is the development of social interaction, understanding and managing emotions and practicing self-regulation skills.
He said as children soon head back to school, it is important for parents and teachers to establish communication to encourage behaviors that lead to positive social interactions. ...(Read More)
Utah Leaders Tour Forest Management Projects Last week federal, state and local leaders visited forest management projects in Utah to examine how land managers are addressing what some are calling the wildfire crisis.
Gov. Spencer Cox said it was a "great opportunity" to see how partners are managing Utah forests proactively, which not only improve wildlife habitat, but also helps to ensure better grazing and water quality. ...(Read More)
'Returnships' Help More Utahns Get Back to Work By Ramona Schindelheim for WorkingNation.
Broadcast version by Alex Gonzalez for Utah News Connection reporting for the Working Nation-Public News Service Collaboration
As employers struggle to find talent, it appears the stigma of resume gaps is fading.
"We're seeing significant progress in what we call the institutional shift toward normalizing career breaks - so normalizing the career break that is part of a career path and the concept of taking career breaks itself," says Carol Fishman Cohen, CEO and co-founder of iRelaunch, a career reentry company.
By Cohen's count, iRelaunch has worked with more than 250 companies since 2007 to create programs for professionals looking to relaunch their careers after being out of the workforce for at least one year to 20+ years.
Returnships as an On-ramp
A vast majority of the return-to-work programs are returnships, similar to paid internships. Unlike an internship, returnships are not entry-level roles and employers have the intent to hire and convert the returnship into a full-time job. ...(Read More)
USU Finds Clinicians Aren't Well-Versed in Transgender Health Care Much has been said about the need for gender-affirming health care - but a Utah State University study says many health-care providers don't have the experience to meet those needs.
Researchers found nearly one in four transgender and nonbinary patients has had to teach a medical provider about their needs.
Assistant Professor of Sociology at Utah State University and study co-author Guadalupe Marquez-Velarde said she would like to see medical curriculum better equip health-care professionals to treat transgender and nonbinary individuals. ...(Read More)
UT Measure Aims to Cut 'Lethal' Domestic Violence Incidents It has been just days since Utah leaders enacted a bill that requires law enforcement agencies to conduct a 12-question assessment in response to domestic violence calls, to help determine how lethal a threat might be.
At the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition, Public Policy Director Erin Jemison said she thinks the new law will enable police to better identify high-risk situations and get people connected with services.
Officers will also have real-time access to more information about those making the alleged threat, and past law enforcement interactions related to domestic violence. ...(Read More)
State Leaders Break Ground on New UT Fire Operations Center Utah state leaders held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new firefighting center to be built along the Wasatch Front.
Jamie Barnes, director of forestry, fire and state lands for the Utah Department of Natural Resources, said the new building is "a step forward for the state's wild land's fire program." She noted the new building will serve as the headquarters for the state's fire program, which responds to fires on state and private land, and also helps support other agencies like the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. ...(Read More)
Utah Kicks Off 2023 'Clear the Air' Challenge The 14th annual Clear the Air Challenge in Utah begins July 1. The month-long challenge is designed to encourage Utahns to reduce their vehicle emissions by choosing alternatives to driving alone.
The challenge is to use other modes of transportation. ...(Read More)
UT Doc: Unchecked Stress Levels Can Lead to Health Consequences It is Community Health Improvement Week, and one Utah family care physician wants people to use the time to think about the effects that stress may be having on their mental and physical health.
Dr. Christopher Valentine, Medical Director for Optum in Utah, said stress in the short term is an important response, a signal to the body that something isn't right. ...(Read More)
UT Excels in Child Well-Being, But Parents Struggle with Child Care Costs Utah ranks second in the country for overall child well-being, moving up from last year's fourth-place ranking in the annual Kids Count Data Book.
The Annie E. Casey Foundation looks at how children and families are faring across the nation. ...(Read More)
Utah Holds 'Guns to Gardens' Event Over the weekend, Utahans in Salt Lake City held one of the many "Guns to Gardens" events across the country, which aim to show people how to safely dismantle unwanted firearms, with the materials to be used to make gardening tools.
Nancy Halden, communications director for the Gun Violence Prevention Center of Utah, noted there are more guns than people in the United States. Her group pointed out more than 120 Americans of all ages lose their lives each day in incidents involving firearms. ...(Read More)
Low-Income Utahns Lag on Broadband Access Gov. Spencer Cox has announced a statewide initiative to increase awareness of the Affordable Connectivity Program, which aims to get more Utahns connected to the internet.
The "ACP Act Now: Utah" initiative unites a number of stakeholders to close the broadband affordability gap. ...(Read More)
UT Pilot Program Aims to Support Grieving Kids Utah Gov. Spencer Cox joined the Children's Collaborative for Healing and Support last week to announce a pilot program in the state designed to support grieving children and connect them to services.According to the Children's Collaborative, there are more than 60,000 young people in Utah who have experienced the death of a parent or caregiver. ...(Read More)
Mammography Among UT Women Ranks Below National Average Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Utah women.According to the Utah Women and Leadership Project at Utah State University, Utah is among the three lowest-ranked states in the country for mammography screening rates in women aged 40 or older. According to the group, The Utah Department of Health and Human Services was unable to meet its goal of 76% of Utah women, aged 40 years and older, to be screened for breast cancer in 2020....(Read More)
Calls for Revitalization of Antimicrobial Research, PASTEUR Act Could Help The PASTEUR Act, which stands for "Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions to End Upsurging Resistance," has been reintroduced in Congress with bipartisan support.The law encourages investments in the development of antibiotics to help combat the rise in "superbugs" and improve responsible use and availability of antibiotics.Dr. ...(Read More)
New EPA Rule Could Mean 2 out of 3 Cars is Electric by 2032 The Environmental Protection Agency announced last month new and more stringent vehicle emission standards, which some say could significantly help reduce harmful air pollution in Utah and across the country, as well as accelerating the automobile industry's switch to electric vehicles.While the agency's rule does not specifically require automakers to increase production of electric vehicles, the agency is saying it is most likely the way for the industry to meet the standards.Chris Harto, senior sustainability policy analyst for Consumer Reports, said it could lead to some significant changes down the line....(Read More)
Nonprofit Group Urges School Districts to Focus on Mental Health Support May is Mental Health Awareness Month and one group wants school districts in Utah and across the country to focus on critical mental health support.According to Mental Health America, in 2022 Utah ranked 32nd in the country when it came to the prevalence of mental health challenges and access to care for youth. Denise Forte, president and CEO of The Education Trust, said before the pandemic, things like anxiety and depression were already becoming more common among children and adolescents, and it has become more severe....(Read More)
Young Utahns Suing State, Calling for Climate Action By Ray Levy Uyeda for Prism.
Broadcast version by Alex Gonzalez for Utah News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News Service CollaborationLola Maldonado grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah’s most populous metro area, nestled into the west side of the Wasatch Mountains, where the range’s highest peak, Mount Nebo, stands nearly 12,000 feet tall. The steep mountains form a canyon below, where Maldonado said particulate matter and air pollutants form a blanket of haze. As the consequences of climate change have ballooned in past decades, air pollution is just one of the downstream effects that Maldonado, 19, and other young Utah residents will be navigating for years to come—unless the government discontinues its support of a fossil fuel-based state economy.
On March 15, 2022, Maldonado and six other young people sued the state of Utah for denying their state constitutional right to life by politically and economically supporting the fossil fuel industry despite knowing that burning fossil fuels would create environmental conditions that might impede the health and well-being of the state’s residents.
Maldonado isn’t alone. ...(Read More)
ADHD Diagnoses Increase; So Does Demand for Medications It has been seven months since The Food and Drug Administration announced a nationwide shortage of medications used to treat Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, commonly known as ADHD. While patients in Utah and across the county are still facing challenges with access, experts say there might be alternative options available. Dr. ...(Read More)
Group Pushes to 'Take Back Cinco de Mayo' A national group says it wants to reclaim the significance of Cinco de Mayo, the anniversary of Mexico's victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. The win for Mexico secured its rights to its own land, water and culture. Olivia Juarez - Public Lands program director for the group GreenLatinos - said, through a "Take Back Cinco de Mayo" campaign, they want people to recognize the holiday as a day of action for cultural and environmental defense. ...(Read More)
Report: UT Sees Child Population Increase Despite National Decline A new report found the population of children recorded in 2020 was 1.1 million fewer than in 2010.According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, it is the first absolute drop in the number of kids decade-to-decade since the Great Depression. ...(Read More)
Group Urges Action to Plug Orphaned UT Oil Wells Congress allocated billions of dollars through the infrastructure law to plug orphaned well sites across the country, with Utah being one of the first states to receive the help.Dave Jenkins, president of Conservatives for Responsible Stewardship, said lawmakers should be doing more to hold "bad actors" accountable. According to the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining's website, a reported 46 orphan wells in the state are not plugged and are abandoned, scattered on private, state and federal lands....(Read More)
UT Ceremonies Keep WWII Japanese American Experience Alive Japanese Americans gather this weekend for memorial events at the World War II Topaz internment camp in Delta, and in Salt Lake City, to mark the 80th anniversary of a murder.In 1943, James Wakasa was walking his dog inside the internment camp when an Army guard shot and killed him, alleging Wakasa was trying to escape.Ann Tamaki Dion, a third generation Japanese American, a Topaz camp descendant and president of the group Friends of Topaz, a group which actively supports the Topaz Museum in Delta, said several of her family members lived or were born at the internment camp....(Read More)
Report: 1 in 3 Utahns Not Getting Enough Shut-Eye More than 30% of Utah adults are getting less than the ideal seven hours of sleep each night.Utah ranks 16th among states for insufficient sleep, according to the latest America's Health Rankings report. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said lack of sleep is linked to the development of chronic diseases and conditions, including Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity and depression....(Read More)
Poll: Voters Favor Policies that Hold Pharmacy Benefit Managers Accountable Increasing prescription drug prices is a reality impacting many Utahns - and a new national poll finds bipartisan support among voters for Congressional efforts to regulate health insurance middlemen companies known as Pharmacy Benefit Managers, or PBMs. Mark Blum, executive director of America's Agenda: Health Care for All and managing director of the PBM Accountability Project, said PBMs are supposed to be an intermediary between drug manufacturers and patients' health plans. He said instead of lowering drug costs, they are taking advantage of the system to increase revenues at the expense of others. ...(Read More)
Report: Popular 'Peeps' May Contain Dangerous Dye Pink and purple "Peeps" are popular Easter treats, but consumer health experts warn they contain a dye that has been linked to cancer and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.The Food and Drug Administration banned Red Dye No. 3 in cosmetics in 1990, saying it causes cancer in rats, but 33 years later it remains legal as a food additive....(Read More)
New Initiative Delivers Free Books to Utah K-3 Students Many kids across the state of Utah will be able to receive free books in the mail this summer to encourage reading and improve literacy outcomes.The Utah State Board of Education has partnered with the nonprofit organization Kids Read Now to provide free books to Utah students from kindergarten to third grade.Christine Elegante, K-3 specialist with the Utah State Board of Education, said the project was possible due to the support from last year's Legislature, which allows every student attending a Title 1 school, or a school participating in the Partnerships for Student Success Grant Program, to be eligible. ...(Read More)
UT Mayor Talks Housing, Infrastructure Challenges at National Conference Mike Weichers, mayor of Cottonwood Heights, is one of the Utah city leaders at The National League of Cities' Congressional City Conference being held in Washington, D.C., this week, to meet with federal officials as well as to get to learn about federal projects and funding.Weichers said he attended in 2022 and found it to be a "valuable experience." This year he, along with the entire Cottonwood Heights council, are there.Weichers pointed out many city leaders in the West are concerned about housing challenges and how to address them as many feel the federal government is wanting cities to do more....(Read More)
Report Eyes Health Impacts of Social Belonging in UT Women Research from The University of Utah explores the physical- and mental-health implications of social belonging in women. Study author Lisa Diamond said disproportionately high mental- and physical-health problems among marginalized people have been written off as "minority stress," the cumulative chronic stress experienced because of discrimination and unfair treatment and said the missing piece is what is known as "social safety," the reliable social connections, belonging and sense of protection individuals foster in their social networks. Through her research, Diamond found women who occupied one or more marginalized categories such as those relating to race, sexuality and gender reported significantly lower social safety, leading to a greater risk for physical and mental problems....(Read More)
Utah Approves $20 Million for Wildlife Crossings Some $20 million of Utah's whopping $29 billion state budget will be spent on building wildlife crossings and fences across the state in an effort to keep wildlife off of highways.Rep. Doug Owens, D-Salt Lake, said the appropriation is "non-lapsing," meaning the funds can be spent over time. ...(Read More)
EPA 'Soot Standard' Receives Pressure from UT Clean-Air Advocates The danger of soot pollution is real, and clean-air advocates in Utah say it is a top-of-mind issue for many in the state.Lindsay Beebe, senior campaign representative for the Sierra Club's Utah chapter, said good air quality is imperative for Utahns. She argued while the new federal standard being looked at by the Environmental Protection Agency to lower limits for fine particulate matter from 12 micrograms per cubic meter of air to between nine and 10 is a good thing, more should be done....(Read More)
UT Legislature Passes Bill to Allow Year-Round Cougar Hunting Wildlife conservationists are calling for Utah Gov. Spencer Cox to veto House Bill 469, which would allow year-round cougar hunting in the state.During one of the bill's final readings, Sen. ...(Read More)
Petition Seeks Protection for Pygmy Rabbits Across West Conservation groups in Utah and across the western United States are requesting protection for the pygmy rabbit under the Endangered Species Act.A petition sent to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said the world's smallest rabbit is at risk of extinction because of habitat loss and disease....(Read More)
Report: UT Fares Well with Higher-Ed Degree Attainment Utah is one of the most educated states in the country and has seen significant increases in higher educational attainment between 2019 and 2021, according to a new report.Lumina Foundation's "Stronger Nation" report found in 2021, more than 61% of Utah adults had some form of postsecondary degree or certification. The state has met Lumina Foundation's goal of having 60% of all Americans hold a credential beyond high school by 2025....(Read More)
Utah Food Bank Southern Distribution Center Expands as Need Increases The need for emergency food in Utah's six southernmost counties is on the rise, so Utah Food Bank is expanding its Southern Distribution Center in St. George to meet the demand, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony today.Ginette Bott, president and CEO of the Utah Food Bank, noted the Southern Distribution Center opened in 2011 but the state's dynamics and population have evolved since then. ...(Read More)
UT Heart Attack Survivor Shares Importance of Women's Heart Health American Heart Month may be coming to an end, but one Utah heart attack survivor wants to shed light on women's heart health ahead of Utah's Go Red for Women event.According to the American Heart Association, more than 44% of women over age 20 are living with some cardiovascular disease, which remains the leading cause of death in women.Michelle Martinez, a board member of the American Heart Association-Utah experienced a heart attack at age 37 after she and her husband went skiing. ...(Read More)
Report: Female Representation in UT Government Trails National Averages Research explored Utah's female representation in Congress, the Legislature and concluded the state's executive branch is not where it should be.This year, Utah ranks 40th in the nation in terms of women serving in the state Legislature, a ranking that fell from 32nd in 2020.The report released by the Utah Women and Leadership Project at Utah State University noted no women occupy any of the state's six congressional seats in the 118th Congress....(Read More)
Survey: Conservation Efforts, Environmental Priorities Remain High in UT The thirteenth annual Conservation in the West Poll surveyed the views of Utahns and voters in seven other western states, and found support for conservation policies remains a top priority.The survey found 95% of Utah voters described the current shortage of water in the West as a problem, and almost 80% believe the Colorado River is in need of urgent action.Dave Metz, president of the public policy research firm FM3, said a majority of voters in Utah, Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico believe the water shortage the Colorado River faces is a crisis, and also see it as critical for the state's economy....(Read More)
More Utahns Will be Eligible for State-Based ABLE Accounts More people living with disabilities will be eligible to open state-based savings accounts known as ABLE accounts.They're part of the "Achieving a Better Life Experience Act," passed by Congress in 2014. They allow people who became disabled prior to age 26 to save money without jeopardizing any public benefits they receive, from Supplemental Security Income to food assistance....(Read More)
Survey: 70% of Small Businesses Give Government Programs Grade of 'C' or Below A Goldman Sachs survey finds that 70% of small business owners give the federal government a grade of "C or below" for the effectiveness of programs, services and tax credits available to them. An overwhelming majority say it is important for Congress to modernize the Small Business Administration. The SBA is the government agency tasked with ensuring the health and vitality of the nation's entrepreneurial community. ...(Read More)
States' Abortion Access Compiled on Interactive Map Some doctors and pro-choice advocates are urging people to pre-order so-called "abortion pills," citing a looming Texas court decision which might ultimately prohibit access to them nationwide, and one organization is doing what it can to help those seeking abortion care.The nonprofit group Power To Decide said it has compiled the largest verified directory of the abortion access landscape across the country. The "Abortion Finder" map shows not only how many in-person providers are in each state, but also the latest stages of pregnancy at which an abortion would be legal in those states....(Read More)
UT Ban on Gender-Affirming Health Care Draws Pushback A group of physicians is voicing opposition to Utah's enactment of Senate Bill 16, banning gender-affirming health care for transgender youth.The American Academy of Pediatrics' Utah chapter said politics do not belong in the exam room or in the decision-making process between providers, patients and families. The group is concerned the new law could endanger the physical and mental health of some young Utahns....(Read More)
UT Tribes Urge Lawmakers to Pass Bill Ensuring Protections for Native Kids Tribal leaders from the eight federally recognized tribes in Utah gathered at a news conference at the state Capitol this week and called on state lawmakers to pass House Bill 40, Utah's version of the Indian Child Welfare Act.Advocates say the bill would implement provisions to protect Native American children from unnecessary removal from their families and tribes.Eugenia Charles-Newton, a delegate of the Navajo Nation Council, said recent research has shown that systematic bias within the child-welfare system means Native families are four times more likely to have their children removed and placed into foster care compared with their counterparts. ...(Read More)
Utah Bill Would Mean Stricter Regulations for Union Workers A Utah lawmaker has proposed a bill which could impose stricter restrictions and regulations for public employees.Passage of House Bill 241, sponsored by Rep. Jordan Teuscher, R-South Jordan, would mean union stewards and leaders would not be allowed paid time to engage in union work. ...(Read More)
UT Leads with Formal Volunteering Efforts in AmeriCorps' Latest Research According to AmeriCorps' latest research, Utah was the state with the highest number of residents volunteering with nonprofits in their communities from September 2020 through 2021.Michael Smith, CEO of AmeriCorps, said those in the Beehive State and across the country had to find innovative ways to give back to their communities during the height of the global COVID-19 pandemic.According to the data, about 40% of Utahns regularly volunteered with nonprofit organizations, which classifies as formal volunteering. ...(Read More)
UT Mayor Aims to Lead by Example Following Mayors' Conference The U.S. Conference of Mayors is the prime opportunity for local leaders to connect with colleagues about shared challenges they face, but also engage with the federal government to discuss improvements. Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall said Salt Lake City faces challenges surrounding housing affordability, homelessness and climate change and having the opportunity to hear how other mayors are addressing certain issues was enlightening. ...(Read More)
UT Pitches In to Help with Wildlife Migration Two state agencies have teamed up to make safer wildlife migration a priority in Utah.The Utah Wildlife Migration Initiative relies heavily on GPS tracking data received from mammals, birds and fish, which gives coordinators a good picture of where animals are spending time, the routes they take, and areas where safe migration routes are needed.It is a joint project of the state's Division of Wildlife Resources and Department of Transportation....(Read More)
Utah Group Calls EPA Methane Rule Crucial for State's Overall Wellbeing A Utah group was one of many who voiced its support during last week's Environmental Protection Agency public hearing on a proposed rule to reduce oil and gas methane pollution.Ashley Miller, executive director of Breathe Utah, said the state is in need of strong EPA rules. She cited vast jurisdictional issues when it comes to air pollution, especially in the Uinta Basin, which Miller pointed out faces a thinning ozone layer during the winter....(Read More)
UT Events Highlight National Day of Racial Healing Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a day in which many across the country celebrate the revolutionary words and thoughts of the civil rights activist who fought for racial justice. Tomorrow marks National Day of Racial Healing. ...(Read More)
UT Food Bank Receives $100K for Culturally Responsive Foods Utah Food Bank has received funding for distributing what it calls more "culturally responsive" foods.The $100,000 dollar grant from KeyBank will allow Utah Food Bank to create the infrastructure needed to identify, track and distribute a wider range of food items, starting in Salt Lake County, and eventually statewide.Ginette Bott, CEO and president of the Utah Food Bank, said people from many different cultures and countries have relocated to the Beehive State. ...(Read More)
College Courses Show Benefits for Incarcerated Youth in UT Utah is one of a few states where juveniles behind bars can earn college credit. Utah's Higher Education for Incarcerated Youth program lets young people study a wide range of subjects while in custody. It offers primarily virtual classes in collaboration with Utah Tech University, which provides the instructors for the courses. ...(Read More)
$15 Million Allocated to Utah Wastewater Reuse Projects The state of Utah has allocated a total of $15 million to wastewater re-use projects in Southern Utah.The Southern Utah Reuse ARPA Grant Program has provided the funding to 12 municipalities, conservancies and service districts. It prioritizes projects to mitigate the impacts of drought in rural communities and in the agricultural sector....(Read More)
Utah Economy Sees Tight Labor Market Heading into 2023 Utah's economy is starting to slow down, according to data from the state.Last month, Utah saw an increase of 2.6% in nonfarm payroll jobs, which translates to about 43,000 more jobs compared to last year.Benjamin Crabb, regional economist for the Utah Department of Workforce Services, said despite Utah experiencing historically low unemployment in a tight labor market, he believes the state is well positioned going into 2023....(Read More)
Utahns Call on Congress to Expand Child Tax Credit Utahns are calling on Congress to expand the Child Tax Credit and say it should be a priority in a year-end tax package. The debate comes as lobbyists are also pressuring elected officials to approve business tax breaks as the year draws to an end.According to the Coalition on Human Needs, nearly half of Utah adults with children said they found it difficult to pay household bills in the month of October, and one in three said they did not purchase basic needs so they could pay their energy bills....(Read More)
Utah Trees Help Forest Service Meet Challenging Reforestation Efforts Seeds from trees located within Utah's national forests are helping repopulate forests with similar makeups that may have been impacted by climate change or burned by wildfires. The initiative is headed by the U.S. Forest Service. ...(Read More)
Protection of Utah National Monuments Under Attack Conservation groups are pushing to keep federal protections for Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments in Utah.
Boundaries of the two monuments were significantly reduced by President Donald Trump five years ago, but restored by the Biden administration. Now, conservation groups have filed a motion to intervene in two lawsuits, one headed by the State of Utah and the other headed by a number of plaintiffs including the BlueRibbon Coalition, an off-road vehicle advocacy group, challenging federal protection of these lands. ...(Read More)
UT Group Backs New EPA Proposal to Reduce Methane Emissions One Utah group is pleased with the Environmental Protection Agency's latest proposal to further reduce methane pollution from oil and gas drilling.
This comes almost a year after President Joe Biden announced a methane rule for existing oil and gas wells nationwide, rather than solely focusing on new ones.
The latest rule targets drilling sites which are considered to be high-polluting, low-producing wells. ...(Read More)
Utah Food Bank Braces for Challenging Holiday Season The Utah Food Bank is responding to what it calls record levels of need for food assistance across the state. Lingering economic effects of COVID-19 compounded by rising inflation are presenting challenges for many Utah families as winter arrives.
A survey from the American Farm Bureau Federation reports Thanksgiving dinners will cost 20% more this year than last. ...(Read More)
As Utah Temps Drop and Energy Costs Rise, Help is Available As temperatures drop across the state of Utah and energy costs continue to rise, Utahns may be eligible for heat utility assistance to stay warm as winter fast approaches.
Jamie Castleton, manager of the Utah Community Action HEAT Program, said it provides water and energy assistance throughout the year to households considered to be low-income and encourages Utahns who need help to apply.
"People who are living with a documented disability, age 60 and over, and then young children under the age of 6, are our three main target populations," Castleton pointed out. "...(Read More)
UT Landowners, Tribes Fight Plan to Pump Rural Water to Cedar City By Claire Carlson for The Daily Yonder.
Broadcast version by Mark Richardson for the Utah News Connection for the Public News Service/Daily Yonder Collaboration
From one side of the city limits sign, a groundwater pipeline proposal in a sparsely populated Utah county looks like a crucial investment in economic expansion for a growing metropolis.
From the other, less crowded side of the road, the project appears to be a water grab that will turn rural areas into sacrifice zones for the sake of urban growth.
The proposal, called the Pine Valley Water Supply Project, would pump billions of gallons of water from rural Beaver County in western Utah and send it 70 miles southeast to Cedar City. ...(Read More)
Avian Flu Takes Big Toll on UT Turkey Farms About 700,000 turkeys across 18 Utah farms have to be euthanized following an outbreak of the avian flu.
Bailee Woolstenhulme, public information officer with the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, said the first cases were detected earlier this year, but did not start taking off until August. Woolstenhulme said about 2.2-million turkeys across the country so far have fallen victim to "bird flu."
She emphasized that Utah is one of the states with the highest number of turkey farmers. ...(Read More)
Utah Group Pushes to Protect Wild Horses from Intentional Shootings At least 16 wild horses have been shot dead in Utah's rural San Juan County since the beginning of the year, and one group working to protect them suspects there are more to be found.
Advocates for Wild Equines is not only asking for state or federal protections for the horses, but is also demanding a full investigation into the shootings.
Lynda Logan, a member of the group, said it is unfortunate the animals' carcasses have been found only because of the efforts of some private citizens. ...(Read More)
Utah to Offer Cash for Replacing Lush Lawns with Desert-Tolerant Landscapes Starting this week, the state is taking applications for a program to pay up to $1 dollar a square foot of turf to replace water-guzzling grass with drought-resistant landscaping.
Michael Sanchez, Public Information Officer with the state Division of Water Resources said cultivating a lush, green lawn in Utah's bone-dry climate is a major water waster.
"We do live in a semi-arid state," Sanchez said. "...(Read More)
Utah Open Enrollment Begins Nov. 1 for Health Coverage Open-enrollment season for health insurance is upon us, and Utahns who want to get the right kinds of coverage have a lot to consider.
More than 300,000 people in Utah are uninsured.
The health-insurance marketplace open-enrollment period begins Tuesday and continues through Jan. 15. ...(Read More)
UT Group Urges Congress to Reinstate Child Tax Credit Payments When families began receiving expanded Child Tax Credit payments during the pandemic, the extra family income lifted almost four-million children out of poverty, but when the payments stopped, child poverty increased by more than 40%.
In Utah, just a year after the monthly payments stopped, the number of families with children reporting food insecurity increased by 74%.
Gina Cornia, executive director of Utahns Against Hunger, thinks lawmakers should reinstate the $300- to $360-per-child payments, especially with inflation near double-digits. ...(Read More)
SCOTUS to Hear Constitutional Challenge to Indian Child Welfare Act A case before the U.S. Supreme Court has Native Americans in Utah and other states concerned the outcome could revive the centuries-old practice of separating indigenous children from their families.
The court will decide the constitutionality of the Indian Child Welfare Act. ...(Read More)
BLM Halts Uinta Basin Oil-and-Gas Project Over Climate Concerns The Biden administration has set aside a massive oil and gas drilling project in the Uinta Basin due to its potential effect on the climate and greenhouse-gas emissions.
The Bureau of Land Management decision upholds a 2017 appeal by the group WildEarth Guardians, challenging the planned Monument Butte oil and gas project.
The BLM ruled it had not properly considered the impact the exploration activity might have on the fragile environment. ...(Read More)
Nonprofit Job Training, Placement Program Puts Utah Seniors to Work A nonprofit program is helping older adults in Utah and other states to develop new skills, polish their resumes and find work.
After a lifetime of working, most people retire expecting to live a comfortable life. But circumstances can change, and people in their later years may find they need a job. ...(Read More)
Mail-In Ballots Remain Popular Among Utah Voters Election Day is November 8, and Utah elections officials say it isn't too early for voters to start making a plan for casting their ballots. For many, voting by mail is a popular way to save time and avoid long lines at the polls.
Utah county clerks will begin sending mail-in ballot packages to all active registered voters after October 28, which is the last day to register. ...(Read More)
Study: Skyrocketing Housing Costs Putting the Squeeze on Utah Renters The average cost of keeping a roof over your head in Utah's metro areas is a lot more than it used to be - if you're renting.
A recent University of Utah study found that rental prices in the state's major cities increased faster in the past two years than they did over the entire prior decade.
Dejan Eskic - a senior research fellow at the University of Utah's Kem C. ...(Read More)
Groups Urge BLM to Keep Off-Road Vehicles Out of Labyrinth Canyon Conservation groups say more needs to be done to protect the natural and cultural resources of Utah's Labyrinth Canyon from off-road vehicles.
The Bureau of Land Management is taking comments until Oct. 7 on a draft travel management plan for the Labyrinth Canyon and Gemini Bridges area outside of Moab. ...(Read More)
Interior Dept. Orders Changes to 650 Place Names to Remove Indigenous Slurs The U.S. Interior Department has ordered name changes for nearly 650 sites on federal lands, in Utah and across the country, containing words considered sexist or racial slurs.
An agency task force conferred with dozens of federal agencies, 70 tribal governments, and took more than 1,000 public recommendations in developing the list. ...(Read More)
Inflation Brings Higher Demand, Fewer Supplies for Utah Food Pantries During the pandemic, food pantries were a lifeline for thousands of Utah families experiencing hard times. Rising inflation, however, is making it increasingly difficult for those agencies to meet people's needs.
Over the 12 months ending in June, the cost of food jumped more than 10% - second only to the cost of gasoline and utilities. ...(Read More)
High-Pollution Days Bring Free Rides on Wasatch Range Transit System Salt Lake City is notorious for its bad air days this time of year, but there is a silver lining to the brown cloud.
The Free Fare for Clean Air program begins today, providing free use of the entire Utah Transit Authority system on high-pollution days. The idea is to get cars and trucks off the roads when the state Division of Air Quality predicts unhealthy ozone pollution levels. ...(Read More)
Survey Ranks Utah Last Among States for Women's Equality In the 1960s, women were told in ad campaigns, "You've come a long way, baby." But in Utah, that may not be the case.
Women's Equality Day is this Friday, but a statistical survey by researchers at the website WalletHub ranks Utah last among the 50 states for women's equality. The study looked at 17 key indicators, from the gap between female and male executives to the disparity in employment rates for women and men, as well as education and health care. ...(Read More)
BLM Seeking Comments on Grand Staircase-Escalante Management Plan The Bureau of Land Management is kicking off its planning process for managing Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument with several public hearings.
The monument is a series of plateaus extending 100 miles from the Grand Canyon to Bryce Canyon. President Joe Biden restored the monument to its full size in 2021, reversing a 2017 order by former President Donald Trump which cut it by half. ...(Read More)
Utah Ranks 4th Among States in Survey on Children's Well-Being An annual report on children's well-being rates Utah among the best in the country, but advocates warn it also pointed to a growing mental-health crisis.
The 2022 Kids Count Data Book compiled by the Annie E. Casey Foundation ranks Utah 4th among the 50 states, appearing in the Top Ten 10 in all four major categories. ...(Read More)
Conservation Union Places Western Monarch Butterflies on Threatened List The iconic orange and black migratory monarch butterfly has just made the Red List of Threatened Species, designated by the International Union of Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.
The insect's western population in Utah, California and surrounding states has dropped 95% from the 1980s. The numbers ticked up a bit last year but remain extremely low. ...(Read More)
Study: UT Public Schools, Students High Achievers Despite Low State Funding A new survey of public school systems around the country found Utah continues to rank among the top tier of states for its education system, but many Utah educators believe the state's schools could be among the country's elite if the state would increase funding.
A recent WalletHub study ranked Utah schools 13th overall, with high marks for education quality, campus safety and SAT scores, but dead last in per-pupil funding.
Brad Asay, president of the American Federation of Teachers-Utah, said while educators take pride in how well Utah students are performing, they need more money. ...(Read More)
Advocates: New 988 Suicide Prevention Line Will Save Utahns' Lives Mental-health advocates say the new 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline could save the lives of many Utahns and others facing mental-health crises.
The new three-digit number is a "shorthand" version of the previous 10-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline that has been in use since 2005. The new number links callers to a local mental-health help center based on their area code. ...(Read More)
Study: Food Insecurity a Major Problem for Utah College Students There may be some truth to the expression about the "starving college student" struggling to earn a degree.
A survey of students enrolled in Utah colleges and universities found that for many, chronic food insecurity is a major issue.
The survey, commissioned by Utahns Against Hunger, asked students at several Utah campuses if they regularly have access to enough affordable, nutritious food. ...(Read More)
Groups to Build EV Charging Stations Across Rural Utah, Western States Electric vehicles (EVs) are an economical and environmentally friendly way to get from Point A to Point B, but the lack of charging stations often limits drivers to short trips.
It could soon change, as the West Electric Highway program aims to install fast-charging stations every 50 miles along rural highways in Utah and other Western states. The project is funded through the bipartisan infrastructure law approved by Congress last year. ...(Read More)
Report: Juvenile-Justice Reforms Show Progress in UT, US Systems New research finds reports of skyrocketing youth crime are not only unfounded, but also are fueling calls for stricter punishments.
A Sentencing Project report shows the share of crimes in the U.S. committed by young people fell by more than half in the past two decades. ...(Read More)
Senior Vote is Critical for Tuesday's Utah Primaries Democrats, Republicans and other political parties in Utah hold primary elections Tuesday, and advocates for older voters are promoting the importance of making sure their voices are heard.
Each party will choose its candidates for the Nov. 8 midterm elections. ...(Read More)
Senior Vote is Critical for Tuesday's Utah Primaries Democrats, Republicans and other political parties in Utah hold primary elections Tuesday, and advocates for older voters are promoting the importance of making sure their voices are heard.
Each party will choose its candidates for the Nov. 8 midterm elections. ...(Read More)
Salt Lake City, Others Sue EPA for Stronger Ozone Protections A group of health and environmental advocates has sued the Environmental Protection Agency over its failure to enforce air-pollution protections in 30 large cities across the country.
The lawsuit, filed by Earthjustice, claims the agency did not enforce its own regulations to reduce toxic ozone levels. The cities, including Salt Lake City, Denver, Phoenix and Las Vegas, all rank among the most polluted in the country. ...(Read More)
Salt Lake City, Others Sue EPA for Stronger Ozone Protections A group of health and environmental advocates has sued the Environmental Protection Agency over its failure to enforce air-pollution protections in 30 large cities across the country.
The lawsuit, filed by Earthjustice, claims the agency did not enforce its own regulations to reduce toxic ozone levels. The cities, including Salt Lake City, Denver, Phoenix and Las Vegas, all rank among the most polluted in the country. ...(Read More)
Utah Nonprofit to Turn Surrendered Firearms into Garden Tools Gun violence has become an epidemic across America, leaving many people frightened and wondering what can be done about it. A Utah group is taking action with a unique event this weekend to reduce the number of guns on the streets.
A nonprofit group is hosting a Guns to Gardens event Saturday, where Utahns who no longer want or need their guns can safely surrender them and go home with a new garden tool. ...(Read More)
Utah Nonprofit to Turn Surrendered Firearms into Garden Tools Gun violence has become an epidemic across America, leaving many people frightened and wondering what can be done about it. A Utah group is taking action with a unique event this weekend to reduce the number of guns on the streets.
A nonprofit group is hosting a Guns to Gardens event Saturday, where Utahns who no longer want or need their guns can safely surrender them and go home with a new garden tool. ...(Read More)
Utah Families Sue State Over Law Excluding Transgender Girls from Sports Two families are suing the State of Utah over a controversial law that allows schools to exclude transgender students from competing in girls' sports.
House Bill 11 was initially vetoed in March by Gov. Spencer Cox, then overridden by the Republican majority in the Legislature to become state law. ...(Read More)
Utah Families Sue State Over Law Excluding Transgender Girls from Sports Two families are suing the State of Utah over a controversial law that allows schools to exclude transgender students from competing in girls' sports.
House Bill 11 was initially vetoed in March by Gov. Spencer Cox, then overridden by the Republican majority in the Legislature to become state law. ...(Read More)
Study Seeks UT Volunteers to Unravel Mysteries of 'Long COVID' The National Institutes of Health has begun a nationwide research project to better understand how to prevent and treat what's become known as "long" COVID, as well as determine who's at risk.
The COVID-19 virus has affected millions of Americans, but most people have recuperated from the illness - at least initially. However, doctors say thousands who thought they were done later develop "long" COVID, weeks and even months after the initial symptoms are gone. ...(Read More)
Study Seeks UT Volunteers to Unravel Mysteries of 'Long COVID' The National Institutes of Health has begun a nationwide research project to better understand how to prevent and treat what's become known as "long" COVID, as well as determine who's at risk.
The COVID-19 virus has affected millions of Americans, but most people have recuperated from the illness - at least initially. However, doctors say thousands who thought they were done later develop "long" COVID, weeks and even months after the initial symptoms are gone. ...(Read More)
FlipBlitz Program Converts Grassy Utah Landscapes to Curb Water Use After two decades of drought and with no relief in sight, many Utahns are looking for ways to conserve water, and for many residents, part of the solution could be right in their front yard, thanks to a state program.
The Utah Division of Water Resources has joined with several local water-conservancy districts for a second year of "FlipBlitz," a process providing incentives to convert grassy lawns to water-wise landscapes.
State and local officials kicked off the second year of the program this week by demonstrating how small changes on the ground can make a big difference in water use. ...(Read More)
FlipBlitz Program Converts Grassy Utah Landscapes to Curb Water Use After two decades of drought and with no relief in sight, many Utahns are looking for ways to conserve water, and for many residents, part of the solution could be right in their front yard, thanks to a state program.
The Utah Division of Water Resources has joined with several local water-conservancy districts for a second year of "FlipBlitz," a process providing incentives to convert grassy lawns to water-wise landscapes.
State and local officials kicked off the second year of the program this week by demonstrating how small changes on the ground can make a big difference in water use. ...(Read More)
UT Letter Carriers Help 'Stamp Out Hunger' with Food Collections Utahns can expect their mail to be delivered as usual this Saturday but with a catch. Your letter carrier will be asking for something in return - a bag of food.
May 14 marks the 30th anniversary of the annual National Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, a day when local letter carriers collect non-perishable groceries along their routes for the Utah Food Bank and its 216 affiliates across the state. ...(Read More)
UT Letter Carriers Help 'Stamp Out Hunger' with Food Collections Utahns can expect their mail to be delivered as usual this Saturday but with a catch. Your letter carrier will be asking for something in return - a bag of food.
May 14 marks the 30th anniversary of the annual National Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, a day when local letter carriers collect non-perishable groceries along their routes for the Utah Food Bank and its 216 affiliates across the state. ...(Read More)
Lake Powell Cutbacks Signal Need for Long-Term Water-Supply Solutions Federal officials ordered limits this week on how much water is released by Glen Canyon Dam, in order to maintain sufficient levels to generate hydropower, but conservationists warn time is running out to develop long-term solutions to the West's dwindling water supplies.
The Bureau of Reclamation is cutting its release from Lake Powell into the Colorado River by a half-million acre feet over the next year. The move is aimed at keeping the water level above 3,400 feet, the minimum needed to drive Glen Canyon Dam's hydropower turbines. ...(Read More)
Lake Powell Cutbacks Signal Need for Long-Term Water-Supply Solutions Federal officials ordered limits this week on how much water is released by Glen Canyon Dam, in order to maintain sufficient levels to generate hydropower, but conservationists warn time is running out to develop long-term solutions to the West's dwindling water supplies.
The Bureau of Reclamation is cutting its release from Lake Powell into the Colorado River by a half-million acre feet over the next year. The move is aimed at keeping the water level above 3,400 feet, the minimum needed to drive Glen Canyon Dam's hydropower turbines. ...(Read More)
Report: Utah's Low-Producing Wells Emit Half of Methane Emissions A new study found low-producing oil and gas wells make up about half the methane emitted from all well sites in the U.S., while accounting for just 6% of the nation's oil and gas production.
Led by the Environmental Defense Fund, the report found an estimated 565,000 low-producing sites making less than 15 barrels of oil per day across the country, with a significant number of them in Utah and across the Mountain West.
Mark Omara, senior analyst for the Environmental Defense Fund and the report's author, said the high amount of methane leaks -- about four-million metric tons annually -- is a major climate concern. ...(Read More)
Report: Utah's Low-Producing Wells Emit Half of Methane Emissions A new study found low-producing oil and gas wells make up about half the methane emitted from all well sites in the U.S., while accounting for just 6% of the nation's oil and gas production.
Led by the Environmental Defense Fund, the report found an estimated 565,000 low-producing sites making less than 15 barrels of oil per day across the country, with a significant number of them in Utah and across the Mountain West.
Mark Omara, senior analyst for the Environmental Defense Fund and the report's author, said the high amount of methane leaks -- about four-million metric tons annually -- is a major climate concern. ...(Read More)
Conservationists Call Out Extremist Group for Dispensing Disinformation Disinformation has sadly become a part of American political discourse, but one environmental organization is calling out a group of anti-government extremists for spinning false narratives.
The Center for Western Priorities published a report this week tracking several "fake news" stories about the 30x30 Initiative tied to President Joe Biden's America the Beautiful campaign.
Aaron Weiss, deputy director of the Center, said a group named American Stewards of Liberty (ASL) has made it its mission to undercut the plan to protect 30% of public lands by 2030. ...(Read More)
Conservationists Call Out Extremist Group for Dispensing Disinformation Disinformation has sadly become a part of American political discourse, but one environmental organization is calling out a group of anti-government extremists for spinning false narratives.
The Center for Western Priorities published a report this week tracking several "fake news" stories about the 30x30 Initiative tied to President Joe Biden's America the Beautiful campaign.
Aaron Weiss, deputy director of the Center, said a group named American Stewards of Liberty (ASL) has made it its mission to undercut the plan to protect 30% of public lands by 2030. ...(Read More)
Healthcare Decisions Day: Time for Utahns to Examine End-of-Life Issues Saturday is National Health Care Decisions Day, a reminder Utahns and others should have plans in place in case they need medical attention and are unable to state their wishes.
Kim Callinan, president and CEO of Compassion & Choices, which advocates for medical aid in dying for people with terminal illnesses, said medical directives for end-of-life care are not only important for the person, but for their family.
"One in two seniors now die with or from dementia, and unfortunately, most are not planning for what the end might look like," Callinan pointed out. "...(Read More)
Healthcare Decisions Day: Time for Utahns to Examine End-of-Life Issues Saturday is National Health Care Decisions Day, a reminder Utahns and others should have plans in place in case they need medical attention and are unable to state their wishes.
Kim Callinan, president and CEO of Compassion & Choices, which advocates for medical aid in dying for people with terminal illnesses, said medical directives for end-of-life care are not only important for the person, but for their family.
"One in two seniors now die with or from dementia, and unfortunately, most are not planning for what the end might look like," Callinan pointed out. "...(Read More)
Looming End to Pandemic Waivers Puts Utah Kids at Risk of Hunger Federal waivers put in place at the height of the pandemic allowed federal child nutrition programs more flexibility in delivering meals to households, because kids weren't at school.
Those waivers are set to expire in a few weeks - and in Utah, groups that work to fight hunger warn that more children, especially in rural areas, will be at risk.
Neal Rickard - child nutrition advocate with Utahns Against Hunger - said the waivers allowed parents to pick up multiple meals for their kids at a time, and in one convenient location. ...(Read More)
Looming End to Pandemic Waivers Puts Utah Kids at Risk of Hunger Federal waivers put in place at the height of the pandemic allowed federal child nutrition programs more flexibility in delivering meals to households, because kids weren't at school.
Those waivers are set to expire in a few weeks - and in Utah, groups that work to fight hunger warn that more children, especially in rural areas, will be at risk.
Neal Rickard - child nutrition advocate with Utahns Against Hunger - said the waivers allowed parents to pick up multiple meals for their kids at a time, and in one convenient location. ...(Read More)
For Some in UT, College Dreams Cut Short by Pandemic Low-income families in Utah may have shifted funds from education to pay for pandemic-related costs, a trend in line with findings showing Black and Latino youths have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including their plans to attend college.
The Latino Politics and Policy Initiative at UCLA reported for the year 2020, nearly one-third of Black and Latino students scrapped postsecondary education plans at a rate higher than white students.
Teri Peters, program design and monitoring manager for Centro de la Familia, a children's educational advocacy nonprofit, said as the pandemic continued into 2021, Utah families in need changed how they asked for help. ...(Read More)
For Some in UT, College Dreams Cut Short by Pandemic Low-income families in Utah may have shifted funds from education to pay for pandemic-related costs, a trend in line with findings showing Black and Latino youths have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including their plans to attend college.
The Latino Politics and Policy Initiative at UCLA reported for the year 2020, nearly one-third of Black and Latino students scrapped postsecondary education plans at a rate higher than white students.
Teri Peters, program design and monitoring manager for Centro de la Familia, a children's educational advocacy nonprofit, said as the pandemic continued into 2021, Utah families in need changed how they asked for help. ...(Read More)
Study Finds Flaws in How States Manage Juvenile-Justice System America locked up almost a quarter-million children in 2019, according to the report, "Too Many Closed Doors," from The Sentencing Project.
The report found in the past, policymakers have relied on annual point-in-time counts, which end up being about five times lower.
Josh Rovner, senior advocacy associate for The Sentencing Project and the report's author, said states have been looking at the wrong numbers, and the difference is striking. ...(Read More)
Study Finds Flaws in How States Manage Juvenile-Justice System America locked up almost a quarter-million children in 2019, according to the report, "Too Many Closed Doors," from The Sentencing Project.
The report found in the past, policymakers have relied on annual point-in-time counts, which end up being about five times lower.
Josh Rovner, senior advocacy associate for The Sentencing Project and the report's author, said states have been looking at the wrong numbers, and the difference is striking. ...(Read More)
Utah Lawmakers Ban Transgender Girls from Women’s Sports Utah's Legislature has overridden Republican Gov. Spencer Cox's veto of House Bill 11, which now mandates young transgender athletes can play only for teams based on their sex, not their gender identification.
Opponents of this type of legislation said it is another way to discriminate against young transgender people, and can have serious mental-health consequences. ...(Read More)
Utah Lawmakers Ban Transgender Girls from Women’s Sports Utah's Legislature has overridden Republican Gov. Spencer Cox's veto of House Bill 11, which now mandates young transgender athletes can play only for teams based on their sex, not their gender identification.
Opponents of this type of legislation said it is another way to discriminate against young transgender people, and can have serious mental-health consequences. ...(Read More)
Polling Shows Utah Voters Want Medical Aid in Dying Despite polls showing most voters support the right to a peaceful death, a bill to legalize medical aid in dying has once again failed to advance in the Utah General Assembly.
House Bill 74 would have enacted the End of Life Options Act to allow mentally sound, terminally ill patients with less than six months to live to obtain a prescription to gently end their suffering if they decide they want to use it.
Medical aid in dying is legal in 10 states and Washington D.C., but opponents argued it could be abused and people could be coerced into it. ...(Read More)
Polling Shows Utah Voters Want Medical Aid in Dying Despite polls showing most voters support the right to a peaceful death, a bill to legalize medical aid in dying has once again failed to advance in the Utah General Assembly.
House Bill 74 would have enacted the End of Life Options Act to allow mentally sound, terminally ill patients with less than six months to live to obtain a prescription to gently end their suffering if they decide they want to use it.
Medical aid in dying is legal in 10 states and Washington D.C., but opponents argued it could be abused and people could be coerced into it. ...(Read More)
Equal Pay Day 2022: Utah Women Still Far Behind Today is Equal Pay Day, representing how far into 2022 women would have to work to make what men did in 2021, on average.
In 2021, full-time wages for women were about 83% of what full-time men earned. In Utah, the gap was much wider, at about 70%, which is roughly $17,000 dollars less. ...(Read More)
Equal Pay Day 2022: Utah Women Still Far Behind Today is Equal Pay Day, representing how far into 2022 women would have to work to make what men did in 2021, on average.
In 2021, full-time wages for women were about 83% of what full-time men earned. In Utah, the gap was much wider, at about 70%, which is roughly $17,000 dollars less. ...(Read More)
Utah Approves $1 Million for Wildlife Crossings Utah is taking new action to reduce the deaths of wildlife along roads and highways.
Congress allocated $350 million in the bipartisan infrastructure package to fund projects across the country. States must provide 20% of the funds for projects, and Utah has approved $1 million to be set aside to address one of the most dangerous spots for wildlife in the state. ...(Read More)
Utah Approves $1 Million for Wildlife Crossings Utah is taking new action to reduce the deaths of wildlife along roads and highways.
Congress allocated $350 million in the bipartisan infrastructure package to fund projects across the country. States must provide 20% of the funds for projects, and Utah has approved $1 million to be set aside to address one of the most dangerous spots for wildlife in the state. ...(Read More)
Advocates Say Officials Need to Act Now to Keep Utah Kids Insured With the end of the pandemic-driven public-health emergency looming, a new report reveals that millions of children in Utah and elsewhere are at risk of losing insurance coverage.
About half of Utah children are insured through either Medicaid or CHIP, the Children's Health Insurance Program. They've been able to maintain stability in their coverage thanks to the continuous-coverage requirement from the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. ...(Read More)
Advocates Say Officials Need to Act Now to Keep Utah Kids Insured With the end of the pandemic-driven public-health emergency looming, a new report reveals that millions of children in Utah and elsewhere are at risk of losing insurance coverage.
About half of Utah children are insured through either Medicaid or CHIP, the Children's Health Insurance Program. They've been able to maintain stability in their coverage thanks to the continuous-coverage requirement from the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. ...(Read More)
Poll: Utahns, Westerners Voice Concerns for Water, Climate Change Voters in Utah and across the West are increasingly anxious about the effects of climate change on the beauty and ecology of their Rocky Mountains.
The 12th annual Conservation in the West Poll by Colorado College found voters in the eight Western states along the Continental Divide are disturbed by the changes a warming climate is having on the health of the outdoors.
Lori Weigel, principal at New Bridge Strategy which conducted the poll, said the 3,400 people surveyed expressed their views on a variety of environmental issues. ...(Read More)
Poll: Utahns, Westerners Voice Concerns for Water, Climate Change Voters in Utah and across the West are increasingly anxious about the effects of climate change on the beauty and ecology of their Rocky Mountains.
The 12th annual Conservation in the West Poll by Colorado College found voters in the eight Western states along the Continental Divide are disturbed by the changes a warming climate is having on the health of the outdoors.
Lori Weigel, principal at New Bridge Strategy which conducted the poll, said the 3,400 people surveyed expressed their views on a variety of environmental issues. ...(Read More)
UT Lawmakers Ponder Permanent Working Group on Hunger Issues Statistics showed during the pandemic, the number of Utah families experiencing food insecurity grew, and advocates argued the state needs to take a leading role in finding solutions to the problem.
A bill working its way through the Utah Legislature would formalize a working group of stakeholders who meet periodically to exchange ideas and propose policies.
The legislation, which would consolidate an ad hoc coalition into a state entity with staff and funding, is pending before the Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Committee. ...(Read More)
UT Lawmakers Ponder Permanent Working Group on Hunger Issues Statistics showed during the pandemic, the number of Utah families experiencing food insecurity grew, and advocates argued the state needs to take a leading role in finding solutions to the problem.
A bill working its way through the Utah Legislature would formalize a working group of stakeholders who meet periodically to exchange ideas and propose policies.
The legislation, which would consolidate an ad hoc coalition into a state entity with staff and funding, is pending before the Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Committee. ...(Read More)
Utah Legislation Targets Registration Drives, Mail-In Ballots By almost any measure, Utah's 2020 elections were among the most successful in state history, with record turnout and no evidence of voting irregularities. So, why do some members of the Utah Legislature want to make registering voters a crime?
At least one group, the Rural Utah Project, contended it is because its members did too good a job of getting Utahns to the polls.
House Bill 371, filed last week by Rep. ...(Read More)
Utah Legislation Targets Registration Drives, Mail-In Ballots By almost any measure, Utah's 2020 elections were among the most successful in state history, with record turnout and no evidence of voting irregularities. So, why do some members of the Utah Legislature want to make registering voters a crime?
At least one group, the Rural Utah Project, contended it is because its members did too good a job of getting Utahns to the polls.
House Bill 371, filed last week by Rep. ...(Read More)
A Contest to Change Glen Canyon Dam, 'Re-Wild' Colorado River A contest to "Re-Wild the Colorado River" is seeking engineering alternatives from the public for the future of Glen Canyon Dam.
Conservation groups have maintained for years that Glen Canyon Dam is no longer useful and should be re-engineered to allow the Colorado River to flow freely again along the Arizona-Utah border. Daniel Beard, a former commissioner of the U.S. ...(Read More)
A Contest to Change Glen Canyon Dam, 'Re-Wild' Colorado River A contest to "Re-Wild the Colorado River" is seeking engineering alternatives from the public for the future of Glen Canyon Dam.
Conservation groups have maintained for years that Glen Canyon Dam is no longer useful and should be re-engineered to allow the Colorado River to flow freely again along the Arizona-Utah border. Daniel Beard, a former commissioner of the U.S. ...(Read More)
Conservation Groups Blame Feds for Damage to Rare Dinosaur Tracks Conservation groups say it was a close call last week when a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) contractor began clearing a site near Moab which contained dinosaur tracks believed to be 112 million years old.
A wooden boardwalk was removed from a portion of the Mill Canyon Dinosaur Tracksite and some ground cover was cleared before work was stopped.
The Center for Biological Diversity heard about the incident on social media and fired off a cease and desist letter to the BLM to halt work. ...(Read More)
Scientists: Sixth Global Mass Extinction Event Happening Now New research suggests Earth's Sixth Mass Extinction event, on par with the one that ended the age of dinosaurs, is already under way.
Noah Greenwald, endangered species director at the Center for Biological Diversity, said the recent findings add to a growing pile of troubling news, including projections more than a million species are likely to be lost in coming decades due to human activity.
Greenwald emphasized it is a problem because species make up ecosystems, and ecosystems provide critical services for people. ...(Read More)
Provider Shortage Triggers Access-to-Care Crisis for Disabled Utahns Advocates say Utah has a shortage of qualified workers to deliver home and community-based services to people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
Lawmakers at both the state and federal levels are debating measures to increase funding for both public and private care providers, but no action has been taken.
Utah lawmakers heard a report last week from state health officials, showing they have almost 1,000 unfilled positions for disability-care providers. ...(Read More)
Licensed Paralegals Bring Lower-Cost Legal Services to Utahns The cost of hiring a lawyer can be out of reach for many Utahns, creating "justice gaps" in rural areas and marginalized communities where fees are out of reach for most people.
A new type of advocate, Licensed Paralegal Professionals (LLPs), could open access to the legal system for thousands of Utahns.
Anna Carpenter, professor of law in the S.J. ...(Read More)
Report: Utah Cities Should Prepare to Counter Political Extremism, Violence A new report outlines ways local government officials in Utah and elsewhere can push back on threats from the type of anti-democratic radical groups that stormed the U.S. Capitol.
It has been just over a year since violent extremists rioted in an attempt to stop Congress from certifying Joe Biden as winner of the 2020 presidential election. ...(Read More)
New Federal Law Blocks Doctors From Sending 'Surprise' Medical Bills A new federal law, which took effect on New Year's Day, the No Surprises Act, expands protections already in place in Utah and across the U.S. to prevent surprise medical billing.
The new regulation protects people covered under health plans from "balance billing," or receiving unexpected medical bills from emergency or non-emergency services provided by physicians who are not in their insurance network. ...(Read More)
Groups Scour 2022 Utah Budget for Funds to Fight Hunger Advocates in the battle against food insecurity are urging lawmakers to find room in the upcoming Utah state budget to increase aid to food banks and other nutrition programs.
When the Utah Legislature's 2022 session opens, state agencies and social-service groups are hoping to make an ad hoc task force formed during the pandemic permanent, and that its recommendations will result in new policies in the battle against poverty and hunger.
Alex Cragun, food security advocate for the group Utahns Against Hunger, said the committee brings like-minded entities together to fight food insecurity. ...(Read More)
Conservationists See 2022 as Critical Year for 30x30 Initiative Conservationists say significant progress was made in 2021 toward the goals of the 30x30 Initiative, to have 30% of the world's land and oceans protected by the end of this decade.
The Biden Administration embraced the plan and issued a first-year progress report this week, outlining its accomplishments over the past 12 months.
Aaron Weiss, deputy director of the Center for Western Priorities, said while the president was able to move forward on goals set for Utah and other Western states, much of the year was spent just catching up. ...(Read More)
Utah Teachers, Librarians Alarmed by Calls to Ban Controversial Books SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah teachers and school librarians are reacting with alarm to a growing problem of parents and other groups demanding books they find objectionable be removed from shelves.
A coalition of Utah educators, librarians and social advocates spoke out this week on recent calls for several volumes -- some of them literary classics -- to be censored because they contain controversial sexual or cultural references.
In response, the groups representing librarians and teachers have published an eBook highlighting libraries' role in defending the First Amendment. ...(Read More)
Report: Soaring Oil Industry Profits Costing Consumers at Pump SALT LAKE CITY -- As Utahns continue to endure some of the nation's highest gasoline prices, 24 of the top oil and gas corporations made nearly $174 billion in profits this year, with profits in the past three months alone topping $74 billion, according to a new report by Accountable.US.
Tony Carrk, executive director of Accountable.US, said top executives at Chevron and BP have privately boasted about redistributing what they view as "excess cash."
"Rather than giving American consumers a break at the pump, they're making all of this money in profits," Carrk asserted. "They seem to be very happy about taking that money and increasing the value of their stock, and the compensations for their executives."
A study from AAA showed the price of regular gas in Utah is currently $3.59, more than 60% higher than the same period in 2020. "...(Read More)
Children's Advocates: Build Back Better 'Crucial' for UT Kids' Health SALT LAKE CITY -- Health-care reform advocates in Utah are pressing the U.S. Senate to approve the Build Back Better Act.
They say it would improve Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). ...(Read More)
Backers of Independent Panel Cry Foul Over Utah Redistricting Maps SALT LAKE CITY - Backers of Utah's Independent Redistricting Commission are crying foul over the Republican-controlled Legislature's approval of what some observers are calling highly partisan political districts.
Lawmakers, who initially tried to eliminate the voter-approved Independent Commission, eventually compromised on a "hybrid" system, allowing the public panel to submit its maps along with those of the Legislature.
But Katie Wright - executive director of Better Boundaries, the group that organized the 2018 ballot initiative that created the commission - said the GOP majority essentially ignored the bipartisan panel's work. ...(Read More)
Task Force Recommends Ways to Cut Utah's Poverty, Food Insecurity CEDAR CITY, Utah - A new legislative study shows that more than 100,000 Utah families are periodically food insecure, meaning they do not have the resources to buy enough food.
The report was released in October by the Utah Task on Food Security, chaired by state Sen. Luz Escamilla - D-Salt Lake County. ...(Read More)
Museum, Monuments Planned to Salute Medal of Honor Recipients SALT LAKE CITY -- As the nation prepares to mark Veterans Day, former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton joined forces in a public service announcement to salute Medal of Honor recipients during the "Salute to Service" National Football League game last Sunday.
Currently, there are 66 living recipients of the medal, the military's highest award for valor in combat. ...(Read More)
Utah Officials Hope Climate Summit Spurs Action, Results PARK CITY, Utah -- As talks continue at the annual international climate summit, Utahns are among those urging the U.S. to follow up on its commitments. They want Congress to pass federal climate legislation and President Joe Biden to declare a national climate emergency. ...(Read More)
Open Enrollment Begins for 2022 'Obamacare' Health Care Plans SALT LAKE CITY -- Open enrollment for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act is underway in Utah and across the country, and experts are calling the program better than ever before.
The insurance marketplace, sometimes known as "Obamacare," is an online resource to shop for and compare health plans during the enrollment period.
Matt Slonaker, executive director of the Utah Health Policy Project, said eligibility changes made to the program during the pandemic have made the ACA a stronger marketplace. ...(Read More)
Study: Camping's Popularity Spikes on Utah Public Lands SALT LAKE CITY -- If you went camping on Utah's public lands this past summer, you were not alone, literally.
A new survey shows a major increase in camping on national public lands in the past decade, with a notable spike during the pandemic. The estimated occupancy for reserved campsites in Utah in the summer months has seen a 77% increase from 2014 to 2020. ...(Read More)
Ogden Legislator Leads Push to Eliminate Utah's Food Tax OGDEN, Utah - Utah is one of only a handful of states that taxes food, but one state legislator says taxing groceries should become a thing of the past.
The state currently charges a 1.75% tax on food, while some counties and cities across Utah can add to that, up to a total of 3%. But state Rep. ...(Read More)
Report: Hunters, Anglers Must Speak Up about Climate Change SALT LAKE CITY -- Few people spend as much time in the wilderness as hunters and anglers, and a new report aims to be a springboard to bring their conservation knowledge into discussions about fighting climate change.
The report, A Hunter's and Angler's Guide to Climate Change, touches on landscapes in Utah and throughout the country used by sportsmen and women that face environmental threats from the warming climate. Chief among them are Utah's forests and rivers. ...(Read More)
Student-Loan Forgiveness Could Help Thousands of Utah Grads SALT LAKE CITY, Utah -- Major changes are coming to the U.S. Department of Education's Public Service Loan Forgiveness program that could have a big impact on Utah graduates.
The program created in 2007 was meant to provide student-debt relief to workers in public-service fields, like teachers and paraprofessionals, but it has been plagued by bureaucratic issues making it difficult to qualify. ...(Read More)
Judge's Ruling Puts Utah Wildlands at Risk for Oil-Gas Exploration GREEN RIVER, Utah -- Despite a January presidential order pausing all oil and gas leases on public lands, the federal government has restarted the process of leasing 6,600 acres of Utah wildlands.
A federal judge recently overruled President Joe Biden's directive, after the oil industry filed suit in June, and instructed the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to restart the leasing process.
Landon Newell, staff attorney for the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, said while the ruling reopens the process, it does not necessarily mean the BLM will actually put the land up for auction. ...(Read More)
Geothermal Has a Role in Utah's Clean-Energy Plan SALT LAKE CITY -- A researcher at the University of Utah said plans for generating renewable energy should include a power source right under our feet.
Whether by plan or accident of geology, Utah has some of the highest potential in the nation for generating geothermal energy. Across the state, super-heated geothermal water is already being used to make electricity, as well as for spas, space heating, agriculture and aquaculture. ...(Read More)
Biden Could Face Uphill Battle in Utah Over Clean-Energy Plan SALT LAKE CITY - President Joe Biden's $150 billion clean-energy plan aims to rid almost half the power grid of carbon-based fuels by 2035, but conservation groups say his proposal will likely see resistance from Utah and other energy-producing states.
The plan, which goes before the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee this week, would reduce the use of coal and natural gas to cut carbon emissions and develop a green-energy economy. ...(Read More)
End of Federal Eviction Moratorium Puts Pressure on Utah Renters SALT LAKE CITY -- Since the end of the federal eviction moratorium in August, renters in Utah who are behind on their payments may be forced to juggle competing priorities in dealing with their landlord.
Housing advocates say the state still has millions of dollars in emergency rental assistance funds to distribute, but the program has not gone as smoothly as tenants and property owners would like. Complicating the process, during the pandemic, the cost of renting a home or apartment in Utah increased sharply. ...(Read More)
'Stop Child Hunger Act' Aims to Fill Gaps in School Meal Programs SALT LAKE CITY - Many Utah students, particularly those in rural areas, often are left without access to their school's meal program during breaks in the school year. But a measure pending in Congress would extend federal food programs designed to fill in those nutrition gaps for families.
Approval of the program, called the (Read More)
Utah Agencies, NGOs Prepare to Resettle Afghan Refugees SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah officials and private agencies are preparing to assist refugees from Afghanistan when they arrive in the Beehive State.
Utah is one of 19 states designated to receive Afghan refugees in the coming weeks and months. Agencies such as the state's Refugee Resettlement Office and groups such as Catholic Community Services and the International Rescue Committee are lining up local volunteers and services to assist the immigrants. ...(Read More)
Two Panels to Produce Maps for Utah Redistricting Process SALT LAKE CITY -- Now that the Census figures are out, the once-a-decade redistricting process begins in earnest in Utah.
It will be different this time, with a Utah legislative committee and the Utah Independent Redistricting Commission each drawing a set of maps defining political districts across the state.
Census data show Utah's 18% population gain made it the fastest-growing state in the last decade, and its population makeup shifted moderately toward Blacks, Latinos and other ethnic groups. ...(Read More)
Utah Officials Urged to Approve K-12 Mask Mandates SALT LAKE CITY -- As the Delta variant drives a growing number COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations in Utah, particularly among young adults and children, officials are being asked to reinstate a mask requirement for all K-12 schools.
After flattening out over the past eight months, state health officials say the Utah daily new-case average is almost 1,000, and most new infections are among the unvaccinated.
Moe Hickey, executive director of Utah Voices for Children, said with no vaccine available for kids under age 12, returning to school without a mask will leave them vulnerable. ...(Read More)
Doctors Urge Parents to Get Kids' 'Back-to-School' Exams, Shots SALT LAKE CITY -- It is getting to be "back-to-school" time in Utah, and pediatricians say a visit to the doctor is as important as new pencils or new shoes before kids return to the classroom.
Since so many children have been home-schooled for the past year, a new report showed they may be behind on their childhood inoculations, which doesn't include the COVID-19 vaccine.
The report from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute indicated last year saw at least a 27% drop in kids' doctor visits. ...(Read More)
Report: Utah Could Improve Its Hate-Crime Laws SALT LAKE CITY - With rising numbers of people targeted in hate crimes and related violence, a new report analyzes the hate-crime laws in each state.
The Movement Advancement Project and 16 partner organizations detail the patchwork of state laws in ten areas, and make suggestions for how states could move forward to reduce hate crimes.
Naomi Goldberg, deputy director of the group behind the report, said Utah updated its hate crime statute in 2019 to be more inclusive after violence against an immigrant man. ...(Read More)
Utah Watchdogs Voice Concerns Over 'High-Tech' Nukes SALT LAKE CITY -- In the push toward carbon-free energy production, some cities in Utah and nearby states are considering a new type of nuclear reactor to power their future.
The project, partially funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, aims to bring six small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) online by 2029, including for customers of Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems. ...(Read More)
Totem Pole Journey to Support Bears Ears Restoration This Weekend MONTICELLO, Utah -- The movement to restore the Bears Ears National Monument in southeast Utah gets a major boost this weekend when a hand-carved symbolic totem pole makes a stop Saturday on its tour from the west coast to Washington, D.C.
The Red Road to D.C. Totem Pole Journey is designed to highlight sacred sites across the U.S. ...(Read More)
Coalition Urges Lawmakers to Pass Bipartisan USPS Reform SALT LAKE CITY -- Supporters of the U.S. Postal Service are pressing for passage of a bill to shore up the troubled agency.
Twin versions of the bipartisan Postal Service Reform Act of 2021 are winding their way through committees in the U.S. ...(Read More)
Utahns Concerned Over High Court Ruling on AZ Election Laws SALT LAKE CITY -- In a landmark decision, the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld a pair of Arizona "election security" laws that many experts believe will suppress votes in the next election.
In a six-to-three conservative-liberal split, the justices upheld Arizona laws requiring voters to cast a ballot only in their assigned precinct, and making it illegal to collect ballots and drop them off at an elections office. ...(Read More)
Report: Utah Among Top 5 States for Children's Well-Being SALT LAKE CITY -- Families with children in Utah and other states remained mostly steady over the past year in an annual report on children's wellbeing, but it warns that a return to pre-pandemic levels of support could harm millions of kids.
The 2021 KIDS COUNT Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation tracks children's health, education and family stability by state. ...(Read More)
Heat Wave Generates Concerns Over Viability of Utah Power Grid SALT LAKE CITY -- Extreme drought has brought abnormally high temperatures across the Western states this week, and normally temperate Utah has not escaped the sizzling heat.
With temperatures rising well above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, many experts wondered aloud if Utah's power grid could withstand the stress.
Recent problems in Texas and California were cited in a study presented to the Utah Legislature's Public Utilities, Energy, Technology Committee. ...(Read More)
Juneteenth Declared National Holiday, Amidst Progress, Upheaval SALT LAKE CITY -- Juneteenth National Independence Day is now an official holiday, after President Joe Biden signed a bill Thursday, approved by both the US Senate and House of Representatives.
Also known as Black Emancipation Day, Liberation Day and Jubilee Day, it's celebrated on June 19, which marks the anniversary of an historical celebration of emancipation which started in Galveston, Texas when news that enslaved people had been freed by President Abraham Lincoln reached the Black community, almost two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
Many states have already designated the holiday, and momentum for the legislation followed the Black Lives Matter protests sparked by the police killing of George Floyd last year. ...(Read More)
American Families Plan Would Boost Summer Nutrition for UT Kids LOGAN, Utah -- Food insecurity among rural Utah children, already a problem prior to the pandemic, has grown worse in the past 15 months.
Children's advocates said while free and low-cost school lunch programs help feed thousands of Utah kids each year, a Biden administration proposal could permanently expand these nutrition programs, particularly outside of Utah's urban school districts.
The multi-billion-dollar American Families Plan would provide direct payments to families to cover kids' meals during the summer break. ...(Read More)
Group Rallies to Counter Messages Aimed at UT Transgender Students SALT LAKE CITY -- As the issues surrounding transgender and LGBTQ students become increasingly politicized in Utah, one group is providing support for those who identify differently from their peers.
Utah FAM, an alliance founded by Utah educators, recently held an inclusion rally at the state Capitol to validate the tens of thousands of LGBTQ teachers, students and families in Utah's public schools.
Allison Martin, co-founder of Utah FAM, said some districts and even the Utah Legislature have taken actions that isolated and shamed transgender kids. ...(Read More)
30x30 Plan Fights Climate Change by Protecting Public Lands, Waters MONTICELLO, Utah - The 30 by 30 Plan, also called the "the "America the Beautiful" campaign" campaign, aims to preserve 30% of the nation's public lands and water sources by 2030. But its pledge to fight the climate crisis could face hurdles.
The Biden administration initiative acknowledges a tipping point in damage done to the natural world, and calls for decisive action to reverse that damage. ...(Read More)
Utah Governor Ends $300 Federal Jobless Benefit Early to Boost Employment SALT LAKE CITY, Utah -- Utah officials are cutting back on jobless benefits, claiming without evidence federal "bonus" payments are keeping thousands of Utahns from returning to work.
Critics of the move announced last week by Gov. Spencer Cox, said an early end to the $300 weekly pandemic stimulus and other related benefits will hurt thousands of recipients by slashing their income before they are ready or able to re-enter the workforce. ...(Read More)
Conservationists Laud Choice of Stone-Manning to Head BLM MOAB, Utah -- Conservationists in Utah and across the West are praising the Biden administration's nomination of Tracy Stone-Manning, a longtime veteran of the fight to preserve public lands, to lead the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
Since 2017, Stone-Manning has served as senior advisor for Conservation Policy at the National Wildlife Federation. Prior to that, she was chief of staff for Montana Gov. ...(Read More)
Conservationists Back Congressional Effort to Restore Methane Controls MOAB, Utah -- Conservationists and others are optimistic key climate-change regulations on methane leaks rolled back during the Trump administration will soon be reinstated.
The U.S. Senate passed a resolution under the Congressional Review Act last week to reverse a 2017 executive order which led to the elimination of an Environmental Protection Agency rule, requiring oil and gas producers to control methane emissions. ...(Read More)
Utah Seniors Warned of Worsening Affordable-Housing Crisis SALT LAKE CITY - A new report warns that thousands of Utah seniors could lose their housing unless federal and state officials act to preserve existing senior housing subsidies.
The report, produced by AARP Utah, says over the next several years, millions of dollars in tax credits and block grants are set to expire, pushing vulnerable seniors out of affordable rental properties.
AARP Utah State Director Alan Ormsby said unless the rents are stabilized, property owners would be forced to charge current market rates, which could displace older people on fixed incomes. ...(Read More)
Biden Climate Summit Could Bring Jobs, Infrastructure to Utah, U.S. SALT LAKE CITY -- When President Joe Biden hosts a virtual summit on Earth Day, he's not only seeking to engage world powers on environmental issues, but to reestablish federal partnerships with Utah and other states.
The president has invited 40 global heads of government to participate in the Leaders Summit on Climate, which starts Thursday.
In addition to reasserting America's climate-change leadership on the world stage, he wants to help states reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and build a clean-energy economy. ...(Read More)
Experts: Poverty, Pandemic Could Bring Increase in Child Abuse Cases SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah families need more resources to counter concerns of a slumping economy and the pandemic, which could subject more children to abuse and neglect, the group Voices for Utah Children contended.
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and while verified cases in Utah remained steady last year at about 10,000 incidents, experts fear the actual number could be significantly higher.
Maurice Hickey, CEO of Voices for Utah Children, said evidence of abuse is often discovered at school or a visit to the pediatrician, but the pandemic has kept many kids at home. ...(Read More)