Andrea Smardon

Utah Jobless Rate Drops to 4.7; Governor Declares Recession Over

Andrea Smardon — Fri, 17 May 2013 22:22:25 +0000

Unemployment in Utah dipped to 4.7 percent last month, the state’s lowest rate since November 2008. Utah also added more jobs, prompting Governor Gary Herbert to declare the recession over in the state.

Utah’s job growth in April was 3.5 percent, more than double the national average. Over one year, 43,000 jobs have been added. Juliette Tennert is Chief Economist in the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget.

U Child Asthma Research Relies on Parents to Track Symptoms

Andrea Smardon — Thu, 16 May 2013 22:33:28 +0000

The University of Utah has received a 1.9 million dollar research grant to study asthma in children and how better monitoring of the disease could improve health. The award comes from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute.

Utah Lawmakers Consider Partnership to Encourage Long-Term Care Insurance

Andrea Smardon — Wed, 15 May 2013 22:24:19 +0000

Utah lawmakers are considering a bill that would encourage citizens to buy private long-term care insurance. More than 35 states already have this type of public-private partnership.

Utah insurance broker Craig Oberle told the state Health and Human Services committee that people don’t like to think about long term care, and how much it might cost.

“We all know the baby boom generation and what’s happening, it’s an absolute tsunami that’s coming,” Oberle said.

Utah’s Business Deals Topped $11B in 2012

Andrea Smardon — Tue, 14 May 2013 22:53:56 +0000

Utah’s business mergers and acquisitions reached an all-time high last year. That’s according to a report from the MountainWest Capitol Network to be released on Thursday this week.

The 2012 Deal Flow Report shows that there were 292 deals, topping 11 billion dollars. Of those, 110 were mergers and acquisitions of Utah companies. Devin Thorpe is President of the MountainWest Capitol Network, and he says 2012 deals increased more than 60% over the year before.

Utah to be First State with Dual-Model Health Insurance Exchange

Andrea Smardon — Fri, 10 May 2013 21:29:45 +0000

Utah has come to an agreement with the US Department of Health and Human Services on how it will run its exchange – or health insurance marketplace. HHS has approved Utah’s first-of-its-kind proposal to split state and federal responsibilities. Under the agreement, Utah will continue running the state exchange known as Avenue H for small businesses. The federal government will run a separate exchange for individual consumers.

Utah May “Walk Away” from State High-Risk Health Insurance Pool

Andrea Smardon — Thu, 09 May 2013 21:59:12 +0000

Utah is telling the federal government it’s not willing to take on more of the risk and the cost of insuring people with pre-existing health conditions. The US Department of Health and Human Services wants to cap federal spending on state-run high-risk pools because they are running out of funding. The Utah Governor’s office has until Friday to decide whether to absorb those costs in the state, or transition enrollees into a federal program – which they say will cost more out of pocket.

Community Focuses on Life, Legacy of Ricardo Portillo

Andrea Smardon — Thu, 09 May 2013 19:07:07 +0000

A Utah teen accused of punching a soccer referee who later died was charged Wednesday with homicide by assault. Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill said he will seek to try the teen as an adult in the death of 46-year-old Ricardo Portillo. In the meantime, the community is mourning the loss of Portillo at a memorial service and viewing in Salt Lake City.

Senator Hatch Files 24 Amendments to Immigration Bill

Andrea Smardon — Tue, 07 May 2013 22:24:27 +0000

Senator Orrin Hatch on Tuesday filed 24 amendments to the comprehensive immigration bill put forward by a group of Senators known as the Gang of 8. Hatch’s amendments focus on law enforcement, high-skilled work, health benefits, and back taxes.

Speaking in Salt Lake City last week, Hatch told KUER the immigration bill would substantially improve border security, but he said there’s more work to be done.

Sequestration Threatens University of Utah Health Research

Andrea Smardon — Mon, 06 May 2013 22:32:10 +0000

The University of Utah expects to lose 19 million dollars of its medical research budget as a result of sequestration. KUER looks at how that loss will impact the research, industry, and health of the state.

In the Genetics building, on the wall of cardiologist Dean Li’s lab is a map of North and South Korea. He uses it as inspiration for a pair of graduate students. North Korea, in this case, represents cancer.

Report Estimates Data Breach Will Cost $406 Million

Andrea Smardon — Mon, 06 May 2013 21:20:40 +0000

A new report shows that last year’s data breach of Utah health records was a costly mistake with far-reaching consequences. An independent analysis by Javelin Strategy & Research predicts that the total amount of fraud perpetrated could approach $406 million in costs.

Senator Hatch Says Immigration Bill Could be Improved

Andrea Smardon — Wed, 01 May 2013 22:43:20 +0000

Senator Orrin Hatch spoke about immigration reform in Salt Lake City Wednesday at a Zions Bank client event. He praised the 844-page comprehensive legislation put forward by the group of Senators known as the Gang of 8, but stopped short of supporting it.

Medical Device Company for Children Relocates to Salt Lake City

Andrea Smardon — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 23:08:18 +0000

A pediatric medical device company has relocated from Silicon Valley to Salt Lake City. It’s called Fixes 4 Kids, and it recently launched its first device, designed to improve how elbow fractures are treated in children.

Once upon a time, a broken arm meant a bulky white cast covered in classmates signatures. But in the future, it will be a sleek, black customized orthosis.

Medicaid Expansion Community Workgroup Holds First Meeting

Andrea Smardon — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 23:44:48 +0000

A select group of healthcare providers, advocates, and community leaders met at the State Capitol Tuesday to discuss Medicaid, and the state’s pending decision on whether to expand the program to include more uninsured, low-income Utahns. Utah Department of Health Executive Director David Patton brought together about 20 people for the Medicaid workgroup.

Will Utah Weigh in on EPA’s New Cleaner Fuels and Cars Standards?

Andrea Smardon — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 04:18:47 +0000

The federal Environmental Protection Agency is now taking public comment on proposed new cleaner fuels and cars standards. Known as Tier 3 of the Clean Air Act Amendments, they’re designed to improve air quality and public health by reducing the sulfur content of gasoline and making cars more efficient.

Google Fiber to Buy Out Provo’s Fiber Optic Network

Andrea Smardon — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 23:51:16 +0000

It was billed as an epic announcement in Provo. Mayor John Curtis announced Wednesday an agreement to make Provo the third US city to have access to Google Fiber’s ultra-high-speed Gigabit Internet, after Kansas City and Austin.

Google Fiber General Manager Kevin Lo stood on the roof of the Utah Valley Convention Center with the Wasatch mountains behind him, buffeted by strong winds. He promised all Provo residents would have access to free basic Internet, with the option to upgrade to speeds 100 times faster than the average American can access.

Salt Lake City Resident Narrowly Avoids Explosions at Boston Marathon

Andrea Smardon — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 21:30:29 +0000

After the explosions in Boston Monday, one Salt Lake City mother was relieved to find out that her daughter was safe at the Boston Plaza Hotel. But the family is still having trouble getting past the incident.

Rennly Williams says she didn’t see or hear the explosion at the finish line. Her boyfriend Tom Hickenlooper had finished the race 10 minutes before – faster than he expected because of a knee injury. Just a little slower, and he and Williams might have been there for the blast.

Researcher Brings Neuroscience to Utah Foster Families

Andrea Smardon — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 22:44:10 +0000

The Utah Foster Care Foundation held a Symposium Monday focused on the latest science of child brain development, and how neuroscience is helping foster families overcome trauma and attachment issues.

Foster parents need help and support, according to Mick Woolsey, Director of Education for Utah Foster Care.

Microsoft Opens Utah’s First Store at City Creek Center

Andrea Smardon — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 22:49:06 +0000

Utah’s first Microsoft store opened its doors Thursday at City Creek Center. Customers were greeted with high fives and cheers at the door. Some came for the giveaways and free concert tickets, but Kelly McClean of Salt Lake City says she came out of curiosity.

“I’d never heard of a Microsoft store before, so I thought I’d come and check it out,” McClean says.

Swallow Joins Other Attorneys General Backing Immigration Reform

Andrea Smardon — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 23:27:51 +0000

Utah Attorney General John Swallow is encouraging Congress to enact immigration reform. Swallow is part of a bipartisan group of 35 Attorney Generals who sent a letter to federal leaders calling for reform that improves the immigration system, keeps communities safe and protects borders.

Swallow says drug crime, identity theft issues, and gangs tied to illegal immigration are threatening Utah’s safety and economy.

Conservation Groups Call for Federal Protection of Utah's Parks

Andrea Smardon — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 23:41:24 +0000

Outdoor businesses and conservation groups are calling on the federal government to protect the land in and around Utah’s parks. 29 organizations sent a letter Monday to President Barack Obama calling for lasting protections for state and national parks from overdevelopment.

Utah Mother of Five Faces Deportation; Friends and Family Plead for Help

Andrea Smardon — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 23:50:07 +0000

A Utah County woman with five young children may be deported to Mexico next week. But her family and community advocates are trying to stop that from happening. They met with representatives from Utah's congressional delegation Wednesday, pleading for help and for immigration reform.

Brenda Guzman-Sandoval was arrested by Utah County Police on March 20^th at her home in Orem. Her 17-year-old brother Moices Guzman was there.

Boy Scouts Reject Utah Pride Center Troop Application

Andrea Smardon — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 23:30:41 +0000

The Boy Scouts have rejected an application for a scouting troop sponsored by the Utah Pride Center. The gay rights organization recently asked permission to start a troop for 10 middle-school aged children.

Sequestration Hits Hungry, Low Income Utahns

Andrea Smardon — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 15:25:24 +0000

A food pantry in Murray has closed its doors because of federal sequestration budget cuts. Nonprofit organizations in Utah are trying to figure out how to continue serving hungry, elderly, and low-income people as their budgets are reduced. KUER looks at how sequestration will affect some of the most vulnerable parts of the state's population.

Utah Supreme Court Case Challenges Constitutionality of State’s Adoption Laws

Andrea Smardon — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 23:12:47 +0000

The Utah Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday on the appeal of Christopher Carlton, a Pennsylvania man whose baby was given up for adoption in Utah against his will.

Final Plan for Oil Shale and Tar Sands Development Announced

Andrea Smardon — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 23:31:06 +0000

US Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has announced a plan to encourage oil shale and tar sands development in the Mountain West. The Bureau of Land Management released its final plan Friday to develop and test technologies to extract these fossil fuels in Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming. But the citizen group Utah Tar Sands Resistance says this move will endanger the environment and public health.

One Year After City Creek Opening, The Gateway Makes New Investments

Andrea Smardon — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 22:02:00 +0000

As City Creek Center celebrates its one year anniversary, the nearby Gateway Mall is standing its ground and making new investments.

The Gateway has lost about a dozen stores to City Creek Center. But The Gateway’s General Manager Scott Bennett says the outdoor center for shopping, dining, and entertainment is doing just fine.

Pollster Dan Jones Retires from the University of Utah

Andrea Smardon — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 22:25:38 +0000

Prominent Utah pollster Dan Jones is retiring from his position as Political Science Professor at the University of Utah. Jones is stepping down after more than 50 years of teaching, but says he will continue his work in political polling.

The end of Jones teaching career was marked by a crowd of politicians, academics, and students at the U’s Hinckley Institute of Politics.

“Dan Jones has had the largest impact of probably anyone in Utah on civic participation,” said the institute’s Director Kirk Jowers.

U Plans to Bring Science to Utah Prisons

Andrea Smardon — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 22:47:01 +0000

The University of Utah wants to bring science and sustainability into the state’s prisons. The U is developing a project that would work with inmates on recycling, gardening, and composting among other things. It’s part of a trend toward environmental sustainability in prisons – the subject of a workshop at the university that starts Wednesday and runs through Friday. KUER’s Andrea Smardon talks to the scientist who’s working on the university’s new program, Nalini Nadkarni.

Gay Rights Group to Challenge Utah’s Amendment 3 in Federal Court

Andrea Smardon — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 21:58:57 +0000

A gay rights organization announced Monday it is filing a federal lawsuit against the state of Utah. The group Restore Our Humanity is seeking to strike down Utah’s Constitutional Amendment 3, which says that marriage consists only of the legal union between a man and a woman.

Zion Curtain Survives Legislative Session

Andrea Smardon — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 04:25:09 +0000

The Zion Curtain - the barrier shielding restaurant customers form the preparation of alcoholic beverages - will stand this year, despite attempts by state House members to tear it down. But some changes to alcohol laws did pass, including the ability for restaurant chains to get a single master liquor license.