News

Governor Signs Student Safety Bills at Cyrus High

Whittney Evans — Fri, 17 May 2013 22:40:27 +0000

Governor Gary Herbert ceremonially signed a package of student safety bills this morning at Cyprus High School in Magna. He also spoke to students about preventing suicide among kids in Utah.

The new laws are aimed at preventing youth suicide, bullying and teen traffic accidents caused by distracted driving. But the occasion was mostly focused on suicide, which according to the Utah Department of Health is the second leading cause of death among Utah youth and young adults.

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.

KUER News Pod: Friday May 17, 2013

Brian Grimmett — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:35:49 +0000

The wife of LDS President Thomas Monson passes away, the University of Utah receives a grant to research child asthma, and some members of the Utah Republican party propose a change to the delegate system.

Frances Monson, Wife of LDS President, Passes Away

Dan Bammes — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:17:01 +0000

Frances Monson, the wife of President Thomas S. Monson of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, passed away early this morning at the age of 85.

Dan Nailen: Yo La Tengo

Dan Bammes — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:13:16 +0000

Salt Lake City's Living Traditions Festiva l is this weekend and lots of other entertainment choices are available. But Dan Nailen's excited about a band that's making a stop in Salt Lake. He talks with KUER's Dan Bammes.

Dan Nailen reports on entertainment for KUER and blogs at slcene.com

Survey Shows GOP Favor Changes to Delegate System

Whittney Evans — Thu, 16 May 2013 23:47:40 +0000

Some members of the Utah GOP Caucus favor changes to the delegate system that could increase the number of primary elections in the state, according to a recent survey. This weekend at the state Republican convention delegates will consider the proposed changes including an increase in the vote threshold candidates must obtain to avoid a primary.

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.

Salt Lake County District Attorney Investigating Attorney General's Office

Brian Grimmett — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:29:18 +0000

Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill has confirmed that he and Davis County Attorney Troy Rawlings are looking into whether or not the Utah Attorney General’s office has violated any state laws.

KUER News Pod: Thursday May 16, 2013

Brian Grimmett — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:27:49 +0000

Utah lawmakers look into ways to encourage people to buy long-term care insurance, a state Senator suggests that the Attorney General become an appointed position, and the Utah Republican Party considers pushing for the elimination of the Common Core academic standards.

Ed Officials Respond to Anti-Common Core Resolution

Whittney Evans — Wed, 15 May 2013 23:13:14 +0000

Delegates to the Utah Republican Party Convention will consider a resolution this weekend calling for the state's withdrawal from the Common Core academic standards. The resolution comes on the heels of the Republican National Committee’s decision to take a stand against the initiative as well. But education officials say the statements within the resolution are “less-than-accurate”.

Utah Legislative Committee Discusses Appointing Attorney General

Brian Grimmett — Wed, 15 May 2013 22:30:31 +0000

The State Government Operations Interim committee discussed today the possibility of making Utah’s Attorney General an appointed position rather than an elected one.

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.

Panel Urges Herbert to Reconsider Snake Valley Deal

Dan Bammes — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:51:14 +0000

KUER News Pod: Wednesday May 15, 2013

Brian Grimmett — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:50:33 +0000

The West Valley City mayoral race heats up, Utah’s business mergers and acquisitions reach an all time high, and the Utah House considers its options on how to deal with the allegations surrounding the Attorney General.

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 House Not Yet Discussing Impeachment of Attorney General

Brian Grimmett — Tue, 14 May 2013 22:48:48 +0000

The Utah legislature is meeting this week for their monthly interim meetings but they don’t plan on discussing the fate or potential impeachment of Attorney General John Swallow.

Speaker of the House Rebecca Lockhart says she’s concerned about the recent allegations brought against Attorney General John Swallow and that they’re looking into how the legislature might address them.

Police Integrity Crucial to WVC Mayor Candidate

Dan Bammes — Tue, 14 May 2013 20:41:25 +0000

Restoring the credibility of West Valley City’s police department is the top priority for Margaret Peterson, who announced her candidacy for mayor of Utah's second-largest city this week.

KUER News Pod: Tuesday May 14, 2013

Brian Grimmett — Tue, 14 May 2013 17:47:08 +0000

The U.S. government tries to stop a new Utah law from going into effect, sequestration could have a large impact on wildfire season, and local fallen police officers are honored in Washington D.C.

U.S. Attorney Sues Utah Over Restrictive Law Enforcement Bill

Brian Grimmett — Mon, 13 May 2013 23:32:12 +0000

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for Utah filed a complaint against the state today and obtained a temporary restraining order to stop a law from going into effect tomorrow. They say the new law violates a clause in the U.S. Constitution.

Federal Budget Cuts Weaken Wildfire Preparedness

Whittney Evans — Mon, 13 May 2013 22:13:04 +0000

Federal officials are preparing for what is expected to be a challenging fire season this year, specifically in the west. The forecast comes amid diminished federal firefighting dollars as a result of sequestration.

Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the number of fires that have already burned across the U.S. this year are down from last year by about 5,000. But Vilsack warns not to be lulled into a false sense of security. He says droughts continue to plague much of the country and federal budgets are strained.

National Recognition of Fallen Utah Law Enforcement Officers is Planned

Bob Nelson — Mon, 13 May 2013 22:03:00 +0000

Fallen police Officer Jared Francom’s name is to be added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial on Wednesday in Washington, DC. Francom was killed as the Weber Morgan Narcotics Strike Force attempted to serve a warrant. Five other officers were injured in a gun battle that ensued. Francom’s family as well as Weber County Attorney Dee Smith is in Washington for the ceremonies. Smith says people should not forget the sacrifices these officers make every day for their community.

KUER News Pod: Monday May 13, 2013

Brian Grimmett — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:35:28 +0000

Utah strikes a deal to split responsibility with the federal government for its health exchange, the Unified Fire Authority puts a deputy chief on administrative leave for prescription fraud, and the Utah fire season arrives.

Lt. Governor to Seek Special Counsel in Swallow Investigation

Brian Grimmett — Fri, 10 May 2013 22:24:27 +0000

Utah Lt. Governor Greg Bell will seek special counsel to investigate three of the 12 allegations brought against Attorney General John Swallow that he violated election law.

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.

KUER News Pod: Friday May 10, 2013

Brian Grimmett — Fri, 10 May 2013 18:26:01 +0000

Utah considers walking away from a high risk insurance pool, the University of Utah considers stricter rules for skateboarders, and Dan Nailen shares why Salt Lake is in for night after night after night of good music.

Dan Nailen: Night after Night after Night

Dan Bammes — Fri, 10 May 2013 17:58:22 +0000

The way Dan Nailen tells it, great music is lined up "night after night after night" in Salt Lake City this week.

Dan Nailen reports on entertainment for KUER and blogs at slcene.com

One-Day Drive Supplies Summer Nutrition for Kids

Whittney Evans — Thu, 09 May 2013 23:30:16 +0000

The annual Stamp Out Hunger! Food Drive gets underway this weekend. The drive helps meet the high demand for food in the summer months when kids are out of school. The National Association of Letter Carriers are holding the drive in tandem with the Utah Food Bank. People are encouraged to leave food by their mailbox on Saturday and their letter carriers will collect the food.

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.

Academic Senate Considers Stiffer Penalties for Reckless Skateboarders at the U

Bob Nelson — Thu, 09 May 2013 21:55:33 +0000

The University of Utah Academic Senate is reviewing proposed increases in penalties for skateboarders and bicyclists who are not following safety regulations on campus. The University’s Police Chief Scott Folsom says after a professor was injured by speeding skateboarders, concerns arose for the safety of the University community. He says the draft being considered allows first offenders to be warned.

“If they’re caught behaving inappropriately again that there’s a more robust penalty if you will to help discourage continuing non-compliance with the policy,” says Folsom.

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.