The Salt Lake City Council gave preliminary approval to a $7 million tax increase last night despite opposition from Mayor Ralph Becker.  Members of the council say overdue maintenance can no longer be ignored. 

Salt Lake City Council Chair Kyle Lamalfa says while Mayor Becker’s budget proposal was lean and balanced it left out a few key items.

“What was not included in the budget was, and what has been missing for a very long time is ordinary maintenance of our roads, of our sidewalks, of our parks," Lamalfa says.

State officials re-launched the Utah Clean Air Partnership or UCAIR today as a non-profit entity with a a new board of directors.  

Governor Gary Herbert gathered many new members of the UCAIR board in West Valley City on Tuesday to announce changes to the organization. Until now, UCAIR had been a state-run organization dedicated to improving the state’s air quality. Governor Herbert says reorganizing the day-to-day management of UCAIR was always a goal.

Connect with the people and places that you hear about on NPR by joining KUER's "Citizens of the World" Travel Program. Their next stop is to South India to explore the beauties and traditions of Tamil Nadu.  South India: The Silk Route, Spices & Splendid Temples 
November 7–23, 2013 • 17 days, 14 nights
Sri Lanka Post-Tour Extension: November 22–30, 2013

Can you believe we're almost halfway through 2013? NPR Music has compiled some of their favorite sounds of the year. From jazz, blues and hip hop to classical, Brit-pop and country - check out NPR's picks for the soundtrack to your summer.

High temperatures and dry conditions have thrust Utah into what could be a difficult fire season. Crews contained the Flood Canyon Fire in Tooele County on Monday and the National Weather Service issued a “Red Flag Warning” for the St. George area over the weekend.

Jason Curry is a Utah State Fire Information Officer. He says because of late rains and higher snow-pack, this summer probably won’t have as many wildfires as last year, but the risk is still above average.

Democrats in the legislature call for an investigation into Attorney General John Swallow, three candidates file to challenge Cottonwood Heights first and only mayor, and Utah’s fire season is shaping up to be another difficult one.

Utah Senate Democrats are calling on House and Senate leadership to authorize a committee to investigate the allegations brought against Attorney General John Swallow.

Senate Minority leader Gene Davis says the call for an investigation isn’t about impeachment. That’s a process left for the Utah House to begin. But he does say it’s in the interest of open government and the integrity of our elected officials to find the truth.

The National perform four acoustic songs from their new album, Trouble Will Find Me, as part of NPR's Tiny Desk concert series. Don't miss The National play live in Salt Lake City on August 1, 2013 at Pioneer Park - ticket details and more information here.