Eric S. Peterson | Utah Investigative Journalism Project

Utah Rep. Burgess Owens talks to supporters during a Utah Republican primary election night party on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, in South Jordan, Utah.

Rep. Burgess Owens’ campaign has paid his daughter more than $150,000

Campaign finance experts say payments to family members can not only look bad to voters but it can potentially run afoul of the law.

A tanker truck leaves the 600 N interchange to merge onto I-15 north of downtown Salt Lake City, Sept. 12, 2023. The Utah Department of Transportation is planning to expand I-15 north of town, in part to accommodate heavy freight traffic on Utah's roads.

Business & Economy

Do the Inland Port’s freight rail ambitions square with UDOT’s plan to expand I-15?

Eric S. Peterson | Utah Investigative Journalism Project

The Utah Department of Transportation plans to expand I-15 between Farmington and Salt Lake City, in part to accommodate trucks. The Inland Port’s new vision is for more trains.

A worker and the autonomous robotic machines sort out goods at the Chinese online retailer JD.com's warehouse in Beijing on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021.

Business & Economy

The Inland Port wants to be Utah’s magnet for tech jobs and electrification

Eric S. Peterson | Utah Investigative Journalism Project

Warehouse automation could change the logistics workforce while underdeveloped trucking technology could mean more polluting trucks in the Inland Port for the near future.

The Union Pacific rail yard in South Salt Lake, May 20, 2023. Part of the Inland Port's new plan involves a push to get cargo out of trucks — and off the road — and onto railroads for distribution across the state and region.

Business & Economy

Utah Inland Port now says it will be lean and green. Experts are skeptical

Eric S. Peterson | Utah Investigative Journalism Project

The idea is to cut back on trucks and embrace rail shipping. But dwindling West Coast imports and stiff big city competition make Inland Port success unlikely.

The first weekend of Movie Night included several ambulance calls. The emergency vehicle seen here was called to attend to someone who collapsed while waiting to enter the shelter for the night. A coalition of volunteers works to turn the First United Methodist church, fellowship hall into overnight housing, downtown, Salt Lake City, Dec. 18, 2022. This night was the fourth day of four operating as a shelter. The first four Movie nights had many guests having health crises.

Politics & Government

Utah set aside $10M for homelessness. Instead of services, cities tapped it for police

Eric S. Peterson | Utah Investigative Journalism Project

Cities spent $8.68 million on police to deal with homeless shelter impacts.