Friday evening, December 13, 2019
Central Utah
Empty Homeless Beds
Space in Salt Lake County homeless shelters has been an ongoing concern as cold weather sets in and the region continues its transition to a new service model. After the Road Home shelter closed last month, homeless advocates worried there wouldn’t be enough beds. Now, recent reports say some of the 700 available beds at three new resource centers in Salt Lake County are going empty. Either way, many experiencing homelessness prefer to stay on the streets. Read the full story — Jon Reed
Charter School On Warning Status
Following allegations by former staff of mismanagement and unethical behavior, the Utah State Charter School Board voted to put Utah Military Academy on a warning status. It noted deficiencies in finances and internal control practices. The academy's board attended the meeting to address the concerns, and put forth a plan to correct them. After the meeting, the academy’s director Matt Throckmorton resigned. Utah Military Academy is a public charter school that teaches more than 500 seventh through 12th graders in a regimented, military style. It has campuses in Ogden and Lehi. — Caroline Ballard
Nation
Utah Delegation On Impeachment
Two articles of impeachment against Donald Trump — abuse of power and obstruction of Congress — are headed to the U.S. House floor for a vote next week. The House Judiciary Committee voted to approve them Friday. Utah’s lone Democratic Congressman Ben McAdams, who represents a swing district, says he doesn’t yet know how he’ll vote on impeachment. Utah Congressman John Curtis has said he will vote AGAINST both articles. Representatives Chris Stewart and Rob Bishop have both defended Trump and are expected to vote no. — Sonja Hutson
New Director Of Fish & Wildlife
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has a new director. The Senate confirmed Aurelia Skipwith this week. According to the Interior Department, she’s the first African American to lead the agency. Critics say she’s a poor choice, in part due to her former position at agri-chemical company Monsanto. — Rae Ellen Bichell, Mountain West News Bureau