Thursday morning, December 26, 2019
Nation
Conservation Groups And Human Rights
Utah Congressman Rob Bishop is requesting immediate hearings on his bill to outlaw the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from funding international conservation groups that support violations of human rights. The bill comes after an explosive Buzzfeed News investigation earlier this year found that the U.S. government has given millions of dollars to the World Wildlife Fund which ended up going to anti-poaching groups who have been accused of torture and murder. Read the full story. — Sonja Hutson
Northern Utah
Logan Temple Vandalized
A Utah man has been arrested following an overnight break-in and vandalism at the Logan temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Police say 34-year-old Peter Ambrose was arrested for felony burglary and criminal mischief after officers found Ambrose in a locked room inside the building. Police say Ambrose told officers he was upset that he could not see his children during Christmas, and that no Latter-day Saint women wanted to date him. Police estimate there was $5,000 damage caused to the building's interior. — Associated Press
Utah County Tax Fight
Opponents of a plan to raise Utah County's property taxes for the first time in more than two decades are filing a referendum to challenge it. Julie Blaney of Payson said she completed the paperwork Monday on a proposal to freeze the budget at 2018 levels. If it's approved, her group would begin gathering signatures to get it on the ballot. The Utah County Commission voted last week in favor of the increase, saying it was necessary to balance the budget and keep the county from cutting into its financial reserves. — Associated Press
Parking At Brighton
Brighton Ski Resort now has a new parking policy that favors carpooling amid concerns about traffic congestion in Big Cottonwood Canyon. The program was launched Wednesday; prime parking areas are reserved for visitors with three people or more in their cars on holidays, weekends and powder days. Neighboring Solitude Resort began charging for parking this year, with the highest prices for single drivers. — Associated Press
Region
Wolves and Chronic Wasting Disease
Colorado is poised to put reintroducing gray wolves on their November ballot. Critics contend that move could worsen chronic wasting disease in our region. It’s an illness among deer, elk and moose. Opponents worry that the wolves could eat sick animals and then spread the illness in their feces. Proponents say the predators will actually help, by killing off those sick animals so they have less opportunity to infect others. — Rae Ellen Bichell, Mountain West News Bureau