Friday morning, Jan. 31, 2020
Southern Utah
Southwest Legislative Priorities
Combined, Washington and Iron Counties send two senators and five representatives to the state capitol. While those lawmakers’ priorities are wide-ranging, fiscal responsibility is the most common concern. Over of them half are working on legislation that would either reduce government spending or lessen the tax burden on their constituents. Other priorities include passing education, vaping, protecting personal freedoms and property rights and changing how justice is administered for juveniles and veterans. — David Fuchs, St. George
Northern Utah
Sundance And Main Street
The Sundance Film Festival brings in tens of thousands of people to the streets of Park City. And for many of the area’s small businesses, it’s one of the biggest weeks of the year. But for some business owners in the area, this year’s festival has been slower than usual. Read the full story. — Jon Reed
West High Principal Fired
West High School principal Ford White has been fired. A statement from his attorney Michael Teter says the Salt Lake City School District terminated his employment Thursday. White was suspended in mid-November after encountering three students on campus who appeared to be sick. He determined they were likely intoxicated and escorted them home without involving police or parents.Teter says the District spent the time since investigating the incident and mandated White not speak publicly about it. — Diane Maggipinto
State
Stick To Daylight Saving?
Year-round daylight saving time could be the new normal in Utah under a bill that got its first approval Thursday. Republican Sen. Wayne Harper says studies from Johns Hopkins University and the University of Denver show the twice-yearly time change can cause health problems. But the change will only take effect if four other western states and the federal government sign on. More than two dozen states have begun to explore changing or ending day-light saving time in the past year. A Senate Committee approved the bill 4-to-1, and it will now go to the full Senate for further approval. — Jessica Lowell
Region
Fewer Kids Get Outside
A national survey has found that while more people are getting outside, fewer are getting outside regularly. The Outdoor Foundation survey found that the number of times kids who went outside each year decreased by 15% over a 6-year period. And that could have implications on how active they are as adults. The Outdoor Foundation is the charitable arm of the Outdoor Industry Association, which represents companies interested in getting more people outside. But foundation leaders say the health implications go beyond industry bottom lines, like the mental health and happiness that comes with an active lifestyle. — Madelyn Beck, Mountain West News Bureau