Thursday evening, April 16, 2020
STATE
House Passes Bill That Would Limit Governor’s Pandemic Power
A bill that would limit the governor’s executive action powers during a pandemic passed the Utah House of Representatives Thursday during a virtual special session. The bill requires the governor to consult with legislative leadership at least 48 hours before issuing an executive order or directive, unless there’s an imminent danger of loss of life. It also allows the Legislature to vote to overturn executive actions. The Governor’s Office said they have some concerns with the bill. Read the full story.— Sonja Hutson
Paycheck Protection Program Dries Up
Around 12,900 small businesses in Utah were approved for loans through the federal Paycheck Protection Program according to numbers released Thursday by the Utah Bankers Association. The Small Business Administration also announced it had exhausted all the money for its two COVID-19 emergency loan programs and it will not accept new applications until more funds are approved by Congress. More than $2.6 billion were allocated to businesses in the state. — Caroline Ballard
Utahns Continue To File For Unemployment
More than 24,000 Utahns filed new unemployment claims for the week of April 5-11. The latest numbers released Thursday by the Department of Workforce Services continue to highlight the toll the coronavirus pandemic has had on the state’s economy. Nearly $18 million dollars in state and federal benefits were paid out over that stretch. And it’s the first time people started to receive an additional $600 per check from the federal CARES Act. — Ross Terrell
COVID-19 Recoveries On The Rise
Utah has now seen more than 2,600 confirmed cases of COVID-19. But as of Thursday, 357 people have recovered. The state’s department of health has started releasing recovery data which is people who first tested positive at least three weeks ago. Health officials did announce one more death, bringing the state’s total to 21. Nearly 50,000 Utahns have been tested. The state’s epidemiologist says regardless of a federal push to reopen the economy, Utah officials will rely on local data to determine when and how to best do that. — Ross Terrell
Follow KUER’s coverage of the coronavirus in Utah.
NORTHERN UTAH
How Many More Aftershocks?
Another aftershock rocked the Salt Lake Valley Thursday morning. The seismic events continue nearly a month after a 5.7 magnitude earthquake hit near Magna, just outside of Salt Lake City. Jamie Farrell with the University of Utah said this many aftershocks is normal for earthquakes of that intensity. He said the likelihood of a larger earthquake remains small and they’re still looking into where the recent shocks originated from. — Grace Osusky
Salt Lake City Picks Business Loan Recipients
Salt Lake City selected 52 businesses Thursday to receive emergency loans. The city’s loan review committee received 727 applications with a total ask of nearly $13 million. Businesses were chosen based on how deeply the pandemic impacted them, financial need, proposed use of funds and credit scores. The loans max out at $20,000 and have a five-year repayment period which begins after Salt Lake City’s state of emergency is lifted. — Caroline Ballard
Two Deer Illegally Killed In East Carbon
Wildlife officials are asking for more information on two deer that were illegally shot and killed in Carbon County. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources said one deer was killed “sometime in the winter” and the other in March. Officials found their bodies with gunshot wounds to the head and wrapped in a tarp, with only a little meat removed from the carcasses. The division is asking for help to protect deer herds in the area. — Grace Osusky
REGION
Don’t Confuse Allergies For COVID-19
It’s going to be a tough pollen season thanks to a mild winter. So if you wake up with a sore throat and itchy, watery eyes, it could very likely be allergies. However, you should call your doctor if those symptoms also include a fever, or a dry, persistent cough, in case it’s COVID-19.— Maggie Mullen, Mountain West News Bureau