Monday evening, June 1, 2020
State
Education Budget Cut Recommendations Approved
Lawmakers in the Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee approved recommendations Monday for cutting up to $380 million from Utah’s education budget, including $150 million for a program to reduce class sizes. Like every other state agency, education officials had been asked to find ways to cut 2%, 5% and 10% of their budget, though the ultimate level of reductions needed will be decided based on how much the state’s overall budget is impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Lawmakers said they’re hopeful those levels of cuts won’t be needed, though won’t know for sure until a special legislative session mid-June. — Jon Reed
Five Straight Days Of More Than 200 New COVID Cases
For the fifth day in a row, Utah’s Department of Health reported more than 200 new cases of COVID-19. Numbers released Monday showed the state is one shy of 10,000 total cases. Health officials also announced that starting June 1, Medicaid will cover COVID-19 tests and other related services for uninsured people through the rest of the public health emergency. That could include checks for antibodies and evaluations like x-rays. So far, more than 218,000 people have been tested for the virus. And 6,251 have recovered. — Ross Terrell
Follow KUER’s coverage of the coronavirus in Utah.
Four Republican Gubernatorial Candidates Debate Monday
The four Republican candidates for governor faced off during a debate Monday evening at 6. It’s the first open seat for governor since 2004. Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox and former Gov. Jon Huntsman are the frontrunners in the race, according to recent polling. Former Utah House Speaker Greg Hughes is in third place and former Utah GOP Chair Thomas Wright trails in a distant fourth. — Sonja Hutson
Trump Approval Ratings Slide
More Utahns disapprove of President Donald Trump than approve of him, according to a new poll from UtahPolicy.com and KUTV. It showed that 46% of voters strongly disapprove of Trump’s job in the White House and 6% somewhat disapprove. Trump’s approval rating in the state has dropped since February. According to a UtahPolicy poll then, just 45% of voters disapproved of him. — Sonja Hutson
Northern Utah
Salt Lake City Curfew Extended
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall has enacted a week long citywide curfew. Starting Monday, the curfew will run each night from 8 p.m. until 6 a.m. until June 8. During that time, people are asked to stay off public streets and out of public areas. The decision comes after protests against police brutality on Saturday turned violent. The mayor says making the decision to extend the curfew was “not made lightly.” The decision to extend it came after consulting with the city’s police department and Gov. Gary Herbert. Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown says he hopes this is the last one. — Ross Terrell
Sheriff Rosie Rivera On Salt Lake City Protests
Police brutality protests are happening nationwide, and on Saturday, a protest in Salt Lake City turned destructive with people damaging squad cars and city property. In an interview with KUER, Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera said she is working to reform the Unified Police Department by hiring more people of color and women. Rivera said the department is training officers and deputies with a focus on communication and de-escalation. Read the full story.— Jessica Lowell
Two State Liquor Stores In Salt Lake City Close
Two state liquor stores in Salt Lake City have closed after an employee tested positive for COVID-19. The stores are located at 205 West 400 South and 1255 West North Temple. The same person worked a shift at both locations. The Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control says both stores will remain closed until they can be professionally sanitized and cleaned. — Ross Terrell