Friday evening, September 11, 2020
State
More Firefighters Heading West To Help Control Wildfires
Utah is sending more help to battle wildfires in what has shaped up to be one of the worst fire seasons the West Coast has seen in modern history. Forty-eight firefighters from throughout the state left Friday for a 16-day shift in Oregon through a state-to-state mutual aid agreement. Utah’s National Guard also sent two Black Hawk helicopters and 10 members to California to help there for two weeks. — Caroline Ballard
Utah Reports Most New COVID-19 Cases Since Late July
The Utah Department of Health reported 656 new cases of COVID-19 Friday, the most since late July. But state epidemiologist Angela Dunn cautioned one day doesn’t necessarily indicate a trend. She said one potential explanation for the jump in cases could be the holiday and wind storm earlier this week, closed testing centers, so more people waited to be tested later in the week. Though, officials only reported an increase of about 4,000 more people who were tested, which is right on par with the daily average. The governor also issued an executive order Friday moving Box Elder and Carbon counties to the green, new normal phase of coronavirus guidelines. — Caroline Ballard
Kids Are Indeed COVID-19 Carriers
A new report has found that kids can bring the novel coronavirus home from day care and infect relatives. The study released Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention looked at COVID-19 outbreak data in childcare facilities in Salt Lake County. The incidents occurred between April and July. The study concluded 12 children caught the coronavirus at the locations and then spread it to at least 12 of the 46 parents or siblings that they came in contact with at home. One parent had to be hospitalized. Scientists already know children can spread the virus but officials said the study definitively shows the potential for transmission to family members. — Associated Press
Southern Utah
Navajo Nation Works To Negotiate New Lake Powell Agreement
A 50-year-old agreement regarding the co-management of Lake Powell set to expire Friday has been extended by one year. The Quadrilateral Agreement between the National Park Service and Navajo Nation was supposed to help the Tribe benefit from tourism to Lake Powell. But Navajo Nation Council Delegate Paul Begay said it has actually kept the tribe from developing the shoreline. The agreement gives the park service say over what can be built up to one mile from the lake’s shore — even on the tribe’s side. A Navajo committee plans to meet again soon before giving their suggestions to the tribal council, which will try to negotiate a new agreement with the NPS. Read the full story. — Kate Groetzinger, Bluff
Southern Utah Wants To Move To Green, Governor Says Not So Fast
Washington and Iron counties will not be moving to the green, new normal phase of coronavirus guidelines despite local leaders requesting the change. Utah Gov. Gary Herbert said at a press conference Thursday, officials want to see a stabilization of new case rates before moving a community to green. Washington County Commissioner Gil Almquist said the county has met every requirement, but the state keeps moving the goalposts. — Lexi Peery, St. George
Region/Nation
Vice President Visiting QAnon Fundraiser
The vice president and other top Republican officials are expected to attend a fundraiser in Montana on Monday that’s being led by QAnon supporters. Among other things, the QAnon conspiracy involves the unfounded idea that deep-state pedophiles are working to undermine democracy and President Donald Trump. Political science professors see that kind of platform for QAnon concerning, but acknowledge that it may not affect the president’s support. — Maggie Mullen, Mountain West News Bureau
Break The Navajo Nation Curfew, Risk A Fine Or Jail Time
A proposal to require mandatory sentences for people caught breaking the Navajo Nation’s coronavirus curfew is awaiting consideration by the Navajo Nation Council. Currently, judges have the option of sentencing offenders to 30 days in jail or ordering them to pay a fine worth up to $1,000. Under the new guidelines, first-time rule-breakers of the 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew will pay $500 worth of fines, second-time culprits will pay $1,000 in fines and third-time wrongdoers will be subject to $1,000 fines and prison sentences of up to 30 days. — Associated Press