Tuesday morning, September 15, 2020
State
Candidate Wants Do-Over In Congressional Debate After Tech Issues
The Hinckley Institute of Politics hosted conversations Monday with candidates for Utah’s 2nd Congressional District, Rep. Chris Stewart, R-UT, and Democrat Kael Weston. But what seemed to be a bad internet connection during a live interview made it hard for the audience to hear Weston’s stance on some major issues. Stewart’s interview, though, was pre-recorded. A representative for Weston’s campaign says they’ve requested a do-over with the Hinckley Institute. Read the full story. — Emily Means
Utah Ballots Delivered Automatically
The state Office of Elections said postcards from the United States Postal Service delivered to households in Utah contain incorrect voter information about the state’s mail-in ballot process. The postcard said voters need to request a mail-in ballot at least 15 days before Election Day. But in Utah, all active registered voters automatically receive ballots in the mail. On Election Day, Nov. 3, Utahns can cast a vote in one of four ways: through the mail, by depositing the ballot at a drop box, at an in-person early voting location or at an Election Day polling place. County clerks will mail ballots to all active registered voters the week of Oct. 13. Eligible people registered by 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23 will automatically receive a mail-in ballot. — Diane Maggipinto
Northern Utah
New Airport Wing Open
Before sunup Tuesday, officials revealed the first phase of the new Salt Lake City International Airport. They closed the old airport and lit up a new parking garage, gateway center, central terminal and Concourse A-west, which will be home to 25 gates for Delta Airlines’ hub. This inaugural phase follows six years of construction and marks the first new American hub airport this century, according to Bill Wyatt, Director of the Salt Lake City Department of Airports. The $4 billion build is LEED Gold-certified, meaning the campus consists of green buildings that are energy efficient and sustainable. The original airport that was designed 50 years ago was intended for just half of the roughly 26 million passengers that moved through Salt Lake City International yearly before the pandemic. — Diane Maggipinto
Pandemic Concerns Could Scuttle Park City Bobsled Event
Lake Placid won't host the 2021 bobsled and skeleton world championships because of concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. The International Bobsled and Skeleton Federation finalized the decision Monday, according to two people who spoke anonymously to The Associated Press. Officials worried that athletes from some nations would be unwilling or unable to travel to the U.S. during the pandemic and had concerns over a lengthy quarantine requirement. Other changes to the World Cup schedule for bobsled and skeleton are expected to be revealed Tuesday and probably will affect a World Cup weekend in Park City in February that was to have immediately followed Worlds in Lake Placid. — Diane Maggipinto
Deer Valley and Solitude Reveal Season Plans
Ticket windows and long lines won't be part of this year's ski season at some Utah resorts. Alterra Mountain Company, which owns Deer Valley and Solitude Mountain ski areas, said in an effort to control the number of skiers, they're eliminating window sales and limiting the number of tickets sold in advance. Season pass holders will get priority for riding lifts and slopes, though most riders will be able to load lifts without stopping at a ticket office. Operators also plan to enforce policies such as mandatory face coverings, social distancing and crowd management on and off the mountain. Riders can expect many touchless upgrades, from parking kiosks to faucets and sanitizing stations, plus additional bathrooms to reduce lines, grab-n-go food and reduced seating inside. Solitude hopes to open Nov. 20 after a longer-than-usual off-season, after resorts across the country closed in March because of the pandemic. — Diane Maggipinto
Region/Nation
Trump Rallies In Nevada Defy Health Directives
Over the weekend, President Donald Trump held rallies in Nevada that flew in the face of public health recommendations on in-person gatherings. Trump’s campaign stops included one outdoor and one indoor venue. Originally the campaign had planned its first appearance at Reno-Tahoe International Airport. But state rules that cap in-person gatherings at 50 people scuttled that plan. On Saturday, the campaign instead pivoted to a smaller airport just outside of Minden. Sunday, Trump held an indoor rally just outside of Las Vegas at a manufacturing plant ignoring state law again. Attendance estimates for the indoor crowd were at around 5,500 with thousands more outside. — Beau Baker, Mountain West News Bureau