Friday morning, October 2, 2020
State
Board Of Education Criticizes Education Funding Amendment
At a meeting Thursday, members of the Utah State Board of Education spoke out against a proposed constitutional amendment that could have significant implications on the state’s public education fund. Amendment G would allow state income tax — which currently can only be used for public education — to also fund services for children and people with disabilities. While the board largely supported the bill when it was first passed earlier this year, some board members are objecting because it’s not clear exactly what services would shift to the education fund and how much they would cost. Voters will ultimately decide if it passes in November. — Jon Reed
Count Your Fish
The Utah Wildlife board has approved changes to fishing regulations — including lowering the daily limit for wiper fish statewide and for bass at Flaming Gorge. But other bodies of water such as Pelican Lake will see increased limits for their animals. The Board also agreed to waive the combination and hunting license fee for military members who are deployed. The approved changes go into effect starting next year. — Darienne DeBrule
Northern Utah
Petition Seeks To Close Youth Treatment Center
As of Thursday afternoon, more than 45,000 people had signed an online petition calling for the closure of Provo Canyon School, a youth residential treatment center in Utah County. The petition was launched earlier this week by Paris Hilton, who said she suffered mental and physical abuse as a patient at the facility as a teenager in the 1990s. It comes just weeks after the release of “This is Paris,” a YouTube documentary that focuses, in part, on Hilton’s firsthand experience with Utah’s “troubled teen” industry. Read the full story. — David Fuchs
Million Dollar Project To Combat Domestic Violence
YWCA Utah launched a one million dollar initiative Thursday to improve law enforcement’s response to domestic violence and to support survivors. The non-profit’s Salt Lake Area Family Justice Center is partnering with the Salt Lake City and Unified Police Departments for the three-year project. It will include training for law enforcement and investing more in survivor advocacy. The organization received the grant funding from the U.S. Office on Violence Against Women. — Emily Means
A Long View On Salt Lake Air Quality
From 2015 to 2019, Salt Lake City saw about 20 more good air quality days per year compared to 2005 through 2009. That’s according to a new study by the on-line company Filterbuy, which sells air filters. The study looked at Environmental Protection Agency data and found Salt Lake City ranked near the bottom for air quality improvement among large metro areas. For comparison St. Louis, Missouri, which ranked number one among large metros, saw an increase of more than 110 good air quality days over that same period. — Bob Nelson
Southern Utah
Grand County Voters To Decide On Form Of Government
A two-year-long process to change Grand County’s form of government may be coming to an end. The Utah State Legislature passed a bill in 2018 that outlawed certain types of county government, including Grand County’s seven-member council. Last year, the county set up a study committee, which recommendedthe county adopt a five-person council. But the county council moved to formally become a commission this summer, bringing them into compliance with state law. The county was sued over this amendment and won. Read the full story. — Kate Groetzinger
“Exceptional” Drought Hits Seven Utah Counties
Several new patches of exceptional drought — the most dire category — expanded in Utah. That's according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor which came with the end of the water year on Sept. 30. Parts of seven counties in the west-central part of the state are exceptionally dry, while most of the rest of Utah is extremely dry. The northernmost part of Utah is looking best, though still abnormally to severely dry. Weather forecasters said winter precipitation likely won't make up for the deficit. — Diane Maggipinto
Region/Nation
Donald Trump And The Religious Right
President Donald Trump has a complicated relationship with Christian conservatives. Journalist McKay Coppins of The Atlantic told KUER’s RadioWest that many are clear-eyed enough to know that he is not a model religious person, but they see him as someone who respects their faith. Coppins described it as a “transactional” relationship. In exchange for their support, Trump offers them the promise of conservative judges and laws and policies that protect congregations and religious institutions. Behind closed doors though, Coppins reports Trump readily mocks Christians, including members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. — Elaine Clark
Tune in to RadioWest Friday at 11 a.m. for What Trump Really Says About Religious Conservatives