Friday evening, October 9, 2020
State
More Than 1,300 New COVID-19 Cases
Following a record setting day of 1,501 new COVID-19 cases, Utah health officials announced another 1,343 Friday. Hospitalizations continue to hit new highs, with 243 people currently hospitalized due to the disease. And health officials warned Thursday the state is on a path to run out of intensive care beds to help patients. Four more people have died from COVID-19. They were all over the age of 65 and either hospitalized or living in a long term care facility at the time of their death. — Ross Terrell
Race Riot Rumors Role In Society
In 1965, rumors of a planned race riot in Utah before the October General Conference stoked fears and put the state on high alert. Speaking on Radio West Friday, LaShawn Williams, a professor at Utah Valley University, said rumors like that are starting to pop up again and she said they’re fueled by people who feel like they have the most to lose in the movement for racial equality. You can hear the full discussion and watch the film online “History Repeats Itself | Utah Race Riot Conspiracy” here. — Darienne DeBrule
Northern Utah
Salt Lake City Discusses Rezoning Mural Property
At its meeting earlier this week, the Salt Lake City Council discussed rezoning the Granary District property, where artists have painted murals of people killed by police. That would allow for the development of housing, commercial and light industrial uses on the downtown plot of land. Many residents at the meeting urged the council to preserve the murals. City officials wanted to make clear to the public that the council is only discussing the zoning right now — not what will happen to the property. Read the full story. — Emily Means
Paris Hilton And Others Protesting Provo Canyon School
Hundreds of people gathered in Riverview Park in Provo Friday afternoon for a protest against Provo Canyon School, a youth residential treatment center in Utah County. In attendance will be Paris Hilton, who alleges that she and others suffered abuse there as teenagers in the ‘90s. Hilton is also partnering Breaking Code Silence, an online movement of survivors of abuse in Utah’s “Troubled Teen” Industry, who say the school’s harmful practices haven't changed. — David Fuchs
Salt Lake City Police Release 19 Videos Of K-9 Use
The Salt Lake County District Attorney’s office is requesting more information from local law enforcement agencies about their use of K-9s. This spring, Jeffery Ryans, a Black man, was injured by a K-9 during an arrest in Salt Lake City, despite cooperating with officers. After video of that incident came to light, the department suspended its use of dogs and an officer in that case is facing felony assault charges. Friday, the Salt Lake City Police Department released 19 videos of arrests involving the animals that “need further review.” Six officers involved in these cases have been placed on administrative leave. — Caroline Ballard