Thursday morning, March 11, 2021
Northern Utah
Salt Lake City’s Tony Caputo Dies At 72
Beloved Salt Lake City deli owner Tony Caputo died in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Caputo opened his market on 300 South in the late-90's after working at Granato's deli for many years. His delis became well-known gathering places for people from all walks of life where customers are often treated to discussions of politics among good friends, including Caputo. He was 72. — Bob Nelson
Editor’s Note: Doug Caputo is a member of KUER’s advisory board and a brother of Tony Caputo.
Westminster College Planning In-Person Fall Semester
Westminster College is planning a close-to-normal Fall 2021 Semester. A statement from the college said that's assuming vaccine distribution continues and transmission rates keep dropping. Some COVID-related precautions, such as facemasks and limits on gatherings, may still be needed to help ensure the health and safety of the community, according to the statement. The college’s current academic year has been a hybrid of in-person and online learning. Currently, masks and social distancing are still required on campus. — Bob Nelson
Southern Utah
Drought Means Less Water For Reservoirs
More people are visiting reservoirs in Washington County, but there’s less water there to greet them because of exceptional drought conditions in the region. Water levels are expected to only reach around 80% capacity for Sand Hollow and Quail Creek reservoirs, and it’s the first time in years they haven’t been completely filled. The reservoirs hold drinking water for Washington County residents, but they’re also recreation hotspots. Read the full story. — Lexi Peery, St. George
Region/Nation
Climate Change Brings More Intense Allergy Seasons
Over the last 30 years, allergy seasons across North America have gotten longer and more intense according to a new study led by University of Utah ecologist William Anderegg. Anderegg said climate change has brought warmer temperatures for more of the year which leads to an increase in pollen production. He said some of that is from the usual grassy suspects, like ragweed, but there were also big increases in juniper and other southwestern tree pollens. Anderegg said hospital admissions for asthma go up when there’s more pollen in the air. Read the full story. — Caroline Ballard
Idaho Ends Powerball
Idaho lawmakers have killed legislation that would have allowed the Powerball lottery to continue beyond August. Lottery officials were trying to change state law because Powerball is expanding to outside the U.S. Current Idaho law only allows lotteries in North America. Republican Rep. Heather Scott worried that when Australia joins Powerball, the country's leaders might use revenue generated from state coffers to back causes she opposes, like gun control. The Idaho lottery has been running for more than 30 years. — Associated Press
Oil & Gas Report Coming This Summer
The Biden administration said it plans to deliver an interim report by the summer about its suspension of oil and gas sales from federal lands. Officials did not say though how long the moratorium could last. A long-term ban on those sales fulfills a campaign pledge from Democratic President Joe Biden. The move has rankled Republicans and petroleum industry representatives whosay Biden is putting tens of thousands of jobs at risk during the pandemic. Biden announced a temporary suspension of new lease sales a week after taking office. — Associated Press
Analyzing Wildfire Risk
A new report could help people analyze local wildfire risks. The nonprofit Headwaters Economics created the tool using data from the Forest Service and research company Pyrologix. It looks at risks like the percentage of homes directly or indirectly exposed to wildfire dangers. According to the tool, 62% of Utah homes are either directly or indirectly at risk from wildfires. — Madelyn Beck, Mountain West News Bureau