Tuesday morning, Oct. 5, 2021
State
Challenging the cash bail system
Three Utahns are filing a class action lawsuit challenging the state’s cash bail system. The lawsuit comes as Utah looks at different bail reform measures. Karra Porter is the attorney representing the three plaintiffs. She said her clients remain in jail because they can’t afford their bail amounts — which range from $3,000 to $7,000. Porter said poor people often can't make bail, and that creates an inequity in the justice bail system. “It's not in itself unconstitutional to set a bail that someone can't afford,” she said. “What's unconstitutional is setting a bail that someone can't afford without inquiring if they can afford it, without considering alternatives.” The lawsuit lists two southern Utah judges as the defendants. Read the full story. — Ivana Martinez
Northern Utah
Man pleads guilty in 2010 murder case
Monday, a man pleaded guilty to the more than decade old murder of South Salt Lake woman Sherry Black. Black was 64 when she was found stabbed and beaten to death in November 2010 at her South Salt Lake business B&W Billiards and Books. Adam Durborow was arrested last October after DNA evidence pointed to his involvement in the killing. He pleaded guilty to aggravated murder. In a press release, Salt Lake County district attorney Sim Gill said the guilty plea is a step closer to “bringing a measure of justice for Sherry Black and her family.” Durborow’s sentencing hearing is set for Dec. 2. — Elaine Clark
Google could land in Eagle Mountain
Google has purchased property in Eagle Mountain which could be developed into a data center. Facebook also has a data center there that went live in July. The city said if Google goes forward with the project, it will create jobs and quote “continue making Eagle Mountain a leader in attracting investment.” Data centers house computer servers and other IT infrastructure. — Sonja Hutson
Region/Nation
Child Tax Credit boosts rural economies
Researchers say the broader benefits of the expanded Child Tax Credit are especially impactful in rural communities. The new policy, which provides families up to $300 per child in monthly payments, could revitalize rural economies and non-metropolitan areas across the Mountain West with a flood of purchasing power. The fate of the program's expansion hinges on the passage of an economic spending package that Congress continues to negotiate. — Robyn Vincent, Mountain West News Bureau
Interior seeks Tribal input on boarding school investigation
The Department of the Interior has revealed its next step in a review of what it calls the “troubled legacy” of federal Indian boarding school policies. In June, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland announced the department will prepare a report by April 1 that will detail available historical records. The department said the emphasis will be on cemeteries or potential burial sites relating to the federal boarding school program. In a letter to tribal leaders late last week, the department invited feedback on key issues including the potential repatriation of human remains. In a news release, the Navajo Nation said it looks forward to working with the Interior Department to complete what they called a historic report. — Pamela McCall