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News Brief: Sundance, Socked In Airport & Latino Census

Sundance marquee at Egyptian Theatre.
Nicole Nixon / KUER

Thursday morning, December 5, 2019

Central Utah

Hillcrest High Gas Leak

Classes are back in session today at Hillcrest High in Midvale. The school was evacuated Wednesday and students were sent home because of a gas leak. The source was heavy construction equipment that pierced a tank of natural gas. — Diane Maggipinto

Sundance Lineup

A documentary on Taylor Swift will kick off the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. Most of the lineup was revealed Wednesday. Among more than 15,000 entries, 118 feature-length films come from more than two dozen countries. Festival organizers say “Taylor Swift: Miss Americana,” was picked up by Netflix for release next year. The documentary premieres opening night on Jan. 6. — Diane Maggipinto

Air Quality And The Airport

Two dozen flights had to be diverted from the Salt Lake City International Airport Wednesday because of an inversion. That forced the planes to land at other airports in Utah, Colorado and Idaho.

A burn ban is in effect Thursday for several monitored counties in central and northern Utah. Unhealthy air has settled in under high pressure in Salt Lake, Davis, Weber, Utah and Cache with the forecast for orange, unhealthy for some groups. In Tooele County, yellow or moderate air is expected Thursday and a burn ban is in effect there. — Diane Maggipinto

Southern Utah

Upping San Juan County Taxes

San Juan County is proposing a 23% tax increase next year to offset costly lawsuits and a shrinking tax base. The increase in revenue would be split between the county’s general fund, public health department and library system. Residents spoke out against the tax increase at a public hearing Wednesday night, asking the county commission to look for ways to save cut costs. The county has not increased taxes in at least a decade, according to county staff. Commissioner Bruce Adams said the county has also seen a drop in revenue because of less drilling and mining over the past decade. — Kate Groetzinger, Monticello

State

Utah Latinos And The Census

The 2020 Census will not ask people about their citizenship status, but Salt Lake City leaders says Latinos still fear participating in it. They are hoping to clear up concerns in a town hall Thursday evening at the Salt Lake City Library’s Glendale Branch. Latino community groups also plan to host future events where they can help people fill out the census. — Rocio Hernandez

Region

National Park Invasion

A new study shows that invasive animals are a major problem throughout the National Park Service. After hearing back from 81-percent of parks, the report concluded there are more than 300 invasive animal species across the country — with only 11% under control. In our region, the top invaders are the European Starling, Rainbow Trout and the Eurasian Collared-Dove. Read the full story. — Noah Glick, Mountain West News Bureau

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