Monday evening, July 13, 2020
STATE
Utah Businesses Can Now Receive LGTBQ+ Certification
Utah businesses can now receive a certification to show that they are owned and operated by members of the LGBTQ+ community. The program is offered through the Utah LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce. Justin Nelson with the National Chamber said the certification helps local businesses diversify their connections to a global economy, and he said owners can also take part in mentorships and educational programs. Utah businesses canapply online for the certificate, but must be majority owned and operated by LGBTQ people. — Jessica Lowell
Utah Surpasses 30,000 COVID Cases
Utah has surpassed 30,000 total COVID-19 cases. The state’s health department reported another 546 confirmed cases of the disease Monday. Health officials also announced one more death, a Weber County woman between the age of 25 and 44 who was living in a long term care facility. That brings the state’s total to 216. So far, more than 418,000 people have been tested for the virus. Over the last week, an average of 10% of tests came back positive. More than 200 people are currently hospitalized due to the virus. — Ross Terrell
Follow KUER’s coverage of the coronavirus in Utah.
NORTHERN UTAH
Draper DMV Employee Tests Positive For COVID-19, Office Closes Down
The Department of Motor Vehicles office in Draper closed Monday after a worker there tested positive for COVID-19. This is the second time a DMV office along the Wasatch Front has closed due to an employee testing positive. In June, the office in South Salt Lake temporarily shut down. The Draper office said it will be cleaned and sterilized before reopening to the public. Those who had scheduled appointments there are encouraged to reschedule them at other locations. — Caroline Ballard
Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Weber County Sheriff
A class action lawsuit has been filed against the Weber County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Marshals Service alleging officials have failed to protect inmates from a COVID-19 outbreak at the county jail. The petition is asking for county officials to transfer inmates out of the jail and immediately comply with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines like social distancing and access to adequate hygiene supplies. There are 114 confirmed cases among inmates, according to county data released Friday. Federal and county officials did not respond to a request for comment. — Lexi Peery, St. George
Sim Gill Releases 18 Proposals To Utah’s Deadly Force Laws
Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill released 18 proposed changes to Utah’s deadly force laws Monday afternoon. It comes in the wake of protests against police brutality and Gill’s recent ruling that officers were justified in the shooting and killing of Bernardo Palacios-Carbajal. One of Gill’s recommendations includes ending qualified immunity in cases of excessive force. He also suggested that local law enforcement agencies improve and mandate de-escalation training. — Emily Means
SOUTHERN UTAH
50 People At Blanding Nursing Home Contract COVID-19
At least 50 people at a nursing home in Blanding have tested positive for COVID-19, after an employee contracted the virus in June. The outbreak has raised questions about the facility's mask policy. Dalene Redhorse lost her dad and her grandfather over the weekend, and both lived at the Four Corners Regional Care Center. A spokesperson for the care center said state law does not require nursing home employees to wear masks until after an outbreak. But an official with the state health department said guidance issued in April mandates face coverings for nursing home employees. The nursing home passed a surprise inspection back in June. Read the full story. — Kate Groetzinger, Bluff
Washington’s NFL Team Officially Retires Name And Logo
The NFL team, the Washington Redskins, announced Monday they will change their name and logo. The move is being cheered by Indigenous people in Utah and comes after years of criticism that the team’s imagery disrespects Native Americans. Davina Smith, a member of the Navajo Nation, said Monday’s decision is historic and that Native Americans deserve to be viewed as people. Smith said she would also like to see the University of Utah and Bountiful High School make changes to their logos, which each feature a headdress. — Ross Terrell
REGION/NATION
Wyoming Holding Week Long Hearing On Pacificorp Plan
Back in October, PacifiCorp announced a transition towards renewables and away from coal. Now, a Wyoming regulator is holding a week-long hearing about that 20-year plan. Several advocacy groups and businesses argued Monday that a shift towards renewables will sacrifice reliability. The five other states in its service territory have reviewed and acknowledged the 20-year road map, including Utah and Idaho. — Cooper McKim, Mountain West News Bureau