Friday evening, May 8, 2020
STATE
Advocacy Groups Call For Eviction Moratorium
Utah’s eviction freeze for those impacted by the coronavirus pandemic ends May 15. Nearly two dozen community advocacy organizations are asking the governor to extend the moratorium until July 15, while the state implements a rental assistance program scheduled to launch Monday. But the Utah Apartment Association says stopping evictions is no longer needed because people have access to government aid. The governor's office said it's reviewing the moratorium order. Read the full story. — Emily Means
Harmons Grocery Selling Girl Scout Cookies
Starting Friday, Harmons Grocery is looking to earn its cookie-selling badge on behalf of the Girl Scouts of Utah. Stores throughout the state will sell these iconic cookies to help move 100,000 unsold boxes. They were left over because cookie booths were suspended in March due to the pandemic. The cookies are the same price, and all the proceeds will benefit the state council. About 60% of the organization's annual budget comes from cookie sales, and it supports programs for about 7,000 girls in Utah. — Elaine Clark
Commercial Rental Assistance Program
Utah small businesses and nonprofits that rent commercial property may soon get financial relief from the state. State officials announced that starting Monday, qualifying businesses and nonprofits can apply for up to $10,000 of financial assistance if they’ve been directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Businesses must show they have a current lease on commercial property in the state of Utah and had fewer than 100 employees in February. Some $40 million is available in total and will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis. The grant will be open until funds run out. — Jon Reed
Second Largest Daily Increase Of COVID Cases
Utah reported its second-largest daily increase in new COVID-19 cases Friday, since the outbreak began in the state in early March. The state has now had more than 5,900 confirmed cases of the virus — an increase of nearly 200 cases from Thursday. So far, over 138,000 Utahns have been tested. Data from the Utah Department of Health show most people contract the virus from others in their household, with only 11% being from community spread. So far, close to 2,800 people have recovered. — Ross Terrell
Follow KUER’s coverage of the coronavirus in Utah.
NORTHERN UTAH
COVID-19 Strike Force Team In Action
Minority communities are disproportionately affected by the coronavirus, according to demographic data from the Utah Department of Health. But now several efforts are underway to help those communities, including one launching this weekend. On Saturday at the Utah State Fairpark, the COVID Community Partnership is hosting the first of a series of testing events for underserved communities. They’re offering free COVID testing to everyone who pre-registers, regardless of symptoms, as well as connecting anyone facing housing and food insecurity with resources. Read the full story. — Jon Reed
Ahmaud Arbery Remembered At Sugarhouse
Friday would’ve been Ahmaud Arbery’s 26th birthday. He was the unarmed black man in Georgia who was confronted by two white men in February and shot and killed by one of them. As part of a national movement people gathered at Sugarhouse Park Friday evening in Salt Lake City to “Run With ‘Maud.” A video of Arbery jogging before he was killed leaked this week sparking national outrage. Natalie Pinkney, a South Salt Lake city councilmember, said the run is about feeling safe. She said, “When you are a small minority in Utah, you don’t really see yourself a lot. So when you can come together and see other people who look like you and you don’t feel like you’re alone in that space. It’s really helpful.” The two men were arrested and charged with murdering Arbery Thursday by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. — Ross Terrell