Wednesday evening, March 11, 2020
State
Bail Reform Gets Legislative Approval
A bill aimed at easing Utah’s reliance on its cash bail system passed the state Legislature Wednesday. It requires judges to release people accused of low-level crimes using the least restrictive condition appropriate to their case. Those conditions could be things like weekly check-ins, drug tests and ankle monitors — or cash bail. Judges have to consider public safety and the defendant’s likelihood to appear in court when assigning a condition for pretrial release. Read the full story. — Sonja Hutson\
Biggest Teacher Union On Board With Changes To Education Funding
The Utah Education Association said it’s on board with a legislation package that changes how education is funded. Part of the package is a constitutional amendment that would allow money earmarked for education to be spent to support children and people with disabilities. The other is a bill that would put money into a new reserve account and increase per pupil spending. Now that UEA is on board, the proposals have the backing of all major education stakeholders. — Sonja Hutson
Coronavirus Updates
A third COVID-19 case has been diagnosed in Utah. The Summit County man is younger than 60, and traveled to Europe before becoming ill. He had contact with another confirmed case of COVID-19 and is currently recovering at home.
Due to growing concerns about a Coronavirus outbreak, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will not allow the public to attend the upcoming April General Conference.
The University of Utah is looking at the possibility of cancelling in-person classes for the rest of the spring semester in the hopes of preventing the spread of coronavirus on campus.
Follow KUER’s coverage of the coronavirus in Utah.
Northern Utah
Crosswalk Signal To Be Added Near Homeless Resource Center
A new crosswalk signal is being installed Thursday near the South Salt Lake Homeless Resource Center, in response to a number of traffic deaths there. The shelter opened in December. Within weeks, three men were killed in separate traffic incidents. They were all hit by vehicles while trying to cross the street near the shelter. The new crosswalk is pedestrian-activated and will stop traffic with flashing lights to allow people to cross. — Caroline Ballard
Nation
Census Count Begins Thursday
Beginning Thursday, Utah households will start receiving a notice in the mail to fill out the 2020 U.S. Census. The attempt to count everyone in the country happens once a decade and affects how billions of federal dollars are distributed. This year, every household in the country will have the option of responding by mail and — for the first time — online or by phone. Read the full story. — Jon Reed