While Utah leaders frequently emphasize the importance of fossil fuels to the state’s economy, a new study by a nonpartisan research group finds mining jobs account for only one percent of total employment in the state. That’s the lowest of the five western states that were examined in the report, which also looked at Wyoming, Montana, Colorado and New Mexico.
Utahns who think they can’t afford an energy-efficient home should think again. That’s one of the main themes of this year’s Utah Renewable Energy Conference today at the Salt Palace. Levi Belnap with the Utah Solar Energy Association says he’s committed to making renewable and cleaner energy available to everyone, because he knows people are on a budget.
A recent expansion of Utah’s freedom of conscience law re-enforces a physician’s right, and now, a medical facility’s right, to deny an abortion without fear of liability. But as KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, it probably won’t change the way Utah hospitals do business.
After its convention on Saturday, the Republican Party in Salt Lake County has a new leader for the next two years: Julie Dole, who hails from Democratic roots. And as KCPW’s Jessica Gail reports, she hopes to bring renewed Republican strength to the state’s most populated county, where the party already had a strong showing in 2010.
With Utah experiencing the fourth-highest foreclosure rate in the nation, according to the latest report from RealtyTrac, a state lawmaker from Salt Lake City is looking for solutions. Earlier this year, Democratic Senator Ben McAdams opened a bill to implement a foreclosure mediation program in Utah.
In the next couple of weeks, Utah will be going back to the colonial days, at least when it comes to money. Beginning May first, Utahns will be able to conduct business with gold and silver coins. But as KCPW’s Jessica Gail reports, the concept is raising some eyebrows.
A key player in reforming the federal budget visited Salt Lake City this morning. Former Wyoming Senator Alan Simpson, who co-chairs President Obama’s bi-partisan fiscal commission, spoke at Zions Bank as part of its Premier Wealth Management Center’s Speakers Series. He told reporters earlier in the week, “just pray for the Gang of Six,” referring to a bipartisan group of senators working on a deficit reduction plan. KCPW’s Whittney Evans asked Simpson if those prayers are working.
Planned Parenthood is no stranger to scrutiny from politicians. But Republicans in Congress have sparked a fierce battle over federal funding for the organization. We talked with Planned Parenthood of Utah President & CEO Karrie Galloway.
While some advocate for tax increases on the wealthy to increase funding to Utah schools, others say outcomes can be improved by increasing innovation. SB 65, passed this year by the state legislature allows Utah students to take their public education dollars and use them for a variety of online courses. Its critics call it little more than a backdoor voucher program; it’s supporters say it places students above systems.
For years the Salt Lake City Police Department has been divided into two precincts, Liberty and Pioneer. Although all of the officers are sworn to patrol for the entire city, many of them are limited on the areas they cover because of the way the precincts are divided. But as KCPW’s Jessica Gail reports, that is all about to change.
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