Nearly a hundred people filled a room at the Weber County Main Library in Ogden last night to support Mathew David Stewart, the Ogden man who faces the death penalty after he shot and killed a police officer and wounded five others during a January drug raid at his home. As KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, supporters say the tragedy is a result of violent drug policies and aggressive law enforcement tactics that need to change.
The Salt Lake Branch of the NAACP hosted a forum last night to educate the public on interacting with law enforcement and support justice for Trayvon Martin, the 17-year-old who was shot and killed by a neighborhood watch captain in Sanford, Florida. KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports on what the organization and local law enforcement had to say about the case.
A bill that sparked retribution from hackers on the Salt Lake City Police Department’s website moved forward in the Utah Senate today despite opposition from some Republican lawmakers. Democratic Senator Karen Mayne is sponsoring SB 107, which would criminalize the possession of graffiti paraphernalia if someone demonstrates intent to vandalize property. But Republican Senator Steve Urquhart was one of six Republicans to vote against the measure, saying it goes too far.
Segment 1: A University of Utah professor is arrested on charges of possessing child pornography. A former school counselor accused of sexually abusing teens also allegedly kept sexual images of children on his computer. Officials arrest 39 suspects in a wide-reaching child porn bust. On Wednesday, we’re discussing the prevalence of child porn in Utah [...]
The Occupy SLC movement will deliver complaints to the Salt Lake City Human Rights Commission tomorrow night with two grievances: human rights abuses they say they incurred when the camp was shut down two weeks ago, and a number of others they allege since the protest began. But as KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, leaders of the movement say they won’t meet directly with city officials until they get an apology.
The Utah Highway Patrol Association is hoping a few modifications to several memorial crosses will be enough to end a legal battle with the group American Atheists. The recent U.S. Supreme Court decision not to hear the case means the crosses must come down or be moved to private property, but as KCPW’s Jessica Gail reports, supporters of the crosses aren’t giving up their fight.
Segment 1: Bullying is going virtual. A recent survey showed that 19 percent of Utah’s nearly 50,000 elementary and middle school students have been bullied online. How can students, parents, schools and policymakers keep kids safe when so much of the harassment is unseen and anonymous? Guests: Anne Freimuth, Prevent Child Abuse Utah Dr. Dan [...]
Some business owners in Cottonwood Heights are concerned about the abundance of police presence. They say rather than doing their job, officers are driving out business, and helping developers who are hoping to build a multi-million dollar project in their place. KCPW’s Jessica Gail talked with business owners in the area as well as the mayor of Cottonwood Heights about what has been going on.
The Utah Chapter of the American Civil liberties Union says the Salt Lake County Jail is illegally holding suspected illegal immigrants. The group filed suit against the jail, saying it violates the due process rights of detainees by keeping them locked up regardless of bail, so federal agents can check their immigration status. But as KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, Salt Lake County Sherriff Jim Winder says the ACLU aiming that arrow at the wrong target.
The attorney handling the case of a polygamous family seeking to decriminalize plural marriage in Utah filed suit Wednesday in federal court in Salt Lake City. As KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, it’s now up to the state to defend the law.
