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.

Salt Lake City has six new firefighters on staff. Monday, the city graduated its 34th recruitment class at the Main City Library after 14 weeks of intensive training. Training Division Captain Chad Jepperson says over that time, recruits work 40 hours a week learning the ins and outs of the job.

Segment 1: A middle school administrator in Alpine School District counseled a 14-year-old student to tell his parents that he’s gay, saying she was concerned for his safety. And when he told her he was reluctant, the administrator had the conversation for him. What are a student’s rights to privacy? And what are a school’s [...]

City officials in Centerville declared a local state of emergency Thursday after high winds wreaked havoc on the city. From Bountiful to Kaysville the windstorm caused toppled semi-trucks and freeway closures, power outages, mail delivery delays, and some school closures. KCPW’s Jessica Gail spoke to several people helping to manage the crisis and reports on how they are handling the storm.

In a committee meeting Wednesday, state lawmakers reconsidered the effectiveness of a program that requires first-time DUI offenders to install a device in their car that prevents it from starting if the driver has had too much to drink. The Ignition Interlock restrictive driver program became law in 2006, and many argue it has led to a drop in DUI arrests. But as KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, some say the state shouldn’t rely on technology to enforce the law.

Salt Lake City police are responding to complaints from business owners this week by stepping up their patrols in the downtown Central Business District. Sergeant Shawn Josephson says they’ll be looking for things like public intoxication, aggressive panhandling, jaywalking and drug dealing.

Utahns didn’t feel the earthquake that rattled the east coast last month, but the state’s Department of Public Safety is giving them the opportunity to see what it’s like in an earthquake simulator at the state fair. As KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, it’s all part of a campaign to get families prepared for the strong possibility of a quaking Wasatch Front.

After months of negotiations, Chevron has reached a proposed settlement with Salt Lake City and the state of Utah over two oil spills that plagued the city last year. As KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, the settlement is expected to cover the damages to property and waterways, but at least one doctor is worried that none of the money is being set aside for long-term health damages.

An inventory conducted this past winter shows Salt Lake City parks could use millions of dollars worth of updates to infrastructure. Parks and Public Lands Director Emy Maloutas says it’s needed for things like restrooms and ball fields, many of which she says are outdated. But she says most of the parks are up to standard, and there aren’t any concerns related to public or environmental safety.

Federal safety inspectors have notified Hill Air Force Base of 32 serious violations of safety and health standards. And the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited a contractor at the base for exposing workers to hazardous contaminants. Herb Gibson, director of OSHA’s Denver area office, says there were more than 100 injuries or illnesses reported out of the base in the past year.