http://kcpw.org/newsroom KCPW's Newsroom Podcast en-us 2006 KCPW /images/kcpw_podcast_sm.jpg http://kcpw.org/newsroom KCPW KCPW webmaster@kcpw.org KCPW Podcasts Questions have been hanging in the air for Utah progressives since the announcement that Governor Jon Huntsman will leave the state to become Ambassador to China, leaving Lt. Governor Gary Herbert to take over the top post in the executive branch until, at least, a special election in 2010. For example, where does Herbert stand on climate change and the Western Climate Initiative? What about gay rights and alcohol policy? Or immigration? Hoping to find answers to those questions, KCPW's Jeff Robinson sat down with Lt. Governor Herbert in his office this week. Thu, 02 Jul 2009 01:00:07 -0600 Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon has until tomorrow to decide whether to veto a property tax increase that Democrats on the Salt Lake County Council approved two weeks ago. KCPW's Jeff Robinson reports. If the tax increase stands, County Council Democrats say it will cost the average homeowner less than a dollar a month. If Mayor Corroon vetoes it, it would take six votes on the nine-member council to override his veto. Council Chairman Joe Hatch acknowledges that would be very unlikely. Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:00:10 -0600 Sandy Mayor Tom Dolan kicked off his campaign for a fifth 4-year term in office at the Sandy Amphitheatre Park on Monday night. The longtime Republican mayor has overseen tremendous growth and economic development in the city over the past 16 years, but has also dealt with a few conflicts. KCPW's Jeff Robinson asked him about those, and why he's hoping for four more years at the helm of Sandy's government. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:36:55 -0600 Salt Lake County and the Wasatch Front Regional Council are hoping to turn State Street into a thriving corridor for business and housing running from top to bottom through the valley, rather than just a means of getting from here to there. The council is collaborating with cities along the major thoroughfare, from Salt Lake to Draper, to find out exactly what it will take to make that happen. KCPW's Jeff Robinson spoke with Wasatch Front Regional Council Executive Director Chuck Chappell and Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon to find out what the Life on State project is all about. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:00:49 -0600 Although he initially considered vetoing it, Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker decided to sign off on a small property tax increase the city council approved for the construction of a new library in Glendale. But, when he did so, he raised several concerns about how that tax increase was approved by the council, especially considering its just one of several tax increases city residents will be seeing this year. KCPW's Jeff Robinson spoke with the mayor about what his concerns are.In part two of our conversation, Mayor Becker discusses Lt. Governor Gary Herbert and his positions on alcohol policy and climate change, and recent news about Salt Lake City Councilman Eric Jergensen. Mon, 29 Jun 2009 01:03:33 -0600 The Sutherland Institute has just released a report to debunk the claim that illegal immigrants are a major source of crime in Utah. KCPW's Jeff Robinson has the story. Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:02:27 -0600 The Utah Transit Authority's Board of Trustees plans to require more disclosure when its members have a conflict of interest with public transit projects. KCPW's Jeff Robinson reports. Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:31:20 -0600 A cap-and-trade bill called the American Clean Energy and Security Act may be voted on in the full U.S. House of Representatives as early as tomorrow, but Utah Congressman Jim Matheson hasn't yet made up his mind. Constituents who are both for and against the legislation have been pressuring him on the bill. He's seen as a key player because of his position as chairman of the Blue Dog Democrats' Energy Task Force, and a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. When the bill was in committee last month, Matheson voted against the legislation out of concern that states that depend heavily on coal, like Utah, would be disproportionately affected by higher energy prices. KCPW's Jeff Robinson asked Matheson whether his position on the bill has changed since then. Thu, 25 Jun 2009 01:00:44 -0600 Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker ceremonially signed the Leonardo's bond agreement yesterday, releasing the funding for the fledgling art and science museum that was approved more than five years ago. The move means the Leonardo will soon have a permanent home on Library Square. KCPW's Elizabeth Ziegler has the story. Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:19:24 -0600 One week from today, a controversial, landmark bill intended to give police officers broader power to crack down on illegal immigration will go into effect in Utah. When Senate Bill 81 was debated by the state legislature in 2008, Governor Jon Huntsman initially had several concerns about the state crafting its own immigration laws, but eventually signed it after it was heavily revised, and its implementation was delayed until July 1st of this year. His thinking was that the federal government would intervene on the issue of immigration before then, but so far, it has not. Governor Huntsman isn't available for interviews on the matter right now because of his nomination to be U.S. Ambassador to China, but we talked with him about the subject in December. We revisit that interview to see if his predictions came true. Wed, 24 Jun 2009 01:01:19 -0600 The effects of the violence perpetrated against protestors in Iran isn't being felt just in that country, but here in Utah, where thousands of first and second-generation Iranian-Americans live. Now the question is, will the protests against Iran's Supreme Leader bring about change in the government, or will the government crush the reform movement and continue to run the country as it did before? For some local analysis, KCPW's Jeff Robinson spoke with Dr. Bahman Baktiari, the new director of the Middle East Center at the University of Utah, who emigrated from Iran when he was 14 years old. Baktiari believes the movement in Iran is a full-scale uprising. Tue, 23 Jun 2009 01:00:54 -0600 Iranians around the world, including here in Utah, are outraged over what they believe may have been a rigged presidential election that was supposedly won by incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, instead of his challenger, Mir-Hossein Mousavi. Over the weekend, local Iranian-Americans rallied at the Salt Lake City-County building and the Capitol to show support for the people of Iran. Filmmaker Sohrab Mirmontazeri, who emigrated from Iran to the United States when he was five years old, organized the rally. He talked with KCPW's Jeff Robinson about the event on Friday. Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:21:12 -0600 Since last week's arrest of 19 Utahns for allegedly stealing and trafficking stolen Indian artifacts, and the death of one of those people, the federal government has been criticized over how its agents handled the matter. Senators Orrin Hatch and Bob Bennett have asked U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to conduct an investigation, believing that excessive force was used when the alleged criminals were arrested. What crimes did the accused allegedly commit, should the arrests have been handled differently, and is there enough evidence to prove they are guilty? KCPW's Jeff Robinson spoke with U.S. Attorney Brett Tolman, who played a significant role in the case, to get his opinion. Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:39:24 -0600 It looks like Salt Lake City residents are about to get hit with a slew of small property tax increases, with tax hikes coming from the Salt Lake City Council, the Salt Lake City school district, and Salt Lake County. When the county council approved a tax hike on Tuesday, it squeaked through with a 5 to 4 vote, with all Democrats voting "yea," and Republicans, "nay." Is it right to be raising taxes on cash-strapped county residents right now? KCPW's Jeff Robinson posed that question to Democratic Councilman Jim Bradley. Thu, 18 Jun 2009 01:00:45 -0600 Anglers in Utah could soon have the chance to catch some very large fish if a plan devised by the Division of Wildlife Resources to grow tiger muskies comes together. KCPW's Eric Ray has the story: Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:42:04 -0600 Will Salt Lake County raise your property taxes in order to avoid being $18 million dollars in the red by the end of next year? KCPW's Jeff Robinson attended a county council meeting on Tuesday to find out. Later, the county council approved a tax hike 5-4 along party lines with the support of Democrats. But Mayor Corroon, who told KCPW he does not want to raise taxes, can reject it. Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:06:40 -0600 The legislature's new Ethics Interim Committee will have its second meeting tomorrow on Capitol Hill. The 16-member group, which is the only committee in the legislature that has an equal number of Republicans and Democrats, was told by the legislature's general counsel last month that having an independent ethics commission judge ethics complaints would be unconstitutional. Does that close the door on having any kind of ethics commission at all? KCPW's Jeff Robinson spoke with Salt Lake City Representative Rebecca Chavez-Houck, who is the ethics interim committee's Democratic co-chair in the House. Tue, 16 Jun 2009 01:02:58 -0600 The National Federation of the Blind filed a complaint this week against the Utah State Office of Education this week. It alleges that blind students within the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind system are not only systemically denied access to Braille materials and instruction they're entitled to under state and federal law, but given test materials with repeated mistakes. Ron Gardner is President of the federation's Utah chapter, a member of USDB's advisory council, and a frequent advocate for blind students up at the state legislature. He told KCPW's Jeff Robinson that the problem starts at the very beginning when the student's learning abilities are evaluated. Listen to a report on USDB from late last year by KCPW's Elizabeth Ziegler. Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:15:51 -0600 U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar made good on his promise yesterday to conduct and release a review of 77 controversial oil and gas leases in Utah that were pulled from an auction that took place last December. The report, conducted by a team lead by Deputy Secretary David Hayes, says it turns out that some of those 77 leases may be offered up for sale again, but there were definitely places where the Bureau of Land Management went wrong during the process. KCPW's Jeff Robinson spoke with Interior Department Deputy Communications Director Matt Lee-Ashley about the report's findings and recommendations. Fri, 12 Jun 2009 06:39:58 -0600 A delegation of Utah business and government leaders returned from Japan earlier this week, after taking Delta's inaugural direct flight from Salt Lake City to Tokyo last Wednesday. Among them was Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Lane Beattie, who says the new, daily flight means great things for the state of Utah. He told KCPW's Jeff Robinson that Japanese visitors to the state already spend far more than tourists from many other regions. Thu, 11 Jun 2009 01:03:55 -0600 The SLC Film Center's 6th annual Damn These Heels LGBT Film Festival starts tonight at 7 and runs through Sunday at the historic Tower Theatre at 9th and 9th. Kicking things off is Valentino: The Last Emperor, a new documentary about legendary fashion designer Valentino Garavani, who recently retired. Director Matt Tyrnauer and his crew followed Valentino and his inner circle for two years to craft an intimate portrayal of his final years in the business. Tyrnauer will be at the festival tonight to present the film. KCPW's Jeff Robinson spoke with him about Valentino: The Last Emperor and what it was like making it. Learn more about the film festival online at SLCFilmCenter.org. And listen to a conversation with festival founder Kathryn Toll about some of the other films below. Wed, 10 Jun 2009 01:00:10 -0600 Freshman Republican Congressman Jason Chaffetz campaigned on a platform of reforming congressional earmarks during the 2008 election cycle, and asked for no earmarks during this year's federal budgeting process. Now, he's come up with a list of guidelines for anyone in the 3rd Congressional District who's hoping to get his help in securing federal money. KCPW's Jeff Robinson spoke with Chaffetz about the rules he's proposing. Read Chaffetz's proposal online. Tue, 09 Jun 2009 11:46:53 -0600 There's been an outpouring of criticism against the Utah Transit Authority's proposal to raise fares for disabled riders who use its special paratransit vans from $2.50 to $4 dollars. The agency has put forth the idea as a means of making up for millions of dollars in dwindling sales tax revenues. Riders and advocates have flocked to public workshops and UTA board meetings to send the agency a clear message: don't hurt the riders who need your services the most. But in the end, it's UTA's 19-member board of trustees that gets to vote on the proposed fare increase. Charles Henderson, a community activist from Kearns, was appointed to the board by Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon. KCPW's Jeff Robinson spoke with him to get his thoughts on the fare hike proposal. Tue, 09 Jun 2009 01:02:56 -0600 Utah Democratic Party Chairman Wayne Holland is running to keep his job as party chairman. We spoke with Holland's opponent Jeff Bell two weeks ago, who criticized his leadership. Holland responds and makes his case for a third term as chairman. Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:17:09 -0600 With Governor Jon Huntsman set to depart for China within a few months, the governor's seat will be open for a special election in November of 2010. Does Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon have any interest in running? Is he disappointed to see a progressive Republican leader leaving the state? We talk with him. Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:15:27 -0600 The three-day annual Utah Pride Festival celebrating gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans begins tomorrow night in Salt Lake City. This year, Governor Jon Huntsman is among the people who will be honored at the event, which has grown extensively since it began in 1983. Organizers estimate it was attended by more than 20,000 people last year at Washington Square. KCPW's Jeff Robinson spoke with Michael Westley, media and special events coordinator for the Utah Pride Center, about what's in store for this weekend. Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:50:06 -0600 After a 10-hour journey, the first direct flight from Tokyo to Salt Lake City touched down slightly early this morning, just hours before the first flight from Salt Lake City to Tokyo took off. KCPW's Jeff Robinson reports. The flights will run every day of the week but Sunday and Tuesday. If you were to board tomorrow's flight and return on Monday, the ticket would cost you about $2,300. Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:59:28 -0600 Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker's proposal to build a new public safety complex immediately next to the Downtown City Library drew controversy from the start. So much so that Becker reversed course today. KCPW's Eric Ray Reports: Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:10:01 -0600 Mention the name Mick Fleetwood to most and they'll recognize him as the co-founder and drummer of the rock band Fleetwood Mac. But Fleetwood is making other headlines both on stage and off. He's just released an album of blues songs with the aptly titled Mick Fleetwood Blues Band, and he is entrenched in the business of selling his own line of fine wines. Fleetwood is in Salt Lake City for a Fleetwood Mac concert tonight at Energy Solutions Arena. He sat down with KCPW's Eric Ray to chat about how he went from rock star to winemaker. Wed, 03 Jun 2009 10:31:36 -0600 A Democrat has now officially entered the race for the U.S. Senate Seat that will be up for election in Utah next year. KCPW's Jeff Robinson reports.Granato may face a challenger from within his own Democratic party: Congressman Jim Matheson has said he's keeping his political options open and considering the Senate race. So far, Granato's official Republican opponents are incumbent Senator Bob Bennett and Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff. The last Democrat to represent Utah in the U.S. Senate was Frank Moss, who lost to Republican Orrin Hatch in 1976 after three terms in office. Mon, 01 Jun 2009 13:14:49 -0600 President Barack Obama is demanding a halt to Jewish Settlements in the West Bank, but Israeli politicians say, not so fast. What is the future of U.S. Israeli relations under President Obama, and is there room for peace in the next four years? We talk with University of Utah law professor Amos Guiora. Fri, 29 May 2009 12:56:04 -0600 Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker makes his monthly visit to our studios. The chorus of voices who are criticizing his plan to build a new police headquarters near to the Main City Library is growing. Has this caused him to re-consider, or is it stay the course? We find out. Fri, 29 May 2009 12:53:07 -0600 The chairman of the Salt Lake County Council hopes to pass an ordinance that would strengthen county employees' ability to negotiate for wages and benefits. But some are wondering, if employees already enjoy a good relationship with the mayor's office and are treated well, why is the ordinance necessary? KCPW's Jeff Robinson reports. Listen to a conversation with county council chairman Joe Hatch about his proposal from Politics Up Close. Wed, 27 May 2009 12:34:45 -0600 We have a conversation with Mayor Ralph Becker about his proposal to put a new police headquarters right next to the downtown library, and then a conversation with former Mayor Rocky Anderson about why this idea is all wrong. Fri, 22 May 2009 12:00:36 -0600 We're joined by Salt Lake County Council Chairman Joe Hatch. He's pushing a proposal that would let the county's employees choose whether they want to be represented by a union, then require the county to negotiate with those unions. Fri, 22 May 2009 12:00:36 -0600 Jeff Bell is challenging incumbent Wayne Holland to be chairman of the Utah Democratic Party. Fri, 22 May 2009 12:00:36 -0600 Since unveiling his proposal to build a new police headquarters right next to the Salt Lake City Main Library nearly two weeks ago, Mayor Ralph Becker's taken plenty of criticism in the press for the idea. But Becker says he welcomes that criticism, along with any other input city residents have about the controversial proposal, which would ultimately have to be approved by voters in a bond election this November. The two ideas are to put a public safety building and an emergency operations center either to west of 300 East, closer to the library, or on the east side of the road, displacing businesses. KCPW's Jeff Robinson asked Mayor Becker to address some of the points his critics have made, starting with the idea that putting a police building next to the library would create a chilling atmosphere on Library Square. Mayor Becker and the city council have scheduled three meetings for residents to give their input on the proposal. The first will be a workshop in the downtown library auditorium on Saturday, May 30th, beginning at 9 a.m. Wed, 20 May 2009 01:00:03 -0600 With Governor Jon Huntsman departing to become Ambassador to China, pending his confirmation by the U.S. Senate, the field is now wide open to contenders who want his job in the November 2010 special election. Lt. Governor Gary Herbert, who will serve as governor until then, has already declared that he plans to run, but who else can we expect to emerge in the coming weeks? KCPW's Jeff Robinson spoke with Tim Chambless, a political science professor at the University of Utah, for some predictions. Tue, 19 May 2009 12:37:23 -0600 The 2010 special election for governor next November may include leaders from Salt Lake County on both sides of the political aisle. KCPW's Jeff Robinson reports. Tue, 19 May 2009 12:27:14 -0600 Economist Russell Roberts tells us why global trade should be expanded during this economic downturn. He'll be in Salt Lake this week for a Zions Bank conference on international trade. Mon, 18 May 2009 11:27:27 -0600 Is a proposal to put the new police headquarters right next to the Salt Lake City Main Library a good idea or not? It's a hot topic that's got some people riled up. We talk with city councilmen J.T. Martin and Luke Garrott, who have opposing viewpoints. Mon, 18 May 2009 11:25:45 -0600 Joining Politics Up Close is Republican State Senator Howard Stephenson and attorney Mike Lee with SOS Secret Ballot. We heard last week from the AFL-CIO about why the Employee Free Choice Act is a good thing. Stephenson and Lee tell us why it's not when it comes to the secret ballot. Listen to a conversation with Utah AFL-CIO President Jim Judd in support of the legislation. Mon, 18 May 2009 11:24:05 -0600 After a heated debate this morning, Democrats in the U.S. Senate failed to gain enough votes to overcome Senator Bob Bennett's hold on a nominee for the Interior Department. KCPW's Jeff Robinson reports. The Democrats may soon have the 60 votes they need to overcome Bennett's hold. Democrat Al Franken is expected to win a court battle over Republican Norm Coleman for a senate seat in Minnesota. Wed, 13 May 2009 12:58:19 -0600 As KCPW first reported yesterday afternoon, Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff inadvertently announced his candidacy for Senator Bob Bennett's seat in 2010 yesterday when he posted the news on Twitter, apparently thinking he was sending a private text message. He joins former Utah County GOP Chairman Tim Bridgewater in the race, who announced his own candidacy yesterday via Twitter as well. KCPW's Jeff Robinson spoke with Hinckley Institute of Politics Director Kirk Jowers about the challengers Bennett will face at the 2010 State Republican Convention. Wed, 13 May 2009 01:00:45 -0600 Off-roaders who took a spin on their ATVs up the Paria River on Saturday may soon find themselves in trouble with the law. KCPW's Jeff Robinson reports. Tue, 12 May 2009 16:35:27 -0600 Tomorrow, the Salt Lake County Council hopes to send a strong message to the Utah Transit Authority: don't make it more difficult for disabled residents to use public transit. KCPW's Jeff Robinson reports. Mon, 11 May 2009 14:33:45 -0600 In this excerpt from Friday's Politics Up Close, Jim Judd, President of the Utah AFL-CIO, discusses the controversial Employee Free Choice Act. It's opposed by most of Utah's congressional delegation. Mon, 11 May 2009 09:42:29 -0600 Stephen Bloch is Conservation Director for the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance. SUWA isn't happy with Senator Bob Bennett for holding up the confirmation process for two Interior Department Officials. But Senator Bennett says he's looking out for Utah's best interests after Secretary Ken Salazar put a hold on 77 controversial oil and gas lease parcels. We talk with Bloch about Bennett's actions, wilderness, and how he hopes the BLM handles a protest ATV ride this weekend. Fri, 08 May 2009 12:28:50 -0600 Jim Judd is President of the Utah AFL-CIO. He and other labor leaders across the country are hoping Congress passes the Employee Free Choice Act, a bill that would make it easier to unionize through a process called card check. But it has little or no support from Utah's own congressional delegation, which says it will eliminate the secret ballot. We'll sort out the facts of the legislation. Fri, 08 May 2009 12:25:43 -0600 You've probably heard about alternative forms of fueling car engines, like natural gas and vegetable oil - but a new documentary showing in Salt Lake City this weekend explores other options out there you might not know about yet. Fuel, which won the Audience Award for Best Documentary at Sundance last year, tells the story of what its creators refer to as the "rising domination of the petrochemical industry," and documents alternative energy sources you may never have thought of -- like algae. KCPW's Jeff Robinson spoke with Kevin Vickery, who co-produced Fuel, to find out what the film's all about. The film will be screened tomorrow at 4 p.m. at the Salt Lake City Main Library auditorium as part of the Live Green Festival, sponsored by the Downtown Alliance. Learn more about the festival online at DowntownSLC.org. Fri, 08 May 2009 01:00:55 -0600 As Salt Lake City leaders continue to try and make all the city's neighborhoods more walkable and accessible without a car, they might do well to listen to the advice of John Norquist. Norquist, who was mayor of Milwaukee, Wisconsin from 1988 to 2004, now serves as President and CEO of the Congress for the New Urbanism, an organization promoting the development of walkable, mixed-use communities. He'll be speaking at the Live Green festival this Saturday at the Salt Lake City Main Library, sponsored by the Downtown Alliance. KCPW's Jeff Robinson caught up with Norquist for a conversation on walkable neighborhoods. Norquist will be speaking at the Salt Lake City Main Library Auditorium this Saturday morning at 11, as part of the Downtown Alliance's Live Green Festival. Learn more about the event at downtownslc.org. Thu, 07 May 2009 17:48:26 -0600 Salt Lake City leaders now know exactly where they want to put a much-needed new public safety building, but there's a lot more to the proposal than just a new headquarters for the police department. KCPW's Jeff Robinson reports.The city's $125 million estimate for the project assumes that the state government wants to collaborate by housing some of its own emergency response facilities in the new buildings. Mayor Becker says he's pitched that proposal to Governor Jon Huntsman. Take a look at a rendering of the proposed project. Thu, 07 May 2009 13:16:08 -0600 Biomimicry is the process of finding sustainable ideas by copying what goes on in the natural world. Tonight at 7 PM at the Salt Lake City Main Library, Dr. Dayna Baumeister, co-founder of the Biomimicry Guild, will speak about technologies that are bringing humans closer to sustainable living in the finale of the library's Sustainable Living Series.The event is free and open to the public and will also be broadcast live on KCPW. Andrew Shaw from the Salt Lake City Main Library spoke with Baumeister about the concept of biomimicry: Thu, 07 May 2009 01:41:04 -0600 Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker delivered his proposed 2010 budget to the City Council last night. Becker faced a $12 million decrease to the city's general fund in putting the budget together. Becker told KCPW's Eric Ray about the challenges that decrease presented in building the 2010 budget, about preventing gang violence in the city, and about keeping the city green: Wed, 06 May 2009 13:11:15 -0600 Yesterday, Utah Congressman Jim Matheson joined his fellow Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee in meeting with President Obama to discuss climate change and health care. Many Utah environmentalists have been hoping to get Matheson to support a draft bill titled the "American Clean Energy and Security Act," which would create a cap-and-trade program for carbon emissions. But Matheson has previously described the proposal as problematic. KCPW's Jeff Robinson spoke with him to find out why. Wed, 06 May 2009 01:00:00 -0600 Last Saturday Author Bob Reiss spoke at the Salt Lake City Main Library as part of the Dewey Lecture Series.Reiss traveled the world to gather information for his latest book, The Coming Storm: Extreme Weather and Our Terrifying Future, which tells the history of global warming through the personal perspectives of people studying, fighting, and affected by it. Listen to a podcast of the program here: Tue, 05 May 2009 10:53:37 -0600 Environmentalists in the Intermountain West are hoping that a draft bill in Congress that would attempt to mitigate climate change over the next several decades becomes a reality and is signed into law. And, they're looking for the support of one particular Utah Congressman to help them shepherd that bill through. David Dittloff is Regional Outreach Coordinator for the National Wildlife Federation in the Rocky Mountains, and Paul Dremann is the Conservation Chair for the Utah Council of Trout Unlimited. They spoke with KCPW's Jeff Robinson about the bill. Tue, 05 May 2009 01:00:49 -0600 Last week, the speaker of the Utah House of Representatives was in Washington, D.C., to encourage the federal government to give individual states flexibility to implement their own reforms to the health care system. But one local advocacy group is concerned about that approach. KCPW's Jeff Robinson reports. Mon, 04 May 2009 14:34:55 -0600 In this excerpt from KCPW's most recent episode of Politics Up Close, David Clark, Speaker of the Utah House of Representatives, defends a new law that has been criticized for failing to prevent former lawmakers from immediately becoming lobbyists. Mon, 04 May 2009 09:44:05 -0600 Politifact.com researcher and reporter Angie Holan discusses which promises from the campaign trail President Barack Obama has kept, and which he's broken, now that we're past his first 100 days in office. Fri, 01 May 2009 12:47:25 -0600 Senator Bob Bennett discusses why he's currently blocking the appointment of a nominee for Deputy Secretary of the Interior. He wants more answers out of Secretary Ken Salazar, who's here in Salt Lake City today. Fri, 01 May 2009 12:44:36 -0600 The state legislature recently asked Governor Huntsman to drop the issues of redistricting and legislative ethics from his new commission, which the governor agreed to do. We ask Clark why only the legislature should have the authority to deal with these issues. Fri, 01 May 2009 12:42:55 -0600 Coming up tomorrow at 7 PM in the Main City Library's auditorium as part of the Dewey Lecture Series, author Bob Reiss will speak about his latest book The Coming Storm: Extreme Weather and Our Terrifying Future, which tells the history of global warming through the personal perspectives of people studying, fighting, and affected by it. The event is free and open to the public, and will also be broadcast live on KCPW. Andrew Shaw from the Salt Lake City Main Library recently held this conversation with Reiss. Fri, 01 May 2009 01:52:19 -0600 (KCPW News) NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies Director and Climatologist James Hansen spoke at the University of Utah and Utah Valley University earlier this week on the need for a cap and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. KCPW's Faroe Robinson spoke with him about global warming and how regulations should be implemented. Wed, 29 Apr 2009 10:20:27 -0600 Although no cases of Swine Flu are suspected in Utah, public health officials and hospitals are taking precautions to make sure any potential cases are caught in the early stages. KCPW's Faroe Robinson reports. Mon, 27 Apr 2009 15:31:35 -0600 Lucinda Roy was chair of the English Department at Virginia Tech when she met Seung-Hui Cho, who later went on to kill 32 people in April 2007 in the worst gun massacre in American history. In this excerpt, she discusses the balance between academic freedom and student safety in light of the tragedy. Mon, 27 Apr 2009 06:28:56 -0600 Family and friends of Bill Orton gathered today in Salt Lake City to remember the former Democratic Utah Congressman, who passed away after an ATV accident on the 18th. KCPW's Faroe Robinson reports on the legacy he left behind. Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:16:42 -0600 Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinajad gained no political allies in the West this week when he launched into a tirade against Israel, declaring it a cruel and repressive racist regime. President Barack Obama has been criticized by conservatives for declaring his willingness to sit down and talk with the Iranian leader, trying to calm tensions over uranium enrichment and the situation between Israel and Palestine. What is the U.S. doing wrong when it comes to Iran? Yesterday, KCPW's Jeff Robinson sat down with Dr. Bahman Baktiari, the new director of the Middle East Center at the University of Utah, who himself grew up in Iran until he moved to the United States at the age of 14. They spoke at his office. Fri, 24 Apr 2009 13:16:04 -0600 Lucinda Roy is a distinguished professor at Virginia Tech, and author of a new book, "No Right to Remain Silent: The Tragedy at Virginia Tech." She was Chair of the English Department in the fall of 2005 when she first met Seung-Hui Cho, who two years ago went on to commit the worst gun massacre in American History. We talk with her about how Virginia Tech failed its students when she tried to warn administrators about Cho's behavior and get him help. Fri, 24 Apr 2009 13:12:12 -0600 Dr. Tyrone Hayes of the University of California, Berkeley spoke Thursday evening in the last of the 2009 Nature of Things lectures presented by the Utah Museum of Natural History. Hayes is synthesizing ecological and evolutionary studies to learn how changes at an animal's molecular level affect its ability to adapt to changes within its environment. He spoke about how threats to amphibian survival - such as endocrine-disrupting pesticides, are also linked to human reproductive problems and cancer.Listen to a podcast of the event here: Fri, 24 Apr 2009 11:49:14 -0600 Utahs ranks below the rest of the nation in all violent crime rates except for sexual assault. This has prompted Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker to declare April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. KCPW's Faroe Robinson reports on why rape is a prevalent crime in Utah and the misconceptions that people have about sexual assault. There are several sexual awareness events happening this weekend in Salt Lake City. For more information click here. Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:47:08 -0600 Tonight, Dr. Tyrone Hayes from the University of California, Berkeley will present his groundbreaking research on how synthetic chemicals affect frogs at the Salt Lake City Main Library. His lecture, which is part of the Nature of Things lecture series presented by the Utah Museum of Natural History, will start at 7 and be carried live on KCPW. It's free and open to the public. To preview tonight's event, KCPW's Jeff Robinson caught up with Dr. Hayes, who describes how pesticides drastically affect the sexual development of both amphibians and humans. Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:00:52 -0600 Hundreds of people gathered at the Utah State Capitol yesterday as part of the state's "Days of Remembrance Week" to honor the memory of Holocaust victims. KCPW's Faroe Robinson reports. Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:24:36 -0600 Tonight, the Salt Lake City Council is expected to approve an ordinance that will prevent the establishment of new payday lenders within half a mile of any other payday lender, and also limit them to only one for every 10,000 residents. The proposal won't drive any existing check cashing venues out of business, but will limit their ability to move or establish a new storefront, since there's already far more than one payday lender for every 10,000 people in Salt Lake City right now. KCPW's Jeff Robinson spoke with City Councilman Eric Jergensen about tonight's vote. He starts off by addressing why Salt Lake City is adopting this idea only after several other cities within the county have already done so. Eric Jergensen represents the Avenues and Capitol Hill on the Salt Lake City Council. Tonight's meeting starts at 7 at the City-County building. Tue, 21 Apr 2009 11:46:20 -0600 Utah has seen an increase in gun purchases and ammunition sales in the past six months, causing supply shortages and higher prices. KCPW's Faroe Robinson reports on the proposed regulations that are causing the run on guns and ammunition, and whether it's all due to real concerns or unfounded fears. Tue, 21 Apr 2009 09:05:50 -0600 We stray from politics for a bit this week as we talk with Rich Christiansen and Ron Porter about their new book, "Bootstrap Business: A Step-by-Step Business Survival Guide." In this excerpt, they discuss why you shouldn't necessarily go into business with your golfing buddies, how you know when to sell, and why seeking funding from venture capitalists often isn't the best way to go. Mon, 20 Apr 2009 01:00:15 -0600 Successful Utah entrepreneurs Rich Christiansen and Ron Porter have just released a new book on "bootstrapping" your own business venture. We get some straightforward advice from them. Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:06:39 -0600 Carlton Christensen is currently chairman of the Salt Lake City Council, and is seeking a fourth term this year after failing to win a seat in the Utah Senate. We'll ask him what brings him back to the job year after year. Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:06:39 -0600 Politics Up Close is joined by Steve Gunn with the Gun Violence Prevention Center of Utah, who shares his concerns about a new law that tells business owners they can't prevent their patrons from carrying a gun in their cars. Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:06:39 -0600 On a regular basis, the Salt Lake City Main Library brings in authors and experts to speak in its auditorium about a variety of topics. In the debut of a new feature on KCPW to highlight upcoming events, Andrew Shaw from the City Library speaks with Author Mary Roach. Roach's latest book, Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex, uses science to search for better, more satisfying sex. Roach will be speaking tonight at 7 at the Salt Lake City Main Library auditorium. The event is free and open to the public. Thu, 16 Apr 2009 01:04:22 -0600 Thousands of residents from all over the Wasatch Front gathered in downtown Salt Lake City today for a "Tax Day Tea Party" to protest federal government spending at the Federal Building Plaza. KCPW's Faroe Robinson attended the event and filed this audio postcard. Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:51:54 -0600 A bill that would designate 9.4 million acres of Utah's public lands as federal wilderness has been reintroduced in Congress by Democratic Representative Maurice Hinchey from New York and Democratic Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois. KCPW's Faroe Robinson spoke with Congressman Hinchey about the need for the bill, titled America's Red Rock Wilderness Act, and why a bill that primarily affects Utah is being carried by congressmen who aren't from Utah. Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:30:19 -0600 In this excerpt from Friday's Politics Up Close, Clark Aposhian, Chair of the Utah Shooting Sports Council, discusses a bill from this past legislative session that would have only allowed Utah residents to become Utah concealed weapons permit instructors. Mon, 13 Apr 2009 09:15:16 -0600 Gun advocates fear the Obama administration wants to chip away at the right to bear arms, but a number of bills passed in the legislature this session expand 2nd Amendment rights here in Utah. We talk with Clark Aposhian with the Utah Shooting Sports Council about the future of gun ownership in Utah. Fri, 10 Apr 2009 12:42:05 -0600 Salt Lake County is studying whether to use your tax dollars to finance the construction of a hotel to go with the Salt Palace Convention Center. But in this down economy, is it a good idea to build a public venue that would compete with private interests? We talk with Scott Beck, President and CEO of the Salt Lake Convention and Visitors' Bureau. Fri, 10 Apr 2009 12:39:43 -0600 Dianne Nielson is energy adviser to Governor Jon Huntsman. The Utah legislature passed a major renewable energy incentive this session, but many lawmakers remain skeptical of the Western Climate Initiative and want Utah to withdraw. We ask her how the executive branch plans to work with the legislature on this issue. Fri, 10 Apr 2009 12:37:35 -0600 Today, the Salt Lake County Council will learn in detail how citizens have responded to the draft of the county's Cultural Facilities Master Plan, which recommends 15 major projects, including the renovation of existing arts facilities and the establishment of three regional "cultural centers" as well. County officials held public meetings in the five regions of the county that were studied for the master plan, and accepted comments via e-mail and on the Internet. KCPW's Jeff Robinson spoke with Phil Jordan, director of the county's Center for the Arts, to find out what they had to say. Tue, 07 Apr 2009 07:14:02 -0600 Author Richard Louv spoke on April 4, 2009 at the City Library as part of the Library's Dewey Lecture Series.Louv's latest book, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder, has stimulated conversation about the future relationship between children and the outdoors, and sparked a movement to connect children with nature. Listen to a podcast of the event here: Mon, 06 Apr 2009 11:27:36 -0600 In this excerpt from Friday's Politics Up Close, environmentalist Tim DeChristopher, who fraudulently bid during a controversial oil and gas lease auction in December, discusses what's happened since that auction. He was charged with two federal felonies last week. Mon, 06 Apr 2009 08:14:54 -0600 Dr. Fred Wagner, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Wildland Services at Utah State University, spoke Thursday evening at the Nature of Thing lecture. Wagner spoke about the implications of ecosystems with no reference points to the past. Some scientists predict that global warming will have such a profound impact on communities of plants and animals that entire ecosystems will be completely rearranged, creating ecosystem structures never seen before. Listen to a podcast of the event here: Fri, 03 Apr 2009 14:26:09 -0600 Tim DeChristopher has gained national recognition for fraudulently bidding in a controversial lease auction late last year, and now, he's been charged with two felonies. What does the future hold for this young activist, and would he have done anything differently? DeChristopher joins the show. Fri, 03 Apr 2009 12:44:58 -0600 (KCPW News) UTA has just proposed a very significant fare hike for disabled riders who rely on special buses to transport them, and that has disabled activists angry. And environmentalists are mad about the agency's proposed land swap down in Draper to build a TRAX station as well. Spokesman Justin Jones and General Counsel Bruce Jones join us in the studio. Fri, 03 Apr 2009 12:42:24 -0600 So far, two men are hoping to lead the Utah Republican Party starting later this year. Dave Hansen and Tim Bridgewater are familiar faces to the GOP faithful in the state. We ask them what they'd bring to the job and how they plan on gaining more Republicans in an increasingly Democratic Salt Lake County. Mon, 30 Mar 2009 12:14:06 -0600 Frank Gray is the Community and Economic Development Director for Salt Lake City. What is the outlook for building and development in the city, and what is he doing to get more people and business to move in downtown? We ask him on Politics Up Close. Mon, 30 Mar 2009 12:12:02 -0600 Since its inception in 2003, about 50,000 people have taken part in StoryCorps across the nation, sitting down with their loved ones to explore each other's lives in a recorded interview. Beginning this Thursday, KCPW listeners who make a reservation will have the chance to take part in the experience when the StoryCorps mobile recording booth arrives in Salt Lake City for a six-week stay. KCPW's Jeff Robinson spoke with StoryCorps creator David Isay to find out what it's all about. StoryCorps arrives in Salt Lake City this Thursday. You can attend our opening day ceremony at Washington Square this Thursday at 10:30 a.m. And reserve an interview slot beginning on Friday at 10 a.m. by calling 1-800-850-4406. We'll also have a link to the reservation page here on KCPW.org. The mobile recording booth will be in Salt Lake City for six weeks. StoryCorps' visit has received funding from the Utah Humanities Council, which promotes understanding of human traditions, values and issues through informed public discussion. Tue, 24 Mar 2009 01:00:00 -0600 In this excerpt from Friday's Politics Up Close, University of Utah law professor Scott Matheson discusses how President Abraham Lincoln violated the constitution during the Civil War. Listen to full podcasts of the show on the Politics Up Close page. Mon, 23 Mar 2009 10:58:49 -0600 Local thrift and consignment stores are worried about the enforcement of a new regulation that prohibits the sale of children's products that contain lead or chemicals called phthalates, which are used in soft plastics. KCPW's Faroe Robinson reports. Fri, 20 Mar 2009 15:27:20 -0600 President George W. Bush's time in office continues to be the subject of debate with regard to how well he treated the U.S. Constitution. But he's certainly not the only president who raised constitutional concerns. We're joined by former US Attorney and current University of Utah law professor Scott Matheson to talk about his new book, Presidential Constitutionalism in Perilous Times. Fri, 20 Mar 2009 13:09:47 -0600 Salt Lake County continues to release record breaking numbers of inmates at the Adult Detention Center because they simply don't have the space to house them. How do we stop this problem? It's all about the money. We talk with Sheriff Jim Winder. Fri, 20 Mar 2009 13:07:11 -0600 It's been a week since the legislature ended its 2009 general session. There were many familiar faces returning to Capitol Hill, but a couple new ones as well. We talk with freshmen lawmakers Representatives Brian King and Jay Seegmiller to learn about the legislative process. Fri, 20 Mar 2009 13:04:39 -0600 On Thursday, March 19, KCPW aired a panel discussion inspired by the release of the book Mormon Women: Portraits and Conversations. Hosted by KCPW's Elizabeth Ziegler, the program featured Poet Emma Lou Thayne, jewelry-designer Angela Cummings, and veteran public health administrator Catherine Stokes in a discussion about the varied roles of Mormon women in the family, the community, and the LDS Church. Listen to a podcast of the program here: Fri, 20 Mar 2009 10:59:36 -0600 The Utah Foundation hosted a conference addressing the future of Utah's economy yesterday. Overall, panelists were optimistic, and gave recommendations on how the state can emerge ahead of the game. KCPW's Faroe Robinson reports. Thu, 19 Mar 2009 10:09:36 -0600 Two controversial proposals dealing with the right to vote made it through the Utah legislature this session, though each was opposed by several lawmakers in both houses. One of them gives voters less time for in-person absentee voting at the county clerk's office, the other requires identification from all voters casting a ballot, regardless of whether it's the first time they've voted or the fiftieth. With Utah's voter turnout already poor compared to the rest of the nation, how are these proposals expected to affect democratic participation right here in Salt Lake County? KCPW's Jeff Robinson spoke with Salt Lake County Clerk Sherrie Swensen to find out. Wed, 18 Mar 2009 01:04:42 -0600 Skyrocketing gang violence related to drug smuggling along the U.S. -- Mexico border has led the Mexican government to deploy its army to the border town of Juarez, and now, the problem is catching the attention of the U.S. government. Last week, President Obama said he'd consider deploying the National Guard to help prevent that violence from spilling over into the United States.Jeremy Martin is Director of the Energy Program at the Institute of the Americas in California. He was in Salt Lake City last week to speak to the Salt Lake Committee on Foreign Relations. KCPW's Jeff Robinson spoke with him about how the U.S. and Mexican economies are interconnected. Tue, 17 Mar 2009 07:27:11 -0600 In this excerpt from last Friday's Politics Up Close, Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker discusses the city's plans to turn North Temple into a "Grand Boulevard," a booming business district revitalized by the TRAX line to the airport. The Utah legislature just awarded the city $20 million in state funds to re-build the North Temple viaduct. Mon, 16 Mar 2009 01:00:38 -0600 Today, KCPW will premiere the BBC's World Have Your Say at 11 a.m. The live program draws listeners from around the world into the conversation on the phone, on the Internet, by text message, and many other ways. It even invites listeners to take part in the producers' daily meeting, where they discuss what topics to talk about on upcoming shows. KCPW's Jeff Robinson spoke with World Have Your Say host Ros Atkins about what sets the program apart. Mon, 16 Mar 2009 01:00:38 -0600 After the legislature adjourned last night legislators told jokes, gave gag awards to each other, and some even broke out in song.Here is Representative Brad Dee and Mike Noel summing up the session in song, thanking legislators for the memories. Here is first-year Representative Ryan Wilcox also reflecting about the session in song. Fri, 13 Mar 2009 13:56:04 -0600 Congressman Jason Chaffetz is a bona fide media star who's made the rounds on national TV for his willingness to go on the Colbert Report and speak his mind at every turn. We'll talk with him about the federal budget and how he's sleeping on a cot in his office at night. Fri, 13 Mar 2009 12:29:45 -0600 The legislature's general session just wrapped last night at midnight. Did Salt Lake City come away relatively unscathed compared to last year, when we lost six million dollars in property taxes thanks to a controversial school equalization bill? We ask the mayor about that and the proposed "Grand Boulevard" that will be made out of North Temple when the TRAX line to the airport is built. Fri, 13 Mar 2009 12:26:55 -0600 Democratic Representative Brian King from Salt Lake City was one of the more vocal freshman lawmakers at the Utah Legislature this session. KCPW's Faroe Robinson caught up with him as the legislature was winding down last night to get his take on his first legislative session at the Capitol. Fri, 13 Mar 2009 07:57:46 -0600 The people's work is done, for now. The Utah Legislature's 2009 general session came to an early close last night. KCPW reporter Elizabeth Ziegler was at the Capitol, and filed this report: While the 2009 general session is over, legislative leaders believe a special session might be necessary this summer if state revenues continue to slide. Legislators balanced the budget this year without using the state's more than $400 million Rainy Day Fund or raising taxes, except for a vehicle registration fee increase. But both options are on the table to bridge another budget gap, if needed. Fri, 13 Mar 2009 07:45:51 -0600 Utah lawmakers are using federal economic stimulus money to target the specific needs of the state. The House of Representatives approved legislation today to give relief to homeowners and stimulate technology jobs and innovation. KCPW's Faroe Robinson reports. Thu, 12 Mar 2009 15:57:33 -0600 The Utah Legislature has worked for the past 44 days to cut state agency budgets by more than $1 billion and debated legislation on controversial topics, including alcohol laws, legislative ethics and health care reform. But as the end draws near, a quiet has descended on the typically chaotic halls of the Capitol. KCPW's Elizabeth Ziegler reports: By law, the Utah Legislature must complete the people's work by the stroke of midnight tonight. Thu, 12 Mar 2009 15:50:00 -0600 A constitutional amendment that was intended to limit post-conviction appeals by death row inmates failed to pass in the Utah House of Representatives this morning, by not gaining the two-thirds majority required to put an amendment on the ballot. The amendment, which was supported by the Attorney General's office, would have been decided on by voters in November, 2010. KCPW's Jeff Robinson reports. Thu, 12 Mar 2009 12:57:43 -0600 Utah lawmakers in the House of Representatives shot down a transportation bill yesterday morning that would have funded the construction of the Mountain View Corridor and the expansion of I-15 in Utah County, but then approved it in the afternoon after some contentious negotiations. KCPW's Faroe Robinson reports. Thu, 12 Mar 2009 08:36:36 -0600 Last night, the Salt Lake City Council heard from concerned neighbors who don't want to see a senior care facility near 2100 South drastically expand its footprint. They also discussed the upcoming TRAX line to the airport, and how the type of track that is used for the TRAX line will affect the surrounding area. KCPW's Jeff Robinson spoke with District 7 Councilman Soren Simonsen for a wrap-up of last night's meeting. Wed, 11 Mar 2009 13:08:40 -0600 Lawmakers passed a public education budget adjustment this morning that includes a provision to prohibit the expansion of charter schools for the 2010-2011 school year, but not before failing an amendment that would have delayed the bill's implementation. KCPW's Faroe Robinson has the details. Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:40:20 -0600 Utah sportsmen will still be able to hunt and fish in streambeds that cross private land, after a bill that would restrict access failed in the House of Representatives this morning. KCPW's Faroe Robinson reports. Mon, 09 Mar 2009 15:24:34 -0600 In this excerpt from Friday's Politics Up Close, we speak with State Representative Greg Hughes, who says a compromise bill that will eliminate the private club designation is going to happen. Mon, 09 Mar 2009 01:00:38 -0600 Legislators are nearing a compromise on alcohol policy as the legislature draws to a close in just four days. As it stands now, one bill in the Senate would require restaurants to prepare drinks in a back room or build a ten foot wall around the bar, a different bill in the House would get rid of the private club designation and allow Utahns to simply go to a bar without paying to get in like they can in every other state. At issue is lawmakers' concern about drunken driving incidents increasing if the state does away with private clubs. But the governor's concern is that the state's quirky liquor laws are hurting tourism. How will a compromise be reached? Joining KCPW from Capitol Hill now is state Representative Greg Hughes, who's sponsoring the private club bill. Fri, 06 Mar 2009 12:58:38 -0700 Last year, the Utah Legislature created a Health System Reform Task Force to meet with stakeholders and come up with policy to fix the state's broken health care system, which currently leaves about 400,000 people uninsured. Many bills came out of the effort and are moving through the Legislature. But not all of them are likely to make it all the way through the legislative process, with the session wrapping up on midnight next Thursday. So which bills are most important to health care advocates and will have them lobbying hard during the crunch of the next six days? Joining KCPW is Lincoln Nehring, Medicaid director with the Utah Health Policy Project. Fri, 06 Mar 2009 12:56:02 -0700 Abortion, as always, is a hot topic on Utah's Capitol Hill this legislative session, which wraps up next Thursday at midnight. Three Republican sponsored abortion related bills have already been approved by both the Senate and House of Representatives. Meanwhile, a Democratic sponsored bill that would allow for comprehensive sex education while continuing to emphasize abstinence, hasn't been voted on or heard in committee at all. How will all these bills affect Utah citizens? Joining KCPW to discuss this is Missy Bird, executive director of the Planned Parenthood Action Council here in Utah. Fri, 06 Mar 2009 12:54:13 -0700 The Memory and the Media lecture series concluded Thursday at the city library as author Laurel Leff discussed her book Buried by the Times: The Holocaust and America's Most Important Newspaper.Leff was joined by Suhi Choi, assistant professor of communication at the University of Utah, and David Vergobbi, associate professor of communication at the U. Choi addressed U.S. journalists' role during the Korean War and the implications of their accounts for current collective memories of the conflict. Vergobbi discussed coverage of the war in Iraq and consequences for ethics and the First Amendment.Listen to a podcast of the event here: Fri, 06 Mar 2009 10:32:09 -0700 How did America's leading newspaper cover - or rather, not cover - the Holocaust? That topic is the subject of the book, Buried by The Times: The Holocaust and America's Most Important Newspaper, by Northeastern University journalism professor Laurel Leff. In the book, Leff explores how the New York Times buried stories about the mass murder of millions of European Jews, and what role the newspaper's Jewish publisher played in that decision. She'll be speaking tonight at 7 at the Salt Lake City Main Library, as part of the Memory and the Media lecture series. KCPW's Jeff Robinson spoke with Leff about her research.Tonight's final broadcast of he Memory and the Media lecture series is brought to you by the University of Utah and KCPW. The event is free and open to the public, or you can listen on air. Thu, 05 Mar 2009 01:00:13 -0700 Tension flared up between Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County this past week, when County Council Chairman Joe Hatch said Mayor Ralph Becker was behaving like a "butthead." The comment came after Salt Lake City declined to support a bill the county is pushing at the legislature to protect the borders of unincorporated townships. Yesterday, we spoke with Hatch, who expressed frustration about getting the cold shoulder from Salt Lake City, even after lending its financial support to the city's TRAX line to the airport and the Leonardo. Today, we get Mayor Becker's response. He tells KCPW's Jeff Robinson that he expects the city and the county to continue to agree and disagree about different issues. Wed, 04 Mar 2009 01:01:03 -0700 Salt Lake County Council Chairman Joe Hatch regrets saying last week that Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker was behaving like a "butthead," but the fact remains that a fair amount of tension exists between the two governments. The county wants the city to support a bill that would protect the borders of unincorporated townships; instead, the city has decided to oppose it, despite the fact that the city has received the county's support numerous times in the past year. KCPW's Jeff Robinson talked with Hatch about the situation, and his "butthead" comment. The township bill the county is supporting, Senate Bill 73, has been approved by a Senate committee but has not yet been voted on by the full Senate. Salt Lake City issued a statement saying, "Salt Lake City and other cities have been working with Salt Lake County to find a compromise which would give township neighborhoods control over their destiny, and allow a neutral third party to handle any disagreements between the neighborhood residents and the County." Tue, 03 Mar 2009 01:00:42 -0700 "If people are doing things wrong, we're gonna discipline them, and if it's egregious enough, we're gonna fire them, to be honest with you." Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon discusses a review of the county's planning division in this excerpt from Friday's Politics Up Close. Mon, 02 Mar 2009 01:00:53 -0700 Salt Lake City-based attorney Brian Barnard joins Politics Up Close to discuss the Supreme Court ruling against his client, the Summum religious group, and the future of the conflict between Summum and the city of Pleasant Grove. Fri, 27 Feb 2009 12:54:53 -0700 Congressman Jim Matheson joins Politics Up Close to talk about Interior Secretary Ken Salazar's decision to scrap oil shale leasing in Utah, his vote against an omnibus appropriations bill, his opposition to reinstating the ban on assault weapons, and EnergySolutions' proposal to share revenue with the state if it allows the company to import Italian nuclear waste. Fri, 27 Feb 2009 12:51:14 -0700 Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon has proven to be a popular politician, but he's got a few tough issues to deal with right now. The Salt Lake County Council has been looking at a troubling review of the county's planning division, which was conducted by the mayor's office. Democrats and Republicans have sparred on the issue, with some Republicans accusing the mayor's office of pushing an agenda. Meanwhile, a Salt Lake Tribune article this week revealed some tension between the county and Salt Lake City, with council chairman Joe Hatch even calling Mayor Ralph Becker a "butthead." And the state legislature continues to cut the state budget, likely causing money to evaporate from Salt Lake County as well. What light is there on the horizon? Peter Corroon joins KCPW in the studio. Fri, 27 Feb 2009 12:47:48 -0700 Deseret News editor Joe Cannon came under fire from his own employees this week after two staff members were reassigned. Some reporters saw the move as a demotion, resulting from their unwillingness to cooperate with the management's decision to try to appeal specifically to Mormon readers. Yesterday, we talked with city government editor Josh Loftin, who said, "we were carving out a niche as the best daily newspaper in the city, and that is being undone to become the best Mormon paper in the city." Today, we hear from Joe Cannon to get his response to the criticism. He talked with KCPW's Jeff Robinson about the situation. Thu, 26 Feb 2009 01:00:15 -0700 If you read the Deseret News yesterday, you may have noticed something missing. A number of articles, instead of being attributed to the reporter who wrote them, simply said they were written by the "Deseret News staff." That's because several reporters pulled their bylines from their stories to protest what was seen as a demotion of two employees at the newspaper for sparring with management. KCPW's Jeff Robinson spoke with state government editor Josh Loftin, who organized the protest. He told Jeff that reporters at the D-News are not pleased with editor Joe Cannon's attempts to turn the paper into a Mormon niche publication. Wed, 25 Feb 2009 01:00:19 -0700 In this excerpt from Friday's Politics Up Close, Charles Kuck, President of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, discusses the problems of temporary guest worker visas.Download full episodes of Politics Up Close here. Mon, 23 Feb 2009 01:00:00 -0700 The GOP suffered losses in the 2008 elections, both nationally and here in Utah. The Salt Lake County Council is now controlled by Democrats with a narrow 5 to 4 margin, the Salt Lake County GOP lost a Senate seat in Cottonwood Heights with Karen Morgan's defeat of Carlene Walker, a House seat in Cottonwood Heights after Mark Walker's resignation, and Speaker of the House Greg Curtis was defeated by challenger Jay Seegmiller, who was running for the third time. And the GOP's reputation has likely been hurt by Senator Chris Buttars this week, who made comments about the gay community that were widely viewed as inflammatory and was removed from a Senate chairmanship just this morning. But on the national front, the party has been invigorated by a new chairman, Michael Steele, who's expected to bring different views into the party. What does the future hold for the Utah GOP and the national GOP? Joining KCPW to discuss this is Salt Lake County GOP chairman James Evans and state party Vice Chairman Todd Weiler. Fri, 20 Feb 2009 13:16:32 -0700 Immigration was a major issue on the presidential campaign trail, as President Barack Obama and his former rival sparred on how to fix the nation's broken immigration system. But now the Obama Administration has taken office, and little has been heard about the issue with the giant economic stimulus and the bank bailout taking the spotlight. Meanwhile, some in the Utah legislature are calling on the federal government to allow individual states to create their own, independent guest worker program. And others are sponsoring legislation targeting illegal immigrants, once again taking on Utah's policy of allowing illegal immigrant students to pay in-state tuition at public universities. What is the future of immigration in Utah and nationwide? Joining KCPW to discuss this is Charles Kuck, president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, or AILA, a group of more than 11,000 attorneys that practice and teach immigration law. Fri, 20 Feb 2009 13:12:28 -0700 The civil rights era of the 1950s and 60s was covered in many different ways by the media through articles, photos, editorials and more. That coverage and how it affected the struggle for equality is explored by journalist Hank Klibanoff in his book, The Race Beat: The Press, the Civil Rights Struggle, and the Awakening of a Nation, for which he won a Pulitzer Prize. Klibanoff will be speaking at the Main City Library tonight at 7, as part of the Memory and the Media lecture series. He spoke with KCPW's Jeff Robinson about some of the influential coverage of the civil rights movement. Klibanoff be speaking tonight at 7 in the auditorium of the Salt Lake City Main Library as part of the Memory and the Media lecture series, brought to you by KCPW and the University of Utah. The event is free and open to the public, and you can listen to it live on 88.3 and 105.3 FM, and here at kcpw.org.UPDATE: Listen to Hank Klibanoff's Memory and the Media Lecture from February 20, 2009 here: Fri, 20 Feb 2009 01:00:32 -0700 KCPW is once again partnering with the Utah Museum of Natural History this year to broadcast the museum's Nature of Things Lecture Series. The first speaker is Dr. Mitchell Power, an Assistant Professor of Geography at the University of Utah. His lecture, Challenges to Living in Prehistoric Americas: Climate Change, Fires, and the Arrival of Europeans, looks at the impact prehistoric people had on their environment. Power told KCPW's Eric Ray that one of the keys to studying those impacts lies in the remnants of prehistoric fires:Listen to Power's complete UMNH Nature of Things Lecture from February 19, 2009 here: Thu, 19 Feb 2009 01:00:22 -0700 A writer visiting Salt Lake City this week aims to help entrepreneurs become ecopreneurs, by starting up small, green businesses in this tight economy. Scott Cooney, who has founded green start-up businesses and blogs frequently about the subject, is the author of "Build a Green Small Business: Profitable Ways to Become an EcoPreneur." He spoke with KCPW's Jeff Robinson. Cooney will be discussing and signing his new book on green businesses tonight at 6 at the Sandy Barnes and Noble, tomorrow night at 7 at Golden Braid Books in downtown Salt Lake City, and on Friday at 7 p.m. at the King's English Bookshop. Wed, 18 Feb 2009 12:11:01 -0700 Senator Orrin Hatch and Congressman Jason Chaffetz, both Republicans, addressed the Utah Senate and House of Representatives today, focusing on the economic stimulus package. Chaffetz spoke of his concern over Democrats not working with Republicans on the passage of the stimulus package. When Senator Patricia Jones asked what Chaffetz was going to do about partisanship, he explained that the most important thing is individual relationships. Tue, 17 Feb 2009 22:56:22 -0700 In this excerpt from Friday's Politics Up Close, Mayor Ralph Becker talks about his decision to recommend the city release a $10.2 million bond to the Leonardo. Download full podcasts on the Politics Up Close page. Tue, 17 Feb 2009 01:00:39 -0700 Colonel Peter Mansoor knows military strategy. He was the executive officer to General David Petraeus in Iraq from 2007 to 2008, and a Brigade Commander from 2003 to 2004. And while he was there, he realized what we did wrong and turned it into a book, Baghdad at Sunrise, A Brigade Commander's War in Iraq, released late last year. He was in Salt Lake City last night to speak to the Salt Lake Committee on Foreign Relations. Colonel Mansoor stopped by our studio to have a conversation about the Iraq War, past, present, and future. Fri, 13 Feb 2009 14:05:57 -0700 Though almost none of Utah's Congressional delegation supported it, the federal stimulus package is now a reality. Congress is expected to iron out all the kinks by President's Day. Then, more than a billion dollars will likely be on its way to Utah, and some portion of that to Salt Lake City. Meanwhile, a bill is moving in the state legislature that is likely to take away $8 million from Salt lake City Schools. Joining KCPW to discuss these issues is Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker, who stops by our studio every month. Fri, 13 Feb 2009 13:04:56 -0700 Five former Salt Lake City mayors joined current Mayor Ralph Becker to share their vision of the city's past, present, and future at the Salt Lake City Main Library on Thursday, February 12, 2009. Mayors Jake Garn, Ted Wilson, Palmer DePaulis, Deedee Corradini, Rocky Anderson, and Becker shared their successes, challenges, advice, and view of Salt Lake City's future.Listen to the podcast of the program here: Fri, 13 Feb 2009 10:42:00 -0700 Yesterday, the Salt Lake City Council informally approved Mayor Ralph Becker's plan to release a $10.2 million dollar bond to the Leonardo science museum after its successful run of the BodyWorlds exhibit, which wrapped up in January. And they received a briefing on controversial renovation and expansion plans for a senior care facility. KCPW's Jeff Robinson spoke with Council Chairman Carlton Christensen to get the details. Wed, 11 Feb 2009 09:35:18 -0700 A former state lawmaker is working to bring a nuclear power plant to the Green River Industrial Park in Emery County. Aaron Tilton, CEO of Transition Power Development, says nuclear projects like his are a necessity for the state's future energy needs. But his proposal has run into criticism from those who believe it will use up water resources in the Green River and create nuclear waste, while selling the power to California. KCPW's Jeff Robinson spoke with Tilton about those concerns, and a proposal in the Utah legislature to allow the Public Service Commission to regulate proposed nuclear power plants like his. Tue, 10 Feb 2009 01:01:46 -0700 In this brief excerpt from last Friday's Politics Up Close, State Senator Scott McCoy and Vanessa Pierce, Executive Director of HEAL Utah, discuss a bill McCoy is sponsoring to increase regulation of proposed nuclear power plants. Mon, 09 Feb 2009 01:01:02 -0700 The honeymoon for President Barack Obama is over, and now he's facing a tough challenge from Congressional Republicans as he tries to pass his economic stimulus package as quickly as possible. Meanwhile, the president has run into trouble with a number of his nominees for cabinet positions, including Tom Daschle, who withdrew his nomination to be Secretary of Health and Human Services earlier this week. Where does the president go from here, and where does the Republican party go from here with its new chairman? NPR News Analyst Juan Williams was in Utah this week to speak at Weber State University. He joined KCPW to answer these questions. Fri, 06 Feb 2009 12:42:23 -0700 This week, the Utah legislature cut $365 million from the 2009 state budget. But this time around, lawmakers were able to soften the blow by shifting around another $200 million in one-time funds from state building projects and other items in order to reduce the impact on critical programs like public education and health and human services. The 2010 cuts will go even deeper, and legislators are very hesitant to touch the $400 million rainy-day fund, or issue a large amount of bonds for transportation projects. What priorities would Utah's business community set for the legislature as it makes these important decisions? Joining the show to talk about this is Lane Beattie, President and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce, representing more than 4,200 Utah businesses, and the former president of the Utah Senate. Fri, 06 Feb 2009 12:34:46 -0700 Renewable energy is still a hot topic on Capitol Hill. Earlier this week, the Utah Senate had a discussion about a joint resolution regarding renewable resources, and ended up debating whether or not nuclear energy counts as renewable. Meanwhile, a Democratic Senator is sponsoring a bill that would allow the Public Service Commission to regulate proposed nuclear power plants. Senator Scott McCoy joins the show by phone from Capitol Hill, and Vanessa Pierce, Executive Director of renewable energy group HEAL Utah is in the studio. Fri, 06 Feb 2009 12:29:11 -0700 A plastic surgeon at University Hospital had the chance to observe the tragic results of the conflict in the Gaza Strip up close. Dr. Irfan Galaria traveled there with a group of American physicians and spent last week in the region, treating victims of the war. He spoke with KCPW's Jeff Robinson about what he did there and what he took away from the experience. Wed, 04 Feb 2009 01:01:27 -0700 As President Barack Obama's administration determines the future of the country's energy demands, it will have to decide whether the nation should continue to expand the development of traditional energy sources like oil and natural gas as it also pushes alternative energy and renewable resources. A former Congressman hoping the president doesn't give up on traditional energy visited Utah last month. Charlie Stenholm from Texas spoke at the Alta Club about Energy Tomorrow, a campaign by the American Petroleum Institute emphasizing the importance of oil and gas to the economy. KCPW's Jeff Robinson spoke with him about balancing energy demands with protecting the environment. Tue, 03 Feb 2009 01:00:41 -0700 In this excerpt of last Friday's Politics Up Close, KCPW's Jeff Robinson and Rev. Barry Lynn, Executive Director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, discuss the relationship between the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and the Utah state government as legislators meet in the general session on Capitol Hill. Mon, 02 Feb 2009 01:01:40 -0700 President Barack Obama signed his first bill into law yesterday. The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act greatly extends the time period in which employees are allowed to sue their employer's for discriminatory pay, allowing them 180 days after receiving any discriminatory paycheck to file a lawsuit. The White House champions the bill as a victory for equal pay for equal work, while congressional Republicans denounce it as simply a vehicle for frivolous lawsuits. Well, now it's the law, and a Salt Lake City attorney is excited about it, because it may substantially change the case of one of his clients, an inspector for the Transportation Security Administration who filed a federal complaint for harassment, retaliation and pay discrimination. Attorney Lawrence Buhler was in the studio to talk about the case and why he believes the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act is a good thing. Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:57:46 -0700 The Common Ground Initiative launched by a group of Utah lawmakers and gay rights advocacy group Equality Utah aims to extend protection of the law to gay individuals and couples in the state when it comes to discrimination in housing and employment and in wrongful death suits. It also seeks to allow the domestic partners of state employees access to their partners' health insurance, create a statewide domestic partnership registry, and modify Utah's Constitutional Amendment 3, which states that marriage is between a man and a woman. Equality Utah says this initiative is not about allowing gay marriage in the state, and that these protections are entirely separate. And they contend that because of Amendment 3, this in no way could lead to the legalization of gay marriage in Utah. But conservative think tank the Sutherland Institute believes that is exactly the intent, and that by extending these protections, the state would be setting itself up for a lawsuit that would allow the courts to legalize gay marriage. Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:54:38 -0700 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints involvement in the successful battle against gay marriage in California drew national attention and protesters to temples both in California and right here in Salt Lake City. Church members donated time and millions of dollars to the campaign after a letter urging them to support Proposition 8 was read in wardhouses across the state. The church argues it was just one member of a broad coalition of religious groups that opposes gay marriage, and was just speaking up for religious liberty. Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:51:14 -0700 Beginning tomorrow, Utahns interested in learning more about other religions will have several opportunities to do so as the seventh annual Interfaith Week kicks off, sponsored by the Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable. KCPW's Jeff Robinson spoke with Maxine Hanks, chair of Interfaith Week, about the many different events it will feature in Salt Lake City. Learn more about Interfaith Week's many events online at www.utahfaiths.org. Fri, 30 Jan 2009 01:00:21 -0700 On Tuesday, the Salt Lake County Council received a detailed report about the county's troubled planning division from Mayor Peter Corroon. The report described extensive problems in planning and development, ranging from an improper relationship to managers coming in late and leaving early. The council praised the report, but one member, Republican Councilman David Wilde, had questions about whether there was an agenda behind it. KCPW's Jeff Robinson spoke with Wilde to get his take on the situation. Thu, 29 Jan 2009 01:00:07 -0700 Governor Jon Huntsman remained optimistic in his State of the State speech last night at the Utah Capitol, but tackled some of the biggest challenges the state faces, like the budget crisis and the hundreds of thousands of residents who don't have health insurance. KCPW's Faroe Robinson reports. Wed, 28 Jan 2009 20:15:43 -0700 A newly released internal review of Salt Lake County's Planning and Development Services Division finds it to be dysfunctional in several areas. KCPW's Jeff Robinson reports. Problems within the planning division were initially found when employees were surveyed a year and a half ago. Public Works Director Linda Hamilton says managers in the division never took the problems identified by that survey seriously. Wed, 28 Jan 2009 01:04:28 -0700 Utah Governor Jon Huntsman delivered his fifth State of the State Address Tuesday night. Listen to a podcast of the address here: Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:34:14 -0700 In the Democratic Response to Governor Jon Huntsman's State of the State Address, House Minority Whip Jim Gowans says one of his party's top priorities is making sure the state's children have access to a world class education while at the same time trying to balance the budget.A podcast of the entire Democratic Response is available here: Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:38:10 -0700 Yesterday morning, after taking the gavel from his predecessor, former Speaker of the Utah House of Representatives Greg Curtis, Speaker David Clark reflected on the history of Utah's Capitol Hill, relating it to a bitter series of ethics complaints from last summer in which harsh words were exchanged. In this excerpt, Clark tells the story of Arsenal Hill, and cautions his House colleagues to behave civilly during the upcoming session. Tue, 27 Jan 2009 01:00:34 -0700 Utah's 75 state representatives and 29 senators kicked off the 45-day marathon known as the General Session of the 58th Legislature this morning on Capitol Hill. Lawmakers convened before a packed audience of advocacy groups, lobbyists, citizens, and reporters. KCPW's Jeff Robinson caught up with a few of them just before the rush and files this audio postcard, featuring both returning lawmakers and new ones. View some pictures from today's proceedings. Stay tuned to KCPW for in-depth legislative coverage, which you can also follow online here at KCPW.org. Mon, 26 Jan 2009 13:17:08 -0700 KCPW, the University of Utah Department of Communication, and the Salt Lake City Main Library opened a series of lectures called Memory and the Media on Friday, January 23rd.The series' first speaker was Christopher Benson, co-author of Death of Innocence: The Story of the Hate Crime that Changed America. Benson and a panel of expert guests discussed how images published 50 years ago continue to resonate in popular culture.Listen to a podcast of the program here. Mon, 26 Jan 2009 10:22:02 -0700 Miss Friday's Politics Up Close? Here's a brief excerpt with Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker, who discusses his concerns about the legislative session, which begins today. Mon, 26 Jan 2009 01:01:27 -0700 Today, Public Radio International's morning show, The Takeaway, moved to a new timeslot on KCPW, giving everyone who listens from 5 to 7 a.m. the chance to listen to the program. Hosted by John Hockenberry and Adaora Udoji, the live program brings a conversational tone to morning public radio, and gives listeners a chance to be part of the conversation on a daily basis. KCPW's Jeff Robinson spoke with John Hockenberry about what The Takeaway has to offer KCPW listeners. Mon, 26 Jan 2009 01:01:27 -0700 The Salt Lake County Council has now held two meetings this year. And already, there are weighty issues to deal with, such as an internal review of the county's planning department in the wake of the departure of its director and three employees being put on leave. And of course there's the economic downturn and what will likely be much lower tax revenues coming in this year. Dealing with all of this are the two new faces on the council, Republican Max Burdick and Democrat Jani Iwamoto. Mr. Burdick represents District Six to the south, Ms. Iwamoto represents District Four to the east. Fri, 23 Jan 2009 12:49:01 -0700 The Outdoor Retailer Winter Market brings 17,000 people and over 800 different brands to Salt Lake every January. KCPW's Faroe Robinson attended opening day, and reports on the coolest products at the show, and how it's being affected by the economic downturn. Fri, 23 Jan 2009 10:25:26 -0700 The horrific murder of an African American teenager in 1955 that occurred after he supposedly whistled at a white woman remains one of the most shocking hate crimes in American history. The story of Emmett Till and his killers has been examined and re-examined over many years, recently by author Christopher Benson, who co-wrote a book telling Emmett's story with his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley. Benson will be speaking tonight at a KCPW special event called Memory and the Media. He spoke with KCPW's Jeff Robinson about how journalists have influenced the way we think about hate crimes in America.Christopher Benson is the co-author of “Death of Innocence: The Story of the Hate Crime that Changed America.” He’ll be speaking tonight at 7 at the Salt Lake City Main Library for a KCPW special event called “Memory and the Media,” co-presented by the University of Utah Department of Communication. The event is free and open to the public, and will be carried live on KCPW, 88.3 and 105.3 FM, and streamed live here at KCPW.org. Fri, 23 Jan 2009 01:00:05 -0700 Smokers can no longer light up in Utah's bars and private clubs, and soon, they might be hit with a cigarette tax increase. Governor Jon Huntsman has argued that it should be raised to $3 a pack. But yesterday, we spoke with a representative from Phillip Morris, who told us that cigarette tax increases in other states have been unsuccessful and they hurt small businesses that sell cigarettes. Today, we sit down with Michael Siler, Director of Government Relations for the American Cancer Society's Cancer Action Network in Utah. He tells KCPW's Jeff Robinson why the tax increase is a good idea, for smokers and for the economy. Thu, 22 Jan 2009 01:00:52 -0700 A majority of Utahns support expanding the legal rights of the gay community, according to a poll released yesterday by Equality Utah. KCPW's Faroe Robinson reports. Tue, 20 Jan 2009 14:38:32 -0700 Didn't catch Friday's Politics Up Close with Utah Senator Luz Robles, who represents Salt Lake City's west side? Listen to this excerpt. Listen to the full podcast on the Politics Up Close page. Mon, 19 Jan 2009 01:00:01 -0700 The U.S. Senate has passed a lands bill package that includes Senator Bob Bennett's Washington County Growth and Conservation Act. Stakeholders have announced their endorsement of the bill, but Bennett says some environmental groups still aren't happy. KCPW's Faroe Robinson reports. Fri, 16 Jan 2009 15:54:53 -0700 Lawmakers passed controversial immigration bill Senate Bill 81 during last year's session, which the governor signed off on after it was amended to push the implementation date back to July 1st of this year. The governor's hope is that the federal government will take action on the problems with our immigration system, thus making this bill unnecessary. But with economic problems looming, we can't be sure the federal government will take any action in the next six months. So if nothing changes, SB81 will go into effect. What will this mean for the Salt Lake City Police Department? Joining the show to talk about this is Salt Lake City Police Chief Chris Burbank. Fri, 16 Jan 2009 13:08:35 -0700 The Utah Legislature will have some incredibly tough cuts to make when it convenes on Monday, the 26th. And the governor has some fundamentally different ideas about how to cut the budget than many in the Republican leadership of the legislature. A 15 percent cut, which lawmakers have proposed, could force the state office of education to get rid of many school programs, lay off teachers, or even shorten the school year. And after already cutting some benefits to Medicaid recipients in October, more cuts for the program are likely on the way. How does this specifically affect us here in Salt Lake City? Joining Politics Up Close to talk about it is newly elected Utah Senator Luz Robles, who represents District One, which includes much of northwest Salt Lake City and County. Fri, 16 Jan 2009 13:05:11 -0700 Governor Jon Huntsman has made it clear that he believes it's time to do away with private club laws in the state that require bar-goers to purchase memberships to any establishment that serves hard alcohol. He's backed by the tourism industry, many Utah drinkers and of course, many private clubs themselves. But Republicans in the Utah Legislature are not so keen on this idea. They believe that Utah's low DUI rates are linked to the state's conservative alcohol laws, and would much rather preserve the status quo. Will they reach consensus or not? And if not, what will it mean for Utah's private clubs? Joining the show to talk about this is attorney Lisa Marcy, a board member of the Utah Hospitality Association. Fri, 16 Jan 2009 13:00:41 -0700 The Utah Division of Air Quality will receive public comments about a proposed cogeneration plant in West Bountiful through the end of today, but plans for the petroleum coke fueled plant could be struck down by the city even if the department issues a permit. KCPW's Faroe Robinson reports. Thu, 15 Jan 2009 01:00:55 -0700 Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker delivered his state of the city address last night, focusing on the accomplishments of the city and its plans for the upcoming year. KCPW's Faroe Robinson reports. Wed, 14 Jan 2009 09:00:29 -0700 Concerned residents were urged to pack the room last night at a public hearing for a proposed heat and power plant in West Bountiful that would be fueled by petroleum coke. A number of local groups oppose the project, including Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment and Utah Moms for Clean Air. And one resident of the area tells KCPW the pollution is already bad enough. Ann Richardson has lived in Woods Cross, home to a handful of oil refineries, for 18 years. She told KCPW's Jeff Robinson why she's opposed to the plant. Wed, 14 Jan 2009 01:00:26 -0700 Miss last Friday's Politics Up Close? Here's a short excerpt with Republican House Speaker David Clark on ethics reform in the legislature. Download the full conversation on the Politics Up Close page. Mon, 12 Jan 2009 01:00:07 -0700 If you want to re-visit the highlights of the 2008 election, you could go back and slog through thousands and thousands of newspaper articles and broadcast media stories. Or you could look at it through the eyes of a political cartoonist. A few weeks ago we interviewed the Salt Lake Tribune's Pat Bagley. Now, to get a different perspective, we talk to a syndicated, Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist whose work can be seen in hundreds of newspapers. Michael Ramirez has drawn for the L.A. Times, and now works for Investor's Business Daily. Fri, 09 Jan 2009 12:41:55 -0700 The state's budget picture for next year is not looking great. Lawmakers recently passed a 2010 base budget cut of 15 percent. Many have said they don't want to tap into the state's rainy day fund, although Governor Huntsman is willing to do so. They're also at odds over whether the state should bond more for roads and transportation in order to free up revenues for public and higher education, with some Republicans not wanting to go into debt. And the governor's idea to raise fees while keeping taxes the same might not have everyone on the same page. Joining Politics Up Close to give his perspective is newly elected Speaker of the Utah House of Representatives, Republican Dave Clark from Washington County. Fri, 09 Jan 2009 12:38:59 -0700 President-Elect Barack Obama has made it clear that the time for a potentially trillion dollar economic stimulus package is now. Utah politicians are hoping to get their share of the pie, on the state, county, and city levels. Here in Salt Lake City, we could use hundreds of millions for TRAX, a streetcar system, energy efficient upgrades, and much more. And we definitely need this federal help if we want these projects to be accomplished in the near future. Meanwhile, the Utah legislature convenes in just over two weeks to make pretty drastic cuts that will likely trickle down to the city level. What are the city's concerns as we head into this legislative session, and what does it hope to accomplish? Joining Politics Up Close to talk about this is Carlton Christensen, newly appointed chairman of the Salt Lake City Council, and new vice-chairman J.T. Martin. Fri, 09 Jan 2009 12:35:50 -0700 Governor Jon Huntsman joined fellow Western governors last week in calling for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas forces in the Gaza Strip of Palestine, urging that Hamas must stop its rocket attacks into Israel in order for the conflict to end. And a University of Utah law professor says for such a cease-fire to work, Israel must make other demands as well. Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:01:59 -0700 With a new president being inaugurated this month, along with a new cabinet and scores of advisers on everything from education to the economy, it's clear that federal policy is destined to change in the coming years. And one leading political thinker says like it or not, there are several "dead ideas" that the tumbling economy and vast inadequacies in our education system will force us to toss out the window.Matt Miller is the host of public radio's "Left, Right & Center" and a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress. His new book, "The Tyranny of Dead Ideas: Letting Go of the Old Ways of Thinking to Unleash a New Prosperity," hits bookstores tomorrow. KCPW's Jeff Robinson spoke with him about some of those dead ideas and the direction he believes the country will inevitably go in the coming decades. Mon, 05 Jan 2009 01:00:02 -0700 An airplane hangar in Wendover that briefly housed the Enola Gay, which dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan during World War II, will now get a makeover thanks to a $440,000 grant from the Save America's Treasures program. The Historic Wendover Airfield where it sits was also a testing site for bombers. KCPW's Jeff Robinson spoke with Kirk Huffaker, Executive Director of the Utah Heritage Foundation, about the significance of the site. Tue, 30 Dec 2008 01:00:40 -0700 In this excerpt of Friday's Politics Up Close, Governor Jon Huntsman lays out the difference between his approach to the state budget and that of some in the Utah legislature. Mon, 22 Dec 2008 01:01:08 -0700 President Bush just announced this morning that he will go through with bailing out the auto industry to the tune of $17 billion, just like he and Congress bailed out the banks. All of Utah's Congressmen voted against the bailout when it came to the House. And Utah's new freshman Congressman Jason Chaffetz, is calling for fiscal restraint in government. He joins us to talk about it. Fri, 19 Dec 2008 12:35:43 -0700 The Salt Lake County Council recently approved a budget cut of about $12 million. But one outgoing councilman tried to push the cuts much further than that, concerned that this will still leave the county with too large a shortfall to deal with next year. Meanwhile, the county approved an agreement with Kennecott to allow the company for search for ore beneath county owned open space in the Rose Canyon Ranch area of the Oquirrh Mountains. What will this mean for that open space, and does the agreement still leave legal questions hanging in the air? Joining us to answer these questions is Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon. Fri, 19 Dec 2008 12:32:45 -0700 Not satisfied with the governor's proposed 4 to 7 percent cuts for the 2010 budget, the Utah Legislature has gone ahead and approved a base budget cut of 15 percent. Meanwhile, Republicans appear to be not such big fans of dipping into the state's rainy day fund and bonding more for transportation projects in order to somewhat spare public and higher education. And they're calling for a second special session to take care of a larger deficit for this fiscal year than they initially thought there would be during the first session. What does the governor think of all this? Well, who better to ask than Governor Jon Huntsman himself? Fri, 19 Dec 2008 12:30:20 -0700 In her new book, "Finding Beauty in a Broken World," environmentalist Terry Tempest Williams describes three journeys she embarked on: One to Italy to study the art of mosaic, one to Bryce Canyon National Park to study a threatened prairie dog population, and one to Rwanda to build a memorial to the victims of the 1994 genocide. She's been an advocate for putting the Utah Prairie Dog back on the Endangered Species List. KCPW's Jeff Robinson spoke with Williams about her trip to Bryce Canyon, how it fits into the theme of her book, and what concerns her about the future of wilderness in Utah. Wed, 17 Dec 2008 01:00:39 -0700 Last week, National Public Radio disclosed that it was laying off seven percent of its workforce. The organization faced a potential $23 million deficit after corporate sponsorship started dwindling heavily. NPR is canceling Day to Day, a program KCPW airs weekdays at noon, as well as News and Notes. It's also eliminating staff members in several different departments. Beyond the cancellations, how will the cuts affect NPR member stations like KCPW? KCPW's Jeff Robinson posed that question to Dana Davis Rehm, Senior Vice President for Strategy and Partnerships at NPR. Tue, 16 Dec 2008 01:01:25 -0700 In this short excerpt from Friday's Politics Up Close, KCPW's Jeff Robinson talks with Salt Lake Tribune editorial cartoonist Pat Bagley about his new book, "Fist Bump Heard Round the World: The 2008 Election in Cartoons." He'll be signing copies tonight at 7 at The King's English Bookshop in Salt Lake City. Mon, 15 Dec 2008 11:27:02 -0700 Award-winning Salt Lake Tribune editorial cartoonist Pat Bagley's work has appeared in numerous other publications, like the Wall Street Journal and Time Magazine. He’s just released “"Fist Bump Heard 'Round the World: The 2008 Election in Cartoons." Bagley scored a hit in 2005 with his Clueless George series, including "Clueless George goes to War." He’s also generously done artwork for KCPW and other Salt Lake City non-profits. Bagley will sign copies of his new book on Monday, December 15 at 7 p.m. at the King's English Book Shop in Salt Lake City. Fri, 12 Dec 2008 14:25:28 -0700 Since we last spoke with Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker, the city council went on to approve his five percent across the board budget cut. The city is also now hashing out its legislative priorities for the upcoming general session in January. It could prove to be another cumbersome winter when lawmakers convene on Capitol Hill if they decide to take on Salt Lake City's riparian overlay ordinance, which the city council has faced enough difficulty with already. And the controversial immigration bill, SB81, may be frustrating for local police. Fri, 12 Dec 2008 14:18:14 -0700 Local news in the Salt Lake Valley for Wednesday, December 10. Wed, 10 Dec 2008 11:54:47 -0700 Last night, the Salt Lake City Council formally approved a five percent across-the-board budget cut, which Mayor Becker had proposed a month ago. It also discussed the upcoming light rail line that will connect downtown to the airport, and concerns the city will face when lawmakers meet in January for the legislative general session. KCPW's Jeff Robinson caught up with District 7 Councilman Soren Simonsen for a wrap-up of last night's meeting. Wed, 10 Dec 2008 11:38:17 -0700 Local news in northern Utah for Tuesday, December 9. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:11:34 -0700 Local news for Monday, December 8. Mon, 08 Dec 2008 13:15:11 -0700 Local writers from the Community Writing Center’s DiverseCity Writing Series read selections of writing composed over the past six months at the DiverseCity Writing Series Reading, Friday, December 5th, at 7 PM, in the Auditorium of the Salt Lake City Main Public Library. Fri, 05 Dec 2008 20:59:00 -0700 The 3rd district court is half-way through a two-year pilot program that offers divorce classes for children. 3rd District Court Commissioner Michael Evans started the class and spoke with KCPW's Faroe Robinson about the program and its success. Wed, 03 Dec 2008 10:53:22 -0700 Utah exports have seen a three billion dollar jump since 2003. World Trade Center Utah President and CEO Lew Cramer spoke with KCPW's Faroe Robinson about the trends in Utah exporting. Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:53:56 -0700 Storycorps, the public radio project that brings you the personal stories of everyday Americans, is encouraging listeners to take part in a new holiday tradition this year. It's called the National Day of Listening and it's the day after Thanksgiving. KCPW's Outreach Coordinator, Andrea Ashbridge, took part in the process as an example for our listeners: Tue, 25 Nov 2008 01:01:47 -0700 In this excerpt from last Friday's Politics Up Close, local attorneys Bob Sykes and Randall Edwards, along with Utah Senator Greg Bell, himself an attorney, discuss last week's controversial decision by the senate not to confirm Judge Robert Hilder to the Utah Court of Appeals. Mon, 24 Nov 2008 01:00:22 -0700 It's been an interesting week for the Utah judiciary. For the first time in recent years. By a 16-to-12 vote, the senate said no to the confirmation of Judge Robert Hilder to the Utah Court of Appeals. Hilder is currently a 3rd District Judge. His defeat is credited largely to a massive e-mail writing campaign from gun rights advocates, who felt that Hilder had little respect for the 2nd Amendment after he ruled that the University of Utah did have the authority to bar concealed weapons on campus. But at the same time, he had a tremendously high judicial approval rating and the support of just many attorneys in the state of Utah. Joining Politics Up Close to talk about this is Senator Greg Bell from Davis County, Salt Lake City personal injury attorney Bob Sykes, and local attorney Randall Edwards. Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:19:54 -0700 The economic crisis has hit every local government hard, and Salt Lake City is no exception. With sales tax and property tax revenues coming in about $4 million short, the city has to cut 5 percent from this year's budget to make it through, and no department was spared the red pen, from planning to police. But will the city have to cut the budget even further come March or April? And how will next year's budget picture look? Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker talks to KCPW's Jeff Robinson. Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:17:41 -0700 Tomorrow marks the 45th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963. Several months before that day, Kennedy delivered one of the most influential speeches of his political career in Berlin, Germany. It was a speech that inspired residents of a city besieged by the pressures of Cold War Politics. Dan Tritle reports: Fri, 21 Nov 2008 01:00:19 -0700 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Thursday, November 20. Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:12:13 -0700 The first of many gay rights bills was tested and passed today by the state legislature's Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill. The bill amends the current wrongful death statute to define an heir as a person who had a mutual supportive and dependent relationship with the deceased. KCPW's Faroe Robinson reports. The bill passed despite garnering four "no" votes. It will now be considered in the general legislative session. Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:54:53 -0700 Last night, the Salt Lake City Council went through Mayor Ralph Becker's proposed five percent budget cut, which affects all city departments across the board. Although Becker's cuts make up for the $4 million shortfall expected in sales and property tax revenues, council members were concerned the city will have to make more cuts come spring. The council also discussed the proposed renovation of the Gallivan Center, which raised concerns of its own. This morning, KCPW's Jeff Robinson caught up with Councilman J.T. Martin to get his thoughts on the situation. Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:14:07 -0700 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Wednesday, November 19. Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:10:43 -0700 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Tuesday, November 18. Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:21:05 -0700 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Monday, November 17. Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:42:12 -0700 Aric Mutchnick is an international security expert who has served in the Israeli Defense Forces. He was in town last week to speak to the Salt Lake Committee on Foreign Relations. Mutchnick joined KCPW's Jeff Robinson for Politics Up Close on Friday. In this seven-minute excerpt, he tells Jeff about an interesting encounter he had with another American when he served in the IDF. Mon, 17 Nov 2008 01:01:26 -0700 Aric Mutchnick is an international security expert who served in the Israeli Defense Forces. He came to Salt Lake City to speak to the Salt Lake Committee on Foreign Relations last night. He joined KCPW's Jeff Robinson to talk about his time in the Israeli military and Israeli-Palestinian relations. Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:15:05 -0700 Democratic State Senator Scott McCoy represents Salt Lake City in the Utah Legislature, and Will Carlson is the Manager of Public Policy at Equality Utah, an LGBT advocacy group based in Salt Lake. Earlier this week, Senator McCoy and other state legislators joined Equality Utah in opening up a conversation with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints about expanding rights for gay couples and employees, after the Church supported Proposition 8 banning gay marriage in California. KCPW's Jeff Robinson speaks with them. Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:11:06 -0700 Democratic state senator-elect Karen Morgan captured 52 percent of the vote last Tuesday in District 8 representing Cottonwood Heights. She previously served in the House of Representatives for eight years. KCPW's Jeff Robinson talked with her about ethics reform and her legislative priorities. Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:07:44 -0700 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Thursday, November 13. Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:11:28 -0700 Democratic Congressman Jim Matheson earned his highest margin of victory ever on Election Day, trouncing his opponent by nearly 30 points as his constituents decided to send him back to Washington for a fifth term. He'll return to Congress facing an ever-increasing national debt, an economic downturn, and a broken health care system. But Matheson will also have the opportunity to work with a new presidential administration, one that has promised to reach across party lines and make significant accomplishments. KCPW's Jeff Robinson caught up with Congressman Matheson after he spoke at the Hinckley Institute of Politics. Thu, 13 Nov 2008 12:04:27 -0700 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Wednesday, November 12. Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:46:34 -0700 Earlier this week, the American Gathering of Jewish Holocaust Survivors and Their Descendants broke negotiations with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints over the issue of the church's baptism of deceased Holocaust victims, which the group opposes. But one local Rabbi is not bothered by the practice. Tracee Rosen of Congregation Kol Ami spoke with KCPW's Faroe Robinson. Wed, 12 Nov 2008 09:22:03 -0700 Immediately after being appointed the new Speaker of the Utah House of Representatives by his Republican colleagues last night, Representative David Clark unveiled several ethics proposals he wants to enact this upcoming legislative session. KCPW's Jeff Robinson sat down with him as he described his plan. Wed, 12 Nov 2008 01:01:51 -0700 On Friday evening, Utah residents will get the chance to meet and listen to NPR's Tom Ashbrook as KCPW brings him to Salt Lake City to celebrate our new beginning as an independent, locally-owned radio station. Ashbrook has been the host of the national call-in show, On Point, since its beginning in late 2001. He'll be holding a question-and-answer session at the Salt Lake City Main Library for those who purchase tickets to the event. KCPW's Jeff Robinson caught up with Ashbrook to gain more insight into his life as a journalist and the program he hosts. Ashbrook will be in town Friday night at 7 for KCPW's inaugural event in the Urban Room of the Salt Lake City Main Library. Tickets cost $50. You can purchase them by calling 359-5279, extension 211, or online right here. Tue, 11 Nov 2008 01:00:18 -0700 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Monday, November 10. Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:13:19 -0700 Miss Friday's Politics Up Close? Listen to this brief excerpt analyzing Utah's Congressional races with Kirk Jowers, Director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics, and Dr. Tim Chambless, political scientist at the University of Utah. Mon, 10 Nov 2008 01:00:17 -0700 On Friday, Senate Republicans voted for change in their top leadership positions, saying goodbye to Senate President John Valentine and Senate Majority Leader Curt Bramble. KCPW's Jeff Robinson spoke with the new leadership team after the Republicans' closed caucus meeting. Mon, 10 Nov 2008 01:00:17 -0700 Kirk Jowers is the director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah. He joins Dr. Tim Chambless at the U. to provide some perspective and analysis on all the local election results from top to bottom in Utah politics. Fri, 07 Nov 2008 13:18:32 -0700 Democrats on the Salt Lake County Council just gained a 5 to 4 majority on Tuesday, when Jani Iwamoto ousted incumbent Republican Mark Crockett in District 4 representing Holladay and the surrounding eastern cities. Jim Bradley and Joe Hatch join Politics Up Close. Fri, 07 Nov 2008 13:16:19 -0700 With Democrat Jani Iwamoto defeating Republican Mark Crockett in his re-election bid for the Salt Lake County Council, the Democrats now move from the minority party to the majority party, holding a slim 5-to-4 lead over the Republicans come January. A new party in control will likely bring with it new priorities, along with the selection of a Democratic chair to run council meetings. But the council will still have to contend with an overwhelmingly Republican state legislature, and given Speaker Greg Curtis's defeat, a new Speaker of the House who is not from Salt Lake County. KCPW's Jeff Robinson caught up with Democratic county councilman Joe Hatch to get his thoughts on the direction his party will take the council. Fri, 07 Nov 2008 01:01:03 -0700 A round-up of local news in the Salt Lake City area for Thursday, November 6. Thu, 06 Nov 2008 14:50:09 -0700 California's Proposition eight, which eliminates the right of same-sex couples to marry, passed by a narrow five percent margin on Tuesday. KCPW's Faroe Robinson got reaction from local groups. Wed, 05 Nov 2008 19:12:59 -0700 After eight years with a republican majority, the Salt Lake County Council will now have more Democrats than Republicans come January. KCPW's Faroe Robinson reports. Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:28:08 -0700 A round-up of local election results and other Salt Lake Valley news for Wednesday, November 5. Wed, 05 Nov 2008 11:29:39 -0700 Salt Lake County voters agreed last night to provide Hogle Zoo with a $33 million bond, which the zoo will use to build several new exhibits. KCPW's Eric Ray spoke with zoo director Craig Dinsmore to get his reaction to the vote. Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:22:16 -0700 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Election Day 2008. Tue, 04 Nov 2008 13:19:06 -0700 Today, Utah voters will decide a number of close races across Salt Lake County, from the south end of the valley right up to Salt Lake City. Some are open seats with no incumbents; others have energetic challengers trying to oust long-time incumbents. And if the races get tight enough, we might not know the results until very late this evening or even beyond that. KCPW's Jeff Robinson sat down with Dr. Tim Chambless, a political science lecturer at the University of Utah, to get his thoughts on what will likely be the closest races in Salt Lake County. Tue, 04 Nov 2008 01:00:20 -0700 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Monday, November 3. Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:53:27 -0700 Didn't catch our Friday interview with Democratic Salt Lake County Council candidate Paul Pugmire? Listen to this Politics Up Close excerpt.Download the full podcast on the Politics Up Close page. Mon, 03 Nov 2008 01:08:46 -0700 No time to listen to KCPW's eight Election 2008 Debates? In this half hour special, get the highlights of some of the closest races, like House District 49 between Greg Curtis and Jay Seegmiller, Senate District One between Carlton Christensen and Luz Robles, and Salt Lake County Council Seat A between Randy Horiuchi and Steve DeBry. At the end, the special wraps up with a look at the governor's debate. Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:32:57 -0600 Democrat Paul Pugmire is running for Salt Lake County Council District 2 representing the West Side. He lives in South Jordan, where he runs a public relations consulting firm. He's previously worked as a staff member in the U.S. House of Representatives, the Arizona Legislature and the Arizona Governor's office, and was also on the Rexburg, Idaho city council for eight years. He served two years as president of that council. Currently, he's a member of the South Jordan Planning Commission, South Jordan Chamber of Commerce, South Jordan Community Theater and Rotary International. His opponent is incumbent Michael Jensen. Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:29:05 -0600 Salt Lake County Councilman Randy Horiuchi and Republican challenger Steve DeBry fiercely debated issues like growth, funding for the RSL soccer stadium, and even which of them has the endorsement of the Fraternal Order of Police in a contentious debate at the Salt Lake City Main Library Thursday morning. Listen to the full debate. Thu, 30 Oct 2008 12:54:07 -0600 Former Republican U.S. Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich spoke at the Intermountain Health Care Healthy Dialogues Series in Salt Lake City yesterday. Gingrich is the founder of The Center for Health Transformation, which is looking at new health reform models. He says the country needs to become healthier as a nation, not implement drastic health care reform it can't afford. Thu, 30 Oct 2008 10:45:45 -0600 Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon and his Republican challenger Michael Renckert debated the county budget, growth management, criminal justice and other important county issues in a KCPW Election 2008 Debate last night at the Salt Lake City Main Library. Listen to the event, moderated by KCPW's Jeff Robinson. Wed, 29 Oct 2008 21:21:28 -0600 Salt Lake County Council District 2 Candidates Michael Jensen and Paul Pugmire squared off this morning at the Salt Lake City Main Library in a KCPW Election 2008 Debate. Jensen is the Republican incumbent; Pugmire is his Democratic challenger. The two discussed protecting the west side, the Jordan School District Split, funding Mountain View Corridor and much more. Listen to the full debate. Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:36:59 -0600 A senior Israeli diplomat will be in Salt Lake City tonight to give a lecture on the longstanding relationship between Israel and the United States. Jacob Dayan is the Consul General of Israel for the southwestern U.S., a position he took on one year ago. He'll speak tonight at the Salt Lake City-County building as part of the exhibit, Israel: 60 Years. KCPW's Jeff Robinson caught up with him to get his thoughts on the challenges facing the nation and the future of its relationship with the United States. Dayan will speak at the Salt Lake City-County building tonight at 7:30 as part of the Israel: 60 Years exhibit, sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Utah. Wed, 29 Oct 2008 01:00:28 -0600 The Utah Democratic Party has unveiled a new campaign targeted at members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The "Utah Common Values" campaign intends to show that the Democratic Party and its candidates have more in common with LDS voters than the Republican Party. Vice-Chairman Rob Miller spoke with KCPW's Faroe Robinson about the campaign. Tue, 28 Oct 2008 14:55:27 -0600 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Tuesday, October 28. Tue, 28 Oct 2008 14:01:02 -0600 Ten days after Draper Republican Representative Greg Hughes was cleared of an ethical complaint brought against him, the Salt Lake County GOP is striking out against his Democratic opponent. KCPW's Jeff Robinson reports.Today, Democratic legislators unveiled several proposed ethics reforms on Capitol Hill, which they called the Democracy Renewal Initiative for Open and Honest Government. A Democratic proposal for an independent ethics commission was never sent to committee during this year's session. Tue, 28 Oct 2008 13:25:50 -0600 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Monday, October 27. Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:19:41 -0600 Senator Hillary Clinton spoke at a Utah Democratic Party pre-election rally at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center on Saturday. She commended Democrats for their work campaigning in local races and said the party is gaining ground in Utah, but acknowledged how Utah will likely vote in the presidential race. Click on the audio player below to hear her entire speech. Mon, 27 Oct 2008 05:51:57 -0600 Didn't catch our interviews last Friday with Democratic Congressman Jim Matheson and Republican Michael Renckert, candidate for Salt Lake County Mayor? Listen to this wrap-up of Friday's Politics Up Close. Listen to the full interviews on the Politics Up Close page. Mon, 27 Oct 2008 01:00:31 -0600 Michael Renckert is the Republican candidate for Salt Lake County mayor. He works as a supervisor for Utah Adult Probation and Parole. He's also an adjunct professor at Salt Lake Community College. In this edition of Politics Up Close, he discusses law enforcement and criminal justice issues, the handling of the Real Salt Lake soccer stadium, growth and development, and more. Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:02:01 -0600 Congressman Jim Matheson currently represents Utah's 2nd Congressional District. He was first elected in 2000, and has since survived three Republican challenges even after his district was re-drawn to include more traditional Republican strongholds. Before joining Congress, Matheson was an energy consultant. Now, he sits on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, as well as the House Science and Technology committee. Matheson's a member of a moderate group of fiscally conservative Democrats called the Blue Dogs. One of his recent accomplishments is adding a provision to a recent spending bill lifting the moratorium on leasing federal lands for oil shale development. His opponent is Republican Bill Dew. Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:58:22 -0600 Democratic State Representative Rebecca Chavez-Houck and Republican opponent Dr. Joe Jarvis squared off on health care, public education, politics, and much more in a one-hour debate hosted by KCPW at the Salt Lake City Main Library Wednesday morning. Listen to the full podcast. Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:42:24 -0600 Tomorrow night in Salt Lake City, the president of Southern Utah University will share his expertise on the founding of the State of Israel 60 years ago. Michael Benson, who is the youngest president of any higher education institute in Utah history, wrote his dissertation at Oxford University on the role of President Harry S. Truman in the creation of a Jewish state. He'll deliver a lecture on the subject Wednesday night at the City-County building as part of a new, photographic exhibit, Israel: 60 Years, hosted by the Utah Jewish Federation. KCPW's Jeff Robinson caught up with Benson to find out more about his expertise on the subject. Tue, 21 Oct 2008 01:00:26 -0600 Did you miss our Friday interviews with Republican Salt Lake County Councilman Michael Jensen and Republican House District 28 candidate Jeff Morrow? Listen to an excerpt here. You can also listen both full interviews on the Politics Up Close page. Mon, 20 Oct 2008 01:04:08 -0600 Jeff Morrow is the Republican candidate for Utah's House District 28 in the state legislature, representing the Foothills in eastern Salt Lake City, where he grew up. His background is in real estate. Currently, he's the principal broker for Wasatch Front Real Estate Brokerage and Wasatch Front Property Management. Morrow is also on the steering committee for Envision Utah, a member of the Downtown Rotary Club, an adjunct business instructor at Salt Lake Community College, and a former member of the Mayor's Recreational Advisory board. His major campaign platform is Reclaiming the Foothills influence. Fri, 17 Oct 2008 13:16:45 -0600 Republican Salt Lake County Councilman Michael Jensen represents District 2, which is nearly the entire west side. He was first elected in 2000 when the council was formed, then re-elected in 2004. He's currently chairman of the council, serving three years in that position so far. Outside of county government, he's deputy chief of the Salt Lake County Unified Fire Authority and a certified paramedic. Jensen serves on the boards of the county Redevelopment Agency, the Central Water Conservancy District, the Council of Governments and the Wasatch Front Regional Council. A Magna resident, he is the only member of the county council who lives in unincorporated Salt Lake County. Jensen's Democratic opponent this election is Paul Pugmire. Fri, 17 Oct 2008 13:10:59 -0600 Members and former members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have created a web site called Signing for Something, where they can post letters and sign a petition to oppose the Church's support of California's Proposition 8, a voter initiative that would ban gay marriage in the state. Creators of the web site are delivering the letters and the petition to church leaders today. Peter Danzig helped create the web site after resigning from the church over the issue. He spoke with KCPW's Faroe Robinson. Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:47:52 -0600 (KCPW News) Governor Jon Huntsman and his Democratic challenger Bob Springmeyer took on energy, education, budget cuts, economic development and much more in a one-hour debate hosted by KCPW Thursday night in the Tessman Auditorium at the Salt Lake City Main Library. Listen to the full debate. Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:41:16 -0600 Earlier today, KCPW's Election 2008 Debate series featured a discussion between the candidates for Utah's open seat in Senate District One, Republican Salt Lake City Councilman Carlton Christensen and his Democratic challenger Luz Robles. The candidates discussed issues like healthcare reform, legislative ethics, and immigration.The full debate is available here: Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:15:49 -0600 On Capitol Hill yesterday members of the legislature's Education Interim Committee discussed a bill that would offer grants to schools that implement the Singapore Math program. KCPW's Faroe Robinson reports. The committee decided to gather more input on the issue and consider it again in another meeting. Thu, 16 Oct 2008 09:54:56 -0600 With a new economic proposal coming from Congress or the campaign trail just about every day, it's not an easy task to figure out what got the nation into the current financial crisis, or who has the best strategy to get us out of it. So, KCPW turned to a familiar voice to help us understand it all.Kai Ryssdal is the host of Marketplace, public radio's premier business program covering business news from all over the world on a daily basis. He gave KCPW's Jeff Robinson his take on the roots of this crisis and where we go from here. Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:35:49 -0600 Last night, Utah voters came out to the Sandy Public Library as Republican Speaker of the Utah House of Representatives Greg Curtis took on his District 49 challenger, Democrat Jay Seegmiller, in a one-hour debate. They tackled issues like the Jordan School District split, immigration, health care reform, and ethics reform. The race may be quite a close one: Seegmiller is challenging Curtis for the third time after losing the race by only 20 votes in 2006. Now, listen in on our entire one-hour debate from last night. Wed, 15 Oct 2008 01:00:16 -0600 Conservative think-tank The Sutherland Institute is holding a marriage law forum tonight to discuss the effects of California's Proposition 8 on Utahns. The initiative would ban gay marriage in the state. Bill Duncan, Director of the institute's Center for Family and Society, spoke with KCPW's Faroe Robinson about why the institute is against legalizing gay marriage and the consequences if Proposition 8 doesn't pass. Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:59:41 -0600 Didn't catch our Friday interviews with state Representative Rebecca Chavez-Houck and Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon? Listen to this Politics Up Close wrap-up. Listen to full podcasts of both interviews on the Politics Up Close page. Mon, 13 Oct 2008 01:00:36 -0600 Democratic Representative Rebecca Chavez-Houck is a Utah native. She was appointed late last year to fill the vacant seat in House District 24 when Ralph Becker was elected Salt Lake City mayor. She began her career as a reporter. She's also worked as an activist for non-profits like Planned Parenthood, United Way, the YWCA and Centro de la Familia de Utah. Currently, she's co-owner of Lone Peak Realty and Management. This past legislative session in January, Chavez-Houck sponsored a bill to allow domestic partners to adopt children. It was not assigned to a committee. She also sponsored a bill to create a bipartisan legislative redistricting committee. A third bill would have required poll workers to be politically neutral. Her opponent in the upcoming election is Joe Jarvis. Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:33:38 -0600 Democratic Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon was first elected in 2004. Before coming mayor, he was worked in development. Since taking office, he's created the Council on Diversity Affairs, expanded the Salt Palace, overseen the planning of five new TRAX lines throughout Salt Lake County, and expanded the county's purchasing of open space. He also famously torpedoed Real Salt Lake's attempt to use money from the county's hotel tax to build a new stadium, but was then circumvented by the governor and state legislature. Corroon also wants to plant one million trees in the county in the next ten years. His opponent is Republican Michael Renckert. Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:30:40 -0600 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Thursday, October 9. Thu, 09 Oct 2008 10:47:10 -0600 Before Tuesday's presidential town hall meeting, analysts had been expecting that Senator John McCain would perform well at the event because of his fondness of town halls. The senator took shots at his opponent during the exchange, starting with the very first words out of his mouth. But did those shots serve him well, or just make him look unnecessarily rude? Thu, 09 Oct 2008 01:03:16 -0600 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Wednesday, October 8. Wed, 08 Oct 2008 11:16:36 -0600 After a tumultuous journey with the Salt Lake County Government, the governor and the state legislature, Rio Tinto Stadium will open tomorrow night in Sandy as Real Salt Lake hits the field to take on the New York Red Bulls. It's likely to be a packed crowd for the first game, but will the team be successful in the long run and be able to fill the seats? KCPW's Jeff Robinson sat down with RSL President Bill Manning to get his thoughts. Wed, 08 Oct 2008 01:00:03 -0600 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Tuesday, October 7. Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:00:06 -0600 A new play premiering tomorrow night at Westminster College tells the story of a Mormon lesbian named Jane who comes out as a high school senior. It's a personal show for the Westminster graduate who wrote it. KCPW's Jeff Robinson sat down with her for this preview of the show. Tue, 07 Oct 2008 01:00:57 -0600 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Monday, October 6. Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:44:23 -0600 KCPW is proud to once again partner with the Salt Lake City Library on its Dewey Lecture Series. Author Ann Patchett spoke at the library on Saturday, October 4, 2008. Mon, 06 Oct 2008 10:42:15 -0600 Didn't catch Politics Up Close last Friday? Listen in on this excerpt with Democratic Salt Lake County Councilman Randy Horiuchi and Republican Greg Curtis, Speaker of the Utah House of Representatives. Horiuchi talks about the Hogle Zoo bond, while Curtis talks about ethics reform. Download full podcasts on the Politics Up Close page. Mon, 06 Oct 2008 01:00:16 -0600 Greg Curtis is the Republican Speaker of the Utah House of Representatives and Representative for House District 49 in Sandy. Curtis has served in the legislature since 1995, and has been speaker for the past four years. Outside the legislature, he's an attorney. This past session, he sponsored a bill to removed the enrollment cap on the Children's Health Insurance Program, which passed by a wide margin. During his time as speaker, education funding in the state has increased by more than a billion dollars. Over the next two years, if re-elected, he wants to continue to increase funding for education, reduce taxes, expand access to health care, and eliminate the sales tax on food. His opponent is Jay Seegmiller, who's challenging him for the third time after losing by 20 votes in 2006. Fri, 03 Oct 2008 12:53:29 -0600 Democratic Salt Lake County Councilman Randy Horiuchi has been a longtime figure in the Salt Lake County Government, having served as a commissioner from 1991 through 1998. Before that, he founded Focus Government Services, a consulting and lobbying firm. When the county switched from having commissioners to a county council, he won election in 2000 and again in 2002, and is now just finishing up his first full six-year term. Horiuchi has served on the boards of many civic groups like the Utah Association of Counties and the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and lives in Salt Lake City. He was also president of the Salt Lake Chapter of the Japanese American Citizen's League. He's running against Republican Steve DeBry, a captain with the sheriff's office. Fri, 03 Oct 2008 12:50:02 -0600 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Thursday, October 2. Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:16:14 -0600 Tonight, vice presidential candidates Senator Joe Biden and Governor Sarah Palin take center stage in St. Louis, Missouri for their first and only debate. A few high-profile stumbles have dogged both candidates. What strategy can we expect to see from them this evening?Every week, we talk with Congressional Quarterly about the 2008 election. This week, writer Jonathan Allen tells KCPW's Jeff Robinson that both candidates better know when to shut up. Thu, 02 Oct 2008 01:00:02 -0600 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Wednesday, October 1. Wed, 01 Oct 2008 09:18:49 -0600 Polygamy, civil liberties, vouchers, immigration, and abortion were among the topics discussed Tuesday morning at the Hinckley Institute's Attorney General debate, moderated and broadcast by KCPW. Incumbent Republican Mark Shurtleff and Democratic challenger Jean Welch Hill made their case to a packed crowd about what makes them right for the job. Let's listen in on part of that debate. In this segment, moderator Jeff Robinson asks the candidates about how they would deal with abortion-related laws coming out of the state legislature. Wed, 01 Oct 2008 01:00:53 -0600 Incumbent Attorney General Mark Shurtleff and Democratic challenger Jean Welch Hill took on polygamy, education, civil liberties, immigration, and abortion issues in a packed, hour-long debate at the Hinckley Institute Tuesday morning, moderated by KCPW's Jeff Robinson. Tue, 30 Sep 2008 13:42:34 -0600 Democratic Salt Lake County Council Candidate Paul Pugmire came out swinging against Republican incumbent Michael Jensen in a debate held this afternoon. After citing a Tribune article that revealed Jensen misses about 30 percent of council meetings, Pugmire asserted that his opponent didn't do enough to stop the Jordan School District split. Mon, 29 Sep 2008 14:27:46 -0600 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Monday, September 29. Mon, 29 Sep 2008 09:25:33 -0600 Didn't catch our Friday interviews with Republican county council candidate Steve DeBry or Democratic legislative candidate Jay Seegmiller? Listen to our Politics Up Close wrap-up. You can also listen to the full interviews on the Politics Up Close page. Mon, 29 Sep 2008 01:03:26 -0600 Democrat Jay Seegmiller is now running for the third time for Utah House District 49 in Sandy after losing to Greg Curtis in 2006 by 20 votes. Seegmiller is a 20-year resident of the Sandy district, and has also worked for Amtrak for the past two decades. Before that, he worked for Union Pacific Railroad. He's currently active in Amtrak's employee union and serves as the state legislative director for the United Transportation Union. Seegmiller serves on the Sandy City Transportation Committee. He's running on a platform of improving public education, increasing economic development, reforming health care, and reforming the tax code. Fri, 26 Sep 2008 12:53:33 -0600 Republican Steve DeBry is a candidate for County Council At-Large Seat A. Captain Debry has been a police officer for nearly three decades. He's currently the precinct commander of the Millcreek station for the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office and a long-time resident of South Jordan. DeBry was born and raised in the state, and has a degree in Political Science from the University of Utah. He's also a graduate of the FBI National Academy. His goals as a county councilman would be to increase the quality of life as the county continues to grow, decrease crime, and ensure fiscal responsibility. Fri, 26 Sep 2008 12:50:54 -0600 At the Republican National Convention earlier this month, a picture of one particular poster held up by an attendee made its way around the Internet, thanks to a case of bad spelling. The poster said "Mavrick." The word has been an essential part of candidate John McCain's campaign, which often emphasizes the times that he's gone against his own party, and now applies that same word to his running mate, Governor Sarah Palin. But is "maverick" the right word for McCain to build his campaign on? Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:04:10 -0600 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Thursday, September 25. Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:24:54 -0600 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Wednesday, September 24. Wed, 24 Sep 2008 10:12:43 -0600 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Tuesday, September 23. Tue, 23 Sep 2008 09:41:17 -0600 The war that broke out early last month between the former Soviet nation of Georgia and Russia was widely viewed in the West as an act of aggression by Russia. But is that viewpoint entirely true, or did Georgia start the whole thing by moving troops in to the breakaway region of South Ossetia?Dr. Asbed Kotchikian is an expert on Eurasian foreign policy and a lecturer at Bentley College. He's spent time in Georgia, teaching and collecting research, and last week, he spoke about the Georgian-Russian conflict to the Salt Lake Committee on Foreign Relations. KCPW's Jeff Robinson spoke with him during his visit to get his thoughts on the source of this conflict, and how far the United States will go in responding to it. Tue, 23 Sep 2008 01:00:44 -0600 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Monday, September 22. Mon, 22 Sep 2008 09:44:12 -0600 Didn't catch Politics Up Close last Friday? Here's a wrap up of our interviews with Jason Chaffetz and Brian King. Mon, 22 Sep 2008 01:01:29 -0600 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Friday, September 19. Fri, 19 Sep 2008 14:08:28 -0600 Democrat Brian King is running for House District 28, which encompasses eastern Salt Lake City. The seat is open after Representative Roz McGee announced she would be retiring. King is a Salt Lake City attorney who has practiced law for more than 20 years, performing litigation against health, life and disability insurance companies. Much of his work involves the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. King has been the lead attorney on more than a dozen class action lawsuits. He is currently president of the Utah Association for Justice. King is running on a platform of improving education, bolstering the economy, increasing access to health care and housing, and increasing ethical standards. Fri, 19 Sep 2008 12:45:56 -0600 Republican Jason Chaffetz defeated incumbent Congressman Chris Cannon by a 20-point margin in the June primary, which gained national attention. He was Governor Jon Huntsman's campaign manager in 2004 and then served as his chief of staff for two years. He's the owner of Maxtera Utah, a corporate communications and marketing firm. Chaffetz also serves as a trustee for Utah Valley University. During the primary, he spent about half a million dollars less than the incumbent. He hopes to bring that same fiscal discipline to Washington, along with his seven-point plan to reduce illegal immigration. With a smile on his face, he jokes that he used to be a Democrat until he learned to read and write. Fri, 19 Sep 2008 12:40:40 -0600 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Thursday, September 18. Thu, 18 Sep 2008 09:51:12 -0600 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Wednesday, September 17. Wed, 17 Sep 2008 09:36:31 -0600 A recent ad from John McCain's presidential campaign claims that Barack Obama's greatest accomplishment for education in the Illinois state legislature was to create a bill that would teach comprehensive sex education to kindergartners. The ad was quickly revealed to be an outright whopper by independent fact checkers, who discovered that Obama didn't sponsor that bill and it was never even passed into law. But will voters respond well to the ad anyway? Wed, 17 Sep 2008 01:04:30 -0600 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Tuesday, September 16. Tue, 16 Sep 2008 09:32:32 -0600 Oxbow Jail was a hot topic at a local political forum Monday afternoon featuring two candidates for the Salt Lake County Council. Democrat Roger Harding, who's running for the open seat in District Six, criticized the council's five Republicans for voting against a roughly $600,000 appropriation to prepare the jail to re-open late last year. Tue, 16 Sep 2008 01:00:26 -0600 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Monday, September 15. Mon, 15 Sep 2008 08:34:28 -0600 Don't have time to listen to our full conversations with candidates Bill Dew and Jean Welch Hill? Listen to our brief wrap-up of last week's Politics Up Close with Jeff Robinson. Mon, 15 Sep 2008 01:01:55 -0600 Frustrated that Congress has yet to pass a bill to expand energy development in the United States, Congressman Chris Cannon filed a discharge petition this week for the Oil Shale Opportunity Act, a bill he introduced in June. If he can get more than half of Congress to sign the petition, it would force the House to vote on his bill, which would give the president the authority to bypass regulations so that oil shale leasing could begin on federal lands. Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:05:17 -0600 Jean Welch Hill is an attorney for the State Board of Education. She's running for Attorney General against incumbent Mark Shurtleff. Last year, she argued against Shurtleff that school vouchers should not have been implemented before the voter referendum on the issue. Her position was affirmed by the Utah Supreme Court. Before joining the board, she was a teacher at Judge Memorial High School and a columnist for the Salt Lake Tribune. Hill believes that Utah's government lacks balance. She's running on a platform of campaign finance reform, ethics reform, education reform, and clamping down on predatory lenders. Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:08:40 -0600 Bill Dew hopes to replace incumbent Democratic Congressman Jim Matheson in the 2nd District of the Utah House of Representatives. Dew is the founder of Dewbury Homes. He was born and raised in Utah. He graduated from the University of Utah and served in the Army Reserves for almost a decade. He's also done humanitarian work with his wife in Jordan. Dew is running on a platform of energy independence and securing America's borders to reduce the effects of illegal immigration. He won the Republican nomination at the state convention back in May, beating former Congressman Merrill Cook. Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:06:11 -0600 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Friday, September 12. Fri, 12 Sep 2008 08:46:13 -0600 Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens brought his plan for energy independence to Salt Lake City last night. He told a packed crowd at the Salt Palace that simply drilling for more oil in the United States won't reduce the $700 billion he says we send overseas for the resource right now. Fri, 12 Sep 2008 01:00:53 -0600 A newly formed independent board tasked with evaluating Utah's 219 judges and justices met for the first time this week. The Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission is a 13-member panel created by Senate Bill 105, which was sponsored by Senator Chris Buttars this past legislative session. Buttars himself was removed as chairman of the Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee after writing a letter scolding a judge. However, his bill passed almost unanimously in both the House and Senate. Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:08:41 -0600 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Thursday, September 11. Thu, 11 Sep 2008 10:54:39 -0600 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Wednesday, September 10. Wed, 10 Sep 2008 10:31:50 -0600 Alaska Governor Sarah Palin earned rave reviews from conservatives at the Republican National Convention last week. But after the excitement came several questions from the media about her record, and with that, conservatives attacked the press for what they viewed as a strong bias against her. Now that the convention is over, how will she do on the campaign trail and in the upcoming vice presidential debate? Wed, 10 Sep 2008 01:01:00 -0600 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Tuesday, September 9. Tue, 09 Sep 2008 12:01:48 -0600 Three of America's leading historians led a panel discussion about the new book titled "Massacre at Mountain Meadows" at the Salt Lake City Main Library on Friday, September 5. The book's co-author, Richard Turley, was also on hand for the discussion, which took place in front of a packed house in the library's Tessman Auditorium. Listen to the podcast here. Tue, 09 Sep 2008 11:59:42 -0600 The Utah Legislature's Health System Reform Task Force meets next Thursday for the fifth time. So far, legislators have discussed topics like the transparency of health plans and the personal responsibility of patients. We set out to find more issues that need to be discussed. Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:00:05 -0600 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Monday, September 8. Mon, 08 Sep 2008 08:54:44 -0600 Don't have time to listen to our full conversations with political candidates Dr. Joe Jarvis and Bennion Spencer? Listen to our brief wrap-up of last week's Politics Up Close with Jeff Robinson. Mon, 08 Sep 2008 01:00:32 -0600 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Friday, September 5. Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:34:11 -0600 Dr. Joe Jarvis hopes to represent downtown Salt Lake City and The Avenues in the Utah House of Representatives. He'll be challenging Democratic incumbent Rebecca Chavez-Houck, who was appointed after Ralph Becker left the position. Jarvis earned his bachelor's from BYU in 1978, then his medicine degree from the University of Utah in 1982. He's served as president and chair of the board of the Utah Health Policy Project, and also on the board of directors for the Utah Public Health Association. Jarvis ran for Senate District 2 in 2006. Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:38:32 -0600 Frustrated by a perceived liberal bias and what they view as frequent distortions made by the news media, a handful of conservative state legislators are getting behind the mic this weekend to kick off a new radio show -- "Inside Utah Politics: Setting the Record Straight". Host Senator Howard Stephenson will be joined by Senate President John Valentine, Rules Committee Chairman Steve Urquhart and others for the two-hour talk show. KCPW's Jeff Robinson spoke with Senator Stephenson to find out why it was created and what it's all about. Fri, 05 Sep 2008 01:01:13 -0600 Alaska Governor Sarah Palin introduced herself to the country last night at the Republican National Convention, and Utah's delegation was there to watch and listen to the party's first female nominee on a presidential ticket. Utah Republican Party Chairman Stan Lockhart is still in St. Paul, Minnesota for the final evening of the convention. He spoke with KCPW's Jeff Robinson about Palin's speech and other activities going on this week. Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:32:35 -0600 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Thursday, September 4. Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:30:29 -0600 It's the Republicans turn in the spotlight this week in St. Paul, Minnesota, as they take the stage to not only bolster the McCain-Palin campaign but also criticize the Obama-Biden ticket. Sorting fact from fiction can be a challenge when it comes to both campaigns, but one website aims to help on that front. Thu, 04 Sep 2008 01:01:11 -0600 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Wednesday, September 3. Wed, 03 Sep 2008 12:35:42 -0600 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Tuesday, September 2. Tue, 02 Sep 2008 07:16:21 -0600 Listeners who tuned in to this station on Friday heard what will be the final episode of KCPW's Public Square for now. Ed Sweeney, President and CEO of Wasatch Public Media, the non-profit purchasing KCPW, announced his decision to postpone the program last week in a letter to listeners and members posted on KCPW-dot-org. KCPW's Program Director and All Things Considered Host Eric Ray spoke with Sweeney about this decision and other issues regarding the future of this public radio station. Tue, 02 Sep 2008 01:00:28 -0600 This morning, John McCain surprised the nation by choosing Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate. Utah politicians had been expecting McCain to choose Mitt Romney. KCPW's Jeff Robinson spoke with Senator Orrin Hatch about McCain's choice. Fri, 29 Aug 2008 12:20:08 -0600 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Friday, August 29. Fri, 29 Aug 2008 09:59:39 -0600 Local business owners and care providers who are aggravated by the state of health insurance coverage shared their struggles with an industry executive this week. They gathered at the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday to speak and listen to Karen Ignagni, president and CEO of America's Health Insurance Plans, a trade association representing 1,300 insurance companies. Ignagni was in town as part of the organization's Campaign for an American Solution, a nationwide tour collecting health care stories and sharing what the association itself is advocating to Congress. KCPW's Jeff Robinson caught up with Ignagni after she heard from a number of frustrated Utahns. Fri, 29 Aug 2008 01:00:22 -0600 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Thursday, August 28. Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:08:37 -0600 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Wednesday, August 27. Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:00:13 -0600 For the next week during the Democratic and Republican national conventions, informed voters may find themselves busy sorting out whether everything being said by both parties is actually true. But a website aims to help them with that goal. Politifact.com is a joint venture of Congressional Quarterly and the St. Petersburg Times. The site evaluates statements made by both presidential campaigns using independent sources, then ranks them on the "Truth-o-Meter," so you can find out whether a candidate is full of truth -- or full of something else. Wed, 27 Aug 2008 01:00:18 -0600 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Tuesday, August 26. Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:45:10 -0600 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Monday, August 25. Mon, 25 Aug 2008 11:00:49 -0600 Over the weekend, Utah families who have had loved ones captured or go missing in action during wartime gathered at the Marriott Hotel in University Park. They attended the family meeting hoping to learn more about what happened to them. Adrian Cronauer is the special assistant to the director of the Defense POW and Missing Personnel Office. He served a sergeant in the Air Force, and his story was the basis for the film "Good Morning Vietnam," starring Robin Williams. KCPW's Jeff Robinson spoke with him about the work he does now. Mon, 25 Aug 2008 01:03:12 -0600 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Friday, August 22. Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:18:05 -0600 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Thursday, August 21. Thu, 21 Aug 2008 08:57:24 -0600 Presidential candidate John McCain will struggle to stay in the spotlight next week as Democrats from around the nation gather for their national convention in Denver, Colorado. But even as the cameras roll in Denver, the candidate might be able to push himself back into the spotlight by announcing who will be his vice presidential nominee. Meanwhile, Democrats continue to wonder why Senator Joe Lieberman hasn't been booted from his party as the Republicans announce that he'll be speaking at their convention on behalf of John McCain. Thu, 21 Aug 2008 01:00:15 -0600 The fate of the proposed Leonardo science museum is up in the air after last night's city council meeting. The council heard from the museum's executive director, who made his case for why the city should release a $10 million bond approved by voters several years ago so that the museum can begin to renovate and move in to the old Main City Library building. But there are still some tough questions to answer, and the possibility of the city turning the library over to another organization still exists. KCPW's Jeff Robinson spoke with City Councilman Carlton Christensen this morning to get his thoughts on what needs to happen for the Leonardo to work. Wed, 20 Aug 2008 09:31:39 -0600 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Wednesday, August 20th. Wed, 20 Aug 2008 09:19:45 -0600 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Tuesday, August 19th. Tue, 19 Aug 2008 09:38:08 -0600 Representatives from The Leonardo are scheduled to present a revised renovation plan for the old Salt Lake City Main Library to the city council tonight. The plan calls for the city to release $10 million from a bond approved by voters in 2003 to build the first of the new plan's three phases. Last week, Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker sent a letter to members of the city council outlining history of the city's handling of The Leonardo and the results of a financial review of the museum. In that letter, Becker recommends the city - quote "immediately develop and implement a process to explore new uses for the building." Becker told KCPW's Eric Ray that he still believes in the concept of The Leonardo: Tue, 19 Aug 2008 01:00:12 -0600 This is a podcast of our Authors Live! lecture from the Main City Library with Jacqueline Berger. Known as the "First Ladies Lady," Berger is a leading authority on America's First Ladies. She brings these dynamic women of history to life while revealing the scandals and rumors surrounding them. Her non-partisan presentations are as entertaining as they are educational.Berger's book, "Love, Lies and Tears: An Intimate Look at America's First Ladies, Volume 1" tells the stories of every first lady from Martha Washington to Helen Taft. The second volume of the series, covering Ellen Wilson to Laura Bush, will be released in spring 2009. Fri, 15 Aug 2008 08:32:59 -0600 A round-up of local news headlines for northern Utah for Friday, August 15th. Fri, 15 Aug 2008 07:18:08 -0600 The Democratic National Convention is 10 days away, and the word "unity" will be the name of the game in Denver, Colorado. Hillary Clinton supporters won a major victory this week when Democratic leaders agreed to hold a roll-call vote at the convention, meaning all of Clinton's delegates will formally get to vote for her, even though she won't become the nominee. But there's a faction of the Democratic party holding out hope that this convention will produce a drastically different result than everyone's expecting. Fri, 15 Aug 2008 01:01:06 -0600 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Thursday, August 14th. Thu, 14 Aug 2008 08:16:11 -0600 Salt Lake County's jail will soon get some relief. Yesterday, the county council voted to re-open the shuttered Oxbow Jail to save the county from having to release so many inmates early. And this November, Salt Lake County voters will get to decide whether to support a public bond that would provide Hogle Zoo with funding for expansion. The bond isn't nearly as much as the original $65 million the zoo was asking for, but it comes with a much less strenuous fundraising requirement for the zoo. KCPW's Jeff Robinson caught up with at-large councilman Randy Horiuchi to find out the terms of the new bond and whether he thinks it will pass. Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:42:55 -0600 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Wednesday, August 13th. Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:31:01 -0600 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Tuesday, August 12th. Tue, 12 Aug 2008 07:16:32 -0600 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Monday, August 11th. Mon, 11 Aug 2008 07:27:04 -0600 A round-up of local news in northern Utah for Friday, August 8th. Fri, 08 Aug 2008 11:01:50 -0600 Congressional Republicans continue to berate their Democratic colleagues for giving our senators and representatives a five-week break while voters continue to pay more than $4 dollars a gallon for gas at the pump. When Congress resumes its session in September, it won't have much time to come up with a solution, whether that be renewable resources, increased oil drilling, electric cars, or all of the above. Thu, 07 Aug 2008 01:00:04 -0600 Rough economic conditions aren't just making things difficult for potential homebuyers right now - after the fallout related to the subprime mortgage crisis, it's not as easy getting a loan to start up a new business, either. But there's another source of start-up capital available to Utah entrepreneurs during these tough times. Wed, 06 Aug 2008 01:00:04 -0600 The state of Utah has 17 years to meet Governor Jon Huntsman's goal of providing 20 percent of the state's power from renewable resources by 2025. Last Wednesday, the Utah Renewable Energy Zone Task Force met to start down that road by identifying where the state's renewable resources are and how feasible it would be to develop them. KCPW's Jeff Robinson spoke with task force co-chair Dianne Nielsen, who is also the governor's energy adviser, about what resources the state has to work with. Tue, 05 Aug 2008 01:00:29 -0600 Utah's community fisheries are becoming more and more popular amongst the state's anglers because of the variety of fish species available in the ponds. From catfish to bluegill to bass - the ponds offer sportsmen challenges not generally found in the state's lakes and reservoirs. It's up to the Division of Wildlife Resources to make sure that challenge exists. KCPW's Eric Ray recently spent a day with the DWR as it made the rounds stocking the ponds with catfish. Mon, 04 Aug 2008 01:00:02 -0600 E-mails from presidential candidate John McCain's campaign and the Democratic National Committee have been filling reporters' inboxes across the country, full of statements from various advisers responding to just about everything being said by their opponents. Barack Obama now accuses McCain of spending more time attacking Obama rather than focusing on his own qualifications to be president. And McCain accuses his opponent of skipping a meeting with wounded troops in Germany to go to the gym. Fri, 01 Aug 2008 01:01:07 -0600 Consumer rights advocate and frequent presidential contender Ralph Nader will be in Salt Lake City tonight, joining former Mayor Rocky Anderson to speak at the University of Utah. The candidate, who has long been discouraged from running by Democrats because of the perception that he cost Al Gore the election in 2000, says that both parties are leaving several major issues out of the discussion this year. KCPW's Jeff Robinson spoke with Nader in advance of tonight's event to find out what those issues are. Thu, 31 Jul 2008 01:00:08 -0600 This week, KCPW debuted a new show from Public Radio International called The Takeaway. From 4 to 6 a.m., the Takeaway brings you news and analysis live from WNYC in New York City. KCPW's Jeff Robinson spoke with co-host John Hockenberry to find out what sets the show apart from Morning Edition, and how it's different than NPR's recently canceled morning venture, the Bryant Park Project. Wed, 30 Jul 2008 01:00:56 -0600 Over the last decade Utah has built a reputation for hosting major sporting events, like the Winter Olympics and the NBA Finals, just to name a few. Later this week another sport, armwrestling, brings its national championship to Salt Lake City. Some might be surprised to find out that several major stars of the sport call Utah home. KCPW's Eric Ray spent a day with one contender - Kevin Bongard - to find out what life is like for an armwrestling champion. Tue, 29 Jul 2008 01:00:58 -0600 The famed "troop surge" that occurred early last year was trumpeted by conservatives as the solution for decreasing troop deaths in Iraq and sectarian violence. But did it take significant steps toward solving the country's political problems on a larger scale? For one Utah marine who just returned from combat last month, that answer is no. Sgt. Alex Lemons worked directly under General David Petraeus in southern Iraq, where he trained Iraqi and Polish troops. KCPW's Jeff Robinson sat down with him to get his assessment of how the Iraq War is going. Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:00:20 -0600 Last night was a productive one for the Salt Lake City Council. It passed a parking ordinance that encourages mixed-use communities like 15th and 15th to be more walkable by providing incentives for businesses to install bike racks and other amenities. The council also adopted a new riparian corridor ordinance to protect the city's streams and determined the path for a proposed trolley in Sugar House. This morning, KCPW's Jeff Robinson caught up with Councilman Soren Simonsen for a wrap-up of last night's meeting. Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:00:47 -0600 Last Tuesday, the founder of KCPW in Salt Lake City and KPCW in Park City, Blair Feulner, announced on the air it would be his last day and that he was going on a six month sabbatical. The announcement took many off guard including the board of trustees of Community Wireless, currently the parent company of both stations until October, the expected closing date for Wasatch Public Media to assume ownership of this station. From our sister station KPCW in Park City, Linda Gorton reports. Mon, 21 Jul 2008 09:56:29 -0600 By now, sports fans in Utah have become accustomed to watching professional basketball each July during the annual Rocky Mountain Revue. However, the NBA summer league will have a bit of a different look this Olympic year as the Iranian national team is in town to play.The team's visit is part of a much larger people-to-people exchange program sponsored by the State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Goli Ameri is the Assistant Secretary of State for the bureau. She tells KCPW's Eric Ray about the history behind these people-to-people exchanges: Fri, 18 Jul 2008 01:03:05 -0600 Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker reports on his first six months in office and his plans for the future. Thu, 17 Jul 2008 20:36:03 -0600 Much attention has been drawn this week to Latino voters and their concerns and hopes for the next President of the United States, with both major candidates addressing the National Council of La Raza about the economy and immigration. Senator Barack Obama says his rival used to champion immigration reform with his McCain-Kennedy bill, but bowed to political pressure. Senator John McCain says the reality is that Americans want the borders secured before reforming the immigration process. Thu, 17 Jul 2008 01:01:41 -0600 Since Utah Representative Mark Walker's resignation last week, allegations made through blog postings, editorials, and anonymous comments have been abundant online. Those who side with the five legislators who filed the ethics complaint against Walker say the Republican leadership threw him under a bus in order to avoid being investigated themselves. Those who side with the Republican leadership say media outlets have been parroting accusations made against them by legislators who lack credibility and proof. Tue, 15 Jul 2008 01:00:24 -0600 Utah is waging two separate water fights with Nevada. The proposed Lake Powell Pipeline is drawing opposition from Nevada. Meanwhile, many in Utah are concerned about that state's proposal to draw water from aquifers in Snake Valley. At least one Utah official thinks the two battles might actually be connected. KCPW's Eric Ray reports: Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:37:40 -0600 Presidential candidate Barack Obama may have scored a political victory on the Iraq War this week. The Democratic candidate had been sharply criticized by Republican John McCain's campaign for saying he would "refine" his position on troop withdrawal after visiting Iraq, which Republicans took to be a flip-flop. But now that the Iraqi government leaders have made it clear they also want a timetable for U.S. troop withdrawal, just as Obama has called for, the pressure will shift to McCain. Thu, 10 Jul 2008 01:02:13 -0600 In conjunction with the City Library and The King's English Bookshop, KCPW presents Stephen Trimble talking about his new book Bargaining for Eden: The Fight for the Last Open Spaces in America. It's part of the City Library's Authors Live! series. Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:50:55 -0600 There are more than two presidential candidates in the running this year, and though he doesn't have the name recognition of John McCain or Barack Obama, Constitution Party nominee Chuck Baldwin spent last week in Utah, drumming up support. Baldwin, a Baptist pastor and radio talk-show host from Florida, openly acknowledges he has no experience in politics, but to him, that's a big plus. And he says his platform of securing the borders, taxing all foreign imports and eliminating several federal departments is drawing voters who feel disenfranchised by both parties. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 01:01:18 -0600 Utah Representative Mark Walker appears to have dodged a bullet this week by resigning just before the House Ethics Committee was about to decide whether to investigate him. KCPW's Jeff Robinson has the details and the reaction. Mon, 07 Jul 2008 13:10:30 -0600 Two of Utah's major animal attractions, Hogle Zoo and Tracy Aviary, are asking the Salt Lake County Council to place bond requests on the ballot in November. The zoo wants $65 million to complete its master plan, which includes exhibits for Arctic and Asian animals. The aviary is asking for more than $19 million to enlarge its amphitheater and create a walk-through rain forest. Last week, four members of the council toured both facilities to get a first hand look at what is, and what could be. KCPW's Eric Ray tagged along and files this audio postcard: Mon, 07 Jul 2008 01:00:08 -0600