A representative from the Society of Professional Journalists traveled to Utah yesterday to present an award of sorts to Governor Gary Herbert and members of the state Legislature who supported a controversial open records bill. But it wasn’t an award the governor or lawmakers were eager to accept. KCPW’s Whittney Evans has the story.
Former State Senator Chris Buttars is out, but another Buttars could be taking his place. His daughter Christie Buttars Giles has announced her candidacy for Senate District 10, and her father is endorsing her 100 percent. But as KCPW’s Jessica Gail reports, there are plenty of other contenders out there as well.
Ambassador Christopher Hill has represented the United States in many countries, most recently Iraq, where he served from 2009 to 2010 under the Obama Administration. Before that, he was ambassador to Korea, Poland, and Macedonia under Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. Hill was recently in Salt Lake City to speak to the Salt Lake Committee on Foreign Relations.
Two Ogden city ordinances unanimously adopted by the city council last night protect the LGBT community from discrimination in employment or housing, but they include some exemptions unique to Ogden. They originally passed last week on a 4-to-3 vote, but Mayor Matthew Godfrey promised to veto them if changes weren’t made.
Less than a week after the legislative session concluded, Governor Gary Herbert gathered with other Utah leaders at the capitol Tuesday as he signed four immigration bills. They’re hailing it as a potential model for immigration reform nationally, but as KCPW’s Jessica Gail reports, some aren’t happy with one particular bill.
The commission tasked with improving the quality of the Jordan River and surrounding areas has a new Executive Director. As KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, her feet are barely wet, but she’s prepared to bring stakeholders together to turn a blighted corridor into a community asset.
Student elections at the University of Utah have taken a nasty turn. Voting is underway, but the two parties along with the University are alarmed over a spree of vandalism and personal attacks that have been going on leading up the election. Anita Kiteau is running for Senate in the VOICE party, and says the party has had to take down at least 50 defaced posters.
A Republican state lawmaker is pitching a bill that would require the House and Senate GOP to keep their caucus meetings open. Currently, House Republicans sometimes close their meetings, while Senate Republicans always close them.
With Utah Democratic Party Chairman Wayne Holland saying he may not run for re-election this year, other Democrats are planning to vie for his seat. Middle school teacher Robert Comstock says his involvement in the social and economic issues of the community for the past 35 years makes him qualified to lead the state party.
One state lawmaker who’s involved in reworking a controversial open-records law that limits access says parties on both sides of the issue can find common ground. But an open-records activist contends that not everyone is allowed to be involved in the process. KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports.
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