Utah leaders say they are tired of playing games with the federal government. Today the Governor, along with other state leaders announced they are frustrated with federal land control and are now filing a lawsuit against the federal government stating its changing policies already set in place with the state of Utah. KCPW’s Jessica Gail reports.
When you talk about air quality in Utah, the conversation usually turns to Kennecott Utah Copper, the second largest copper producer in the United States. We talked with Shelley Marshall from Utah Moms for Clean Air and Tim Wagner from Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment, two groups that have been sharply critical of the company. We also spoke with Piper Rhodes, Manager of Sustainable Development, Health Safety & Environment for Kennecott.
Jim Dabakis has had a lot of job titles over the years, like businessman, radio host, LGBT rights advocate, and Russian art dealer. Now, he’s looking to become chairman of the Utah Democratic Party. But what could he bring to the state’s minority party, which lost several seats in the legislature in the last election?
The speculation surrounding whether former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. will run for President in 2012 is about to turn into something more concrete. That’s because tomorrow is Huntsman’s final day on the job as U.S. Ambassador to China, which will free him up to announce his political plans. Every Friday, we talk with Thomas Burr, Washington Correspondent for the Salt Lake Tribune, and author of Political Cornflakes, a daily, online round-up of Utah politics.
For more than a month, the Utah Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force worked with law enforcement agencies from around the state to net the largest bust of child pornographers in Utah history. ICAC Commander Jessica Farnsworth says 39 people were arrested, and another 114 are under investigation.
Utah Governor Gary Herbert is standing firm in his decision to veto SB 229, a bill that sets aside a portion of future sales tax growth to fund transportation projects. He says even though lawmakers plan to override his veto in a special session next Friday, the bill is bad policy and unwise.
A new report from Zions Bank says Utah is in good position to continue its strong economic rebound for the rest of 2011, and will be even stronger into the next two years.
The new Utah Museum of Natural History set to open this fall will not only be a place to view many of the state’s artifacts, but also somewhere to learn about Utah’s cutting-edge advancements in energy efficiency. KCPW’s Jessica Gail got a sneak preview of the museum Wednesday, and the systems in place that museum leaders say will save tens of thousands of dollars each year in energy costs.
Transportation funding doesn’t always tend to be a political issue that gets people riled up. But that’s exactly the conflict between Governor Gary Herbert and the Utah Legislature, which will meet in a special session next Friday to override his veto of SB 229. The legislation sets aside a portion of future sales tax growth for transportation projects.
General Electric was taking hits from all angles this morning at its annual shareholders meeting, held at the Salt Palace Convention Center. Tea Party activists, GE retirees, PETA, and even a state lawmaker had messages for the multinational corporation. And as KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, those messages were mixed.
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