Whittney Evans

Summit Helps Foster Kids Learn Rules for the Road

August 1, 2011 Whittney Evans

More than 200 kids aging out of Utah’s foster care system or who have benefited from Division of Child and Family Services programs are learning how to become independent, successful adults during a two-day summit at the University of Utah. As part of their curriculum, they’re hearing from author Sam Bracken, whose family abused and neglected him, leaving him homeless at age 15. But as KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, Bracken uses his story to teach kids how to radically change the path they’re on.

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Education

Teachers Rally in Salt Lake City

July 31, 2011 Whittney Evans

Dozens of teachers rallied outside the Salt Lake City Main Library Friday, calling on state lawmakers to show them more respect and stop what they believe are attacks on public education. Third-grade teacher Heidi Jensen says they gathered in response to what happened in Ogden recently, where teachers were presented a contract to sign without any negotiations. Jensen says lawmakers want to make that a state policy even though they’re not experts on education.

Local News

Tape Surfaces of Mark Hofmann Scamming Church Officials

July 29, 2011 Whittney Evans

A Provo bookstore owner and collector has come across new developments in the 25-year-old Mark Hofmann case. Hofmann is serving a life sentence at the state prison in Draper for forging LDS church documents and murdering two people with bombs. As KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, the discovery is a recording made by Hofmann in 1981 of telephone conversations between him and authorities of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

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Local News

Utah’s Credit Rating Might Not Fall with Federal Default

July 28, 2011 Whittney Evans

Utah’s AAA bond rating may not be affected if the federal government defaults on its bills. Senator Lyle Hillyard, co-chair of the Utah Legislature’s Executive Appropriations Committee, says unless the federal bond rating takes a significant downgrade, Utah should be in the clear.

Local News

New System Takes Anonymous Crime Tips via Text, Mobile Apps

July 27, 2011 Whittney Evans

Utah’s attorney general and law enforcement agencies across the state have introduced a new tool for solving crimes. TipSoft is an anonymous service that allows anyone to report information about a crime via text, online or a mobile app. And law enforcement can reply to tipsters without knowing their true identities. As KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, law enforcement officials say it will make fighting crime more effective and efficient.

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Environment

Two Years for DeChristopher

July 26, 2011 Whittney Evans

Environmental activist Tim DeChristopher will spend two years in prison for disrupting a federal oil and gas lease auction back in 2008, after a federal judge sentenced him Tuesday. The 29-year-old University of Utah student placed phony bids on oil and gas parcels near Arches and Canyonlands National Parks as a way of protesting the controversial auction. As KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, DeChristopher’s supporters say justice has not been served.

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City Beat

Attitudes About Local Economy Improve

July 26, 2011 Whittney Evans

Utahns are more optimistic about the local economy this month, despite the federal government’s debt crisis. The Zions Bank Consumer Attitude Index for Utah rose three points from June to July, compared to a 1.9-point increase nationally in the Consumer Confidence Index. Randy Shumway, CEO of the Cicero group, says Utah businesses are putting their houses in order, and waiting for the federal government to do the same.

Environment

Groups Urge House to Reject Conservation Cuts

July 25, 2011 Whittney Evans

Conservationists say an appropriations bill the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on this week would mean massive cuts to programs that benefit the Great Salt Lake and surrounding wetlands. Lynn de Freitas, Executive Director of Friends of Great Salt Lake, says those include the North American Wetlands Conservation Act and the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

Local News

ACLU Sues Salt Lake County Jail, Says it Holds Suspects Illegally

July 22, 2011 Whittney Evans

The Utah Chapter of the American Civil liberties Union says the Salt Lake County Jail is illegally holding suspected illegal immigrants. The group filed suit against the jail, saying it violates the due process rights of detainees by keeping them locked up regardless of bail, so federal agents can check their immigration status. But as KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, Salt Lake County Sherriff Jim Winder says the ACLU aiming that arrow at the wrong target.

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