The Utah Animal Adoption Center in Salt Lake City is losing a significant part of its operation because of the lagging economy. Adoptions have been few and far between at its equine facility, where horses are rescued and cared for while they await adoption. As KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, the center is seeking good homes for the horses, before it closes the gates.
The Salt Palace Convention Center is preparing for a 2.5-megawatt jolt from what’s being called the largest single rooftop solar system in the United States. The project, led by Salt Lake County, took off last September, but hit a speed bump when the county didn’t complete contracts in time to receive necessary federal tax credits. Darrin Casper, the county’s chief financial officer, says they were just late in the process, so they had to wait for the 2011 tax credits.
A federal judge in Utah has granted a temporary restraining order against HB 497, the enforcement-only immigration law that took effect yesterday. But as KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, attorneys for the state say opponents are putting Arizona on trial, not Utah.
A federal judge has put the brakes on an illegal immigration enforcement law that went into effect today, following a lawsuit from the ACLU and National Immigration Law Center. HB 497 requires local law enforcement to check the citizenship status of anyone suspected of a felony or Class A misdemeanor, and makes that optional for lesser offenses. Salt Lake City Police Chief Burbank has continually opposed the legislation, but says with today’s injunction, there will at least be some much-needed discussion about how officers are expected to implement the law.
Salt Lake City businesses are pledging to offer free tap water to the public in an effort to cut down on disposable water bottles and make water more accessible. The program is called TapIt, and as KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, it’s not only an environmental gesture, but it gives access to something people frequently take for granted.
The prevalence of autism in Utah doubled from 2002 to 2008, according to a new study released by the University of Utah. The increase is due in part to improved diagnosis and awareness, but as KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, the cause is still a mystery.
State lawmakers believe they’ll have enough support in both houses to override the governor’s veto of SB 229 when they convene tomorrow for a special session. Opponents worry the bill ties their hands to make future budget decisions by setting aside a percentage of future tax revenues for transportation projects. But as KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, the bill’s supporters say it’s good money management.
United Way of Salt Lake, education leaders and social service groups are standing up for Governor Gary Herbert’s decision to veto a bill that sets aside $60 million every year in sales tax revenues for transportation projects. As KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, most GOP lawmakers want to override that decision this Friday in a special session, but opponents rallied at the capitol this morning to say SB 229 has got to go.
Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker’s proposed budget for 2012 includes no layoffs, no tax increases and no major cuts to programs. It also includes a compensation bump for employees, but increased healthcare costs.
The population of Salt Lake City’s west side has grown over the past ten years, while populations in both the Avenues and Sugar House areas have declined. And as KCPW’S Whittney Evans reports, the Salt Lake City Council will be taking that into account as it begins the process of carving out new boundaries for council and school board districts.
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