From its politics to its public lands to polygamy, Utah has always been fertile ground for news.
KCPW and The Salt Lake Tribune present a fresh way for Utahns to process the headlines. Behind the Headlines, a live weekly broadcast, examines the week’s top local stories through the eyes of reporters on the beat.
A rotating panel of the state’s top journalists – including columnist Robert Gehrke, Senior Managing Editor Matt Canham, reporters Erin Alberty, Brian Maffly and others – join KCPW’s Roger McDonough to talk about what’s happening in the Beehive State along with the hows and whys.
Listeners can join the discussion by name-checking @KCPW on Twitter or calling (801) 355-TALK with comments and questions for the panel. Behind the Headlines airs Fridays from 9-10 a.m. and Sundays at 10 a.m. on KCPW. Streaming audio is available as well, and podcasts of the lates episodes can be found below.
Rocky plans to run, alleged police intimidation, trees dying and orchards dwindling
Saying that the current mayor “has totally failed,” Rocky Anderson says he’s running for Salt Lake City Mayor again in 2023. A new lawsuit says Utah police intimidated animal-rights activists and violated their free speech rights. Bristlecone pines — the world’s most long-lived organisms — are being killed by beetle infestations. And new subdivisions take the place of well established […]
Minibottles, a legendary restaurateur, ‘purge’ killings and K-9 attacks
A K-9 police officer accused of unnecessarily siccing his dog on arrestees sees one of two felony assault charges dismissed. A Utah man faces a second murder charge after random “purge” killings earlier this month. Minibottles move a step closer to returning to the state’s liquor stores after a three-decade absence. And remembering Kitty Pappas, who ran […]
How the U. failed to safeguard a slain student, a nagging oil spill near Grand Staircase and the only known photo of Joseph Smith
The University of Utah acknowledges that it failed to recognize student Zhifan Dong was in danger before she was killed. A Utah oil field spilled 400 barrels near Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument last fall — and it’s still cleaning up the crude. And the only known photo of Mormon founder Joseph Smith is unearthed by one of […]
Utah’s abortion trigger law, diabetes and COVID in kids, and SLC affordability
Abortion is still legal in Utah after a judge blocked the state’s trigger law from taking effect. Utah doctors are trying to figure out why some kids get diabetesafter contracting COVID-19. Salt Lake City’s widespread gentrification has all but wiped out affordable neighborhoods citywide. And the latest in Utah food and alcohol news — from […]
Shrinking Great Salt Lake, Lee-McMullin Senate race and all that Utah Jazz news
The Great Salt Lake hits a record low elevation — and it’s not done shrinking. With the race between Sen. Mike Lee and Evan McMullin taking shape, a columnist digs into reader questions about the contest. And the Utah Jazz get a new coach and trade a star player. At 9 a.m. on Friday, Salt Lake […]