Utah news

• Tourism funding program aims to boost Utah economy

  17-08-2017 23:47
  SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Board of Tourism Development, part of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, is allocating more than $3.4 million in cooperative marketing matching funds to help communities throughout Utah promote their areas to out-of-state travelers.“The cooperative marketing program is a successful tool for growing Utah’s tourism economy,” Vicki Varela, managing director of the Utah Office of Tourism and Film, said in a statement. “These a
  
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• Hurricane police employee charged with selling evidence

  17-08-2017 23:37
  HURRICANE, Washington County — A Hurricane Police Department employee has been charged with selling items collected as evidence on eBay, according to court documents.Kurt B. Tanner, 44, of St. George, was charged Monday in 5th District Court with misuse of public money, a third-degree felony.Charging documents say Tanner, an evidence technician with the police department, was taking property obtained by officers as evidence and giving it "to a company that was owned by his daughter to be s
  
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• Miller family pledges to match up to $10 million in donations to fund 'heart' of new homeless centers

  17-08-2017 23:33
  SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake County Mayor McAdams recalled when Utah Jazz owner Gail Miller asked him years ago — when work to transform the county's homeless services first began — how she could help.At the time, Miller had already given $1 million, McAdams said, but she told him "I want to give a lot more.""And then she turned to me and said, 'Where can I get my parking validated?'" McAdams laughed. "That's Gail Miller to a 'T' — she's generous and kind but wants to make
  
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• Count My Vote not ready to revive initiative — yet

  17-08-2017 23:25
  SALT LAKE CITY — Now that the congressional candidate chosen by Republican delegates appears to have lost in the primary election, there's new talk about reviving the Count My Vote initiative to take away the party's nominating powers.But a Count My Vote leader said Thursday no decision has been made about launching a new petition drive to put the question of whether the state should have direct primary elections on the November 2018 ballot."Count My Vote is considering every option to ass
  
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• BYU professor explains why loneliness can be damaging to your body

  17-08-2017 23:22
  The Canadian Broadcasting Corp. recently featured a BYU professor who spoke openly about the dangers of loneliness.Julianne Holt-Lunstad, a professor of psychology at BYU, spoke about how loneliness is a major health crisis affecting the United States today.She said at points that loneliness can be more damaging than alcohol, the lack of physical activity, obesity and air pollution.A survey from earlier this year found 72 percent of Americans experience loneliness. One-third of people said they
  
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• Trump may be losing support of business community, Utah analyst says

  17-08-2017 22:50
  SALT LAKE CITY — Utah's business community may not be affected directly by the recent disbanding of two presidential advisory panels, but the long-term impacts of President Donald Trump's behavior may be felt locally in the months to come, a local analyst says.On Wednesday, Trump dissolved two of his economic advisory councils following the departure of several CEOs who resigned in the wake of his response to a white nationalist clash in Charlottesville, Virginia, over the weekend. The pre
  
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• Hometown hero from Monticello killed in Afghanistan

  17-08-2017 21:10
  
  Aaron Butler, 27, of Monticello, was killed Wednesday by an explosion while clearing a building in eastern Afghanistan, his family has confirmed.
  
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• Police find missing man with schizophrenia

  17-08-2017 21:08
  
  Police found an endangered man with schizophrenia Thursday who had gone missing Aug. 10, according to Saratoga Springs police spokesman Dave Johnson.
  
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• National Park Service ends ban on disposable water bottles

  17-08-2017 20:17
  
  The federal government announced Wednesday it will eliminate a policy that allowed national parks like the Grand Canyon to ban the sale of bottled water in an effort to curb litter.
  
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• New crosswalk signal in Syracuse to be activated Friday

  17-08-2017 20:05
  SYRACUSE — The Utah Department of Transportation will activate a new crosswalk signal on 2000 West at Syracuse Elementary and Syracuse Junior High on Friday.The High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk, or HAWK, was installed as part of road reconstruction project between Antelope Drive and 300 North in Syracuse and West Point.The signal aims to improve safety for students accessing the two school, as well as other pedestrians and bikers. A YouTube video at youtube.com/watch?v=VJ5_pgKZ9SI shows
  
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• 27-year-old Utah soldier killed in Afghanistan identified

  17-08-2017 20:02
  
  A 27-year-old Utah Army National Guard member who was killed in Afghanistan has been identified.
  
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• South Jordan battalion chief retires after 21 years of service

  17-08-2017 20:01
  SOUTH JORDAN — The city announced this week that Brian Allred, fire battalion chief, has retired after 21 years of service.Allred began his career with the Clearfield Fire Department in 1990, where he worked part time for six years. He then joined the Weber Fire District in 1996, where he worked for about three years, most of that time in Ogden. He also worked for Life Flight from 2001-16.Allred joined the South Jordan in 2005, adding his experience and knowledge as a paramedic and SWAT me
  
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• St. George man who provided services to at-risk youths accused of false billing

  17-08-2017 20:00
  ST. GEORGE — The owner of a company designed to help juveniles in the justice system has been charged with falsely billing the state.Michael James Blomquist, 39, of St. George, was charged Thursday in 5th District Court with three counts under the False Claims Act, a second-degree felony, and engaging in a pattern of unlawful activity, a second-degree felony.Blomquist is the owner of Xcel Youth Services, a company that provides proctor care services such as mental health counseling to juve
  
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• A.M. notes: Candlelight vigil for Charlottesville, ACLU criticizes Rio Grande arrests, LDS Church statement on LGBTQ event

  17-08-2017 19:20
  Here’s a look at the news for Aug. 17.ACLU condemns Rio Grande arrestsThe American Civil Liberties Union spoke out against the recent surge of arrests in the Rio Grande area, according to the Deseret News.In a statement, the ACLU openly criticized the two-year plan, which is called Operation Rio Grande, which looks to cut down crime in the Rio Grande area."In its current phase, this operation appears to rely on simply more of the same ineffective attempts to control the complex social issu
  
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• Magazine worthy Ford diesel built by SLC resident

  17-08-2017 19:16
  
  Curtis Jones has spent years building his 1999 Ford F-350 into one of the biggest trucks around. With lots of custom suspension and performance parts it is easy to see why the truck was nicknamed Redzilla.
  
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• BYU alumnus to be featured on Netflix original standup comedy show

  17-08-2017 18:01
  
  BYU graduate and Idaho native Ryan Hamilton's comedy will be featured Aug. 29 on Netflix.
  
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• Gov. Herbert: Soldier killed in Afghanistan was clearing 'booby-trapped' building

  17-08-2017 17:44
  
  Utah Gov. Gary Herbert says the killing of a Utah Army National Guard member and the wounding of 11 others in Afghanistan is a reminder for everyone that the war on terror continues.
  
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• Slain Guardsman was among 9 Utahns injured in Afghanistan

  17-08-2017 17:40
  DRAPER — The killing of a Utah Army National Guard member and the wounding of 11 others in Afghanistan is a reminder for everyone that the war on terror continues, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert said Thursday."Our men and women are serving in very difficult places throughout the world," he said.The incident occurred, the governor said, when a 12-member squad from the Guard was clearing a building in eastern Afghanistan."They were clearing a building for safety purposes," he said. "The building was
  
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• Weather might negatively impact view of eclipse in Eastern Idaho

  17-08-2017 17:16
  
  Skies could be partly cloudy on Monday in East Idaho, which could negatively affect people’s view of the first total solar eclipse to cross the nation in 99 years.
  
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• The 10 most dangerous intersections for pedestrians in Salt Lake and Utah counties

  17-08-2017 16:20
  Walking can be risky business, according to the organization Zero Fatalities, which compiled a list of the 10 intersections in Salt Lake and Utah counties with the most auto-pedestrian crashes from 2010 to 2016.Among these 10 intersections — all of them in Salt Lake County but scattered among the towns — 100 pedestrians have been hit, although the wrecks have not always resulted in serious injury.All but one of these intersections have a traffic signal. They are listed here in order
  
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• U.'s analysis of relationship with Huntsman Cancer Foundation nearing completion

  17-08-2017 16:10
  
  A consulting firm that is examining the complex financial relationships between the University of Utah, Huntsman Cancer Institute and Huntsman Cancer Foundation could be finished with its analysis by the end of the month.
  
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• Avenues apartment fire forces residents to evacuate

  17-08-2017 15:24
  
  A fire forced more than two dozen people out of their apartments in the Avenues area of Salt Lake early Thursday morning.
  
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• Party at the newly remodeled Utah Museum of Fine Arts — but careful with the art

  17-08-2017 15:00
  SALT LAKE CITY — When asked what makes the newly renovated Utah Museum of Fine Arts (UMFA) unique, senior curator Whitney Tassie answered without hesitation.“Definitely our collection,” she said. “… Within the state there really is not another collection with our breadth and depth … (and) that has this range of artwork that covers something like 5,000 years of history. So that’s unique for Utahns to be able to come and see that range of human practice and
  
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• Get ready to party at the newly remodeled Utah Museum of Fine Arts — but careful with the art

  17-08-2017 15:00
  SALT LAKE CITY — When asked what makes the newly renovated Utah Museum of Fine Arts (UMFA) unique, senior curator Whitney Tassie answered without hesitation.“Definitely our collection,” she said. “… Within the state there really is not another collection with our breadth and depth … (and) that has this range of artwork that covers something like 5,000 years of history. So that’s unique for Utahns to be able to come and see that range of human practice and
  
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• Crash breaks gas line, prompts evacuations in Magna

  17-08-2017 14:44
  
  At least 10 homes were evacuated Thursday morning after a car crashed into a house in Magna, causing a gas leak.
  
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• In our opinion: New Salt Lake County Sheriff's distinguished career in law enforcement qualifies her for the job

  17-08-2017 14:05
  We applaud all those public officials who ran for Salt Lake County sheriff for their willingness to serve the public.We especially applaud the selection and confirmation of Rosie Rivera as Salt Lake County’s new sheriff who will fill an important void in the county’s law-enforcement landscape and who has the potential to do great things. Rivera is not just the state’s first woman, and also its first Latina, to serve as a sheriff, but she comes to the position with exceptional q
  
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• 18 hilarious Utah highway road warnings you probably missed

  17-08-2017 14:00
  Zero Fatalities and the Utah Department of Transporation team up to make Utahns drive a little safer.And in doing so, they create clever overhead messages for the highways, all of which are dead-serious about highway safety.The warning signs, called variable message signs (VMS), are meant to get a driver’s attention, hoping to keep their minds occupied with thoughts about how to stay safe on the road.A group of 10 people, made up of those on UDOT and Zero Fatalities, help create the messag
  
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• 2 in hospital after car hits motorcycle in Sandy

  17-08-2017 06:15
  SANDY — Two people were in the hospital Wednesday evening after their motorcycle collided with a sedan on 9800 South.The couple was in serious but stable condition, said Sandy Police Lt. Dean Carriger. The man, who is 46, was flown to Intermountain Medical Center. The woman, whose age wasn't immediately known, was brought to the same hospital in an ambulance.Carriger said the two were traveling eastbound on 9800 South at the intersection with Wasatch Boulevard about 8 p.m. when a Honda Civ
  
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• 2 in critical condition after Sandy crash

  17-08-2017 06:08
  
  Two people are in critical condition following a crash involving a car and a motorcycle in Sandy, according to the Unified Police Department.
  
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• Man killed after possible hit-and-run had 'bad feeling something was going to happen to him,' girlfriend says

  17-08-2017 06:01
  
  A man was killed after a possible hit-and-run in West Valley City Tuesday night, police said.
  
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• Youngsters get chance to learn bus safety

  17-08-2017 05:03
  WEST JORDAN — Soon-to-be students and their parents got a first-hand look at a school bus during the third annual Safety Dog Bus Tour Wednesday at West Jordan Library.First Student Inc., a private bus transport company in Ogden, invited children and their parents to look at and tour a school bus, have their picture taken with the safety dog mascot and take a pledge to follow bus safety rules — in exchange for a "swag bag" filled with a coloring book, sunglasses and a water bottle.Dia
  
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• Utah group opposing Zion Park reservation system urging public input

  17-08-2017 04:35
  SALT LAKE CITY — As the deadline for posting online comments to Zion National Park officials regarding future changes in visitation requirements approaches this Friday, a group of Utahns has taken to the internet to drive public support against requiring a full-scale reservation system.The website stopzionreservations.org argues against a “year-round requirement to visit ANY or ALL front-country hikes,” adding, “There is no need for this except for certain hikes that are
  
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• ACLU decries Operation Rio Grande's surge of arrests, lack of treatment

  17-08-2017 04:35
  SALT LAKE CITY — As a collaborative law enforcement team closed out a third day of its intensified police presence combatting crime in the troubled Rio Grande area, the American Civil Liberties Union decried the effort for its lack of treatment options and its surge of arrests.In a lengthy statement, the organization criticized the two-year plan dubbed Operation Rio Grande, which state and local leaders say aims to cut down crime and serve those in need around the area known for its burgeo
  
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• Mount Pleasant boy, 10, recovering after he was shot by 11-year-old

  17-08-2017 04:11
  MOUNT PLEASANT — A 10-year-old boy was in the hospital in serious but stable condition Wednesday after he was shot in the head by another child with a .40-caliber handgun.Police were called to a home about 2:40 p.m., where an 11-year-old also was inside. Officers believe one of the children may have known the combination to the family's gun safe and the firearm went off when it was taken out of the safe.Family members said the boy who was shot on the left side of his head was awake and tal
  
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• DWR revokes Idaho man's record for 57-pound trout after learning his license had expired

  17-08-2017 04:02
  
  An Idaho man who caught a record-breaking, 57-pound trout in Flaming Gorge in July had his record revoked after the Division of Wildlife Resources discovered he caught the fish a couple days after his license expired, the Utah division said in a statement today.
  
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• Lawyer: U.'s analysis of its relationship with Huntsman Cancer Foundation nearing completion

  17-08-2017 03:35
  SALT LAKE CITY — A consulting firm that is examining the complex financial relationships between the University of Utah, Huntsman Cancer Institute and Huntsman Cancer Foundation could be finished with its analysis by the end of the month.Alan Sullivan, tasked with overseeing the U.'s new memorandum of understanding with the Huntsman Cancer Foundation as it pertains to the institute, said Wednesday that the firm in question, FTI Consulting, will soon be done collecting documents and begin i
  
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• Riverton couple prevents 401(k) fraud by checking on account just in time

  17-08-2017 03:31
  
  Andrea and Steve Voss are a year and a half into their retirement. Last week, they took a trip to Yellowstone, but when they got back on Friday, they noticed there was a serious issue with that money they’ve saved for retirement.
  
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• National Guard member from Utah killed in Afghanistan

  17-08-2017 02:38
  
  A member of the Utah National Guard was killed and about eleven others were injured in combat operations on Wednesday, the Utah National Guard confirmed in a press release.
  
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• Utah awaits approval of terms for expansion of medical benefits

  17-08-2017 02:30
  SALT LAKE CITY — The wait continues for a portion of Utah's uninsured, as federal officials mull over a handful of amendments to potential expansion of health benefits.The Utah Department of Health has proposed that the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approve new enrollment and eligibility limits, a work requirement, no presumptive eligibility and an option for the state to change eligibility through administrative rule rather than file other waivers in the future.The ex
  
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• Man arrested in groping incident at hotel

  17-08-2017 02:26
  SALT LAKE CITY — A Salt Lake man has been arrested for allegedly groping a teenage girl at a bed and breakfast.Andy Luu, 42, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail early Tuesday for investigation of unlawful sexual conduct with a 16-year-old.The girl told police she was inappropriately grabbed over her clothing by Luu "in a restricted area to the guests," according to a jail report. Luu admitted to taking the girl to the restricted area of the Anniversary Inn, 460 S. 1000 East, the repo
  
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• Ex-Unified police officer seeks new trial in weapons conviction

  17-08-2017 02:24
  BRIGHAM CITY — A former Unified police officer who believes he was wrongfully convicted of a crime is seeking a new trial after his defense team learned that a juror now claims she was pressured into convicting him.In May, Lance Bess, 36, of West Jordan, was convicted in 1st District Court of threatening to use a dangerous weapon during a fight, a class A misdemeanor. Judge Brandon Maynard ordered Bess to serve two days in jail, in addition to probation. Bess has since served his jail time
  
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• Utah soldier killed in combat in Afghanistan; 11 others hurt

  17-08-2017 02:15
  DRAPER — A Utah National Guard member died during combat in Afghanistan on Wednesday.And 11 more members of the Utah unit were injured in the operation against a group affiliated with the Islamic State, said Maj. Gen. Jefferson Burton, adjutant general of the Utah National Guard."Our hearts go out to those families," Burton said. "Events like this remind us of the fact that we've still got a lot of our members in harm's way."The name of the soldier who died was withheld pending notificatio
  
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• Utah soldier killed in combat in Afghanistan

  17-08-2017 02:15
  DRAPER — A Utah National Guard member died during combat in Afghanistan on Wednesday.And seven more members of the Utah unit were injured in the operation against a group affiliated with the Islamic State, the Utah Guard reported in a news release.https://twitter.com/anniebknox/status/897981878359031808"Our hearts go out to those families, and the concern is for them first," said Maj. Gen. Jefferson Burton, adjutant general of the Utah National Guard, during an interview.The name of the so
  
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• Summit teaches 'ordinary people' how to become financial traders

  17-08-2017 02:08
  SANDY — Becoming a successful trader in the global financial market can take years of hard work and cost lots of money. But a Utah company is creating an affordable program to help the “average Joe” develop the skills necessary to make money in the world of high finance.Shawn Lucas, 43, began his career in money management after graduating from Brigham Young University. After working for Charles Schwab, he branched out on his own and developed a reputation as a knowledgeable pr
  
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• As first day of school approaches, clock's ticking on campus preparations

  17-08-2017 01:26
  SALT LAKE CITY — Just as students and teachers count down the days until summer vacation, school district employees who clean schools, conduct maintenance and keep the grounds tidy are hard at work to meet a different deadline: the start of the academic year.The marathon of preparing schools — which includes the icky job of scraping chewing gum from school desks and chairs, refinishing gym floors, manicuring thousands of acres of play fields, and major and minor construction projects
  
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• Gov. Herbert says new prison will restore hope for inmates' future

  17-08-2017 01:11
  
  The groundbreaking for the new state prison followed yearslong discussions that eventually led to outrage from Salt Lake City leaders and residents when state officials selected the site about 6 miles west of the Salt Lake City International Airport.
  
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• Photos: Geek Squad makes learning cool

  17-08-2017 00:55
  Students work on computer coding at Best Buy’s Geek Squad Summer Academy at Discovery Gateway children’s museum in Salt Lake City on Wednesday. Tailored for students ages 10-14, camp sessions featured classes ranging from 3-D printing and computer-aided design, to digital photography and animation, to programming and robotics, to creating digital music. The program is co-sponsored by Junior Achievement of Utah.See the world through the eyes of award-winning photojournalists. Click th
  
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• Herrod wants to see updated results before conceding to Curtis

  17-08-2017 00:35
  SALT LAKE CITY — Utah County won't be releasing any additional results in the 3rd Congressional District primary race until Friday afternoon, even though one of the two losing candidates won't concede until he sees them.Provo Mayor John Curtis claimed victory in Tuesday's Republican primary after the Associated Press called the race and was congratulated on Twitter by President Donald Trump and many others, including Gov. Gary Herbert.But while Alpine lawyer and political newcomer Tanner A
  
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• Help the Utah Food Bank win a $25,000 grant

  17-08-2017 00:26
  SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Food Bank is eligible to earn a $25,000 grant from the State Farm Neighborhood Assist Program, but it needs the public’s help to get it.Local State Farm insurance agent Curtis Hansen nominated the Utah Food Bank’s Mobile School Pantry program for this crowd-sourced philanthropic program, and it was selected from a group of 2,000 submissions for the final voting process. Now it’s the public’s turn to vote for the winners, and the food bank i
  
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• French man reported missing in Salt Lake City

  17-08-2017 00:23
  
  The Salt Lake City Police Department is asking for the public's help to locate a French man who has been missing for over a week.
  
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