Utah news

• Sen. Orrin Hatch unveils plan to overhaul tax system

  09-11-2017 23:51
  SALT LAKE CITY — Sen. Orrin Hatch unveiled his plan Thursday to overhaul the nation's income tax system, saying it could save middle-class families as much as $1,500 a year.
  The Utah Republican said his Tax Cuts and Jobs Act would bring the outdated tax code into the 21st century and provide tax relief for hardworking people and small businesses. He said it would "unleash" the American economy, leading to more jobs, higher wages and greater investment at home.
  "Passing tax reform is more i
  
  Read more

• Utah among the most toxic states, report says

  09-11-2017 23:49
  SALT LAKE CITY — Utah ranks among the highest producers of toxic chemicals in the United States, according to data and information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
  A Forbes.com report shows that the Beehive State was No. 3 behind only Alaska and Nevada in the amount of toxins released into the environment during 2016, the year with the most recently available data.
  The Toxic Releases Inventory report includes data from over 18,000 facilities nationwide, covering industries su
  
  Read more

• Op-ed: Utah has chance to improve science and climate education in schools

  09-11-2017 23:25
  Over the objections of some of its members, Utah’s State Board of Education (SBE) has decided to review its science standards for the state’s schools. This is a wise decision; the current standards are 15 years old and science has made huge advances over the past decade. Knowledge has grown, theories have arisen and been discarded and technologies have changed. As such, states should review their science standards periodically to ensure students aren’t being left behind.A revie
  
  Read more

• Utah governor urges party unity in wake of Count My Vote dispute

  09-11-2017 23:20
  SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Gov. Gary Herbert said Thursday Count My Vote leaders were right to restore the dual-track option for a candidate to get on the ballot in their initiative language, noting the GOP would be better off minimizing its squabbling and concentrating on candidate recruitment.
  On Wednesday, the Count My Vote backers announced they were updating language in a ballot initiative to include both the caucus convention system and signature gathering process.
  Previously, the initiat
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Operation Rio Grande's 'dignity of work' phase underway

  09-11-2017 23:10
  SALT LAKE CITY — Calling all Utah businesses: state officials are looking for companies willing to hire the homeless.
  Lt. Governor Spencer Cox and House Speaker Greg Hughes, among other state officials, announced Thursday the launch of phase 3 of Operation Rio Grande, coined "dignity of work."
  "I will tell you of all the phases I'm most excited about, it's phase 3," Cox said. "We all recognize that critical to overcoming homelessness, critical to overcoming addiction, critical to just livi
  
  Read more

• Additional election results confirm Curtis win in 3rd Congressional District

  09-11-2017 22:33
  SALT LAKE CITY — Congressman-elect John Curtis's lead over his opponents in the 3rd District grew slightly in the latest results released Thursday, confirming that he's the winner of the special election.
  Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox notified the U.S. House Thursday he could provide preliminary certification that Curtis was elected to the open seat, based on results that remain unofficial until the final vote canvass Nov. 21.
  Curtis was already set to be sworn in Monday by U.S. House Speaker Paul
  
  Read more

• Poll: Do you think gun laws should be changed after recent mass shootings?

  09-11-2017 22:25
  
  The recent attacks in Las Vegas and Texas have put gun policy back in the forefront. But have these recent mass shootings changed your mind on gun laws?
  
  Read more

• Eagle Mountain Turkey Trot set for Thanksgiving Day

  09-11-2017 22:22
  EAGLE MOUNTAIN — Registration is now being taken for the city's annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot.
  The free race starts at 8 a.m. at Hidden Hollow Elementary School, 7447 Hidden Valley Parkway, and will end at City Hall, 1650 E. Stagecoach Run. Check-in begins at 7 a.m.
  Prizes will be award for first, second and third place, ages 13 and older; first, second and third place, ages 12 and older; best costume 13 and older; best costume, 12 and under.
  To register for the race, log on to emcit
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Christmas in the Wizarding World experience opens at the Shops at South Town

  09-11-2017 22:14
  
  The exclusive Harry Potter holiday experience opened Thursday at the Shops at South Town and features plenty of excitement for all the witches, wizards and even muggles out there.
  
  Read more

• Utah Vietnam vets to get recognition they've never received thanks to $40K donation

  09-11-2017 21:56
  
  Utah Honor flight has taken hundreds of veterans to DC to see the sights that honor them, but Thursday's group was different. It was made up of all Vietnam War veterans who will be the first group of people to see a new Vietnam memorial in the National Archive. KSL was at the Salt Lake City airport for their sendoff.
  
  Read more

• Snap Inc., other companies bringing over 700 jobs to Utah

  09-11-2017 21:48
  
  Snap Inc., owner of the popular Snapchat app, is officially opening an office in Utah after months of speculation, according to the Utah Technology Council President and CEO John Knotwell.
  
  Read more

• Macy’s to unveil holiday candy window display Nov. 16

  09-11-2017 21:38
  SALT LAKE CITY — Macy's at City Creek Center, 21 S. Main, will kick off the Christmas season by unveiling its annual holiday candy window display on Thursday, Nov. 16.
  The festivities for the sixth annual event will begin at 4 p.m. with in-store events including face painting, balloon art, snacks, holiday music and crafts. At 5:30 p.m., the Davis High School jazz band will begin playing for the crowd on Main Street.
  The windows will then be unveiled at 6 p.m. with the help of local Make-A-
  
  Read more

• Snap confirms new Utah office

  09-11-2017 21:06
  SALT LAKE CITY — Just weeks after Snap Inc. quashed rumors about coming to Utah, a state agency confirmed Thursday that the company, best known for its Snapchat multimedia messaging platform, will open its first office in the Beehive State.
  Utah Technology Council President and CEO John Knotwell said Snap Inc.'s decision to create a Utah presence is a coup for the state.
  "We are learning time and time again that our quality of life, focus on STEM education, and collaborative spirit are a m
  
  Read more

• UTA to change select bus, rail schedules Dec. 3

  09-11-2017 21:03
  SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Transit Authority will change select bus and rail schedules on Sunday, Dec. 3.
  New schedules for individual routes can be viewed online at rideuta.com by selecting the route and clicking on the "view changes" button on the upper right corner of the screen. Some of the bigger changes UTA is planning include:
  • Route 218 in Salt Lake County will end at the South Jordan Station instead of continuing to the Sandy Civic Center Station. This change is designed to i
  
  Read more

• Inmate charged in rape case from 7 years ago

  09-11-2017 21:03
  
  An inmate at the Utah State Prison has been charged in a 7-year-old rape case, according to court documents.
  
  Read more

• S.L. offices to close Friday for Veterans Day

  09-11-2017 20:46
  SALT LAKE CITY — The City-County Building and city administrative offices will be closed Friday in recognition of Veterans Day.
  In addition, Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski has ordered the POW-MIA flag to be raised Thursday to fly alongside the U.S. flag until Sunday. It is the third time the POW-MIA flag has flown at the City-County Building, the first being on Sept. 16, 2016, National POW/MIA Day.
  Salt Lake residents should note weekly collection of garbage, recycling and compost w
  
  Read more

• Ex-GOP lawmaker to serve on state alcohol commission

  09-11-2017 20:32
  SALT LAKE CITY — A former state lawmaker is poised to become a member of the Utah alcohol commission.
  The Senate Business and Labor Committee unanimously approved Sophia DiCaro to serve on the seven-member panel that sets alcohol policy and issues, and suspends liquor licenses in the state.
  Gov. Gary Herbert nominated DiCaro, a West Valley Republican who served one term in the House, to fill the vacancy. DiCaro must still be approved by the full Senate.
  DiCaro is the chief compliance offic
  
  Read more

• ATV crashes into Springdale chief of police in La Verkin

  09-11-2017 20:30
  
  A couple riding an ATV crashed into the Springdale chief of police in La Verkin Thursday morning, according to Utah Highway Patrol trooper Lars Gardner .
  
  Read more

• Want to get paid $60K to explore Cancun for fun? Lehi company is seeking applications

  09-11-2017 20:16
  
  TravelPass Group, a Lehi-based company, wants to send someone to Cancun, Mexico for six months and pay them $60,000. The catch: the traveler must share their fun experiences on social media.
  
  Read more

• Inmate charged in 7-year-old rape case

  09-11-2017 18:49
  SALT LAKE CITY — An inmate at the Utah State Prison has been charged in a 7-year-old rape case, according to court documents.
  David Zachary Swigart, 53, was charged Thursday in 3rd District Court with aggravated sexual assault and rape, both first-degree felonies, and forcible sexual abuse, a second-degree felony.
  On Sept. 16, 2010, a woman was walking to a bus stop in South Salt Lake when a man approached her from behind "and started making comments about her appearance," according to cha
  
  Read more

• Teen arrested after allegedly threatening custodian with knife

  09-11-2017 18:46
  SYRACUSE — Police arrested a 16-year-old boy who they say pulled a knife on a custodian at Syracuse High School Wednesday night.
  About 8:30 p.m., a custodian spotted the teenager walking through the hallways of the school. The school was open at the time for the drama students who were rehearsing, but the custodian noticed this boy seemed "out of place," said Syracuse police detective Erin Behm.
  "The custodian just confronted him and said, 'Hey, you need to leave the school if you're not i
  
  Read more

• Police: Boy brandished knife at Syracuse High School; fire discovered in dumpster

  09-11-2017 18:20
  
  A teen was arrested after police say he pointed a knife at high school custodians and a fire was discovered behind Syracuse High School Wednesday night.
  
  Read more

• Herriman residents upset over future city plan; gathering signatures to force revision

  09-11-2017 18:08
  
  After alleging that a new amendment to the Herriman city plan was rushed during a City Council meeting in September, a group of residents is nearing an amount of signatures needed for a referendum that would place the 2025 general plan to a public vote.
  
  Read more

• Police find missing South Ogden man with dementia in Idaho

  09-11-2017 17:37
  
  Police located a South Ogden man Thursday morning in Idaho after he went missing Wednesday, according to South Ogden Police Sgt. Wil DeHart.
  
  Read more

• Jay Evensen: Why tweets on election night matter

  09-11-2017 17:05
  Kathie Allen should have reacted better.She could have worded her tweet after her loss in the state’s 3rd Congressional District in ways that conveyed her disappointment, while still sounding gracious.Instead, she tweeted, “(John) Curtis is Mormon and Republican. I am neither. That really seems to be the only thing Utah County cares about, just as I was warned."OK, then.Losing an election can be an intensely emotional experience. Allen quickly deleted her tweet and later apologized.
  
  Read more

• Men are 'marrying up' by wedding women with more education than they have

  09-11-2017 16:30
  SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Men are increasingly "marrying up" in terms of their bride's education level, according to an analysis for the Institute for Family Studies that also finds that may not mean the woman makes more money than her husband.
  Using data from the census and the American Community Survey, institute director of research Wendy Wang tracked a shift that began in 1990 when the portion of men who were better educated than their spouses started to drop. About the same time, young w
  
  Read more

• Op-ed: After the election, Utah still needs third-party voices

  09-11-2017 15:40
  Watching the 3rd Congressional District debate hosted by the Alliance for a Better Utah Education Fund and the University of Utah’s John R. Park Debate Society made one thing very clear: Political discourse is incredibly important.While the election may be over and Utah has elected former Provo mayor John Curtis, it's still valuable to note how this debate, in particular, showed that having third-party voices represented in political discourse is imperative in allowing voters to find which
  
  Read more

• Honor Flight of Vietnam vets from Utah to take part in National Archives event

  09-11-2017 15:01
  
  As President Trump visits Vietnam in an effort to strengthen relations between the two countries, a new exhibit at the National Archives in Washington about the Vietnam War will open up this week. And a group of veterans from Utah will be there.
  
  Read more

• One week to go: New Hale Centre Theatre gets ready for 'Aida'

  09-11-2017 15:00
  SANDY — Ten days before the opening of the new Hale Centre Theatre at the Mountain America Performing Arts Centre in Sandy, Sally Dietlein, the theater’s vice president and executive producer, took a walk through the venue’s front lobby — past the pockets of space awaiting flooring, past the banisters in need of end caps and past the workers installing the wood details in the 40-foot-long concession.“Hey guys! Look at what you’re doing!” Dietlein said ex
  
  Read more

• In our opinion: A few voters turned out large changes in Utah

  09-11-2017 14:05
  Utah’s newly elected representative from the 3rd District will soon head to Washington to be quickly sworn in to a Congress facing tumultuous times brought on by sharp partisan divide. Congratulations to John Curtis, who has pledged to serve honorably and place Utah interests first.There was tumult in municipal races in Utah cities and towns during an off-year election in which a modest voter turnout resulted in substantial leadership changes. In Sandy, West Jordan, Taylorsville and Rivert
  
  Read more

• Mom of fallen officer questions lax consequences for juvenile gang members

  09-11-2017 07:40
  
  Last year, West Valley City police officer Cody Brotherson was killed when a car of juveniles hit and killed him. Police identified the occupants as gang members. Now, his mom is calling on lawmakers to toughen penalties for young violent offenders.
  
  Read more

• Lehi company seeking applicants for job in Cancun; salary $10K a month

  09-11-2017 06:46
  
  TravelPass Group, a Lehi-based company, wants to send someone to Cancun, Mexico for six months and pay them $60,000. The catch: the traveler must share their fun experiences on social media.
  
  Read more

• 'We're scared': Liberty Wells residents plead for help from Operation Rio Grande spillover

  09-11-2017 06:33
  
  More than 50 Liberty Wells residents pleaded to Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski Tuesday night for more police presence and response to their neighborhood, concerned about ripple effects from Operation Rio Grande.
  
  Read more

• St. George police searching for credit union robbery suspect

  09-11-2017 05:59
  
  Police are searching for a suspect in a St. George credit union that took place on Wednesday evening.
  
  Read more

• St. George police searching for credit union robber

  09-11-2017 05:59
  
  Police are searching for a man who they say robbed a St. George credit union on Wednesday evening.
  
  Read more

• Review board backs Salt Lake police officer in deadly shooting

  09-11-2017 05:14
  SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake City's Civilian Review Board has determined an officer followed policy in fatally shooting a black man who ran from police in August.
  The review posted online Wednesday backs a decision from Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill. The panel members and Gill both considered an outside investigation by the Unified Police Department.
  The death of Patrick Harmon, 50, sparked outcry from advocates against police brutality and members of his family who said he did
  
  Read more

• Police searching for missing South Ogden man

  09-11-2017 04:56
  
  Police are asking for the public’s help in searching for a South Ogden man who went missing on Wednesday.
  
  Read more

• Report of gunshots forces lockdown of Magna schools; no injuries

  09-11-2017 04:32
  MAGNA — Reports of shots fired from a car into a Wendy's restaurant window forced temporary lockdowns at two elementary schools nearby on Wednesday. No injuries were reported.
  The Unified Police Department was searching for a pair of juveniles driving a gold Mazda sedan, it said. Detectives interviewed two youths who they believed were driving the car, but later released them, saying they were no longer suspects.
  Officers gave few details on what happened at the fast-food restaurant near t
  
  Read more

• Op-ed: Work is foundational to restoring dignity

  09-11-2017 04:20
  When Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox called and asked me to help with Operation Rio Grande, I couldn’t say no. The call came during a busy and challenging time, as we were in the all-consuming final weeks of the renovation of the Vivint Smart Home Arena, and the start of the Jazz season was just weeks away. I too often had expressed frustration with the homeless crisis emanating from Rio Grande Street to not do my part when asked.The lieutenant governor explained phases one and two of Operation Rio G
  
  Read more

• Police searching for shooter after shots fired in Magna

  09-11-2017 04:09
  
  Police responded to a location in Magna on Wednesday afternoon after hearing reports that shots had been fired, according to Unified Police Lt. Brian Lohrke.
  
  Read more

• Cat Cafe lets customers drink, relax with felines

  09-11-2017 03:31
  
  Tinker's Cat Cafe features coffee, tea, hot cocoa, and a room, full of about 14 cats.
  
  Read more

• Nominees announced for Gunnison, Manti justice court vacancies

  09-11-2017 03:23
  MANTI — The Sanpete County Nominating Commission has selected three nominees for upcoming vacancies in the Gunnison and Manti justice courts. The positions will replace Judge Ivo Peterson, who retired effective June 30.
  Following are the nominees, their place of employment and residence:
  • Robert V. Judd, retired from Utah Department of Corrections, Gunnison.
  • Mark Kay McIff, justice court judge, Richfield.
  • Stephen William Whiting, Whiting and Jardine LLC, Vineyard.
  A com
  
  Read more

• Wednesday's Child - 'I just want a family that will love and support me'

  09-11-2017 03:00
  
  Reginald or "Redd" as he prefers to be called is a 15-year-old who hopes to become an artist one day. He's lived in the Utah Foster Care system for years and is waiting to be adopted.
  
  Read more

• Energy symposium highlights natural resource wonders in Utah

  09-11-2017 02:42
  SALT LAKE CITY — Soft and brilliantly pure white, this small mineral sample is the purest in the world, with a long list of uses and an even longer array of potential — and it's found only in Utah at commercial-scale level of mining.
  There's a reason the town Eureka got its name in the Tintic Mining District, with the earth yielding a treasure of precious metals and other natural resources over a century of man's reaching deep down.
  Andre Zeitoun has hope he's found his modern-day eu
  
  Read more

• Arts Alliance to illuminate Salt Lake City with high-tech show

  09-11-2017 02:05
  SALT LAKE CITY — Look for downtown Salt Lake City to be aglow on Friday and Saturday evening as the Utah Arts Alliance launches its free Illuminate Salt Lake event, featuring more than 30 artists, 3-D light projections, an augmented-reality art walk, live music, a kids short film festival, interactive light art, food trucks and more.
  Utah Arts Alliance Executive Director Derek Dyer, an artist who's worked in light and projection art, said the event has been in the making for quite some tim
  
  Read more

• Beaver sees spike in home building from FLDS

  09-11-2017 02:03
  BEAVER — Building permits have more than quadrupled in Beaver in the past year and that has some people worried.
  Beaver County Sheriff Cameron Noel has lived in the same area for 25 years, and he can't believe how fast homes are going up in his neighborhood.
  "They bought this whole section out here is what I was told," Noel said. "One day there was nothing and the next day they were here."
  The sheriff is referring to a small influx of residents moving into his county from the Hildale, Wash
  
  Read more

• Lawmaker pitches statewide funding equalization program for Utah schools

  09-11-2017 02:01
  SALT LAKE CITY — Noting that children's ZIP codes should not devalue their education, a Utah lawmaker will once again sponsor legislation he says will help equalize school funding across the state.
  With a few exceptions, the state's school district boundaries were drawn by the Utah Legislature in 1916, Sen. Lincoln Fillmore, R-South Jordan, told members of the Utah Legislature's Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee on Wednesday.
  "Those boundaries, over 100 years of time, have creat
  
  Read more

• Students smash pumpkins in the name of physics

  09-11-2017 01:45
  SALT LAKE CITY — Peering over the edge of the school roof, physics teacher Dennis Pedersen balanced an orange pumpkin in his arms and grinned.
  More than a dozen students waited on the ground below with fingers crossed. With a quick countdown, Pedersen dropped the pumpkin from the two-story building.
  High school seniors Erick Holloway and Shane Hepworth cheered as the pumpkin splashed into their homemade pumpkin catcher: a garbage bin full of water and laundry soap.
  Hepworth fished the suds
  
  Read more

• New Count My Vote initiative would keep Utah's convention system

  09-11-2017 01:17
  SALT LAKE CITY — Proponents of an initiative to change the candidate nomination process in Utah filed ballot language Wednesday that follows a controversial compromise they made with state lawmakers in 2014.
  Count My Vote leaders say the current system that allows candidates to get on the primary election ballot through the convention system or by gathering voter signatures has worked well. Initiative backers say they arrived at that conclusion after a series of public hearings.
  The initia
  
  Read more

• Report blasts S.L. fire leaders for demotion of city's 1st female battalion chief

  09-11-2017 01:03
  SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake City Civil Service Commission has released scathing findings regarding the demotion of the city's first female battalion chief, concluding that her demotion appeared to be based on allegations that were manufactured.
  Martha Ellis, a veteran firefighter of more than 20 years, was demoted from battalion chief to captain in May 2016 by then-Assistant Fire Chief Robert McMicken.
  But the commission said in a report dated Nov. 1 that the allegations against her app
  
  Read more

Follow @NewslockerUtah on Twitter!