Utah news

• User submitted: Giant snowmen and other winter scenes

  06-03-2018 23:54
  
  See how Utahns enjoyed the latest snowstorm in this week's user submitted photo gallery.
  
  Read more

• Reyes calls for more restitution for child porn victims

  06-03-2018 23:47
  SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes is calling on Congress to do more to support victims of child pornography.On Tuesday, Reyes sent a letter drafted by his office and the Washington Attorney General's Office, and signed by 52 other state and territorial attorneys general, urging swift passage of a bipartisan bill known as the Amy, Vicky and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act of 2017. The letter was addressed to U.S. House and Judiciary Committee leaders.The bill wo
  
  Read more

• Police suspect Salt Lake baby sitter may have abused others

  06-03-2018 23:30
  SALT LAKE CITY — A man charged this week with sexually abusing children he baby-sat may have abused more children dating back 20 years, Salt Lake police said Tuesday.James Gerald Crawford, 43, of Salt Lake City, was charged Monday with sodomy of a child and six counts of aggravated sex abuse of a child, first-degree felonies; sexual abuse of a child, a second-degree felony; and lewdness involving a child, a class A misdemeanor.He is accused of abusing at least two children and told investi
  
  Read more

• Mike Rowe honors West Jordan toymaker for 16 years of service

  06-03-2018 23:11
  
  A West Jordan toymaker was recently featured on Mike Rowe’s Facebook show, “Returning The Favor,” for his years of service to children around the world.
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Is Salt Lake City a good city for college basketball fans?

  06-03-2018 23:00
  Salt Lake City is one of the country's top mid-sized cities for college basketball fans, according to a recent WalletHub report.The report identified Salt Lake City as the sixth-best mid-sized city and the 36th overall best city for college basketball fans.WalletHub ranked more than 280 cities on nine different metrics, including the number of teams per city, the winning percentage in each stadium and social media engagement within the city when it comes to discussing college basketball.The Beeh
  
  Read more

• Inches away from being seriously injured, teen girls walk away from bad crash

  06-03-2018 22:33
  FARR WEST, Weber County — Weber County sheriff's investigators say two teen girls were incredibly lucky to escape serious injury after violently crashing into a utility pole."These two girls were very lucky and were only inches away from more serious injuries or death," according to a statement from the sheriff's office.The girls, both 16, were in a Jeep Cherokee near 2600 W. North Plain City Road on Monday just after school let out when the driver took a bend in the road too quickly and c
  
  Read more

• ‘Hidden Figures’ author, NASA scientist to speak at U. March 30

  06-03-2018 22:03
  SALT LAKE CITY — The University of Utah will host Margot Lee Shetterly, author of "Hidden Figures," and Ellen Stofan, former chief scientist at NASA, as the keynote guests for its theme year on empowerment.Shetterly and Stofan will make a joint presentation at Kingsbury Hall on Friday, March 30, beginning at 11:30 a.m. as part of the U.'s MUSE Project, a presidential initiative dedicated to enriching the culture of undergraduate education at the U.Tickets to the event are free and are avai
  
  Read more

• USU professor named Ecological Society of America fellow

  06-03-2018 22:00
  LOGAN — Utah State University professor Nancy Huntly has been named a fellow of the Ecological Society of America, the world's largest community of professional ecologists.One of 28 honorees this year, Huntly will be formally recognized during the organization's annual meeting this summer in New Orleans.Huntly, who joined USU in 2011 after serving as program director of the National Science Foundation's Division of Environmental Biology and Long Term Ecological Research Programs, is a prof
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• U. graduate receives Churchill Scholarship

  06-03-2018 22:00
  SALT LAKE CITY — A recent graduate of the University of Utah has received the Churchill Scholarship to study at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.Scott Neville, who graduated in December with degrees in mathematics and computer science, becomes one of only 15 students nationally to receive the award this year and is the third Churchill Scholar for the U., all of whom are mathematicians.The Churchill Scholarship, established in 1963 at the request of Winston Churchill, provi
  
  Read more

• Sex ed bill passes committee; resolution dissolving Board of Education OK'd in Senate

  06-03-2018 21:41
  
  The harmful effects of pornography would be added to the state's sexual education curriculum under a bill OKed by a Senate committee Monday. And, the Senate approved a resolution seeking an amendment of the Utah Constitution that would eliminate the State School Board.
  
  Read more

• Teens 'very lucky' to walk away after SUV strikes power pole

  06-03-2018 21:26
  
  Authorities say two teens are "very lucky" to have avoided serious injury after the SUV they were in collided with a power pole Monday afternoon.
  
  Read more

• Utah Senate OKs bills giving terminally ill access to medicinal cannabis

  06-03-2018 21:23
  SALT LAKE CITY — The Senate gave preliminary approval Tuesday to a pair of bills intended to allow patients with less than six months to live to try medicinal cannabis products produced from marijuana grown by the state.Senate Minority Whip Karen Mayne, D-West Valley City, urged support of HB195, saying her late husband, former state Sen. Ed Mayne, was told a decade ago by his doctor that marijuana would ease his suffering from the "worst of the worst cancer."Mayne said he decided against
  
  Read more

• Student who left explosives had posted ISIS propaganda, police say

  06-03-2018 20:57
  ST. GEORGE — St. George police continued Tuesday to investigate why a student allegedly left a backpack with explosive materials in a high school and has been posting ISIS propaganda.The student, whose name and age were not released Tuesday, was arrested Monday after a backpack with explosives was found in the commons area of Pine View High School, the area where students eat lunch.Alert students spotted the backpack was "smoking" and immediately contacted school administrators and the sch
  
  Read more

• Were day care injuries to 3 toddlers child abuse?

  06-03-2018 20:52
  SALT LAKE CITY — Were three toddlers who were seriously injured in a Murray day care hurt by the woman caring for them, or victims of doctors intent on finding child abuse no matter what?That's the question a five-man, five-woman jury was asked to consider as a long-awaited trial for Kami Kay Tollefson, 45, got underway Tuesday.Tollefson is charged with three counts of child abuse, a second-degree felony, as prosecutors allege she hit, squeezed or shook the three children, then returned th
  
  Read more

• Were day care injuries to 3 children child abuse? Jury trial begins in 2010 case

  06-03-2018 20:52
  SALT LAKE CITY — Were three toddlers who were seriously injured in a Murray day care hurt by the woman caring for them, or victims of doctors intent on finding child abuse no matter what?That's the question a five-man, five-woman jury was asked to consider as a long-awaited trial for Kami Kay Tollefson, 45, got underway Tuesday.Tollefson is charged with three counts of child abuse, a second-degree felony, as prosecutors allege she hit, squeezed or shook the three children, then returned th
  
  Read more

• Feeling stressed? Watch this soothing video of Utah's winter scenery

  06-03-2018 20:44
  
  Experience the relaxing beauty of a Wasatch Mountain snowstorm in crisp 4K.
  
  Read more

• Human trafficking in Utah being addressed at Junior League event

  06-03-2018 20:13
  
  Human trafficking is the world's fastest-growing criminal enterprise, with more than 40 million "modern-day slaves." To help raise local awareness of the issue, the Junior League of Salt Lake City is organizing the first-ever Love Heals Forum.
  
  Read more

• Cemetery shooting may be tied to teen killing, police say

  06-03-2018 20:10
  TAYLORSVILLE — A weekend shooting at a cemetery may be connected to the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old in South Salt Lake, police say.Three people were visiting a grave at Taylorsville Memorial Park Cemetery about 1:30 p.m. Saturday when someone inside a four-door, black sedan that was driving through the cemetery fired several rounds, striking an 18-year-old man visiting the grave, according to police.The man was taken to a local hospital in serious condition. As of Tuesday, no arrests h
  
  Read more

• You can visit 11 Disney parks for free on Google Maps. Try it out here

  06-03-2018 20:00
  SALT LAKE CITY — Google announced it will bring 11 of its Disney parks to Google Maps' Street View, which gives people a chance to visit the parks without traveling outside of their own home.To visit the parks, just head over to Google Maps, type in Disneyland or Walt Disney World, and begin your magical journey."We're all about new fantastic points of view," the company said. "Today Street View is going the distance, from California to Florida, to make Disney part of your world. Be our gu
  
  Read more

• Senate OKs bills giving terminally ill access to medicinal cannabis

  06-03-2018 19:31
  
  The Senate gave preliminary approval Tuesday to a pair of bills intended to allow patients with less than six months to live to try medicinal cannabis products produced from marijuana grown by the state.
  
  Read more

• McDonald's is changing its beef, and Salt Lake locations will be the first ones to have it

  06-03-2018 19:26
  McDonald's is saying goodbye to frozen beef and hello to fresh beef.The fast-food chain announced Tuesday that fresh beef quarter-pound burgers will be added to its menus across all locations, except for those in Hawaii and Alaska, beginning in May.The company said quarter-pound and Signature Crafted Recipe burgers will be cooked right when ordered. The switch will not affect Big Macs, and regular hamburgers and cheeseburgers.Fresh beef patties will be added to more than 3,500 locations in selec
  
  Read more

• Food truck employee charged with injuring young co-worker

  06-03-2018 18:58
  PAYSON — A Payson man accused of using a pair of tongs to burn a young girl working with him in a food truck was charged Tuesday with child abuse.James Cushman, 19, is charged in 4th District Court with child abuse, a second-degree felony.The incident happened on June 6, 2017, according to charging documents. A 14-year-old girl was working in Daley's Wood Fire and Dutch Oven food trailer in Payson along with Cushman.Cushman "began slapping her hard on the butt and her legs with a fly swatt
  
  Read more

• Members of vandalized Idaho church 'praying for the person that did this’

  06-03-2018 18:55
  
  Church leaders at First Evangelical Lutheran Church were preparing to worship at 8 a.m. Sunday when they walked in and found their chapel in shambles.
  
  Read more

• Police: Man involved in standoff had 10 guns, 4 Molotov cocktails

  06-03-2018 18:53
  
  A man who barricaded himself for several hours during a standoff with police Monday afternoon was booked into Salt Lake County Jail in connection with an arson Sunday.
  
  Read more

• 10 guns, 4 molotov cocktails found in home of suspected arsonist, police say

  06-03-2018 18:52
  WEST JORDAN — A West Jordan man accused of burning down a vacant mobile home was taken into custody Monday following a standoff with police.Christopher Baron, 45, was arrested for investigation of aggravated arson, burglary, possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person and four counts of possession of an explosive device.Investigators believe Baron went to an abandoned trailer near his house in the neighborhood at 3900 West and 85000 South on Sunday, poured kerosene in different
  
  Read more

• House bill would create Early Childhood Utah Advisory Council

  06-03-2018 18:46
  
  Based on recommendations from a 2017 statewide early childhood survey, leaders and policymakers wish to pass House Bill 319, which would create a coordinated state advisory board addressing concerns for pregnancy until age 5.
  
  Read more

• Legislative bill: Program would coordinate efforts in education

  06-03-2018 18:19
  
  Rep. Jefferson Moss and education stakeholders wish to create a program that will coordinate efforts in education around the state.
  
  Read more

• A.M. notes: Update on Salt Lake airport redesign, Trump highway proposal passes, Jazz outshine Magic

  06-03-2018 18:06
  Here's a look at the news for March 6.Salt Lake airport redesign approaches $3.6 billionThe redesign for Salt Lake International Airport is slowly approaching a cost of more than $3.6 billion, according to the Deseret News.The project, which will meet its budget and be finished by 2020, will include a new south concourse and a new north concourse set to open in 2024.The airport will also expand its gate capacity, allowing more people to catch a flight out of Salt Lake City."The citizens of Salt
  
  Read more

• Greater penalty for 'worst of worst' in child exploitation cases advances; transportation bill scaled back

  06-03-2018 18:00
  
  A bill that would increase penalties for "the worst of the worst of child exploitation offenders" advanced, while a sweeping transportation bill was significantly changed.
  
  Read more

• McDonald's in Salt Lake City among first to offer fresh beef

  06-03-2018 17:41
  NEW YORK — McDonald's is offering fresh beef rather than frozen patties in some burgers at thousands of restaurants, a switch it first announced about a year ago as it works to appeal to customers who want fresher foods.The fast-food giant, which has relied on frozen beef patties since the 1970s, said it's launching Quarter Pounders made with fresh beef in about 3,500 restaurants starting Tuesday. It'll be available in eight cities, including Atlanta, Miami and Salt Lake City, then roll ou
  
  Read more

• Bill to delay initiatives fails, then advances in late-night Utah House vote

  06-03-2018 17:37
  SALT LAKE CITY — Lawmakers' efforts to push back the implementation date for ballot initiatives moved forward Monday night, following a pair of votes and late-hour debate in the House.HB471 passed 46-25 in the House, after failing moments earlier by a 34-39 vote. Bill sponsor Rep. Brad Daw, R-Orem, successfully argued to bring the bill back to the floor for further debate, resulting another vote.If passed by the Senate and signed by the governor this session, HB471 would delay the implemen
  
  Read more

• Bill to fine Utah cities lacking affordable housing advances

  06-03-2018 16:42
  
  The bill that would fine Utah cities and counties lacking affordable housing to help pay for homeless shelters in other cities advanced Monday despite opposition — but changes to the bill may be coming.
  
  Read more

• Ex-911 director for Salt Lake City pleads guilty to DUI

  06-03-2018 07:04
  SALT LAKE CITY — The former head of Salt Lake City's 911 Dispatch Center pleaded guilty Monday to driving under the influence.Scott D. Freitag, 48, of Layton, was arrested by Centerville police Jan. 3. He lost his job because of it, Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski said the following day.Freitag pleaded guilty to DUI, a class B misdemeanor, in Davis County Justice Court Monday. In exchange, two other other misdemeanor charges against him were dropped. They are having an open container
  
  Read more

• Utah House passes bill allowing restaurants to remove signs that say they aren't bars

  06-03-2018 06:57
  SALT LAKE CITY — Restaurants are closer to being able to remove signs informing customers that they are indeed restaurants — not bars — under a bill the Utah House unanimously passed Monday.HB456 removes the requirement that the more than 1,400 establishments licensed to serve alcohol in the state to prominently display 8 ½-by-11-inch signs reading, "This premise is licensed as a BAR not a restaurant" or "This premise is licensed as a RESTAURANT not a bar."House Majority
  
  Read more

• Dual crashes close eastbound I-80 near mouth of Parley's Canyon

  06-03-2018 06:38
  
  Eastbound I-80 is closed near the mouth of Parley's Canyon after two vehicles were involved in separate crashes Monday night, UHP officials said.
  
  Read more

• Police: Man believed to be connected with arson taken into custody

  06-03-2018 06:28
  
  A man police believe was involved in an arson Sunday night was taken into custody Monday evening after he barricaded himself from police, authorities said.
  
  Read more

• St. George school evacuated after possible explosive device found

  06-03-2018 06:26
  
  A "suspicious incident" forced the evacuation of Pine View High School in St. George on Monday.
  
  Read more

• Senate advances bill to control inland port in Salt Lake City

  06-03-2018 05:39
  SALT LAKE CITY — The bill that would create a way to control the development of a global trade hub in Salt Lake City's northwest quadrant cleared the Utah Senate on Monday, but without addressing the city's top concern.SB234, which would create a new governing body called the Utah Inland Port Authority to oversee the development of thousands of acres in Salt Lake City's last developable swath of land, passed on a 24-3 vote Monday night. It now goes to the House.A few changes were made to t
  
  Read more

• Salt Lake airport's 'once-in-a-lifetime' redesign now approaching $3.6 billion

  06-03-2018 05:17
  
  Salt Lake City's massive airport redesign currently underway is on track and on budget for a 2020 opening that will bring incredible opportunity to Utah, the city's new airport director says.
  
  Read more

• Resolution to eliminate State School Board passes Utah Senate

  06-03-2018 05:04
  SALT LAKE CITY — Voters could decide the future of the Utah State Board of Education as an independent legislative body.The Utah Senate voted 22-6 on Monday to approve a resolution seeking an amendment of the Utah Constitution that would eliminate the State School Board.Constitutional amendments require a two-thirds vote of each legislative house and then must be approved by a majority of voters."We are letting the people of Utah decide. It's that simple," said SJR16 sponsor Sen. Jim Dabak
  
  Read more

• Utah House passes Medicaid expansion bill

  06-03-2018 04:46
  SALT LAKE CITY — The House passed a bill Monday requiring the Utah Department of Health to submit a waiver request to the federal to government provide Medicaid benefits to thousands of low-income Utahns.HB472 would expand coverage through a managed health care plan for people making less than the federal poverty line, which is $12,060 a year for individuals and $24,600 for a family of four. It includes a work requirement and path to self-sufficiency for able-bodied recipients and a cost c
  
  Read more

• Our Schools Now, lawmakers could agree to back gas tax increase

  06-03-2018 04:34
  
  Backers of Our Schools Now, the initiative to increase income and sales taxes to raise $700 million for education, told lawmakers Monday they'd drop the measure if voters were able to weigh in on a 10-cent per gallon gas tax hike.
  
  Read more

• Utah lawmakers rushing through bill creating grant program for Olympic venue projects

  06-03-2018 04:32
  SALT LAKE CITY — As the deadline for another Olympic bid nears, Utah lawmakers are rushing through a last-minute bill that creates a new grant program so work can start on nearly $40 million in needed repairs to 2002 Winter Games facilities.Rep. Eric Hutchings, R-Kearns, the sponsor of HB484, said he expects the Legislature to deposit $8.5 million in the new "Winter Sports Venue Grant Fund" before the session ends at midnight Thursday.In future years, $2.5 million would likely be added to
  
  Read more

• Senate panel advances bill restricting noncompete contracts in Utah broadcast media

  06-03-2018 04:31
  SALT LAKE CITY — A longtime Fox 13 news anchor and relatively young KTVX reporter expressed contrasting views on a controversial bill that would restrict the use of noncompete contracts in Utah broadcast media.Bob Evans, who has worked under a noncompete contract for 22 years at Fox, said a TV station puts a lot of time, money and energy into crafting an image through its on-air talent."That image becomes one of the lynchpins for a station's success," he told the Senate Business and Labor
  
  Read more

• For Nora the polar bear, there is Hope

  06-03-2018 04:04
  
  A main attraction at Utah's Hogle Zoo — a young polar bear named Nora — seems to be settling into a new life with Hope. "Hope" is actually the name of another polar bear who's helping Nora cope with a tragic early life.
  
  Read more

• Bill would increase penalties for attacking police, corrections officers

  06-03-2018 04:00
  SALT LAKE CITY — A bill that would increase the penalty for causing "substantial bodily injury" to a police officer or an employee of a correctional facility is headed to the Utah House for consideration.Rep. Paul Ray, R-Clearfield, presented HB477 Monday to the House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee. Causing "substantial bodily injury" to a peace officer or a correctional officer becomes a third-degree felony under the bill.Throwing anything at an officer is a class A misdem
  
  Read more

• SWAT standoff ends peacefully in West Jordan

  06-03-2018 03:43
  WEST JORDAN — Officers seeking to arrest a suspect in an arson case Monday ended up in a standoff for several hours with the man who hid inside his home with a handgun, police said.Police took him into custody about 5 p.m. Monday. No injuries were reported.A SWAT team and police from several agencies evacuated homes as a precaution in the neighborhood at 3900 West and 85030 South.No one else was believed to have been in the house with the man, whose name was not released, said West Jordan
  
  Read more

• Senate committee OKs sex ed bill

  06-03-2018 03:42
  SALT LAKE CITY — The Senate Education Committee gave unanimous approval Monday to the latest version of HB286, which adds the harmful effects of pornography and the teaching of refusal skills to the state's sexual education curriculum.The bill's sponsor, Rep. Justin Fawson, R-North Ogden, said the proposal had been throughly reviewed by a wide array of stakeholders, resulting in an oak tree being "whittled down to a toothpick."The bill's supporters included Miriam Hall, Miss Springville-Ma
  
  Read more

• Utah House panel ices bill to remove guns from violent, unstable people

  06-03-2018 03:33
  
  A House committee sent a bill to allow district court judges to issue extreme risk restraining orders under which police could remove guns from a person shown to have a propensity for violent or emotionally unstable conduct back for more study.
  
  Read more

• Utah one step closer to becoming home of Trump National Highway

  06-03-2018 02:36
  
  Members of the House Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Committee voted 9-2 to advance legislation that proposes to rename a southern Utah highway after President Donald Trump in recognition for his impacts on monuments and rural Utah.
  
  Read more

Follow @NewslockerUtah on Twitter!