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Housing affordability was the most important issue to Utahns in a new Utah Foundation survey, while earning enough to pay for non-housing needs came in third. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Report: Cost of living, government dysfunction rank as top issues for Utahns

More than three in five Utahns believe the state is on the wrong track and their quality of life is worse today than it was five years ago. A new …

In 2023, Utahns lost an average amount of $2,808 per scam reported, according to LendingTree. (Adobe Stock)

Utahns lost big to scammers in 2023. Expert has tips to protect yourself

April is Financial Literacy Month, and the Federal Trade Commission wants to help Utahns spot, avoid and report scams to keep their money safe…

More than 19,000 bachelor's degrees were awarded by Utah public colleges and universities during the 2022-23 academic school year, according to Utah Commissioner of Higher Education Geoffrey Landward. (Adobe Stock)

UT students could get a bachelor's degree in just 3 years

A new degree program could grant students across the Utah System of Higher Education a bachelor's degree in just three years. Geoffrey Landward…

Around 20% of children in San Juan County are uncertain about their next meal, which is double the statewide average, according to Utah Food Bank. (Adobe Stock)

Utah Food Bank opens two pantries on Navajo Nation

Utah Food Bank is expanding in San Juan County, and has announced the opening of two new pantries that will help support residents of the Navajo …

An estimated 40% of recent college graduates in the U.S. are underemployed, according to Statista. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Mending the pathway from college to workforce

A new report from WGU Labs, a nonprofit affiliate of Western Governors University based in Millcreek, Utah, is shedding light on the importance of …

Nationally, 25% of parents with diaper need reported they have missed an average of five days of work or school in the past month due to not having enough diapers to drop children off at child care. (Joaquin Corbalan / Adobe Stock)

As UT diaper needs grow, help is available

Inadequate diaper supply can jeopardize Utahn's ability to advance financially. That is according to Vic Velivis, the founder and executive director …

According to Education Superhighway, the Affordable Connectivity Program has a 35% adoption rate across the country. (Adobe Stock)

Low-Income Utahns Lag on Broadband Access

Gov. Spencer Cox has announced a statewide initiative to increase awareness of the Affordable Connectivity Program, which aims to get more Utahns …

78% of participants are concerned or very concerned that PBMs hold a monopoly on the prescription drug market, according to the poll by Lake Research Partners. (Adobe Stock)

Poll: Voters Favor Policies that Hold Pharmacy Benefit Managers Accountable

Increasing prescription drug prices is a reality impacting many Utahns - and a new national poll finds bipartisan support among voters for Congression…

Scientists say Red Dye #3 poses health risks, but young children may be the most vulnerable because their small body weight and potentially higher levels of exposure. (DW Labs Incorporated/Adobe Stock)

Report: Popular 'Peeps' May Contain Dangerous Dye

Pink and purple "Peeps" are popular Easter treats, but consumer health experts warn they contain a dye that has been linked to cancer and Attention …

The survey demonstrates that despite inflationary pressures and interest-rate hikes, small businesses expect to create jobs in 2023. (Adobe Stock)

Survey: 70% of Small Businesses Give Government Programs Grade of 'C' or Below

A Goldman Sachs survey finds that 70% of small business owners give the federal government a grade of "C or below" for the effectiveness of programs…

The CDC says infected birds can shed and transmit the avian flu virus through saliva, mucous or feces. (Adobe Stock) The CDC says infected birds will shed and transmit the bird flu virus through saliva, mucous or feces. (Adobe Stock)

Avian Flu Takes Big Toll on UT Turkey Farms

About 700,000 turkeys across 18 Utah farms have to be euthanized following an outbreak of the avian flu. Bailee Woolstenhulme, public information …

Salt Lake City had a 24.6% increase in rental costs between 2019 and 2022, the third-highest in the country, according to real estate data firm Stessa. (DoubletreeStudios/Adobe Stock)

Study: Skyrocketing Housing Costs Putting the Squeeze on Utah Renters

The average cost of keeping a roof over your head in Utah's metro areas is a lot more than it used to be - if you're renting. A recent University …

Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, a network of 500,000 electric-vehicle charging stations will be built over the next decade. (trekandphoto/Adobe Stock))

Groups to Build EV Charging Stations Across Rural Utah, Western States

Electric vehicles (EVs) are an economical and environmentally friendly way to get from Point A to Point B, but the lack of charging stations often …

Health-care advocates say thousands of Utah kids may need to re-register for health insurance coverage when the pandemic-driven health-care emergency ends in the coming weeks. (Monkey Business/Adobe Stock)<br />

Advocates Say Officials Need to Act Now to Keep Utah Kids Insured

With the end of the pandemic-driven public-health emergency looming, a new report reveals that millions of children in Utah and elsewhere are at risk …

Licensed Paralegal Practitioners are a lower-cost alternative for Utahns who may need legal help but can't afford attorney fees or retainers. (Monkey Business/Adobe Stock)

Licensed Paralegals Bring Lower-Cost Legal Services to Utahns

The cost of hiring a lawyer can be out of reach for many Utahns, creating "justice gaps" in rural areas and marginalized communities where fees are …

A new federal law prevents surprise medical bills, also called balance billing, that show up when a patient sees an out-of-network provider at an in-network facility. (antonioguillen/Adobe Stock)

New Federal Law Blocks Doctors From Sending 'Surprise' Medical Bills

A new federal law, which took effect on New Year's Day, the No Surprises Act, expands protections already in place in Utah and across the U.S…

The cost of regular gas and jumped from $2.24 a gallon one year ago to $3.59 last week in Utah, while oil and gas companies are reporting record profits. (moodboard/Adobe Stock).

Report: Soaring Oil Industry Profits Costing Consumers at Pump

SALT LAKE CITY -- As Utahns continue to endure some of the nation's highest gasoline prices, 24 of the top oil and gas corporations made nearly $174 …

Experts say health insurance through the Affordable Care Act is much improved after Congress passed the American Rescue Act earlier this year. (Tada Images/Adobe Stock)

Open Enrollment Begins for 2022 'Obamacare' Health Care Plans

SALT LAKE CITY -- Open enrollment for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act is underway in Utah and across the country, and experts are …

Utah relies on the U.S. Postal Service for many reasons, including voting, as is one of the states that sent ballots to all registered voters pre-COVID. (Evgenia Parajnian/Adobe Stock)

Coalition Urges Lawmakers to Pass Bipartisan USPS Reform

SALT LAKE CITY -- Supporters of the U.S. Postal Service are pressing for passage of a bill to shore up the troubled agency. Twin versions of the …

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission say they're prepared to enforce penalties against landlords who expel tenants despite the current federal ban on evictions, which is in effect until June 30. (Joaquin Corbalan/Adobe Stock)

Agencies Vow to Penalize Landlords Who Violate Eviction Ban

SALT LAKE CITY - Landlords in Utah, and across the country, who wrongly evict renters protected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's …

Many Utahns have lost their health insurance during the COVID-19 pandemic, but subsidized coverage is now available through the Affordable Care Act. (Rido/Adobe Stock)

Nonprofits Help Utahns Find 'Bidencare' Coverage in Health Marketplace

OGDEN, Utah -- You may know it as "Obamacare." But nowadays, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has a new moniker, "Bidencare," because President Joe …

Utah public health officials have found by tracking the COVID-19 virus through sewage flows into water-treatment plants, they can reliably predict where major outbreaks are likely to occur. (Utah Dept. of Environmental Quality)

Utah Officials Track COVID-19 Through Sewage Flows

PROVO, Utah - Utah public health officials are tracking COVID-19 by monitoring sewage flows into treatment plants across the state. And by analyzing …

Many small Utah businesses rely on the U.S. Postal Service to deliver their wares. However, the agency is being hampered by debt, service cutbacks and the COVID-19 pandemic. (MelissaMN/Adobe Stock)

Postal Service Slowdowns Hobble Utah Small Businesses

SALT LAKE CITY -- Mail delays are putting pressure on small-business owners in Utah, who rely on the U.S. Postal Service for shipping products to …

Groups advocating on behalf of Utah tenants say those who've fallen behind on their rent due to the COVID-19 crisis could soon run out of options. (tab62/Adobe Stock)<br /> <br /><br />

Utah Tenants Behind on Rent Could Soon Face Evictions

SALT LAKE CITY - Groups working for affordable housing in Utah say the next two weeks could be "crunch time" for people trying to catch up on their un…

This area of Utah's Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument shows the results of mechanical clearing, also called

Groups Say Federal Agencies Hide Behind Pandemic to Attack Public Lands

MOAB, Utah -- Conservationists are accusing federal officials of using the coronavirus crisis as a smokescreen to issue controversial rules on public …

A new study shows Utah has among the highest rates of Latino children without health insurance in the country. (josecervo/Adobe Stock)

Report: Fewer Latino Children in Utah Have Health Insurance

SALT LAKE CITY - The number of Latino children with health insurance in Utah and many other states, which had increased steadily over past decades…

$A group of Kanab citizens believed a planned fracking sand mine in the sandstone hills near the town would destroy the local environment. (spiritofamerica/AdobeStock)$

Developer Abandons Plan to Mine Fracking Sand Near Kanab

KANAB, Utah -- A group of activists in the southern Utah town of Kanab have convinced a developer to abandon its plans to mine sand for oil and gas …

According to a national drug database, the cost of a vial of insulin can be $1,500 a month or higher for diabetics, 10 times what it was just a decade ago. (Young/AdobeStock)

Poll: Utah Voters Back Cap on Co-Pays for Insulin Prescriptions

SALT LAKE CITY -- The skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs has become a bipartisan issue among voters, and Utahns overwhelmingly back a plan to …

Starting Wednesday, about 60,000 more Utahns will become eligible for full Medicaid coverage after more than a year of wrangling over the program. (maxiporik/AdobeStock)

Utah Gets Federal OK for Full Medicaid Expansion Plan

SALT LAKE CITY - Thanks to the state's "fallback plan," about 60,000 more Utahns will become eligible for Medicaid benefits on Wednesday. Federal …

Open enrollment is under way through Dec. 15 for health insurance coverage for 2020 through the Affordable Care Act. Free assistance is available to Utahns through TakeCareUtah.org. (mdr/PNS) <br /><br />

Group Provides Free Help for Utahns to Enroll in ACA

SALT LAKE CITY – The enrollment period for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act is open in Utah, and advocates say if you are …

A new study shows that the number of uninsured children in Utah and across the nation is on the rise. (Pixabay)

Study: Number of Uninsured Kids in Utah on the Increase

SALT LAKE CITY – After a decade of improvement, the number of children with health insurance is dropping in Utah and across the nation…

Consumer advocates say to make sure the company is legitimate before you make an online purchase from them this holiday season. (Pixabay)

Consumer Advocates Warn Holiday Shoppers of Online Scams

SALT LAKE CITY – If you are planning to do all or part of your holiday shopping on the Internet this year, consumer groups have some tips on …

Experts predict premiums will climb for older patients in states that introduce non-ACA-compliant plans. (LilJoel/Morguefile)

Experts Warn of Rate Hikes on Pre-Existing Conditions With ACA Waivers

SALT LAKE CITY – Some health experts are warning that insurance rates could rise significantly for people in the individual market who are betwe…

Many new immigrants to the U.S. start out in low-wage jobs. Gina Cornia says that shouldn't count against them when they apply for green cards. (amira_a/Flickr)

Utahns Speak Out Against Proposed Immigration Rule

SALT LAKE CITY – Many Utahns are speaking out this week following a Trump administration proposal to broaden the factors that determine which le…

Crossroads Urban Center says more than half of all Salt Lake City residents don't make enough to afford renting an average-priced, two-bedroom house or apartment. (Nate Bolt/Flickr)

Affordable Housing Advocates: Utah Policymakers Can Do More

SALT LAKE CITY – The cost of buying or renting a home in Utah has been on the rise for years. Now, affordable-housing advocates say state …

Approximately 833,000 people drive for Uber in a year, which would account for 0.56 percent of all employment. But on average drivers work 17 hours per week and just three months. (Pexels)

Report: Uber Drivers Average Wage $9.21 After Expenses

SALT LAKE CITY – The nation is making progress toward full employment, according to recent data, but don't rush to attribute that to the so-…

The average student debt load in 2017 was more than $39,000. Nearly 44 million Americans currently owe nearly $1.5 trillion in student loans. (Pixabay)

Survey: Most Teens Unprepared for College Costs

SALT LAKE CITY – As another school year draws to a close, a new survey shows a majority of high school juniors and nearly 40 percent of seniors …

A new study shows that local governments are better positioned to connect traditionally underserved communities to broadband internet. (Pixabay)

Group Recommends Locally Controlled Broadband for Consumer Privacy

SALT LAKE CITY – As Congress considers remedies for large-scale privacy breaches by Cambridge Analytica and Facebook, a recent report suggests …

Several colleges in Utah have opened food pantries to help address the growing challenges of food insecurity among students. (USDA)

Combating Hunger on Utah College Campuses

SALT LAKE CITY - A growing number of college students in Utah and across the nation don't have enough money to buy food, according to a new national …

Twitter has about 68 million active users in the United States. (Pixabay)

Tweets "Fair Game" for Scientific Research

SALT LAKE CITY — New legal and ethical questions surrounding the business practices of Facebook seem to surface daily. But at the same time…

Conservationists are protesting the Bureau of Land Management's determination that oil and gas development in an area adjacent to Canyons of the Ancients National Monument would have

Critics Warn New BLM Leases in Utah Could Impact Rare Cultural Sites

SALT LAKE CITY – The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has paved the way for oil and gas drilling on more than 51,000 acres of public lands in …

Utah law prohibits selling tobacco products to minors, but there are no federal rules limiting access to electronic cigarettes. (Lindsay Fox/Wikimedia Commons)

Report: Vaping Harmful to Teens Even With No Nicotine

SALT LAKE CITY – An increasing number of teens in Utah and across the United States are drawn to electronic cigarettes, with such flavors as …

A new AARP website scores livability using more than 60 factors, including safe streets and walkability. (Pixabay)

New Web Tool Calculates Community "Livability" Score

SALT LAKE CITY – How livable is your community compared with others? How well does your community meet your needs, regardless of age or income? …

Washing fruit and vegetables before eating them is one way to avoid foodborne illness. (Pumpkinsky/Wikimedia Commons)

Tips for Avoiding Foodborne Illnesses

SALT LAKE CITY — March is the month many people start planning vacations, and health advocates say it's not too early to start thinking about …

Low-snowfall years result in a loss of more than 17,000 jobs, according to a new report. (Pixabay)

Report: Climate Change Impacting Utah's Winter Sports Economy

SALT LAKE CITY — Winter arrived late in Utah, and resorts have struggled to make and keep enough snow to attract skiers and snowboarders and …

A new study says automobiles are so much cleaner than 100 years ago that household cleaning agents, perfumes and paints are taking over the top spot for urban air pollution. (Pixabay)

Researchers Find Indoor Pollution on Par with Auto Emissions

SALT LAKE CITY – Because cars are now dramatically cleaner than they used to be, products such as skin lotions and indoor cleaners are becoming …

The addition of Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court could tip the scales in Janus v. AFSCME. (Wikimedia Commons)

Utah Unions Keeping Close Eye on U.S. Supreme Court's Janus Case

SALT LAKE CITY – The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments Monday in a case many say could determine the fate of the nation's …

Canceling all student loan debt could create more than half of all the jobs created after the Great Recession between 2010 and 2015, a study shows. (Pixabay)

Dropping Student Loan Debt Would Stimulate Economy, Report Says

SALT LAKE CITY – Student loan debt in the U.S. has reached $1.4 trillion. That's greater than all credit card debt and also eclipses all …

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