Utah News & Current Events | Public News Service

Almost nine of 10 voters who used ranked choice voting said they were confident their ballot would be counted accurately, according to Utah Ranked Choice Voting. (Adobe Stock)

Multiple Utah cities set to use ranked-choice voting in next election

Across Utah, 10 cities will be using ranked choice voting in the general election in November. In 2018, Utah passed a bill to establish a pilot …

The lake bed of the Great Salt Lake is laced with arsenic, mercury and other toxic substances, according to the environmental law firm Earthjustice. (Jenny Thompson/Adobe Stock)

Lawsuit Argues UT Has Failed to Address Shrinking Great Salt Lake

Conservation and community groups have filed a lawsuit against Utah for what they claim is the state's failure to ensure enough water gets to the Grea…

Utah is one of the states that pays and administers its own supplemental payments. People can contact the state directly for payment information. (Adobe Stock)

Eligible Utahns Could Qualify for Supplemental Security Income Payments

Many people in Utah and across the country are eligible for financial aid on top of receiving Social Security payments, but are not aware of it…

Utah Republican Gov. Spencer Cox and Colorado Democratic Gov. Jared Polis are leading the Disagree Better initiative. (Adobe Stock)

'Disagree Better': Utah Gov Leads Initiative to Ease Hyper-Partisanship

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox wants people to learn to disagree. As the elected chair of the National Governors Association, he is leading a campaign …

You are eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program if your income is 200% or less than the Federal Poverty Guidelines. (Adobe Stock)

Bridging Digital Divide for Low-Income Utahns

Utah organizations across the state are wanting to increase awareness and enrollment of the Affordable Connectivity Program. ACP's primary goal is to …

Indoor air is three to four times more polluted than outdoor air, according to the American Lung Association. (Adobe Stock)

UT Schools Get Free Purifiers to Combat Poor Air Quality

A majority of K-12 schools and day-care centers in Utah have received free air purifiers as a result of a federal grant given to the Utah Department o…

Around 34% of Americans, a near record high, say abortion should be legal in all cases, according to a recent Gallup poll. (Adobe Stock)

Utah Supreme Court to Hear Oral Arguments on State's Abortion Trigger Ban

Tomorrow, the Utah Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in relation to the ongoing lawsuit against Senate Bill 174. Commonly known as the "trigger …

Utah ranks 36 for the strength of its gun laws, according to Everytown for Gun Safety. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Majority of U.S. Youth Agree Gun Violence is a Problem

Some 74% of young people in the U.S. believe gun violence is a problem, and 60% want to see stricter gun laws, according to a new report from …

The survey also found 83% of parents say they have concerns about their young children's behavior related to sleeping habits, aggression and separation anxiety. (Adobe Stock)

Survey: Social Emotional Development a Top Priority for Parents

A new survey finds a majority of parents of children younger than six in Utah and across the country rated social emotional development the most impor…

Gov. Spencer Cox speaks about projects underway in the Beaver River watershed. (Utah Department of Natural Resources)

Utah Leaders Tour Forest Management Projects

Last week federal, state and local leaders visited forest management projects in Utah to examine how land managers are addressing what some are …

'Returnships' Help More Utahns Get Back to Work

By Ramona Schindelheim for WorkingNation.Broadcast version by Alex Gonzalez for Utah News Connection reporting for the Working Nation-Public News Serv…

The Utah State University research estimates that 39% of transgender people currently meet the criteria for severe psychological distress, compared with 5% of the overall U.S. population. (Adobe Stock)

USU Finds Clinicians Aren't Well-Versed in Transgender Health Care

Much has been said about the need for gender-affirming health care - but a Utah State University study says many health-care providers don't have the …

In 2020, 3,168 adult and children were served in Utah domestic violence shelters, but close to 2,200 requests for shelter were unmet. (Adobe Stock)

UT Measure Aims to Cut 'Lethal' Domestic Violence Incidents

It has been just days since Utah leaders enacted a bill that requires law enforcement agencies to conduct a 12-question assessment in response to dome…

According to the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, wildfires scorched more than 25,000 in 2022, but only 1,104 of those acres burned as a result of natural causes. (Adobe Stock)

State Leaders Break Ground on New UT Fire Operations Center

Utah state leaders held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new firefighting center to be built along the Wasatch Front. Jamie Barnes, director of …

The Salt Lake Chamber, Utah Clean Air Partnership and TravelWise are the groups behind the Clear the Air challenge, an attempt to curb pollution and improve air quality statewide. (Adobe Stock)

Utah Kicks Off 2023 'Clear the Air' Challenge

The 14th annual Clear the Air Challenge in Utah begins July 1. The month-long challenge is designed to encourage Utahns to reduce their vehicle …

The American Heart Association encourages people spend time in nature as one way to relieve stress and anxiety. (Adobe Stock)

UT Doc: Unchecked Stress Levels Can Lead to Health Consequences

It is Community Health Improvement Week, and one Utah family care physician wants people to use the time to think about the effects that stress may …

Utah's average cost of center-based child care for toddlers was $9,003 per year, 9% of the median income of a married couple. (Adobe Stock)

UT Excels in Child Well-Being, But Parents Struggle with Child Care Costs

Utah ranks second in the country for overall child well-being, moving up from last year's fourth-place ranking in the annual Kids Count Data Book…

According to Everytown for Gun Safety, in the United States there is an average of 23 minutes between gun suicide deaths. (Gun Violence Prevention Center of Utah)

Utah Holds 'Guns to Gardens' Event

Over the weekend, Utahans in Salt Lake City held one of the many "Guns to Gardens" events across the country, which aim to show people how to safely …

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 …

According to the Children's Collaborative for Healing and Support, between 2017 and 2021, more than 5 million children nationally experienced the death of a parent. (Adobe Stock)

UT Pilot Program Aims to Support Grieving Kids

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox joined the Children's Collaborative for Healing and Support last week to announce a pilot program in the state designed to …

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends women who are 50 to 74 years old and are at average risk for breast cancer to get screened every two years. (Adobe Stock)

Mammography Among UT Women Ranks Below National Average

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Utah women. According to the Utah Women and Leadership Project at Utah State University…

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every 15 minutes a person in the United States dies from an infection resistant to treatment with existing antimicrobial drugs. (Adobe Stock)

Calls for Revitalization of Antimicrobial Research, PASTEUR Act Could Help

The PASTEUR Act, which stands for "Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions to End Upsurging Resistance," has been reintroduced in Congress with …

According to Consumer Reports, 71% of Americans express some level of interest in buying or leasing an all-electric car. (Adobe Stock)

New EPA Rule Could Mean 2 out of 3 Cars is Electric by 2032

The Environmental Protection Agency announced last month new and more stringent vehicle emission standards, which some say could significantly help …

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one in three high school students experienced poor mental health during the pandemic, and nearly half of students felt persistently sad or hopeless. (Adobe Stock)

Nonprofit Group Urges School Districts to Focus on Mental Health Support

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and one group wants school districts in Utah and across the country to focus on critical mental health support…

According to a Brigham Young University report, 85% of the pollutants causing health and economic harm in Utah are fossil-fuel combustion products. (Adobe Stock)

Young Utahns Suing State, Calling for Climate Action

By Ray Levy Uyeda for Prism.Broadcast version by Alex Gonzalez for Utah News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News Ser…

Mattingly says nearly 5% of adults in the United States are living with ADHD, about 10 million diagnosed adults. (Adobe Stock)

ADHD Diagnoses Increase; So Does Demand for Medications

It has been seven months since The Food and Drug Administration announced a nationwide shortage of medications used to treat Attention Deficit/Hyperac…

According to GreenLatinos, Hispanics and Latinos are twice as likely to depend on public transit for transportation, but current public transit lines don't ensure access to outdoor recreational spaces. (Andy Dean/Adobe Stock)

Group Pushes to 'Take Back Cinco de Mayo'

A national group says it wants to reclaim the significance of Cinco de Mayo, the anniversary of Mexico's victory over the Second French Empire at the …

According to an Annie E. Casey Foundation report, Utah saw a 9% increase in child population from 2010 to 2020. (Robert Kneschke / Adobe Stock)

Report: UT Sees Child Population Increase Despite National Decline

A new report found the population of children recorded in 2020 was 1.1 million fewer than in 2010. According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation…

According to the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining, the state has plugged more than 100 wells. (Susan Vineyard/Adobe Stock)

Group Urges Action to Plug Orphaned UT Oil Wells

Congress allocated billions of dollars through the infrastructure law to plug orphaned well sites across the country, with Utah being one of the …

According to the Topaz Museum, the U.S. government and army removed an estimated 120,000 men, women and children of Japanese ancestry from their West Coast homes and forced them into remote camps during World War II. (Wikimedia Commons)

UT Ceremonies Keep WWII Japanese American Experience Alive

Japanese Americans gather this weekend for memorial events at the World War II Topaz internment camp in Delta, and in Salt Lake City, to mark the 80…

Among racial and ethnic groups in Utah, research indicates almost 50% of Black adults aren't getting enough sleep. (Adobe Stock)

Report: 1 in 3 Utahns Not Getting Enough Shut-Eye

More than 30% of Utah adults are getting less than the ideal seven hours of sleep each night. Utah ranks 16th among states for insufficient sleep…

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 …

New Initiative Delivers Free Books to Utah K-3 Students

Many kids across the state of Utah will be able to receive free books in the mail this summer to encourage reading and improve literacy outcomes…

Cottonwood Heights, Utah, became a city in 2005. (Adobe Stock)

UT Mayor Talks Housing, Infrastructure Challenges at National Conference

Mike Weichers, mayor of Cottonwood Heights, is one of the Utah city leaders at The National League of Cities' Congressional City Conference being …

Across the 398 women surveyed, 57.8% occupied no marginalized social category, while 22.6% occupied at least one marginalized category and almost 20% occupied more than one. (Adobe Stock)

Report Eyes Health Impacts of Social Belonging in UT Women

Research from The University of Utah explores the physical- and mental-health implications of social belonging in women. Study author Lisa Diamond …

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and Department of Transportation studies have shown a 90% reduction in wildlife-vehicle collisions when there is a crossing structure or fence in an area. (Adobe Stock)

Utah Approves $20 Million for Wildlife Crossings

Some $20 million of Utah's whopping $29 billion state budget will be spent on building wildlife crossings and fences across the state in an effort to …

Soot standards were last updated by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2012. In December 2020, the Trump administration declined to tighten standards. (Adobe Stock)

EPA 'Soot Standard' Receives Pressure from UT Clean-Air Advocates

The danger of soot pollution is real, and clean-air advocates in Utah say it is a top-of-mind issue for many in the state. Lindsay Beebe, senior …

According to the Western Wildlife Conservancy, during the 2015-2016 Utah hunting season, 372 cougars were killed, a number that has increased every year. (Adobe Stock)

UT Legislature Passes Bill to Allow Year-Round Cougar Hunting

Wildlife conservationists are calling for Utah Gov. Spencer Cox to veto House Bill 469, which would allow year-round cougar hunting in the state…

In September 2010, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service found pygmy rabbits were not warranted for listing under the Endangered Species Act because the agency said there was not enough data to show the threat level had risen leading to possible extinction. (Adobe Stock)

Petition Seeks Protection for Pygmy Rabbits Across West

Conservation groups in Utah and across the western United States are requesting protection for the pygmy rabbit under the Endangered Species Act…

With the inclusion of workforce certificates and certifications, Utah's overall rate of educational attainment has increased more than 21% since 2009. (Adobe Stock)

Report: UT Fares Well with Higher-Ed Degree Attainment

Utah is one of the most educated states in the country and has seen significant increases in higher educational attainment between 2019 and 2021…

The Utah Food Bank's Southern Distribution Center works closely with 25 local grocery stores to help provide fresh food to Utahns in need. (Adobe Stock)

Utah Food Bank Southern Distribution Center Expands as Need Increases

The need for emergency food in Utah's six southernmost counties is on the rise, so Utah Food Bank is expanding its Southern Distribution Center in St…

According to the American Heart Association, among Black women ages 20 and older, nearly 58% have high blood pressure. (Adobe Stock)

UT Heart Attack Survivor Shares Importance of Women's Heart Health

American Heart Month may be coming to an end, but one Utah heart attack survivor wants to shed light on women's heart health ahead of Utah's Go Red …

Since 2022, nearly a quarter of Utah mayors are women, an almost 15% increase from 2017. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Female Representation in UT Government Trails National Averages

Research explored Utah's female representation in Congress, the Legislature and concluded the state's executive branch is not where it should be…

According to the Conservation in the West Survey, 75% of Utahns support a national goal of conserving 30% of America's land and water by 2030. (Adobe Stock)

Survey: Conservation Efforts, Environmental Priorities Remain High in UT

The thirteenth annual Conservation in the West Poll surveyed the views of Utahns and voters in seven other western states, and found support for …

ABLE Accounts, savings accounts for people with disabilities, are currently offered in 46 states. (Adobe Stock)

More Utahns Will be Eligible for State-Based ABLE Accounts

More people living with disabilities will be eligible to open state-based savings accounts known as ABLE accounts. They're part of the "Achieving a …

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…

According to Power To Decide's Abortion Finder map, centers began closing even before the U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn 'Roe v. Wade' was officially released. (Adobe Stock)

States' Abortion Access Compiled on Interactive Map

Some doctors and pro-choice advocates are urging people to pre-order so-called "abortion pills," citing a looming Texas court decision which might ult…

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