Hannah Petersen

Utah

New Utah laws take effect Wednesday — what changes for you?

On Wednesday, most of the 502 bills passed by the 2021 Utah Legislature will go into effect. Here’s a look at how changes made to state laws will affect you.

By Ashley Imlay and Hannah Petersen

Outdoors

What we know about the upcoming wildfire season

“This summer is just shaping up to be a difficult fire year. We didn’t have much of a winter; spring is not looking much better,” a Unified Fire Authority spokesman said.

By Hannah Petersen

Utah

Does spraying pesticides to control mosquitoes near Great Salt Lake do more harm than good?

A group of Utah doctors disagrees with Salt Lake County’s plans to continue spraying pesticides to fight mosquitoes due to health concerns about autism, infertility and air pollution, but Salt Lake County says the protection against West Nile virus is necessary.

By Hannah Petersen

Utah

What’s on the minds of Utah’s youth? Gov. Cox finds out in teen town hall

Utah’s governor took questions from student leaders in his first teen town hall, with topics ranging from school shootings, to LGBTQ mental health needs and protection of Native American sites.

By Hannah Petersen

Utah

Can a pasta machine protect the seeds to save the West’s wildlands?

Scientists look for ways to remove invading plant life from Utah and other Western states in efforts to restore native plant life and even help cull wildfires.

By Hannah Petersen

A voter fills in a ballot during Election Day voting at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Nov. 3, 2020.

Utah

New commission anxious to bring public into process of drawing new political boundaries

After a statewide ballot initiative allowed Utah to join the few states with an independent redistricting commission in 2018, the commission is appointed and ready to start meeting Tuesday.

By Hannah Petersen

Politics

What Utah’s former governor and former congressman have to say about America’s political divide

Former Utah Gov. Gary Herbert and former Rep. Ben McAdams discussed their concerns about the threat of the nation’s political divide and their ideas on overcoming it.

By Hannah Petersen

Utah

Utah’s large universities say ‘the jobs are out there’ for 2021 grads

Despite the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, Utah’s universities say 2021 will be a comeback year for graduates looking to enter the workforce.

By Hannah Petersen

Utah

Will Bridal Veil Falls be a monument or a state park?

A study will soon be underway to consider whether Provo Canyon’s popular Bridal Veil Falls should be made a state park or monument following tensions that arose in December amid talks of private development of the area.

By Hannah Petersen

A Delta plane departs from a hangar at the Salt Lake City International Airport.

Utah

As airlines receive grants from Biden’s COVID-19 relief bill, Salt Lake airport is flying steady

Airlines are receiving federal help to be passed on to employees as the COVID-19 pandemic reaches a year, but the air has stayed smooth for Salt Lake International Airport.

By Hannah Petersen

Utah

Modern mountain men test handmade hide boat for Bear River run

Two Utah “mountain men” are planning a weeklong canoe trip down the Bear River in May, following the 1825 path of the Great Salt Lake discoverer and frontiersman Jim Bridger.

By Hannah Petersen

Utah

Utah Food Bank hopes statewide event can boost stores for state’s ever-growing hungry families

The COVID-19 pandemic not only took lives but has created increased hunger for Utahn children and families as the state passes its one year anniversary of the pandemic.

By Hannah Petersen

Utah

Access to guns and primary elections roused debate at Utah’s Capitol in 2021

During the Utah Legislature’s annual 45-day session in Salt Lake City, lawmakers made several moves on access to guns as well as elections.

By Hannah Petersen

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Utah

On Women’s Day, Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson says ‘there’s plenty more to do’

The Women’s Business Center of Utah and the state’s first female lieutenant governor celebrated International Women’s Day by remembering past women who paved the way and modern women who inspire and uplift future female generations.

By Hannah Petersen

Utah

Utah lawmakers honor the life and service of creator of the Capitol docent program

Allyson Gamble served on the Capitol Preservation Board for 19 years and was its executive director for 11 and led the foundation of the docent program that gives tours and teaches the history of the Utah Capitol. She had suffered a stroke on Dec. 2 and died in the hospital two days later.

By Hannah Petersen

Utah

Don’t like the look of the state flag? Lawmakers OK task force to look at redesign

Utah lawmakers argued over the value of possibly redesigning the state flag and what downsides and upsides would come from creating a task force that would look into the issue.

By Hannah Petersen

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Utah

Lawmaker benched by COVID-19 makes surprise virtual visit, says he’s recovering

Representatives welcomed an impromptu video call from Rep. Jon Hawkins, R-Pleasant Grove, on Thursday afternoon. Hawkins appeared on the chamber’s Zoom call to say hello, thank his fellow legislators for their care, update them on his well-being and even vote on some bills.

By Hannah Petersen

Utah

Utahraptor to get a place of its own as lawmakers OK 2 new state parks

HB257 will rename Lost Creek Reservoir in Morgan County the Lost Creek State Park. The bill also funds buying parts of the Dalton Wells area for what will become Utahraptor State Park in Grand County. The costs for the creation of both parks will be $36.5 million.

By Hannah Petersen

Utah

Advocates rally for ratification of equal rights in the US constitution

Utah was the first state where women could vote, but according to a rally held at the state Capitol in Salt Lake City, there is still much to be done in the name of equality and women’s rights.

By Hannah Petersen

This Park City home often rents as an Airbnb.

Utah

State senators argue over which ‘tyrant’ should rule on allowing short-term rentals

Legislators meeting in Salt Lake City discuss whether local or state lawmakers should make decisions on who can rent out a room or home for a short period of time.

By Hannah Petersen

Utah

Bid to raise minimum wage in Utah put on hold amid debate over free market economy

Republican legislators argue for a free market when it comes to wages and Democrat legislators argue for a living wage to match Utah’s living costs.

By Hannah Petersen

Utah

This state lawmaker is trying to stop ‘puppy mills’

Utah pet stores would have to only become hosts to organizations that rescue or shelter cats and dogs under a new bill to cut the cord between puppy and kitten mills into the state.

By Hannah Petersen

Utah

Hard-hit culture and arts industries see hope after the COVID-19 pandemic

According to the 2020 State of Utah Culture Report presented last week by the Utah Cultural Alliance and the Utah Department of Heritage and Arts about $77 million in arts-related revenue was lost between March and November 2020.

By Hannah Petersen

Utah

Effort to ban ballot nicknames gets rebuffed by Utah Senate

HB152 would limit candidates to their given name or a nickname that they’ve “generally been known” by for at least five years and they have “documentary evidence” as proof.

By Hannah Petersen

Utah

Tougher rules on cellphones and driving stall in House committee

HB160, sponsored by Rep. Carol Spackman-Moss, D-Holladay, created new restrictions on the use of handheld electronic devices while driving, prohibiting a driver from handling a cellphone while the vehicle is in motion.

By Hannah Petersen

Utah

Utah House asserts state control over 2nd Amendment rights

The Utah House passes bill that would grant the state sole authority to regulate firearms, overriding city or county directives and may defy federal restrictions.

By Hannah Petersen

Teslas and other electric vehicles are pictured driving from the Holladay city offices.

Utah

Electric vehicle owners can breathe easy after House defeats bill to hike registration fees

After a long debate over whether electric vehicle owners should “pay their fair share” on Utah roads, the House defeats a bill that would increase registration fees for alternative-fuel vehicles.

By Hannah Petersen

Utah

Utahn biological fathers are financially responsible for the pregnancy

With a final vote to pass a new bill into law, Utah will follow suit of New York and Colorado in making a biological father responsible for the medical costs the mother is subjected to due to pregnancy and delivery.

By Hannah Petersen

Utah

Selling homemade food? Utah may require permits and inspections

Provo couple finds success in their home kitchen by cooking and selling food, but new requirements might be on the horizon.

By Hannah Petersen

Utah

College students could apply to be exempt from vaccine requirements

HB233 prohibits higher education institutions that offer both remote and in-person learning from requiring a vaccine-exempt student to participate remotely.

By Hannah Petersen