Cedar Breaks Opens Roads Early This Season
The National Park Service re-opened roads through Cedar Breaks National Monument on Monday. Park service officials said it is happening earlier this year because of a limited snowpack and work done by Utah Department of Transportation crews. Visitors are warned to be cautious though as paths and overlooks may still be covered in snow and ice. The park service added that trails are still covered with snow and fallen trees, and crews will clear them as soon as possible. Summer services including restrooms won’t start operating until Friday, May 28 for Memorial Day weekend.
KUER The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food is temporarily changing tests for medical cannabis products. This story and more in the Friday morning news brief.
Friday morning, April 30, 2021
State
Temporary Change To Medical Cannabis Testing Protocols
The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food is temporarily changing tests for medical cannabis products. The state has filed an emergency rule due to a shortage of lab supplies because of the pandemic. Labs will still be required to test aerobic microbial counts and total yeast and mold counts, but certain other pathogens will be tested for only at the discretion of the department. Agriculture officials said they want to make sure patients still have access to safe cannabis. The emergency rule is in effect through Aug. 27.
Heritage Areas Get Bid For Extended Funding
Republican Sen. Mitt Romney and Republican Rep. Chris Stewart have joined three Democratic Nevada lawmakers on a bill that extends protection of land and historic sites in Utah and Nevada. The legislation re-authorizes funding for the Great Basin and Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Areas. The Great Basin Heritage Area spans White Pine County, Nevada and Utah’s Millard County, and the Mormon Pioneer Heritage Area covers six southern and central Utah Counties. Combined, the two designations received $6 million in federal funds since they were created in 2006. That money has been used on things like restoring historic buildings, funding school field trips and creating trails.
Published April 28, 2021 at 9:21 AM MDT Listen • 5:05
/ A new report from Utah housing advocates shows the state could lose 40% of federally subsidized rentals for older adults by 2045. This story and more in the Wednesday morning news brief.
Wednesday morning, April 28, 2021
State
A new report from Utah housing advocates shows the state could
lose 40% of federally subsidized rentals for older adults by 2045. Otelo Reggy-Beane with the Utah Housing Coalition authored the report. He said subsidized units are being converted into market-rate spaces, and that forcing seniors to relocate can “negatively impact their physical and mental health and increase their likelihood of experiencing homelessness.” Reggy-Beane said many older people rely on fixed incomes, and with current housing prices, that’s not enough to afford market-rate rent. He recommended that state and local governments dedicate funds to preserving senior housing.