Published May 20, 2021 at 7:16 PM MDT Listen • 4:46
Courtesy of David Newkirk Utah actor and LGBTQ activist Charles Lynn Frost has died. Frost was best known for his work as Sister Dottie Dixon a faithful Latter-day Saint with a quirky Utah accent who fiercely loved her gay son Donnie. This story and more in Thursday evening s news brief.
Thursday evening, May 20, 2021
State
Gov. Spencer Cox Responds To Moves By State Legislature
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox responded Thursday to the state Legislature’s actions during its special and extraordinary sessions this week. Lawmakers passed resolutions opposing critical race theory and a bill to ban mask mandates in schools. Cox said he supports the CRT resolutions, even though he left the topic off the agenda for the special session. He also said he plans to sign the bill that bans future mask mandates in schools.
Published May 21, 2021 at 8:52 AM MDT Listen • 4:42
/ Utah Pride festivities are back on with a different look this year. Instead of the parade and festival, which were cancelled last year due to the pandemic, the focal point will be what organizers are calling a “Story Garden.” This story and more in the Friday morning news brief.
Friday morning, May 21, 2021
State
Another ‘Boogeyman’ In Education
Some educators in Utah are calling Critical Race Theory the latest “boogeyman” in public education. It’s become a loosely-defined, catch-all phrase some parents and state lawmakers have labelled a threat to students across the state. The reaction is similar to one many people had after the early 2010s introduction of the Common Core, a Federal effort to create a set of national standards for K-12 students. The debate then, as now, has become one built around fear and misunderstanding, said Rep. Carol Spackman Moss, D-Holladay. But it’s
BBC News
Published
A mother has denied the manslaughter by gross negligence of her daughter.
Debbie Leitch, who had Down s syndrome, was found dead at a home in Garden Terrace in South Shore, Blackpool, on 29 August 2019.
Elaine Clarke, 49, has pleaded not guilty at Preston Crown Court to the unlawful killing of her 24-year-old daughter.
A post-mortem examination concluded she died from severe emaciation and neglect with extensive scabies skin infection.
Ms Clarke will go on trial on 31 January alongside Robert Bruce, 45, who pleaded not guilty to causing or allowing the death of Ms Leitch, a vulnerable adult, between January 2019 and August 2019 while he was a member of the same household.
Published May 19, 2021 at 8:58 AM MDT Listen • 5:12
/ Enhanced seat belt enforcement is underway as the summer driving season approaches. This story and more in the Wednesday morning news brief.
Wednesday morning, May 19, 2021
State
Bail Reform Debate Continues
After the Utah Legislature largely repealed a bail reform law earlier this year, stakeholders are back at the drawing board. One sticking point is whether the state should keep a bail schedule that assigns certain monetary amounts to different charges. Chad Jensen, president of the Utah Sheriffs Association, said a bail schedule brings consistency to counties across the state. But others argue if a judge assigns bail, it should be based on someone’s ability to pay it to avoid inequities.
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A post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as severe emaciation and neglect with extensive scabies skin infection.
Appearing in the dock with her was Robert Bruce, 45, who pleaded not guilty to causing or allowing the death of Ms Leitch, a vulnerable adult, between January 2019 and August 2019 while he was a member of the same household.
A statement issued on behalf of Ms Leitch s family previously described her as a wonderful girl who was always happy, and always friendly .
A trial date of January 31 next year was fixed with an estimated length of up to four weeks.
A pre-trial review will take place on November 19.