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The federal freeze on most evictions is scheduled to expire Saturday. The U.S. Census estimates more than 11,000 people in Utah are at risk of eviction and foreclosure. This story and more in Friday evening s news brief.
Friday evening, July 30, 2021
State
Utah Elections Director Justin Lee Steps Down
After 11 years in state government, Utah’s elections director Justin Lee is stepping down. Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson announced the departure in a press release Friday. Lee has been in the role since 2017, after serving as deputy director of elections for five years. He helped the state in its transition to mostly mail-in voting several years ago. He is leaving to become the director of government of affairs with the Utah League of Cities and Towns. Henderson will lead the search for Lee’s replacement.
Published July 28, 2021 at 7:02 PM MDT Listen • 4:47 Utah Fire Info Twitter Last week there were only 13 human-caused fires in Utah. That’s fewer than the previous 10 years leading up to the Pioneer Day holiday. This story and more in Wednesday evening s news brief.
Wednesday evening, July 28, 2021
State
Utah Healthcare Systems Feeling The Crunch Of New Delta Variant
COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Utah are higher now than they were a year ago even though vaccines are widely available. The Delta variant is largely to blame, according to Utah Department of Health spokesperson Charla Haley. Increased cases due to the Delta variant mean more hospitalizations as well. Intensive care units around the state are on average more than 80% full. Emily Spivak, an infectious disease doctor at the University of Utah, said the university s hospital shut down a COVID unit earlier this year. Now, it’s unclear if they have the resources to open it
Published July 27, 2021 at 5:37 PM MDT Listen • 4:36
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Utah wildlife officials had their hands full once again trying to stop the spread of quagga mussels. This story and more in Tuesday evening s news brief.
Tuesday evening, July 27, 2021
State
Pioneer Day Quagga Mussel Inspections
Utah wildlife officials had their hands full once again trying to stop the spread of quagga mussels. During Pioneer Day weekend, more than 12,000 boats were inspected for the invasive species. Officials performed just under 300 decontaminations. Both the number of inspections and decontaminations were down this year compared to the 2020 Pioneer Day holiday. Across Utah, Division of Wildlife Resources officers issued 100 citations to folks who violated laws meant to contain the spread of the mussels. More than half of those were given out in the Lake Powell area.
AM News Brief: Stargazing In Eagle Mountain, Parade Traffic In SLC & Smoky Air And Exercise (Everywhere) kuer.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from kuer.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Published July 21, 2021 at 6:40 PM MDT Listen • 4:51
/ Dr. Kencee Graves, with University of Utah Health, said as cases surge, the U has once again postponed some elective surgeries. This story and more in Wednesday evening s news brief.
Wednesday evening, July 21, 2021
State
837 New COVID-19 Cases And Pausing Elective Surgeries
Utah health officials reported 873 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday. It’s the most in a single day since mid-February. Dr. Kencee Graves, with University of Utah Health, said as cases surge, the U has once again postponed some elective surgeries. “We need to be able to create the capacity to take care of those that are critically ill,” Graves said. “So about half of my medical intensive care unit beds are full of patients that have COVID-19. Right now, 78% of ICU beds across the state are occupied by Covid patients. The Utah Department of Health also released a statement saying “We have the tool to end the disrupt