Mind The Water
Salt Lake City has relaunched its Keep It Pure initiative, a campaign aimed at keeping watersheds clean. The Department of Public Utilities says they ve rebooted the program as the number of people visiting mountains and watersheds surges. The department says about 60% of Salt Lake City s drinking water comes from the canyon watersheds in the central Wasatch Mountains. Among several recommendations, people are being asked to stay out of the water and on designated trails. They’re also urged to use bathroom facilities, not to litter and to keep dogs and other domesticated animals out of the watershed.
KUER Two people died while recreating in the Wasatch last week. This story and more in the Monday morning news brief.
Monday morning, May 24, 2021
State
Fireworks And The Drought
Fireworks are banned in Utah until July 2, but state and local leaders are already making plans for the summer holidays. Gov. Spencer Cox discussed drought conditions across the state at a recent press conference and was asked about fireworks restrictions. He said the state will consider them as the holidays get closer and said it depends on the “rain situation.” This year will mark the first time people can light fireworks at city parks in St. George. City Fire Chief Robert Stoker said he hopes it will cut down on the number of people doing them illegally. Fireworks are only allowed over the Fourth of July and Pioneer Day holidays, on New Years Eve and Chinese New Year.
Published May 19, 2021 at 6:49 PM MDT Listen • 4:34 Wikimedia Commons Smith’s grocery stores will no longer require face masks. The chain is owned by Kroger and has dozens of locations throughout Utah. This story and more in Wednesday evening s news brief.
Wednesday evening, May 19, 2021
State
Utah Legislature Bans School Mask Mandates
The Utah Legislature passed a bill Wednesday preventing schools from being able to issue their own mask requirement for the upcoming school year. It comes the week after Gov. Spencer Cox announced the statewide mask mandate in schools will end during the final week of the academic year. Rep. Melissa Ballard, R-Davis opposed the bill because it went against party standards.
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After the Utah Legislature largely repealed a bail reform law earlier this year, stakeholders are back at the drawing board.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.