Utah Insight

In recent years, the content of books and K-12 curriculum has once again become a polarizing topic. From ideas like Critical Race Theory, to discussions about LGBTQ+ topics, teachers often feel stuck in the middle of a political tug-of-war. We examine how schools are balancing the concerns of both parents and educators. Plus, what Utah students think about the fight over their education.

With rates of mental illness rising among young people, Utah is on the forefront of the battle to protect kids and teens from the perceived harms of social media. But are these concerns rooted in science? We speak with experts across the spectrum about how being online is impacting the mental health of Utah's youngest generations.

Domestic violence is a growing issue with 33.6% of Utah women and 21.4% of Utah men experiencing physical violence, sexual violence, or stalking from an intimate partner. How do we recognize domestic violence in our own lives and the lives of those around us? What resources are available to those who need help? We speak with experts about what we can do as a community to prevent domestic violence.

Gun violence is on the rise in Utah, with a 5.6% increase in violent crime from 2019 to 2020. In Utah, one person dies from gun violence every 20 hours, and since 2010, the gun death rate has exceeded that of automobile deaths. How can we change this growing trajectory? What needs to be done to reduce gun violence in our communities? Learn from experts about what can be done to stop gun violence.

Utah is home to around 100 Youth Treatment programs that are meant to help troubled youth from all over the country, but do these programs help? With a rise in reports about trauma and abuse from the children they’re meant to be helping, advocates say new rules and regulations are needed. Join the experts in taking a closer look at the problems, reform, and overall effectiveness of this industry.

Sexual and reproductive health is related to multiple human rights, including the right to life, the right to be free from torture, the right to health, the right to privacy, the prohibition of discrimination, and more. How will continued abortion banning legislation affect Utah communities and the rights we hold? Join us as we sit with both sides of the debate to discuss reproductive rights.

The pandemic created an increase in remote work opportunities leading to a rise in digital nomads and a compounding of Utah’s housing crisis. What changes can we expect to see now that workers are being called back to the office? What steps need to be taken to ensure enough housing for all? Find out what we can expect moving forward as we discuss the future of digital nomads in Utah communities.

The Great Salt Lake is facing unprecedented danger. Without a continued increase in water flow to the lake, its disappearance could cause immense damage to Utah’s public health, environment, and economy. But what can we do? Learn about the lake’s decline and what can be done to reverse it as we sit down with a panel of experts to discuss this threat to the Wasatch Front and beyond.

Opioid abuse and addiction have been major problems in Utah for many years. Drug overdoses are the leading cause of injury death in Utah, outpacing deaths due to firearms, falls, and motor vehicle crashes. We discuss the dangers associated with opioids, and what is being done to reduce their use in Utah. Learn about the steps being taken that could bring positive change in Utah.

The shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy is well underway throughout the world, but what does that mean for Utah? We explore the ways our state can decrease pollution while maintaining affordability and reliability in our electric grid. Plus, how we can protect the economies of Utah communities with long histories of fossil fuel production.