Utah Insight

It’s been one year since protests demanding police reform erupted across the country. Since then, Utah lawmakers have passed more than 20 bills relating to the criminal justice system. So, what’s really changed? Community activists and law enforcement experts discuss what still needs to be done, the impact here at home, and how our experiences in Utah are influencing a national conversation.

In late March, Utah became one of the first states to open up COVID-19 vaccinations to all adults 16 and older. Two months later, how are we doing on the path to herd immunity? And are we reaching the communities most impacted by the pandemic? Health experts discuss Utah’s path forward and evaluate the state’s response to the global pandemic.

More women lost their jobs due to COVID-19 than any other group. In Utah, women typically make up the majority of the workforce, but as the pandemic progressed their job market participation declined sharply. We examine the factors that influenced this “pink collar” recession, what’s being done to reverse the trend, and why getting women back to work will be key to rebuilding Utah’s economy.

Utah is the second driest state in the country, but still leads the nation in water consumption. Earlier this year, Governor Cox declared a state of emergency due to extreme drought conditions. With a growing population and changing weather patterns, we look at what can be done to make sure Utah doesn’t dry up. Plus, the one industry using a majority of the state’s water.

Research shows up to half of Afghanistan and Iraq war veterans may have some kind of mental health disorder. And here in Utah, veterans are more likely to die by suicide than the general population. Mental health experts discuss the challenges in getting help where it’s needed, what can lead to positive outcomes, and the national strategy to keep these heroes safe.

For the first time in a decade, Utah will redraw its legislative boundaries for both state and federal representation. In 2011 the process was contentious and, some argue, overly political. What’s different in 2021? And how are everyday people influencing the outcome this time around? We bring together stakeholders from both sides of the aisle to discuss the impact across the state.

Utah is the second worst state in the country when it comes to recycling. From economic barriers, to a lack of public understanding, lots of recycled materials still end up in landfills. In this episode, how education could play a big part in turning the trend around in Utah, plus what some cities are doing to help make recycling more economically sustainable.

Last year, Utah saw more than 1,200 human-caused fires, a record number for any single wildfire season. Camp fires, fireworks, target shooting, and dragging chains are some of the biggest culprits. As the state’s climate trends hotter and dryer, we evaluate the push to hold more people accountable, plus the resources available to protect personal property from an ever-growing risk.

The federal government owns nearly two-thirds of all the land in Utah, and the way that land gets managed often impacts rural budgets. From revenue generated by tourism, to the complex way local governments are compensated for lost property taxes, the issue can be complicated. We’re bringing together leaders from around the state to discuss the intricate economics of Utah’s public lands.

In the past five years, Utah colleges and universities have raised tuition by more than $100M. The state is also one year into an aggressive plan to overhaul higher education by bringing technical colleges and universities under one umbrella. We examine whether efforts to reach underserved students are working and what’s being done to ensure access to higher education for everyone.

The COVID-19 pandemic ushered in a new era of remote learning in American schools. But experts worry unconnected children from lower-income families will be permanently left behind. From a federal plan that would limit this learning loss, to proposals that would increase access to technology, our panel of education experts discuss the ways to bridge this digital divide.