Utah Insight

In Utah there are more than 1,000 job openings for nurses, without enough qualified applicants to fill those positions. Veteran healthcare workers describe this as a problem only made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. As the state begins to work toward a new normal, we examine what can be done to take the pressure off existing providers while setting Utah up for a healthy future.

Since 2017, Utah has led the nation is efforts to reform the juvenile justice system. Advocates say progress has been made to move from punishment to focusing on prevention and early intervention, but some worry disparities in the system have grown. We bring together experts to explore how we can help more kids stay on the road to success.

Thanks to the growth of social media, news and information is easier to find than ever before. But how do you know if the content you're consuming is correct? Research shows misinformation is likely to spread faster and further on social media than statements of fact. We explore the tools needed to separate truth from fiction while navigating an ever-changing media landscape.

According to law enforcement records, there are dozens of unsolved cases involving missing and murdered indigenous women in Utah. But experts worry the problem is likely even worse, because many cases go unreported. We examine how this data could improve, plus, what needs to change to keep Utah's Native women safe.

A report from the Utah Bar Foundation found the state's eviction policies are some of the most punitive in the country and often favor landlords. And in cases that go to court, less than 5% of renters have legal representation. Advocates worry this leaves Utahns vulnerable to homelessness. We look into the help that's available, plus, how laws regulating landlord-tenant relationships could change.

Critics worry the inland port being built on Salt Lake City's west side will have a disastrous impact on air quality in northern Utah. But proponents claim there is a way to sustainably develop this area of the city. We bring together stakeholders from both sides — and the middle — to discuss how to balance Utah's economic development with environmental concerns.

In Utah, nearly two-thirds of families can't afford the childcare they need, putting the state in last place for childcare access. Experts describe it as a worsening situation, with the number of licensed providers steadily declining since 2005. We examine the investments needed to help Utah parents keep working while also raising their families.

Estimates suggest three-fourths of Utah's water supply are used for agriculture and irrigation. While the state's farmers have implemented new technologies and practices to optimize water usage, those investments are costly. We look at the ways Utah can balance a shrinking water supply with a rich heritage of working the land.

The state of Utah continues to see record low unemployment numbers, leaving many employers scrambling to fill open positions. We examine how the COVID-19 pandemic, "the Great Resignation", and other market forces are impacting Utah businesses. Plus, the demographic shifts that could help and hurt the situation.

While efforts to abolish the death penalty in Utah may have failed in the state legislature this year, political insiders don't believe the issue is settled. We talk with people on both sides including lawmakers, human rights activists, and families of victims to gauge public sentiment on the topic. Plus, what could changes to Utah law mean for those already on death row?