Utah News

Country mag picks Canyonlands NP for top-ten list

Matt Jensen — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:26:06 +0000

A popular U.S. lifestyle magazine highlights Utah’s Canyonlands National Park among the nation’s best, off-the-beaten-path summer destinations. UPR’s Matt Jensen reports.

“The June/July issue of "Country" – a magazine covering the "land and life we love" – includes a 32-page section on the hidden gems of the National Park system. Country senior editor John Burlingham says the list includes mostly lesser-known parks, chosen for their dramatic visual impact and low traffic.

Federal lands bid faces in-state opposition.

Kim Schuske — Thu, 23 May 2013 19:48:49 +0000

Tuesday Governor Herbert testified before a congressional subcommittee about Utah’s bid to manage federal public lands in the state. Kim Schuske talked to one of the founders of a group of educators that is against this approach.

Two bills were passed during recent Utah legislative sessions that require the federal government to hand over tens of millions of acres of land or face litigation by Utah. Some of the arguments made during the sessions suggested that Utah owning and managing these lands would bring much needed money for education. Heather Bennett and other educators and community leaders formed the group, For Kids and Lands, in response to this argument.

Former Jazz player becomes first Utah ambassador for refugee community

UPR — Wed, 22 May 2013 21:33:19 +0000

Monday Governor Herbert appointed basketball star Thurl Bailey as the first ambassador to the Utah refugee community.

Thurl Bailey knows a lot about a lot of things. He played for the Utah Jazz in the 1980s and 1990s, is an actor, a singer/songwriter, and a public speaker.

"I’m not just an athlete. I’m a community advocate, I love people, I love their stories, their journeys, they inspire me," Bailey said.

SUU Aviation program approved by Utah Board of Regents

Chris Holmes — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:34:19 +0000

Southern Utah University is readying itself to take flight starting in the fall of 2013.

The Utah State Board of Regents approved a new associate of applied science degree in aerospace/aviation technology at SUU.

Group protests Ag-Gag bill outside Draper slaughterhouse

Roger McDonough — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:30:27 +0000

More than 200 protestors gathered on Saturday to denounce Utah’s so-called “Ag-Gag” law. The law, which was signed by Governor Herbert in 2012, prohibits unauthorized filming or photography at agricultural facilities. This weekend’s protest was organized after charges were filed – and then dropped – against a woman who filmed activities at a slaughterhouse in Draper.

“Life after the pile” - Moab ponders future uses of its uranium tailings site

Jon Kovash — Mon, 20 May 2013 19:20:08 +0000

The Moab uranium cleanup is expected to be completed in 2025, and then suddenly, the town will be 450 acres bigger. UPR’s Jon Kovash reports:

Wednesday evening about two dozen Moab residents gave their opinions on what can eventually be done with the uranium tailings and mill site, which is currently owned by the Department of Energy. Russ Von Koch chairs a local oversight committee for the cleanup.

Utah's famous collection of Soviet art

Matt Jensen — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:52:58 +0000

One of the biggest museum collections of Russian art in the United States is found right here in Utah, and its curator will soon become a recipient of one of Russia’s most prestigious fine art awards.

Vern Swanson is a leading expert on Soviet-era impressionist paintings. He’s visited Russia 36 times, written several books and articles on the topic and was director of the Springville Museum of Art in Utah County for 32 years.

Planets will align in Western sky

Matt Jensen — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:51:20 +0000

A rare planetary alignment will treat sky watchers to a spectacular sunset later this month. Utah residents with an unobstructed view of the Western horizon will be able to see the formation which NASA is calling the “Sunset Triangle.” A YouTube video about the unique event explains what to watch for.

NASA says the triple conjunction is fairly rare. The last time it happened was May 2011 and it won’t appear again until October 2015.

'Flying Fortress' comes to Utah

Stephen Tanner — Tue, 14 May 2013 19:40:01 +0000

An important piece of World War II history is in Salt Lake City. UPR’s Stephen Tanner tells us how you can be a part of it.

At the South Valley Regional Airport in West Jordan, the buzz of small planes can be heard all around. But the roar of a different plane’s engines is making people around the Salt Lake Valley look up toward the sky.

This week the World War II era B-17 bomber named “Memphis Belle” is stopping in Salt Lake City. The non-profit Liberty Foundation helped restore the plane and is flying it around the country in its Salute to Veterans tour.

Governor Herbert finds an alternative solution to new national healthcare mandates

Roger McDonough — Mon, 13 May 2013 19:03:06 +0000