Podcasts about Utah Division

In this episode of the Big Hunt Guys Podcast, Brady and Trail sit down with Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Conservation Officer, Josh Carver. From chasing down poachers to checking hunters in the field, Josh shares what life is really like behind the badge. We cover everything from common mistakes hunters make to conservation success stories to the toughest situations wardens face in the backcountry. If you've ever wondered what a day in the life of a warden looks like—or how to stay on the right side of the law this fall—you won't want to miss this conversation.

In this episode of Fostering Conversations, guest host Liz Rivera guides a powerful dialogue with Native leaders and advocates about the importance of culture, tradition, and belonging for Native children in foster care. You'll hear from: James Toledo (Utah Division of Indian Affairs) on how culture provides a foundation for resilience. Stephanie Benally (Native American Specialist, Utah Foster Care) on supporting Native children's traditions in foster homes. Craig Sandoval (Urban Indian Center of Salt Lake) on creating culturally responsive models for Native youth and families in urban Utah. Together, they reflect on the sacred role of clans, ceremonies, and language, as well as the ongoing significance of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) in preserving tribal sovereignty and protecting children's cultural identity. Listeners will learn why everyday practices—from observing ceremonies to speaking Native languages—help children thrive, and how foster parents can honor and support these connections, even outside of tribal communities. Transcript: Liz: [00:00:00] On today’s episode, you’ll hear how cultural traditions give Native children strength and belonging, and why the Indian Child Welfare Act or ICWA is so critical , in protecting those connections for children in foster care. Welcome to Fostering Conversations. I’m your host, Liz Rivera, filling in for Amy Smith. We have a special episode for you today. We’re weaving together conversations with several native leaders and advocates here in Utah. Liz: Let’s begin with introductions in Navajo culture, introductions are not just about your name, they’re about where you come from, your clans, your language, and [00:01:00] lineage. First, we’ll hear from James Toledo from the Utah Division of Indian Affairs, followed by Stephanie Benally, the Native American specialist from Utah Foster Care, and finally, from Craig Sandoval from the Urban Indian Center of Salt Lake. James: [Navajo Introduction] James Toledo James: and, and again. Thank you. I, I’m a member of the Navajo Nation and we introduce ourselves, sharing our clans. So as we probably will talk about this later in the program, our clans are a way to identify our family relationships, connections with others within our community. Stephanie: Hello. Thank you. I am a citizen of Navajo Nation. My clans are Red Streak people born for Bitter Water. My maternal grandfather is Mexican People clan, and my paternal grandfather is Red House. Thank you very much for the opportunity to participate on the podcast. Craig: Hello everybody, and wanted [00:02:00] to introduce myself and my native language. First [Navajo introduction]. Craig: So I introduced myself in my native Navajo language. Just wanted to reintroduce myself in English for all the non Navajo speakers. Good day to everybody. My name is Craig Sandoval, and I’m originally from New Mexico in a small community named Pueblo Pintado, New Mexico. So it’s [00:03:00] just west of Albuquerque, made about two hours. Craig: And my clans are Near the Water People. I’m born for the Mexican clan. My maternal grandparents are the Red Paint People, and my paternal grandparents are the Towering House People. And so that’s who I am, and that’s where I come from. And then now I’m here in Salt Lake working to provide a culturally responsive clinical model for our community here to bring the reservation teachings and bring them here into the valley so that there’s still a connection. I came to Utah about two years ago working with the Urban Indian Center of Salt Lake. Liz: As Craig shares, , staying connected to traditions and language is essential for native children. Even here in urban areas of Utah where families may live far from their tribal homelands. James adds that culture, gives children a foundation to thrive. While [00:04:00] Stephanie reminds us how important it is for foster parents to support native traditions, sometimes through simple everyday practices. Craig: The Urban Indian center, the goal is to connect our community members and our families to. Our tradition and our heritage back home. And that includes providing dancers, providing teachings, providing a class to where they can feel home, they can feel at home.For me, it’s the language, making sure that I can continually speak my language. So with the Navajo language classes, it does bridge that. When we think about Utah Foster Care and our Native kids that are in foster care here in Utah, how do we continue to bring them to connecting with their tradition and culture? And that’s also our goal. Several months ago, the Navajo Nation did a resource fair and one of the division directors, Mr.Thomas, [00:05:00] Cody. Who worked very well with Utah Foster Care really emphasized that there should always be a connection to our Navajo language, to our Navajo culture, to our Navajo environment, to our Navajo values, even though we live in the urban area. Craig: That is absolutely true., And that’s how we’ll stay strong. And so during Mr. Cody’s speech, he asked those that have our children and Navajo, our children in their custody to reconnect in any way they can . That’s where the strength is there. And so we want to, as the Urban Indian Center, while we provide a lot of these events, demonstration classes on Navajo history, Navajo language, Navajo culture, Navajo dances, we want them to connect with our traditional ways in that way. Craig: And so that’s the goal what providing all [00:06:00] the classes that we do at the Urban Indian Center. Craig: It is very important to keep the culture whether something small as a bracelet, a necklace, that means a lot to a native child. growing up in a native home, there’s so many milestones and so many traditions that are celebrated. I wanna give a little bit of background on myself too, as well. I am Navajo, however, I do have heritage and lineage into the Hopi and San Domingos communities, and each one is very different. And I’m gonna give you a great example on this side. Craig: As Navajo, we are born into our mother’s clan. I believe that’s number one. When it comes to really being, I guess it’s a. Coming to the earth is that you’re given your first clan, you’re you. You hear your first clan and as a baby they tell you that your first clan is this. Your second clan is [00:07:00] this. And that’s the introduction to the land. Craig: That’s the introduction to the air, the waters, the clouds, the beings that are on earth. Your introduction. When I look into our Hopi side, we have a child is born and kept in a dark room until a certain number of days have come. They prepare, and within this preparation they do a hair washing and they wash the hair and say, you’re able to come to this land in this world. Craig: And then they go out early in the morning and they introduce the child to the sun And when this happens, they tell the child that, here’s the sun The sun will be with you throughout from day one to the day of your death. They’ll watch over you. They’ll look over you, and there’s that introduction to the sun. Craig: And those are some of the main milestones. And you have Santo Domingo who also wash your hair and receive into the world the [00:08:00] child. So those are your milestones. And when you look into Navajo specific, you then can go into, for example, everybody knows the first laugh You know when a child laughs it means that there is laughter in the world. Craig: There’s happiness in the world, and you might think about it as a child has no worries in the world, but that one laugh has given the world what we call, or what we would call happiness. That child brings that, and they want that happiness to continue within the family, within the world. Craig: And so those are some of the important milestones. And then you get to puberty, the milestones of the women going through the puberty ceremony cannot the the men going through the Sweat Lodge ceremony on that side. Craig: Those are milestones that you have. And then overall you have the weddings, and then you have other things that happen [00:09:00] and they’re all different. When our children go through these rites of passages, there’s other small ones in between, for example, piercing the ears. Craig: When we pierce our ears, it’s that now that the gods can hear us through that, we can hear them too as well. And so that happens at a young age, washing of the hair with different herbs so that we prevent sickness and illness and so that our bodies are strong. Craig: Being a parent of a native child and a foster care parent, these are questions that you can ask like, how can I support? And I know on the reservations there are families willing to guide. There are connections that say we can help with that because they wanna keep the child aligned. They wanna keep the child connected to the traditional ways of life. James: Culture sets a foundation really for any individual. I think looking at a [00:10:00] broader picture, we all were raised in certain cultures, whether that’s within a religious environment, whether that’s with our traditional teachings as indigenous peoples, or whether that’s just your own family traditions that we have. James: So when a child is raised with that culture intact, it sets them up with a strong foundation. So as they. Get older and they start navigating and, and experiencing life. What helps to give them some guidance as they are learning about how to be an adult and to different situations that you encounter. And because when we encounter difficult situations, you immediately go back to Those core teachings. So I think that’s the importance of culture in the context that I was using it, is trying to broaden that perspective to help listeners try to understand why Indigenous families want to maintain that cultural connection. Stephanie: So a lot of our native kids are being placed in non-native homes, and [00:11:00] providing that education for all foster parents is important. So they are aware of some do’s and don’ts, like for example. We had an eclipse and I shared the protocol what Navajos do for our foster families to ensure that the Navajo children followed what needed to be done during the eclipse. Stephanie: It’s just also providing that information, so if they’re caring for a Navajo infant, that they’re able to do a first laugh ceremony or get more information to be able to do that. I’ve had a foster parent reach out before and wanted to know what needed to get done and. Directed her to a Native Elder in the community who was able to help her with that. Stephanie: And so it’s just making sure that even though the Native kids are not in Native homes, they’re still being provided that cultural connection, even though it’s very limited. my hope is that sharing the cultural information, the foster parents will then share that with the Native children that are in their [00:12:00] home. Because it’s not just taking a child to a powwow or reading a book, but it’s the everyday living. Stephanie: It’s a discussion around the table. It’s going to an event with the family and seeing other people. Stephanie: One family was taking care of siblings from the Hopi tribe, and I was able to connect the family with resources so they would be able to go over the information with the children in their home. So hoping that will bring some connection while they’re placed in that non-native home. Liz: I think even the foster parents recognizing the importance of it. Liz: I mean, cutting over to what James said, I think the culture’s that it’s just like in our bones, it’s just how we live, and it’s so hard to. Apply that if it’s not really a part of you, but a foster parent who isn’t native, if they’re at least reaching out and they’re at least trying, that really does show that they honor where these children come from. Liz: In 1978, the Indian Child Welfare Act, known as ICWA [00:13:00] became law after decades of Native children being removed from their families and tribes at alarming rates. Here’s Stephanie and James explaining the history and purpose of ICWA and why it continues to matter here in Utah. Stephanie: Prior to 1978 and ICWA there was a 25 to 35% removal of Native children from their homes, and 85 to 90% of those children were placed in Non-native and non-relative homes. And so over that 10 year span, Congress studied the removal of Native children. Found that there was a need for the federal law based on the study and the testimonies from the families. Stephanie: The Indian Child Welfare Act is a federal law. It is the core of ICWA to recognize tribal sovereignty. It also recognizes the important roles that the tribes play, protecting the wellbeing of Native children. It also protects the children and parents’ constitutional rights. Stephanie: ICWA applies to children under the age of [00:14:00] 18. The child can either be a member of a federally recognized tribe or eligible for enrollment. Eligible for enrollment means that one of the birth parents is an enrolled member with a federally recognized tribe. Stephanie: Federally recognized tribe is a Native American or an Alaska native tribe entity that recognizes as having a government to government relationship with the United States. If the child is a part of a state tribe, they would not fall under the ICWA law. James: Well, as you know, with history of Native Americans, with our government, hasn’t been the best ’cause. James: You can go back to the boarding school era where children were forced to attend federally managed boarding schools. And the intent at that time was to destroy the culture, destroy the connection to culture, and so as kids were going through these various boarding schools, they were taught a different way of life and removed from their family and and [00:15:00] cultural settings. James: I mean, that’s a really brief summary. This could be an entire podcast series if we really wanted to dive into that history. But to go back to your point when it comes to the foster care system or why ICWA was created, as Stephanie had mentioned, there was a history of state child welfare agencies where Natives children were being forcefully taken from their families. James: In some instances, it was minor infractions. For whatever reason, these children were removed and placed into foster care. Some of them were put in through the adoption system. Hence, this was an ongoing challenge that many Native communities were experiencing and it, it caught the attention of Congress and there was a series of public hearings that Congress put on, and so this was an opportunity for those families to share their experiences and the challenges and obstacles that they were experiencing. James: Those testimonies are what led to the creation of ICWA ICWA [00:16:00] Was created to try to help to preserve that and to ensure that those cultural teachings would be able to be shared with future generations and to ensure that we as Indigenous people are still here. Liz: Almost two years ago, they tried to codify ICWA into state law and tell us a little bit about why they thought that was necessary. James: So Representative Watkins at the time was the lead sponsor of the state bill, and the reason this was being pushed forward by the tribes in Utah was because at the time there was a case that was going before the US Supreme Court. James: That was on ICWA So there was a potential that if the court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs in this case, then they would have overturned the law. And those protections that are part of that statute would have gone away. And so there was an effort at the state level to codify the spirit of the [00:17:00] law, so to speak, and make sure that is preserved care at the state of Utah. James: There was a lot of support for the bill. We went through several revisions. The tribes were heavily involved throughout that process, but unfortunately it still ran into resistant in the legislature. James: It did not pass. I think the tribes are talking about reintroducing the law again, presently, the Supreme Court has ruled and they basically upheld. James: I think there’s a desire to learn. It’s a complex issue, and as you talk with people, you’re going to have to approach that in unique ways because it is a complex topic and it’s not a one size fits all, or my perspective isn’t the be all perspective out there. And so I think as, um, people are curious, I would encourage people to read up more about the history behind the law, why it became a law. James: Also, if they have further questions, if they [00:18:00] have indigenous friends or connections to that way, then I think it would be appropriate to have those conversations or try to educate themselves as as best as they can, and maybe contacting Stephanie at a public event or. There are ways to continue to learn and try to understand the purpose of the law and why many indigenous communities are fighting to preserve this legislation. Liz: Does the Utah Division of Indian Affairs, do they ever get involved in foster care cases? James: Good question. So my office, we are not involved in the child welfare process at all. We do get phone calls from community members inquiring, but we refer those inquiries to, uh, DCFS. So within DCFS, there is a, ICWA coordinator who works directly on these matters in these cases, and so. James: We would refer them to contact DCFS to speak with that ICWA administrator who can guide them through the process. [00:19:00] We do try to give them as much information as we can. We do share resources, Utah Foster Care and other legal services generally that provide legal assistance or can answer some of those legal questions. Liz: Of course, even with protections in place, the realities aren’t always easy. Many families, even in Salt Lake, may not have the resources to be near or return to their ancestral homes in traditions. And though ICWA cases can be complex, the goal is always to place Native children with family first or in Native homes whenever possible. Stephanie: Any time there is reason to believe that there is a native child when the investigation is happening and someone says, I believe my grandmother is a Native American, even with that reason to believe they need to treat the. Stephanie: Case as an ICWA case, so DCFS notifications will then go out to the tribe and then it will be the tribe who will then to determine if the child is a member [00:20:00] or eligible for enrollment. While that’s taking place, the state will then try to find a native home for the native children. So under ICWA there is a foster placement preference, and it would be family first, and then it would be with, um, foster parent of the same tribe. And then the third one would be from a different tribe. And then the last placement would be to any open foster home that’s available. Craig: there’s Craig: multiple reservations in the United States. And one that is particularly for the Navajo reservation. . So the Navajo people were put on this land, on our homeland, and it goes back to the history of how we have our ancestral homeland. Craig: Where we emerged, we came to our mother earth, and the deities at that time said, this will be where you will live. This will be your homeland. So our ancestral homeland became the boundaries, became the four sacred mountains. So we have to keep that in [00:21:00] mind. Craig: Before lines were made by the US government, there was our ancestral homeland, and the boundaries were created with four sacred mountains and with two mountains in the middle that serve as our central location. ? So that’s our ancestral homeland. However, during the 1860s, we were removed from our land and put onto a different reservation in New Mexico. , We were released due to whatever political reasons that was, and a treaty was formed. And with that treaty, what a struck of a pin, we were given four diagonal lines and said, this is your reservation. And throughout the next couple of years. With new presidents coming in and out of office with executive orders, our reservation grew, but it still stayed inside our ancestral homeland boundaries, and I think we’re grateful for that. Craig: Yeah, other tribe have different experiences. Some [00:22:00] did stay on their ancestral land, some did leave their ancestral land and put onto reservations. However, as the Navajo people we’re very fortunate to have returned and the government really accept that we return to our ancestral lands, we’re very thankful for that, that we return to our ancestral lands. Craig: So when I say reservations, and when I say on our ancestral lands, it’s where we call home. The land that we call home. The land that times the Navajo names. For example, our four sacred mountain. Craig: When we hear that, we hear home. A lot of our urban community members here in Salt Lake don’t have the resources at times, the needs or even the transportation to go home. Because you look at it, the Navajo nation as the almost from eight to 10 hours away, depending on where you live, and maybe even more. Craig: And our community members do want to keep that [00:23:00] connection. And the Urban Indian Center understands that. And I understand it because I was raised on the reservation and I, I moved to an urban area to where I don’t have the connection. Liz: The good news is there are resources right here in Utah for Native children. The Urban Indian Center in Salt Lake City offers language classes, cultural events, and outreach to help children and families stay connected. Utah Foster Care also provides similar opportunities from cultural education to community events like the Indigenous Foster Care Fashion Show and the Moccasin Run-in White Mesa. Stephanie: As I mentioned before, there is a shortage of native foster homes. Stephanie: Being very present in the community is important. Being at the table when it comes to policy making, meeting with the tribes and making those connections with the community is important. Stephanie: So they are aware that there is a need that. If they’re not able to foster, then there’s other ways to support our Native kids through the Cedar Project or provide [00:24:00] support to our foster families. And again, it’s just coming up with unique ideas of recruitment. We collaborated with James’ office in Ute Mountain Ute years ago and have an Annual Moccasin Run that we hold in White Mesa, Utah every year to bring awareness. Stephanie: And just coming up with different types of events who bring the community together to make sure that our Native kids have that cultural connection. And that’s why it’s important to be considered a, a kinship placement or a foster placement. Craig: With families that don’t have that tie. First of all, you have resources in your state, and some of these resources are at the state level. Craig: I know Utah. Does have the eight tribes in Utah. However, there are also the urban areas. For example, one can start from the State Department of Indian Affairs, and then Indian Affairs can guide you to other resources in the areas such as the Urban Indian Center. The Urban Indian [00:25:00] Center can provide many of those resources to as well. Craig: They can provide, this is what this tribe is, what this other tribe is, and how they’re unique from one another. What the Urban Indian Center and how it’s unique too, is also that they have employees that are employed from different tribes, so the navigation there also can span out even more. Sure. But. Craig: Another area is that each of the tribes have their own program. The social services programs, the tribal historic preservation offices, those are areas to where they like to connect the vital records departments. They will connect their, and we ensure that the Native children are connected to their native heritage and their native ways. Craig: At the beginning when a family is navigating these, it might seem like a very scary thing to do, but overall, the community the Urban Indian Center, they’re [00:26:00] open to it. They’re open. Which way do we go? How do we navigate it? Craig: And if we don’t know anybody there, you know, that will help you navigate. There’s always somebody that they will connect you. So I would really let the families. That have native children in their care to always reach out, Stephanie Benally is a great resource and she’ll connect you with any resources that you may have. And they’re always open to whether non-native, whether non Navajo. But they still have a Navajo child in their home. We encourage them to bring the Navajo child, their child, our child, to our home, their Indian center, and learn from us too as well, so they understand the importance of our Navajo culture. Craig: We have our main location, which is on 120 West, 1300 South in Salt Lake City, hours from eight to five. Our phone number is (801) 486-4877. And we do have a [00:27:00] team there. So if you have a question. Reach out and you can ask for me, Craig Sandoval. Craig: Or you can ask for our outreach department, Rhonda Duval heads that department. Everybody knows Rhonda. . We know her as Honey, but she’s a great resource too as well. Feel free to reach out to us so we can make some of those connections for you and support you as a parent, support you as one of our family members too. Liz: These are all ways foster families can support Native youth in care. As we close, our guests reflect on the great work of families that foster Native children, keeping Indigenous people and culture strong, and underscore the urgent need for more native foster homes in Utah. Craig: Thank you for the Utah foster care. Thank you to your team and also thank you to. Foster parents out there taking a new child, a Navajo child can have its challenges. It’s a beautiful thing too, as well. Craig: And we wanna thank you. I personally wanna thank you. We wanna thank you [00:28:00] and always remember that the Urban Indian Center is a resource. You can come see us at any time. James: I just appreciate having this conversation. I think it’s good to help your listeners understand this complex law, and hopefully this conversation today will give some insight and encourage listeners to learn a little bit more about this history and to try to better understand why ICWA was created and why many Indigenous communities around the country are working very hard to preserve this federal legislation. Liz: We hope today’s episode has shed some light on ICWA and the importance of culture and connection for Native children in foster care. To learn more about Native services at Utah foster care, visit Utah foster care.org. You can also connect with the Urban Indian Center of Salt Lake, or the Utah Division of Indian Affairs for resources and support. Liz: Thank you for joining us for Fostering Conversations. Together we can ensure every [00:29:00] child in Utah grows up connected to the rich heritage of their roots.

Legislative auditors report "lack of oversight" in USU executive spending --  Utah Division of Water Resources announced a statewide series of "Water Talks"  

This week host John Kruse brings you audio recorded at the Boardman Marina on the Columbia River in Oregon where the BAM (Bass Angler Magazine) Pro-Am Tournament took place.  The winning professional and amateur anglers are interviewed as well as a high school student who fished his way into a $10K scholarship to Simpson University in California.  We'll also talk to the announcer of the tournament, James "Big Ed" Everhart.   In addition to this John chats with Ralynne Takeda with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources about archery hunting safety and to Greg Wagner about Nebraska's innovative Deer Exchange Program.   www.americaoutdoors.com  

It's prime time right now to get out on the water for summer fun with the family.. but Holly -- If you saw someone struggling in water, would you know how to rescue them without putting yourself at risk? One recent tragedy that brought this issue top of mind involving a man who died in Utah after trying to help a 12 year old girl as she drifted far from shore on an inflatable tube. Ty Hunter, Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation Boating Program Manager joins the show to discuss water safety and what to think about before saving another person from drowning.

This podcast concludes a 3-part series on Moab's creek corridors. The series includes restoration processes on the creeks, stream water gauge science, and this episode, fire fuels mitigation along Mill and Pack creeks flowing from the west side of the La Sal Mountains. Fire risk is high in creek corridors and other overgrown areas. The dense corridors could spread fire quickly through Moab and Spanish Valley. We talked with Duncan Fuchise, the forest stewardship program manager with the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, as he hopped between work sites along the Mill Creek Corridor one morning in March 2025.

Park City officials finalize golf course fees and add 5-play punch pass, Summit Community Gardens readies as growing season approaches, Park City School District athletics master plan faces layout and turf setbacks, Utah Olympic Park's Kole Nordmann shares details on summer season activities, Karl Hunt from the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands discusses the state's wildfire season preparations, Park City Mayor Nann Worel recaps Thursday's council meeting, Lawyer Janet Conway explains West Hills incorporation lawsuit and Recycle Utah's future remains uncertain after September 2026 eviction date.

Developers unveil plans for Bonanza Park 5-acre site, infrastructure spending slows for MIDA mountain development, Doctors Colton Miller and Shawn Miller preview the free Mental Health Awareness Night at Intermountain Health Park City Hospital, Coalville councilmembers reverse course on city attorney employment policy, Park City Councilmember Jeremy Rubell recaps Thursday's council meeting and Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation Boating Program Manager Ty Hunter talks about boating safety.

A seventeen-year-old boy was died Saturday after a near drowning in the Weber River. A group of boys were playing near the river when two went in and only one resurfaced. We speak to Ty Hunter, Boating Program Manager at Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation about river dangers and how to stay safe near any water this spring and summer season. 

In this week's episode, host Daniel Raimi talks with Jonathan Jennings, a meteorologist at the Utah Division of Water Resources and president of the Weather Modification Association. Jennings's work focuses on cloud seeding, a technology that can reduce hail and increase rainfall or snowfall by introducing chemicals into clouds, yielding more water for agriculture, aquifers, and bodies of water. Jennings outlines the chemistry and physics behind cloud seeding, how much additional precipitation the technology can elicit from clouds, and the scale at which cloud seeding is used. He also speaks to public concerns about modifying weather and shares insights on how experts can better communicate the goals, methods, and impacts of this technology to the public. References and recommendations: “Economic Impacts of Cloud Seeding on Agricultural Crops in North Dakota” by Dean Bangsund and Nancy Hodur; https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/291806 “A Benefit-Cost Analysis of Texas Weather Modification Activities Resulting in an Additional One Inch of Rainfall Across a Region” by Jason L. Johnson; https://perma.cc/ERJ6-HGLZ “Bitter Waters: The Struggles of the Pecos River” by Patrick Dearen; https://www.oupress.com/9780806152011/bitter-waters/

Governor Cox has issued a state of emergency... due to drought conditions in 17 Utah counties. Joining me live is Engineer at Utah Division of Water Resources... Laura Haskell 

The State has decided that employees can no longer work from home on bad air quality days. Joining me live is Director of the Utah Division of Air Quality... Bryce Bird.

Are you up to get rid of your gas powered lawn equipment and trade it in for electric? The state has a deal for you and it involves hundreds of dollars to switch. Lisa Burr, Grant and Incentive Section Manager at Utah Division of Air Quality explains the program.

Five years ago, Utah was hit with a 5.7 magnitude earthquake. An earthquake during the pandemic shook people up, making them think that this was the "Big One" we are all told about.  This sudden earthquake made Utahns more aware that they were not prepared. We speak to Bianca Valasquez from Utah Division of Emergency Management about earthquake safety and how to prepare your family.

Sarah Page, Drinking Water Treatment Lead for the Utah Division of Drinking Water, joins us to provide a great PFAS update. We discuss EPA's final, but not yet implemented PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation, what monitoring and remediating PFAS will look like for various water systems, and the role of Guns and Roses in engaging water communication. Super practical information about a critical topic that will be with us a long, long time. 

Humans have been writing in abbreviated ways as long as writing has existed. In the 19th century, Isaac Pitman developed – and marketed – a system of shorthand that became widely adopted. Research: Baker, Alfred. “The Life of Sir Isaac Pitman.” London. Pitman. 1919. Accessed online: https://archive.org/details/centenlifeofsiri00bakeuoft/page/34/mode/2up Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Sir Isaac Pitman". Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 Jan. 2025, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Isaac-Pitman Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Pitman shorthand". Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Apr. 2016, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Pitman-shorthand Miller, Genesie. “A Brief on Shorthand.” Utah Division of Archives and Records. April 11, 2023. https://archives.utah.gov/2023/04/11/a-brief-on-shorthand/ “Sir Isaac Pitman.” The Vegetarian. 1895. https://archive.org/details/vegetarianmonthl00unse_0/page/122/mode/2up?q=sir+isaac Pitman, Benn. “Sir Isaac Pitman, His Life and Labors.” Cincinnati. C.J. Krehbiel. 1902. https://archive.org/details/sirisaacpitmanhi00pitmuoft/page/48/mode/2up Pitman, Isaac. “Phonotypic Journal, for the Year 1845.” Vol. 4. Phonographic Institution. 1845. https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=K-gOAQAAIAAJ&pg=GBS.PP7&hl=en Russon, Allien R.. "shorthand". Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Nov. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/topic/shorthand Triggs, T. (2009, October 08). Pitman, Sir Isaac (1813–1897), deviser of a system of shorthand writing. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.https://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-22322 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brett Bovee of Westwater Resources joins your host Emily Lewis to discuss the Utah Water Marketing Strategies Project. For the last 4 years Brett and Emily have been working with a Project Management Team of Clyde Snow, Westwater, HDR Engineering, the Utah Division of Water Resources, and the Utah Division of Water Rights to pilot the Utah Water Banking Act and to distill lessons learned into broader Statewide Water Marketing Strategies. This is a project near and dear to our hearts and a MUST listen.

The Upper Avenues are well-known for their expensive views, but did you know they're also hunting grounds? Perry Hall, chair of the Backcountry Hunters and Anglers Utah Chapter, joins host Ali Vallarta to tell us how hunters, hikers, and dogs can safely coexist in our city's backyard. This episode originally aired on Jan. 3, 2024. Learn more about the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources' hunting mentorship program and about the BHA's Hunting for Sustainability course. This year we're giving $1,500 worth of gift cards to one lucky winner for the chance to enjoy some of the best SLC eats in every month of 2025. Follow the steps on this Instagram post to enter to win a year's worth of City Cast Salt Lake's favorite restaurants. Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It's the best way to support our work and help make sure we're around for years to come. Get all the details and sign up at membership.citycast.fm. Subscribe to Hey Salt Lake, our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC. Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:  ICO Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rod and Greg Show Daily Rundown – Thursday, January 9, 20254:20 pm: Paula Scanlan, Special Projects Ambassador at the Riley Gaines Center at the Leadership Institute joins the program for a conversation about a federal judge's decision to block Joe Biden's changes to Title IX from taking effect.4:38 pm: Merilee Boyack, former City Councilwoman in Poway, California and now a Utah resident, joins the show to discuss her experience with wildfires in the San Diego area and what those who've been evacuated in Los Angeles might be experiencing.5:05 pm: Senator John Curtis joins the show to give us his impressions following last night's meeting with President-elect Donald Trump and other GOP Senators to discuss Trump's legislative priorities.6:05 pm: Taiga Rohrer, Deputy Fire Management Officer with the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands joins the show for a conversation about the proactive programs Utah uses to help prevent wildfires.6:38: pm: Steve Moore, an Economist with FreedomWorks and a financial advisor to President-elect Donald Trump, joins Rod and Greg for their weekly conversation about politics and the nation's economy.

Dani Zebelean, Environmental Engineer III with the Utah Division of Drinking Water, joins us to discuss Minimum System Specific Sizing Standards. We discuss how Utah is working to get a better understanding of its water user by moving from a baseline estimate of per connection water use to the actual amount of used based on meter use. This is a brass tacks discussion about an important data set used to inform municipal water exactions, source and supply constraints, and many other overlapping areas of Utah water law.

Hosts: Adam Gardiner and Leah Murray  The Utah Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) came under quite a bit of scrutiny in 2024, following several public incidents involving child abuse and death. In many cases, DCFS says its hands were tied due to legal restrictions. Now, the Utah Legislature may make some changes to the law that would give DCFS more flexibility and power. State House Representative Christine Watkins calls into Inside Sources to explain a few of her bills on the subject.  

Hosts: Adam Gardiner and Leah Murray  The impact and legacy of the late President Jimmy Carter  The country’s longest-living president has passed away at 100 years old. President Jimmy Carter only served one term roughly 50 years ago, but his impact and legacy have been long-lasting. Inside Sources hosts Leah Murray and Adam Gardiner share their thoughts on President Carter’s policies and post-presidency actions. They also discuss the overall roll of former presidents on humanitarian efforts and foreign policy.    On the Hill 2025: Previewing legislation on ballot propositions  When a citizen initiative reaches the ballot in Utah, who writes the proposition that voters will ultimately vote on? In the past, the Legislative General Counsel would write the prop, but that changed in recent years; the House Speaker and Senate President could write it instead. Now, there looks to be efforts to change the process back to how it used to be. State House Representative Angela Romero joins the program to talk about a bill she’s working on to address this.    Fighting between DOGE and Trump supporters over visas for workers  In the last week, a new rift has emerged between leaders of the Department of Government Efficiency – Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy – and loyal supporters of President-elect Donald Trump. It comes as Musk and Ramaswamy voice their support for H-1B visas for foreign tech workers. Inside Sources breaks down the situation and what the incoming president has to say about it.    Sen.-elect Curtis says he won’t be a ‘rubber stamp’ for Donald Trump  In an interview with ABC’s “This Week,” Utah Senator-elect John Curtis said he wouldn’t be a rubber stamp for President-elect Trump’s agenda. Instead, Curtis says he’ll be a stamp for the state of Utah and its people. Corey Norman, Chief of Staff for Senator-elect Curtis’ Office joins the show to explain the Senator-elect's stance and what it could mean for Utah’s relationship with the incoming administration.    On the Hill 2025: Previewing legislation on child welfare  The Utah Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) came under quite a bit of scrutiny in 2024, following several public incidents involving child abuse and death. In many cases, DCFS says its hands were tied due to legal restrictions. Now, the Utah Legislature may make some changes to the law that would give DCFS more flexibility and power. State House Representative Christine Watkins calls into Inside Sources to explain a few of her bills on the subject.     What happens when a legislator leaves the state legislature?  As the Utah Legislature prepares to begin a new session in just a few weeks, several sitting legislators are wrapping things up, preparing to leave office. When a legislator leaves office, what happens to bills or initiatives they were working on? Is someone else forced to carry the bill, or could things simply end? Former legislator Adam Gardiner shares some insights as we discussed other legislators on their way out the door.    The Twelve Days of Christmas  You’ve all heard the song, but have you ever wondered what actually are the Twelve Days of Christmas? Along the same vein, how late do you keep your Christmas decorations up? The hosts finish Inside Sources discussing post-Christmas traditions.     

Huntsville township is dealing with an unprecedented water crisis that is causing massive delays of safe water to residents. The water in Huntsville was initially shut off Friday afternoon, due to a leak in the town’s million-gallon storage tank. KSL NewsRadio's Adam Small joins the show with the latest updates on the situation and KSL Legal Analyst and Eden resident Greg Skordas also speaks to what his neighboring community is seeing. Huntsville Residents Craig Olson and Denae Palm talk with Debbie and Taylor about their experiences without clean water for the last 3 days.  The Mayor of Huntsville, Richard Sorensen calls the show to bring an update on where things stand and what is behind the leak. Brian Stinson with Utah Division of Emergency Management and Be Ready Utah joins the show to share best practices for being prepared if your access to clean water is cut off.

On Thursday, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources passed a new deer management plan, which will inform hunting regulations until 2030. One major change approved in the plan involves how the state will manage areas with high numbers of chronic wasting disease, such as the La Sal Mountains and Castle Valley. Targeted hunts will occur in these areas to cull sick deer. - Photo: The new plan also suggests lowering the buck-to-doe ratios is certain areas throughout the state as another method for slowing the spread of chronic wasting disease as male deer are more like to contract it. Photo by Bryant Olsen via Flickr.

A thick haze of pollution has settled over the valley this afternoon. But the worst is yet to come. Joining me live is director of the Utah Division of Air Quality Bryce Bird. 

Photo Courtesy of Dustin Wittwer/The Huntian Everyone wants better mule deer hunting, but what is that really? Bigger herds? Better bucks? Better draw odds? Less opportunity for other hunters besides ourselves? Or something else altogether? Travis and Robby discuss some changes that could be on the horizon in at least three western states: Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming. Travis also shares some of scouting experiences since his seasons closed. If you want better mule deer hunting, you need to get involved now.  Below are links to some of the proposals discussed, and links to public meetings (some can be attended virtually).  The future is ours, we just need to get involved and debate all the ideas out there to make the best decision for the future of mule deer. Utah Division of Wildlife 2025 Mule Deer Proposals https://wildlife.utah.gov/news/utah-wildlife-news/2014-dwr-recommends-updates-to-deer-management-plan-and-hunt-strategies-research.html Idaho Southeast Idaho Mule Deer Committee https://idfg.idaho.gov/article/southeast-idaho-mule-deer-advisory-committee-efforts-are-underway Idaho Technology Committee https://idfg.idaho.gov/hat-working-group Wyoming Mule Deer Community Conversation Meeting times and Locations https://wgfd.wyo.gov/news-events?type_1=event   Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app You can find Robby's books, Hunting Big Mule Deer and The Stories on Amazon here or signed copies from the Rokslide store here     

Season 6 Episode 39: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Claudia Loayza, Magnify Utah program manager at the Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs. Loayza describes her background as a child of Latin American immigrants and her focus on creating generational wealth and community engagement. She explains her work with Magnify Utah, a project that connects and celebrates Utah's diverse communities by highlighting resources, stories, and cultural landmarks. She emphasizes the importance of inclusive urban planning, equitable resource access, and intentional storytelling in strengthening Utah's multicultural reach. Loayza highlights the mission and impact of Magnify Utah's website, designed to highlight personal stories, community profiles, and resources that promote inclusivity and community building in Utah. The website serves as a central hub to help residents — including immigrants, veterans, and corporate transplants — integrate and thrive. She also emphasizes the state's rich heritage of welcoming newcomers and the growing diversity that shapes its future. Loayza highlights Utah's strong sense of community and shared values, making it attractive for entrepreneurship.  

Boat owners are registering their vehicles in Montana to avoid paying higher taxes in Utah. Sloan Schrage, KSL Investigative Producer, talks with Dave and Debbie about the prevalence of this phenomenon and Boating Program Manager, Ty Hunter with the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation, joins the show to talk about what Utah state law requires owners to do.

Justin Cuthbert and Jesse Rubinoff kick things off with head coach of Utah HC André Tourigny (0:52) ahead of their inaugural NHL game tomorrow evening. They discuss his expectations for the team, moving to Utah and the decision to name Clayton Keller the franchise's first captain. Then, Ben Verlander joins the show (13:00) to discuss MLB postseason action over the weekend - a chaotic game 2 between the Dodgers and Padres, the Mets and Phillies going back and forth and much more. Finally, Kyle Bukauskas (27:35) tees up the NHL regular season and weighs in on the Habs rebuild, the Oilers' path back to the Cup Finals and much more. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.

With landfall looming sometime later this week, Hurricane Milton was upgraded to a category 5. Inside Sources host Boyd Matheson joins the show to talk about the national response to Hurricane Helene, and what FEMA can do in response to Milton. Ken Kraudy with the Utah Division of Emergency Management tells us why it's important to have a portable generator and explains how to use them.  

The fungus that causes a deadly bat disease called white-nose syndrome has made its way to Utah. Last week, Canyonlands National Park announced that the fungus was detected in an abandoned mine in the Needles District. White-nose syndrome has killed millions of bats in North America since it was discovered in 2007. Now, Utah has become the 44th state in the U.S. to test positive for the fungus. - Show Notes - • White-Nose Syndrome Response Team https://www.whitenosesyndrome.org/ • The economic impacts of ecosystem disruptions: Costs from substituting biological pest control https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adg0344 • Canyonlands National Park Announcement https://www.nps.gov/cany/learn/news/news09182024.htm • Bat biologist Kimberly Hersey, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources kimberlyasmus@utah.gov • Photo: A fungal infection causes White-Nose Syndrome in bats across the U.S. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Last year, Utah legalized unlimited, year-round hunting of mountain lions. Some argue that mountain lion numbers need to come down in order to help the state's dwindling deer population, despite no evidence to support this correlation. In fact, wildlife biologist Jim Keen recently published a paper arguing the opposite — that a healthy predator population is necessary to help deer numbers, especially if those deer are suffering from disease. - Show Notes - • Utah just legalized unlimited mountain lion hunting. What does that mean for the state's cougars? https://soundcloud.com/user-452372146-352514478/friday-may-19-2023 • Wildlife advocates sue the state of Utah over changes to mountain lion hunting https://soundcloud.com/user-452372146-352514478/wildlife-advocates-sue-the-state-of-utah-over-changes-to-mountain-lion-hunting-laws • Big cats as nature's check against disease, by Jim Keen https://catsarenttrophies.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Natures-Check-Against-Disease-Report-08-21-24.pdf?ms=EM_NBI_AWA_20240827_FR_CWD_0_3MO_WaynePacelle_NA_NA_CWD&emci=1473c15a-9764-ef11-991a-6045bdd9e096&emdi=1490e0f0-ad64-ef11-991a-6045bdd9e096&ceid=11359917 • Photo: Weight loss is a main symptom of chronic wasting disease, as seen in this deer. Photo courtesy of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

On Friday, a new lithium mine in Green River announced that the Utah Division of Water Rights approved its application. The mine, owned by Anson Resources, was granted a flow rate of 19 cubic feet of water per second on the condition that all water used in the extraction process will be re-injected back into the aquifer after lithium has been removed. Following a drilling accident this spring, concerned residents protested the mine's water rights, spurring the state to re-evaluate the application. Friday's decision is the result of that review process. - Show Notes - • Green River residents voice concerns about lithium mine accident https://soundcloud.com/user-452372146-352514478/green-river-residents-voice-concerns-about-lithium-mine-accident • Photo: Anson Resource's lithium mine is located less than half a mile from the Green River. Photo by Kenny Fallon / Green River Observer.

Jeff doesn't know if this the worst bout of wildfire smoke we've had this summer, but it sure looks like the worst. 

Faith Jolley from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources walks us through the proposed changes to current fishing regulations in Utah, as well as a few other rule amendments. Chris and Claire also speak about the bill that bans thick single use plastic bags in California and their effects on marine wildlife.

This weekend, we lost 6 Utah adults to drownings. Dave and Debbie talk about the deaths involving paddleboarders and the three deaths that involved a whirlpool which trapped 3 experienced canyoneers from Utah. Dave breaks down these naturally occurring dangers around water and shares experience from his time as a rafting guide. Also joining the conversation, Ty Hunter, Boating Program Manager for the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation, speaks to what to do if someone near you is drowning in a high risk situation. Do you jump in and save them?

Three Utah adults have drowned in the last three days while paddle boarding. The first was at Quail Creek Reservoir in Hurricane when a 49 year-old man died after jumping in the water to rescue two family members who'd fallen in because of the wind. The second was at Flaming Gorge when a 60 year-old mom who couldn't swim fell into the water and her 44 year-old daughter jumps in to save her. Both drowned in the incident. Rejoining the show, Ty Hunter, Boating Program Manager for the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation, explains how to stay safe when recreating on water so these things don't happen again.

Vicki Bourns (Director of the Utah Division of Arts and Museums) joins Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox, to remember Alice Merrill Horne, an innovative Utah artist and politician who helped establish a state arts organization and a state collection of artwork in 1899, and how the Utah Division of Arts and Museums helps care for art throughout the state. Then Vicki talks about a new state-of-the-art storage space that will protect Utah’s art for years.  We are also joined by Ben Steele (Helper-based Artist), who opens up about finding his unique art style, how Helper’s booming art community has helped give the town new life, and his commissioned piece honoring Alice Merrill Horne.  Lastly, in honor of the Utah Division of Arts and Museums’ 125th anniversary, we preview an upcoming exhibit set to open on December 10th at Utah Valley University’s Museum of Art. Related Links UA&M: https://artsandmuseums.utah.gov/ Alice Merrill Home Art Collection: https://artsandmuseums.utah.gov/alice-merrill-horne-art-collection/ UA&M 125th Anniversary: https://artsandmuseums.utah.gov/125th-anniversary/#:~:text=On%20March%209%2C%201899%2C%20the,makes%202024%20our%20125th%20anniversary! Ben Steele: https://bensteeleart.com/

How can HR deal with workplace conflict without turning the office into a mini battleground? Conflict is a natural part of the human experience, naturally spilling into our working lives. In this episode of HR Unplugged, we hear why the solution isn't to avoid conflict but to deal with it in a healthy, professional way.Joining the episode is John Barrand, Chief HR Officer of the Utah Division of Human Resource Management, who introduces us to Utah's innovative “Disagree Better” campaign from Governor Spencer Cox, which offers a great framework for handling conflict in the workplace. This episode explores the delicate balance between too little and too much conflict, with John noting that a little tension can illuminate important issues within an organization. Throughout the conversation, John, Anita, and Vanessa discuss practical strategies for addressing different types of disagreements. Whether you're managing a team of 22,000 like John or leading a smaller group, this episode offers actionable advice on creating a culture of healthy disagreement and open communication. Key moments: What the “Disagree Better” initiative involvesHow to tie company mission and values into conflict resolutionWhy organizations should give back to employees and help them growWhy cynicism leads to burnout and how to solve itWhy service and gratitude are important to encourageKey links: Subscribe to HR Unplugged Series: https://www.bamboohr.com/resources/podcasts/hr-unplugged/Join HR Heroes Slack Community: https://join.slack.com/t/hrheroesworkspace/shared_invite/zt-21ad3f1r8-dkWC2EdmyhxUAHw9cGLdQw/Bamboo HR Homepage: https://www.bamboohr.com/Connect with John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpeterbarrand/

Dax jumps on to give us a preview of Deer and Elk hunt expectations in the state and while we've got him we talk Bears in the state!

Hosts: Greg Skordas & Rusty Cannon A year-long multi-entity analysis has just wrapped up, looking more into the water movement and levels in the Great Salt Lake Basin. The report looks into places where some gaps were identified, and offers some suggestions for the State Legislature on how to improve. Blake Bingham, Deputy State Engineer at the Utah Division of Water Rights explains more about the project and what will happen next.

Hosts: Greg Skordas & Rusty Cannon Utah Supreme Court agrees to hear ballot challenge in CD-2We’ve learned that the Utah Supreme Court will hear a challenge regarding ballots that were postmarked late in the GOP primary race in the 2nd Congressional District. Challenger Colby Jenkins is asking the court to force the counties to count those previously-disqualified ballots. KSL at Night hosts Greg Skordas and Rusty Cannon talk about the case and preview it ahead of tomorrow’s hearing. Death row inmate executed; first legal execution in Utah in 14 yearsEarly this morning, death row inmate Taberon Honie was executed by lethal injection. It was the first execution in the state in 14 years, and the first one done by lethal injection since 1999. KSL Legal Analyst Greg Skordas talks a little about the death penalty in Utah, including a look at the other executions the state has done in the past or is preparing for now. What effect is a Harris-Walz ticket having on Senate races in the West?Presidential nominees can often affect other candidates down ballot; that seems to be the case right now with Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris. We discuss how a Harris-Walz ticket is affecting races for Democrats looking to earn or keep a spot in the United States Senate, using a new Deseret News article that examines the situation. Discussing how the media is treating presidential candidate Kamala HarrisSome criticisms of Kamala Harris are that she’s avoiding the media. We talk a little bit about why that may or may not be true. Adam Gardiner, KSL at Night host and President of ASG Consulting joins tonight’s show to talk about political strategy for the Harris-Walz campaign. We also compare it to how the Trump-Vance campaign is dealing with their own media relationships. Presidential candidates Trump and Harris agree to debateFormer President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris have agreed to their first debate. It comes following many questions as to whether or not the two would continue with the debate schedule previously agreed upon with the Biden campaign. The candidates shared their thoughts on the upcoming debate with the media today; we hear from both Trump and Harris. Changes coming to Columbia University’s police force following protestsThe President of Columbia University in New York has outlined a proposal to empower the university’s police force more. It comes following months of protests on the campus — and around the country — around the Israel-Palestine conflict. The KSL at Night hosts talk more about the changes, sharing their surprise that this authority wasn’t already in place. New analysis of water movement in the Great Salt Lake BasinA year-long multi-entity analysis has just wrapped up, looking more into the water movement and levels in the Great Salt Lake Basin. The report looks into places where some gaps were identified, and offers some suggestions for the State Legislature on how to improve. Blake Bingham, Deputy State Engineer at the Utah Division of Water Rights explains more about the project and what will happen next. SLC sports and entertainment district seeing delays in planningSome have questioned why the plans for the new Salt Lake City sports and entertainment district haven’t moved forward following a vote by the City Council last month. The September 1st deadline for approving the plan is coming up pretty quickly. We finish the show taking a look at the plans and share an update on its status.

A 25-foot pontoon boat capsized in Lake Powell Friday afternoon, killing 2 children and one elderly woman. Authorities say two others remained hospitalized on Sunday. That raises the question, how do we stay safe when recreating on pontoon boats? Ty Hunter, Boating Programming Manager with the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation, joins the show with some safety tips.

We've heard about a number of deaths while people were enjoying the outdoors this summer ... drownings and heat-related deaths.  Now ... the Department of Natural Resources has issued an urgent call for safety before you head outdoors this summer. Joining me now live is the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation's Chief of Law Enforcement Steve Bullock.

A mother in her 80s and her disabled son died in a house fire in Pleasant Grove early this morning.   Fire officials say there are things you can do to prepare for unexpected tragedies like this. Joining me live is Wade Mathews with the Utah Division of Emergency Management.

Nubia Peña (Governor Senior Advisor & Director for the Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs) and Claudia Loayza (Planning Policy and Engagement Coordinator) join Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox, to talk about how their respective backgrounds influenced them to serve others, how multicultural communities have made Utah stronger, and ways that we can be even more welcoming to all cultures as Utahns. Then, we dive into how Magnify Utah connects communities and people throughout the state and some ways that it can help Utahns learn even more about the state. Lastly, we discuss why dignity is so important to allow Utah to continue thriving and how we can serve our communities through compassion and proximity. Related Links Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs: https://multicultural.utah.gov/ Magnify Utah: https://multicultural.utah.gov/magnify/

Utah's water forecast is looking pretty damn good as we head into summer. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means take a look at the Great Salt Lake, our reservoirs, and when you should really be watering your lawn. Plus, the Salt Lake City Council considers a handful of tax increases, and Ali and Emily share local shoutouts. Resources and references: Utah water forecast appears good headed into summer [Great Salt Lake Collaborative] Participate in the Great Salt Lake elevation challenge Weekly lawn watering guide from Utah Division of Water Resources Utah Water Savers landscape incentive program Salt Lake City proposed tax increases Subscribe to the town of Brighton newsletter We're doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We'd be grateful if you took the survey — it's only seven minutes long, and you'll be doing us a big favor! Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast Salt Lake swag. Consider becoming a founding member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It's the best way to support our work and help make sure we're around for years to come. Get all the details and sign up at membership.citycast.fm. Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC and Twitter @CityCastSLC. Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wouldn't it be great to see foster homes waiting for children, rather than children waiting for homes? Unfortunately, Utah is nowhere near having enough homes, especially those to support kids with special needs. This month is National Foster Care Month, and we talk to two leaders in our state's foster care community about our shortage of foster parents in Utah. Check out our Upcoming Events! Episode Summary: This episode of the podcast discusses the decline in the number of foster parents in Utah and the nationwide trend. The conversation highlights the importance of foster care and how the shortage of foster families impacts the system's ability to care for children in need. The Problem: The episode opens with Liz, the show host, mentioning a nationwide trend of a decline in families coming forward to foster children. Tonya, the Director at Utah's Child and Family Services, confirms this trend and adds that the number of foster parents in Utah has been going down since 2022. They discuss the fact that while they expected a decrease at the beginning of the pandemic, the opposite happened. The number of families coming forward to foster actually increased during the first year or two of the pandemic. The Importance of Foster Care: The conversation then shifts to the importance of foster care. Tonya emphasizes that the goal of the Utah Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) is always to keep children safe, ideally at home with their families. When that's not possible, the focus is on finding a safe and kin-based placement for the child. Kin-based placement refers to placing the child with relatives whenever possible. However, when there are no relatives available, having a sufficient pool of foster families becomes crucial. How You Can Help: Considering becoming a foster parent: Fill out the form below for more information on becoming a foster parent. Volunteering: Check out our volunteer page for upcoming events. Donating to Utah Foster Care: Financial contributions can help support foster families and child welfare organizations. Call to Action: Consider getting involved in foster care, whether that means becoming a foster parent or donating time or money to support the children in care. Episode Transcript Want to learn more about becoming a Foster Parent? 

Salt Lake City's Avenues neighborhood is home to some of the best trails in town. But did you know it's a popular spot to hunt wild game, too? Perry Hall, chair of the Backcountry Hunters and Anglers Utah Chapter, joins host Ali Vallarta to explain how hunters and hikers (and their dogs) can safely coexist in the foothills. Learn more about the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources' hunting mentorship program. Learn more about the BHA Hunting for Sustainability course. Consider becoming a founding member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It's the best way to support our work and help make sure we're around for years to come. Get all the details and sign up at membership.citycast.fm. Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC. Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: The Goat Head startup restaurant Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The child abuse case involving Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt has prompted Senator David Hinkins to advocate for enhanced oversight of life coaches across Utah. Hinkins believes that the state must take a more proactive role in regulating this industry to protect families and individuals seeking guidance.    The impetus for Hinkins' call for action came from Ruby Franke's estranged husband, Kevin, who approached the lawmaker, urging him to investigate the qualifications required to become a life coach. Shockingly, Hinkins discovered that there are no mandatory qualifications, creating a concern that unqualified life coaches may be adversely affecting families for an extended period.    One alarming aspect highlighted by the case is the potentially misleading titles used by life coaches. The Connexions Classroom website, which remains operational, describes Ruby Franke as a "certified mental fitness trainer." Sen. Hinkins expressed concern over such titles, stating, "It's just a title that somebody could make up and makes it sound professional, when it's really probably not."    Furthermore, while some online classes offer what they call "mental fitness training," state law currently allows individuals like Franke to use such titles without any mandatory background training or qualifications. Hinkins emphasized, "I don't think there's anything that stops her from saying that, and I don't know that she's had any background training to be that."    Former clients of Connexions Classroom have accused Franke and company founder Jodi Hildebrandt of employing shaming tactics designed to create divisions within families. One client, Trey Warner, shared a disturbing example, where a man believed he was a danger to his family merely because he had a momentary lapse of concentration. Warner recalled, "This guy got his own apartment and separated from his family because he was a 'danger.'"    The critical issue at hand is the lack of regulations and standards governing life coaches in Utah. Sen. Hinkins highlighted this gap, stating, "Right now, there's nothing regulating [them]. They can tell people to do anything they want, and there's no recourse." He believes that individuals professing to be life coaches should be subject to criteria to establish credibility and protect the well-being of their clients.    Officials from the Utah Division of Professional Licensing declined an on-camera interview but sent a text response, acknowledging the absence of licensure requirements for life coaches in the state. They noted that some complaints involve former licensed behavioral health practitioners who lost their licenses and now operate as life coaches, providing services that may be illegal.    Sen. Hinkins clarified that the bill he intends to draft is in its early stages and aims to strike a balance between providing oversight and ensuring that people can offer advice to their family members when requested. He plans to collaborate closely with the Utah Division of Professional Licensing to develop effective legislation that addresses these concerns.    The child abuse case involving Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt has underscored the need for clearer standards and oversight within the life coaching industry, as Utah seeks to protect its residents from potentially harmful advice and practices. Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK's Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com