The following story was written and reported by The Utah Investigative Journalism Project in partnership with Utah Stories. In the 2018 Legislature, then-Senate President Wayne Niederhauser, one of the most powerful legislators on the hill, presented a bill in a committee to pave the way for toll roads to be established in the state. The soft-spoken Sandy Republican … [Read more...]
Saving Our Canyons From Ourselves
The peaks of the Wasatch Range stand like stone sentinels over the valleys below—silent witnesses to a burgeoning population that seeks year-round refuge amid the tranquility of these beautiful and inviting canyons and slopes. Wasatch Front residents are fortunate to live within the very shadow of our favorite recreation destinations, but as Utah’s population continues to … [Read more...]
California Schemin’
The following was written and reported by The Utah Investigative Journalism Project in partnership with Utah Stories. The Story of Scheming Before he pled guilty to running a $125 million fraud and being labeled a “scammer extraordinaire” by the FBI, Deepal Wannakuwatte was known as a charming entrepreneur who owned his own tennis team. He mixed sports and scheming, making … [Read more...]
Taxing Your Doctor Visit? Professional service providers oppose taxation plan
In March, Utah legislative leaders put on hold a bill that would have imposed a 3.1 percent sales tax on a wide range of services such as accounting, landscaping, life coaching, construction and plumbing—but opponents are worried the measure could be revived as lawmakers continue working to overhaul the state’s taxing system. Doctors' & Lawyers' Concern Over House Bill … [Read more...]
Kanab and Fracking
Small Town Kanab In a small town, change is often unwanted. Kanab, in the heart of Utah’s color country, has long enjoyed fame due to its astounding beauty and small-town charm. Multitudes of Western films were shot amongst the buttes and mesas that point the way to Lake Powell and the Grand Canyon. The town has long been home to the Western Legends Roundup, which features a … [Read more...]
Big MLM trouble in Big China
Can USANA deal with Chinese laws? Major multi-level marketing companies like USANA face crackdowns in China, where the business practice is widespread, sometimes violent, and very illegal. The following story was written and reported by The Utah Investigative Journalism Project in partnership with Utah Stories. USANA encounters multi-level problems in China Multi-level … [Read more...]
No-Knock Search Warrant Costs Utah Police Forces $60K in Payouts to Victims
In 2016, Cottonwood Heights Police and Unified Police executed a no-knock search warrant at a Taylorsville house using explosives and battering rams. They were looking for a woman suspected of selling methamphetamine who rented a mother-in-law basement apartment there, as well as evidence of drug dealing. The violent entry through the front door and several other entry points … [Read more...]
Cottonwood Heights: Council Member Finds Opposition to Transparency
Even before Tali Bruce was sworn in as a Cottonwood Heights City Council member in January 2018, she and police Chief Robby Russo were at odds on the issues. According to Bruce, Russo endorsed her opponent in the fall 2017 election, an action she believes was inappropriate coming from a police officer. [*According to her opponent this never happened.] Now, 15 months later, … [Read more...]
Utah’s Economy: Growing Utah’s Cities and Communities to have A Strong Local Economic Tax Base
Utah's Economy: The skyline of the Wasatch Front shows growth and development everywhere. But much of the growth is among homogenous corporate retail chains, restaurants, and big-box stores. According to Val Hale, who is the President of Utah’s Office of Economic Development, AKA GoEd - the Governor's Office of Economic Development - Utah’s economy is booming. Just last … [Read more...]
Help Wanted: Utah’s Labor Shortage
Is America running out of workers? According to a December 13, 2018 report by The Conference Board—a nonprofit organization dedicated to researching and addressing looming business issues—2019 may be a historically tight year in the labor market. This will be especially true in blue-collar industries like mining, manufacturing, maintenance, agriculture, and others … [Read more...]