Pioneer Day is upon us. For LDS members this means sparklers, banned fireworks, Jello salad, funeral potatoes; and three-legged races with enormous numbers of cousins. But few LDS members and nonmembers know the details of how and why approximately 25,000 early church members migrated to the hostile Mexican territory in the Great Basin area now known as Utah. Why did … [Read more...]
The Magnolia Apartments: The new Homes for the Homeless are a “Complete Failure” According to an Inside Source
An inside source provides Utah Stories with an inside look into the reality of the Magnolia Apartments. Salt Lake City, along with the organization Shelter the Homeless, have been working to build “permanent supportive housing units for the chronically homeless”. The Housing First Model is an excellent idea in its basic theory: give temporary homes to the homeless first so … [Read more...]
Utah Homelessness Getting Out of Control: What are the solutions?
A conversation with Pioneer Park Coalition board Member Scott Howell and Catholic Diocese Director Jean Hill. It’s an untenable situation: more people camping on the streets; more people unwilling to enter shelters; more clearly insane people walking around the streets in downtown; all social services in Salt Lake City are maxed out. There are not enough social workers, beds, … [Read more...]
If Salt Lake City’s Homeless Had a Say in The over $20 Million Spent on Them
If Salt Lake City’s Homeless Had a Say in The over $20 Million Spent on Them, Here Is How They Would Spend it “I think there should be a shelter for both men and women, it’s not healthy to separate couples,” said Savannah who was living outside in a tent at the former homeless encampment called Fort Pioneer. She added, “Also, they need a place where they allow … [Read more...]
Homeless in Salt Lake City: The Worsening Conditions of the Chronically Homeless and Those Suffering from Mental Disorders
Editor's Note: This article previously incorrectly stated that the Geraldine E. King Woman's Resource Center was operated by The Road Home Organization. The Geraldine E. King Woman's Resource Center is operated by the Volunteers of America. The Road Home operates the Men's Homeless Resource Center, Gail Miller Resource Center as well as the Midvale Family Homeless … [Read more...]
Free Speech and Censoring of Independent Voices and News Outlets
Big Tech platforms such as Twitter and Facebook along with large corporate media outlets are actively silencing and censoring independent voices and opinions. Utah Stories has personally been silenced and shadow-banned for our social medical posts on the LDS Church's involvement in Utah's medical cannabis legislation, as well as our coverage of a right-wing protest at Utah's … [Read more...]
Five Points that the Utah State Legislature Should Consider in Revising Utah’s Medical Cannabis Laws
The Utah State Legislature has been working to fix the original highly flawed medical cannabis legislation since its inception in 2018. While the cannabis laws have come a long way from where they began, there are still some enormous flaws that end up limiting patient access to only the upper-class and wealthy, due to the medical recommendation card requirement. Perhaps by … [Read more...]
The Hostility of Repression and Into the Storm
A look back on January 6th, Q-Anon, and free-speech suppression On January 6th, 2021 Utah Stories covered the Utah State Capitol “Stop the Steal” demonstrations. We interviewed the Proud Boys, Boogaloo Boys, some Utah militia members, and Trump supporters, who were chanting “Stop the Steal!” A few attendees were waving Q flags. Various speakers were calling for more government … [Read more...]
Why Is the 600% Increase in Homeless Spending Resulting in More Homelessness in Utah?
What Can the State or City do to Alleviate Homelessness? A report was recently released (in November of 2021 by the Utah State Auditor’s Office). The report details what it has found to be some of the reasons why despite massive spending increases the homeless population only continues to increase. Currently, the major issues associated with the homeless epidemic are a lack … [Read more...]
Homeless Families Braving the Cold Rather Than Stay in Shelters in Salt Lake City
On North Temple, near 15th West, I find a family who is choosing to camp in an empty parking lot under tarps rather than stay in a shelter. A woman and her two adult sons are taking extreme measures to survive in the frigid temperatures. They use candle wax as well as hand sanitizer to burn small fires under their tarps and blankets to stay warm. Why are they taking such … [Read more...]