KDXU Up To The Minute News

Suicide Rate in Utah Remains High

Utah sadly has the fifth-highest overall suicide rate in the nation at 25.2 suicides per 100,000 people, and since 1999, the state has seen  a 46.5 percent increase in residents taking their own lives. It is a crisis that has led Gov. Gary Herbert to create a youth suicide task force and state lawmakers to fund a new staffer to study why Utahns have died by suicide. Doctor David Blodgett Director of the South West Public Health Department speaking with Andy Griffin on the Open Mike Show said there is a lot being done but they are just a piece of the puzzle

Petition Wants Life of Dog that Bit Four Year Old Boy's Hand Off Spared

A petition circulating online to save the life of a dog that bit off a four-year-old boy's hand in Layton is close to reaching its goal.  So far, the petition has gathered more than 97-thousand of the desired 100-thousand signatures.  The person who created the petition claims the husky, "Bear," mistook the boy's hand for a toy when he put a sock over it.  The dog is currently under a quarantine.

Bill Defeated to Sell Full Strength Beer in Utah

Legislation that would allow Utah grocery stores and gas stations to sell full-strength beer has failed in the State Capitol.  A House committee voted down SB 132 from Republican Senator Jerry Stevenson in a seven-to-four vote.  House members however did unanimously pass a substitute bill to create a task force that will study the impact of dropping three-two beer across the state.  Supporters of the original bill argued that changes were needed to Utah's alcohol regulations since many large brewers are dropping weaker beer.

Pine View Bomb Suspect Pleads Guilty

A southern Utah teenager accused of a bringing a homemade bomb to school pleaded guilty Wednesday. The teenager pleaded guilty to one felony charge of attempting to use an incendiary device to hurt other people. The charges stem from an incident in March 2018 when prosecutors said the suspect placed a backpack with a homemade explosive device in it inside the cafeteria at Pine View High School in St. George. The teen is scheduled to be sentenced on April 17. The teenager is also accused of raising an Islamic-state flag just a week before he planted the explosive.

Homes Flooded and Threatened Due to Yesterday's Storms

At least a dozen homes were threatened amid flooding in Washington County Wednesday. Heavy rain moved through Southern Utah creating flooding and plenty of muddy neighborhoods. Several rivers are running high including the Virgin River through Springdale. Toquerville is dealing with rushing water and the Washington County Sheriff reported flooding in the Brookside area. About 15 homes were threatened and deputies said outbuildings are dealing with mud and water

Bill to Increase Age of Smoking Clears House

Provo is backing a push in the Utah Legislature to increase the minimum age of smoking in the state.  Last night, the Provo City Municipal Council passed a resolution to support HB 324, and said if the legislature doesn't approve the bill, councilmembers would create their own ordinance to make the change.  Under HB 324, Utah would raise the age to buy tobacco products to 21 by July of 2021.  The proposal has already cleared the House and is now under consideration in the Senate.

Executive Director of LGBTQ in Utah Resigns From Governors Youth Suicide Task Force

The executive director of an L-G-B-T-Q group in Utah is resigning from the Governor's Youth Suicide Task Force, after the passing of a revised conversion-therapy bill.  After stepping down Wednesday, Troy Williams, of Equality Utah, tweeted that the substitute bill doesn't ban conversion therapy aimed at changing gender identity.  He also said the bill was crafted by conversion therapists to protect themselves.

Group of Business Owners Gather Opposing New Tax Bill

A group of small business owners gathered last evening with one message. The new tax bill - being proposed - would hurt you, the consumer, and scores of small businesses. The crux of the sales tax expansion, called House Bill 441, is to broaden the base of those who pay sales tax. It’s a base that doesn't currently include the service industry - but soon, could. That means those who sell and buy services, will be taxed. Business owners from the service industry, like contractors, painters, accountants and even tourism officials have spoken out against the bill.