KDXU Up To The Minute News

Authorities in Grand County Searching for Missing 21 Year Old

Grand County Sheriff’s Office is asking you to keep an eye out for a missing man. Officials say, 21 year old Christopher Morgan Burgess was last seen on Friday, February 28 at his home in Moab. They believe he may be in the company of 17-year-old Madison Dante Richards who was previously listed as a missing person. Anyone with any information about these two is asked to contact Grand County Sheriff’s Office. You can find a picture and description of these two missing persons on the 890 KDXU Webpage as well as our KDXU Facebook page.

Road Work Coming to the Virgin River Gorge

The Arizona Department of Transportation is warning drivers to expect traffic delays on Interstate 15 through the Virgin River Gorge.  ADOT said all loads wider than 10 feet will have to detour around I-15 starting early April through spring of 2020 while three bridge decks are rehabilitated. Northbound and southbound I-15 will be reduced to one lane between mileposts 13 and 16 while crews make repairs.

Gun Related Law Fails

A final attempt to pass a gun-related law named after slain University of Utah student Lauren McCluskey has failed.  HB 190 from Democratic Representative Andrew Stoddard would have held gun owners who lend out firearms liable if their guns are used in the commission of a crime.  A House committee put the bill on hold earlier in the session, and voted to hold it indefinitely today over concerns about how it might penalize those who have no idea how their guns are being used.

Problems with the Boeing 737 Max 8 Jet

A growing number of airlines have grounded the Boeing 737 Max 8 Jet. China, Indonesia as well as Cayman and Ethiopian Airlines are among them. But, what about Utah Airports.  Of the nine airlines that fly out of Salt Lake City International Airport, five of them fly the 737 Max.  The airlines are Aeromexico, Alaska, American, Southwest and United Airlines. Of the U.S. airlines flying locally, Southwest has the most 737 Max 8's in its fleet with 34

Medical Assistant Forges Prescriptions 

A former Ogden medical assistant who forged enough prescriptions to get 14-thousand pain pills is facing ten counts of felony forgery. Fifty-five-year-old Shani Mortenson posted 29-thousand dollars bail Wednesday and was released from Weber County Jail. Ogden police said Mortenson printed fake prescriptions and signed them with signature stamps. She told police she needed the drugs for her husband.

Daylight Savings Time Moves Forward

 It's something legislative staffers, researchers, and legislators say citizens talk about, ask about, and complain about more than any issue. Daylight saving time. Monday, the state legislature took a step toward doing something about it. House Joint Resolution 15 had a hearing yesterday. The House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee discussed the measure and decided to pass it forward. By taking that action, lawmakers agreed Utah should endorse and support efforts in the U.S. Congress, to allow states to determine whether they choose to stay on daylight saving time or opt out.

Airbag for Avalanche Victims??

A fellow in wilderness medicine at the University of Utah is helping design an air bag that would help hikers survive an avalanche. Colin Little said Monday the bag is activated with a backpack string, and it pushes a pocket of air into the space near the head of a person who's buried in snow. Little said the extra air lasts for at least an hour, and could keep someone stable for up to ten hours.

Cities Keep Authority in Banning Containers

Utah cities will keep their authority to enact bans on plastic bags and other single-use containers.  House Bill 320 failed yesterday when the Utah House shot down a motion to move the bill to the floor for debate.  Supporters of the bill said it was needed to make laws concerning plastic bans consistent across the state.  Opponents said it was a move to strip local governments of their authority to decide what was best for their communities.

U.S Park Rangers in Zion Investigating Recent Theft

US Park Rangers of Zion National Park are investigating the recent theft of funds from the fee drop box in Watchman Campground, located in Zion Canyon. At approximately 2:00 AM on January 25, 2019, security cameras captured footage of an individual entering the campground, tampering with surveillance equipment, and removing funds from a National Park Service facility. This person of interest is a white male, approximately 6’02” tall, approximately 200 pounds, with a shaved or bald head. He was driving a white pickup truck with an open bed and California plates. If you may have seen this person of interest on or around January 25, or if you stayed in Watchman Campground and noticed unrecognized transactions on a credit card used to pay camping or fees, please contact us.