KDXU up to the minute news

LDS Church outlines steps to increase safety at church buildings

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is telling its leaders and members that they need to watch out for threats in a changing world.  The Church released a letter yesterday outlining steps that should be taken to increase safety at church buildings.  Among the principles outlined are making sure that if something doesn't seem right, to tell someone immediately.

Utah children leading the country concerning weight

Utah children are leading the country when it comes to their weight.  A new report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation found that the Beehive State has the lowest childhood obesity rate, with just eight-point-seven-percent of children ages 10-to-17 meeting that criteria.

Criminal investigation launched into vaping death

The Utah Attorney General's Office has launched a criminal investigation following the first death related to vaping in the state.  According to the Utah Department of Health, the person who died had been vaping THC.

Reforming state's tax code unlikely to change this year

Lawmakers seeking to reform the state's tax code say it is unlikely they will have a special session this year to vote on any changes.  The state's tax reform task force met yesterday and discussed the possibility of revoking all of Utah's current tax exemptions and imposing a sales tax on some services.

Romney wants to eliminate a group of vaping products

Republican Senator Mitt Romney says it's time to eliminate a group of products that he feels helps make vaping more attractive to youth. Romney held a roundtable discussion yesterday with Utah leaders seeking ways to curb vaping.  Representatives from the state legislature discussed plans to create a program to educate teens about the dangers of vaping.

Semi truck fire on I-15 in Virgin River Gorge

A semitractor-trailer fire on the Arizona stretch of Interstate 15 was quickly extinguished thanks to the efforts of area firefighters Thursday afternoon. According to firefighters, the situation could have gone from a fire on the edge of the trailer to a fully engulfed semi if the trailer cargo – an entire load of lithium-ion batteries – had caught fire.

AG's office to weigh in on gender marker for birth certificates

The Utah Supreme Court has ordered the Attorney General's Office to weigh in on the issue of gender marker changes for birth certificates.  Two Utahns sought the changes for their birth certificates last year, but an Ogden judge refused to allow them.  However, other judges in Utah have granted similar requests.

Leading LGBTQ organization declines to endorse candidates for SLC mayor

One of Utah's leading LGBTQ organizations is declining to endorse a candidate in the upcoming election for Salt Lake City mayor.  Equality Utah refused to pick between Erin Mendenhall and Luz Escamilla when it recently released its list of endorsements for local political races.