KDXU Up To The Minute News

Governor Making a Difference for Victims

Governor Gary Herbert is making a difference for victims of domestic assault and survivors of bigamy.  Herbert signed a bill into law Wednesday that allows victims of sexual violence and domestic assault to carry a concealed weapon without a permit.  He also signed a bill that entitles victims of bigamy to money from the state.  Under the new law, anyone married to a person who has another spouse is considered a victim of criminal conduct.

State Board to Discuss Tuition Increases

The state board that oversees Utah's public colleges and universities will hold a hearing to discuss planned tuition increases.  The State Board of Regents will hold the hearing today at 4:30 p.m. at the Salt Lake Community College Miller campus in Sandy.  The University of Utah has proposed an increase of just more than three-percent, while Salt Lake Community College tuition would go up by two-percent.  Southern Utah University is the only state college not proposing a tuition increase this year.

Open Houses Planned for Public Input

St. George Residents are facing many challenges, especially when it comes to the rapid growth of the area. St. George Mayor Jon Pike and members of the St. George City Council would like to give the public a chance to voice their concerns and hopes. The first of these openhouses will be held tonight at the St. George Sunriver Community Center beginning at 6pm.

Former Utah State Athlete Sentenced

Former Utah State football standout Torrey Green will spend at least 26 years in prison after he was convicted in the sexual assaults of six women.  Spencer Walsh of the Cache County Attorney's Office says Green is likely to remain behind bars for a long period. Three of the victims gave emotional statements in court yesterday as they described the impact the 25-year-old Green had on their lives after he assaulted them while they were students at USU.

Governor Signs Additional 66 Bills

Governor Gary R. Herbert signed 66 more bills and resolutions into law Tuesday. One of the bills signed was H.B. 234 which changes the legal marriage age in Utah. The bill, sponsored by State Rep. Angela Romero, repeals an exception in Utah law that allows 15-year-olds to marry. The new bill will require that anyone under the age of 18 have the permission of a legal parent or guardian to marry.

Foreign Effort to Interfere in Utah Elections

State officials say they've been told by Facebook that there was a foreign effort to interfere in Utah elections last year.  Utah Elections Director Justin Lee says Facebook found a bot farm in Bangladesh that sought to spread misinformation about the election in order to disrupt it.  Lee says the state is facing increasing attacks on its election systems from outside the country.

Senator Lee and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Exchange Barbs

Republican Senator Mike Lee and Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are exchanging barbs over the "Green New Deal."  Yesterday on the Senate Floor, Lee poked fun at the congresswoman's plan to address climate change using several posters, including one showing former President Ronald Reagan riding a dinosaur while firing a machine gun.  Senator Lee said he was treating the proposal "with the seriousness it deserves."

Two Dogs Won't be Euthanized

Two dogs involved in an incident in which a four-year-old Layton boy's hand was bitten off, won't be euthanized.  After being cited by Davis County for possessing dangerous animals, the owner turned the Huskies in to Davis County Animal Care and Control.  Director Rhett Nicks says the department is looking for an animal sanctuary for them.  A petition to save the dogs garnered more than 200-thousand signatures.

27 Year Old Cedar City Man Arrested for Witness Tampering

A 27-year-old Cedar City man is arrested on suspicion of witness tampering, after authorities listened in to his phone calls from jail.  Jacob Alcantar was arrested March 10th after he hit and choked his girlfriend when she was holding their four-year-old son.   On the date of a preliminary hearing, a narcotics task force listened in to calls Alcantar made from the Iron County Jail to his mother and girlfriend.

New Laws for Motorcyclists in Utah

A law goes into effect May 2019 that will bring big changes to Utah roads allowing motorcycles to move between lanes when traffic is stopped. According to the Utah Highway Patrol, between 2011 and 2017, 1,288 motorcyclists were rear-ended, and many of them were seriously injured. Supporters say the law is all about keeping motorcyclists safe.