This week in Utah news:
Utah’s Governor and Governor-elect condemn a decision by Attorney General Sean Reyes to join a lawsuit aiming to overturn the presidential election. Reyes joined 16 other attorneys general Wednesday in endorsing the Texas petition that seeks to invalidate the election results in four battleground states captured by President-elect Joe Biden.
In the waning days of the Trump administration, the Bureau of Land Management fast-tracks tar sands leasing in the Uinta Basin under the president’s “energy dominance” policy. Environmentalists immediately sounded the alarm about the potential damage to the landscape, proximity to a popular mountain biking area and contributions to greenhouse gas emissions.
And a Utah lawmaker is in talks about reshaping a bill that would stiffen penalties for rioting in the streets and create a criminal defense for drivers who accidentally hit and kill or injure demonstrators while fleeing from a tumultuous or violent protest after its sponsor met with Black Lives Matter Utah.
At 9 a.m. on Friday, Salt Lake Tribune reporters Brian Maffly and Bethany Rodgers, and editorial page editor George Pyle join KCPW’s Roger McDonough to talk about the week’s top stories. Every Friday at 9 a.m., stream “Behind the Headlines” at kcpw.org, or tune in to KCPW 88.3 FM or Utah Public Radio for the broadcast. Join the live conversation by calling (801) 355-TALK.
