From its politics to its public lands to polygamy, Utah has always been fertile ground for news.
KCPW and The Salt Lake Tribune present a fresh way for Utahns to process the headlines. Behind the Headlines, a live weekly broadcast, examines the week’s top local stories through the eyes of reporters on the beat.
A rotating panel of the state’s top journalists – including columnist Robert Gehrke, Senior Managing Editor Matt Canham, reporters Erin Alberty, Brian Maffly and others – join KCPW’s Roger McDonough to talk about what’s happening in the Beehive State along with the hows and whys.
Listeners can join the discussion by name-checking @KCPW on Twitter or calling (801) 355-TALK with comments and questions for the panel. Behind the Headlines airs Fridays from 9-10 a.m. and Sundays at 10 a.m. on KCPW. Streaming audio is available as well, and podcasts of the lates episodes can be found below.
Spencer Cox vs. the Legislature, astronomical payday loan interest rates, and Mike Lee’s battle
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox suggests he won’t sign a bill that would bar transgender girls from competing in female K-12 sports. A new study shows that Utahns who seek payday loans pay 652% annual interest — the second highest rate in the nation. Sen. Mike Lee vows to do battle with companies that he says are biased against conservatives. And […]
Mitt Romney’s close call, Utah’s troubled-teen industry and Wall Street’s quest to scoop up water
Sen. Mitt Romney’s close call during the Jan. 6 Capitol siege gets a spotlight during this week’s impeachment proceedings. With the backing of Paris Hilton, Utah lawmakers seek to reform the state’s “troubled-teen” industry. And Wall Street looks to commodify water in the West. At 9 a.m. on Friday, Salt Lake Tribune reporters Lee Davidson, Jessica Miller and Zak Podmore, […]
Embattled school board member, transgender sports, expanded vaccinations
More than 7,000 people sign a petition seeking to remove a Utah school board member over her comments about LGBTQ students and Black Lives Matter. A new bill seeks to prevent transgender girls from participating in female sports in Utah schools. The state says it will begin vaccinating those 65 and older in March. And a comment during a legislative committee meeting […]
Utah’s U.S. Senators split on Trump trial and a state lawmaker seeks to impeach AG Sean Reyes
A Utah lawmaker pursues impeachment of Attorney General Sean Reyes. The state’s U.S. senators are split on the upcoming Senate trial of former President Donald Trump. And legislators consider a bill to let Utahns carry a concealed firearm without a permit. On Friday morning, Salt Lake Tribune reporters Lee Davidson and Bethany Rodgers, along with editorial page editor George […]
Legislature, police reforms, schools and a new day for two Utah monuments on this week’s ‘Behind the Headlines’
The 2021 Utah Legislature kicks off under unusual circumstances. Among the many items up for consideration are several police reforms and an effort to pressure schools to resume in-person classes. Plus, a new president means a significant change in public lands policy, and a likely reversal of strategy for two Utah national monuments. And Camp Last Hope, a new kind of […]