Inside Sources

• Immigration and Customs Enforcement: body cameras for agents, courts bursting at the seams
• Middle East Developments: "low-key" negotiations with Iran, Israel rejects Trump's peace plan with Gaza
• Back-to-School: 3,000 new teachers prepare for school year
• Back-to-School: The costs teachers often cover themselves
• Poll: 66% of Americans want more oversight of social media companies
• Pres. Trump looking for new ways to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook
• Ask the Attorney: Prosecutors seek death penalty for third time against convicted killer Doug Lovell
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announces major donation to help women and children

An emotional announcement from the General Relief Society President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Friday, as President Camille Johnson announced a $65-million donation from the Church towards caring for women and children. Inside Sources' Holly Richardson was able to attend the donation; she explains what happened and why it's so important.

Doug Lovell, the man convicted and sentenced to death twice for the 1985 killing of Joyce Yost, was back in court today. Both of his previous sentences were overturned, but prosecutors are trying again. This time, they want to use artificial intelligence to clone Yost's voice, which would be based on recordings of her talking to police. In this edition of "Ask the Attorney," Holly asks KSL Legal Analyst Greg Skordas to explain what's prevented the death sentences from sticking in the past, plus what might make this time around different.

Despite rulings from the Supreme Court blocking President Trump's earlier attempt, the President is looking for different ways to fire Lisa Cook, a Federal Reserve Governor. SCOTUS Blog Managing Editor Kelsey Dallas joins Inside Sources to explain what the President's trying to do differently this time around. She also explains some recent polling that finds more and more Republicans are losing confidence in the country's highest court.

A new Reuters/Ipsos poll finds that roughly 66% of Americans agree that there should be more oversight of social media companies. But how that oversight is handled is the biggest question. Should the government do it? Should a completely unrelated organization do it? Can social media companies be trusted to do it themselves? Greg and Holly both share their answers and then read comments from listeners to get their perspectives.

Teachers across the state are already hard at work preparing for a new school year. Joining us for a chat about how teachers are preparing and the costs teachers often cover themselves is Renee Pinkney, President of the Utah Educators Association. She explains that here in Utah, teachers spend nearly $1,000 of their own money just to set up their classrooms and help their students be successful. She also offers tips on how parents can support their children's teachers.

As hundreds of thousands of Utah kids prepare for a new school year, so too are thousands of teachers. This year, the state's welcoming in roughly 3,000 brand new teachers! For those brand-new teachers who are just starting off in their careers, it can be an intimidating and stressful journey. Deseret News reporter Jason Swensen caught up with several new middle school teachers to find out how they're preparing for a new school year; he joins the program to explain what he learned from them.

It's like a game of chicken between the U.S. and Iran -- Iranian officials say the Strait of Hormuz waterway will never fully reopen until the U.S. "corrects its behavior." Iran has issued a slew of demands, which U.S. officials have scoffed at. Iran says it's now working with Oman to reopen and monitor the strait. In the meantime, Israel has rejected a 15-point peace plan from President Trump aimed at promoting peace in Gaza. Professor Austin Knuppe, Director of the Heravi Peace Institute at Utah State University, joins Greg and Holly to talk about the broader effects that conflicts in the Middle East may have on upcoming midterm elections here in the states.

ICE agents will finally get body cameras; they're expected to be equipped by the end of the month. But the agency says they'll only release the footage collected on those body cameras when it's in the agency's "best interests." Is this a win for transparency, or simply a political show? At the same time, the courts dealing with immigration cases continue to be bogged down by thousands of emergency cases. Inside Sources goes in-depth on both ICE-related stories.

A bit of panic across the Wasatch Front yesterday, over an evacuation alert mistakenly sent out to a large audience over the Rocky Canyon Fire burning near Henefer. People around Northern Utah and even in Evanston, Wyoming received the alert on their phones last night, which said to evacuate now, but didn't say why or where to go. Turns out that was a bit of a mistake -- a technical glitch. Then in Southern Utah, a community is in mourning after two helicopter pilots crashed and died while fighting the WideMouth 2 fire. Greg and Holly have more updates on Utah's evolving fire situation.

Topics we will cover on this episode of KSL Inside Sources include:

• Back to School: Bell-to-bell cell phone ban, finding bargains for back-to-school shopping
• Report: Roughly half of Americans store stuff at their parents' house
• New jobs report signals a stalling market
• Utah's Energy Future: A conversation with Representative Celeste Maloy
• Meta must pay massive payout over New Mexico lawsuit – how will that affect Utah's lawsuit?

As you prepare to send your kids back to school this year, don't plan on the cell phone being a part of those plans. The state's bell-to-bell cell phone ban is officially now in effect. That means for many students in the state, it'll be the first year they won't  be allowed to have their phones during the school year. As we wrap up a week of Back-to-School topics, we also take a look at how you can find the bargains to help bring down the cost of buying school supplies for the new year.

More showdowns are forming between President Trump and the courts. Despite the Supreme Court shutting down the President's earlier plans to restrict birthright citizenship, the President is trying to find another way around the ruling. At the same time, another appeals court is putting the kibosh on Trump's plans to build a new massive ballroom at the White House. President Trump vs. The Courts -- Greg and Holly break down the new developments.

Here's an interesting question for you: are your adult children still storing their stuff in your house? Or are you still storing stuff in your parents' house? A new survey came out from Talker Research, showing that nearly half of all Americans – across several age groups – still use their parents' place as a personal storage unit. Greg and Holly have personal experience with this kind of thing; they discuss and share their thoughts.

Well this isn't good news -- the labor market may be stalling again. New jobs numbers out today show the country actually lost jobs in July. Across retail, finance, hospitality, local government, and education, the U.S. lost 23,000 jobs last month. Does this signal a slowing economy, meaning it's time for the Feds to cut interest rates? Senior Economist at Zions Bank Robert Spendlove shares his expertise.

When it comes to energy production, how much of it should be renewable and how much of it should be traditional? Is it an "either/or" or a "yes/and"? This week, we learned that Utah's number one source of energy in May was solar energy. But we constantly need more and more energy, so is it enough? Congresswoman Celeste Maloy joins Inside Sources for a conversation about energy and how we can find balance between traditional and renewable energies... to ensure we have enough power for our growing society.

A New Mexico court has ordered a massive payout from Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. Yesterday, the court ordered the social media giant to pay $567 million in damages for their algorithms and technology, both of which have been shown to harm children. That's in addition to $375 million already ordered by another New Mexico court in March. So how could this payout affect the ongoing lawsuit brought against Meta by Utah? The Inside Sources hosts discuss.

• Utah Firewatch: High heat and high fire risk coming this weekend
• Senate committee votes to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in Contempt of Congress
• Examining Utah's college graduation retention rates
• Back to School: How are Utah schools planning to use AI in the classroom?
• Lawsuit filed against state over plans to tax 'big tech'
• National, local changes to child care
• Gene editing to create hypoallergenic beagles
• LinkedIn adds button to flag 'AI slop'

If you get on social media nowadays, you're bound to see something a lot of people tend to hate. In fact, it's been lovingly (or annoyingly) called "AI slop," and it = covers any kind of AI-generated content that looks... well... sloppy. Now, a major social media platform has created a new button so that users can flag this kind of "AI slop."

Scientists are using gene editing to create hypoallergenic beagles -- dogs that people with canine allergies would be able to own and be around. Greg and Holly both found the story fascinating at first, but Inside Sources Executive Producer Andy Cupp -- who's also the proud owner of two beagles -- had some serious concerns. Turns out he's not alone; many on social media share the same worries. So what are they concerned about? Andy joins the show to discuss.

Child care regulations might mostly be tossed out under new plans from the Trump Administration. This morning, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said the proposed policy changes would put more decision-making in the hands of local governments. Speaking of local control and child care, the chair of the Salt Lake County Council is also defending the council's decision earlier this year to end county-run daycare programs. With so much going on with child care right now, Inside Sources talks more about it.

Taxing big tech companies -- is it legal or not? The state of Utah says it is; in fact, they passed a bill to do just that in the last legislative session. But the Utah Taxpayers Association disagrees, saying the state's new law violates existing federal law. Remember, the legislature passed the bill to tax large tech companies earlier this year, saying it's meant to target ads that are supposedly designed to addict minors. KSL Legal Analyst Greg Skordas shares his takes on what this lawsuit could mean for the future of "big tech" in Utah.

Education and artificial intelligence -- are they polar opposites? Or can they work hand-in-hand? And if they can work together, what's the most effective, most ethical way? Today, we really dig into artificial intelligence and how the state of Utah plans to use it in the coming school year. Over the course of two segments, Greg and Holly consult Matt Winters, AI Specialist at the Utah State Board of Education, to learn how schools, teachers, parents, and students can best use AI in the coming school year.

Utah's college students head back to class in just a few weeks. As we talk about back-to-school, we can't forget our college and university students. In this segment, Greg and Holly talk about graduation retention rates -- what drives people to go to college, stay in college, graduate from college, and then live in the same place where they earned their degree? Dr. Peter Bahr, Vice President of Employer Engagement and Managing Research Director for the Institute for the Future of Work at Strada Education Foundation, joins them.

The Senate Homeland Security Committee has voted to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in Contempt of Congress. Dr. Fauci oversaw the beginning of the nation's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. There have been conspiracies following him around for years, so he was subpoenaed to testify before a congressional committee. But he didn't really answer any of their questions, choosing to invoke his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination 111 times. So what happens next?

Little-to-no relief in sight for wildfires burning around the state today. And the heat that's blowing into Utah for the weekend... well, it's certainly not helping very much. This summer feels like it's just dragged on and on and on when it comes to fires. And with the heat, the last couple of months have certainly been challenging. Inside Sources shares updates on new fires around the state, the fires that continue to burn out of control, and the potential long-term effects of the blazes here in Utah.

Utah's water systems -- and public utilities systems in general -- could be susceptible to attacks from Iran. According to a new intelligence note reviewed by ABC News, Utah is one of more than a dozen states that could find themselves the subject of cyberattacks from bad foreign actors. We've known for a while now that we could face attacks -- a legislative audit from the last general session confirmed as much. But according to ABC News, we were actually the target of attempted attacks last November. Greg and Holly share their thoughts on the fragility of our security systems.

Topics we will cover on this episode of KSL Inside Sources include: 

• The role ethics is playing in the midterm elections
• Man accused of killing Santaquin police sergeant to stand trial for aggravated murder
• Impact foreign buyers have on Utah's housing market
• Back to School: Using technology to prepare for a new school year 
• Bipartisan push in Congress for better forest management 

Read these phrases aloud and think about what's wrong with them: Match and mix,  jelly and peanut butter, stones and sticks, Clyde and Bonnie. Did those sound right to you? Probably not. They're called irreversible binomials, and Merriam Webster dictionaries is teaching us all about it on their social media. If you haven't seen their X/Twitter posts, you have to check them out -- they're both educational and fun!

Every election season, we hear from people across the country pleading for more ethical and moral candidates. But when push comes to shove and we're casting our ballot, it often feels like it's a low priority. One thing that's been really interesting to watch in this midterm election season has been this push for ethical lawmakers. At the same time however, some unethical or immoral candidates have also been pushed ahead. So when Election Day finally rolls around, will ethics actually matter?

In some developing news today, the man accused of killing a Santaquin police sergeant will stand trial for 15 charges after all, including aggravated murder and two counts of attempted aggravated murder. Michael Aaron Jayne has been charged for killing Sergeant Bill Hooser in May 2024. In this segment, KSL Legal Analyst Greg Skordas catches listeners up on how the case has been progressing behind the scenes.

Foreign citizens are fewer buying homes in the United States right now. The National Association of Realtors says it's the second lowest rate of foreigners buying U.S. homes since 2009. So what does a thing like that do to the market? And specifically here in Utah -- how does that affect things? Inside Sources gets some answers from Russell Faucette, co-founder of The Stern Team of Omada Real Estate.

This whole week, we're spending time each day to get you and your family ready for back-to-school season. With the start of school right around the corner, we want to talk about technology -- how can you best use it to prepare for heading back into the classroom? And what things are in high supply already, so you can plan your shopping a bit better? Today, Greg and Holly speak with Amy Eisinger, a Google Search Trend Expert who talks more about using Google to get ready for a new school year. 

It's not very often that Congress can come together and cross party lines to get something done. But the ongoing wildfires around the country may have lit a bit of a fire under lawmakers, and now they have a rare bipartisan priority: wildfire prevention. Utah's own Senator John Curtis is now asking his colleagues to pass a bill aimed at forest management. It's being called the Fix Our Forests Act. Deseret News congressional correspondent Cami Mondeaux has been following this bill and joins us with more. 

The U.S. stock market hit record highs on Tuesday, and profits for A-I and oil companies continue to soar. So amidst all of that, how are you feeling? How's your wallet feeling right now? The Trump Administration continues to relish in a strong stock market, but are the benefits trickling down to the average consumer? Dr. Michael Kofoed, Assistant Professor of Economics at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville joins to talk about the disconnect. 

The fallout over the Trump Administration's decision to slash the size of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante monuments continue this morning. Now, we're getting insights into what the White House knew before the decision. When signing the executive order, President Trump said recreation in the area was virtually impossible, and that was a reason to cut the size -- so more people could allegedly use them. But documents uncovered by The New York Times show that the White House knew that wasn't exactly true. 

President Trump is backing planned data centers and AI expansion around the country, saying the concerns many Americans have about these facilities are unfounded. He says data centers will be good for local communities and that Democratic-run states and cities are actually the cause of the country's problems. The Inside Sources hosts certainly have some thoughts on these claims. 

More than 200 residents of a Midvale apartment complex that saw a massive fire on Friday are still waiting for answers and direction this morning. Many on social media have slammed the owners of the North Union Apartments, saying there's been little to no communication on next steps for the tenants. On top of that, many tenants have shared concerns about a so-called renter's insurance policy through their landlord. Greg and Holly share updates on the investigation and Greg shares legal insights into this so-called renter's insurance policy. 

Utah's long history of anti-gambling laws actually do apply to sports betting on prediction markets like Kalshi. That's what a judge ruled yesterday, siding with Utah's Attorney General. This whole thing with prediction markets is pretty convoluted and complicated. Even though states have the right to regulate gambling, there have been certain loopholes and definitions which have allowed this kind of gambling to continue regardless of state laws. Utah Attorney General Derek Brown joins Inside Sources to talk about the efforts to end those kinds of workarounds. 

• Utah Firewatch: 2nd worst fire season on record… so far
• Popular "hot dog on wheels" stops by KSL NewsRadio
• Poll: Voters prefer Democrats over Republicans to tackle the current economy
• Resale hustles -- are they worth it?
• Back to School: The costs of preparing for your kids to head back to class
• The immigration debate: What Utah's Senators are doing to fix a broken immigration system
• The importance of estate planning ahead of time
• Say bye-bye to your robotic vacuum. It could be a Chinese spy.

Do you have a robotic vacuum? Do you like it? Almost everyone we talk to says it's great in theory and can certainly have its perks. But overall… it appears to be more of a hassle than what it's worth. Well it might be time to bid your robotic vacuum 'adieu.' Greg and Holly discuss a new rule from the FCC to ban foreign-made household robots -- including your vacuum -- for being threats to national security.

Getting older has its pros and it certainly has it cons. Throw in an illness or something debilitating, and it creates a whole new challenge. That's why it's so important to prepare and plan as early as possible. A new article in the Deseret News takes a closer look at families who have loved ones with Alzheimer's and how they're getting their affairs in order before things get too difficult. 

Our immigration system in this country is broken. Whether you're on the left or on the right -- or right in the middle -- most Americans can agree that our immigration system needs to be reformed. But the question is how do we make the necessary changes? Utah's Senator John Curtis announced a new bill he's working on that would create a voluntary state-sponsored visa program; he joins Greg and Holly to describe his ultimate goals of the bill. The hosts also describe a proposal to close an immigration loophole from Senator Mike Lee.

With just a few weeks to go until the new school year starts, parents are starting to spend their hard-earned cash on back-to-school supplies. Whether it's clothes, pens and pencils, or lunch supplies -- or if it's the expensive school and extracurricular fees -- it can add up. In fact, a new GMA/Ipsos Parents Poll finds that parents will spend close to $900 per child this year… all to send their kids back to school. KSL NewsRadio's Eric Cabrera has been speaking with Utah families to find out how they're saving money this year; he joins the show to explain.

A lot of people have side hustles nowadays -- a way to make some extra dough. And whether you're spending less or earning more... you're trying to find ways to stretch the budget. KSL Investigator Matt Gephardt took a closer look at this trend of "resale hustles" to see if the math actually equals out. He joins Greg and Holly to share what he learned.

As Jame Carville famously said in President Bill Clinton's 1992 election campaign, "It's the economy, stupid!" And today, we're reading some new polling that Greg and Holly both thought was pretty shocking and telling about the upcoming midterm election. According to a brand new Reuters/Ipsos Poll, a plurality of American voters say they think Democrats would do better with the economy than Republicans. We haven't seen that kind of polling in about 10 years. Inside Sources discusses what this could mean for the upcoming midterms.

"Oh I'd love to be an Oscar Mayer Wiener! That's what I'd truly like to be!" This segment features a real treat for you today -- the Oscar Mayer Winermobile stops by KSL Broadcast House. The 27-foot-long hot dog on wheels is in Utah this week, presenting you with a few chances to see it yourself. Greg and Holly step out of the building to get a tour of the Wienermobile -- one of six currently on the road. All Beef Aiden and Lucky Dog Lauren, two Oscar Mayer Hotdoggers, give Inside Sources and inside look into one of the most iconic vehicles to hit America's roads.

Our fires continue to cause real issues around the state. As of right now, we're seeing the second worst fire season on record. But with the way things are going, we could see this becoming the all-time worst season on record. The Widemouth 2 Fire in southern Utah has exploded in size, and several additional areas are now under an evacuation notice. Plus, a sheriff helping in those evacuations is getting a true "baptism by fire" -- he's only been on the job for two weeks. Greg and Holly share updates on the fires burning around the western United States.

If you're not coughing today, you're probably clearing your throat or blowing your nose. The air quality -- while better than yesterday -- is still so awful. Greg and Holly discuss the bad air and read listener comments with tips on how to adapt to the poor air. KSL Meteorologist Matt Johnson shares some hope for cleaner air in the near future. He also discusses an impending Super El Niño and what that could mean for Utah's upcoming winter.

• What does Utah get out of the new Colorado River agreement?
• Idaho community in mourning following deadly In-N-Out shooting
• DOJ formally cancels anti-weaponization fun, also drops charges for alleged reflecting pool vandals
• Back to School: Preparing your kids mentally and physically for a new school year; how to inspire a love of reading
• Midterm election concerns on the rise
• U.S. State Department mislabels African countries at AIDS humanitarian conference
• Ask the Attorney: Felony charge for U.S. citizen who deleted phone data?
• Benefits of camping

Holly's been out the last week… becoming one with nature. She thoroughly enjoyed a camping trip in American Fork Canyon and is back feeling refreshed and ready to be ultra productive. Turns out camping has a lot of physical, emotional, and mental benefits; Holly and Greg discuss.

A recent article in The New York Times has Holly scratching her head. "A U.S. citizen deleted his phone's data. Now he faces a felony charge." Wait, what? Doesn't this constitute some kind of search and seizure violation? Eh, not so fast. In this edition of "Ask the Attorney," KSL Legal Analyst Greg Skordas explains how this incident is different because it took place at an international border crossing. He also explains which situations would require a full warrant, and which ones wouldn't.

Well… the U.S. State Department might need a refresher in geography. Despite having some of the best maps and foreign information in the world, the department released a map of Africa that was all wrong. The department that deals with other countries all around the world on behalf of the U.S. government recently presented a map of Africa during a conference on AIDS. And on that map, were several mislabeled countries. Doesn't exactly spell confidence now, does it? Yikes.

More and more Americans are growing concerned about the upcoming midterm elections. In fact, a large number of Americans tell Gallup they're worried about political leaders exerting undue influence to change election outcomes, ballots not being handled or counted properly or securely, and voter intimidation near polling places. Greg and Holly could see this kind of thing coming based on the rhetoric coming out from certain leaders in the political sphere; they share their own concerns with the way things are going.

For better or for worse, the school year is just around the corner. Maybe you're itching to get the kids out of the house or maybe you're a little sad to part with your little ones for most of the day. Either way, it's back-to-school season. To help us get started on some special weeklong coverage on Inside Sources, we're joined by Dr. Yohanna Vernon, a pediatrician at Ogden Clinic. She explains some helpful tips to ensure your kids are mentally and physically ready to head back to the classroom in a few weeks. Greg and Holly also discuss ways to inspire a greater love of learning and reading in your kids.

Some interesting developments took place this weekend in the U.S. Department of Justice. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche formally ended the anti-weaponization fund that had been pushed by President Trump. Now, the two Republican Senators who wouldn't support his confirmation say they'll vote to advance him out of committee. At the same time, the President is voicing a lot of anger and frustration at the U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., who dropped all felony charges against an Olympian athlete accused of vandalizing the recently revamped reflecting pool.

So many questions this morning still unanswered… following a deadly mass shooting in Twin Falls, Idaho, just a few hours north of Salt Lake City. Hundreds were at an In-N-Out burger joint on Saturday when someone started shooting. The attack killed three and left several more injured. The restaurant had only been open for a week. Greg and Holly share their sadness and anger about this senseless act of violence.

A two-year stalemate over how to share the water from the Colorado River finally has some finality -- the federal government has released their preferred management plan for how that water should be used. Among the changes are that states in the lower basin -- like California, Arizona, and Nevada -- must cut their water usage by 20%. But what about upper basin states like Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico? Gene Shawcroft, Chair of the Colorado River Authority of Utah joins to share what this deal means for our state.

Did you notice that reddish hue in the sky this morning? We might have some slightly cooler temperatures today, but the air is smoky! Much of the smoke is wafting in from the north, coming from fires largely in the Pacific Northwest. The fires burning in and around Spokane in particular have been devastating; Greg and Holly describe some of the incredible video coming from those fires. Here in Utah, it was not a good weekend for fires either. KSL TV's Madi Vollmer joins the program from down near the Widemouth 2 Fire. Inside Sources also spends some time discussing the best ways to prepare for potential fires.

• How Utahns are changing their lifestyle to adapt to the ongoing heat
• Prosecutors share continued impact of Gavin Peterson case
• New collaboration launches to track air quality's effects on mental health
• Utah's Senators split on how to pass the SAVE America Act
• Utah's elections receive top marks from DC-based conservative think tank
• Previewing the movie of the week: Spider-Man: Brand New Day

Another hot weekend is on the way, so it sounds like the perfect time to head into a nice, cool movie theater for a few hours. Inside Sources finished off the week with KSL Movie Show hosts Andy Farnsworth and Val Cameron, talking about the new Spider-Man movie out now.

Utah's elections are receiving top marks and high praise from R Street Institute, a center-right think tank based in Washington, D.C. According to a new report, Utah ranks among the nation's best in a new election scorecard, ranking alongside Florida, Georgia, and Ohio. While the Lieutenant Governor agrees with the findings, many on social media do not. Why? Greg and Jim share their thoughts on the state of Utah's election system.

While both of Utah's senators support the SAVE America Act, they're taking very different approaches to getting it passed. Senator Mike Lee -- who's sponsoring the bill -- has the support and backing of President Trump to end the filibuster and get the bill passed. But Senator John Curtis says, "hold up... let's think about this first." As the son and grandson of former Senators who represented Utah, guest host Jim Bennett has an interesting perspective on the filibuster and shares it on Inside Sources.

Tracking, understanding, and cleaning up Utah's air -- those are some of the goals of a new collaboration between state leaders and health experts. It's being called the Collaborative for Clean Air and aims to study the relationship between poor air quality and mental health. With more details on the collaboration and how everyone can work to improve the air, the hosts are joined by Dr. Daniel Mendoza, a research associate professor at the University of Utah and Dr. Marie Heffernan, an assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Northwestern University.

One of the saddest Utah cases in the news over the past couple of years has been the death of 12-year-old Gavin Peterson. You'll recall that he was abused and neglected by his own family, which ultimately led to his death. One year ago, the people behind his death were put behind bars. And now, the prosecutors on the case are sharing their experiences and the emotional toll this has had on them. KSL Legal Analyst Greg Skordas has a lot of experience working with crime victims over the years; he also discusses the kind of emotional toll they have on him on a personal level.

It's only the end of July, but it feels like the summer has really dragged on. In some ways, it feels like we've been wandering around the desert for 40 years, you know? As the climate gets hotter and hotter -- and our summers follow suit -- what are Utahns doing to adapt to the heat? What lifestyle changes are they making? The Inside Sources hosts discuss and read listeners' comments.

After months of waiting for a decision, the federal government has finally released their plans for how western states can share water from the Colorado River. From an initial look at the new Environmental Impact Study (EIS), it appears states in the lower basin -- California, Arizona, and Nevada -- will need to cut their water usage by at least 20%. Greg and Jim share thoughts on this plan, then get overall updates on the ongoing drought across the state from Laura Haskell, drought coordinator at the Utah Division of Water Resources.

Wild Utah Weather: Lightning strikes truck in Southern Utah

Imagine this: you're driving down the highway and then *BAM* ... you've been hit by lightning. A man driving on I-15 outside of Cedar City found himself in this exact situation yesterday. He was driving on the freeway minding his own business when suddenly, his truck got hit with a bolt of lightning. When all was said and done, the truck was a total loss. The whole front part of the truck -- everything but the bed -- was burned or melted. Greg and Jim pose the question: if you only have 10 seconds to get out of your car, what would you grab?

 - Utah Heat: Is this the warmest summer on record?

Get ready for more triple-digit heat. Only the upper 90s today, but more potentially record-breaking highs are on deck for this weekend. And with those highs, many have asked the question: are our summers actually getting hotter? Or is this year more of a fluke? KSL Meteorologist Matt Johnson joins with some answers.

 - War in Iran: New data on economic effects, Israel PM not backing down

The War in Iran is being blamed -- at least in part -- for a slowing U.S. economy. This morning, new data released from the Feds show that the economy slowed more than expected due to the war and stubborn inflation. We've talked a lot about the roller coaster of gas and oil prices, but is there more to the story? Professor Jason Kotter, Assistant Professor of Finance at the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University shares his insights. At the same time attacks on Iran are ramping up, President Trump is voicing frustration with the way Israeli leadership are handling the conflict. We hear some of an exclusive interview from ABC News, and then the hosts discuss.

 - Privacy vs. Safety: Flock cameras and automated license plate readers

As technology expands and improves, it brings up a really interesting discussion on safety versus privacy. Right now, leaders in Salt Lake City are trying to decide how to best use automatic license plate readers -- trying to balance privacy and safety. And across the country, Americans from all walks of life are pushing back on this expansion of private "Flock" cameras, saying it's moving us closer and closer to being a surveillance state. What do you think?

 - Emergency response aircraft coming soon to a sky near you

The future is here, and it could mean the difference between life and death, especially in rural parts of the state. A new electric aircraft would provide speedy emergency response and it could be in the air before you know it. Rather than drones delivering packages and such, this kind of aircraft would help get first responders to the scene or rural or hard-to-reach emergencies. Greg volunteers on a local ski patrol and shares his thoughts on how this could help in a plethora of situations.

 - Kouri Richins' motion to remove judge in new trial denied

Even after being convicted of killing her husband and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, Kouri Richins isn’t giving up. She and her legal team are trying to get a whole new trial, claiming that the judge who oversaw the original case wasn’t fair and came off as “hostile” to their side. Another judge denied that motion last night. KSL Legal Analyst Greg Skordas explains the development and the future of all the appeals.

 - First feature film made using AI coming to theaters this fall

So-called AI "slop"... coming soon to a cinema near you?? The country's first AI-generated film is set to debut on the silver screen this fall. Now it's not fully artificial intelligence -- there are real people involved as well. But this movie does rely heavily on AI for special effects and other visuals. This segment, we have a conversation about what this could mean for the movie industry overall; KSL Movie Show host Andy Farnsworth joins in.

 - Poll: Majority of Utahns willing to pay higher energy costs if it promotes clean energy

Would you be willing to pay more for your electricity if you knew it was coming from clean energy sources? A new poll from Utah State University says more than half of Utahns are willing to pay more on their power bills if it means supporting clean energy. Greg and Jim see both benefits and flaws to this idea; listen in for more details.

 - Lame-duck Senators stand in way of Attorney General confirmation

Another day… another hiccup in the confirmation process for Todd Blanche as he works to become the country's next Attorney General. Now, President Trump is floating the idea of pulling the nomination… at least temporarily. What's been really interesting about this whole process is who's holding it up: two lame-duck Republican Senators. We get updates on the hearing thus far and discuss the specific reservations the two Senators seem to have.

 - Federal government expands law helping 'downwinders'

When you hear the term "downwinders," you might only think of people living in Southern Utah during the government's nuclear testing decades ago. But the government has actually expanded who qualifies as a downwinder. For people who were made ill by nuclear testing -- but lived in places like Northern Utah -- they haven't qualified for help.... until now. Deseret News reporter Lois Collins explains.

 - Davis School District superintendent wins state award

Some exciting recognition in Davis School District -- their superintendent has received the award for Utah Superintendent of the Year. Dr. Daniel Linford was recognized by his peers from around the state, who say he uplifts and trains education leaders both in his district and around the state.

Some exciting recognition in Davis School District -- their superintendent has received the award for Utah Superintendent of the Year. Dr. Daniel Linford was recognized by his peers from around the state, who say he uplifts and trains education leaders both in his district and around the state.

When you hear the term "downwinders," you might only think of people living in Southern Utah during the government's nuclear testing decades ago. But the government has actually expanded who qualifies as a downwinder. For people who were made ill by nuclear testing -- but lived in places like Northern Utah -- they haven't qualified for help.... until now. Deseret News reporter Lois Collins explains.

Another day… another hiccup in the confirmation process for Todd Blanche as he works to become the country's next Attorney General. Now, President Trump is floating the idea of pulling the nomination… at least temporarily. What's been really interesting about this whole process is who's holding it up: two lame-duck Republican Senators. We get updates on the hearing thus far and discuss the specific reservations the two Senators seem to have.

Would you be willing to pay more for your electricity if you knew it was coming from clean energy sources? A new poll from Utah State University says more than half of Utahns are willing to pay more on their power bills if it means supporting clean energy. Greg and Jim see both benefits and flaws to this idea; listen in for more details.

So-called AI "slop"... coming soon to a cinema near you?? The country's first AI-generated film is set to debut on the silver screen this fall. Now it's not fully artificial intelligence -- there are real people involved as well. But this movie does rely heavily on AI for special effects and other visuals. This segment, we have a conversation about what this could mean for the movie industry overall; KSL Movie Show host Andy Farnsworth joins in.

Even after being convicted of killing her husband and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, Kouri Richins isn’t giving up. She and her legal team are trying to get a whole new trial, claiming that the judge who oversaw the original case wasn’t fair and came off as “hostile” to their side. Another judge denied that motion last night. KSL Legal Analyst Greg Skordas explains the development and the future of all the appeals.

The future is here, and it could mean the difference between life and death, especially in rural parts of the state. A new electric aircraft would provide speedy emergency response and it could be in the air before you know it. Rather than drones delivering packages and such, this kind of aircraft would help get first responders to the scene or rural or hard-to-reach emergencies. Greg volunteers on a local ski patrol and shares his thoughts on how this could help in a plethora of situations.

As technology expands and improves, it brings up a really interesting discussion on safety versus privacy. Right now, leaders in Salt Lake City are trying to decide how to best use automatic license plate readers -- trying to balance privacy and safety. And across the country, Americans from all walks of life are pushing back on this expansion of private "Flock" cameras, saying it's moving us closer and closer to being a surveillance state. What do you think?

The War in Iran is being blamed -- at least in part -- for a slowing U.S. economy. This morning, new data released from the Feds show that the economy slowed more than expected due to the war and stubborn inflation. We've talked a lot about the roller coaster of gas and oil prices, but is there more to the story? Professor Jason Kotter, Assistant Professor of Finance at the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University shares his insights. At the same time attacks on Iran are ramping up, President Trump is voicing frustration with the way Israeli leadership are handling the conflict. We hear some of an exclusive interview from ABC News, and then the hosts discuss.

Get ready for more triple-digit heat. Only the upper 90s today, but more potentially record-breaking highs are on deck for this weekend. And with those highs, many have asked the question: are our summers actually getting hotter? Or is this year more of a fluke? KSL Meteorologist Matt Johnson joins with some answers.

Imagine this: you're driving down the highway and then *BAM* ... you've been hit by lightning. A man driving on I-15 outside of Cedar City found himself in this exact situation yesterday. He was driving on the freeway minding his own business when suddenly, his truck got hit with a bolt of lightning. When all was said and done, the truck was a total loss. The whole front part of the truck -- everything but the bed -- was burned or melted. Greg and Jim pose the question: if you only have 10 seconds to get out of your car, what would you grab?

Inside Sources Full Show - July 29th, 2026

Host Greg Skordas and guest host Jim Bennett

If you look through your fridge or your pantry... and you notice food with an expired label... do you automatically toss it out? Or do you take a little peek or sneak a little sniff to see if it's still up to snuff? Greg and Jim finish the show reading your text messages and share insights from food safety experts.

A bit of trouble for the Rio Grande Plan... but also maybe still a little bit of hope? The ambitious plan to bury railroad lines through Salt Lake City failed to advance in a West-East Connections Study. Many said the plan was dead after that. But some city leaders are pushing back on that assumption, saying they discussions aren't over yet. KSL.com reporter Carter Williams spoke with city council members and joins the show with what they're saying.

The U.S. Department of Energy has named Utah as one of its top picks to host a new Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus. The project isn't official yet and would still be several years out. But state leaders say it will be good economically for the state and for Tooele County, where the site would be located. 

Mourners from around the state gathered this morning at Utah Valley University to honor and remember the Long family, five of whom were killed in a flash flood in Wayne County earlier this month. This was such a sad story: a Provo fire captain, local business owner, and several of their children... all caught in a flash flood outside of the town of Bicknell. One family member -- the daughter of Katrina Long -- was not with the rest of them at the time. Out of respect for the family, we don't take any of the funeral service in this segment. Instead, Greg and Jim share thoughts about the Long family and the legacy they leave behind.

It's hot here in Utah and hot around the rest of the country right now. But in Europe, another heatwave in just a few months is spelling disaster. Between fires burning out of control and thousands of heat-related deaths, it's bad news all around. So what is it about Europe that makes their heatwaves so much deadlier than ours? Greg and Jim discuss.

This morning, KSL learned that an infant in Vernal died after being left in a hot car for several hours. The father who supposedly left the child in the car has now been arrested for investigation of child abuse homicide. Regardless of who's at fault, it's a heartbreaking situation. Greg and Jim walk through the specific situation. Then they're joined by 'Kids and Car Safety' director Amber Rollins, who shares her thoughts on the situation and tips for all parents to be more alert with their kids.
  

Who hasn't felt overworked before? It's pretty common to work long hours or have a long week every once in a while. But one newer Utah judge says his plate is constantly overloaded and has been for far too long. Now, he's made the decision to step away from the bench. He claims that the workload is significantly more than is feasible for one person to take on, and says this kind of thing could spell more issues for the Utah justice system as a whole.

The preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson -- the man accused of killing political influencer Charlie Kirk -- is on hold until September. But now, the Utah County Attorney's Office says the case needs to move forward to trial. In a new filing, the prosecution says there's more than enough evidence to go ahead. Greg tends to agree, having voiced his own frustrations with the slow speed at which this whole thing has moved.

Several tense hours on Capitol Hill today, as the nation's top doctor during the COVID-19 pandemic appeared before a Senate committee. Dr. Anthony Fauci spent more than 3 hours in from of the committee, but answered very few questions; instead, he invoked his 5th Amendment right 111 times. Dr. Fauci was subpoenaed to appear before the committee over allegations that he lied to Congress about the origins of COVID-19. Greg Skordas and guest host Jim Bennett share their thoughts on whether this investigation is warranted and weather it will go anywhere. NewsNation investigative correspondent Rich McHugh shares reaction from committee members after the hearing.

Calls for Congress to forego August recess and pass SAVE America Act instead

Congress is about to head out from Washington, D.C. for about a month, but Utah's own Senator Mike Lee says members of Congress should forego the trip back home to meet with constituents and pass the SAVE America Act instead. The problem is that the bill still doesn't have the votes, even among Republicans. So why's Senator Lee pushing for this move? Deseret News Congressional Correspondent Cami Mondeaux explains the Senator's recent moves.

 - WSJ: Major companies hiring retired CEOs to run their business

A new article in the Wall Street Journal says more and more companies are bringing older CEOs out of retirement to run major corporations again. These aren't younger guys who retired early; they're generally men older than 70. Cracker Barrel, Boeing, and Verizon are just a few of the latest companies to go this route. Is that wise? Could it jade younger people who are already struggling to get a foot in the door? Millennial and Inside Sources Executive Producer Andy Cupp shares his thoughts.

 - Ask the Attorney: Brian Kohberger wants to withdraw guilty plea

At what point is it too late to take back a guilty plea? The man accused of killing four students from the University of Idaho in 2022 is now trying to take back his guilty plea and go to trial. Brian Kohberger is petitioning a judge to withdraw his earlier guilty plea, saying he wants this to go to trial now instead. What would have changed Kohberger's mind, and it is a smart move? KSL Legal Analyst Greg Skordas breaks it down.

 - Pres. Trump asks SCOTUS to take up executive order on mail-in voting

The fight from the Trump Administration against mail-in voting continues today. Over the weekend, an appeals court sided against the President, saying he's not allow to impose restrictions on mail-in voting. Now, President Trump is taking that fight to the United States Supreme Court. Greg and Jim are both skeptical of a win for the administration; they explain why.

 - The ongoing effects of gambling on America's young people

It can sometimes feel a little weird to talk about gambling in a state like Utah, where we're not allowed to gamble. But that doesn't mean people don't find ways around it. And more and more, we're seeing the negative effects of gambling -- how it can really impact a person and our communities. Jay Evensen, Opinion Editor at the Deseret News has a new piece examining how gambling can affect young people; he joins the show to share his thoughts.

 - 98 days to go until the midterm election

Gambling might not be allowed in Utah, but that doesn't mean we can't make some predictions on the upcoming midterm elections. With less than 100 days to go until folks cast their ballots around the country, Greg and Jim discuss the chances Democrats have to regain the House and/or the Senate.

 - More homebuyers looking at wildfire risk when purchasing a new house

When buying a home, people tend to look at the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the size of the yard, and the amenities like a hot tub, den, or a double oven. And now, more and more people are also looking at wildfires when shopping for a new place to live. Is this just our new reality with warmer temperatures and a hotter climate?

 - Social: Fly 24 hours straight or take a few layovers?

If you had to travel to the other side of the world -- say from Europe to Australia -- would you rather take a single nonstop flight or split it up with a layover or two? Overnight, plane maker Airbus and Qantas Airways broke a world record in an initiative called "Project Sunrise." In a journey lasting 24 hours and 24 minutes, a brand new plane flew from southern France to southeast Australia. Inside Sources Executive Producer and self-proclaimed plane nerd Andy Cupp has the story; Greg and Jim give their thoughts on the option.

 - Utah ranked as number one state in the nation… for the 4th year in a row

Utah's been ranked the number one state in the nation for the 4th year in a row. But it's not all sunshine and roses and unicorns -- we come in near the very bottom of the list in one category: natural environment. Greg Skordas and Jim Bennett go through some of the rankings and why U.S. News and World Report says the Beehive State is the best in the country.

Utah's been ranked the number one state in the nation for the 4th year in a row. But it's not all sunshine and roses and unicorns -- we come in near the very bottom of the list in one category: natural environment. Greg Skordas and Jim Bennett go through some of the rankings and why U.S. News and World Report says the Beehive State is the best in the country.

If you had to travel to the other side of the world -- say from Europe to Australia -- would you rather take a single nonstop flight or split it up with a layover or two? Overnight, plane maker Airbus and Qantas Airways broke a world record in an initiative called "Project Sunrise." In a journey lasting 24 hours and 24 minutes, a brand new plane flew from southern France to southeast Australia. Inside Sources Executive Producer and self-proclaimed plane nerd Andy Cupp has the story; Greg and Jim give their thoughts on the option.

When buying a home, people tend to look at the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the size of the yard, and the amenities like a hot tub, den, or a double oven. And now, more and more people are also looking at wildfires when shopping for a new place to live. Is this just our new reality with warmer temperatures and a hotter climate?

Gambling might not be allowed in Utah, but that doesn't mean we can't make some predictions on the upcoming midterm elections. With less than 100 days to go until folks cast their ballots around the country, Greg and Jim discuss the chances Democrats have to regain the House and/or the Senate.

It can sometimes feel a little weird to talk about gambling in a state like Utah, where we're not allowed to gamble. But that doesn't mean people don't find ways around it. And more and more, we're seeing the negative effects of gambling -- how it can really impact a person and our communities. Jay Evensen, Opinion Editor at the Deseret News has a new piece examining how gambling can affect young people; he joins the show to share his thoughts.

The fight from the Trump Administration against mail-in voting continues today. Over the weekend, an appeals court sided against the President, saying he's not allow to impose restrictions on mail-in voting. Now, President Trump is taking that fight to the United States Supreme Court. Greg and Jim are both skeptical of a win for the administration; they explain why.

At what point is it too late to take back a guilty plea? The man accused of killing four students from the University of Idaho in 2022 is now trying to take back his guilty plea and go to trial. Brian Kohberger is petitioning a judge to withdraw his earlier guilty plea, saying he wants this to go to trial now instead. What would have changed Kohberger's mind, and it is a smart move? KSL Legal Analyst Greg Skordas breaks it down.

A new article in the Wall Street Journal says more and more companies are bringing older CEOs out of retirement to run major corporations again. These aren't younger guys who retired early; they're generally men older than 70. Cracker Barrel, Boeing, and Verizon are just a few of the latest companies to go this route. Is that wise? Could it jade younger people who are already struggling to get a foot in the door? Millennial and Inside Sources Executive Producer Andy Cupp shares his thoughts.

Congress is about to head out from Washington, D.C. for about a month, but Utah's own Senator Mike Lee says members of Congress should forego the trip back home to meet with constituents and pass the SAVE America Act instead. The problem is that the bill still doesn't have the votes, even among Republicans. So why's Senator Lee pushing for this move? Deseret News Congressional Correspondent Cami Mondeaux explains the Senator's recent moves.

The heat continues and the poor sleep does too -- it's just too hot at night. We thought we broke a record yesterday for the highest low temperature ever recorded. Turns out by the end of the day, we only matched it -- 82 degrees. The heat is causing issues for AC units around the area, and fires aren't helping things either. Britt Johnson, KSL NewsRadio reporter and Weber County resident joins Greg and Jim to describe a frightening situation in her own neighborhood yesterday, when homes were evacuated due to a fast-moving brush fire.