Inside Sources

A lot of people are sad, angry, and frustrated after the tragic school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. But how can we move past the emotions and actually effect change?

When a tragedy happens, there are loud calls for politicians to "Do Something!" But what if the better course of action is for those in power to stop, listen, and think? Reason contributing editor J.D. Tuccille has a new piece urging politicians to deeply understand issues before legislating. 

We are a month away from Utah's primary elections, but where do the candidates stand on the issues of the day? Erin Rider, a Republican running in the 2nd Congressional District, joins Inside Sources to talk guns, inflation, and more.

What is President Biden trying to communicate when he said the US would "respond militarily" to an attack on Taiwan? What is the real US policy towards Taiwan, and what factors do we need to balance when trying to protect an ally without provoking China? Rachael Hutchings from Utah Valley University has some insights on these very important topics and previews World Trade Center Utah's upcoming China Challenge Summit.

The nation is heartbroken after 19 children were killed in a mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas yesterday. But amidst the tragedy, where do we go from here? And how do we get past the partisanship and political showmanship and get to the right conversations about the right kind of policies?

Many working-class families who depend on public assistance to make ends meet also report feeling stuck in a government system, with little chance to move up the economic ladder. How can we rethink part of the tax code to help lower income families succeed? Angela Rachidi, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, has a new piece in The Hill outlining a plan to offer families expanded tax credits that better target relief and allow people to get married without being penalized.

Can The Simpsons help us understand the issues voters on the left care about in this election? Boyd looks at a populist message the cartoon series aired over the weekend, which might explain voter concerns on one side of the aisle, while those on the other side are attracted to another, equally interesting populist message. 

What's it going to take for the US to effectively counter China? President Biden announced an Indo-Pacific Economic pact with several nations in the Pacific region yesterday. Christine McDaniel, the former Deputy Assistant Secretary at the US Treasury Department and a current senior research fellow at the Mercatus Center, breaks down where's it going right and what pitfalls these nations will need to avoid to make this agreement a success.

It's Primary Day, and there are some very big races happening in Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, and Texas. What storylines are coming out of these states? And what do they say about President Trump's influence on the Republican Party? 

Boyd looks at the current state of the US economy and explains why he thinks our nation's entrepreneurs will play a critical role in the success of our economy moving forward. 

Our culture today seems to have lost all nuance in its thinking...and spurns those who express doubt or uncertainty. A piece in The Atlantic...which was published in 2018...is making the rounds on social media again and got me to thinking about the lost art of nuanced thinking. 

President Biden is touring Asia, where he has been having success building economic alliances to counter China. Boyd looks at where the president is getting it right and how the gaffe alluding to possible military action in Taiwan might complicate his agenda. 

Could you soon be feeling the squeeze in your pocketbook even more than you do now? Many economists, including former Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke, say the US could face stagflation. Dr. Thomas Hoenig from the Mercatus Institute, and former head of the Kansas City Fed, talks with Boyd about the likelihood of that and the real challenges our economy faces in the months ahead.

Scientists from the National Institutes of Health are getting royalty payments from pharmaceutical and other private companies. A Congressional hearing this month even looked into this practice, which has happened for decades. But now there's a new push for more transparency to see who's getting paid for what. Adam Andrzejewski from OpentheBooks.com talks about the hurdles they've faced getting that information from the government.

Utah's Black business community adds so much to our state...but how can they continue to not only excel but also expand? Sidni Shorter, who was just named as President and CEO of the Utah Black Chamber, joins Inside Sources to talk about the challenges and opportunities ahead for this thriving community.

Last year, people around the world were souring on the idea of democracy. But new polling shows surging support for this institution of government. Laura Thornton from the Alliance for Securing Democracy discusses the reasons behind the change in perception and how to strengthen democracy here and abroad.

With inflation at home, concerns about China invading Taiwan, and a myriad of other issues plaguing our world, do we still have unity of purpose for Ukraine? Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and some US Senators addressed the World Economic Forum in Switzerland today on this very topic. Boyd looks at what they said and whether it will change the conversation.  

There are a lot of problems ailing our country. But getting back to our nation's roots of self-governance may be what's needed the most. 

The evidence is piling up: endorsements don't mean much. Boyd looks at a new analysis in CNN outlining just how much high profile endorsements don't sway voters. But what factors do impact who voters choose to support?

When you think of a fresco, do you expect to see people experiencing homelessness, addiction, or serious illnesses? One church in Asheville, North Carolina commissioned an amazing piece highlighting people who society may have forgotten but who have infinite dignity and worth. Chris Zaluski talks with Boyd about his extraordinary new documentary, Theirs is the Kingdom, which tells the stories of the people seen in this work of art.  

President Biden is on his first trip to Asia since taking office. But with inflation on the rise and war raging in Ukraine, why does this visit matter? And what message does it send to our allies and partners...and most importantly China and North Korea?

It's Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage month, and there's an event happening in Utah today to honor members of that community. Former California State Assemblyman and MC of the event Floyd Mori joins the show to talk about it and remember the trailblazing former Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta.

What will Russia's strategy be now that Sweden and Finland have applied to join NATO? With news that Russia is cutting off natural gas supplies, David Salvo from the Alliance for Securing Democracy joins Boyd to talk about the threats both real and unlikely the two countries could face. 

Politicians everywhere are talking about inflation. But Real Clear Politics contributor Myra Adams has a new piece in The Hill showing how ignoring the national debt has lead and will lead to major problems for the U.S.

If you think the baby formula shortage is just about baby formula, it's time to think again. Fingers are pointing everywhere as store shelves are bare. But the crisis is an example of government bureaucracy getting in the way of common sense and good policy. 

While meeting with President Biden today, the Swedish Prime Minister said "During dark times it is great to be among close friends." But what prevents us from linking arms with our friends? And how can friends, whether they're a colleague or a foreign country, help us move forward during adversity?

A lot of the stories coming out of Ukraine have been unimaginably sad and horrific. Cities bombed, millions displaced, or killed. But where there is darkness there is also light. In this case, the light of service and volunteers. Utah Policy Editor and Deseret News columnist Holly Richardson calls from the Ukrainian/Polish border on efforts to help refugees.

Two years after Congressman Chris Stewart's bill was signed into law, states are preparing to launch the new 988 suicide prevention lifeline number this summer. Representative Stewart joins Boyd to discuss the exciting roll out, as well as his latest bill addressing the baby formula shortage.

The President of Finland and the Swedish Prime Minister joined President Biden at the White House today to make their case for joining NATO. What was their message? And what roadblocks lie ahead? 

Vice President Kamala Harris wants to get out of DC more. But with a 50-50 Senate, she's cast a record number of tie-breaking votes. Boyd looks at the role of the Vice President and why staying home might be a better idea than traveling abroad.

President Biden's trip to Asia is a chance for him to refocus on countering China, while strengthening ties with our allies in the Pacific. But this is all happening while North Korea threatens to test fire a long-range missile. Jonathan Bench from World Trade Center Utah discusses what can we expect from the president's trip. 

With all the focus on former President Trump, a major story from last night's primary election has flown under the radar: progressives did not do well. Boyd looks at why that is and what we can learn from the few progressive candidates who did score wins. 

Sweden and Finland have formally filed applications to join NATO, but how will they make their presence felt in that organization? Will they be valued partners with equal voices or will their ideas be crowded out by bigger countries? The Washington Post's Ishaan Tharoor talks with Boyd about what we can expect.

This primary season, candidates across the country have hopped on the endorsement bandwagon. They're laser focused on who does and who does not have support from some of our nation's most high profile politicians. Boyd chats about why this is a bad bandwagon to jump on. 

If you've checked your 401(k) today, you've probably been pretty depressed. What is behind Wall Street's major sell off? Investopedia Editor-in-Chief Caleb Silver talks with Boyd about whether this a blip or a sign of longer term problems in the economy.

Title 42 may be ending within a week. But does the Biden administration have a plan to deal with what may be a massive surge in migrants at the southern border? A visit to the border by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas yesterday has left many, including fellow Democrats, with lots of questions. 

Computer chips. Football stadiums. Electric cars. It's all things you're paying for...even if they're in another state. Michael Farren from the Mercatus Institute has a new piece in The Hill outlining the lack of transparency in these government subsidies, and how voters end up funding politicians' reelection campaigns.

Former President Donald Trump endorsed 26 candidates in primaries across the country yesterday. But does the 45th president's support really matter, let alone any other high-profile endorsements? Boyd talks about why voters are tuning out endorsements and focusing more on what candidates are offering.   

America has survived dozens of stress tests throughout it's history, and this time our trust is being tested. Will we make it through? Or will our institutions change for the worst? Boyd also breaks down better mantras for political thinking. 

If you couldn't use your credit or debit card, what would you do? In this week's Be Ready Utah segment, KSL NewsRadio's Rikki Meece talks about what you can do now to avoid a money emergency in the future. 

Have questions about this or other emergency preparedness topic? Not sure where to start? Find the answers at BeReady.Utah.gov.

There are primary elections happening from coast to coast today. Boyd looks at the storylines we need to be paying attention to, including the ones you may have missed.

Where does President Biden truly stand on the issues of the day? Some accuse him of being far left, while others say he drags his feet. The press has also been blamed for sewing confusion. But Dr. Merrill Matthews from the Institute for Policy Innovation has a new piece in The Hill outlining the real problem with the way the president does and does not communicate his agenda.

A couple of years ago, Utah launched a "regulatory sandbox" to reduce unnecessary regulations. James Czerniawski from Americans for Prosperity talks with Boyd about how the program has helped veterans and others in need.

Over the weekend, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas spoke strongly against the leak of a potential decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. In the talk, he also warned that we're in danger of losing our institutions following years of distrust. Is he right?  

As war in Ukraine rages on, Congress has passed another $40 billion in assistance. But by focusing on the money, are we missing a chance to discuss the full range of options to help that country? Bryan Clark from the Hudson Institute has a new piece in The Dispatch outlining what America should be doing when it comes to Ukraine.

President Joe Biden traveled to Buffalo today to condemn racism and white supremacy, a message we all support. But did the president do more uniting or more dividing during his speech?  

Another day, another excuse. It sure seems that way when the Biden Administration is asked about the baby formula shortage. But if you study the issues that lead to the problem, you can see a pattern of lawmakers and the executive branch not doing their duty and providing oversight for the FDA.

Sweden and Finland have announced plans to join NATO. Why now after years of neutrality, and what hurdles will they have to clear before becoming a part of the organization?

Over the weekend, a gunman opened fire at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, killing several Black people. The shooter reportedly had white supremacist views and specifically targeted the site in a predominantly Black neighborhood. What questions does this tragedy force us to ask about race, free speech, and social media moderation? Jeanetta Williams from the NAACP Utah, Amos Guiora from the University of Utah law school, and Shoshana Weissmann from the R Street Institute give their thoughts.

President Russell M. Nelson of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gave a world wide devotional last night to young adults. Boyd looks at the important lessons President Nelson imparted about labels and what really defines the individual.

What is the real state of the economy? While many people are worried about record high inflation and supply shortages, is the economy more resilient than we think? Mary Daly, the President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, spoke with Boyd about what policymakers are doing about inflation, what the Fed's next steps should be, and the importance of bringing everyone to the table to solve problems. She also shares her extraordinary story of going from high school dropout to the halls of power. 

KSL NewsRadio's Jeff Caplan joins the show fresh off his Edward R. Murrow Award for Excellence in Writing. Jeff discusses what it takes to produce a good piece of writing, and Boyd muses on the power a single person can have.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a new report outlining its efforts around the world to help others. Boyd goes through the projects that have impacted tens of thousands and talks about the role religion plays in the US economy.

A lot of people are very nervous about the idea of a government disinformation board, believing it's something straight out of a dystopian novel. The R Street Institute's Steven Greenhut has a new piece outlining why the feds shouldn't be deciding truth and fiction and detailing the disastrous roll out of the Department of Homeland Security's Disinformation Governing Board.

Today is Jen Psaki's last day as White House Press Secretary. Boyd discusses her tenure behind the podium, difficulties of the job, and what her legacy might be.

US Intelligence believes Russia's invasion of Ukraine has left Moscow's forces severely weakened to the point that it may take them years to recover. Olivier Knox from The Washington Post has the details on a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, which discussed whether Putin will back off a little or recalculate.

The possibility of Roe vs. Wade being overturned has many people rethinking how to retool the social safety net. Wells King from American Compass has a new piece in The Deseret News outlining how the government can help families by increasing the Child Tax Credit and why he thinks conservatives should take the lead on promoting pro-family federal policies.

Utah County Attorney David Leavitt calls in live from Ukraine, where he is helping refugees escape the war. David gives powerful stories of the journeys people are taking to flee the violence, and he also details the amazing acts of kindness he is seeing everywhere, including from an anonymous couple from Utah.   

When responding to a flat tire, Connecticut state trooper and Polish immigrant Lukasz Lipert was surprised to find former president of Poland Lech Walesa in the passenger. Boyd asks us what we're doing in the small, seemingly insignificant moments that make history.  

A bill extending the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act passed the US House this week, to compensate victims exposed to nuclear tests from 1951 to 1992. Congressman Burgess Owens backed the bill in the House and talks with Boyd about how Utahans will benefit.

Some people are very nervous about the concept of free speech online, especially after Elon Musk announced plans to buy Twitter. But Devin Wiser from Weber State University has a new piece in the Standard-Examiner outlining the value of more speech and not less. 

Washington is nervous about the future of its $40 billion Ukrainian aid package because one Senator might torpedo it. ABC News's Em Nguyen talks with Boyd about the reasons behind the delay and whether this a case of cruelty in the face of war and suffering or a good opportunity for D.C. to make sure the money goes where it's needed the most.

Despite all the doom and gloom headlines, the Biden Administration has notched some wins. But many people are a little lost on where President Biden stands on the biggest issues of the day. Boyd breaks down a new piece in The Hill outlining how the president may have accidentally cemented himself as the king of contradictions on everything from the economy to the pandemic.

Even with huge job growth and wage growth, the US economy still has nearly 12 million open jobs and is 3 million workers short. Michael D. Farren from the Mercatus Institute in D.C. says the solution to our labor supply problem may be right under our noses.

How out of touch is Washington, D.C. when it comes to inflation? Americans of all parties consistently rank inflation as their number one issue by double digits, but Democrats have consistently downplayed it or focused on oil companies, while Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters this week that the most important issue everyone agrees on is Ukraine. New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu was on a podcast this week outlining why federal lawmakers need to take this more seriously and why voters need to hold them accountable.

Dixie State University is changing its name to Utah Tech University. While some view this as an expensive rebrand to satisfy unhappy people, University President Richard Williams and communications director Dr. Jordon Sharp talk with Boyd about how the new name actually reflects the values and principles of the pioneers.  

The pandemic continues to take a toll on the opioid crisis with a record high 100,000 Americans dying of a drug overdose last year. This makes a total of 1 million American lives lost to drug addiction since 2001. The Washington Post's Meryl Kornfield has a new analysis on who is being hit the hardest and what can we expect moving forward.

Boyd chats about why we should look towards the future instead of rehashing the past. 

Democrats believe that the issue of abortion is a way to connect with voters who have soured on the party due to inflation and the economy. But Politico's Sarah Ferris has details of a party meeting that is changing how Democrats see the issue of inflation. 

Is it time to replace the current Republican Party leadership and rebuild? And should Republicans take some advice from President Biden and rebuild their party from the bottom up and middle out? Republican political strategist Luis Alvarado gives his perspective on the value of competing in and winning smaller races like city council and dog catcher.

Bill Marriott had some important life advice to give as he steps down as Marriott International's CEO. Boyd looks at what he said and what we can learn from him.

Could Republicans make gains with minority voters? The GOP is certainly optimistic because President Biden's favorability ratings have fallen sharply among Blacks and Latinos in recent weeks. But Sarah Isgur from The Dispatch has a new piece outlining why getting those traditional Democratic constituencies to flip their votes is probably going to be harder than candidates realize.

Does the military and US intelligence need more checks on its cyber power? The Biden administration thinks so. But Jason Blessing from the American Enterprise Institute has a new piece in The Hill outlining concerns that more bureaucratic oversight on US Cyber Command could make America less safe.

From Ukraine, to COVID relief, to infrastructure, the federal government has become a big spender. And it's a big reason inflation is going up. The R Street Institute's Jonathan Bydlak talks with Boyd about why Congress can't stick to a budget, the consequences of all this spending, and whether it's too late to change course.  

Should the journalists at Politico have published Justice Alito's leaked draft opinion? Boyd chats about the importance of trust in our institutions and the power of restraint. 

How do businesses and regular people protect themselves from a cyber attack? Codefresh co-founder and cyber security expert Dan Garfield talks about what we can do now and what to do when hackers strike.

Have more questions about Cyber Security and Emergency Preparedness? Don't know where to start? Find the answers at BeReady.Utah.gov.

Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) spoke to Fox News last week about what he thinks President Biden is getting wrong about the economy. And his comments are still relevant responses to the president's speech today.

The Securities and Exchange Commission is gearing up to crack down on crypto. But is the agency getting ahead of itself? James Czerniawski with Americans for Prosperity says the industry is complaining that there isn't enough guidance for them, which makes it difficult to strike a balance between innovation and regulations.

Will Twitter become a better place for regular people to have more open and honest discussions online once Elon Musk takes over? While some worry about what changes the billionaire will make to the site if he follows through with his plan to buy it, Mark Jamison from the American Enterprise Institute has a piece in The Hill outlining the benefits of Musk's purchase for regular people and the downsides for Meta.

Who is making sure all the aid money the US is sending to Ukraine is going to the right place? As Congress gets set to pass another $40 billion in aid, Andrew Lautz with the National Taxpayers Union has a new piece in Responsible Statecraft outlining why politicians in D.C. should take a pause, learn from recent history, and make sure there isn't any waste, fraud, and abuse in the process.

President Biden was supposed to outline what he will do to fight inflation. But the speech landed with a thud, even among his supporters, after the president delivered a highly politicized speech blaming Russia and Republicans for the problem. What should the president have done instead and how did he undermine his case with voters? 

On Saturday, Rich Strike won the Kentucky Derby 80-1 in one of the greatest odds upsets in the last century. Boyd talks through the lessons we can learn from this Derby Champion. 

Gospel singer and YouTube star Trey McLaughlin will be performing at Utah Valley University this week. He sat down with Boyd to talk about his journey and how music can build bridges.

The late Senator Orrin Hatch was instrumental in helping pass the Americans with Disabilities Act. KSL-TV's Carole Mikita profiled her brother, Steve Mikita, who was a law clerk for the senator and influenced his decision to support the legislation. 

With another bad day on Wall Street and predictions of a recession just around the corner, how is the US actually doing economically? Robert Spendlove from Zions Bank discusses what we should be looking for in the weeks and months ahead.

The United States' First Lady Dr. Jill Biden met with her Ukrainian counterpart over the weekend in Eastern Europe. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke about the Ukrainian conflict during his country's Victory Day celebrations. What are the messages being sent with these two events?

Is business good for the environment? While the media likes to portray companies as caring more about profits than climate change, the R Street Institute's Devin Hartman has a new piece in The Hill showing how free market competition could be the answer to our green energy needs.

Social media would have you believe that we're living through the end of the American experiment, with neighbor severely polarized against neighbor. Whether that is true or not, is the answer to all the yelling and screaming found in the Constitution and the institutions that have served America for centuries? The Manhattan Institute's Andy Smarick has a new piece in The Dispatch outlining how smarter dissent and working within institutions can lead to better outcomes for the country.

A pro-Beijing politician was elected as Hong Kong's Chief Executive over the weekend, a development that has human rights watchers concerned. Liz Wolfe from Reason has a new piece showing how China has used the COVID-19 pandemic to crush dissent over the past few years, which has restricted not only people's free expression and political participation but also the candidates on their ballot. She also discusses why the United States should allow more immigrants from Hong Kong to come here. 

For a long time, politicians have used Roe v. Wade to avoid the difficult debates over abortion policy. But Washington Post columnist Megan McArdle argues that if Roe is overturned, Democrats and Republicans will have to confront the issue. And they might find themselves out of tune with their own voters.

On Saturday, the Utah Coalition Against Pornography is holding its annual conference, "Discovering a Way Through". Coalition Executive Director Laurel Arnold chats with Boyd about what to expect at the event and the conversations we need to be starting with our children and loved ones.

Utah is becoming a more diverse place, and that is starting to show up in our places of work. But how can companies do better to make sure workers feel included? Inclusion Strategies Principal and CEO Ross Romero outlines why being a more welcoming place is good for business.

Today marks the annual National Day of Prayer. Prayer has played an important role in our nation's history. But in a world of moral relativism and social media, does prayer still have a place in our country?

Norman Mineta, the trailblazing politician and the first Asian-American Cabinet Secretary, passed away this week at the age of 90. What made his career and life story something to celebrate? Former California State Assemblyman Floyd Mori remembers his friend and mentor.

A Senate Banking Subcommittee held a hearing last week to try and figure out what is causing inflation and supply chain bottlenecks, but it might be awhile before they fix the problems that are hurting your family's budget. That's because while they had a panel of experts in front of them, there were several important questions they didn't ask and people they didn't hear from. The Manhattan Institute's Brian Riedl, who was one of those who WEREN'T asked any questions, talks with Boyd about his experience and why what happened isn't good for the country.

With the situation in Ukraine rightly taking up a lot of space in the media, it can be difficult to remember that China is still a significant player on the world stage. What should we be thinking about when it comes to China's role, both economic and political? Miles Hansen with World Trade Center Utah has details on The China Challenge Summit, which aims to answer many of those questions.

Russia has said its invasion of Ukraine is justified because it's "denazifying" the country, a claim Russia's Foreign Minister recently upheld. What does that mean for the future of the war? Is the Kremlin looking for an off ramp? Or are they doubling down?

Boyd walks through the important principles we can learn from Star Wars to better our democracy. 

Primary season has started across the country, with results coming in from Ohio last night and others soon to follow. What do we need to be looking for as the parties select their candidates?

Former Senator Orrin Hatch, who served Utah for 42 years in the United States Senate, is lying in state today at the Utah State Capitol. One of the reporters who got to interview Senator Hatch as he was retiring was former KSL TV anchor Dave McCann. He talks with Boyd about what he learned about Senator Hatch by observing him up close.