KSL+
One of the biggest struggles reporters and producers have across the news industry is getting all the amazing information we gathered into one minute and thirty seconds on a TV news report or a 1000-word print article. On KSL+, we're taking you behind the headlines, showing you the content that didn't make air and the history and context behind some of today's biggest stories. You can also watch a video version of the KSL plus podcast on the KSL TV app.
Episodes
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Snow water equivalent & the threat of floods
We needed the snow heading into the season and we got it. Now, it won’t stop. This week, we dive into the 40-year-old snow water equivalent record the state just broke, and why some experts are now wondering whether we may end up with too much snow for too long.
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Guns at schools and what’s being done about it
Amid an increase in gun threats and incidents at some Utah schools, one school district is taking matters into their own hands to try and keep students safe. This week, we take a closer look at how Granite School District is using a police K-9 and training to try and curb gun incidents on campuses. Plus, Eliza Pace talks to a board member with the Gun Violence Prevention Center about what’s behind guns at schools.
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Elizabeth Smart's story, 20 years later
Her story captured the attention of Utah and much of the country when she was kidnapped at 14. Now, 20 years after she was found, we take a look back at the story of Elizabeth Smart through her eyes and through the unique perspective of Chris Thomas, the Smart family’s spokesperson during those awful nine months of uncertainty.
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The longest serving woman in the legislature
The 2023 legislative session ended with some historic legislation. But it was also historic for another reason. This week, Deanie Wimmer talks to state representative Carol Spackman Moss. She’s served District 34 in Salt Lake County for 23 years, making her the longest serving woman in the history of the Utah legislature.
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What happened this legislative session?
Utah’s 45-day Legislative Session kicked off the way last year’s session ended—with some controversy. Hundreds of bills later changes are expected on everything from education to water to abortion and transgender medical treatment. On the last week of the session, Matt Rascon talks to KSL News Radio’s Lindsay Aerts about some of the big things lawmakers have done, other bills still on the table, and the impact all of it could have on you.
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Snowpack, drought and what comes next
Winter kicked off with storm after storm and there are no signs of it letting up the rest of the season. The state of the drought is looking better. This week, Matt Rascon talks to chief meteorologist Kevin Eubank about what these big winter storms mean for the drought, how many more of them we need to get out of it, and why we can’t rely solely on what’s falling from the sky.
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The excitement and impact of the NBA All-Stars
It’s been 30 years, but the NBA All-Star Game is finally back in Salt Lake City. This week, we take a closer look at the excitement and energy building up for the All-Star weekend and the impact it could have on the local economy.
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Water and what the state is doing about it
It’s been an issue in Utah for decades, and with the current levels of the Great Salt Lake, water has become a critical part of the conversation in the state. This week, Matt Rascon talks to two experts—with two different views—about how Utah’s leaders are doing, protecting and preserving this critical resource.
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Curbing DV at the State Capitol
Domestic violence situations can be some of the most difficult for police to respond to and can lead to the most heartbreaking loss for family. This week, we look at how one family’s recent loss has taken them to the State Capitol, on a mission to support Senate Bill 117 and help prevent similar tragedies across the state. The lethality assessment program—or LAP—is an 11-question survey to help officers assess a person’s risk of being killed in a domestic violence situation. SB 117 would require “a law enforcement officer to conduct a lethality assessment when responding to a report of domestic violence between intimate partners.”
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The growing spotlight on domestic violence
We’ve seen it all over the news in just the last couple of weeks. Police investigating incidents of domestic violence including a man threatening a woman before setting a house on fire in Davis County, a boyfriend shooting and killing his 16-year-old girlfriend in Piute County, and a father killing his family before taking his own life in Iron County. And, of course, there are many more stories of domestic violence that don’t make the headlines. This week Matt Rascon talks with Kait Sorenson, the executive director of Canyon Creek Services based in Cedar City. The local nonprofit is on the frontlines of the effort to end domestic violence every day in southern Utah. Over the last couple of weeks they’ve been working to help the community heal and learn from the tragedy in Enoch.
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Hurt and help in Enoch City
On Wednesday January 4, police say Michael Haight shot and killed his wife Tausha, their five children, and his mother-in-law Gail Earl before turning the gun on himself inside their home in the city of Enoch. Since then, the small community has been hurting and finding healing through helping. This week, Matt Rascon talks to Enoch’s city manager Rob Dotson about the impact this horrific event has had on the city and the good things people have been doing since to support family members, friends and first responders.
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The last-minute efforts to save the homeless this winter
In mid-December, temperatures dropped dramatically in Salt Lake City. Five homeless people died on the streets over a period of roughly five days of freezing conditions. Shelters filled up and several organizations came together to help save lives. This week, we dive into the ongoing struggle to protect unsheltered Utahns during the winter season.
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What's behind the TikTok bans?
Tens of millions in U.S. have the social media app on their phone, but in recent weeks Utah has joined a growing list of states banning the software from state-owned devices. This week, we dive into the debate playing out over TikTok—one of the most popular social media platforms in the world. Does it really pose a threat to government data? What about your personal data?
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Combating holiday loneliness
The most wonderful time of the year can also be among the most difficult times. Inflation is leading more people to food banks and the pandemic and other circumstances have taken a toll on the mental health of many. This week, we talk to a professor and a psychiatrist about loneliness over the holidays and why they say one of the best things you can do to combat those thoughts and feelings is to do what Utah does best--serve others.
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The rise of respiratory viruses and COVID’s impact
It’s not even winter yet and the CDC is warning the country is experiencing a resurgence of respiratory viruses and they’re taking a toll on hospitals and children. This week, we talk to an instacare doctor in Salt Lake County and a pediatrician in Utah County about the role COVID is playing in this year’s flu season, plus what they’re seeing on the frontlines and what we can expect for sicknesses this winter.
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Growing concerns over a shrinking lake
Four months after we first dove into the topic on this show, the shrinking Great Salt Lake remains a top issue for scientists, lawmakers and the media. This week, we talk to Dan Spindle about what we’re still learning about the Great Salt Lake, its impact on the state and why it should matter to you.
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"Chronic absenteeism" in Utah's schools
Months into the new school year, the pandemic’s impact on students is coming into focus. The state and nation’s report cards are out, showing an ongoing struggle to help students return to pre-pandemic achievement levels. This week we go beyond the recent headlines and look at what districts describe as “chronic absenteeism” in Utah’s schools and its effect on students.
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The closest race in Utah
People are calling it the tightest race in Utah in decades. Three weeks out from the midterm elections, Senator Mike Lee and challenger Evan McMullin faced off in their first and only debate. This week we talk to Jason Perry to break down the debate and talk about what’s made this race so close and what’s at stake when the results come in on November 8.
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Election fraud in Utah?
Two years after the 2020 presidential election and weeks away from the midterm elections, claims and concerns of election fraud aren’t going away. This week, we dive into the question of voter fraud and election integrity in Utah with investigative reporter Daniella Rivera and investigative producer Cindy St. Clair. In a recent investigative report, they crunched the numbers on voter crimes and talked to election officials and prosecutors about how things look in Utah.
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The growing impact of digital evidence
One year after the shooting death of University of Utah football player Aaron Lowe, prosecutors say the amount of digital evidence they have to go through is dragging out the case against his accused killer. This week, we look into the impacts a growing amount of digital evidence is having on the investigation and prosecution of criminal cases.
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The power is finally on in Westwater
After decades of darkness and empty promises, the lights are finally on in the Navajo (Dine) community of Westwater—one of the last places in the country to receive electricity. What took so long? This week, we visit the small community just west of Blanding, to answer that question and to talk to the people who are impacted and the leaders who helped make it happen.
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The ins and outs of the student debt crisis and the plan to forgive
On August 25th President Joe Biden announced a plan to cancel up to $20,000 for borrowers of federal student loans. Three weeks later Governor Spencer Cox joined nearly half of the governors across the country in demanding President Biden withdraw that plan. This week we explore the student debt crisis, the president’s plan to forgive loans and the impact on borrowers and others.
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Is a gondola the right answer?
The decision is here. After years of research and public comment, UDOT is recommending a gondola to solve the canyon’s transportation problems. The project will cost an estimated $550 million and it has plenty of opposition. This week, we dive into the debate over the gondola and how to get people up the canyon, while decreasing traffic and minimizing the impact to the environment. We also look at what comes next.
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Hunting for meteorites
On August 13, a meteor shot across the sky over Utah, scattering rocks around the Tooele Valley and bringing in so-called meteorite hunters. This week, we take a ride on Chopper 5 with a man who has been hunting space rocks for 25 years.
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Lessons from the pandemic from a high school principal
There is cautious optimism heading into a new school year after two and a half years full of interruptions and uncertainty. This week, a conversation with a high school principal, looking back on the challenges and lessons of the pandemic at the start of a new school year.
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The push for full-day kindergarten
82% of the nation’s kindergarten children participate in full-day kindergarten. In Utah in 2021, that number was just 30%. At the start of this new school year, Utah has hundreds more full-day kindergarten classes available thanks to new funding. This week, why some parents and educators say it's still not enough.
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Inflation, interest rates and the risk of recession
Inflation is higher than it has been in 40 years. The Federal Reserve is trying to curb that growth by increasing interest rates. And for the second straight quarter the country’s GDP shrunk, sparking more fears of a recession. This week, a financial expert and the chief economist at the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute explain how we got here, what the impacts are, and where we could be headed.
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One man's heart-shaped mission to prevent suicide
This week, the story of one man’s mission to prevent suicide with reminders that people matter. The former teacher turned sculptor and motivational speaker is carving up heart rocks to help students in Utah and bring comfort to people as far as Uvalde, Texas. And if you're struggling with mental health challenges, there is help available, including a new national suicide hotline: 9-8-8.
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The Great Salt Lake Collaborative
The Great Salt Lake is lower than it’s even been. And the more it shrinks, the more it affects our air, our snow, our economy and our wildlife. This week, a conversation with executive producer Keira Farrimond about the far-reaching impacts that have brought media outlets together to tell the critical story of the Great Salt Lake.
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Abortion in Utah since June 24
On Friday June 24, the Supreme Court of the United States determined there is no constitutional right to abortion, overturning decades of precedent in Roe v. Wade. The move sparked relief and outrage in Utah. This week, we take a closer look at KSL-TV's coverage of what’s happened in the state since that day, including the evolution of abortion law and its impact on women, families and physicians.
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The “Perfect Storm” in Nursing
At a critical time in the healthcare industry, nurses are hanging up their scrubs and some patients are feeling it. This week, a conversation with Debbie Worthen about her coverage of the nursing crisis, its impact at Utah Hospitals and where the profession goes from here.
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The impact and the lessons from crashes involving teenage drivers
Teen drivers make up 9% of licensed drivers in Utah but 21% of crashes, according to UDOT. This week, we explore the impact of a crash on one family and the lessons every parent and teen can learn to protect themselves on the road. It’s part of KSL-TV’s coverage on the road to zero fatalities.
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What the bipartisan gun deal would mean for Utah
In the wake of two horrific mass shootings, democrats and republicans in the U.S. Senate have reached a deal on gun safety. This week, conversations with a gun control advocate and a state legislator about what impact the proposal and other measures would have on gun violence in Utah and where the conversation goes from here.
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What's behind the gas prices?
The average price for a gallon of regular gas jumped above $5 in Utah this week. But what's behind the almost daily increases we've seen? The war in Ukraine? President Joe Biden? In this episode we explore the cause of soaring gas prices, what can be done to slow the increase and who those prices are impacting the most.
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Road to Zero Fatalities
This week marks the beginning of what’s known as Utah’s 100 deadliest days--the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day when we typically see the most death on our roads. 116 people have already lost their lives this year. That's the highest number Utah has seen this time of year in more than two decades. This week we explore some of the data, the warnings from authorities and the stories from those who have lost loved ones in traffic crashes.
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Where's the baby formula?
Empty shelves. Empty bottles. Empty bellies. Over the last several weeks reporters at KSLtv have been covering the baby formula shortage. This week, a conversation about what this unprecedented situation currently looks like in Utah and when parents and babies can expect some relief.
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Lessons from the Buffalo shooting
Over the weekend, a gunman opened fire at a grocery store in Buffalo, New York, killing 10 people. This week, we dive into what we know about the motive behind the attack and what laws and resources are in place in Utah to prevent these kinds of tragedies.
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A veteran's mission to Ukraine
When Russia invaded Ukraine in February, so many people jumped into action to help the people any way they could. This week, we follow the journey of a former refugee and marine veteran who—within a couple of weeks of the invasion—traveled to Ukraine for a two-month mission to offer relief and expertise to refugees and the military. Based on KSLtv's Jed Boal's interviews with Quan Nguyen.
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The leaked Roe ruling and its effect in Utah
A leaked draft of a Supreme Court ruling that would overturn Roe v Wade is making waves across the country. But what would that ruling mean for abortion? And how would it impact the laws surrounding abortion in Utah? This week we dive into those questions with law professors and state politicians.
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The timely story about Ukraine for Ukraine
Kalyna the Musical tells the little-known story of Ukraine’s suffering through the Holodomor and its yearslong struggle for independence. The show’s creators started writing it years ago, with no way of knowing it would be ready to take the stage to help Ukrainians during another dark moment in their history.
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Utah’s Drought and Water Situation Explained
At the close of another snow season, the state’s drought drags on and some Utahns are already paying the price. This week we talk to KSL-TV’s chief meteorologist Kevin Eubank to break down the state’s drought and water situation--the concerns, the impact and what we can expect moving through spring and summer.
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Exploring the Allegations against Teen Treatment Centers
Over the last couple of years the troubled teen industry has been thrust into the spotlight, beginning with Paris Hilton's allegations about her experience at a center in Utah. This week we explore a recent lawsuit, the growing opposition to teen treatment centers and what the state has done about it.
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Unpacking House Bill 11 and the debate surrounding trans athletes
On March 22, Governor Cox vetoed a bill that bans transgender girls from competing on designated girls sports teams. Three days later, legislators voted to override that veto. This week, we explore HB11 and the debate surrounding trans athletes and women's sports.
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Solving Utah's Disability Staffing Crisis
Families and providers that serve people with physical and intellectual disabilities say a state-funded program that supports them has reached a crisis. Staffing is down. Thousands with disabilities are on a waiting list. The state responded. But is it enough?
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An Olympic Experience Unlike Any Other
No fans, incredible athletes and a zero COVID policy. This week we dive into the unique experience of the 2022 Winter Olympics with colleagues Alex Cabrero and Jay Hancock, who covered the Games from Beijing for KSL-TV.
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The War in Ukraine and its impact on Utahns
Over the last two weeks, KSL-TV‘s journalists have captured the impact of the devastating conflict in Ukraine 6,000 miles away. Hear their stories and how so many Utahns are stepping up to help.
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KSL+: the debate surrounding abortion
This week on KSL+, a divisive debate happening across the country and in the Supreme Court. We look at the history and what is happening right now surrounding abortion laws in the United States. What will start in court decisions mean for Utah, and how did we get to where we are today.
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KSL+: Efficacy of police pursuits
After the police pursuit of a drunk driver left a local mother and entrepreneur dead and her friend badly injured, her husband is now fighting to change policies in Utah surrounding police chases. We look at the efficacy of police pursuits—does the good outweigh the harm?
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KSL+: Deep dive into the supply chain
We’ve been hearing lots about the supply chain and how it’s broken. But what does that really mean? We dive into the ins and outs of the complicated network that stocks our shelves.
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KSL+: Talking to your kids about race
After a two-year investigation, the U.S. Department of Justice found serious and widespread racial harassment in Davis schools. It’s opened up a lot of discussion about racism in schools, and where it comes from. We sat down with the anti-racism educator behind the podcast First Name Basis to better understand how we can teach our children…and ourselves… about becoming anti-racist.
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Context surrounding redistricting battle
A battle over boundaries. The opportunity only comes once every decade...using new census data to reconfigure district maps for members of congress...state legislators and school boards. We're focusing on the congressional map and the controversy surrounding it.
Full video version and full transcript, click HERE.
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The signs of domestic abuse and violence
One in four American women will experience intimate partner or domestic violence at some point in their life. Nearly half of all homicides in Utah are related to domestic violence. This week, we look at the signs of violence in your relationship or the relationships around you.
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The division surrounding Bear's Ears
A reversal in a years-long land dispute in southern Utah. President Joe Biden expanding Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments, drawing praise from tribal leaders and conservationists, and criticism from some residents and state leaders and delegates. But why the back and forth over the years and what does this latest decision mean for the land and people moving forward?
Video and transcript at ksltv.com/kslplus
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A deeper look at "where are the workers?"
We know that many industries are struggling with staffing right now. But where did all the workers go? We know for sure, they aren’t living off unemployment. This week, News Specialist Deanie Wimmer looked at where the workers went and she joins us to look at what businesses will need to do to get people back.
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KSL+: Overwhelmed hospitals leaving non-COVID patients worried
As Utah hospitals fill up with COVID patients, most of them unvaccinated, others looking for treatment are having their procedures and treatments postponed. We talk with one Utah family that is worried they miss the one chance at a kidney transplant as hospitals delay surgeries.
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Growing “true crime” genre impacting Petito case
The Gabby Petito case grabbed people's attention from the time she was reported missing, speculating on Reddit, Tiktok, even diving into all of Gabby's social media accounts, including her Spotify. And while much is said about how detrimental this kind of speculation can be, the tips that poured in, including a Youtube video showing Gabby's van---helped authorities know where to look to find her. Where is the line between hurting and helping?
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Looking back at long term impacts of 9/11
All this week, KSL has been examining the lasting impacts of 9/11 as we approach the 20th anniversary. On KSL+ we dive deeper into the missed opportunities that may have kept us from the great divide we experiencing today.
To watch the full video version or read the full transcript, click HERE.
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Efforts to end mask mandate bans
Families and the feds both pushing back on Utah's law, banning state-wide mask mandates in schools. Many worry now, that the law discriminates against kids with disabilities.
For watch the video version or read a full transcript, go HERE.
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Research Shows Frontline Medical Workers Struggling With Mental Health, Burnout
ORIGINALLY AIRED FEBRUARY 25, 2021.
CONTENT WARNING: Discussion of suicide
It's been more than a year, and hospitals are again filling up with COVID-19 patients. While people outside try to get back to normal, people treating COVID patients, and those supporting that treatment, have had a nearly never-ending barrage of hard work and heartbreak. And it's taking a toll. We look at the mental health impacts of the pandemic and some of the barriers to treatment for those in the medical field.
To watch a video version and for a full transcript, go HERE.
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