An Illinois senator asked Congress for more Utah wilderness land, without any Utah co-sponsors. In response, Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) wants more Illinois land.
Although defeated in the last election, Donald Trump’s toxic legacy lives on, one example being his random, destructive pull-backs of protections on three of America’s most revered national monuments: Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and Bears Ears National Monument. Beyond their ecological value, these areas are sacred threads in the fabric of Indigenous cultures. Protection of these public lands is an element of America’s greatness.
Before leaving office, the Trump administration held a bargain basement sale on oil and gas leases in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, the Republican Congress having lifted ANWR protections in their 2017 Tax Act. Thanks to the efforts of public action groups, “Big Oil” was dissuaded from bidding on these leases. The six largest financial institutions in the U.S. and Canada declined to finance drilling there due to risks to their reputations and the meager chance of profitability. In an attempt to p
Flickr Spring means baby birds. The Bureau of Land Management is asking climbers to avoid routes in the Indian Creek climbing area in Bears Ears National Monument that have active nesting sites for birds. This story and more in Monday evening s news brief.
Monday evening, May 10, 2021
State
Leaving Federal Unemployment Benefits Behind
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said on CNN Sunday, it might be time for the state to stop participating in pandemic unemployment benefits. Right now, the federal government provides an extra $300 a week for people out of work due to COVID and Cox said that’s causing labor issues. “The biggest problem we have right now in Utah is finding workers for the jobs that are available,” Cox said. “As we talk to workers, we’ve found it actually is a disincentive. Now, again, there are families that are struggling, we want to help them out but at some point we have to roll that back.” State data show Utah’s March unemployment rate was just below 3%.
This story is sponsored by Robert J. DeBry more than 200 years of combined experience practicing personal injury law.
One of the great things about Utah is its ability to offer a diverse variety of landscapes all within a short, few-hour drive. From mountains, rivers, streams, deserts, red rock, salt flats, and more, Utah is one of the best places in the world to live if you want to get out of the house and explore.
To help you know where to go, these seven Utah road trips are some of the best you ll ever take, especially in the spring so pack up the family and go!