http://kcpw.org/public-square KCPW's Public Square Podcast en-us 2006 KCPW /images/kcpw_podcast_sm.jpg http://kcpw.org/newsroom KCPW KCPW webmaster@kcpw.org KCPW Podcasts It's been an interesting week for the Utah judiciary. For the first time in recent years. By a 16-to-12 vote, the senate said no to the confirmation of Judge Robert Hilder to the Utah Court of Appeals. Hilder is currently a 3rd District Judge. His defeat is credited largely to a massive e-mail writing campaign from gun rights advocates, who felt that Hilder had little respect for the 2nd Amendment after he ruled that the University of Utah did have the authority to bar concealed weapons on campus. But at the same time, he had a tremendously high judicial approval rating and the support of just many attorneys in the state of Utah. Joining Politics Up Close to talk about this is Senator Greg Bell from Davis County, Salt Lake City personal injury attorney Bob Sykes, and local attorney Randall Edwards. Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:19:54 -0700 The economic crisis has hit every local government hard, and Salt Lake City is no exception. With sales tax and property tax revenues coming in about $4 million short, the city has to cut 5 percent from this year's budget to make it through, and no department was spared the red pen, from planning to police. But will the city have to cut the budget even further come March or April? And how will next year's budget picture look? Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker talks to KCPW's Jeff Robinson. Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:17:41 -0700 Aric Mutchnick is an international security expert who has served in the Israeli Defense Forces. He was in town last week to speak to the Salt Lake Committee on Foreign Relations. Mutchnick joined KCPW's Jeff Robinson for Politics Up Close on Friday. In this seven-minute excerpt, he tells Jeff about an interesting encounter he had with another American when he served in the IDF. Mon, 17 Nov 2008 01:01:26 -0700 Aric Mutchnick is an international security expert who served in the Israeli Defense Forces. He came to Salt Lake City to speak to the Salt Lake Committee on Foreign Relations last night. He joined KCPW's Jeff Robinson to talk about his time in the Israeli military and Israeli-Palestinian relations. Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:15:05 -0700 Democratic State Senator Scott McCoy represents Salt Lake City in the Utah Legislature, and Will Carlson is the Manager of Public Policy at Equality Utah, an LGBT advocacy group based in Salt Lake. Earlier this week, Senator McCoy and other state legislators joined Equality Utah in opening up a conversation with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints about expanding rights for gay couples and employees, after the Church supported Proposition 8 banning gay marriage in California. KCPW's Jeff Robinson speaks with them. Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:11:06 -0700 Democratic state senator-elect Karen Morgan captured 52 percent of the vote last Tuesday in District 8 representing Cottonwood Heights. She previously served in the House of Representatives for eight years. KCPW's Jeff Robinson talked with her about ethics reform and her legislative priorities. Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:07:44 -0700 Democratic Congressman Jim Matheson earned his highest margin of victory ever on Election Day, trouncing his opponent by nearly 30 points as his constituents decided to send him back to Washington for a fifth term. He'll return to Congress facing an ever-increasing national debt, an economic downturn, and a broken health care system. But Matheson will also have the opportunity to work with a new presidential administration, one that has promised to reach across party lines and make significant accomplishments. KCPW's Jeff Robinson caught up with Congressman Matheson after he spoke at the Hinckley Institute of Politics. Thu, 13 Nov 2008 12:04:27 -0700 Immediately after being appointed the new Speaker of the Utah House of Representatives by his Republican colleagues last night, Representative David Clark unveiled several ethics proposals he wants to enact this upcoming legislative session. KCPW's Jeff Robinson sat down with him as he described his plan. Wed, 12 Nov 2008 01:01:51 -0700 Miss Friday's Politics Up Close? Listen to this brief excerpt analyzing Utah's Congressional races with Kirk Jowers, Director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics, and Dr. Tim Chambless, political scientist at the University of Utah. Mon, 10 Nov 2008 01:00:17 -0700 On Friday, Senate Republicans voted for change in their top leadership positions, saying goodbye to Senate President John Valentine and Senate Majority Leader Curt Bramble. KCPW's Jeff Robinson spoke with the new leadership team after the Republicans' closed caucus meeting. Mon, 10 Nov 2008 01:00:17 -0700 Kirk Jowers is the director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah. He joins Dr. Tim Chambless at the U. to provide some perspective and analysis on all the local election results from top to bottom in Utah politics. Fri, 07 Nov 2008 13:18:32 -0700 Democrats on the Salt Lake County Council just gained a 5 to 4 majority on Tuesday, when Jani Iwamoto ousted incumbent Republican Mark Crockett in District 4 representing Holladay and the surrounding eastern cities. Jim Bradley and Joe Hatch join Politics Up Close. Fri, 07 Nov 2008 13:16:19 -0700 With Democrat Jani Iwamoto defeating Republican Mark Crockett in his re-election bid for the Salt Lake County Council, the Democrats now move from the minority party to the majority party, holding a slim 5-to-4 lead over the Republicans come January. A new party in control will likely bring with it new priorities, along with the selection of a Democratic chair to run council meetings. But the council will still have to contend with an overwhelmingly Republican state legislature, and given Speaker Greg Curtis's defeat, a new Speaker of the House who is not from Salt Lake County. KCPW's Jeff Robinson caught up with Democratic county councilman Joe Hatch to get his thoughts on the direction his party will take the council. Fri, 07 Nov 2008 01:01:03 -0700 Today, Utah voters will decide a number of close races across Salt Lake County, from the south end of the valley right up to Salt Lake City. Some are open seats with no incumbents; others have energetic challengers trying to oust long-time incumbents. And if the races get tight enough, we might not know the results until very late this evening or even beyond that. KCPW's Jeff Robinson sat down with Dr. Tim Chambless, a political science lecturer at the University of Utah, to get his thoughts on what will likely be the closest races in Salt Lake County. Tue, 04 Nov 2008 01:00:20 -0700 Didn't catch our Friday interview with Democratic Salt Lake County Council candidate Paul Pugmire? Listen to this Politics Up Close excerpt.Download the full podcast on the Politics Up Close page. Mon, 03 Nov 2008 01:08:46 -0700 No time to listen to KCPW's eight Election 2008 Debates? In this half hour special, get the highlights of some of the closest races, like House District 49 between Greg Curtis and Jay Seegmiller, Senate District One between Carlton Christensen and Luz Robles, and Salt Lake County Council Seat A between Randy Horiuchi and Steve DeBry. At the end, the special wraps up with a look at the governor's debate. Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:32:57 -0600 Democrat Paul Pugmire is running for Salt Lake County Council District 2 representing the West Side. He lives in South Jordan, where he runs a public relations consulting firm. He's previously worked as a staff member in the U.S. House of Representatives, the Arizona Legislature and the Arizona Governor's office, and was also on the Rexburg, Idaho city council for eight years. He served two years as president of that council. Currently, he's a member of the South Jordan Planning Commission, South Jordan Chamber of Commerce, South Jordan Community Theater and Rotary International. His opponent is incumbent Michael Jensen. Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:29:05 -0600 Salt Lake County Councilman Randy Horiuchi and Republican challenger Steve DeBry fiercely debated issues like growth, funding for the RSL soccer stadium, and even which of them has the endorsement of the Fraternal Order of Police in a contentious debate at the Salt Lake City Main Library Thursday morning. Listen to the full debate. Thu, 30 Oct 2008 12:54:07 -0600 Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon and his Republican challenger Michael Renckert debated the county budget, growth management, criminal justice and other important county issues in a KCPW Election 2008 Debate last night at the Salt Lake City Main Library. Listen to the event, moderated by KCPW's Jeff Robinson. Wed, 29 Oct 2008 21:21:28 -0600 Salt Lake County Council District 2 Candidates Michael Jensen and Paul Pugmire squared off this morning at the Salt Lake City Main Library in a KCPW Election 2008 Debate. Jensen is the Republican incumbent; Pugmire is his Democratic challenger. The two discussed protecting the west side, the Jordan School District Split, funding Mountain View Corridor and much more. Listen to the full debate. Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:36:59 -0600 Didn't catch our interviews last Friday with Democratic Congressman Jim Matheson and Republican Michael Renckert, candidate for Salt Lake County Mayor? Listen to this wrap-up of Friday's Politics Up Close. Listen to the full interviews on the Politics Up Close page. Mon, 27 Oct 2008 01:00:31 -0600 Michael Renckert is the Republican candidate for Salt Lake County mayor. He works as a supervisor for Utah Adult Probation and Parole. He's also an adjunct professor at Salt Lake Community College. In this edition of Politics Up Close, he discusses law enforcement and criminal justice issues, the handling of the Real Salt Lake soccer stadium, growth and development, and more. Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:02:01 -0600 Congressman Jim Matheson currently represents Utah's 2nd Congressional District. He was first elected in 2000, and has since survived three Republican challenges even after his district was re-drawn to include more traditional Republican strongholds. Before joining Congress, Matheson was an energy consultant. Now, he sits on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, as well as the House Science and Technology committee. Matheson's a member of a moderate group of fiscally conservative Democrats called the Blue Dogs. One of his recent accomplishments is adding a provision to a recent spending bill lifting the moratorium on leasing federal lands for oil shale development. His opponent is Republican Bill Dew. Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:58:22 -0600 Democratic State Representative Rebecca Chavez-Houck and Republican opponent Dr. Joe Jarvis squared off on health care, public education, politics, and much more in a one-hour debate hosted by KCPW at the Salt Lake City Main Library Wednesday morning. Listen to the full podcast. Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:42:24 -0600 Did you miss our Friday interviews with Republican Salt Lake County Councilman Michael Jensen and Republican House District 28 candidate Jeff Morrow? Listen to an excerpt here. You can also listen both full interviews on the Politics Up Close page. Mon, 20 Oct 2008 01:04:08 -0600 Jeff Morrow is the Republican candidate for Utah's House District 28 in the state legislature, representing the Foothills in eastern Salt Lake City, where he grew up. His background is in real estate. Currently, he's the principal broker for Wasatch Front Real Estate Brokerage and Wasatch Front Property Management. Morrow is also on the steering committee for Envision Utah, a member of the Downtown Rotary Club, an adjunct business instructor at Salt Lake Community College, and a former member of the Mayor's Recreational Advisory board. His major campaign platform is Reclaiming the Foothills influence. Fri, 17 Oct 2008 13:16:45 -0600 Republican Salt Lake County Councilman Michael Jensen represents District 2, which is nearly the entire west side. He was first elected in 2000 when the council was formed, then re-elected in 2004. He's currently chairman of the council, serving three years in that position so far. Outside of county government, he's deputy chief of the Salt Lake County Unified Fire Authority and a certified paramedic. Jensen serves on the boards of the county Redevelopment Agency, the Central Water Conservancy District, the Council of Governments and the Wasatch Front Regional Council. A Magna resident, he is the only member of the county council who lives in unincorporated Salt Lake County. Jensen's Democratic opponent this election is Paul Pugmire. Fri, 17 Oct 2008 13:10:59 -0600 (KCPW News) Governor Jon Huntsman and his Democratic challenger Bob Springmeyer took on energy, education, budget cuts, economic development and much more in a one-hour debate hosted by KCPW Thursday night in the Tessman Auditorium at the Salt Lake City Main Library. Listen to the full debate. Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:41:16 -0600 Last night, Utah voters came out to the Sandy Public Library as Republican Speaker of the Utah House of Representatives Greg Curtis took on his District 49 challenger, Democrat Jay Seegmiller, in a one-hour debate. They tackled issues like the Jordan School District split, immigration, health care reform, and ethics reform. The race may be quite a close one: Seegmiller is challenging Curtis for the third time after losing the race by only 20 votes in 2006. Now, listen in on our entire one-hour debate from last night. Wed, 15 Oct 2008 01:00:16 -0600 Didn't catch our Friday interviews with state Representative Rebecca Chavez-Houck and Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon? Listen to this Politics Up Close wrap-up. Listen to full podcasts of both interviews on the Politics Up Close page. Mon, 13 Oct 2008 01:00:36 -0600 Democratic Representative Rebecca Chavez-Houck is a Utah native. She was appointed late last year to fill the vacant seat in House District 24 when Ralph Becker was elected Salt Lake City mayor. She began her career as a reporter. She's also worked as an activist for non-profits like Planned Parenthood, United Way, the YWCA and Centro de la Familia de Utah. Currently, she's co-owner of Lone Peak Realty and Management. This past legislative session in January, Chavez-Houck sponsored a bill to allow domestic partners to adopt children. It was not assigned to a committee. She also sponsored a bill to create a bipartisan legislative redistricting committee. A third bill would have required poll workers to be politically neutral. Her opponent in the upcoming election is Joe Jarvis. Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:33:38 -0600 Democratic Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon was first elected in 2004. Before coming mayor, he was worked in development. Since taking office, he's created the Council on Diversity Affairs, expanded the Salt Palace, overseen the planning of five new TRAX lines throughout Salt Lake County, and expanded the county's purchasing of open space. He also famously torpedoed Real Salt Lake's attempt to use money from the county's hotel tax to build a new stadium, but was then circumvented by the governor and state legislature. Corroon also wants to plant one million trees in the county in the next ten years. His opponent is Republican Michael Renckert. Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:30:40 -0600 Didn't catch Politics Up Close last Friday? Listen in on this excerpt with Democratic Salt Lake County Councilman Randy Horiuchi and Republican Greg Curtis, Speaker of the Utah House of Representatives. Horiuchi talks about the Hogle Zoo bond, while Curtis talks about ethics reform. Download full podcasts on the Politics Up Close page. Mon, 06 Oct 2008 01:00:16 -0600 Greg Curtis is the Republican Speaker of the Utah House of Representatives and Representative for House District 49 in Sandy. Curtis has served in the legislature since 1995, and has been speaker for the past four years. Outside the legislature, he's an attorney. This past session, he sponsored a bill to removed the enrollment cap on the Children's Health Insurance Program, which passed by a wide margin. During his time as speaker, education funding in the state has increased by more than a billion dollars. Over the next two years, if re-elected, he wants to continue to increase funding for education, reduce taxes, expand access to health care, and eliminate the sales tax on food. His opponent is Jay Seegmiller, who's challenging him for the third time after losing by 20 votes in 2006. Fri, 03 Oct 2008 12:53:29 -0600 Democratic Salt Lake County Councilman Randy Horiuchi has been a longtime figure in the Salt Lake County Government, having served as a commissioner from 1991 through 1998. Before that, he founded Focus Government Services, a consulting and lobbying firm. When the county switched from having commissioners to a county council, he won election in 2000 and again in 2002, and is now just finishing up his first full six-year term. Horiuchi has served on the boards of many civic groups like the Utah Association of Counties and the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and lives in Salt Lake City. He was also president of the Salt Lake Chapter of the Japanese American Citizen's League. He's running against Republican Steve DeBry, a captain with the sheriff's office. Fri, 03 Oct 2008 12:50:02 -0600 Polygamy, civil liberties, vouchers, immigration, and abortion were among the topics discussed Tuesday morning at the Hinckley Institute's Attorney General debate, moderated and broadcast by KCPW. Incumbent Republican Mark Shurtleff and Democratic challenger Jean Welch Hill made their case to a packed crowd about what makes them right for the job. Let's listen in on part of that debate. In this segment, moderator Jeff Robinson asks the candidates about how they would deal with abortion-related laws coming out of the state legislature. Wed, 01 Oct 2008 01:00:53 -0600 Incumbent Attorney General Mark Shurtleff and Democratic challenger Jean Welch Hill took on polygamy, education, civil liberties, immigration, and abortion issues in a packed, hour-long debate at the Hinckley Institute Tuesday morning, moderated by KCPW's Jeff Robinson. Tue, 30 Sep 2008 13:42:34 -0600 Didn't catch our Friday interviews with Republican county council candidate Steve DeBry or Democratic legislative candidate Jay Seegmiller? Listen to our Politics Up Close wrap-up. You can also listen to the full interviews on the Politics Up Close page. Mon, 29 Sep 2008 01:03:26 -0600 Democrat Jay Seegmiller is now running for the third time for Utah House District 49 in Sandy after losing to Greg Curtis in 2006 by 20 votes. Seegmiller is a 20-year resident of the Sandy district, and has also worked for Amtrak for the past two decades. Before that, he worked for Union Pacific Railroad. He's currently active in Amtrak's employee union and serves as the state legislative director for the United Transportation Union. Seegmiller serves on the Sandy City Transportation Committee. He's running on a platform of improving public education, increasing economic development, reforming health care, and reforming the tax code. Fri, 26 Sep 2008 12:53:33 -0600 Republican Steve DeBry is a candidate for County Council At-Large Seat A. Captain Debry has been a police officer for nearly three decades. He's currently the precinct commander of the Millcreek station for the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office and a long-time resident of South Jordan. DeBry was born and raised in the state, and has a degree in Political Science from the University of Utah. He's also a graduate of the FBI National Academy. His goals as a county councilman would be to increase the quality of life as the county continues to grow, decrease crime, and ensure fiscal responsibility. Fri, 26 Sep 2008 12:50:54 -0600 Didn't catch Politics Up Close last Friday? Here's a wrap up of our interviews with Jason Chaffetz and Brian King. Mon, 22 Sep 2008 01:01:29 -0600 Democrat Brian King is running for House District 28, which encompasses eastern Salt Lake City. The seat is open after Representative Roz McGee announced she would be retiring. King is a Salt Lake City attorney who has practiced law for more than 20 years, performing litigation against health, life and disability insurance companies. Much of his work involves the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. King has been the lead attorney on more than a dozen class action lawsuits. He is currently president of the Utah Association for Justice. King is running on a platform of improving education, bolstering the economy, increasing access to health care and housing, and increasing ethical standards. Fri, 19 Sep 2008 12:45:56 -0600 Republican Jason Chaffetz defeated incumbent Congressman Chris Cannon by a 20-point margin in the June primary, which gained national attention. He was Governor Jon Huntsman's campaign manager in 2004 and then served as his chief of staff for two years. He's the owner of Maxtera Utah, a corporate communications and marketing firm. Chaffetz also serves as a trustee for Utah Valley University. During the primary, he spent about half a million dollars less than the incumbent. He hopes to bring that same fiscal discipline to Washington, along with his seven-point plan to reduce illegal immigration. With a smile on his face, he jokes that he used to be a Democrat until he learned to read and write. Fri, 19 Sep 2008 12:40:40 -0600 Don't have time to listen to our full conversations with candidates Bill Dew and Jean Welch Hill? Listen to our brief wrap-up of last week's Politics Up Close with Jeff Robinson. Mon, 15 Sep 2008 01:01:55 -0600 Jean Welch Hill is an attorney for the State Board of Education. She's running for Attorney General against incumbent Mark Shurtleff. Last year, she argued against Shurtleff that school vouchers should not have been implemented before the voter referendum on the issue. Her position was affirmed by the Utah Supreme Court. Before joining the board, she was a teacher at Judge Memorial High School and a columnist for the Salt Lake Tribune. Hill believes that Utah's government lacks balance. She's running on a platform of campaign finance reform, ethics reform, education reform, and clamping down on predatory lenders. Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:08:40 -0600 Bill Dew hopes to replace incumbent Democratic Congressman Jim Matheson in the 2nd District of the Utah House of Representatives. Dew is the founder of Dewbury Homes. He was born and raised in Utah. He graduated from the University of Utah and served in the Army Reserves for almost a decade. He's also done humanitarian work with his wife in Jordan. Dew is running on a platform of energy independence and securing America's borders to reduce the effects of illegal immigration. He won the Republican nomination at the state convention back in May, beating former Congressman Merrill Cook. Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:06:11 -0600 Don't have time to listen to our full conversations with political candidates Dr. Joe Jarvis and Bennion Spencer? Listen to our brief wrap-up of last week's Politics Up Close with Jeff Robinson. Mon, 08 Sep 2008 01:00:32 -0600 Dr. Joe Jarvis hopes to represent downtown Salt Lake City and The Avenues in the Utah House of Representatives. He'll be challenging Democratic incumbent Rebecca Chavez-Houck, who was appointed after Ralph Becker left the position. Jarvis earned his bachelor's from BYU in 1978, then his medicine degree from the University of Utah in 1982. He's served as president and chair of the board of the Utah Health Policy Project, and also on the board of directors for the Utah Public Health Association. Jarvis ran for Senate District 2 in 2006. Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:38:32 -0600 An April audit called Salt Lake's Planning Department dysfunctional. We'll talk with Wilford Sommerkorn, the new Director, about his plans to turn restore the public's confidence in the department. We'll talk about the Public Square and the state of operations at KCPW. We're undergoing management and ownership changes, and awaiting FCC approval for the sale so we can close on it and carry on. This means changes for our community forum-The Public Square. Wasatch Public Media CEO Ed Sweeney joins us to talk about the future, our goals, and how to shape The Public Square to further the voices in our community and ensure excellence in journalism. Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:39:06 -0600 He's worked for Hilary Clinton's presidential campaign, a high-profile Utah legislative campaign, and is now a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, at just 18 years old. We'll talk with Apollo Pazell, the third youngest delegate ever.Attorney General Mark Shurtleff joins us to talk about Amber Alerts, his recent deal with cable companies to prevent Pornography, his efforts in helping the number of foreclosures, and Polygamy. Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:35:35 -0600 The Timpanogos Storytelling Festival kicks off this Thursday. We'll talk with storyteller and musician Susan Reed and storyteller and festival committee member Cheri Davis. University of Utah officials in the process of selecting two finalists for designing its ambitious mixed-use commercial project on the Rice Eccles Stadium parking lot. We'll talk with Mike Perez from University Development and Betsy Burton from Local Utah First about the project and the impact on local businesses. Tue, 26 Aug 2008 10:50:22 -0600 Thousands of Utahns are diagnosed with cancer every year and coping with the disease presents emotional, physical, and financial challenges. Scott Burton, author of "A Life in Balance," is a stand-up comic who is helping cancer patients to learn to laugh and love life with cancer. We'll talk with him and cancer survivor Mary Ann Gerber, who are both speaking at this year's Survivor Day at Salt Lake Community College. Plus, this months edition of "Poetry is Wanted Here." Ken Sanders and Alex Caldiero will focus on poems dealing with loss. Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:17:01 -0600 Cases of autism are increasing and now 1 in every 150 people has the disorder. Research now suggests that children as young as 1 year old can show signs of autism. We'll tell you what to look for with Dr. William McMahon, the new Chairman of the University of Utah Department of Psychiatry. The 2008 Breastfeeding Café is being held throughout August at the Salt Lake City Main Library. The event features classes and "Mother's Circles." We'll talk about the current public breastfeeding regulations and issues surrounding breastfeeding with Christy Porucznick, Assistant Professor of the Public Health Program at the University of Utah. Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:14:29 -0600 Described as a real-life Lara Kroft, Kira Salak, was a war reporter in the Congo, is the first woman to traverse Papua New Guinea, and was nearly gang raped. Kira has written a book called "White Mary" based on her experiences and she joins us to talk about the book. The Utah Priorities Project surveyed Utah's voters on what they think are the most important issues in our community, and is now researching those topics. We'll talk with Steve Kroes President of the Utah Foundation about their Crime and Transportation reports. Fri, 15 Aug 2008 10:32:58 -0600 The Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization is hosting Camp Equality on Saturday in Salt Lake. The Camp aims to train 1,500 volunteers to work on campaigns this fall and to convince the public to vote for ballot measures that will give the GLBT community more rights. Sultan Shakir, a Human Rights Campaign Regional Field Director will talk to us about the camp and the issues that the GLBT community faces. Plus, every third Wednesday, The Main City Library hosts a unique music event--Salt Lake City's best local musicians play music and tell stories about their songs, their inspirations, and their experiences. It's called Music @ Main. This week's headliner is John LaMonica, he'll join us on the show. Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:56:06 -0600 The Leonardo's Executive Director has left and plans for a new building have been scaled back, in the midst of preparing for the hugely popular Body Works Exhibit. We'll talk with the new executive director Peter Giles about the future plans for the Leonardo. Plus, an extremely rare copy of The Declaration of Independence is coming to the Utah State Capitol Building on Friday and Saturday. The Declaration is one of only 25 surviving Dunlap copies printed on the evening of July 4th. We talk with Ryan Thurgood, the organizer of the document's Tour. Wed, 13 Aug 2008 12:39:41 -0600 Over 115 police officers have died while serving in Utah. A new memorial honoring these fallen officers will be dedicated in just a few weeks. We'll share some of the fallen officer's stories and talk about why the Utah Law Enforcement Memorial is important to the community, and what we as a community can do to help. Joining us will be Robert Kirby, columnist for the Salt Lake Tribune and Honorary Board Member of the Utah Law Enforcement Memorial and Clark Christensen, the President of the ULEM join us to talk about the stories of these officers, what we can do to help, and how these tragic deaths can be prevented. Plus, how much do you know about America's First Ladies? We'll talk with Jacqueline Berger, author of Love, Lies and Tears: An Intimate Look at America's First Ladies, Vol. I. She will be speaking at the Tessman Auditorium at the Main City Library at 7pm August 13th. Tue, 12 Aug 2008 12:43:06 -0600 The University of Utah has one of the 29 nuclear engineering programs remaining in the U.S. We'll talk about the future of the nuclear industry with Dr. Paul Tikalsky the Chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Utah and Peter Jenkins a Doctorate student in Nuclear Engineering. Plus, the latest survey of the Corporation for National and Community Service ranks Utah Number 1 in Volunteering, but some organizations like the Utah Food Bank still don't have enough donations. Which organizations are Utahns volunteering for, and why are so many people doing it? Joining us to talk about these issues are Jim Pugh Executive Director of Utah Food Bank Services and Gordon Walker from the Division of Housing and Community Development. Mon, 11 Aug 2008 09:49:37 -0600 The Outdoor Retailers show is in town, we'll talk about why the Outdoor Industry Association chose Salt Lake for the show with Frank Hugelmeyer, President of the Outdoor Industry Association. We'll also talk about growth and future of outdoor recreation sports with Paul Fish from Mountain Gear. A meeting between the group, Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons and leaders from the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been canceled, after church leaders agreed to hear the groups concerns. Instead Affirmation set up a press conference this morning to communicate what they would have said to church leaders. We'll talk about the issues they want to address with George Cole, the Youth Adult Director for Affirmation. Fri, 08 Aug 2008 11:53:25 -0600 A recent survey of residents living in unincorporated areas of Salt Lake County found that they overwhelmingly prefer to remain townships, rather than joining a neighboring city. We'll explore the positives and negatives of incorporating from the township perspective and what that means to the surrounding cities. We'll talk with Jeff Silvestrini, chair of the Mount Olympus Community Council, Paulina Flint with the White City Community Council, and Kevin Lundy with the Kearns Communtiy Council. Plus, Proposed Changes to Utah's CHIP and Utah Premium Partnership is creating a debate among Health Care Organizations. Joining us to talk about the pros and cons of these changes are Nathan Checketts, Director of the Utah Department of Health's Bureau of Access who proposed the changes and Lincoln Nehring Medicaid Policy Director for the Utah Health Policy Project, who appose the changes. Thu, 07 Aug 2008 10:57:25 -0600 There are lots of ideas going around about what can get you better gas mileage, inflating your tires, not driving as fast, but what really works? We'll talk with aerospace engineer and physicist Ernie Rogers who drove 3,000 miles to Alaska getting 65 miles per gallon. The trip was sponsored by the Utah Valley Sierra Forum. Plus, We'll get an update about Wasatch Public Media's purchase of KCPW from Ed Sweeney, CEO of Wasatch Public Media. Wed, 06 Aug 2008 09:40:33 -0600 The 63rd anniversary of the atomic bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki is on August 6th. How have the dangers of nuclear weapons changed since then and what can we do to stop them? We'll talk with the former Mayor of Hiroshima, Takashi Hiraoka, who is speaking at the Main City Library August 6th at 7:30pm. Plus, How do we understand how Terrorism effects the lives of others? The No Fog West Theater, a nonprofit, student-run company based at Vassar College, is performing a new play called "Talking to Terrorists". The verbatim play is compiled from interviews with terrorists from around the world, Foreign Service workers, hostages and others whose lives have been affected by terrorism. We'll talk with Max Hershenow, Co-founder of No Fog West Theatre and the Director of the film, plus Madeleine Joyce, also a co-founder of No Fog West and an actress in the play, and Grace Cannon who helped establish No Fog West and is an actress in the play. Tue, 05 Aug 2008 12:35:27 -0600 Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker is just back from a conference on transportation innovation, equitable economic development and local food systems. He enters the Public Square to report, as well as take your calls on other city business, including how to deal with gang violence on the west side. To demonstrate the importance of public parks, Trust for Public Land will transform the Paris Ballroom into a lush urban oasis later this month. The Public Square talks with TPL's Barry Nash. Plus, ways you can help cleanup remote corners of the Beehive State with Dave Pacheco of Utah Backcountry Volunteers. Fri, 01 Aug 2008 12:49:21 -0600 Project Vote Smart will bring the nation's first Voters' Self-Defense System to the People's Market Sunday from 10-3. Why do voters need such a defense? Entering the Public Square to talk about it is Adelaide Kimball, senior board member of Project Vote Smart, which wants to train voters to defend themselves against what it calls self-serving, manipulative claims made by campaigns. New micro-grants from Slow Food Utah will help local food producers. In turn, there will be more choice at grocery stores, farmers markets and restaurants closer to home, which means you can save money and reduce your waistline - if you go local with your food budget. The Public Square talks with Slow Food Utah's Christi Poulson and Morgan Valley Lamb's Linda Gillmor. Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:01:38 -0600 The Romero Alternative is a new community group seeking answers from within when it comes to gangs on Salt Lake City's West Side. Organizers Michael Clara and Miles Kinikini enter The Public Square to talk about the group, which takes its inspiration from the late Archbishop of San Salvador, Oscar Romero. What if you could get top-notch medical care by highly-skilled, U.S.-trained physicians in a world-class medical facility, all at a cost far less than treatment in the United States? It's called medical tourism, and hundreds of thousands of Americans each year are doing it. The Public Square talks with Utah Dr. Paul Gahlinger about the pros and cons of the practice, which he documents in his new book The Medical Tourism Travel Guide. Wed, 30 Jul 2008 16:12:50 -0600 Nancy Tessman has moved from books to ending poverty. Yes, it's much more complicated than that simple sentence. Tune in to find out what led the former Salt Lake City Library Director to take the helm of Choice Humanitarian. Plus the growing political power of the Intermountain West will reshape presidential politics. The Brookings Institution says the increasing urbanization of the region calls for a greater federal partnership. The Public Square talks it over with Alan Matheson of Envision Utah, the public-private partnership which has been helping Utahns plan for future growth for more than a decade. Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:42:45 -0600 Planned Parenthood Action Council of Utah is calling on state lawmakers to implement a more comprehensive approach to the state's sexual education curriculum. PPAC executive Director Missy Bird and Kathy Burke, assistant medical director, enters the Public Square to talk about the group's new Prevention Now! campaign. Fact meets fiction in Loving Frank, the debut novel by Nancy Horan. The Public Square separates the two with Horan, who spent seven years investigating the relationship between famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright and early-20th century feminist Mamah Borthwick Cheney. Cheney and Wright left both their families to be with each other. Did they live happily ever after? Horan will read from and sign her book Wednesday as part of the City Library's Authors Live! series. The Public Square gets a preview. Mon, 28 Jul 2008 14:30:53 -0600 After years of fund-raising and planning, the Utah Museum of Natural History is ready to break ground on a new building to house its 1.2-million artifacts. Museum director Sarah George enters the Public Square to talk about the greening of the project and what museum-goers can expect for the price of admission. Lead architect Todd Schliemann of Polshek Partnership Architects joined the conversation. Plus, more and more cyclists are taking to city streets these days, from the mayor to the governor. The ins and outs of biking to work, the need for better city planning to accommodate cyclists, and the impact on bike shops with three cycling commuters Brian Hall of the Utah League of Cities and Towns, transportation engineer Travis Jensen, and Saturday Cycles owner Mark Kennedy. Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:00:38 -0600 Sgt. Alex Lemons just got back from his fourth tour of duty in Iraq, where he worked directly under General Petraeus, training the Iraqi army. He says the troop surge may have reduced the violence but has not addressed the fundamental problems plaguing the country, including the growing influence of Iranian organizations. Plus, the Department of Veterans Affairs has announced that 39 new veterans centers will be built across the nation, none of which are in Utah. Terry Schow, Executive Director for the Utah Department of Veterans Affairs joins us on the show to talk about the need for veterans centers in St. George and Ogden, and how he feels that Utah has been short changed by the VA. Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:01:42 -0600 Eight treasured rivers that are among the many trout fisheries in the West are in serious trouble, including Utah's Logan River. Trout Unlimited Utah biologist Warren Coyler and Theo Spencer of the Natural Resources Defense Council's Climate Center talk about the report released today Trout In Trouble: The Impacts of Global Warming on Trout in the Interior West. Plus City Library Director Beth Elder stops by The Public Square to talk books, library events, and the role of a library in civil society. Click the read more button below to get Elder's book picks. Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:15:01 -0600 Long-time Chicano activist John Florez enters the Public Square to talk about the growing gang problem in the Salt Lake Valley. Florez says the solutions of the past could work today, especially peer-to-peer mentoring. With the Days of '47 upon us, the rodeo is in town. That also means animal rights protests. BYU Professor Chris Foster says Utah's founding pioneers would be disappointed that their historic efforts are celebrated with a rodeo and barbecues. The Public Square talks with Foster about Mormonism and Animal Rights, a subject he'll address tonight, 7:30, at the main City Library on behalf of the Utah Animal Rights Coalition. Click here to email Foster about his power point presentation. Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:31:31 -0600 Religious liberty, public education and the future of American democracy with Dr. Charles C. Haynes, senior scholar at the First Amendment Center in Washington, D.C. He'll be at Westminster College next month for a three-day conference on practical strategies for teaching religious liberty and its natural role in education. The Public Square gets a preview. Half of Utah's American Indian students drop out of high school before earning a diploma, according to the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Educational Statistics. What should the state be doing about it? The Public Square talks with Forrest Cuch, the Director of the Utah Division of Indian Affairs, and Davina Spotted Elk, from the University of Utah American Indian Teacher Training Program. Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:18:42 -0600 How much do you know about the state you live in and the historical landmarks that show its history? Plus a new online tool to easily find and support the arts. The Public Square talks with Nancy Boskoff of the Salt Lake City Arts Council and Kirk Huffaker from the Utah Heritage Foundation about the fun places to take your family to learn about the unique history of Utah and to get a little culture this summer. Plus, how is Utah's economy fairing in the national economic downturn? Is your money safe in Utah's regional banks? Dr. Kelly Mathews, executive vice president and economist for Wells Fargo, enters The Public Square. Lastly, should Utah end the prohibition of medical marijuana and industrial hemp? A rally to do just that will be held Saturday at the Capitol. The Utah Coalition against Prohibition enters the Public Square. Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:33:00 -0600 The Sutherland Institute has recently published two reports on Education, one accuses the Utah Education system of manipulating data in order to keep certain schools open, and the other examines the rights of parents to choose curriculum to teach their home-schooled children. Dan Witte, Sutherland trustee and lawyer, enters the Public Square to explain. Plus it's the third Thursday of the month and time again for Poetry Is Wanted Here with Ken Sanders and Alex Caldiero. This month's focus: the poetry of Allen Ginsberg. Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:26:06 -0600 Diabetes is on the rise in Utah, and 25 percent of people with the disease don't know that they have it. Richard Bullough, Program Manager for the Utah Department of Health Diabetes Prevention and Control Program, enters the Public Square to talk about symptoms, prevention and treatment. Share your stories of living with diabetes during the show. Plus, how are you adapting your family vacation in light of high gas prices? Dan Nailen, arts and entertainment editor at Salt Lake Magazine, helps The Public Square plan the perfect in-state road trip. Plus details on Raspberry Days and the Lamb Day Parade from the folks who run them. Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:25:41 -0600 Is the moral conscience that we develop a result of our situation or are we born with an inner compass? If the United States was a in crisis situation like Darfur, how many of us would break the law in oder to survive? The Public Square talks with University of Utah professor of psychology Cecilia Wainryb, co-author of a new study on the moral development of children in violent society published today in the journal Child Development. Plus, the Downtown Theater Action Group (DTAG) says the capital city should act now and purchase land for a Broadway-class theatre. Does this signal an appetite for the boards? Are the arts alive and well in Salt Lake City? The Public Square talks with Bill Becker, who chairs the DTAG, and Jerry Rapier of Plan-B Theatre Co. Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:25:11 -0600 A study released by the U.S. Census about the 2006 general election places Utah dead last among the 50 states for voter participation. What are the stumbling blocks that voters face in getting out to vote and what can be done to turn it around? Entering the Public Square to talk about voter participation - Salt Lake County Clerk Sherrie Swensen and Nancy Melling, Co-President of the League of Women Voters of Utah. Plus, William Sederburg just got done launching Utah Valley University. His next task - Commissioner of Higher Education. The Public Square talks with Sederburg about keeping college tuition affordable, getting more students into college, and the best mascots at football games. Fri, 11 Jul 2008 17:37:30 -0600 Approximately 400 refugees are slated to arrive in Utah by September. Some say that we already have too many for our resources and programs. Gerald Brown from the new state Office of Refugee Services enters the Public Square to talk about whether Utah's doors should be closed to more refugees. Plus Brinton Jones of alt-country band The Devil Whale stops by the Public Square to talk about making music, sore throats and literature of the heart. Jones will be next Wednesday's featured artist for the City Library's Music@Main series. Series curator and local musician Andrew Shaw joins the conversation. Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:16:52 -0600 A nearly 160-mile long pipeline proposed to divert water from Lake Powell to a reservoir in Washington County is drawing criticism from environmentalists as well as Nevada water officials - which is ironic considering the Southern Nevada Water Authority wants to stick a straw in an aquifer the stretches across the border and could turn Utah's Snake Valley into a dustbowl. The Public Square gets an update on these and other water issues with Mike Styler of the Dept. of Natural Resources and Eric Millis, deputy director for the Utah Division of Water Resources. Outside magazine named Ogden as one of the top 10 best towns in America in its August issue released this week. The Public Square talks with Mayor Matthew Godfrey about his plan to transform the northern Utah city into the adventure-sports capital of America. Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:15:38 -0600 Law enforcement says gang membership is on the rise. Why is the gangster life so appealing to kids across the Salt Lake Valley? The Public Square talks with Salt Lake County Sheriff's Detective Lex Bell about what he sees happening on the streets, while Sid Casillas of the West Valley Community Center talks about Project 180, the center's gang intervention program. Established in 1968, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Salt Lake has grown from a single facility to three permanent clubs in Salt Lake and outreach sites in Park City and Tooele. On its 40th anniversary, the group reports helping 800 kids a day. The Public Square explores the success of the program with president and CEO LeAnn Saldivar and 19-year-old Joey Lepore, who now works at the club where he used to be a member. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:26:33 -0600 An ethics investigation surrounding events in the state treasurer's primary race has been called off with the resignation of Rep. Mark Walker. But does that mean there is so ethics problem on Utah's Capitol Hill? The Public Square talks about ethics reform in the Utah Legislature with Kirk Jowers of the Hinckley Institute of Politics and veteran political reporter Paul Rolly of The Salt Lake Tribune. Plus, author Stephen Trimble has written a book about a local oil and hotel magnate and the man's reshaping of Mount Ogden. Yet it doesn't contain a single interview with his subject, Earl Holding. So how do you get close to such a reclusive subject? The Public Square talks with Trimble about Bargaining for Eden: The Fight for the Last Open Spaces in America. Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:50:05 -0600 Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker has now spent more than 180 days in office. The Public Square talks about the hits and misses of his six-month action plan, as well as what happens now. Plus, The University Of Utah Counseling Psychology program is recruiting men to be interviewed about their romantic relationships with women. The goal is to better understand how men learn about interacting with women. The Public Square talks with lead researcher and doctoral student William Elder about "masculinity commandments." Study subject Jim Asbrand, a therapist and researcher himself, joins the conversation. Fri, 04 Jul 2008 14:12:38 -0600 5,000 Indian families now call Utah home. The growing community is banding together to build a center for hosting cultural events which showcase the heritage of India and South Asia. The Public Square learns more about this part of our community with Dr. Dinesh Patel, considered by many the father of biotech and pharmaceuticals in the Mountain West region, and Sneha Kumar Kasera, vice president of the India Cultural Center of Utah. Plus, how much do you really know about Independence Day? Ken Davis, author of America's Hidden History: Untold Tales of the First Pilgrims, Fighting Women, and Forgotten Founders Who Shaped a Nation talks about the top 10 things most Americans don't know about Independence Day. And, an engineer's take on the Declaration of Independence. William Hammack's audio essay comes courtesy of Illinois Public Radio and the Public Radio Exchange. Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:53:59 -0600 The Utah Foundation has released a new report on housing in Utah in conjunction with its Utah Priorities Project. The Public Square pulls apart the data with the public policy think tank's executive director, Steve Kroes. Plus, Congress has passed a bill to protect teens involved in wilderness camps. Learn the best and worst practices to look for when deciding between different programs and what overall treatment is best for troubled teens. The Public Square talks with Dr. Dan Sanderson, clinical director for RedCliff Ascent, and Steve Bell, a therapeutic recreation professor at the University of Utah. Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:56:02 -0600 School's out for summer - but how many high school seniors are on vacation with a diploma in hand? The Public Square runs the latest graduation numbers with Judy Park, Associate Superintendent for Data, Assessment and Accountability at the State Office of Education. For 30 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah has been pairing caring adults with at-risk kids. The Public Square explores the group's efforts to help boys and girls achieve their potential through positive adult relationships. Guests include BBBS partnership director John Gold, big brother Drew Elegante and his little brother, David. Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:14:54 -0600 An on-the-ground report from Utah Red Cross Volunteer Bill Gully, who's been in Wisconsin for more than two weeks. The Public Square also talks about the financial toll floods, tornadoes and other natural disasters are taking on the relief fund of the American Red Cross with local chapter CEO Maxine Margaritis. Religion and political literacy with Professor Jeffrey Nielsen, whose op-ed two years ago against the LDS Church's stance on gay marriage led to his demise at church-owned Brigham Young University. Now he's written an open letter to California Mormons in the wake of the church's request for members to support a constitutional ban on gay marriage in that state. Click "Read More" below for Nielsen's open letter to California Mormons. Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:05:14 -0600 Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon will be here to answer your questions. You can email one right now to publicsquare@kcpw.org. More from the 32nd Annual Utah Arts Festival with cartoonist and literacy activist Phil Yeh. He's spending the festival's four days creating a mural in the window of Night Flight Comics on the plaza at Library Square. Thanks to NFC's Mimi Cruz for bringing Phil to the Public Square.Poet Sara Caldiero gives us a preview of her Arts Festival performance, which is Saturday, June 28, 6 p.m. on the Big Mouth Stage. Her dad, Alex Caldiero of KCPW's Poetry is Wanted Here, follows at 7 p.m. that night. Get more literary arts details by clicking here. Plus film at the arts fest. The Public Square talks with Fear No Film curator Topher Horman, and short film auteurs Scott Kawczynski and Murray Triplett. Plus why is BYU such a hot bed of animation? Student animator Glenn Harmon of Pajama Gladiator fills us in. Questions, comments suggestions -- email publicsquare@kcpw.org. Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:13:27 -0600 The Utah Arts Festival kicks off today at Library Square in Downtown Salt Lake. Tying the event together in order to "vibrate under one umbrella," the Arts Festival will feature a 700-foot "Earth Harp" spanning Library Square and turning it into a working musical instrument. Bill Close enters the Public Square to talk about and play the Earth Harp. Plus we'll talk to some of the exhibiting artists - more than 133 have booths set up, from painting to pottery, fiber arts, metal work, sculpture, multi-media collage, printmakers, jewelry and toys. The Public Square digs into the artist's life. Artists include: Jennifer Worsley (pastels), Lynn Meecham (oil), Linda Curtis-Stover (oil), and Cheryl Livingston-Young (oil). Later this hour, join us for the music of Calico, a Salt Lake music group performing at the Arts Festival. Bandmates Andrew Shaw and Brady Gunnell will play some of their songs and talk about musical inspiration. Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:57:35 -0600 Get ready: 80,000 people will descend on Library Square for this weekend's 32nd Annual Utah Arts Festival. They'll find more than 130 visual artists, nearly 100 performing groups and 20 culinary vendors. It's the intersection of art and commerce. Festival Director Lisa Sewell enters KCPW's Public Square to explain the delicate balance. Plus we'll talk about the art of jazz and classical composition, as well as the 2008 Mayor's Artist Awards. Guests include festival commission directors Henry Wolking (jazz) and John V. Costa (classical).Plus an Urban Arts track will highlight hip hop culture and graffiti artists. The Public Square talks with hip hop coordinator and dancer Heather Fountaine and dancer Matt Hardman. Join the conversation by coming down to Library Square for KCPW's Public Square. Or email publicsquare@kcpw.org during the show to participate. Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:39:21 -0600 The picture of today's average college kid is a student that microblogs with Twitter, rocks Guitar Hero on the Wii, and fuels late-night cram sessions with cases of Red Bull. So what drives Utah college sophomore Xanthe Webb to put all that behind for service work in Guatemala? Webb enters the Public Square to talk about Charity Anywhere and the group's summer trip to build a medical center, orphanage and clean water facility in Central America. Lindsay Jardine, a key coordinator for Charity Anywhere's Guatemala trip also joins the conversation. Taking the "Live Local Challenge." Utah Independents Week starts Saturday. The Public Square learns how to "live locally" and why it matters to our pocketbooks, our economy, and the environment with Alison Einerson of Local First Utah. Tin Angel Cafe co-owner Kestrel Liedtke joins the conversation. Plus Native American Music Awards 2007 Artist of the Year Arvel Bird will be live in studio. Bird makes it back to his home state as part of his "Many Tribes, One Fire" tour and adds his music to the Public Square. You can see Bird at the Heber Valley Pow-Wow June 27-29. Join the conversation. Call 355-TALK or email publicsquare@kcpw.org during the show to participate. Mon, 23 Jun 2008 18:13:21 -0600 The summer job that's such a rite of passage for teens - lifeguard. But what about the pressures of working poolside, where sunscreen and CPR are needed in equal measure? Guests: lifeguard Lauren Stapley and Mary Mathiessen, Health and Safety Director for the Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter of the American Red Cross, which will hold its 2008 LifeGuard Games next month.Staff reporter Jeff Robinson enters KCPW's Public Square to talk about the Republican primary in the Third Congressional District. At 11:30 on The Bottomline - the connection between economic development and transportation. A conversation about Downtown in Motion, a collective effort to solve downtown Salt Lake transportation issues. But can they synchronize the lights? Guests include SLC Transportation Director Tim Harpst and Carla Wiese of the Downtown Alliance. Plus a conversation about this show's new name: The Public Square. Dani Eyer, former executive director of the ACLU of Utah, talks about civil discourse in a partisan era. Eyer is part of the Utah Humanities Council's Public Square speakers program, which is separate from KCPW. However, the UHC will partner with KCPW's Public Square to explore areas of mutual interest. Join the conversation. Call 355-TALK or email midday@kcpw.org during the show to participate. Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:14:56 -0600 Midday Metro goes to the source on 20 years of providing health care to Utah's homeless population. Fourth Street Clinic medical director Cristina Gallop and communication director Jenn Hyvonen, will be here to talk about the health care needs of Utah's growing homeless population. Microsoft last week announced it would fund efforts by the Intermountain Healthcare Clinical Genetics Institute at Salt Lake's LDS Hospital to create an electronic tool for gathering family health histories. Midday Metro talks about medical care, convenience and privacy issues with Dr. Marc Williams, director of the Clinical Genetics Institute, which requested $168,800 for the project.Plus the best vantage point for the summer solstice with Patrick Wiggins, NASA Solar System Ambassador to Utah and northeastern Nevada. Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:15:48 -0600 Recent State inspection reports say elder care has some serious deficiencies. We'll take an in depth look at the inspection process of Nursing Homes with Matt Canham from the Salt Lake Tribune and John Inglish from the Disability Law Center. Click here to access the Trib's unique database on Utah nursing homes. Plus, how are family vacations changing? Midday Metro talks with Susan Sessions Rugh about her new book, Are We There Yet? The Golden Age of American Family Vacations. Tell us your vacation stories and how family vacations today are different than those of your childhood -- especially with gas hitting $4-a-gallon. Join the conversation. Call 355-TALK or email midday@kcpw.org during the show to participate. Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:55:40 -0600 A conversation about the International Baccalaureate program in Utah high schools. Is it a front for anti-American propaganda or a way for students to gain a broader worldview? Midday Metro talks with education policy analyst Cherilyn Bacon Eagar and Rep. Carol Spackman Moss. Plus filmmaker Natalie Avery on OUTSIDE, her new documentary that follows four gay homeless youth as they face the challenging realities of daily life on the street in one of the nation's most socially conservative states - Utah. Zach Bale, director of the Homeless Youth Resource Center in SLC. Join the conversation. Call 355-TALK or email midday@kcpw.org during the show to participate. Wed, 11 Jun 2008 15:40:43 -0600 A conversation about elder care with Elinor Ginzler, Director for Livable Communities in the Office of Social Impact at AARP and author of Caring for Your Parents, A Complete Guide. She'll be in town for a special symposium on that very issue Saturday at the City Library. KUED Community Outreach Coordinator Jacqui Voland explains the half-day conference. Plus, if health class isn't the best place for teens to learn about sex, where and when is? Midday Metro goes to the source with Dr. Don Strassberg, a clinical psychologist who specializes in the area of sexual education and childhood development. Plus Annabel Sheinberg, Planned Parenthood Education Director. Click here for the state's parent-teacher resource guide on human sexuality. The books mentioned by Dr. Strassberg include Where Did I Come From and What's Happening to Me. Join the conversation. Call 355-TALK or email midday@kcpw.org during the show to participate. Midday Metro, coming up after the news here on KCPW. Wed, 11 Jun 2008 09:48:51 -0600 Thirty years ago, the LDS Church announced a revelation extending priesthood callings to all worthy males. Midday Metro talks about race and religion with Don Harwell, president of The Genesis Group, a support group for black Mormons, and the group's mission leader, Michael Joseph Rice. Plus, the shortage of Arabic translators is an obstacle in the war on terror. Midday Metro finds out what it takes to learn the language with participants in the STARTALK summer Arabic language program at BYU. Guests include Kirk Belnap, director of BYU's National Middle East Language Resource Center; high school student Josh Hveem, who took the course last summer and will continue his studies in Jordan this year; and instructor Dr. Muhammad Eissa, who teaches Arabic at the University of Chicago. Join the conversation. Call 355-TALK or email midday@kcpw.org during the show to participate. Midday Metro, coming up after the news here on KCPW. Mon, 09 Jun 2008 16:34:33 -0600 Father's Day is just around the corner. The number of solo dads has skyrocketed, almost doubling between 1990 and 2006 to about 2 million. Midday Metro talks with Trey Ellis, author of Bedtime Stories: Adventures in the Land of Single-Fatherhood. At 11:30 on The Bottomline: the business of modeling in the Beehive State. Following the meteoric success of Utah native-turned-super-model Ali Stephens, management agencies Elite, Pulse and X-Sport are opening an office in SLC. We'll talk pros and cons, red flags and stage parents with father and daughter Steve and Anja Aste, and Stacey Eastman, lead modeling scout and agent. Plus is Utah really the land of low wages? Stephen Kroes of the Utah Foundation will be here with the latest data collected through the foundation's Utah Priorities Project. Join the conversation. Call 355-TALK or email midday@kcpw.org during the show to participate. Midday Metro, coming up after the news here on KCPW. Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:30:13 -0600 Myths, stereotypes and labels are used to define communities, -- sometimes with their participation, many times without. Midday Metro talks about words like queer, gay marriage, dyke and civil unions with Yana Walton of the Utah Pride Center and Brandie Balken, part of the first couple to sign up for Salt Lake City's mutual commitment registry. Plus, how will the California Supreme Court ruling on same-sex unions affect Utah? Midday Metro hosts a conversation about marriage with Bill Duncan of the Provo-based Marriage Law Foundation and Reverend Tom Goldsmith of the First Unitarian Church, who will conduct the interfaith service for this weekend's 2008 Utah Pride Festival. Join the conversation. Call 355-TALK or email midday@kcpw.org during the show to participate. Thu, 05 Jun 2008 18:01:51 -0600 In its attempt to salvage money for Fire Station #5, the Salt Lake City Council has proposed eliminating free Saturday parking and possibly extending parking meter hours to 10 p.m. Some business owners are crying foul. Midday Metro goes to the source on the downtown dilemma with Tony Weller of Sam Weller's Zion Bookstore, Richard Wirick of the Oxford Shop, and City Councilman Luke Garrott. Cancer never sleeps. This weekend's 24-hour Relay For Life will underscore that reality while raising money and awareness for the fight against cancer. Midday Metro talks with cancer survivor and team leader Josh Hunt and event chair Kelsey Reynolds about the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. Plus, is new media taking over traditional advertising methods? More and more businesses are using the Internet to sell products, and not just with online ads. Midday Metro goes to the source with Matt Reinbold from Vox Pop Design and Kendall Carr, Director of Social Media for Base Camp Communications. They will both be at the Blogging for Business Conference tomorrow at the Red Lion Hotel. Join the conversation. Call 355-TALK or email midday@kcpw.org during the show to participate. Wed, 04 Jun 2008 17:50:24 -0600 With crime on the rise in the capital city, one group has decided to do something about it. The first Guardian Angels patrol took place Saturday at Pioneer Park. Will their efforts help deter crime or create tension among the people who use the park? Midday Metro goes to the source with Freddie Samora, patrol leader for the Salt Lake Chapter of the Guardian Angels, Flute Holland, national director of training, and Frank Lee, national director of chapter and operational development. The new Digital Learning Center at Utah Valley State College opened this week. It's unique because it's the first building using the State's new High Performance Building Standards - the heart of Governor Huntsman's Energy Efficiency Initiative. Midday Metro talks with Dianne Nielson, the governor's energy advisor, for an update on the program. Click here for the first State Energy Efficiency Report.Plus doing business in China involves a greater deal of quality control these days. Midday Metro delves into best practices with Aaron Wong, who’s organizing a seminar on the topic at SLCC this week and next month. Join the conversation. Call 355-TALK or email midday@kcpw.org during the show to participate. Tue, 03 Jun 2008 15:51:41 -0600 Summertime - lazy days, waterfights, picnics and outdoor fun. As temperatures start to climb in the Beehive State, thousands of kids head outside for pee wee football, swimming, hiking, fishing, and general running around - what's the best way to keep them safe and entertained? Midday Metro goes to the source with Janet Brooks from Safe Kids Utah and Kevin Condra from the Violence and Injury Prevention Program of the Utah Department of Health. Plus - what does America owe Iraqis injured in the service of the American military? Midday Metro explores the issue with Diyar Al-Biyati, who lost his legs in a 2006 roadside bomb while acting as an interpreter for U.S. troops in Iraq. He now lives in Salt Lake City. Update: If you'd like to help Diyar, an account has been set up for him at Bank of the West (142 E. 200 S., SLC, (801) 519-7827). The account is called High Road for Human Rights Advocacy for Diyar. Join the conversation. Call 355-TALK or email midday@kcpw.org during the show to participate. Mon, 02 Jun 2008 16:52:39 -0600 Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker will be here to talk with Midday Metro listeners. If you have a question or comment you'd like to be at the head of the pack, email me now - midday@kcpw.org. Or post a question or comment below. Then again, you can always call 355-TALK during the show. At 11:30 on The Bottomline - KCPW's weekly focus on business news - fraud in Utah. How to spot it, how to fight it, how to avoid being a victim. Midday Metro goes to the source with Chief Deputy Attorney General Kirk Torgensen and Jody Young of the Better Business Bureau. Plus, if you're looking for a job or a change in careers, how about Corrections? Cory Greer of the Utah Department of Corrections has been assigned to recruit more men and women for the department. Midday Metros asks about pay, perks and life working behind bars. Join the conversation. Call 355-TALK or email midday@kcpw.org during the show to participate. Fri, 30 May 2008 12:00:25 -0600 Career criminals with mental illnesses are straining Utah's justice system. Expanding a mental health courts program may be the answer. Midday Metro goes to the source with Salt Lake City prosecutor Sim Gill and Dr. Alan Rice of Valley Mental Health. Senator Howard Stephenson responds to a lawsuit filed to derail implementation of Senate Bill 2, the omnibus education bill, which he sponsored during this year's legislative session. Senate President John Valentine also gives us his thoughts on the matter. 11:55 AM: A daily update on KCPW's drive for independence-or-bust. Ed Sweeney of Wasatch Public Media will have the latest update on the purchase of KCPW's from Community Wireless. Click here for a capital campain donation form. Join the conversation. Call 355-TALK or email midday@kcpw.org during the show to participate. Thu, 29 May 2008 16:26:54 -0600 As President Bush touches down in Salt Lake City to raise money for presumptive Republican Party nominee John McCain, former SLC Mayor Rocky Anderson prepares to once again rally Salt Lakers to oppose the war in Iraq and what he calls flagrant violations of the Constitution and crimes against humanity. Anderson is a lead organizer in this afternoon's Peace and Human Rights rally at Washington Square. Midday Metro goes to the source on a plan to create renewable energy zones across the West with Rich Halvey of the Western Governor’s Association. The WGA will present the concept at a kick-off meeting in SLC today. Plus Utah’s in the middle of the pack when it comes to children’s health care. Midday Metro goes to the source on the first-ever state-by-state scorecard on the matter. Karen Davis, president of The Commonwealth Fund, joins the show to break down the data. 11:55 AM: Ed Sweeney of Wasatch Public Media will have the latest on the purchase of KCPW from Community Wireless of Park City. Click here for a capital campaign donation form. Join the conversation. Call 355-TALK or email midday@kcpw.org during the show to participate. Tue, 27 May 2008 16:21:23 -0600 A local organization is trying to determine how health care costs are affecting Utah's low income families. Social justice advocate Adam Burgett from the Anti-Hunger Action Committee talks about the results of the organization's recent survey. Tenisha Hicks shares her story as a client. The federal and state governments have been struggling to decide who owns the 35,000-acre migratory bird refuge near the Great Salt Lake. Officials signed an agreement Friday stating that the federal government can manage the refuge for the next three years while negotiations continue. Midday Metro talks about the next steps in getting state ownership of the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge with Steve Schwendiman of the Utah Attorney General's Office. Plus The Utah Amicus is the first blogger credentialed by the Democratic National Convention Committee. Midday Metro talks with blog founder Rob Miller about the role of the 50-state blogger corps at the party's August convention. 11:55 AM: A daily update on KCPW's drive for independence-or-bust. KCPW listeners, we need your help to make the down payment on buying the station. Ed Sweeney of Wasatch Public Media will have the latest figures on KCPW's capital campaign and answers to your questions. Join the conversation. Call 355-TALK or email midday@kcpw.org during the show to participate. Tue, 27 May 2008 08:35:20 -0600 Picking Up the Pieces: How Family and Faith Are Healing Veterans Back from War is a Prime Time Radio documentary that follows five families of veterans wounded by IEDs in Iraq and Afghanistan.The families are coping with the aftermath of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and post traumatic stress (PTSD). This special breaks new ground by focusing on the parents, especially mothers, who have given up everything -- their jobs, retirement savings, and plans for the future - to step in and care for their sons. The radio special is part of a first ever effort by AARP, drawing together print, video, audio, and the Web, and providing extensive listings of resources that affected families can use, and places where others can offer help. Every part of this project will be accessible through www.aarp.org/iraqvets. Mon, 26 May 2008 09:07:01 -0600 The roller derbies of the 1920s are back, but have mutated into a hard-hitting, full contact sport for women. Midday Metro goes to the source with Lulu Garou and Nico Noir, members of the Salt City Derby Girls League. The Wasatch Front's population continues to grow, and with it comes development of more stripmalls and subdivisions, leaving little undeveloped land. The Open Space Land Advisory Board met this week to discuss current and upcoming projects in the Salt Lake Area. Emy Storheim, Program Manager for the Open Space Lands Program, provides an update for Midday metro listeners. 11:55 AM: A daily update on KCPW's drive for independence-or-bust. KCPW listeners, we need your help to make the down payment on buying the station. Ed Sweeney of Wasatch Public Media will have the latest figures on KCPW's capital campaign and answers to your questions. Join the conversation. Call 355-TALK or email midday@kcpw.org during the show to participate. Thu, 22 May 2008 16:02:51 -0600 James Evans, chairman of the Salt Lake County Republican Party, joins Midday Metro to talk about race and politics at the local and national level. Memorial Day is just around the corner. Midday Metro talks about issues veterans face when they first come home and through the years with Terry Schow the Executive Director of the Utah Department of Veterans Affairs. 11:55 AM: A daily update on KCPW's drive for independence-or-bust. KCPW listeners, we need your help to make the down payment on buying the station. Ed Sweeney of Wasatch Public Media will have the latest figures on KCPW's capital campaign and answers to your questions. Join the conversation. Call 355-TALK or email midday@kcpw.org during the show to participate. Wed, 21 May 2008 17:04:33 -0600 The rising cost of fuel and food, plus the credit crunch are pinching many a Utah wallet. Midday Metro goes to the source with Gina Cornia of Utahns Against Hunger to find out how people are coping, while Mark Alston of The Bayou, a private club for members, and The Beer Nut talks about how the economic climate is impacting local restaurants and the beer biz. Grocery Guru Ken Roesbery offers money-saving tips for MM listeners. Plus, expanding the NAACP's Stay In School Program. The NAACP's Jeanetta Williams and Edward Lewis Jr. will be here. 11:55 AM: A daily update on KCPW's drive for independence-or-bust. KCPW listeners, we need your help to make the down payment on buying the station. Ed Sweeney of Wasatch Public Media will have the latest figures on KCPW's capital campaign and he'll be here to answer your questions. Join the conversation. Call 355-TALK or email midday@kcpw.org during the show to participate. Tue, 20 May 2008 16:19:39 -0600 A local organization is fed up with Utah liquor laws. The Utah Hospitality Association is looking for signatures on a petition to abolish private clubs in Utah. Midday Metro goes to the source with attorney Lisa Marcy McGarry, a board member of the Utah Hospitality Association. Plus, a new book captures the history of the western U.S. and the feelings and attitudes associated with the Civil War and the Great Depression. Jack Todd talks with Midday Metro about his first work of fiction, Sun Going Down. Todd will be at The King's English Bookshop this evening to read and sign the book. 11:55 a.m. - daily update on KCPW's drive for independence-or-bust. KCPW listeners, we need your help to make the down payment on buying the station. Ed Sweeney of Wasatch Public Media will have the latest figures on KCPW's capital campaign and he'll answer your questions. Join the conversation. Call 355-TALK or email midday@kcpw.org during the show to participate. Mon, 19 May 2008 17:12:06 -0600 According to a story in the Salt Lake Tribune, Kennecott Land and Salt Lake County have reached an impasse when it comes to jointly planning Kennecott's massive west-bench development. Midday Metro goes to the source - Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon. Plus, a new program at the University of Utah is working toward making coal emissions environmentally friendly. Midday Metro goes to the source with two visiting experts working to ensure the future of coal. Guests: Dr. Joseph Strakey, chief technology officer, U.S. Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory, and Dr. Praveen Amar, director of science and policy, Northeast State for Coordinated Use of Air Management. 11:55 AM: A daily update on KCPW's drive for independence-or-bust. KCPW listeners, we need your help to make the down payment on buying the station. Ed Sweeney of Wasatch Public Media will have the latest figures on KCPW's capital campaign and he'll answer your questions. Join the conversation. Call 355-TALK or email midday@kcpw.org during the show to participate. Sun, 18 May 2008 10:58:57 -0600 Salt Lake County Sheriff Jim Winder says he's ready to back a unified approach to law enforcement in the county. The Jordan School District split has become a bigger project than many imagined. Midday Metro goes to the source with leaders from the transition teams - Steve Newton (Jordan East) and Ralph Haws (Jordan West). 11:55 AM: A daily update on KCPW's drive for independence-or-bust. KCPW listeners, we need your help to make the down payment on buying the station. Ed Sweeney of Wasatch Public Media will have the latest figures on KCPW's capital campaign and he'll answer your questions. Join the conversation. Call 355-TALK or email midday@kcpw.org during the show to participate. Thu, 15 May 2008 17:14:06 -0600 Scientists, conservationists, and even developers are working to preserve a balance between human populations and mountain lions as development continues to encroach on predator territory. Midday Metro goes the source with USU Professor Michael Wolfe and wildlife biologist Tom Becker, who will take part in a public forum on the issue Thursday night at Westminster College. Celebrating the authentic and traditional arts of our many ethnic groups - Midday Metro goes to the source with Casey Jarman, organizer of this weekend's 23rd annual Living Traditions Festival at Washington Square. Joining the conversation: Craig Miller, Utah Arts Council Folks Arts Program, and Dominic Raimondo, who will be demonstrating the Sudanese tradition of clay bull-sculpting. Utahns currently enjoy relatively cheap energy, but a new report says it won't last and that Utah lawmakers should start looking at our energy options, including nuclear power and renewables. Midday Metro goes to the source - Steve Kroes of the Utah Foundation. 11:55 AM: A daily update on KCPW's drive for independence-or-bust. KCPW listeners, we need your help to make the down payment on buying the station. Ed Sweeney of Wasatch Public Media will have the latest figures on KCPW's capital campaign and he'll answer your questions. Join the conversation. Call 355-TALK or email midday@kcpw.org during the show to participate. Mon, 12 May 2008 17:34:55 -0600 Many of Utah's most influential policy leaders will meet Tuesday to discuss the impact of the 2008 Legislature's decisions that affect business, the economy and taxes at the annual Taxes Now conference. It's organized by a conservative, pro-business group. Midday Metro goes to the source with the president of the Utah Taxpayers Association, Senator Howard Stephenson. At 10:30 on The Bottomline: Expanding Utah's worldview with John Winston Howard . He was Australia's second-longest serving prime minister, and he'll be in town for Zions Bank's International Trade Conference next week. The conference will recognize Salt Lake-based Black Diamond Equipment as a Global Pacesetter. Midday Metro finds out why with the company's chief financial officer, Robert Peay, and Mark Garfield, Zions Bank International Banking Department. 11:55 AM: A daily update on KCPW's drive for independence-or-bust. KCPW listeners, we need your help to make the down payment on buying the station. Ed Sweeney of Wasatch Public Media will have the latest figures on KCPW's capital campaign and he'll answer your questions. Join the conversation. Call 355-TALK or email midday@kcpw.org during the show to participate. Fri, 09 May 2008 17:37:14 -0600 University of Utah Masters in Architecture students are putting their talents to work tackling everything from downtown planning to humanitarian relief. Midday Metro goes to the source with Ryan McMullen and Matthew Swindel, who are trying to make a difference through their senior projects. Plus, David Whyte is speaking at the Utah Arts Council's Mountain West Conference on the Arts this week. Midday Metro goes to the source on "Life at the Frontier: Leadership through Courageous Conversation."Today's water week poem comes from Lilli De Cair, who was declared champion at a poetry slam sponsored by the SLC Dept. of Public Utilities. Click the audio button below to hear De Cair's "Love Is Like Water." Thanks to Stephanie Duer for bringing the poets to MM's attention. Also, the latest details on KCPW's drive for independence or bust. Ed Sweeney of Wasatch Public Media will be here to talk about the need to raise another $238,000 by May 28th to keep the station on the air, and how the capital campaign differs from our annual spring pledge drive. Click here to fill out a donation form and send in your contribution to save KCPW. Better yet, drop it by the studios here at Library Square, 210 E. 400 S., and take a tour of the station. Operating hours, M-F, 8-6. Join the conversation. Call 355-TALK or email midday@kcpw.org during the show to participate. Tue, 06 May 2008 16:25:14 -0600 Salt Lake City has had a new mayor for four months. Is that enough time to judge a new administration? What's happening in the city's planning department, which a recent audit found to be dysfunctional? And is the freshman mayor's first budget ready for its City Council debut this week? All of that and more will be on the table as Midday Metro goes to the source - Mayor Ralph Becker.Another water week poem. This one from Trisha Hopkinson. Thanks to Stephanie Duer at the SLC Dept. of Public Utilities for bringing the poets to Midday Metro. Click here for water conservation tips from Duer's office. Click the audio button below for Hopkinson's poem. Daniel Ellsberg, the man who released the Pentagon Papers, is now comparing the situation in Iraq and Iran to the secrets kept during Vietnam. Midday Metro goes to the source on a national movement to encourage truth-telling. Ellsberg is in town for the 50th anniversary of the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah. Join the conversation. Call 355-TALK or email midday@kcpw.org during the show to participate. Mon, 05 May 2008 17:35:26 -0600 It's water week in Utah. According to the Utah Rivers Council, the Lake Powell Pipeline, Bear River water development and the Las Vegas water grab in Snake Valley will dramatically alter water resources and put Utah on a path to "water folly." Midday Metro goes to the source with UTC's Ted Wilson, Paul Van Dam of Citizens for Dixie's Future, and Steve Erickson of the Great Basin Water Network. All three of today's guests take part in a Utah Water Follies panel discussion at the Salt Lake City Main Library, Room C, at 7 p.m.The Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities held a poetry slam on water at Barnes & Noble last week. Midday Metro features the winners all week long. Today: Lilli De Cair and Water, Water Everywhere. Thanks to Stephanie Duer for bringing the slam and its poets to MM's attention.At 11:30 on The Bottomline: Picking a career. Whether you're new to the workplace or trying to reinvent your spot in it, The Bottomline goes to the source - award-winning author and career expert Tamara Erickson. Join the conversation about her latest book -- Retire Retirement: Career Strategies for the Boomer Generation - as well as career advice for Generations Y and X. Then The Bottomline goes to the opposite end of the job search to talk with restaurateur Steve Oldham, who needs to hire about 125 people to open a new Tucanos Brazilian Grill in downtown Salt Lake City. Join the conversation. Call 355-TALK or email midday@kcpw.org during the show to participate. Fri, 02 May 2008 19:34:05 -0600 Midday Metro goes to the source on prescription drug abuse - which now outpaces car accidents as the leading cause of injury-death in Utah. A new program launched by the Utah Department of Health aims to make the issue plain and simple: use meds only as directed. Our community sources: Dr. Robert Rolfs, state epidemiologist, Utah Dept. of Health, and Rep. Bradley Daw, who sponsored the 2007 Pain Medication Management and Education Bill to develop a state program addressing the misuse and abuse of prescription pain meds. Envision Utah is partnering with Salt Lake County to develop a comprehensive rehabilitation plan for the Jordan River. Environmental issues and economic development are part of the vision, which also includes public workshops. Midday Metro's sources are Gabe Epperson, Project Planner for Envision Utah, and Eric Allen, a member of the steering committee for Blueprint: Jordan River. Plus, more than 7,200 grads take the walk at the University of Utah today. What kinds of jobs await the Class of 2008? Midday Metro goes to the source with Stan Inman of Career Services at the U, and James Robson, regional economist at the Utah Dept. of Workforce Services. Join the conversation. Call 355-TALK or email midday@kcpw.org during the show to participate. Thu, 01 May 2008 14:16:15 -0600 Gambling is illegal in Utah, but many residents gamble online or in other states. Tonight's Science in Society public dialog series at the City Library talks about the addictive nature of gambling and law enforcement efforts to curb the illegal practice. Midday Metro goes to the source with Michael D of Gamblers Anonymous and Thomas Roberts of the Utah Attorney Generals Office, panelists for tonight's event. Reducing pet over population is the goal of No Home Homeless Pets in Utah. The group's spring super pet adoption is this weekend, featuring more than 25 rescue groups and animals shelters from all over Utah with hundreds of adorable dogs, cats, puppies and kittens available. But what should you know or decide before staring into those puppy dog eyes? Midday Metro goes to the Source with Holly Sizemore and Dr. Kathy Lindstrom. The doc will answer questions about your pets, too. Join the conversation. Call 355-TALK or email midday@kcpw.org during the show to participate. Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:31:14 -0600 Each presidential candidate is proposing their own unique health reform plan, but some states, like Utah, are pushing ahead without federal guidance. Midday Metro breaks down the best options with Len Nichols, health reform expert from the New America Foundation. He's a guest of the Utah Health Policy Project during Cover the Uninsured Week. Plus, are you having trouble raising your teenagers? Maybe you should consider letting them raise you. Coming up on Midday Metro a conversation with the author of How to Raise Your Parents, Sarah Burningham, who grew up in Salt Lake City. Since their debut in the 1930s, comic books have been growing in popularity and value. They're still one of the best ways to encourage literacy. Learn more about Free Comic Book Day with Mimi Cruz of Night Flight Comics at Library Square. Guest comic artists/writers: Bill Galvin (Archie Comics, Scrapyard Detectives) and Trevor Nielson (The Lily Maid). FYI: free comic book day is Saturday. The cost of diesel fuel has shot up 25 percent since January 1. As a result, the Utah Transit Authority says it may log a budget shortfall of more than $5 million by the end of the year. UTA is proposing a fuel surcharge. Midday Metro goes to the source: UTA's Carrie Bohnsack-Ware. Join the conversation. Call 355-TALK or email midday@kcpw.org during the show to participate. Tue, 29 Apr 2008 17:53:30 -0600 SONAR - the sex offender notification and registration bill passed by lawmakers this year - takes effect next week. Bill sponsor Rep. Paul Ray and Angie Welling of the Department of Corrections explain the changes to Utah's sex offender registry, which currently includes information on approximately 6,900 offenders. The Utah Department of Community and Culture's Office of Ethnic Affairs now has a new Hispanic/Latino Affairs Director. Silvia Castro Thomas joins us on the show to talk about issues facing the Utah Latino community. Plus, Salt Lake economist Jeff Thredgold released a book late last year called econAmerica: Why the American Economy is Alive and Well and What that Means to Your Wallet. Is he still so bullish in the face of what's looking more and more like a recession? Thredgold will be the featured speaker at Saturday's Dewey Lecture Series at the City Library. He stops by Midday Metro tomorrow. Join the conversation. Call 355-TALK or email midday@kcpw.org during the show to participate. Mon, 28 Apr 2008 18:22:35 -0600 It's the first day on the job for Elizabeth Elder, new Director of the Salt Lake City Library System. She'll be here to talk with Midday Metro listeners about her plans. At 10:30 on The Bottomline: Have you had the talk with your kids ... you know, the one about ... money? Tuesday is National Teach Your Children to Save Day. The Bottomline offers up some tips with Julie Felshaw, State Office of Education Financial Education Specialist, Zions Bank's Heidi Prokop, vice president and financial education coordinator, and from the Utah Saves commercials, real-life mother-and-daughter savers Lori and Alisha Harding. Also, many critics say the scrapbooking industry's multi-billion-dollar bubble is about to burst. But how could it with National Scrapbooking Day just around the corner? Midday Metro talks with Brenda Birrbell, who started Pebbles in My Pocket in 1992. Find out what one local company is doing to attract today's scrapper. Join the conversation. Call 355-TALK or email midday@kcpw.org during the show to participate. Mon, 28 Apr 2008 08:44:26 -0600 Midday Metro welcomes Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon for his monthly check-in with liseners. Your questions, comments, even suggestions on county government are welcome. Plus, a new report gives a better look at Utah's uninsured. Judi Hillman from the Utah Health Policy Project and Bill Crim from United Way of Salt Lake join Midday Metro to talk about some solutions. Join the conversation. Call 355-TALK or email midday@kcpw.org during the show to participate. Thu, 24 Apr 2008 18:22:48 -0600 First responders have to deal with all kinds of violence and carnage when they respond to car accidents, domestic violence calls, robberies and fire. What kind of psychological impact does it have on them? That subject will be addressed at the 21st Annual Crime Victims' Conference that starts today. Midday Metro talks with Shawn Josephson, who's been a peer-to-peer counselor for seven years with the Salt Lake City Police Department.A teen age rite of passage is the high school prom. But what happens to the thousands of teens who don't feel welcome because of their sexuality? This weekend's Queer Prom 2008 at the City Library will fill the void by creating a safe environment for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youths to celebrate. Midday Metro learns more with Yana Walton of the Utah Pride Center and Queer Prom MC and youth organizer Alia Eden. Many scientists would say that medical progress relies on animal testing. So what made board-certified surgeon Jerry Vlasak turn against the practice and open the North American Animal Liberation Front Press Office? Midday Metro talks with Vlasak, who will be in town for the Confronting Cruelty Animal Rights Conference this weekend, and conference chair Colleen Hatfield. Join the conversation. Call 355-TALK or email midday@kcpw.org during the show to participate. Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:53:24 -0600 The newly-created Health System Reform Task Force had its first meeting last week. With the daunting task of fixing health care in Utah, how far has this lawmaker group gotten in one meeting? Midday Metro talks with Sen. Gene Davis, a Democrat from Salt Lake County and a task force member. Business plan competitions at area universities are more than academic exercises. There's real cash at stake, and great business ideas can vault into primetime due to the exposure. Midday Metro talks with students Nate Alder and Ben Maughan of Klymit, which captured the $50,000 prize at this month's competition at Brigham Young University. Two trends that will change the way occupational health nurses interact with worker populations and community groups are nanotechnology and genetic surveillance - topics on the agenda at the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses Symposium and Expo that starts Friday in Salt Lake City. Dr. Linda McCauley explains the basics to Midday Metro. Join the conversation. Call 355-TALK or email midday@kcpw.org during the show to participate. Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:51:13 -0600 Tune in to learn how to participate in one of 11 public lands service projects Utah Backcountry Volunteers will perform in Utah this year. Jeff McCarthy is Chair of Environmental Studies and Associate Professor of English at Westminster College. In his spare time, he has written Contact: Mountain Climbing and Environmental Thinking. Midday Metro talks with him about the growing symbiosis between climbing and environmental awareness. After 11 years, Keith Lockhart is retiring as Musical Director of the Utah Symphony at the end of the upcoming season. We'll take a look back at his most memorable performances and ask him what's next. Maestro Keith Lockhart will take your calls on today's Midday Metro. Join the conversation. Call 355-TALK or email midday@kcpw.org during the show to participate. Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:25:51 -0600 The number of chronically homeless on Utah's streets has dropped 15 percent, despite growth in overall homelessness. Midday Metro talks about the latest homeless headcount with Lloyd Pendleton, Utah's Homeless Task Force Director and Matt Minkevitch, executive director of The Road Home. At 10:30 on The Bottomline: It's a wonderful time to clean out the closets and make a difference in someone's life. The Bottomline talks about how you can help local women dress for success as you spring clean your wardrobe. Guests include Kris Carlson of Jr. League of SLC; Kayleen Simmons of People Helping People; and PHP client Myriam Grandjean. Tuesday, April 22, fro 6-9 a.m., drop off quality used clothing and new undergarments at the Hotel Monaco, 15 W. 200 S., SLC, to support Dress for Success. Plus, The University of Utah is trying to rent out two high-powered, million-dollar electron microscopes to businesses and universities for research. Matt DeLong, Director of Technical Facilities in the U's Physics Dept., explains. A nano-imaging open house will be held Thursday. Call (801) 581-7462 for more details. Join the conversation. Call 355-TALK or email midday@kcpw.org during the show to participate. Fri, 18 Apr 2008 15:15:08 -0600 Nearly one-third of Utah boys and girls spend two or more hours a day in front of the TV. Many add another two hours or more playing video games. Unplug 'N Play week starts Monday. Midday Metro provides some ideas to help you get off the couch and play. Guests include Lynda Blades of the Utah Department of Health and Michelle Brown of AYSO Sandy. If a military travels on its stomach, what's cooking in the soldiers' mess? Midday Metro finds out with military chefs in town for the Freedom Chefs Challenge competition during the 2008 American Culinary Federation (ACF) Western Regional Conference this weekend in Salt Lake City. Guests include Sgt. First Class Jason G. Talcott, State Food Service Supervisor National Guard, who served in Iraq and was a Pentagon chef to former U.S. Secretary of Defense William Cohen; and Chief Warrant Officer Robert Sparks, who is currently serving as the chief, craft skills training division, and the team manager, United States Army Culinary Team (USACAT), at the Army Center of Excellence, Subsistence, Fort Lee, Va. Westminster College is releasing the 2008 edition of Ellipsis, its nationally-recognized literary magazine. Midday Metro hears from poets J.P. Dancing Bear and Madeleine Mysko, who are featured in the publication. Join the conversation. Call 355-TALK or emai