ROY, Utah — Need a pick me up, life advice, or words of encouragement? Try calling the Happiness Hotline (833-88-HAPPY), a free resource created by students and faculty in the Weber School District.

“You’re hearing things about, like, you can do it, you can do hard things, believe you can and you’re halfway there,” said Rod Belnap, director of career and technical education for the district.

Belnap put the project into motion after hearing of a school in California with a pep-talk hotline.

“I thought maybe we could include our own teachers and students and get the recordings from our elementary school students,” he said.

The cutest story is about to air on @KSL5TV – it's the story behind the Happiness Hotline from the @weberdistrict. If you're needing a pick-me up today then this is the story to watch! Tune in right now on channel 5! #utah pic.twitter.com/VCip47tc1A

— Shara Park ✨ (@KSLSharaPark) May 19, 2022

Belnap enlisted the help of T.J.Bean, a visual arts teacher from Roy High School, who interviewed kindergartners and 1st graders from Farr West, Hooper, Lakeview, Midland, Municipal, and Pioneer elementary schools.

“I went to six different schools to talk to 80 different kids,” said Bean, “and what you hear on the happiness hotline is very much the condensed version of this. There is enough to do two or three happiness hotlines.”

Bean’s students at Roy High School separated the interviews into topics — words of encouragement, life advice, words of wisdom, and jokes.

“I could tell what we were doing was important, not just to the kids who were doing it, but to those who would be hearing it,” Bean said.

One of the children featured on the hotline is Gunnar Anderson, a first grader at Midland Elementary.

“You can call the hotline anytime you’re feeling sad or lonely,” Anderson said. “You can press whatever number and it might tell you a joke or something silly like one of my jokes!”

Anderson does share a cute joke about an interrupting cow on the hotline, but he also shares some life advice, too.

“All that matters is that you’re helping people,” he said. “I just taught that to myself. My brain told me that.”

Hadlie Bute, 7, is a student at Pioneer Elementary. She is also featured on the hotline, sharing advice on dealing with sadness.

“When I am mad or sad, I like to play with my, snuggle my stuffed animals and play with them and give my sisters a hug,” she said.

Kids of all ages are recognizing that words have power, and that sometimes you just need someone you can reach out to.

“It’s important so they can feel peaceful, too,” Bute said.

“All that matters is that you’re helping people,” Anderson said.

“Those are statements that are powerful, regardless of what age you are. They’re important at a young age, but they’re also important as an adult,” Belnap said.

The Happiness Hotline is already seeing success. In its first few weeks, the hotline received over 1,200 calls, with some callers staying on the line for multiple minutes.

“The resounding message is a message of encouragement and hope,” Belnap said. “And there are times kids and adults need those messages, and so we hope that people find it inspiring.”

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Happiness has been fleeting for many people during the pandemic, but a study out of Germany suggested the birds in our own neighborhoods can bring us joy.

Our friends at the Tracy Aviary in Liberty Park helped KSL explore that connection between birds and happiness.

“This is my favorite place in the whole aviary. This is the Treasures of the Rainforest building,” said Kylie Jones-Greenwood, Tracy Aviary community and outreach programs coordinator.

When you walk into the Treasures of the Rainforest exhibit at the Tracy Aviary, you are surrounded by the sights and sounds of birds from around the world.

“This place makes me the happiest because all of these birds are just living life to the fullest. As you can hear around us, everyone is busy, everyone knows what to do,” said Jones-Greenwood.

She shares that happiness with visitors every day. When she’s around birds, she said her mood comes alive.

“All of my senses are engaged when I’m in here from feeling the humidity to seeing the birds, to listening to them call,” said Jones-Greenwood.

According to a new study by German researchers, birdwatching, and particularly identifying new species, lightened people’s moods and provided as much satisfaction as getting a $150/month raise. The research specifically showed that living and birdwatching in areas with at least 14 varieties of birds can improve human well-being.

Jones-Greenwood was not surprised by the findings.

“In here we have way more than 14 species of birds. So, just coming in here for a little bit on my break from work really fills my cup and gets me ready for the next part of the day,” she said.

“Tracy Aviary is about fostering a kind of happiness and joy for birds. But, also making sure that we are making conservation efforts to protect them,” said Frances Ngo, Tracy Aviary conservation outreach biologist.

Without that conservation work, bird populations struggle, she said.

“They are definitely affected by things like climate change or habitat loss. So, conservation efforts are really important to help birds wherever we can,” Ngo said.

Which ties back to happiness among birdwatchers.

“The more birds they see, the happier they are,” she said. “So, it’s really important to have habitats that foster that biodiversity of birds for both the sake of birds and for people’s happiness and well-being.”

Researchers found the happiest people experience numerous different bird species in their daily lives. That did not surprise the people who work at the aviary.

Step outside or take a walk, look up and listen to the calls and chirps of our feathered friends.

You can visit the Tracy Aviary which is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a special hour from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. for seniors and those who are at higher risk for contracting COVID-19.

Everyone is masking and social distancing. You can find more details online here.

SALT LAKE CITY – When most people head to the barber shop, it’s to get a clean cut and a fresh look. However, on Wednesday Dayton walked into Brick’s Barbershop in Salt Lake City for a fresh start.

“I’m going to be put on TV and try to get adopted,” said Dayton.

The 16-year-old knows what he wants his fresh start to look like.

“I just picture a lot of love and happiness,” he said.

Dayton hopes to go to hair school soon, so chose a place he feels comfortable to answer the uncomfortable questions. As he sat in the barber’s chair getting a cut, he told KSL TV his story.

“My first night gone, I cried,” he said.

He’s talking about his first night living in foster care – that was almost five years ago.
As if living in foster care isn’t tough enough, one night not too long ago he cried even more tears.

“I asked if could talk to my mom and (the man) said ‘she wasn’t there anymore’ and then I found out the next day that she was dead,” Dayton recalled.

For Dayton, it was a turning point.

“I realized I’m going to end up dead or in jail if I continue this way and so I asked to be put up for adoption,” he said.

He said now he feels hopeful, happy and a little hesitant about the future.

“I’m going to do my best and try to get adopted and stay out of trouble,” he said.

He knows the best way to do that is with a solid foundation – a family.

“I’m a good kid,” he said. “I have my ups and downs, but I also know I can have good relationships.”

To learn more about Dayton, or the many other children living in the Utah Foster Care system, contact The Utah Adoption Exchange at 801-265-0444.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — This was the first All-Star weekend since the death of 11-time champion, Hall of Fame player and Hall of Fame coach Bill Russell.

He was not forgotten.

The entire season has been a tribute to Russell, with all teams putting his No. 6 at midcourt and all players wearing it on their jerseys. And at Sunday’s Legends Brunch — one of the best events of All-Star weekend, not to mention one of the toughest tickets to secure — Russell was honored with remarks from Boston All-Star Jaylen Brown, former on-court rivals Julius Erving and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Hall of Famer Grant Hill.

Abdul-Jabbar called Russell “my friend, my mentor, my role model.” He was 14 when he first met Russell and the initial greeting wasn’t overly friendly; the Celtics were using the gym at Power Memorial in New York, Abdul-Jabbar’s high school, for practice. Russell was reading The New York Times, and Celtics coach Red Auerbach suggested he meet the player then known as Lew Alcindor.

How Abdul-Jabbar remembered Russell’s response: “I’m not getting up to meet some kid.”

They met anyway, and became very close over the years, with Russell — notorious for disliking autographs — even signing a Celtics jersey for Abdul-Jabbar a few years ago. And that day, just as he did in that high school gym a half-century earlier, Russell called Abdul-Jabbar “kid.”

“There’s a whole lot more truth and love and respect for my 60-year relationship with Bill Russell,” Abdul-Jabbar said. “Not just as one of the greatest basketball players to ever live, but as the man who taught me how to be bigger as a player, and as a man.”

Hill spoke of how he had heard plenty about Russell — his commitment to social justice and civil rights, an unwillingness to be deterred by threats, and his pride in standing alongside other athletes committed to the same, everyone from Muhammad Ali to Colin Kaepernick.

“And then I got to meet Bill Russell. It wasn’t at all what I expected,” Hill said. “While I had read about his strength and his seriousness, what I saw with my own eyes was his happiness and his humor. He was all of those things. And that’s what made Bill Russell great. Great for the game. Great for the country. Just great to be around.”

Erving told the story of how he played golf with Russell, and how neither was very good. Golf was merely an excuse to get together and tell stories, ones that would often bring Russell’s loud and distinct cackle when he found something humorous.

“Everybody knew when William Felton Russell was in the room,” Erving said. “I cherish those times.”

PERFORMERS

There was a huge crowd of fans on the floor for the halftime show. And a whole lot of players, too.

The halftime concert featured three Nigerian artists — Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and producer Burna Boy, Grammy-winning and Oscar-nominated singer Tems and rapper Rema — doing an Afrobeats-themed performance. Several players were on the court for the performance, including Pascal Siakam and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Jewel, a Utah native, performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” before the game, Post Malone did a medley after LeBron James and Antetokounmpo drafted their teams, and Jully Black sang the Canadian national anthem before the game.

CELEBRITIES

As always, the stars were out for All-Star.

Among the many in attendance: retired skiing great Lindsey Vonn, EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony) winner Jennifer Hudson, actor-director Spike Lee, retired baseball star Albert Pujols, tennis standouts Frances Tiafoe and Naomi Osaka, snowboarding’s Shaun White and, of course, Utah Jazz Hall of Famers John Stockton and Karl Malone.

ZHURI’S MOMENT

LeBron James always said that he wasn’t chasing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s scoring record, so there was no sense of relief when he actually took over the top spot on the NBA points list.

To him, the best moment within that moment was the reaction of his daughter Zhuri to the record-breaking jumper earlier this month. James posted the clip on his social channels.

“The Lakers’ social media post, they posted the one with my whole family on there that I actually posted I believe yesterday or the other day,” James said. “It’s hard for me to stop watching that because watching Zhuri’s reaction to that is, like, the greatest — it’s so cool.

“If I’m having a bad day, I know exactly where I can go to fix my day,” he added. “Seeing Zhuri’s reaction to that moment was pretty, pretty cool.”

SILVER’S ANNIVERSARY

Not only was this weekend the 30th anniversary of Utah’s first time hosting the All-Star Game, but it was also the 30th anniversary of Adam Silver’s first All-Star Game as part of the NBA.

Back then, he was special assistant to Commissioner David Stern. Now, Silver is the NBA Commissioner.

“It’s interesting to think about the contrast between then and now,” Silver said.

It’s all different.

All-Star ballots were on paper then and distributed in arenas; Michael Jordan was the leading vote-getter with just over 1 million votes. Voting is electronic now; LeBron James got about 8 million votes this year.

There’s been about a 500% increase in the number of international players in the NBA over the last 30 years, from around 20 in 1993 to around 120 now. And no All-Star Game will mean more to a local economy than this one, Silver said, with a $280 million estimated impact from the weekend on Salt Lake City businesses.

“In terms of the magnitude of All-Star, this is our largest in our history,” he said.

MCCLUNG EFFECT

The NBA said Sunday that the video of All-Star Saturday Night — highlighted by Mac McClung’s win in the dunk contest — generated more than 520 million views in the first 12 hours following the competition.

That was the most ever for an All-Star Saturday night, the league said, and the figure is obviously just going to keep rising.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan is celebrating his 60th birthday on Friday by making a $10 million donation to Make-A-Wish.

It is the largest donation ever received from an individual in the organization’s 43-year history.

Jordan’s hope is that his decision to celebrate his birthday by donating to Make-A-Wish will inspire others to help fulfill the wishes of the kids still waiting for their wishes to come true.

“For the past 34 years, it’s been an honor to partner with Make-A-Wish and help bring a smile and happiness to so many kids,” Jordan said in a news release. “Witnessing their strength and resilience during such a tough time in their lives has truly been an inspiration.”

In honor of his 60th birthday, our Chief Wish Ambassador Michael Jordan makes the largest individual donation in Make-A-Wish history – $10M! A supporter since '89, his bday wish is to inspire others to help grant more wishes. Join MJ: https://t.co/xRMm3MktP0 #MJWish pic.twitter.com/PEG0hS9jur

— Make-A-Wish America (@MakeAWish) February 15, 2023

Jordan, now the owner of the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets, first supported Make-A-Wish in 1989.

He has granted hundreds of wishes to children all over the world and remains one of the most requested celebrity wish-granters. He was named Make-A-Wish Chief Wish Ambassador in 2008 for what the organization called the “life-changing impacts he has had on wish kids and their families.”

“I can’t think of a better birthday gift than seeing others join me in supporting Make-A-Wish so that every child can experience the magic of having their wish come true,” Jordan said.

As part of Black History Month, a film series begins this week in Salt Lake City.

Starting Feb. 15th, the “Black, Bold and Brilliant” film series will kick off at the City Library.

The project celebrates black culture through stories and cinema with the goal of attracting new audiences. It’s spearheaded by the Utah Film Center and KRCL.

Russell Roots is the director of the film exhibition.

“It’s an opportunity to really explore the black experience and using cinema as a lens,” Roots said.

The first film in the series is called “Little Satchmo.” It’s a documentary about the secret daughter of the legendary jazz musician Louis Armstrong. Sharon Preston Folta is lovingly called “Little Satchmo” by Armstrong.

To protect his career and the affair with her mother, Sharon lives in the shadow of his limelight.

“She really pulls the curtain back and talks about what life was really like with Louis Armstrong,” Roots explained. “The happiness, the sadness, and sometimes the jealousy of his experience.”

Following the free screening, Sharon and the film’s director, John Alexander, will answer audience questions via Zoom and provide cultural context.

Roots said conversations during Black History Month should be ongoing.

“It is part of the American experience as much as jazz, hip hop or barbecue. I think with the black population in Utah, which is only 2% in the entire state. There’s always room to grow,” he said.

You can reserve your free ticket for Little Satchmo at the Utah Film Center’s website. The BBB series will have other screenings in March and April.

Follow @KSL5TV

Like us on Facebook

OGDEN, Utah — Second District Judge Michael DiReda did not hold back Friday when he sentenced both Brenda Emile and Miller Costello to life in prison without the possibility of parole in the brutal abuse death of their 3-year-old daughter.

The child had been so malnourished that police compared her to a Holocaust victim when they discovered her body.

“The court has never experienced this level of depravity, this level of cruelty and this level of evil in any of the cases it’s handled previously,” DiReda said.

“The court cannot capture the moral significance of these actions and these defendants by characterizing them as ‘wrong’ or ‘bad’ … nothing other than the concept of evil does justice when it comes to what was done to this little innocent child.”

DiReda’s sentencing decision came after five days of hearings in which multiple witnesses testified about the heinous abuse suffered by Angelina Costello, who was just 3 years old when she died from a combination of severe injuries and malnourishment.

One former detective said the Angelina Costello case was a “career ender” for her — so horrific that she no longer wanted to be a police officer.

And in a letter to the court, the parents who adopted Angelina’s two surviving siblings wrote about the intense and ongoing trauma that the children still suffer from not only watching their sister be abused, but from being forced to participate in abusing her.

The case began on July 6, 2017, when police were called to Emile’s and Costello’s Ogden home on a report that a child was not conscious or breathing. Charging documents describe a pattern of ongoing abuse by Emile, 28, and Costello, 30 — particularly by Emile. Neither parent sought needed medical attention for the girl because they didn’t want police to take their children away.

When officers arrived, they found that Angelina was already deceased and appeared to have been dead for some time. Detectives observed “bruising, contusions, lacerations, burns, open sores and abrasions all over (the girl’s) face, hands, legs, head and neck,” according to charging documents. Angelina was also “extremely malnourished.” One officer later testified that she looked like a Holocaust victim.

Investigators also found video and photographic evidence on the couple’s cellphones of the ongoing and progressive abuse starting in January 2016.

“The videos also appear to show both (Costello and Emile) taunting the child victim with food by presenting it to her and then removing it from her and disciplining her,” the charges state.

DiReda summarized the case Friday, noting the multiple times Emile lied to investigators and to the court. She tried to withdraw her guilty plea in October 2022, claiming in subsequent hearings that she received threats against her son during phone calls with family members. But prosecutors said they combed through Emile’s jail phone calls and found no evidence of any threats made against Emile or her kids. DiReda ultimately decided that Emile couldn’t withdraw her guilty plea.

He also said that Costello — despite sometimes being characterized throughout the hearings as “naive,” “easily manipulated,” and “brainwashed” — knew what he was doing to Angelina. He could have stopped the abuse, the judge said, but instead chose to participate in it.

“At times, this evidence was almost too painful and disturbing to view,” DiReda said, adding that Angelina’s life was made up of the most horrific torture he’s seen in his 29 years of work.

Angelina deserved a life of joy and happiness, DiReda said. She deserved to color, to paint, to go to school and play with her friends at recess. She deserved sleepovers and birthday parties, cake and ice cream and presents. She deserved to graduate high school and college, to fall in love and start a family of her own, and to pursue all of her dreams.

“Instead, she was not only denied these things, but she was also dehumanized and tortured by monsters,” DiReda said. “Basic empathy and the care of offspring are among the most fundamental lines of code in the human operating system, and yet somewhere there was a missing line of code when it came to Angelina.”

DiReda continued that neither Emile and Costello have shown remorse or taken responsibility for their crimes, yet they were both asking the judge for hope and for second chances — things they were unwilling to give their daughter.

He also told Emile and Costello to remember that, although they’ll spend the rest of their lives in prison, they’ll still get to wake up each day, make friends, have visitors and enjoy other positive experiences.

“Remember that life itself is a gift, one that Angelina will never enjoy because you murdered her,” DiReda said. “So in a very real sense, this sentence is merciful because your lives have been spared.”

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Gov. Spencer Cox signed two hot-button bills Saturday morning, HB215 and SB16, the first he has signed from the year’s legislative session.

EDUCATION FUNDING

HB215, gives teachers a pay raise and tied to providing funding for students in home study or private schools.

The bill establishes an up to $8,000  voucher for students who get an education outside of traditional public schools starting in the 2024-2025 school year, either for school at home or at a private education institution. It provides $42 million in state funding vouchers for the private education. The payments are sometimes titled scholarships, or education savings or vouchers.

The funding is said to apply to up to 5,000 students.

Combined with the private funding in the bill is a increase in public teacher salaries of $6,000 that many considered a leverage point to get political support for the bill. The increase of $4,200 of that would come in the form of a salary increase, and around $1,800 in benefits. Hearings on the bills just days ago were packed.

Organizations, including New Leaders for America, Utah PTA, and Utah Education Association , or UEA, spoke against the bill citing a list of reasons — including saying it could have a negative impact on public education. Teachers at multiple schools walked out of the classroom to voice opposition to the bill. Opposition said public funds should not be sent to private schools.

“When we are taking away scarce resources from public education and giving it to, or subsidizing, private schools – then we are creating opportunity gaps for our public education students,” Renée Pinkney, UEA President, said.

Cox issued the following statement after signing the bill:

“This bill strikes a good balance. More than 90% of parents support Utah schools and so do we. Our top priority this session has been a significant increase in teacher compensation and education funding. We commend the Legislature for supporting our teacher pay proposal which will help address the state’s teacher shortage and give Utah teachers the much-needed pay raise they deserve. We also appreciate that HB 215 gives Utah parents additional options to meet the needs of their families. School choice works best when we adequately fund public education and we remove unnecessary regulations that burden our public schools and make it difficult for them to succeed. We are especially appreciative of our teachers and education leaders who helped push for more accountability measures which were not included in the original bill.”

A lobbyist who supports the bill was recorded saying the program is a step and she wants to “destroy public education” and that lawmakers do too. Allison Sorensen, the executive director of Education Opportunity 4 Every Child, a major player in the push for school vouchers, apologized for the comments. Several lawmakers denounced the comments.

“Let’s actually take the money out of the public school system,” Sorensen said in the leaked audio. “We’ll change the way we fund the program so that it literally is pulling that money straight from the school.”

“I can’t say this is a recall of public education even though I want to destroy public education,” she added. “The legislators can’t say that because they’ll just be reamed over the coals.”

“I can’t say this is a recall of public education even though I want to destroy public education,” she added. “The legislators can’t say that because they’ll just be reamed over the coals.”

TRANSGENDER SURGERIES BILL

SB16, bans gender-confirming surgeries and place a moratorium on puberty blockers for minors, also signed by Cox Saturday.

Gender-affirming surgeries are medical treatments that transgender and nonbinary people sometimes use to transition or alter their sexual characteristics.

The bill was recently changed by the Utah House and then approved by the Utah Senate, with changes, including immediate implementation after the governor’s signature, and specifies that an individual can bring a medical malpractice action related to procedures or treatment provided. This means if a person regrets a transgender-related surgery or treatment, they will have an easier path to sue the doctor who provided them care.

The American Medical Association has a long-established stance of opposing governmental opposition to medical care for transgender patients. Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla proposed banning breast enhancements for Utah teens as part of the bill but her amendment was denied in committee.

The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to review medical evidence regarding hormonal transgender treatments and advise the Legislature accordingly.

It also requires the Division of Professional Licensing to create a certification for providing hormonal transgender treatments.

It requires health care providers to meet requirements before providing hormonal transgender treatments, prohibits providers from treating patients who were not diagnosed with gender dysmorphia before a certain date, prohibits sex characteristic surgical procedures on a minor.

Cox released the following statement regarding the signing of this bill.

Legislation that impacts our most vulnerable youth requires careful consideration and deliberation. While not a perfect bill, we are grateful for Sen. Kennedy’s more nuanced and thoughtful approach to this terribly divisive issue. More and more experts, states and countries around the world are pausing these permanent and life-altering treatments for new patients until more and better research can help determine the long-term consequences.

We will continue to push the Legislature for additional resources to organizations that work to help this important Utah community. While we understand our words will be of little comfort to those who disagree with us, we sincerely hope that we can treat our transgender families with more love and respect as we work to better understand the science and consequences behind these procedures.

Cox previously told KSL NewsRadio said he is concerned about the message the state is sending.

KSL NewsRadio’s Lindsay Aerts reported that Cox said it’s critical lawmakers get to know the people these bills impact if they are going to run this kind of legislation. He said the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Michael Kennedy, R-Alpine, has done that work, while other lawmakers have not.

A number of bills regarding transgender youth were up for debate in 2023 including SB100, which would prohibit school districts from changing the student’s identity as it relates to gender without parental permission, and  SB93 which would prohibit changing the name or gender on a minor’s birth certificate.

“I know there are a lot of people pushing for this to happen. But the people pushing for it to happen are not those with children it will affect. The people with children this will affect are begging us not to do this,” Sen. Daniel Thatcher, a Republican from West Valley City said in debate.

After the bills passed Friday, Senate Democrats released a statement:

“We are deeply troubled by the Senate’s passage of S.B. 16, S.B. 93, and S.B. 100. As Democrats, we stand in firm opposition to any legislation that restricts access to life-saving health care for our most vulnerable youth. Additionally, we believe everyone should have the ability to amend their birth certificates to accurately display their name and identity without excessive barriers and intrusion from government. All children—including our transgender children—deserve equal opportunity and equal protection in their pursuit happiness. As stated by many elected officials in our state, our children deserve the pursuit of happiness. Like the many parents who courageously came to the Capitol this week to fight against these harmful polices, we will continue to advocate for the dignity and care of all our children.”

Bill sponsor Kennedy said he tried to do this bill justice…but the House had its way with it.

“I would bet every dollar in my bank account right now that this will be litigated. And at this point, it is going to be,” Kennedy said. “And we’ll have to allow additional steps in our societal process to make the terminations to where this will go.”

SALT LAKE CITY — The conversation continued Friday at the Utah Department of Natural Resources between Draper City and Geneva Rock who continue not seeing eye to eye when it comes to Geneva Rock’s request to expand their mining operations at the Point of the Mountain Quarry.

The company’s last proposal on mining operations was rejected less than 2 years ago.

On Friday, arguments were presented from both sides at a public hearing. The Utah Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining also weighed in on the conversation.

Geneva Rock said they want to mine in an area of Draper they believe has infrastructure resources crucial to roads and schools.

The city of Draper claims mining would be a disruption to the residents who live in the area. They say it could also pose health and safety hazards. Meanwhile, the city claims the company has not taken the proper legal steps to expand its mining efforts in the first place.

Representatives for Geneva Rock said they want to expand mining from above the freeway to above the freeway and adjacent.

As for how long the mining would last, the company said they do not have a deadline. With that in mind, they said they would aim to mine for years and decades into the future.

Addressing concerns from Draper City and the public, including flight parks located on the north and south end of the site, the company said they are not aware of mining operations that will impact the sport.

They noted it is speculation at best that mining efforts would interfere with wind patterns.

Valuing safety, Geneva Rock said they also understand there is concern over
air quality, truck traffic, and rock chips.

“Geneva is aware of its neighbors and knows that they are there and will be aware of them and be conscientious and try to be a good neighbor.”

Draper City said they do not agree with the non-specific timeline for the expansion of mining and the potential risk to resident health and happiness.

The city is also raising a red flag, claiming Geneva Rock does not have land use approval or ruling from the court to expand mining operations.

That in mind, the city said they are not trying to block off or stop lawful mining, but they do want to see things done the way they are supposed to be done.

For now, the city is requesting the DNR step up and say no to Geneva Rock’s request.

“Draper seeks to get from the division is an acknowledgement that Geneva first needs to get a land use approval and to get a sufficient analysis of all the impacts.”

Follow @KSL5TV

Like us on Facebook

SALT LAKE CITY — A bill on transgender healthcare — banning transgender-related surgeries and puberty blockers for minors — passed in the Utah House Thursday after last-minute changes. Those changes sent the bill back to the Senate, who passed the bill Friday.

SB16, bans gender-confirming surgeries and places a moratorium on puberty blockers for minors. Gender-affirming surgeries are medical treatments that transgender and nonbinary people sometimes use to transition or alter their physical characteristics.

The changes to this bill included that the bill will be immediately implemented after the governor’s signature. In addition, doctors can be held accountable for litigation, meaning if a person regretted the transgender-related surgeries or treatment they received later in life, they will have an easier path to sue the doctor responsible for the treatment.

Bill sponsor Sen. Mike Kennedy said he tried to do this bill justice…but the House had its way with it.

“I would bet every dollar in my bank account right now that this will be litigated. And at this point, it is going to be,” Kennedy said. “And we’ll have to allow additional steps in our societal process to make the terminations to where this will go.”

The Utah Senate Democrats issued the following statement in response to the Senate’s decision:

“Without question, we remain opposed to S.B. 16, especially with the addition of an immediate effective date and the serious consent and liability concerns that impact our health care providers. The devastating weight of this bill is felt by our trans children, our families, and our medical providers. As legislators, it is our responsibility to develop answers to these difficult questions, and the Senate Democrats are committed to continue working in this space toward compassionate, data-driven public policy. Additionally, we will always challenge these types of negative proposals and will work to mitigate consequences. To the families and children impacted today—we see you, we love you, and we will continue to hear your stories and fight for you and your pursuit of happiness.”

A number of bills regarding transgender youth were up for debate in 2023 including SB100, which would prohibit school districts from changing the student’s identity as it relates to gender without parental permission, and  SB93 which would prohibit changing the name or gender on a minor’s birth certificate.

WEST JORDAN, Utah — A Saratoga Springs man who pleaded guilty to automobile homicide was ordered Monday to spend at least one year and up to 20 years in prison for causing the death of 13-year-old Eli Mitchell, who was riding his bike when he was struck last April in West Jordan.

At the sentencing hearing for Mason Andrew Ohms on Monday, Eli’s family expressed how hard recovering from the loss of their son, grandson and brother has been. His grandfather, Glendon Mitchell, described the grief Eli’s cousins have felt as well, and said there is no way to explain the lifelong impact of this loss.

“Nothing could prepare them to deal with the horrific nature of these crimes,” he said.

He read comments from a few people who witnessed the incident on April 26, 2022, and had grief and trauma following their experience — including a retired intensive care unit nurse who was the first person to reach Eli — and said officers and paramedics at the scene were also impacted.

Identity of Utah boy killed by truck released; family releases statement

Mitchell said Ohms, 51, was drinking for six hours before hitting Eli with his vehicle, and then arrived home about two hours later, likely putting many others in danger.

“No reasonable person would do such a thing, impaired or not,” he said.

Eli’s mom, Lisa Mitchell, said Ohms was seen leaving a bar just one minute before he hit and killed Eli who was riding his bike back from the grocery store.

She said she had just given her son a new debit card, something he had asked for throughout the year. He was eager to go use that card and went to the store on his bike instead of waiting for his mom to drive him after his sister’s soccer game. Her last memory of Eli is him energetically heading for his bike.

Eli was in a crosswalk at 1510 W. 9000 South in West Jordan when Ohms made a right turn at a red light and hit him. The family said both the front and back tires went over Eli, and Ohms continued driving, despite flipping around and seeing the scene and also having Eli’s bike caught under his truck, which he later stopped to remove.

“My life will never be the same without Eli here. I shed tears every day and I am sure I will for the rest of my life until I get to see him again. I don’t think you ever recover from losing a child. I don’t think the pain will ever go away,” Lisa Mitchell said.

She said she is dedicating her life to living like Eli, who did everything big, and fit so much into his 13 years. When she is sad, she thinks about Eli, who she knows would want her to find joy and live her best life.

Ohms’ sentence

Third District Judge Paul Parker issued the sentence on Monday at a hearing in the Matheson Courthouse which was attended by many family members and friends of both Eli and Ohms.

Ohms will spend between one and 15 years in prison for automobile homicide, a second-degree felony, and a term of zero to five years for failure to remain at an accident involving death, a third-degree felony. Parker ordered the sentences to run consecutively, noting that Ohms drove off leaving a little boy on the street and he couldn’t justify not including that action separately.

He said the sentence was not meant to be a statement to the community or a judgment of whether Ohms is a good or bad person. He encouraged the family to forgive, but said the court needed to be just with its punishment in this case.

Ohms has been convicted of DUI five times in the past, Parker said, and has also been caught driving on a suspended license.

Greg Skordas, Ohms’ attorney, argued that although what happened is “absolutely unforgivable,” placing Ohms in the Odyssey House residential rehab program would be an appropriate sentence. He said his client has been active in finding support at the jail, and was invited to be a mentor. He said he couldn’t imagine anyone could have done more with their life during nine months in jail.

“Mason’s done everything he can to make this right,” Skordas said.

Ohms apologized to the family and said he has struggled to fully process his emotions, but he takes full responsibility for his actions.

“I never intended for any of this to happen, and I’m devastated by what has happened,” he said.

Salt Lake County deputy district attorney Rebecca Buchert asked the judge to impose consecutive prison sentences. She said when he was tested hours later, Ohms had a blood alcohol content of 0.10, which means he likely had a blood alcohol content of 0.22 at the time of the accident — four times the legal limit.

She said if he had stopped after the first set of tires ran over Eli instead of dragging him further, Eli likely would not have died.

After the sentencing, Eli’s parents said they were grateful for the judge and ready for the healing process to move forward. Jeremy Mitchell, Eli’s dad, said after hearing Ohms speak, he felt that his apology was sincere.

After the sentence was imposed, Lisa Mitchell said she is grateful for a pause in the chaos, but feels sadness, both for their family and the Ohms family.

The Mitchell family

Jeremy Mitchell said his son was his best friend, and Eli’s happiness is what brought him happiness.

“There will always be a missing hole in my heart for the rest of my life. I am missing out on some of my life’s most precious events on this earth because Eli is not here. I would do anything in this world to bring Eli back if I could,” he said.

He said he wishes he could take the pain away from his wife and his daughter.

Jeremy Mitchell said he continues asking himself why Ohms did not stop, which would have been a normal reaction, and instead put many others in danger. He asked Parker to not let the crime be “watered down” with a light sentence. He said there should be strict accountability and prison time for something like this, especially after multiple DUI offenses.

When Eli’s sister, Emma Mitchell, spoke to the full courtroom, she spoke about feeling alone and feeling pain throughout her whole body.

“I feel like I’m living in a nightmare and I can’t wake up,” she said.

Emma said she wanted to watch Eli, her younger brother, grow up and dreamed they would be next-door neighbors. Now, she feels depression, loneliness and hate and feels like she will never find peace, although she knows Eli would want her to try.

After the hearing she said sharing thoughts she hadn’t voiced publicly before was scary, but it felt good to say how she was feeling out loud.

Family of boy killed while riding bike gifted holiday surprise in his memory

Finding triumph in the tragedy

Jeremy Mitchell said he was not involved in politics before his son’s death, and never thought he would be. But now he is helping run a bill in the Utah Legislature to give businesses with alcohol licenses more accountability to prevent drunk driving.

“We want to take this tragedy and create triumph and also take this tragedy and help make prevention … so this doesn’t happen to other families,” he said.

HB247, sponsored by Rep. Ken Ivory, R-West Jordan, is a prevention bill that Eli’s dad said would save lives by giving incentives for bars to not allow people who are drunk to get in their cars and drive off. He said even preventing 25% or 50% of drunk driving can save lives and keep people from being injured.

Jeremy Mitchell said they won’t ever know whose lives the bill may save, but they can be grateful just by knowing that they made some difference.

He said it isn’t just him, but his dad and other members of the family have been invested in the bill. Jeremy Mitchell said he thinks Eli is with them and is cheering on the cause and proud to know that their family’s tragedy could make a difference for others.

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Senate on Friday passed three bills centered on transgender youth and transgender health care, which will now move to the House.

SB16, which passed 21-7, would ban gender-confirming surgeries and place a moratorium on puberty blockers for minors. Gender-affirmation surgeries are medical treatments that transgender and nonbinary people sometimes use to transition or alter their sexual characteristics.

SB100, which passed 22-6, would prohibit school districts from changing the identity of a student’s gender without permission from their parents, and SB93, which passed with a 19-8 vote, prohibits a name change or gender change on a minor’s birth certificate.

House Speaker Brad Wilson told the Deseret News he expects the measures to pass the House with only minor changes.

Gov. Spencer Cox previously told KSL NewsRadio he is not planning to veto SB16, adding the approach is reasonable to put a pause on things while researchers continue looking into the effects of surgeries on minors.

However, Cox said he is concerned about the message the state is sending.

KSL NewsRadio’s Lindsay Aerts reported that Cox said it’s critical lawmakers get to know the people these bills impact if they are going to run this kind of legislation. He said the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Michael Kennedy, R-Alpine, has done that work, while other lawmakers have not.

Sen. Blouin is reading a letter from a transgender person, saying even before SB16 has passed, it's already "negatively impacted my health and wellbeing."

They say it's a reminder that "we are not accepted by the majority of this body" #utpol #utleg

— Katie McKellar (@KatieMcKellar1) January 20, 2023

“Potential long-term negative outcomes cannot be ignored. We need to ask ourselves questions such as, ‘can a child appropriately give consent? Does a child completely understand the implications of their choice?’” Kennedy said.

“I know there are a lot of people pushing for this to happen. But the people pushing for it to happen are not those with children it will affect. The people with children this will affect are begging us not to do this,” said Sen. Daniel Thatcher, R-West Valley City.

After the bills passed Friday, Senate Democrats released a statement:

“We are deeply troubled by the Senate’s passage of S.B. 16, S.B. 93, and S.B. 100. As Democrats, we stand in firm opposition to any legislation that restricts access to life-saving health care for our most vulnerable youth. Additionally, we believe everyone should have the ability to amend their birth certificates to accurately display their name and identity without excessive barriers and intrusion from government. All children—including our transgender children—deserve equal opportunity and equal protection in their pursuit happiness. As stated by many elected officials in our state, our children deserve the pursuit of happiness. Like the many parents who courageously came to the Capitol this week to fight against these harmful polices, we will continue to advocate for the dignity and care of all our children.”

Follow @jellis9

Like us on Facebook

SALT LAKE CITY — Gov. Spencer Cox delivered his 2023 State of the State address Thursday, speaking directly to Utah’s young people about his priorities to make the state a better place to live for them.

The governor urged the state’s children and youth to not allow fear to get in the way of their “pursuit of happiness,” but to have “faith in good things to come.”

“To anyone who believes that the next generation in Utah will be worse off than their parents, my message is simple: not now, not on our watch,” he said.

Since he announced his budget proposal at the end of last year, the governor has said he wants this year to be “the year of the teacher.” He reiterated his commitment to invest in teachers.

The call comes amid a heated bill on the House floor that attaches teacher salary increases to a controversial voucher program.

Cox acknowledged the state’s housing problems and the difficulty in finding affordable places to live. He said Utah needed to increase its supply if it wants to bring down the cost.

From housing he moved on to being good stewards of Utah’s land and resources, adding that “any discussion of stewardship in our desert climate must start with water.”

He pointed to a recent report that predicted the Great Salt Lake would disappear in five years.

“Let me be absolutely clear, we are not going to let that happen.”

The governor invited legislators and staff to bring a child, grandchild or young family member to be here for the address. pic.twitter.com/kXO1uOGevU

— Matt Rascon (@MattRasconNews) January 20, 2023

Cox pushed back on criticism he’s received for asking people to pray for rain and expressed gratitude for the amount of snow Utah has received so far this year and the increase the lake has seen.

He said one of the biggest challenges young people face is the “proliferation and danger of social media.” He pointed to mental health impacts that he said have come as a result of social media use.

“This is unacceptable. In Utah, we’re done waiting for someone else to solve the problem.”

Cox also asked for legislators’ support of bills that help with domestic violence prevention and touted a new program headed by first lady Abby Cox that would help children in foster care.

“No matter the situation, every Utah child deserves a home filled with love and support. And I do mean every child.”

The governor’s focus on children comes amid a tense debate on three bills that would impact transgender children. SB16 includes a ban on sex-transition surgeries and a moratorium on puberty blockers for minors. The governor has said he would not veto it.

Democratic leaders responded to the state of the state with their own message focused on tackling many of the same issues including water conservation, education, domestic violence prevention and housing.

“Today our state is facing more challenges than ever. It is critical we take steps now to address our most pressing issues,” said House Minority Leader Angela Romero, a Salt Lake City Democrat.

In a combined video with Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla, they said Democrats were committed to being a part of the solution to many of the state’s problems.

“We believe everyone deserves the right to feel like they belong and are valued,” Romero said.

“And not simply just belong but have the opportunity to live their life with dignity and respect,” Escamilla said.

Follow @KSL5TV

Like us on Facebook

SALT LAKE CITY — Sitting on the couch in his Provo apartment, Legran Tadevosyan read aloud from the Bible as his wife Uliana Rohanova and their two children listened. The parents wanted their kids, 9-year-old Oleksandra and 7-year-old Daniel, to learn the story of Christmas.

The family of four hung out on a quiet holiday together, staying home for most of the day.

While the kids were excited about Christmas, Legran and Uliana didn’t have any friends or family to spend it with.

Those times feel like a dream now to Uliana, thinking back to living together as a family in Ukraine and speaking in their language.

For them, leaving everything behind wasn’t a choice.

“We don’t have a place now for return because now Ukraine, it’s a dangerous place,” Uliana said. “And worse than being dangerous, our city is destroyed. And we don’t have a home.”

They wanted to make sure their kids were safe– especially because Uliana is expecting the couple’s third child in February.

Uliana and Legran found out about her pregnancy shortly after they left Ukraine.

“It was surprise,” she said, with a laugh. “But we are happy about it.”

The couple may not have the same network of family and friends in Utah as they did back in Ukraine, but they still have Christmas cheer this season. They put up a Christmas tree and decorated their apartment with tinsel, lights, and stockings above a faux fireplace they created with paper.

“You need some joy and happiness,” Uliana said.

They’re able to talk to Uliana’s family in Mariupol every once in a while, but Uliana explained that cell service is often out. They got to talk to them the day before Christmas, and said their family back home is trying to make the best of things too.

When the couple welcomes their little girl to the world in a couple of months, they know she’ll be safe– and they expressed that it is giving them hope during the holidays.

“We are happy because we are together,” Uliana said. “Because it’s so important you have all your family, and your life. It’s so important.”

Follow @KSL5TV

Like us on Facebook

AMERICAN FORK, Utah — Santa’s sleigh is on the move.

Escorting the man in red himself, several Utah companies — including Xlear, based out of American Fork — came together to deliver light and hope to the some 200+ filled beds at Primary Children’s Hospital.

“Bring that joy and happiness to them in the hospital,” said Joel Melton, Xlear’s director of marketing.

Spreading holiday cheer! 🎄

Right now, Utah companies are coming together to deliver a SLEIGH🛷 full of toys to @primarychildren’s Hospital!

I hear Santa will be making an appearance soon…🎅🏻@KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/EhpfXi1QNQ

— Karah Brackin (@KB_ON_TV) December 15, 2022

Lydia Christiansen is 14 years old. She and her mom, Janene Cline, are some of Santa’s helpers.

It seems like just yesterday the gifts they helped load into Santa’s sleigh would have gone to kids like Christiansen.

“I got a liver transplant when I was 1.5 years old,” Christiansen said.

Cline is no stranger to holidays spent at the hospital, with four kids who spent time at Primary Children’s.

“It’s so hard when you’re there at Christmas time and you want to be with family and friends but your kids are sick,” Cline said.

As more than $20,000 of toys are loaded into Santa’s sleigh, the gift that can’t be wrapped is the best one of all. 

“I’m so grateful for Primary Children’s, and where she’s at now that she can be helping kids that are going through hard times,” Cline said.

Follow @KSL5TV

Like us on Facebook

SALT LAKE CITY — On Friday, Shannon Woodbury legally confirmed the name and gender she has been using for over a decade.

“I came out as transgender way back in 2008,” she said. “My old name, I haven’t gone by that in a really long time. Even my bank and my job have used my new name for paychecks and stuff. I’ve had jobs that have put me down as my preferred gender, as female, for years. But clearly, I’ve wanted to do it officially for a very long time.”

Woodbury was one of dozens of individuals who participated in Gender Marker Day. The day offered queer Utahns the opportunity to receive free help in legally changing their gender markers and/or names. Organizers said the event is the first of its kind not just in Utah, but anywhere in the world.

Avery Kjar, from left, Meredith Thomas, Ronnie Robledo and Niko Ahquin wait for their paperwork to get filed during Gender Marker Change Day at the Scott M. Matheson Courthouse in Salt Lake City on Friday. (Photo: Laura Seitz, Deseret News)

“It’s been months of planning and lots of wrangling cats, but the people that I’ve engaged with, the participants, it’s an incredible population of people,” said attorney Angela Elmore, one of the main organizers for the event. “They’re just so grateful, just super sweet people.”

The event had 57 slots that filled up within a few days, but demand was so high that an estimated 20-60 showed up the day-of in hopes of getting help, Elmore said. She plans to continue the event on a yearly basis, likely each May, and to expand it to include other resources for trans individuals.

Participants said the event is a much-needed resource for Utah’s LGBTQ community since the process to change name and gender markers can be daunting and expensive. The Utah Legal Clinic, for example, has an $885 flat fee for an adult name and/or gender change.

Elmore said the event had a number of small donors and nonprofits who covered the cost of individuals who did not qualify for fee waivers.

Woodbury initially tried to file a name and gender marker change without legal help but discovered she had done so incorrectly after receiving help from the Gender Marker Day volunteers.

“It’s just been hard to know what order to do stuff in,” she said. “(The event) is extremely helpful because I had no idea what to do. It’s great; I’m glad I’m here.”

Sandy resident Jaxon Smith also said the name and gender marker change process was intimidating. The process includes:

• Getting a doctor’s letter stating that the individual has received appropriate clinical care or treatment for gender transition
• Getting a certified letter from the Department of Corrections verifying that the individual is not on the sex and kidnap offender and Child Abuse Offender registries
• Attending a court hearing
• Filing a court order with Utah Vital Records and Statistics
• Updating the individual’s name and gender with the Utah Driver License Division, Social Security Administration, banks, healthcare providers, insurance companies, employers and other institutions.experiences

“I’m really excited that this is such a big step forward in the process, but there’s still so much to do,” Smith said after exiting his court hearing. “And it can be a little bit unclear about what the process is outside of the court. I get my court order — I change my name and gender and that’s great — but then the steps after that, how do I update my Social Security, birth certificate and license and update my name with the banks, my employer, my investment accounts and 401k? All those things — that part is still very daunting.”

The legal change means Smith’s identity is finally reflected on his legal ID. Since transitioning, Smith has had multiple encounters where individuals question his ID, with the conversation often being taken to a manager.

“On one hand, there’s a little bit of happiness because I’m passing so well that they don’t believe it’s me, so that is validating in my transition,” he said. “But on the other hand, it’s really frustrating when there’s nothing I can do. I don’t look like that anymore. I don’t sound like someone who looks like that anymore.”

Although those experience have varied in intensity, Smith said they illustrate the importance of a legal name and gender marker change.

“People will ask me, ‘Well, why does it matter?’ And in some ways, it doesn’t really because no one’s checking my ID to be my friend, right? But it does in a lot of other ways,” he said. “Even just a little instance of getting misgendered or being questioned — whether it’s going into a bar or when you get pulled over — those are actually really difficult to deal with. Even though I am misgendered less and less frequently now, every time I have to show my ID, it’s like another trigger.”

Jaxon Smith shows a card that he uses when he gets questions about his driver’s license photo while waiting during Gender Marker Change Day at the Scott M. Matheson Courthouse in Salt Lake City on Friday. (Photo: Laura Seitz, Deseret News)

SALT LAKE CITY — When a child has a diagnosis of a disease that is life-threatening or brings with it uncertainty about how long the child will survive, Primary Children’s Hospital creates a palliative team — a group of professionals to care for every aspect of that child’s life and his family as well.

With a big smile and a clap of his hand, anyone can tell that Emmett Bleyle is a lively, happy 5-year-old. His parents will tell you that every day of his life is a gift.

“He goes through things that I couldn’t even imagine going through, and he handles it with such a grace,” Rylie Bleyle, Emmett’s mother, said.

When he was just 2.5 months old, Jace and Rylie experienced several anxious days at Primary Children’s Hospital. And then came the shocking diagnosis.

Jace, Emmett’s father, explained, “You got a whole mess of things affecting pretty much his whole body — from his brain, to pancreas, liver — just because of that process isn’t working right. I mean, 70 to 80% of the kids that they know about with the diagnosis don’t make it past one. So, she was devastated. I was devastated.”

Emmett has glycosylation, a rare genetic disorder. There are only about 1,200 cases in the world — 200 in the U.S. and only Emmett in Utah.

Speaking of the research their doctors had to do, Rylie said, “And there was a really big learning curve for us, but also for our doctors, trying to take care of us and trying to give us answers. We had so many questions, and you know, very, very few answers.”

They say they have lost count of how many times doctors and nurses at Primary Children’s saved Emmett’s life.

He cannot walk or speak and needs a feeding tube. Everyone who meets him feels his enthusiasm for life.

“He has lit up the room since he was a baby. He is affectionate. He wants to be with people. He’s very, very social,” said Jamie Seale, a nurse practitioner.

Seale has been caring for Emmett since he was a year old.

“We like to make sure that the children have the best quality of life that they can, that they really can experience the joy and happiness that all children really should have,” Seale said.

She is a member of the Palliative Care Team, which meets the needs of the child with an unknown life expectancy and his or her family. This group includes doctors, nurses, child life specialists, social workers and a chaplain.

“And so, we have to support those families, those parents, because they are the voice of their children, and they are the ones who have to make these incredibly difficult decisions. And we don’t want them to have to do it alone.”

During COVID-19 and isolation, the PCH team was there for the Bleyles.

“They have that saying that ‘not all heroes wear capes,’ and I totally believe that being in the hospital at Primary Children’s,” Jace said.

“And they’re the ones that are like, there to kind of, to pick your pieces up. Because you can’t do it yourself, you know, and so they literally are second family,” Rylie said.

Emmett is thriving, his parents say.

Rylie described what people say about her son, “There’s something about him that people are just like, ‘He sees into my soul.’ Right, you know, like, he looks at, and you know that, like, he can’t talk to you, but he understands you.”

They credit the remarkable medical team and the care that he receives from the hearts of Primary Children’s professionals.

With tears streaming down her cheeks, Seale said, “So we want to focus on that whole family and that whole child. We want to make sure that they have as much joy as possible.”

Joy is the word his nurse and his parents use to describe Emmett. It is, they say, what they want for him and what he brings to the world.

A U.S. judge in Texas on Thursday blocked President Joe Biden’s plan to provide millions of borrowers with up to $20,000 apiece in federal student-loan forgiveness — a program that was already on hold as a federal appeals court in St. Louis considers a separate lawsuit by six states challenging it.

District Court Judge Mark Pittman, an appointee of former President Donald Trump based in Fort Worth, said the program usurped Congress’ power to make laws.

“In this country, we are not ruled by an all-powerful executive with a pen and a phone. Instead, we are ruled by a Constitution that provides for three distinct and independent branches of government,” Pittman wrote.

He added: “The Court is not blind to the current political division in our country. But it is fundamental to the survival of our Republic that the separation of powers as outlined in our Constitution be preserved.”

The debt forgiveness plan would cancel $10,000 in student loan debt for those making less than $125,000 or households with less than $250,000 in income. Pell Grant recipients, who typically demonstrate more financial need, would get an additional $10,000 in debt forgiven.

The cancellation applies to federal student loans used to attend undergraduate and graduate school, along with Parent Plus loans.

The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals had put the forgiveness plan on hold Oct. 21 while it considered an effort by the states of Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Arkansas and South Carolina to block the program.

While the stay temporarily stopped the administration from actually clearing debt, the White House has encouraged borrowers to continue applying for relief, saying the court order did not prevent applications or the review of applications.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the administration disagreed with Thursday’s ruling and the Department of Justice had filed an appeal. She said so far 26 million people had applied for debt relief, and 16 million people had already had their relief approved. The Department of Education would “quickly process their relief once we prevail in court,” she said.

“The President and this Administration are determined to help working and middle-class Americans get back on their feet, while our opponents — backed by extreme Republican special interests — sued to block millions of Americans from getting much-needed relief,” she said in a statement.

The legal challenges have created confusion about whether borrowers who expected to have debt canceled will have to resume making payments come Jan. 1, when a pause prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic is set to expire.

Economists worry that many people have yet to rebound financially from the pandemic, saying that if borrowers who were expecting debt cancellation are asked to make payments instead, many could fall behind on the bills and default.

In his order Thursday, Pittman said the Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students Act of 2003, commonly known as the HEROES Act, did not provide the authorization for the loan forgiveness program that the Biden administration claimed it did.

The law allows the secretary of education to “waive or modify any statutory or regulatory provision applicable to the student financial assistance programs … as the Secretary deems necessary in connection with a war or other military operation or national emergency.”

The administration argued that the student loan relief was thus authorized as a means of dealing with the national emergency of the pandemic. Pittman disagreed, finding that a program of such massive import required clear congressional authorization. The HEROES Act “does not provide the executive branch clear congressional authorization to create a $400 billion student loan forgiveness program,” he wrote.

Pittman also rejected the government’s arguments that the plaintiffs who brought the lawsuit lacked standing. Plaintiffs Myra Brown and Alexander Taylor both have student loans, but Brown is ineligible for debt relief because her loans are commercially held, and Taylor is not eligible for the full $20,000 because he didn’t receive a Pell grant.

The administration said they weren’t harmed by the loan forgiveness program and their “unhappiness that some other borrowers are receiving a greater benefit than they are” did not give them grounds to sue.

Pittman said they were harmed, however, because the government did not take public comment on eligibility requirements for the program, meaning they had no chance to provide input on a program they would be at least be partially excluded from.

Reaction to the ruling was predictably mixed along political fault lines. The Student Borrower Protection Center blasted Pittman as a “right-wing federal judge,” saying “tens of millions of student loan borrowers across the country now have their vital debt relief blocked as a result of this farcical and fabricated legal claim.”

Rep. Virginia Foxx of North Carolina, the ranking Republican on the House education committee, celebrated it.

“Yet another nail has been added to the coffin of President Biden’s illegal student loan bailout, and hardworking taxpayers across the country are rightfully rejoicing,” she said. “This administration continues to operate as if its own self-appointed authority in transferring billions of dollars in student loans is legitimate, but the rule of law says otherwise.”

___

Johnson reported from Seattle. Associated Press reporter Jim Salter contributed from St. Louis.

A Bowie County jury last month found Taylor Rene Parker guilty of capital murder in the deaths of Reagan Michelle Simmons and her baby, after about an hour of deliberations, the district attorney’s office previously said. The same jury was then tasked with choosing her sentence, with the alternative to death being life in prison without parole.

Online court records show the jury handed down the death sentence Wednesday. CNN has reached out to Parker’s attorney for comment.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Parker had told her boyfriend and others she was pregnant, held a gender reveal party and on October 9, 2020, said she was going to a hospital in Idabel, Oklahoma, to preregister for labor to be induced.

That same morning, police in New Boston, Texas, west of Texarkana, received a 911 call from a woman who reported someone had killed her daughter, the affidavit said. Responding officers found Simmons, who they learned had been 34 weeks pregnant, with a large cut along her abdomen and the baby no longer in her womb.

Texas state troopers conducted a traffic stop of a car that morning and found Parker holding a baby in her lap and “the umbilical cord was connected to the infant, which appeared to be coming out of the female’s pants, as if she gave birth to the child,” the affidavit said.

Parker and the baby were taken to the hospital in Idabel, where hospital staff determined Parker had not given birth to the child. Parker then admitted to being in a “physical altercation” with the victim and abducting the unborn baby from the victim’s body.

Authorities determined Parker caused the deaths of both Simmons and her baby “due to the inability to provide necessary care to the child,” the affidavit said.

With her death sentence, Parker becomes one of just seven women on Texas’ death row, according to statistics from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

“We are just so thankful justice has been served today, for not only our family, our friends, the prosecution team, our community,” Jessica Brooks, the mother of the victim, told CNN affiliate KSLA, which reported the sentencing trial lasted 25 days and included 142 witnesses.

According to the station, prosecutors argued for death, saying Parker would not change, while the defense, in seeking the provide jurors with context from Parker’s life, said she had traumatic issues that had not been addressed.

“I’m overwhelmed with happiness it’s over,” the victim’s sister Emily Simmons said, per KSLA, “because (Parker) has been such a burden in our life for so long now that I haven’t been able to think about my sister without thinking about her.”

The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

SALT LAKE CITY — When 13-year-old Red entered foster care two years ago, she never imagined being adopted by a woman in New York, but today that’s exactly where Red is living and not only does she now have a mother, but she also has two sisters, three dogs, and two cats.

“I was really excited to have a family to call my own and have a fresh start and go somewhere new, and this is exactly what I needed,” said Red to KSL TV’s Shara Park.

Red and her mother, Kim, offered to share their adoption story in hopes of bringing awareness to the need for more foster and adoptive families.

“I never intended on doing a cross-country adoption, but it was the most incredible thing,” Kim said.

For six years Kim, who is a single mother of two, considered adopting, she had gone through the process of becoming a foster parent.

In January 2021, came across Red’s profile on a national adoption website, AdoptUSKids.

“I saw her picture and read her bio, and I was like, she sounds amazing,” Kim said. “When I inquired about Red, her case workers got back to me right away, and the process, as long as it was, was significantly easier than I could have imagined.”

Red’s profile picture with her new basketball team in New York.

After a few months of communication with Red, Kim learned she could come to Utah and take the next steps toward adoption.

“This was definitely the biggest leap and the best thing I’ve ever done in my life,” Kim said.

“When I heard they found a family for me and there was a family that wanted to adopt me, I was really happy and excited because I didn’t want to be in foster care forever,” Red said.

In March 2021, Kim and her two daughters drove to Utah to meet Red. Their first family date was at Lagoon.

“That very first meeting, I think my heart actually exploded,” Kim said.

For several days Kim and the girls spent time together and formed a bond. Kim said she knew she wanted to adopt Red and make her part of the family and hoped she could be the mother Red needed.

Red, meeting her future family for the first time in Lagoon.

“It was scary on a lot of levels, like am I going to be a good enough mom to her,” Kim said. “She was 11, she’s coming into being a teenager, like holy moly, what is going on here? I was just worried I wouldn’t be a good enough mom.”

But Kim would end up being just what Red needed to feel loved and accepted.

“I know I’m here forever and they’re not just going to give me away,” Red said.

The interstate adoption process takes time – but in October 2021, Kim was finally allowed to move Red to New York, and then in April of this year – she was officially adopted.

Red with her new sisters at a lake house.

Red is now enjoying all the things New York has to offer, she says she loves the fall colors and trying new things with her sisters. Kim said she’s good at basketball and loves playing on a team.

“She has seen, in her short life, some of the hardest things I could ever imagine, and she’s here, and she’s so strong and so determined, she knows what she wants to do, she knows who she is, and I’m so proud to be along for the ride on that,” Kim said.

Red says her mother and sisters have given her a new outlook on life, and she wants other kids living in foster care to know that happiness is out there.

“You can’t define yourself by foster care because you’re still human even though you’re in foster care, you’re just waiting for the right person to find you,” Red said.

When asked what advice Kim would give other families who may be considering fostering or adoption, her answer is simple.

“It is so worth it, hesitation is natural, but it is so good,” Kim said.

If you would like to know more about fostering or adopting a child living in foster care – please visit Raise the Future website.

Follow @KSL5TV

Like us on Facebook

(CNN) — The multiple antisemitic messages that appeared in public spaces in Jacksonville, Florida, this weekend, including at the high-profile Florida-Georgia college football game, do not constitute crimes at this time, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said.

“At this time, the Sheriff’s Office has not identified any crimes having been committed; the comments displayed do not include any type of threat and are protected by the First Amendment,” public information officer T.N. Dash said in an email. “We will continue to monitor any reports of this nature to determine if they rise to level of a criminal nature.”

The Jacksonville branch of the FBI also said it is in contact with the sheriff’s office in case the investigation reveals further information of a crime.

“Investigating these acts remains a top priority for the FBI because hate crimes are not only an attack on the victim — these acts are meant to threaten and intimidate an entire community,” FBI Jacksonville Special Agent in Charge Sherri Onks said.

The police statements came as local and state officials condemned the antisemitic messages. The US has seen a rise in antisemitic incidents over the past few years, with 941 incidents in 2015 jumping to 2,717 tracked in 2021 by the Anti-Defamation League. Four years ago, a gunman stormed into a synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and killed 11 people in the deadliest attack on Jewish people on US soil.

One of the messages, referencing rapper Kanye West, was seen scrolling on the outside of TIAA Bank Field during the Florida-Georgia game on Saturday, according to video shot by a relative of Vic Micolucci, a reporter for CNN affiliate WJXT.

In the video, the words “Kanye is right about the jews” are visible scrolling across the exterior of the stadium structure, referencing recent antisemitic comments from the rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West.

Horrible to see that someone projected an anti-Semitic message on to TIAA Bank Field at the end of the sold-out Georgia-Florida game. A relative sent this to me. It’s in reference to comments Ye (formerly Kanye West) made recently.

This hate has to stop. Period. pic.twitter.com/kBKYUx7hIh

— Vic Micolucci WJXT (@WJXTvic) October 30, 2022

It is unclear how the message was projected onto the stadium wall. It is also unclear how long the message was visible outside the stadium.

“We are horrified by and condemn the hate speech committed at TIAA Bank Field on Saturday night and other acts of anti-Semitism so visible of late,” TIAA Bank Field Vice President Michael Cosgrove said in a statement. “TIAA stands with the Jewish community and remains committed to inclusion and tolerance.”

In other videos circulating on social media, the same message was also visible on at least one building in Jacksonville on Saturday night.

And on Friday, banners were also visible from a highway overpass on Interstate 10 in Jacksonville, according to a tweet from a local reporter. They were also referenced in a statement by Florida Agricultural Commissioner Nikki Fried. The banners read “End Jewish Supremacy in America” and “Honk if you know it’s the Jews.”

The language in the scrolling messages in Jacksonville mirrors banners hung from a freeway overpass in Los Angeles last weekend by a group appearing to make Nazi salutes.

Jennifer Plotkin, the Board President of the Jewish Federation and Foundation in Northeast Florida, told CNN’s Brianna Keilar Monday she was “certainly disheartened and concerned by the escalation of antisemitic rhetoric that we’ve seen, specifically over this past weekend.”

“We are very thankful for the numerous leaders and community members who have expressed their disgust and condemnation of these acts as well and going forward we will be using our anger and disappointment that these things are happening here, to build alliances within our community and to ensure that our Jewish community is protected,” Plotkin added.

Police investigating antisemitic message in south Florida

In southern Florida, the Broward County sheriff’s office is investigating a report of racist and antisemitic messages spray-painted in Weston on Sunday morning, according to a release.

The mayor of Weston and other city leaders announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of whomever is responsible for the vandalism. The messages were spray-painted around a playground and included swastikas and phrases like “N***ers kill Jews” and “I hate Jews.”

Captain Sam Cavalieri with the Broward County Sheriff’s Office said the perpetrators would likely be charged with vandalism, with an enhancement for a hate crime.

“These crimes are disgusting and disturbing,” Cavalieri said.

Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony, who is Black, said antisemitic and racist messages would not be tolerated.

“Such acts constitute a hate crime and are a reminder of a dark period in history when both Blacks and Jews were viciously assaulted and murdered without just cause,” he said. “Like my Jewish brothers and sisters, I recall the deep pain and hardship of my ancestors, and I will continue to defend all our residents’ lives, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.”

“Broward County is one of the most diverse counties in the state, and we are proud of every segment that makes us unique.”

Weston Mayor Margaret Brown also spoke out against the crime: “When members of our community are attacked, it affects and impacts us all,” Brown said during a news conference on Monday morning. “We stand together united against the racist, antisemitic messages. In Weston, there is no place for hate, and we will not tolerate it. Our community is not and will not again tolerate such acts.”

Florida officials criticize antisemitism

A number of Florida officials have condemned the messages in statements following the weekend.

“The first step is to ensure we do not normalize this behavior,” Fried said. “Do not normalize antisemitic messages above a freeway, or anywhere else.”

The Jewish Federation and Foundation of Northeast Florida has “condemned and is outraged” by the multiple antisemitic events.

“We are harnessing our outrage into positive action. The Jewish Federation and Foundation has been in communication with the FBI, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, and the St. Johns Sheriff’s office. We will continue to work with them in ensuring the safety and security of our community,” the group said in a statement.

“The rhetoric we have seen and heard in the last few weeks is unnerving and a scare tactic. However, our largest concern is that even one person will see this as a call to action and repeat what we witnessed in Pittsburgh exactly four years ago this weekend,” the Federation said.

US Rep. John Rutherford, whose district includes Jacksonville, said in a statement on Twitter, “There is absolutely no room for this sort of hate in Florida. I continue to stand in support of the Jewish community in Jacksonville and across the nation.”

pic.twitter.com/qTujGchreL

— Rep. John Rutherford (@RepRutherfordFL) October 30, 2022

In a tweet on Sunday morning, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry said the city is made better because of its diversity.

“Those who spread messages of hate, racism and antisemitism will not be able to change the heart of this city or her people,” Curry wrote in the tweet. “I condemn these cowards and their cowardly messages.”

The University of Georgia and University of Florida jointly issued a statement condemning the messages.

“We strongly condemn the antisemitic hate speech projected outside TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville after the Florida-Georgia football game Saturday night and the other antisemitic messages that have appeared in Jacksonville.

“The University of Florida and the University of Georgia together denounce these and all acts of antisemitism and other forms of hatred and intolerance. We are proud to be home to strong and thriving Jewish communities at UGA and UF, and we stand together against hate,” the statement said.

West appeared in a rambling 16-minute video shared by WmgLab Records on YouTube on Saturday, in which he did not apologize for his antisemitic remarks but seemed to try to distance himself from any “hate group.”

“I have no association to any hate group,” West said as he closed his remarks in prayer. “If any hate happens upon any Jewish person, it is not associated (gestures to himself) because I am demanding that everyone walk in love.”

Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan said he was “really distressed on all this antisemitic rhetoric around Florida-Georgia.”

“It’s not the Jacksonville I know and love, and all of us have to work together to absolutely put an end to it. So, let’s stop it,” he said prior to the Jaguars game against the Denver Broncos in London.

The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

SALT LAKE CITY — Now, maybe more than ever, communities have focused on mental health and the importance of taking care of yourself.

There’s still a long way to go, but as one Salt Lake City-based community has found finding, the right people and resources may only be a click away. 

The WeAreMind community was established for like-minded people to get together and discuss their mental health struggles.

The Mind community started with a conversation and a post on LinkedIn.

From there, they found just like our own minds, while we can’t always see what goes on inside, we know it’s working. 

Nick Stagge co-founded Mind and is a mental health advocate. 

“I would carry around poker chips to help me manage my anxiety and depression. When the executive team would report to me and ask me about the poker chips, I told them I had a gambling problem,” Stagge said. 

He said at the time, it was easier for him to use the story of a fake gambling problem than it was to share what was really going on: A years-long struggle with anxiety and depression. 

That changed during one honest conversation. 

“When Levi asked about these poker chips I just told him the truth,” said Stagge. 

Up until that point, Levi Lindsay and Nick Stagge had been strictly business. Through that conversation and more than a dozen others, they shared their mental health struggles with one another and “WeareMind” came to life. 

“We accidentally launched,” Stagge said. 

It was a fortunate accident born in 2020.

“We made a post on social media with zero followers with zero intentions or goals on what was going to happen,” Stagge said. 

Here’s what did happen according to Stagge. “People just started coming out of the woodwork kind of raising their hands both privately and publicly saying I struggle with mental health and I want to start talking about that.”

Support shows up publicly but Stagge said the majority of support happens privately.

“We’re not trained psychiatrists, not trying to solve problems, but encourage conversation to be centered around empathy and understanding,” he explained. 

A way to know if someone is open to having those honest conversations is by looking for the 💭 emoji posted to their social profiles.

“That signifies they are a mental health advocate and they are open to having a convo with you. Open to being there to help. We’ve had people call in some pretty dire moments and we’ve had people call with a bunch of wins and success stories and happiness. If you’ve helped one you’ve helped enough,” Stagge said. 

Stagge said any money that comes in to Mind goes toward paying for therapy sessions for people who can’t afford it.

You can find those thought emojis across social media beside people’s names or handles. To get connected, you’re encouraged to visit them on LinkedIn or WeAreMind.org.

Suicide prevention resources

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or exhibiting warning signs, call, text, or chat the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 which is answered 24/7/365 by crisis counselors at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute. All calls to legacy crisis hotlines, including the old National Suicide Prevention hotline, 1-800-273-8255, will also connect to a crisis care worker at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute as well.

Additional resources

• SafeUT: Parents, students, and educators can connect with a licensed crisis counselor through chat by downloading the SafeUT app or by calling 833-3SAFEUT (833-372-33888)
• SafeUT Frontline: First responders, including firefighters, law enforcement, EMS, and healthcare professionals can chat with a licensed crisis counselor at no cost 24/7/365 by downloading the SafeUT Frontline app.
• SafeUTNG: Members of the National Guard can chat with a licensed crisis counselor at no cost 24/7/365 by downloading the SafeUTNG app.
• Utah Warm Line: For non-crisis situations, when you need a listening ear as you heal and recover from a personal struggle, call 1-833 SPEAKUT 8:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m., 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
• The Huntsman Mental Health Institute offers a wide variety of programs and services including suicide prevention and crisis services, hospital treatment, therapy & medication management, substance Use & addiction recovery, child & teen programs, and maternal mental health services including birth trauma, pregnancy loss, infertility, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
• LiveOnUtah.org is a statewide effort to prevent suicide by promoting education, providing resources, and changing Utah’s culture around suicide and mental health. They offer resources for faith based groups, LGBTQ+, youth, employers, firearm suicide prevention, and crisis and treatment options.

Other community-based resources

• NAMI Utah provides education, support and advocacy for individuals and families impacted by mental illness.
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention offers prevention programs, public education, support for loss survivors, and fundraising for research.
• Encircle Utah: LGBTQ+ family and youth resource center.
• Utah Pride Center empowers Utah’s diverse LGBTQ+ community.
• The Trevor Project: LGBTQ teen resource center.
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Mental Health
• Latino Behavioral Health Services

Center for Workplace Mental Health offers suicide prevention and response for employers.

Follow @KSL5TV

Like us on Facebook