KSL's Inside Sources

Wild Utah Weather: Lightning strikes truck in Southern Utah

Imagine this: you're driving down the highway and then *BAM* ... you've been hit by lightning. A man driving on I-15 outside of Cedar City found himself in this exact situation yesterday. He was driving on the freeway minding his own business when suddenly, his truck got hit with a bolt of lightning. When all was said and done, the truck was a total loss. The whole front part of the truck -- everything but the bed -- was burned or melted. Greg and Jim pose the question: if you only have 10 seconds to get out of your car, what would you grab?

 - Utah Heat: Is this the warmest summer on record?

Get ready for more triple-digit heat. Only the upper 90s today, but more potentially record-breaking highs are on deck for this weekend. And with those highs, many have asked the question: are our summers actually getting hotter? Or is this year more of a fluke? KSL Meteorologist Matt Johnson joins with some answers.

 - War in Iran: New data on economic effects, Israel PM not backing down

The War in Iran is being blamed -- at least in part -- for a slowing U.S. economy. This morning, new data released from the Feds show that the economy slowed more than expected due to the war and stubborn inflation. We've talked a lot about the roller coaster of gas and oil prices, but is there more to the story? Professor Jason Kotter, Assistant Professor of Finance at the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University shares his insights. At the same time attacks on Iran are ramping up, President Trump is voicing frustration with the way Israeli leadership are handling the conflict. We hear some of an exclusive interview from ABC News, and then the hosts discuss.

 - Privacy vs. Safety: Flock cameras and automated license plate readers

As technology expands and improves, it brings up a really interesting discussion on safety versus privacy. Right now, leaders in Salt Lake City are trying to decide how to best use automatic license plate readers -- trying to balance privacy and safety. And across the country, Americans from all walks of life are pushing back on this expansion of private "Flock" cameras, saying it's moving us closer and closer to being a surveillance state. What do you think?

 - Emergency response aircraft coming soon to a sky near you

The future is here, and it could mean the difference between life and death, especially in rural parts of the state. A new electric aircraft would provide speedy emergency response and it could be in the air before you know it. Rather than drones delivering packages and such, this kind of aircraft would help get first responders to the scene or rural or hard-to-reach emergencies. Greg volunteers on a local ski patrol and shares his thoughts on how this could help in a plethora of situations.

 - Kouri Richins' motion to remove judge in new trial denied

Even after being convicted of killing her husband and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, Kouri Richins isn’t giving up. She and her legal team are trying to get a whole new trial, claiming that the judge who oversaw the original case wasn’t fair and came off as “hostile” to their side. Another judge denied that motion last night. KSL Legal Analyst Greg Skordas explains the development and the future of all the appeals.

 - First feature film made using AI coming to theaters this fall

So-called AI "slop"... coming soon to a cinema near you?? The country's first AI-generated film is set to debut on the silver screen this fall. Now it's not fully artificial intelligence -- there are real people involved as well. But this movie does rely heavily on AI for special effects and other visuals. This segment, we have a conversation about what this could mean for the movie industry overall; KSL Movie Show host Andy Farnsworth joins in.

 - Poll: Majority of Utahns willing to pay higher energy costs if it promotes clean energy

Would you be willing to pay more for your electricity if you knew it was coming from clean energy sources? A new poll from Utah State University says more than half of Utahns are willing to pay more on their power bills if it means supporting clean energy. Greg and Jim see both benefits and flaws to this idea; listen in for more details.

 - Lame-duck Senators stand in way of Attorney General confirmation

Another day… another hiccup in the confirmation process for Todd Blanche as he works to become the country's next Attorney General. Now, President Trump is floating the idea of pulling the nomination… at least temporarily. What's been really interesting about this whole process is who's holding it up: two lame-duck Republican Senators. We get updates on the hearing thus far and discuss the specific reservations the two Senators seem to have.

 - Federal government expands law helping 'downwinders'

When you hear the term "downwinders," you might only think of people living in Southern Utah during the government's nuclear testing decades ago. But the government has actually expanded who qualifies as a downwinder. For people who were made ill by nuclear testing -- but lived in places like Northern Utah -- they haven't qualified for help.... until now. Deseret News reporter Lois Collins explains.

 - Davis School District superintendent wins state award

Some exciting recognition in Davis School District -- their superintendent has received the award for Utah Superintendent of the Year. Dr. Daniel Linford was recognized by his peers from around the state, who say he uplifts and trains education leaders both in his district and around the state.

Some exciting recognition in Davis School District -- their superintendent has received the award for Utah Superintendent of the Year. Dr. Daniel Linford was recognized by his peers from around the state, who say he uplifts and trains education leaders both in his district and around the state.

When you hear the term "downwinders," you might only think of people living in Southern Utah during the government's nuclear testing decades ago. But the government has actually expanded who qualifies as a downwinder. For people who were made ill by nuclear testing -- but lived in places like Northern Utah -- they haven't qualified for help.... until now. Deseret News reporter Lois Collins explains.

Another day… another hiccup in the confirmation process for Todd Blanche as he works to become the country's next Attorney General. Now, President Trump is floating the idea of pulling the nomination… at least temporarily. What's been really interesting about this whole process is who's holding it up: two lame-duck Republican Senators. We get updates on the hearing thus far and discuss the specific reservations the two Senators seem to have.

Would you be willing to pay more for your electricity if you knew it was coming from clean energy sources? A new poll from Utah State University says more than half of Utahns are willing to pay more on their power bills if it means supporting clean energy. Greg and Jim see both benefits and flaws to this idea; listen in for more details.

So-called AI "slop"... coming soon to a cinema near you?? The country's first AI-generated film is set to debut on the silver screen this fall. Now it's not fully artificial intelligence -- there are real people involved as well. But this movie does rely heavily on AI for special effects and other visuals. This segment, we have a conversation about what this could mean for the movie industry overall; KSL Movie Show host Andy Farnsworth joins in.

Even after being convicted of killing her husband and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, Kouri Richins isn’t giving up. She and her legal team are trying to get a whole new trial, claiming that the judge who oversaw the original case wasn’t fair and came off as “hostile” to their side. Another judge denied that motion last night. KSL Legal Analyst Greg Skordas explains the development and the future of all the appeals.

The future is here, and it could mean the difference between life and death, especially in rural parts of the state. A new electric aircraft would provide speedy emergency response and it could be in the air before you know it. Rather than drones delivering packages and such, this kind of aircraft would help get first responders to the scene or rural or hard-to-reach emergencies. Greg volunteers on a local ski patrol and shares his thoughts on how this could help in a plethora of situations.

As technology expands and improves, it brings up a really interesting discussion on safety versus privacy. Right now, leaders in Salt Lake City are trying to decide how to best use automatic license plate readers -- trying to balance privacy and safety. And across the country, Americans from all walks of life are pushing back on this expansion of private "Flock" cameras, saying it's moving us closer and closer to being a surveillance state. What do you think?

The War in Iran is being blamed -- at least in part -- for a slowing U.S. economy. This morning, new data released from the Feds show that the economy slowed more than expected due to the war and stubborn inflation. We've talked a lot about the roller coaster of gas and oil prices, but is there more to the story? Professor Jason Kotter, Assistant Professor of Finance at the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University shares his insights. At the same time attacks on Iran are ramping up, President Trump is voicing frustration with the way Israeli leadership are handling the conflict. We hear some of an exclusive interview from ABC News, and then the hosts discuss.

Get ready for more triple-digit heat. Only the upper 90s today, but more potentially record-breaking highs are on deck for this weekend. And with those highs, many have asked the question: are our summers actually getting hotter? Or is this year more of a fluke? KSL Meteorologist Matt Johnson joins with some answers.

Imagine this: you're driving down the highway and then *BAM* ... you've been hit by lightning. A man driving on I-15 outside of Cedar City found himself in this exact situation yesterday. He was driving on the freeway minding his own business when suddenly, his truck got hit with a bolt of lightning. When all was said and done, the truck was a total loss. The whole front part of the truck -- everything but the bed -- was burned or melted. Greg and Jim pose the question: if you only have 10 seconds to get out of your car, what would you grab?

Inside Sources Full Show - July 29th, 2026

Host Greg Skordas and guest host Jim Bennett

If you look through your fridge or your pantry... and you notice food with an expired label... do you automatically toss it out? Or do you take a little peek or sneak a little sniff to see if it's still up to snuff? Greg and Jim finish the show reading your text messages and share insights from food safety experts.

A bit of trouble for the Rio Grande Plan... but also maybe still a little bit of hope? The ambitious plan to bury railroad lines through Salt Lake City failed to advance in a West-East Connections Study. Many said the plan was dead after that. But some city leaders are pushing back on that assumption, saying they discussions aren't over yet. KSL.com reporter Carter Williams spoke with city council members and joins the show with what they're saying.

The U.S. Department of Energy has named Utah as one of its top picks to host a new Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus. The project isn't official yet and would still be several years out. But state leaders say it will be good economically for the state and for Tooele County, where the site would be located. 

Mourners from around the state gathered this morning at Utah Valley University to honor and remember the Long family, five of whom were killed in a flash flood in Wayne County earlier this month. This was such a sad story: a Provo fire captain, local business owner, and several of their children... all caught in a flash flood outside of the town of Bicknell. One family member -- the daughter of Katrina Long -- was not with the rest of them at the time. Out of respect for the family, we don't take any of the funeral service in this segment. Instead, Greg and Jim share thoughts about the Long family and the legacy they leave behind.

It's hot here in Utah and hot around the rest of the country right now. But in Europe, another heatwave in just a few months is spelling disaster. Between fires burning out of control and thousands of heat-related deaths, it's bad news all around. So what is it about Europe that makes their heatwaves so much deadlier than ours? Greg and Jim discuss.

This morning, KSL learned that an infant in Vernal died after being left in a hot car for several hours. The father who supposedly left the child in the car has now been arrested for investigation of child abuse homicide. Regardless of who's at fault, it's a heartbreaking situation. Greg and Jim walk through the specific situation. Then they're joined by 'Kids and Car Safety' director Amber Rollins, who shares her thoughts on the situation and tips for all parents to be more alert with their kids.
  

Who hasn't felt overworked before? It's pretty common to work long hours or have a long week every once in a while. But one newer Utah judge says his plate is constantly overloaded and has been for far too long. Now, he's made the decision to step away from the bench. He claims that the workload is significantly more than is feasible for one person to take on, and says this kind of thing could spell more issues for the Utah justice system as a whole.

The preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson -- the man accused of killing political influencer Charlie Kirk -- is on hold until September. But now, the Utah County Attorney's Office says the case needs to move forward to trial. In a new filing, the prosecution says there's more than enough evidence to go ahead. Greg tends to agree, having voiced his own frustrations with the slow speed at which this whole thing has moved.

Several tense hours on Capitol Hill today, as the nation's top doctor during the COVID-19 pandemic appeared before a Senate committee. Dr. Anthony Fauci spent more than 3 hours in from of the committee, but answered very few questions; instead, he invoked his 5th Amendment right 111 times. Dr. Fauci was subpoenaed to appear before the committee over allegations that he lied to Congress about the origins of COVID-19. Greg Skordas and guest host Jim Bennett share their thoughts on whether this investigation is warranted and weather it will go anywhere. NewsNation investigative correspondent Rich McHugh shares reaction from committee members after the hearing.

Calls for Congress to forego August recess and pass SAVE America Act instead

Congress is about to head out from Washington, D.C. for about a month, but Utah's own Senator Mike Lee says members of Congress should forego the trip back home to meet with constituents and pass the SAVE America Act instead. The problem is that the bill still doesn't have the votes, even among Republicans. So why's Senator Lee pushing for this move? Deseret News Congressional Correspondent Cami Mondeaux explains the Senator's recent moves.

 - WSJ: Major companies hiring retired CEOs to run their business

A new article in the Wall Street Journal says more and more companies are bringing older CEOs out of retirement to run major corporations again. These aren't younger guys who retired early; they're generally men older than 70. Cracker Barrel, Boeing, and Verizon are just a few of the latest companies to go this route. Is that wise? Could it jade younger people who are already struggling to get a foot in the door? Millennial and Inside Sources Executive Producer Andy Cupp shares his thoughts.

 - Ask the Attorney: Brian Kohberger wants to withdraw guilty plea

At what point is it too late to take back a guilty plea? The man accused of killing four students from the University of Idaho in 2022 is now trying to take back his guilty plea and go to trial. Brian Kohberger is petitioning a judge to withdraw his earlier guilty plea, saying he wants this to go to trial now instead. What would have changed Kohberger's mind, and it is a smart move? KSL Legal Analyst Greg Skordas breaks it down.

 - Pres. Trump asks SCOTUS to take up executive order on mail-in voting

The fight from the Trump Administration against mail-in voting continues today. Over the weekend, an appeals court sided against the President, saying he's not allow to impose restrictions on mail-in voting. Now, President Trump is taking that fight to the United States Supreme Court. Greg and Jim are both skeptical of a win for the administration; they explain why.

 - The ongoing effects of gambling on America's young people

It can sometimes feel a little weird to talk about gambling in a state like Utah, where we're not allowed to gamble. But that doesn't mean people don't find ways around it. And more and more, we're seeing the negative effects of gambling -- how it can really impact a person and our communities. Jay Evensen, Opinion Editor at the Deseret News has a new piece examining how gambling can affect young people; he joins the show to share his thoughts.

 - 98 days to go until the midterm election

Gambling might not be allowed in Utah, but that doesn't mean we can't make some predictions on the upcoming midterm elections. With less than 100 days to go until folks cast their ballots around the country, Greg and Jim discuss the chances Democrats have to regain the House and/or the Senate.

 - More homebuyers looking at wildfire risk when purchasing a new house

When buying a home, people tend to look at the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the size of the yard, and the amenities like a hot tub, den, or a double oven. And now, more and more people are also looking at wildfires when shopping for a new place to live. Is this just our new reality with warmer temperatures and a hotter climate?

 - Social: Fly 24 hours straight or take a few layovers?

If you had to travel to the other side of the world -- say from Europe to Australia -- would you rather take a single nonstop flight or split it up with a layover or two? Overnight, plane maker Airbus and Qantas Airways broke a world record in an initiative called "Project Sunrise." In a journey lasting 24 hours and 24 minutes, a brand new plane flew from southern France to southeast Australia. Inside Sources Executive Producer and self-proclaimed plane nerd Andy Cupp has the story; Greg and Jim give their thoughts on the option.

 - Utah ranked as number one state in the nation… for the 4th year in a row

Utah's been ranked the number one state in the nation for the 4th year in a row. But it's not all sunshine and roses and unicorns -- we come in near the very bottom of the list in one category: natural environment. Greg Skordas and Jim Bennett go through some of the rankings and why U.S. News and World Report says the Beehive State is the best in the country.

Utah's been ranked the number one state in the nation for the 4th year in a row. But it's not all sunshine and roses and unicorns -- we come in near the very bottom of the list in one category: natural environment. Greg Skordas and Jim Bennett go through some of the rankings and why U.S. News and World Report says the Beehive State is the best in the country.

If you had to travel to the other side of the world -- say from Europe to Australia -- would you rather take a single nonstop flight or split it up with a layover or two? Overnight, plane maker Airbus and Qantas Airways broke a world record in an initiative called "Project Sunrise." In a journey lasting 24 hours and 24 minutes, a brand new plane flew from southern France to southeast Australia. Inside Sources Executive Producer and self-proclaimed plane nerd Andy Cupp has the story; Greg and Jim give their thoughts on the option.