KSL's Inside Sources

Topics we cover on this episode of KSL's Inside Sources include:

• Utah Firewatch: A dry, dangerous summer weekend
• Continued counting of ballots in California races upsets national Republicans
• Strengthening family connections and relationships
• Pentagon updates religious classifications... again. Plus more congressional updates from Washington, DC.
• Kamala Harris weighs running for president again in 2028
• America250: Have we forgotten how to argue with ourselves?
• Silent book clubs

Get this -- some newer book clubs have become silent reading clubs, and they're offering readers a chance to really take a break and give themselves a brain boost. Holly and Greg debate the best ways to read books -- whether alone or with friends, whether via a physical book or an audio book, etc. Holly also shares some of her fun facts and Greg gives his closing argument of the day.

As we approach our nation's 250th birthday, there's a question we've heard: Have we forgotten how to argue with ourselves? Now we all know how to argue -- at least how to scream over each other -- that's pretty obvious. But what about actual debate and actual discussion that helps us find common ground and a common path forward? For today's America250 coverage, Inside Sources discusses this question with Sam Abrams, a contributor for the Deseret News and a professor of politics at Sarah Lawrence College.

Despite her name recognition, some previous supporters of former Vice President Kamala Harris say they're not excited about the possibility that Harris might run for president again in 2028. But if we're looking ahead to the next Presidential election, have Democrats really put anyone forward who could defeat someone like current Vice President JD Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio, both of whom are rumored to run in 2028 as well?

Following backlash and outrage from several members of Congress -- those in Utah and even those not in Utah -- the Pentagon changed its chaplain religious classification again, opting not to have anything except non-denominational listed as "Christian." Deseret News Congressional Correspondent Cami Mondeaux joins to explain what was happening behind the scenes for this change to occur. She also shares updates on FISA and a potential second reconciliation package.

Family... isn't it about time? Long-time Utahns might remember those old commercials that aired on TV and radio that encouraged people to spend more time with their families. This week, the State of Utah is actually focusing on the same kind of thing: connecting with families. And we've got a special hour looking closer at families here on Inside Sources. 

Director of the Utah Office of Families Aimee Winder Newton kicks off our special coverage with a discussion on the state's Family Connection Week and how families can better strengthen their own relationships. The program then shifts gears to look at various kinds of families. Dan Carlson, Associate Professor of Family and Consumer Studies at the University of Utah, joins to discuss multigenerational families and how different cultures define the term "family." Founder of the Single Parent Project, Meghann Brimhall, finishes our special hour with a closer look at single-parent families, as well as blended families.

Widespread -- and unfounded so far -- claims of election fraud and rigging continue in California as local election officials continue counting ballots almost one week since the polls closed. Now, the GOP candidate for Los Angeles Mayor appears to have been eliminated from the race. Remember, in California, the top two primary candidates go to the general election regardless of party affiliation. This update has many high-profile Republicans calling foul, including President Trump.

The Department of Defense released a revised list of religions and faiths it will use for its chaplain program. Among the changes was the exclusion of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from other Christian denominations. Utah's congressional delegation voiced a lot of frustration and hurt over the move, prompting several conversations with Pentagon officials. This isn't the first time members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been branded as un-Christian; most notably, it happened when Mitt Romney ran for president in 2012. Sarah Jane Weaver, editor of the Deseret News and former editor of Church News, joins the conversation.

• New youth sports initiative launches
• Concerns raised over lack of judicial experience for new appointees to Utah Supreme Court
• Previewing this week's movie: Masters of the Universe

The big movie of the week plays up old memories of childhood… of playing with toys. It prompted the KSL Movie Show question of the week: What show that you liked as a kid would you like to see made into a movie? Hosts Andy Farnsworth and Val Cameron join Maura Carabello to talk more about Masters of the Universe.

One of the big stories in the news this week -- with some additional developments this morning -- is the two people picked by Governor Spencer Cox to serve on the Utah Supreme Court. Earlier this week, the Governor announced Stephen Dent and Jay Jorgensen, neither of whom has served as a judge. Now, a non-profit group called Co-Equal Utah is voicing concerns with the two of them being put on the bench. Does it actually matter though? Inside Sources has a conversation with Former Utah Supreme Court Justice John A. Pearce.

A major initiative announced today from The Larry H. and Gail Miller Family Foundation -- along with Miller Sports + Entertainment and the Daniels Fund -- aims to expand access to youth sports. The rise in cost for many of these sporting activities has created a barrier to entry for a lot of Utah youth. This new fund hopes to bridge some of this gap by allowing Utahns and local businesses to contribute to a new fund. Executive Director of the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation, Don Stirling, joins after a news conference to share more insights into the new fund.

Back and forth... and back and forth... all in the public eye. The negotiations over the size and impact of the incoming data center to Box Elder County continue… now through a series of very public letters. This has us wondering more about the process and why this kind of thing didn't happen months ago behind closed doors. Or is the process changing because of public pushback? And then in Iron County, a very different process is playing out over another data center. Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz joins the program to share his thoughts on these data centers.

Topics we cover on this episode of KSL's Inside Sources include:

• Deep-dive on Utah's HOA resources
• The Salt Palace set to close for multi-year renovation, new entertainment district
• Governor Cox declares June as "Fidelity Month"
• America250: What our history can tell us about our present and our future

This week, one of the most influential businesswomen and philanthropists in Utah passed away. Karen Huntsman -- of the famed Huntsman family -- died at the age of 88. The Huntsman name is well-known in Utah, but so is their impact. Karen and her husband Jon created a family foundation in 1988, which has grown to support cancer research, mental health treatment and research, public and higher education, and those who are under-served. Greg and Holly discuss the impact and legacy of philanthropic families in the state.

As we move towards our nation's 250th birthday, we're taking time here on Inside Sources to really look at what makes our country so great. One thing we often hear is that we lived in "unprecedented times," but are we really? One could make the argument that we've seen these kinds of things before. As some people say: what's old is new again. Host of the History That Doesn't Suck podcast and a professor at Utah Valley University Dr. Greg Jackson joins the show to explain how history can help us better understand our present situation and prepare for the future.

Governor Spencer Cox used to declare June as Pride Month here in Utah. But he began to move away from that in the last few years. Now this year, the Governor is declaring June as "Fidelity Month." He says this is his call for a return to America's core values. The Governor's declaration comes amid several Republican states choosing to celebrate traditional families, nuclear families, and pro-life movements instead of LGBTQ pride. Deseret News political reporter Brigham Tomco joins Inside Sources to explain the meaning and relative secrecy of this declaration.

Utah's primary election is still a few weeks away, but several states have already held theirs. Six states held their primaries yesterday, and there were some interesting takeaways from those elections. In this segment, Inside Sources discusses close races in California, a Trump-backed candidate losing in Iowa, and the potential for the first Native American female to become governor in  New Mexico.

Primary election ballots are hitting mailboxes around the state -- many have already gotten them, in fact. But in Tooele County, thousands of voters got the wrong ballot. The county clerk says the printer made a mistake, resulting in roughly 9,000 voters getting primary ballots for the wrong party. How does this kind of thing happen... and what happens to correct the problem? Inside Sources gets answers from the person overseeing it all, Tooele County Clerk Tracy Shaw.

A long-time listener recently asked us to look into a situation involving his condominium complex, a neighbor whose child has special needs, and HOA rules. It's a complicated situation, so we bring in an expert for her takes. Director of the Utah HOA Ombudsman Office Erin Rider joins Greg and Holly in the studio to discuss the situation and what our listener can do to achieve a more peaceful community. Erin also explains the role of her office and what we can all do to make community living a little easier.

Claims of stolen LEGO bricks worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, several arrests of a viral YouTube creator, and claims that local police agencies aren't doing enough -- it's all part of an evolving situation in Utah County. American Fork Police deny the claims that they're doing anything inappropriate, but the online masses disagree. Inside Sources breaks down the case and Greg shares his own legal takes.

One Utah school district is now asking a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit against them over claims that they allowed racial bullying and harassment by another student. The Iron County School District says they can't find enough proof the incident happened, so they want the lawsuit dismissed. They also say they aren't responsible for harm caused to a student by another. Greg and Holly are on very different sides of this issue; they share their stances.

Downtown Salt Lake City businesses are urged to prepare now for a decrease in foot traffic once the Salt Palace Convention Center closes for three years. The temporary closure is part of the plan to revitalize the center and build a new sports and entertainment district between the convention center and the Delta Center. The closure is expected to begin in all 2027. KSL TV's Daniel Woodruff provides updates on the closure, and Greg and Holly discuss the economic impacts to downtown businesses because of the closure with Executive Director of the Downtown Alliance Dee Brewer.

• At what point does the ceasefire with Iran cease to be a ceasefire?
• Remote work negatively affects job market for new college graduates
• No Child Left Hungry: A deep-dive into how Utah kids find nourishment over the summer months
• Governor Cox announces appointees to fill two new seats on Utah Supreme Court
• Marriage faces lower prioritization among America's young adults
• State Treasurer hosts 'unclaimed property webathon'