KSL's Inside Sources

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

The average new vehicle now costs more than $51,000! For that price, the heated seats better cook dinner and the backup camera better find some hidden treasure, right!? At the same time, a new review of data from TransUnion and the Federal Reserve found that people living in Utah added the most debt to their personal finances between the beginning of July and the end of September. What's driving Utahns to take on so much additional debt? WalletHub writer and analyst Chip Lupo explains.

The West built two giant reservoirs: Lake Powell and Lake Mead. But what if there isn’t enough water to save both? Which one gets priority, and what would that mean for Utah? That’s the question raised in a new Deseret News story. And it puts a pretty stark choice on the table: How do you manage a river when everyone who depends on it needs more water than it can deliver? For details on this idea, Holly and Greg turn to Utah's Colorado River commissioner, Gene Shawcroft.

Housing remains a top priority for Utahns in terms of both affordability and inventory. Two stories in the news caught our eyes today, so we turn to Russell Faucette, owner of The Stern Team and co-founder of Omada Real Estate. He discusses a rise in condos being for sale plus a downward trend of home prices across the board.

Utah ski and snowboard resorts are preparing for what will hopefully be a really good snow season. We obviously want a good winter for the water, but snow sports are so popular that it's good for them too. Ahead of the season officially starting, SkiUtah held a news conference today previewing the season. Greg and Holly talk about their excitement for winter and dip into a part of the conference.

There are some sacrifices we can see: a uniform, a deployment, an empty chair at the dinner table. And there are others we may never fully understand: time away from a child who’s growing up, the strain of being far from home when someone you love needs you, memories that don’t fade when the uniform comes off. On this Veterans Day, we pause to honor the men and women who have served. Not because we know every part of their story, but because we recognize that service asks something of a person and of the people who love them.

On this Veterans Day, Inside Sources takes some time to honor those who've served. We discuss some of the specific challenges veterans face and the reason why community is so important for those leaving active service. Then we get insights on the specific resources and support available here in Utah; Utah Veteran Affairs Deputy Commissioner Cory Pearson joins the hosts to explain. The conversation wraps up with Inside Sources executive producer Andy Cupp explaining the significance of the red poppy on this important day.

After an amazing run on the radio -- 40 years on the airwaves and close to 37 years here at KSL -- our own Amanda Dickson is hanging up the mic and is taking a well-deserved break in retirement. You've listened to her on Utah's Morning News for decades, but she'll sign off one last time tomorrow. Ahead of her final day, Inside Sources chats with KSL NewsRadio's Amanda Dickson about her long career, her best memories, why radio is still important in 2026, and her message to the thousands of faithful listeners who've followed her for so many years.

As Republicans prepare to be in the minority in Congress next year, they've picked their leadership. And let's just say the more things change, the more they stay the same. At least that's how Greg and Holly feel about the choices. Senate Republicans picked Senator John Thune to lead them -- he's been the Senate minority leader for a while now. In the House, Republicans picked Representative Jim Jordan. Holly and Greg believe these choices ignore what happened in last week's election, but also hypothesize that upcoming leadership elections for Democrats won't be much better.

41 years behind bars — much of it on death row. Now Douglas Carter is out on bail, and tested crime-scene DNA doesn’t match him. But Utah County prosecutors are still pursuing charges in the 1985 killing of Eva Olesen. Carter's conviction was overturned and now a judge is weighing whether his disputed confession can be used at trial. So what does that DNA evidence mean and what would justify taking this case back to a jury? KSL Legal Analyst Greg Skordas answers Holly's questions.

A child tells you someone in their video-game chat needs help. Do you assume it’s somebody making up a story, or do you take it seriously? This story floored us this morning -- it's an update to a story we first brought you last week about a Utah teen who was found in Oregon after being missing for a year and a half. According to NBC News, she was found after reaching out to another teen through an online game. The teen lived in Colorado but told his mom about this call for help. Within 24 hours, the Utah teen had been found there in Oregon. Missing for 17 months… and found thanks to a conversation inside an online game. It's absolutely crazy!

• Trial date set for man accused of shooting, killing political influencer Charlie Kirk
• Speaker Mike Schultz says the legislature should have handled data centers differently
• Nerd out: Utah STEM Fest aims to teach young people
• Some Rocky Mountain Customers to receive new $4 charge for clean energy
• Consumer inflation remains above target, prompting some to cut back on holiday spending
• So-called "billionaire tax" proposal fails in California
• Parents sue over children's failing grades at school
• New KSL Investigation shows license plate reader data misuse by Utah agency
• The Church of Jesus Christ makes changes to its youth programs
• Meet Bryce, the Utah Mammoth "Puppy with a Purpose"

In today's final segment, Greg and Holly introduce listeners (and livestream viewers) to Bryce, the new "Puppy with a Purpose" for the Utah Mammoth. His name is spelled with a "y" but Greg and Holly both think it should have been with an "I" and pronounced, Brrrrrrr-ice!

What do we hope our kids carry with them when they leave home? Not just a packed suitcase, but faith, purpose, and the confidence that they belong. Believe, belong, and become -- those three words guide the refreshed Latter-day Saint youth program and invite a bigger conversation too: How do we help the next generation build a faith of their own while knowing we’re still standing beside them? Deseret News faith reporter Amy Ortiz joins the conversation.

When you drive around Utah, roadside cameras can read your license plate. We've talked about these a few times now -- people have a lot of concerns. So who’s making sure the people with access to that information are using it appropriately? That’s the question behind a new investigation from KSL Investigator Daniella Rivera, uncovered a former detective’s misuse of license plate reader data ... and it wasn’t a routine audit that caught it. The Inside Sources get updates on the story -- including an exclusive detail -- and discuss the issue with Daniella.

Your kid comes home with a bad grade -- do you get them a tutor, or an attorney? The Wall Street Journal reports that some parents are taking disputes over grades and classroom treatment beyond the principal’s office and into court. Now, if a school genuinely mistreats your child, you should fight for them. Teachers aren’t above accountability. But neither are our kids, right? So where’s the line between standing up for your kid and making sure your kid never has to stand on their own? Would you ever sue over your child’s grade, or is the bad grade sometimes the lesson they need?

Should billionaires pay more in taxes? That was essentially the question at the heart of a proposition in California. If approved, it would have imposed a one-time 5% tax on Californians whose wealth exceeds one billion dollars. It took almost a week from Election Day, but the Associated Press has finally called the race -- and it failed. Would this have been a good idea? Or simply a bad business decision?

Christmas may have a wish list, but your budget has a veto. The newest inflation report came out this morning, and it shows prices are still putting pressure on family budgets. But forget the economic charts for a minute. What’s the expense that changed how your family lives -- not just for a month, but for good? Groceries? Insurance? Child care? What did you give up that you haven’t brought back? Now add Christmas to that conversation. When the budget won’t stretch, what bends? Fewer gifts under the tree? No trip to Grandma’s? Or do you borrow to keep the traditions alive?

Hundreds of thousands of Rocky Mountain Customers got a notice in the mail over the last week that caught many by surprise. The notice tells customers that they'll soon pay a $4/month fee to pay for clean energy. It's not applicable to all customer; only to those who live in 16 different communities around the state. With more on what the fee is and what it'll go towards, Inside Sources turns to Dan Dugan, the board chair of Utah Renewable Communities and a member of the Salt Lake City Council.

You turn up the thermostat, the heat kicks on, and most of us don’t give it another thought. But how does that natural gas actually get to your house? And here’s another question: If natural gas comes out of the ground without a smell, why does a gas leak smell so bad? These are some of the questions being answered at Utah STEM Fest today and tomorrow. Greg and Holly "nerd out" a little with Cooper Fasselin from the Enbridge Gas Training Academy.

Speaker Mike Schultz says the legislature made a mistake in the way it handled data center development. Speaking to the Deseret News/KSL Editorial Board, the Speaker said MIDA (Military Installation Development Agency) should not have been involved in data center plans around the state. He now says the process for data center development needs reform in the legislature, and it could result in giving local governments more authority over data center development.

Court will come to session and Tyler Robinson will be on trial for the murder of Charlie Kirk beginning in June of 2028. It's later than the Kirk family wanted, but earlier than the defense wanted. So is it a good balance? But it's still so long away and it's scheduled to last 105 days -- about 3.5 months. KSL Legal Analyst Greg Skordas gives his takes on the continued delays that seem to plague this case.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was pretty mad this morning as he addressed impeachment calls from members of Congress. Outgoing Representative Thomas Massie officially filed articles of impeachment yesterday, and a procedural vote is expected this afternoon. Amid his comments today, the Secretary continually slammed Representative Massie, saying he had a personal vendetta against the Secretary and President Trump. We hear some of Sec. Hegseth's comments from this morning and the hosts give their takes.

• Eye On the Hill: New leadership elected in Utah's legislature
• New initiative launches: The Utah We Believe In
• Gov. Spencer Cox makes first remarks following election last week
• Utahns' views on immigration mirror nation's; Pres. Trump says his deportation policies may have been "too tough"
• It's the Trump Cabinet Shuffle!
• Inside Washington: Congress returns for lame duck session
• Relief at the pump: Is it all seasonal, or did the election play a role?
• Ask the Attorney: Controversy around U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche
• Utes move up, Cougars fall off AP Top 10 Poll following Saturday's game
• All-terrain wheelchairs expand to Utah's 'Mighty 5' National Parks

If you've been in a wheelchair or you have a wheelchair user in your family, you know that it can really restrict the places they can go. But there's some really welcome news in Southern Utah that aims to make the 'Mighty 5' National Parks more accessible for all. We're reading today that all-terrain wheelchairs are now available in all five parks, making the outdoors a bit more reachable for all Utahns.

Greg's on Cloud 9 this morning following the University of Utah's win over the BYU Cougars on Saturday. Despite both teams coming in with drive, the Utes came out on top. As such, they've now moved to #2 in the AP Top 10 Poll and BYU has fallen off the list (sorry, Holly). So what's to come for both the Utes and the Cougars? Inside Sources speaks with KSL.com sports director Josh Furlong to get his takes.