KSL's Inside Sources

• Kouri Richins' defense team asks for brand new trial
• Team USA moves onto next stage in the World Cup
• Utah Firewatch: Some firefighters may have been exposed to toxic minerals, chemicals
• America250: Celebrating everything that makes our country great

In this special edition of Inside Sources, we go all-in on America250. For the last half of today's show, we celebrate our nation's special birthday. And while we do have a lot of challenges and there are several areas where we could improve, at the end of the day, we really do have a lot to celebrate and be grateful for. We cover some more serious topics, some historical topics, and the importance of breaking bread with our neighbors. We finish things off with a fun taste test of several America-branded snacks and treats. We're joined in this special by:

• Kyle Fox, co-founder of Follow the Flag
• Jennie Taylor, Gold Star widow and founder of the Major Brent Taylor Foundation
• Clint Ensign, historical author
• Steven Handy, America250 Utah commission member and member of Utah America's Potluck Task Force
• Sarah Pettit with Associated Food Stores (and a member of Utah America's Potluck Task Force)
• Renee Leta, Director of Communications for America250 Utah

Firefighters working on the Iron Fire burning down near Eureka may have been exposed to toxic hazards while fighting the fire and cleaning up areas afterwards. In a new letter sent out to crews who were on the fire, state and federal fire officials say it's due to the Eureka Mills Superfund site and surrounding areas. Soil near the historic Eureka Mills/Tintic Mine is heavily polluted with lead and other metals like mercury, arsenic and thallium, so there's an increased risk that fire crews may have been exposed to these toxins. What kind of precautions and measures are in place now to try to protect fire crews? Incident Commander Cliff McClure explains.

American soccer fans are riding a high today following last night's Team USA win against Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0. Chants echoed around the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium Wednesday night, as the U.S. team won its first knockout round game in the World Cup for the first time in 24 years. Inside Sources explains how the game went and what Team USA fans can look forward to in the next round.

The woman convicted of killing her husband with fentanyl -- then writing a children's book on grief -- is asking the courts for a new trial. In a new request, attorneys for Kouri Richins claim bias, irregularities, and undue prejudice tainted the last trial. They also claim that information on financial crimes from Richins shouldn't have been allowed in the murder trial. KSL Legal Analyst Greg Skordas breaks down the arguments and explains why he's not sure the arguments hold water.

The 250th birthday of our country -- it's just about finally here. The longer holiday weekend means celebrations are starting early, with many of them already underway. While the 4th of July is a time of celebration and excitement, it can also be a dangerous time -- fireworks, lots of people drinking, and more. And since fireworks are out across most of the state, you may be thinking about some other ways to celebrate the holiday. In this segment, Inside Sources talks about the dangers of driving under the influence. We also discuss boating under the influence and the dangers around that with Captain Chase Pili, Public Information Officer with the Utah Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division.

As we approach our nation's 250th birthday, it may feel like we are more divided than ever on the issues that matter. But as Utahns, we've always had an ability to look past our differences and come together. In this special presentation from KSL NewsRadio – and sponsored by America First Credit Union and the State of Utah – legendary KSL host Doug Wright moderates a panel on finding unity amidst our political differences. Panelists include former Utah Governor Mike Leavitt, chair of the Utah Democratic Party Brian King, and founding partner at Elevate Strategies Gabi Finlayson. 

• Republicans to hold first-ever convention ahead of the midterm elections 
• U.S. House fails to move agenda forward, leaves early for Independence Day holiday 
• Commentary on the fallout of SCOTUS' opinion upholding birthright citizenship 
• State Senator apologizes for spreading false claims about data center pushback 
• Housing scams on the rise in Utah 
• "If I were a rich man..." -- Americans still working towards endless wealth 
• America250: Different flavors of patriotism 

• SCOTUS rules on transgender athletes, campaign finance
• Looking back on the Supreme Court's term
• Poll: American pride continues to fall
• Utah Firewatch: Federal and state partnerships
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sends aid to Venezuela
• America250: Volunteerism and unity

Our country has been built on principles of service, including love, caring for our neighbors, and volunteering. So what better way to celebrate our country's 250th birthday than by stepping in to help those in need? Church News' Aimee Cobabe joins Inside Sources in the studio again with more on how volunteers are answering the calls to serve in honor of our country's anniversary. Greg and Holly also discuss ways we can make sure political differences don't ruin our relationships.

The death toll in Venezuela following two back-to-back deadly earthquakes has skyrocketed to more than 1,700. More than 5,000 have been injured, and several thousand more are still missing. Responders are still undertaking rescue operations, but there's a real concern that the infrastructure in Venezuela can't support this many injured people in a system already stretched so thin. Aimee Cobabe, Church News reporter, joins the show to talk about ways The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is stepping in to help those struggling in Venezuela.

More than 200,000 acres have burned around Utah this fire season and it's not even July yet. Across the state, communities continue to deal with fires or the potential for fires. Fireworks are mostly banned statewide, and now more cities are making changes to their 4th of July celebrations. With this in mind, Greg and Holly share updates on the fires burning across the state. Representative Mike Kennedy joins the show to discuss the way federal firefighting works with state firefighting, and how each receives funding.

Are you proud to be an American? As we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation's founding, a new poll from Gallup finds American patriotism is at its lowest levels since the attacks on September 11th. Only 33% of Americans today say they're "extremely proud" to be an American; in 2001, that was 55%. Greg and Holly discuss why patriotism has fallen so far and we hear from listeners to find out whether or not they're proud to be Americans.

The highest court in the land has wrapped its term for the year -- it is finished. Among the most notable decisions includes one dealing with mail-in voting. Already, lawmakers like Utah's Senator Mike Lee are pushing for the SAVE America Act to pass through Congress in light of the decision. Kelsey Dallas, managing editor of SCOTUSblog, joins the discussion to share her insights into this court's term and what we may see going into next year's Supreme Court term.

As the U.S. Supreme Court wrapped its term today, it first began with a few rulings not dealing with birthright citizenship: transgender athletes and campaign finance laws. In one opinion -- which covered two cases -- the court said that transwomen (people who were male at birth) cannot participate in girls' school sports. The other opinion held that political parties should not be subject to campaign finance limits. Inside Sources breaks down both of those decisions.

The future of birthright citizenship has now been decided by the United States Supreme Court. This morning, the court chose to uphold birthright citizenship as has been the law for more than 150 years. This means that the President's Executive Order limiting birthright citizenship will not stand. Already, the President and several other Republican lawmakers have voted to create legislation and work towards an official constitutional amendment to change birthright citizenship. Inside Sources has special coverage of this landmark decision, with guests Dr. Matthew Brogdon, Senior Director of the Center for Constitutional Studies at Utah Valley University, and Carlos Trujillo, Utah immigration attorney.

• Utah Firewatch: 3 firefighters lose their lives fighting flames along the Utah-Colorado border
• Former Utah death row inmate moves towards new murder trial
• Trump Administration to decide who will use latest American AI technology
• Speaker Johnson says he'll send major bipartisan housing bill to the president's desk today
• Utahns remain split on President Trump's actions in the war in Iran
• America250: Colonial Heritage Festival and Sen. Curtis walks 250 miles