KSL's Inside Sources

GREG SKORDAS OUT -- JIM BENNETT IN

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

• Fans prepare for rivalry football game between BYU and Utah
• As the holidays approach, Utah organizations prepare for high demand for food assistance
• Opportunities to give: Live PC Give PC
• Utah youth experience trouble with online gambling at high rates
• A few decades late: The FAA begins to phase out floppy disks
• How do Americans feel about AI? New survey looks at what AI movies we think of when we think of AI

Inside Sources finishes the week by checking in with the hosts of the KSL Movie Show, Val Cameron and Andy Farnsworth. They discuss the big movie of the week: The Cat in the Hat. They also discuss the famous actor Jimmy Stewart thanks to a new movie portraying his life.

Hollywood spent years warning us that artificial intelligence would take over the world. But right now, AI is helping us write emails and figure out what’s for dinner. So, are we in the helpful phase, or just the opening scene? A new Deseret News poll asked which movie best captures our AI future. The top pick was ‘I, Robot,’ followed by ‘The Terminator.’ Neither of those movies paint AI in a positive light, so what does that say about our feelings on AI right now?

We can stream movies on our phones, talk to our refrigerators, and get emotional help from computers. But apparently, America’s air traffic control system is just now breaking up with the floppy disk. You read that right... a floppy disk. The FAA is starting to retire them and upgrade systems that are sometimes 40 years old. So how did floppy disks stick around in air traffic control this long, and what’s replacing them? Will this make operations more or less secure and efficient? Holly and guest host Jim Bennett talk about an upgrade that’s a few decades overdue.

You’ve talked to your kids about saving money. But have you talked about betting it? KSL’s Deanie Wimmer reports that a national study found more than a third of boys ages 11 to 17 have participated in sports-related gambling or used betting apps. Eleven years old. Would that even be on your radar as a parent? So here’s our question: Have you talked to your kids about gambling — and do they recognize it when it’s on their phone?

We just talked about families struggling to afford groceries and the pressure on organizations trying to help. Now let’s flip the question: If you’re listening and thinking, ‘I want to do something, but my budget is tight, too’ — does giving five bucks really matter? Today is Live P-C Give P-C, with about 150 nonprofits and causes participating. And that presents an interesting choice: If you’ve only got a little to give, where should it go?  Joel Zarrow with the Park City Community Foundation and Jay Burke with Woodward Park City join the show with details.

What’s the first thing you cut when your grocery bill gets too high? The name brands? The snacks your kids like? Meat? And what happens when you’ve already made those cuts — and the math still doesn’t work? We have several Utah stories pointing to the same concern: Food banks and pantries are preparing for more holiday need, and a new community food network is launching to help people struggling to afford groceries, especially in rural communities. We usually talk about food drives this time of year -- donate a can, help a neighbor, make Thanksgiving a little better. That matters. But here’s the harder question: Are we asking charity to solve a problem that a household budget simply can’t fix right now?

Republicans nationwide -- and here in Utah -- have had a few days now to sit and reflect after quite a whooping on Election Day. But is it a sign that the GOP really needs to shift their priorities, or should they buckle down even harder and move even more to the right? Political scientists are calling this new time in politics the "era of unstable majorities." And whether it's state politics or national politics, that seems to fit pretty well.

Set your alarms for oh-dark-thirty this weekend -- the Cougars and the Utes are taking to the gridiron tomorrow for another edition of the legendary rivalry. It's a 10 am kick-off, with KSL pre-game coverage beginning at 8 o'clock tomorrow morning. So if you plan to do your own tailgating, sounds like you better be ready to make some breakfast. Holly Richardson and guest host Jim Bennett share their thoughts on the upcoming game.

• Preparing for a major rivalry game this weekend: BYU vs. Utah
• New data: Utah businesses see heft increase in business bankruptcy filings
• Salt Lake City development: Sports and entertainment district inspirations; Downtown Farmers Market loses planned building in Pioneer Park
• Pushback on Utah Inland Port Authority over data center development
• Ask the Attorney: New developments around DNA and Douglas Carter's case
• Military, law enforcement could receive genetically enhanced dogs in the near future

Is Fido strong enough for war? A new biotech company says they can modernize America's working dog using genetic enhancements. These new "super dogs" would work with both the military and law enforcement. The company -- called Warhound -- says they're still making sure animal welfare is a top priority. Greg and Holly finish the show with their thoughts on this kind of biological development.

There are new developments today dealing with the Douglas Carter case and DNA analysis. Remember, Carter spent decades on death row for a 1985 murder he was originally convicted of. His case was overturned by the Utah Supreme Court and he is now out of jail and prison while he awaits a new trial. KSL Legal Analyst Greg Skordas explains the role DNA is playing in this case and explains how Carter's defense is trying to use it.

There's pushback today after the Utah Inland Port Authority Board cancelled a meeting in which they were going to discuss and vote on an amendment relating to data centers in Iron County. A coalition of health and environmental groups held a news conference this morning, calling on the board to adopt a policy to not support data center development. With so much focus on data centers right now -- it played quite a role in the midterm elections locally and nationally -- we wanted to dig into the story more. Deeda Seed is the Senior Utah Campaigner at the Center for Biological Diversity; she joins to share her perspective.

Producer note: We invited the Utah Inland Port Authority to join the show and explain the project and their relationship with data center development. They declined the invitation.

As downtown Salt Lake City sees some pretty major renovations and rebuilding with the new sports and entertainment district, you might see some fairly familiar sights. The Smith Entertainment Group says much of its new designs are inspired by local neighborhoods in the city, including Main Street, Regent Street, and the 9th and 9th district. Also, a local farmers market in SLC will not get a year-round building after all. Greg and Holly explain these new development stories.

New data suggests more and more Utah businesses are struggling. In fact, the numbers show that business bankruptcies in Utah have skyrocketed nearly 27%. For context, business bankruptcies nationwide rose just over 11%, so that's quite a difference. But the big question for Greg and Holly -- besides "why?" -- is "what does it mean for my wallet?" This rise in filings is the subject of a new KSL Investigation. KSL investigative producer Sloan Schrage joins to answer the hosts' questions.

Greg and Holly are switching colors this week -- from Republican red for Holly and Democrat blue for Greg to Utah red for Greg and BYU blue for Holly. As we prepare for the big rivalry football game this weekend, the hosts turn to KSL Sports Anchor Sam Farnsworth for a preview of the game and why it's so big to have both teams in the AP Top 10. There's also new polling out today that digs into how Utahns as a whole feel about each team and how strong that loyalty is. For more on that, Y2 Analytics Director of Research Jade Burt joins the show.

Two days after the election and we're still waiting for several races to be called both here in Utah and across the country. Locally, we still have several races in the state legislature that are too close to call, and even one of our congressional races hasn't been called yet. On the national stage, we know Democrats will have control of the Senate and the House -- the question remains: just how much of an advantage will they have over Republicans? At the same time, there are already concerns of new investigations from Democrats into the Trump Administration's actions over the last two years. Greg and Holly break it all down in this hour of Inside Sources.

• Church of Jesus Christ leader warns of online anonymity
• Do you have the patience to complete a board game… that takes 20-30 years?

Two friends from the United Kingdom say they'll complete the world's most complex board game: The Campaign for North Africa. You might be thinking, it's a board game -- how hard can it be? The pair already did a test run, and it took them 18 months to do just 6 turns. A YEAR AND A HALF to barely even get started. Why not just use AI, right?

A few weeks ago, our social team here at KSL went around and asked employees to share the fake name they use online. Greg and Holly both told the truth -- they don't use fake online names. They say it's important for them to represent themselves and not hide behind a pseudonym. Now, an apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is weighing in on this growing trend of online anonymity. Elder Quentin L. Cook spoke to a worldwide group of young adults, warning that hiding behind anonymity to attack others will lead to a kind of spiritual darkness.

Democrats woke up today overjoyed at the results of yesterday’s election. The party predicted a “blue tsunami,” and it definitely seems to have panned out. Across the country, Democrats flipped multiple seats in both the House and the Senate, plus several governorships. President Trump has admitted that Democrats won and says he’ll work with them. At the same time, he hasn’t shied away from using his presidential powers of the veto. Your Voice, Your Vote — it’s the morning after the midterm elections, and Greg and Holly have analysis and updates today.

In their coverage, they speak live with one of the Democrats who flipped a seat in the U.S. House, Congressman-elect Ben McAdams of Utah’s 1st Congressional District. He outlines next steps for fulfilling his campaign promises and how he’ll represent Utah voters. KSL political reporter Bridger Beal-Cvetko joins the show to discuss the massive changes coming to Utah’s legislature after several incumbent Republicans appear to have lost their seats to Democrats, third-party candidates, and unaffiliated candidates. The hosts also turn to the role the economy played in the election; Dr. Michael Kofoed, associate professor of economics at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, shares his expert insights.

- Your Voice, Your Vote: Election day is finally here
- Ask the Attorney: Tyler Robinson's team cites Pres. Trump social media post in new ask to bar cameras from the courtroom
- SCOTUS hears arguments on public funding for religious preschools
- Some Utah ski resorts preparing to open as soon as this weekend
- Washington County schools working to reconnect students with each other

What'll it take to get students to connect with each other? Does taking away the phone or the tablet make the difference? Or does it need something more? The Inside Sources hosts finish up the show with a discussion on what schools in Washington County are doing to help students connect with one another in successful ways.

Did you feel the chill in the air this morning? Ski resorts around the state are also feeling that chill, and it has them excited. In fact, some resorts are planning to open as early as this weekend! Greg's excited to get onto the powder, and he and Holly share their hopes for a successful winter season.

The United States Supreme Court heard arguments today dealing with public funding for Catholic preschools. The case comes out of Colorado, where the state said those religious schools couldn't receive taxpayer money unless they agreed to a non-discrimination clause. Now, the matter's heading to the highest court in the country, and a prominent Utah organization is adding in their support of the Catholic school. Greg and Holly discuss the ins and outs of the case and how it made its way to the Supreme Court.