Access Utah

Major scientific studies conducted by a team of international scientists, warn there will be no virtually no fish or seafood from the ocean by the middle of the century. Only 50 years left for sea fish. Mark Kurlansky, prominent author of numerous non fiction books and articles, well-known for his bestseller COD: the fish that changed the world, has a new book out now for children and adults, called "A World Without Fish."

How much weight does international treaty have on our lives? Today we specifically talk about the U.N. convention and the rights for persons with disabilities. That was defeated in the senate recently; Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) says this is an expression of American leadership throughout the world, and will help disabled veterans. Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) expressed the views of some, saying those who homeschool their children, and send their children to private or religious schools would be harmed by this law.

"I didn't know about sex trafficking until I was in the middle of it. I found out that they actually had chosen me."

Brigham Young was a rough-hewn craftsman from New York who's impoverished and obscure life was electrified by the Mormon faith. he trudged around the US and England to gain converts for Mormonism, spoke in spiritual tongues, married more than 50 women, and eventually transformed a barren desert into his vision of the Kingdom of God.

Bullying is receiving a lot of attention right now, which seems an opportune time to discuss it on Access Utah. According to The Bully Project's website, 13 million kids will be bullied this year, and 3 million will be absent from school, because of it. Some kids may take their lives.

Today on Access Utah, Sheri Quinn talks with writer Patrick Radden Keefe. With the drug-related violence in Mexico thriving, understanding how the drug industry operates is crucial to combatting it. Keith investigated the business side of the blooming illegal drug trade and in June 2012 his report, Cocaine Inc. was published in the New York Times Magazine.

We've been hearing about the death of Twinkies. The closure of the company Hostess has the public fearing the treats such as Twinkies and Ho-Hos, and has shined a spotlight on unions.

Utah's laws underwent extensive reform a few years ago, and now Sen. John Valentine is creating a bill that would create a "master license" for hotels, which would free up licenses currently required for the restaurants, catering services and bars inside the hotels.

One mother talks about the gap between when her son is seen as "normal", and when he's seen as "not normal." She's talking about his invisible disability - a disability which at first glance isn't readily apparent, and includes intellectual impairments such as autism and other disorders.

We're talking immigration on Access Utah, specifically illegal immigration. There are an estimated 110,000 illegal immigrants in Utah according to the Pew Center, and more may arrive. The Republican Party's stance on immigration seems to be softening after the election, although not in Utah. Some legislators are suggest pushing back the controversial guest worker act.