It's the Fourth of July Eve Eve show and we're getting you ready for the long weekend. We start with Three Things: UDOT road closures and holiday travel tips (61.4 million Americans are expected to drive this weekend), the Twilight baggage drop update, and the heartwarming story of Golden Healers' therapy dogs visiting ash-covered firefighters battling Utah's Iron and Cherry fires. From there — the perfect American hot dog, where you CAN legally set off fireworks (hello, Bonneville Salt Flats), 10 items banned from national parks, and a real talk on fireworks safety.

Then we get into the wild stuff: people are literally going to therapy because AI broke their brains. We price out how much it would cost for Caitlyn to get to NYC for Taylor Swift’s wedding. We wrap with the America 250 list as the country turns 250 on Saturday. 

 

KSL Brightside streams live weekdays 12–3 PM, with a YouTube-exclusive live stream from 12–1 PM and radio plus YouTube from 1–3 PM.

 

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Happy (almost) birthday, America! The country turns 250 on Saturday, and we're kicking off the Fourth of July weekend with a celebration and a special russian message to America. We talk the most American foods for your Fourth of July cookout.

Where should you watch fireworks this weekend? We've got KSL's full guide to professional fireworks shows and drone displays across Utah, including the Bonneville Salt Flats.

NOTE: We will NOT be streaming live tomorrow (Friday, July 3). It's a great chance to catch up on any episodes you've missed! Have a safe and happy Fourth of July weekend. 

 

KSL Brightside streams live weekdays 12–3 p.m. MT, with a YouTube-exclusive live stream from 12–1 p.m. and radio plus YouTube from 1–3 p.m.

 

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A Harvard professor known for his polarizing theories about extraterrestrial life has been tapped to lead a new White House UFO advisory council — so it's an excuse to talk about aliens. Plus, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's Madison Square Garden wedding is basically confirmed according to a law enforcement official who spoke with the Associated Press, Medicare is launching a pilot program that could unleash a wave of weight-loss drug prescriptions, and Utah is restricting target shooting in 16 counties due to wildfire risk. We also dig into a luggage scam targeting checked bags just in time for holiday travel, firefighters facing threats over fireworks bans, the FDA's big nicotine pouch decision, your state's most popular potato chip, and the great hot dog vs. hamburger debate. Happy America 250 week.

 

KSL Brightside streams live weekdays 12–3 PM, with a YouTube-exclusive live stream from 12–1 PM and radio plus YouTube from 1–3 PM.

 

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A daredevil couple scaled the Empire State Building spire, unfurled a peace banner, and got engaged — all before getting arrested. Plus, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's MSG wedding is days away, and the clues keep piling up: a castle inside the Garden, celebrity friends arriving in NYC, and a very telling Carpenters t-shirt. We also talk about America's 250 list of American things, plus Salt Lake City police investigating a string of peacock killings, and a wild grizzly bear encounter caught on camera.

 

KSL Brightside streams live weekdays 12–3 PM, with a YouTube-exclusive live stream from 12–1 PM and radio plus YouTube from 1–3 PM.

 

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Utah's Cottonwood Fire continues to burn nearly 94,000 acres at just 4% containment, with an estimated 150 structures destroyed. Today, some evacuated residents will be allowed escorted access to check on their properties — but Beaver County Sheriff Cody Black says they'll be checking IDs to prevent looters. 

With Utah's statewide firework ban in effect through July 5, cities like Ogden and Lehi are prohibiting personal fireworks and encouraging residents to attend professional shows like those at Thanksgiving Point. But what do you do with fireworks you already bought? North Tooele Fire District PIO Jon Smith shares tips as well as further insight on how fire shelters work for firefighters.

 

In lighter news: Smith Entertainment Group unveiled redesigned Utah Jazz and new Utah Mammoth specialty license plates — the Jazz plate is available to order starting July 1 through the DMV. Plus, we discuss the fate of SLC's iconic Coachman's Dinner & Pancake House sign, where a GoFundMe is trying to raise money to have it safely removed and preserved. Texters chime in with their favorite signs around Utah. 

 

In sports, LeBron James officially informed the Lakers he's leaving — the biggest free agency domino in years — and we break down what it could mean for the Jazz. We also talk about teaching your kids about money, why chatbots are replacing therapists (with little scientific evidence) and more of our America 250 list of things! 

 

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We kick things off with an important Magnolia Bakery question— is Banana Pudding or Red Velvet the superior choice? Drop your vote in the comments! Plus, we investigate the most horrifying, expired food discoveries lurking in the newsroom fridge. 

 

With America's 250th birthday just days away, we dive into the America 250 celebrations list and check in on Sen. John Curtis's America 250 walk. Then we settle the important debate: where do Doug Wright, Ethan, and Alex rank among Utah’s radio hosts?

 

In wild animal news, a string of alligator attacks in Florida has left three people injured and one dead after a 31-year-old woman was killed while swimming in a river near Orlando. We also have a local wildlife alert: HawkWatch International's Harris's Hawk, Stax, has escaped and was last seen near their Salt Lake City offices. If you spot him, contact @hawkwatch on Instagram! Speaking of hawks — Alex shares his experience with hawks. 

 

KSL Brightside streams live weekdays 12–3 PM. Catch the YouTube-exclusive live stream from 12–1 PM and listen on radio plus YouTube from 1–3 PM.

 

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We start with our three things, including some devastating news — three wildland firefighters were killed battling fires on the Utah-Colorado border. We break down what happened, where the fires stand, and what it means heading into the Fourth of July. Speaking of the Fourth, Utah's fireworks fight is getting messy. Gov. Cox has restricted fireworks statewide through July 5, but cities are all over the map — Clinton is allowing them, Fruit Heights banned them, and Kaysville is still figuring it out. Tell us what YOUR city is doing. Plus, Pineview Reservoir is getting drained so Ogden can replace a leaky, decades-old pipeline — most of the water will be out by September 15.

Also on the show: Amazon Prime Day hit $26.4 billion in spending, a new SLC school turf field has neighbors calling it a stinky heat island, foreign visitors are baffled by America's AC obsession, campground toilets that can actually kill you, UK boys stuck reading at a primary school level, the great pajama travel debate, plus more of our America 250 list. 

 

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Happy Monday! We're counting down to the country's biggest birthday yet — America is about to turn 250, and the celebration plans are massive. Alex breaks down his America 250 list. Then, Disneyland's iconic Autopia ride — the only original 1955 Tomorrowland attraction still standing — is being forced by California to ditch gas-powered cars and go electric by early 2027 or shut down entirely. And in what might be the greatest act of public shame in sports history, South Korea's national broadcaster KBS blurred out head coach Hong Myung-bo's face during his press conference after the team's World Cup exit. Oh, and fireworks are still banned in Utah... but some cities are finding spots to do them. 

 

KSL Brightside streams live weekdays 12–3 PM. Catch the YouTube-exclusive live stream from 12–1 PM and listen on the radio plus YouTube from 1–3 PM.

 

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We start things off with movies that stink! Ethan and Alex debate whether it’s time to consider volunteering as firefighters and provide updates on the latest fire watch. We check in with Steve to see how he’s handling the firework situation under the new ban. Plus, chaotic teens and more adult kids are living with their parents to save money. 

 

What volunteering as a firefighter may look like, PDS red flag warning and what cities have said they are fully banning fireworks and which ones haven’t. 

 

KSL Brightside streams live weekdays 12–3 PM. YouTube exclusive live stream from 12–1 PM | Radio + YouTube from 1–3 PM.

 

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Following Governor Cox’s executive order to ban fireworks… Alex went out searching to see if any fireworks can be found in Utah… he brought back a special surprise. We mull over the idea of a special fireworks day in November. Plus. Mutant mice. 

 

KSL Brightside streams live weekdays 12–3 PM. YouTube exclusive live stream from 12–1 PM | Radio + YouTube from 1–3 PM.

 

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