KSL Brightside

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.

 

Follow KSL Brightside on social media!

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KSLBrightside

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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.

 

Follow KSL Brightside on social media for updates!

 

Follow KSL Brightside on social media!

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KSLBrightside

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KSLBrightside

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/KSL_Brightside

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ksl.brightside

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.

 

Follow KSL Brightside on social media!

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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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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KSLBrightside

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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.

 

Follow KSL Brightside on social media!

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Governor Spencer Cox declares a state of emergency, banning fireworks statewide through July 5 as Utah faces unprecedented wildfire conditions — 353 fires, 141,000 acres burned, and 94% of the state in severe or extreme drought. The order allows cities to designate limited safe areas for fireworks if local fire officials approve. We get the governor's update on wildfire conditions live and then ask listeners to chime in on whether they support the decision. Then, Sandy Mayor Monica Zoltanski joins the show to react — she's been vocal that cities are "caught in the middle" between residents demanding bans and state law that limits their authority. How will Sandy handle it? 

 

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

 

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It's a wild one on KSL Brightside today — literally. We kick things off with a bobcat found inside an apartment. Then, dramatic photos show teenagers hanging out of the windows of a self-driving Waymo robotaxi during rush-hour traffic on Olympic Boulevard in Santa Monica — taking selfies while onlookers pleaded with them to get back inside. We break down what went wrong and the safety questions around driverless vehicles. Plus, what would Madison Square Garden actually look like as a wedding venue? Rumors continue to fly about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding location. And we end with some viral videos: a woman gets fired from her job after being caught stealing a Knicks-themed trash can, and a pilot celebrates his final flight with his daughter riding along as co-pilot.

 

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

 

Follow KSL Brightside on social media!

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KSLBrightside

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TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ksl.brightside