KSL News Daily

Defense attorneys for convicted killer Douglas Lovell are fighting to keep prosecutors from using artificial intelligence to bring the voice of his victim, Joyce Yost, into the courtroom. Investigative reporter and COLD podcast host Dave Cawley breaks down the case and what's at stake as AI enters a death penalty case. Plus, today's three things and a Logan Canyon cattle drive with a detour to dodge traffic.

The Great Salt Lake is still falling, now sitting just inches above its 2021 low and nearly two feet above the all-time record set in 2022. Andrew Adams talks with KSL NewsRadio reporter Adam Small about what happens when the lake reaches 4,190 feet, why another record-dry winter could make a new low unavoidable in 2027 and the enormous gap between Utah’s current conservation gains and the water needed to restore the lake to a healthy level by the 2034 Winter Olympics.

Plus, students head back to school in Beaver and Washington counties as Beaver-area communities continue dealing with the effects of wildfire and flooding. Isaiah Vaughn Pulu returns to court on three murder charges tied to the carbon monoxide deaths of three men with disabilities, the community answers Weber County Animal Services’ urgent call for kitten supplies and a nonprofit project honors more than 530 pioneers and early settlers buried in unmarked graves at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.

As Utah students head back to school, artificial intelligence is entering the classroom with them. Mike Anderson fills in for Maria Shilaos and talks with KSL’s Deanie Wimmer about how educators are using AI to turn textbooks into podcasts, personalize lessons and save time on routine work. They also examine the risks, from inaccurate answers and harmful advice to concerns about cheating, and what new state guidance means for classroom guardrails and parental input.

Plus, Granite School District welcomes students back for the first day of school, the Tooele County Planning Commission considers new rules for data center facilities, the National Park Service prepares to celebrate its 110th birthday and AAA Utah and Zero Fatalities roll out “Please Be Patient” bumper magnets for new teen drivers.

A new report from the Strada Institute for the Future of Work found that nearly one in four of Utah's college-educated workers originally came to the state for school — more than double the national average. But Utah's overall retention of its own graduates falls below the national average. Becky Bruce speaks with the Strada Institute for the Future of Work’s Peter Bahr about what’s driving the trend and what it means for Utah’s economy.

Plus: BugFest wraps up at the Natural History Museum of Utah, and Spider Fest is just around the corner. We also cover the three things you need to know, including a new way to stop lightning-sparked wildfires much sooner, your latest chance to weigh in on higher taxes, and why doctors want parents to prioritize back-to-school shots.

When firefighters and paramedics respond to emergencies in Salt Lake City, a specialized mental health team is often there too—providing immediate support for family members, witnesses and others affected by a crisis. In this episode, Host Maria Shilaos explores the subject with KSL NewsRadio's Don Brinkerhoff.  They look at how this innovative program is making a difference in the community.

Plus, first responders in Sandy are stepping into the shoes of people living with dementia through immersive training designed to build empathy and improve emergency care. We also cover the day's top headlines, including a weekend of triple-digit heat, a proposed $100 million bond for new parks and recreation projects in Salt Lake County and the return of Snowbird's annual Oktoberfest.