KSL's Inside Sources

A bit of trouble for the Rio Grande Plan... but also maybe still a little bit of hope? The ambitious plan to bury railroad lines through Salt Lake City failed to advance in a West-East Connections Study. Many said the plan was dead after that. But some city leaders are pushing back on that assumption, saying they discussions aren't over yet. KSL.com reporter Carter Williams spoke with city council members and joins the show with what they're saying.

The U.S. Department of Energy has named Utah as one of its top picks to host a new Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus. The project isn't official yet and would still be several years out. But state leaders say it will be good economically for the state and for Tooele County, where the site would be located. 

Mourners from around the state gathered this morning at Utah Valley University to honor and remember the Long family, five of whom were killed in a flash flood in Wayne County earlier this month. This was such a sad story: a Provo fire captain, local business owner, and several of their children... all caught in a flash flood outside of the town of Bicknell. One family member -- the daughter of Katrina Long -- was not with the rest of them at the time. Out of respect for the family, we don't take any of the funeral service in this segment. Instead, Greg and Jim share thoughts about the Long family and the legacy they leave behind.

It's hot here in Utah and hot around the rest of the country right now. But in Europe, another heatwave in just a few months is spelling disaster. Between fires burning out of control and thousands of heat-related deaths, it's bad news all around. So what is it about Europe that makes their heatwaves so much deadlier than ours? Greg and Jim discuss.

This morning, KSL learned that an infant in Vernal died after being left in a hot car for several hours. The father who supposedly left the child in the car has now been arrested for investigation of child abuse homicide. Regardless of who's at fault, it's a heartbreaking situation. Greg and Jim walk through the specific situation. Then they're joined by 'Kids and Car Safety' director Amber Rollins, who shares her thoughts on the situation and tips for all parents to be more alert with their kids.
  

Who hasn't felt overworked before? It's pretty common to work long hours or have a long week every once in a while. But one newer Utah judge says his plate is constantly overloaded and has been for far too long. Now, he's made the decision to step away from the bench. He claims that the workload is significantly more than is feasible for one person to take on, and says this kind of thing could spell more issues for the Utah justice system as a whole.

The preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson -- the man accused of killing political influencer Charlie Kirk -- is on hold until September. But now, the Utah County Attorney's Office says the case needs to move forward to trial. In a new filing, the prosecution says there's more than enough evidence to go ahead. Greg tends to agree, having voiced his own frustrations with the slow speed at which this whole thing has moved.

Several tense hours on Capitol Hill today, as the nation's top doctor during the COVID-19 pandemic appeared before a Senate committee. Dr. Anthony Fauci spent more than 3 hours in from of the committee, but answered very few questions; instead, he invoked his 5th Amendment right 111 times. Dr. Fauci was subpoenaed to appear before the committee over allegations that he lied to Congress about the origins of COVID-19. Greg Skordas and guest host Jim Bennett share their thoughts on whether this investigation is warranted and weather it will go anywhere. NewsNation investigative correspondent Rich McHugh shares reaction from committee members after the hearing.

Calls for Congress to forego August recess and pass SAVE America Act instead

Congress is about to head out from Washington, D.C. for about a month, but Utah's own Senator Mike Lee says members of Congress should forego the trip back home to meet with constituents and pass the SAVE America Act instead. The problem is that the bill still doesn't have the votes, even among Republicans. So why's Senator Lee pushing for this move? Deseret News Congressional Correspondent Cami Mondeaux explains the Senator's recent moves.

 - WSJ: Major companies hiring retired CEOs to run their business

A new article in the Wall Street Journal says more and more companies are bringing older CEOs out of retirement to run major corporations again. These aren't younger guys who retired early; they're generally men older than 70. Cracker Barrel, Boeing, and Verizon are just a few of the latest companies to go this route. Is that wise? Could it jade younger people who are already struggling to get a foot in the door? Millennial and Inside Sources Executive Producer Andy Cupp shares his thoughts.

 - Ask the Attorney: Brian Kohberger wants to withdraw guilty plea

At what point is it too late to take back a guilty plea? The man accused of killing four students from the University of Idaho in 2022 is now trying to take back his guilty plea and go to trial. Brian Kohberger is petitioning a judge to withdraw his earlier guilty plea, saying he wants this to go to trial now instead. What would have changed Kohberger's mind, and it is a smart move? KSL Legal Analyst Greg Skordas breaks it down.

 - Pres. Trump asks SCOTUS to take up executive order on mail-in voting

The fight from the Trump Administration against mail-in voting continues today. Over the weekend, an appeals court sided against the President, saying he's not allow to impose restrictions on mail-in voting. Now, President Trump is taking that fight to the United States Supreme Court. Greg and Jim are both skeptical of a win for the administration; they explain why.

 - The ongoing effects of gambling on America's young people

It can sometimes feel a little weird to talk about gambling in a state like Utah, where we're not allowed to gamble. But that doesn't mean people don't find ways around it. And more and more, we're seeing the negative effects of gambling -- how it can really impact a person and our communities. Jay Evensen, Opinion Editor at the Deseret News has a new piece examining how gambling can affect young people; he joins the show to share his thoughts.

 - 98 days to go until the midterm election

Gambling might not be allowed in Utah, but that doesn't mean we can't make some predictions on the upcoming midterm elections. With less than 100 days to go until folks cast their ballots around the country, Greg and Jim discuss the chances Democrats have to regain the House and/or the Senate.

 - More homebuyers looking at wildfire risk when purchasing a new house

When buying a home, people tend to look at the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the size of the yard, and the amenities like a hot tub, den, or a double oven. And now, more and more people are also looking at wildfires when shopping for a new place to live. Is this just our new reality with warmer temperatures and a hotter climate?

 - Social: Fly 24 hours straight or take a few layovers?

If you had to travel to the other side of the world -- say from Europe to Australia -- would you rather take a single nonstop flight or split it up with a layover or two? Overnight, plane maker Airbus and Qantas Airways broke a world record in an initiative called "Project Sunrise." In a journey lasting 24 hours and 24 minutes, a brand new plane flew from southern France to southeast Australia. Inside Sources Executive Producer and self-proclaimed plane nerd Andy Cupp has the story; Greg and Jim give their thoughts on the option.

 - Utah ranked as number one state in the nation… for the 4th year in a row

Utah's been ranked the number one state in the nation for the 4th year in a row. But it's not all sunshine and roses and unicorns -- we come in near the very bottom of the list in one category: natural environment. Greg Skordas and Jim Bennett go through some of the rankings and why U.S. News and World Report says the Beehive State is the best in the country.

Utah's been ranked the number one state in the nation for the 4th year in a row. But it's not all sunshine and roses and unicorns -- we come in near the very bottom of the list in one category: natural environment. Greg Skordas and Jim Bennett go through some of the rankings and why U.S. News and World Report says the Beehive State is the best in the country.