Every so often, you might see a news story reporting on a business that gets in trouble for child labor. According to State Representative Melissa Garff Ballard, publicity and a warning are often the only real punishments those businesses get. She joins Inside Sources to outline a new bill she’s working on that would provide stricter punishments and more oversight regarding child employment. 

We’ve discussed the need to protect children from abuse on KSL NewsRadio several times throughout 2024. But one often overlooked part of the conversation deals with child welfare workers – who protects them as they do their job? State Senator Evan Vickers joins Inside Sources to discuss a piece of legislation he’s running that would focus on this. 

Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall has released her plan to improve public safety and tackle homelessness in Utah's capital city. It comes following a "strongly worded" letter last month from state leaders, giving her a deadline to create a plan by January 17th. The Inside Sources hosts discuss some of the key points and share their thoughts on whether the plan sufficiently addresses the letter from the state. 

Inside Sources continues previewing legislation ahead of the 2025 Legislative General Session, which begins in five days. State Representative Andrew Stoddard is running a bill that would address some ‘cracks in the system’ relating to the Sex, Kidnapping, and Child Abuse Offender Registry. He joins the program to explain what he’s hoping to do through his legislation. 

In his 15-minute farewell address to the nation last night, President Joe Biden took a rather dark approach to his messaging, warning the country about a technology industrial complex he called an “oligarchy.” This was his ‘swan song’ -- his final speech after 50 years of public service. Was the messaging right, or should he have taken a lighter approach? Inside Sources digs into it. 

The incoming president has often touted the many executive orders he plans to sign within hours of taking office. However, House Republican leaders are pushing back, asking him to scale back his plans so they can tackle some of the former administration’s policies through budget reconciliation. The Inside Sources hosts share their thoughts on this potentially looming disagreement. 

In just three days, TikTok will no longer be allowed to operate in the United States. We’re waiting to find out if SCOTUS will interject. But in the meantime, President-elect Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden are both seeking possible ways to prevent a TikTok ban, including through executive orders. Would it work, even though Congress passed the bipartisan law? 

Israel/Hamas ceasefire agreement reached 

After 15 months of fighting, it appears that a permanent cease-fire in the war between Hamas and Israel could come soon. Today, they agreed on a six-week cease-fire, which will be implemented in three phases. Inside Sources hosts Rusty Cannon and Greg Skordas share their concerns about the permanent future of this cease-fire deal. 

 

Senator Lee gives insights into today’s Senate confirmation hearings 

President-elect Trump's cabinet nominees continue to take part in Senate Confirmation Hearings today, including Chris Wright at the Department of Energy, Pam Bondi as Attorney General, and Marco Rubio as Secretary of State. Utah's own Senator Mike Lee, who chairs the Energy and Natural Resources committee, joins Inside Sources to share his thoughts on the hearings today. 

 

On the Hill 2025: Previewing election bills in the Utah State House 

Several bills addressing elections are set to be introduced in the upcoming legislative session, including many in the State House. State Representative Jefferson Burton is taking the lead on many GOP election bills in the House. He calls into Inside Sources to give listeners an overview of the bills coming down the pike.  

 

On the Hill 2025: Previewing legislation on election fundraising 

We continue our deep dive into election bills coming for the 2025 Legislative General Session by digging into a bill on election fundraising. State Senator Dan McCay will run a bill that would add restrictions to campaign fundraising for state elected officials looking to run for federal office. He joins Inside Sources to explain other facets of the bill. 

 

Survey: Utahns want top elections official spot to stay an elected position 

New research from Y2 Analytics and the Sutherland Institute says that Utahns want the top elections official position in the state to continue as an elected position instead of an appointed position. And it wasn't close – Utahns wanted it on a 3-to-1 margin. What does this say about the future of election oversight? Inside Sources hosts Greg Skordas and Rusty Cannon share their analysis. 

 

On the Hill 2025: Previewing legislation addressing school safety 

Everyone wants schools to be safe – that's pretty much a given. But how do officials go about making schools safer? State Representative Ryan Wilcox is introducing legislation that would address school safety. He joins Inside Sources to outline some of the key points of his bill and explain how it’d make schools safer for Utah’s children. 

 

Top priority for Utah’s Speaker of the House in 2025: Education 

State Speaker of the House Mike Schultz says his top focus for the legislative session this year is education – both K-12 and higher education. He sat down with the KSL/Deseret News Editorial Board to explain how he wants more Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and an increase in concurrent enrollments. The hosts discuss those and some of his other proposals. 

 

Pres.-elect Trump proposes creation of External Revenue Agency 

One thing that’s been discussed with President-elect Donald Trump’s new agenda is an increase in foreign tariffs. Now, the incoming President is proposing an increase to the size and scope of the federal government by creating a new agency to handle these tariffs, the External Revenue Agency. Inside Sources finishes with the hosts sharing their thoughts on the balance between limited government and efficient government. 

 

One thing that’s been discussed with President-elect Donald Trump’s new agenda is an increase in foreign tariffs. Now, the incoming President is proposing an increase to the size and scope of the federal government by creating a new agency to handle these tariffs, the External Revenue Agency. Inside Sources finishes with the hosts sharing their thoughts on the balance between limited government and efficient government. 

State Speaker of the House Mike Schultz says his top focus for the legislative session this year is education – both K-12 and higher education. He sat down with the KSL/Deseret News Editorial Board to explain how he wants more Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and an increase in concurrent enrollments. The hosts discuss those and some of his other proposals.