The Daily Buzz

Anton Piddubnyi’s wife, Valentyna, was nine months pregnant when Russia invaded Ukraine. The couple had just moved back to their home country last summer after attending Utah Valley University. In this episode, Anton talks about what his family’s life has been like since the fighting started.

Also, reporter Daedan Olander shares an update on Utah Sen. Mike Lee ignoring questions about his text messages about overturning the 2020 election, as well as a story about a potential solar array in southern Utah.

The pair of Utah National Guard Black Hawk helicopters that crashed near Snowbird ski resort in February sustained more than $9 million in damages, an investigation reveals. Tribune reporter Jordan Miller joins “The Daily Buzz” to discuss exactly what went wrong during the training exercise.

Reporter Alixel Cabrera also shares how some areas in Salt Lake County will become more navigable for residents.

And, finally, I highlight a story by TV Critic Scott Pierce that provides a look into the life of polarizing reality TV star Julie Stoffer, who was famously kicked out of Brigham Young University after appearing on MTV’s “The Real World: New Orleans” more than 20 years ago.

Sen. Mike Lee found himself at the center of controversy late last week as numerous texts between him and former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows were released by CNN. The messages revealed just how involved the senator was in trying to overturn the 2020 Presidential Election.

Additionally, Tribune data columnist Andy Larsen discusses “shrinkflation,” an aptly dubbed measure to combat rising prices — also known as inflation.

The impact of Utah’s HB11, the total ban of transgender girls in Utah from participating in school sports, is already being felt. A 13-year-old transgender swimmer is giving up the pool due to the ban. And experts warn that LGBTQ youth could experience more bullying and increased struggles with their mental health as a result of the law.

Education reporter Courtney Tanner and Statewatch reporter Kim Bojórquez join the podcast to discuss their respective stories regarding the transgender sports ban.

Additionally, the state has plans to swap land with Bears Ears. Reporter Brian Maffly divulges how he uncovered the scoop.

The Utah Jazz are heading to Texas! After a rocky season, the Jazz face off against the Dallas Mavericks in the first playoff game this Saturday.

Jazz beat writer Andy Larsen and “How ‘Bout This Jazz” podcast moderator Xoel Cardenas joins “The Daily Buzz” to discuss the likelihood of the Jazz bringing home a win.

And, does Utah really have the worst drivers in America? Innovation Lab reporter Kaitlyn Bancroft set out to find the truth about Utahns on the road.

Utahns who live along the Wasatch Front are familiar with inversion, the smoggy air that fouls their air in the winter. But inversion isn’t the only air quality problem, according to new findings from the Environmental Protection Agency.

Reporter Brian Maffly joins The Daily Buzz to discuss high ozone levels in northern Utah and why the EPA rejected a claim from that state that the ozone pollution was from Asia.

And reporter Daedan Olander reports on the merger between Intermountain Health and SLC Health, and what the health care provider’s expansion will mean for Utahns.

Culture Editor Sean Means and Culture Reporter Palak Jayswal join the podcast to break down how the giant whale happened to land in Salt Lake City's Ninth and Ninth neighborhood and the controversy surrounding its debut.

And two Utah Republicans are displeased with Yale Law School. Utah Senator Mike Lee and Attorney General Sean Reyes are calling on the University to punish students who temporarily disrupted an event featuring conservative lawyer Kristen Waggoner.

The final episode of the podcast “Sent Away” is officially live. In the last episode of the series, celebrity Paris Hilton testifies in front of the Utah Legislature about her experience at Provo Canyon School, a teen treatment center in Utah. Her testimony, and the actions of activists and lawmakers, led to the first reform in more than a decade to the state’s oversight of the teen treatment industry. But a year later, the bill’s sponsor now questions whether the reforms went far enough.

Water and land reporter Leia Larsen joins the podcast to discuss her recent story about a man venturing out into Great Salt Lake with his kayak. The purpose of his kayaking adventure is to document the decline of the state landmark.

Twenty-six years after renovations began on the Antelope Island State Park visitor center, the second phase of the $13 million project is set to begin construction later this summer, Statewatch reporter Kim Bojórquez discusses on Monday’s podcast.

And news columnist Robert Gehrke and politics editor Jeff Parrott talk about film incentives passed by the Utah Legislature this year.

On Friday’s episode of The Daily Buzz, Statewatch reporter Kim Bojórquez talks with sports enterprise reporter Julie Jag about the racial diversity of Utah skiers and why Olympian Shaun White visited the Beehive State last month.

Also, Utah Republican Sens. Mitt Romney and Mike Lee spilt their vote on Ketanji Brown Jackson, with Romney and two other Republican senators voting to send the judge to the Supreme Court. Jackson will be the first Black woman to serve on the nation’s highest court.

In a report released this week, Utah Transit Authority sums up how “Free Fare February” boosted ridership and improved air quality along the Wasatch Front.