McGrath: Rep. Curtis, Can We Be Done Holding Your Party’s Hand on Climate Change?
By Mackenzie McGrath, Opinion Writer
September 18, 2020
When Republican Representative John Curtis imagines a bipartisan response to climate change, he sees two previously bickering children dropping the politics and finally getting along — picking up trash and recycling their shared pop bottles and pizza box lids under sunshine and rainbows....
Reese: It’s Time for Salt Lake City to Pedestrianize Its Streets
By Isaac Reese, Opinion Writer
September 10, 2020
The start of the COVID-19 pandemic gave many Americans cabin fever as we stayed indoors to prevent and limit the spread of a deadly virus (which, for the record, is still raging despite Utah leaders’ decision to prioritize the economy over our health). Cut off from friends and family, we spent our nights and weekends binging shows like Tiger King or The Midni...
McGrath: Thought the Pandemic Was Bad? Wait Till You See Climate Genocide
By Mackenzie McGrath, Opinion Writer
September 3, 2020
It might feel like 2020 is out to get us. In addition to Trump’s impeachment and acquittal and rumors — not to mention memes — of an imminent World War III, the year began amid the Australian bushfires. Right now, California is experiencing some of the largest wildfires in the state’s history. And the Atlantic hurricane season is predicted to be particularly severe due to a combination of sever...
Barron: Like Our Air, Staggs’ Plan Need Work
By Morgan Barron, Opinion Writer
July 27, 2020
For almost three years, Trent Staggs has served as the mayor of my hometown. Under his leadership, a lot in Riverton has changed, from our logo to our police department. Indeed, 80% of the initiatives outlined in Staggs’ 4-year strategic plan were accomplished in his first two years in offic...
Barron: End U Professor’s Colonization Efforts
By Morgan Barron, Opinion Writer
July 14, 2020
Dr. Richard Hansen, an American archeologist and adjunct professor with the University of Utah’s anthropology department, has spent much of his adult life exploring and excavating the ancient Mayan city of El Mirador in Guatemala. For the past 20 years, though, his focus has shifted from research to ecotourism, lobbying Guatem...
Cushman: Salt Lake City Should Tax Plastic Bags
By KC Ellen Cushman, Opinion Writer
June 23, 2020
I went to Seattle for the first time in 2016. I had always loved the city for its liberal attitude, but found it a little annoying when my parents stopped to get snacks at a grocery store and insisted that we carry the groceries back to the hotel in order to avoid paying the city’s plastic bag tax. Municipalities all over the country are adopting similar plastic bag taxes and bans in an effort to reduce plastic waste. Logan r...
Chung: Utahns, Say “No” to the Rollback of Clean Car Standards
By Stacy Chung
June 22, 2020
Despite the major consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, there is one possibly optimistic result — significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions. But don’t get your hopes up. Even this slightest possibility of cleaner air may disappear far too quickly, thanks to new auto-emissions standards. Ironically, the Trump administration justified this change as a means to alleviate economic distress while protecting the public and the environment, but in reality, it will hu...
Barron: Stay Home from National Parks this Summer
By Morgan Barron, Opinion Writer
June 3, 2020
During winter break, my family and I planned a trip to Yosemite for late July. We booked an Airbnb, discussed how to split up the drive and I set a reminder in my calendar to apply for a hiking permit for Half-Dome months in advance. The same day I entered the permit lottery, COVID-19 claimed its second known victim in the United States. Like most Americans at that point, I had no idea how...
Cushman: Utah Should Reopen Its National Parks
By KC Ellen Cushman, Opinion Writer
May 27, 2020
Unacast, a location data analysis firm, has given grades to each state in order to measure how well they have implemented health protocols to stop the spread of COVID-19. Utah scored a D, one letter grade above failing. Despite that low grade and concern about the risk of reopening the Utah econ...
Starr: Distant outdoor adventures can wait
By Kennedie Starr, Opinion Writer
April 22, 2020
In an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19, government officials have pushed to close national parks and place increasing limitations on public land. While some may see these actions as too severe, official public land restrictions, for the time being, are in the best interest of community ...
Poma: LDS Members Must Do More to Fight Racism
September 22, 2020
Artist of the Week: Allison James
September 22, 2020
Fire Breaks out in Neff’s Canyon
September 22, 2020
Barron: Vote Biden to Fulfill the White Horse Prophecy
September 22, 2020