Author: Kevin Thompson

Salt Lake City, UT – Utah Governor Spencer Cox declared a state of emergency on Thursday, April 24, in response to worsening drought conditions affecting much of the state. The executive order covers 17 counties, with nearly half of Utah now experiencing severe or extreme drought. The declaration comes after updated streamflow forecasts and rising temperatures raised concerns across multiple regions. According to state officials, 42% of Utah is currently grappling with severe drought, while 4% of the state faces extreme drought conditions. The counties impacted by the declaration include Washington, Iron, San Juan, Kane, Juab, Emery, Grand, Beaver, Garfield, Piute,…

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah — A former Boy Scout leader, Charles Bates, has been charged with more than 80 felony counts related to child sexual abuse that allegedly spanned three decades. Bates, who faces charges including forcible sodomy, aggravated sexual abuse of a child, and object rape, was arrested late Friday at his West Valley City home. Prosecutors have requested that he be held without bail due to the severity and extensive nature of the alleged crimes. In addition to the abuse charges, Bates is accused of possessing 134 images of child sexual abuse material, some of which reportedly depict him…