Utah Bid To Host Sundance Advances

Just a couple of years ago, I stumbled upon a program that is saving taxpayers millions of dollars to reform the lives of criminals and ex-convicts. This organization is called the Other Side Academy, and it's growing here in Utah and it's changing and shaping the way we think about prison and prison reform. I'll be sharing with you over the next few months stories of people from that program.

Dale Keller from Solutions Utah comes on the Utah Stories podcast to discuss Utah's homeless, the Supreme's Court's decision, Housing First, affordable housing, and more.  Here is Solutions Utah's website for more info: https://solutionsutah.org. Here is The Other Side Academy's website for more info: https://www.theothersideacademy.com. Visit UtahStories.com for more and to subscribe to our free digital newsletter. There you can also support our journalism by subscribing to our print magazine for $3 per month. Follow us on: Instagram @UtahStories Twitter @UtahStories

Utah is in the midst of a housing and homeless crisis. Gov. Cox appointed Steve Waldrip as new Senior Advisor for Housing Strategy and Innovation, which is similar to a special task force created to solve the problem. Waldrip is a former Utah State legislator, developer and attorney. Visit UtahStories.com for more and to subscribe to our free digital newsletter. There you can also support our journalism by subscribing to our print magazine for $3 per month. Follow us on: Instagram @UtahStories Twitter @UtahStories

Utah is in the midst of a housing and homeless crisis. Gov. Cox appointed Steve Waldrip as new Senior Advisor for Housing Strategy and Innovation, which is similar to a special task force created to solve the problem. Wadrip is a former Utah State legislator, developer and attorney. Here he is on the Utah Stories podcast. Visit UtahStories.com for more and to subscribe to our free digital newsletter. There you can also support our journalism by subscribing to our print magazine for $3 per month. Follow us on: Instagram @UtahStories Twitter @UtahStories

Infertility rates have nearly doubled in the past decade, accompanied by a sharp rise in chronic diseases like diabetes and heart conditions, yet public awareness remains limited. Despite an $11.5 billion budget and extensive resources, the CDC focuses on who and where rather than why Americans are increasingly unhealthy. Socio-economic status emerges as the primary predictor of chronic disease prevalence, overshadowing factors like diet and processed food consumption. The Amish and Mennonite communities, with their traditional farming and low-processed diets, offer contrasting health outcomes, raising questions about the impact of modern food processing practices on public health. Visit UtahStories.com for more and to subscribe to our free digital newsletter. There you can also support our journalism by subscribing to our print magazine for $3 per month. Follow us on: Instagram @UtahStories Twitter @UtahStories

Housing is getting increasingly more expensive, could tiny homes be the solution? Richard Markosian discusses this in this episode of the podcast. Visit UtahStories.com for more and to subscribe to our free digital newsletter. There you can also support our journalism by subscribing to our print magazine for $3 per month. Follow us on: Instagram @UtahStories Twitter @UtahStories

Despite TOSA's remarkable success in aiding homeless individuals without government funding, state-funded homeless services in Utah face significant challenges, including lack of accountability and ineffective implementation. The Solutions Utah conference shed light on the increasing homelessness crisis in Salt Lake City, fueled by rising housing prices and scarcity. Governor Spencer Cox endorsed TOSA's approach, emphasizing personal accountability and community support over Housing First policies. The conference highlighted the need for effective and accountable homeless services, contrasting the success of organizations like TOSA and Switchpoint with the failures of government-funded programs. To learn more go to utahstories.com to watch the full episode or read the full story.     

We continue our discussion with these brave women from Grandparents with Open Arms. Visit UtahStories.com for more and to subscribe to our free digital newsletter. There you can also support our journalism by subscribing to our print magazine for $3 per month. Follow us on: Instagram @UtahStories Twitter @UtahStories

Today on Utah Stories we welcome Theresa Ellis and Melonie Trujillo who are part of the group Grandparents with Open Arms. We have an open and honest discussion about the struggles of adoption especially as a grandparent. Please go to their website to check out this amazing organization. Visit UtahStories.com for more and to subscribe to our free digital newsletter. There you can also support our journalism by subscribing to our print magazine for $3 per month. Follow us on: Instagram @UtahStories Twitter @UtahStories

On today’s top 5:  Do Utah Residents Live In Rural Areas?  How Much Will It Cost Salt Lake City Residents To Fund The NHL Sports District?  Who's Running to fill the Democrat spot for Utah’s 2nd Congressional District?  Utah’s Best Outdoor Burger Spots  Utah's New Homeless Board Faces Warning of Severe Mental Health Bed Shortage