Wednesday morning, April 7, 2021
State
Pandemic Hits Women In The Workforce
The top two reasons Utah women left the workplace during the pandemic was caring for their kids and their employers losing business according to a new survey from Utah State University’s Utah Women and Leadership Project. Schools have been forced to operate partially or fully online during the pandemic, which led to some women leaving their jobs to spend more time taking care of their kids. The study’s author said that helps explain why women who work from home said their mental health has suffered during the pandemic more than women who worked outside the home. The survey also found women of color have been hit harder financially than white women during the pandemic. Read the full story. — Sonja Hutson
Mask Up Jazz Fans
The Utah Jazz and Vivint Arena have announced that masks will still be required at all events even after the state lifts the statewide mask mandate April 10. Franchise officials said face masks over the nose and mouth are required for guests and staff throughout the arena as a precaution against COVID-19 unless a person is actively eating or drinking. The rules match safety measures established by the NBA and local health officials for mass gatherings, according to a statement from the Jazz. The team began the second half of the NBA season in March with an arena capacity of about 5,500 fans. — Bob Nelson
Northern Utah
“Downtown Ambassadors” To Address Crime On North Temple
Salt Lake City leaders announced a new plan Tuesday to address safety concerns on the west side of the city. Salt Lake City will be adding six “Downtown Ambassadors” on North Temple after residents and business owners complained about crime, drug use and homeless encampments there. The program will try to connect people in crisis to services and will work with the Salt Lake City Police Department to deter crime. Police Chief Mike Brown said the ambassadors will partner with the bike patrol officers in the neighborhood. Bike officers have arrested 86 people on felony charges since the beginning of the year, he said. Read the full story. — Emily Means
Region/Nation
Melting Snowpack
New research finds that snow is melting earlier in the year — a bad sign for the Mountain West.The study published in the journal Nature Climate Change looked at more than 1,000 snow measurement stations from New Mexico up through Alaska. It found that over the last 40 years, about a third showed increases in melting and runoff during the winter, well before spring. Researchers said that finding is in line with projections that show climate change eating away at snowpack overall, and that could mean more drought and wildfires for the west. — Madelyn Beck, Mountain West News Bureau
Be the first to comment