Interviews focusing on community issues and events
Education UHS Semester vs Trimester
UHS is one of only 17 schools in Utah which operates on a trimester schedule. Advocates for a change to a UHS semester block schedule, parents Liz Nielson, Katie Abrams and Jen Curtis discuss the many advantages. Interview aired on Newstalk 104.5 FM KVEL on Feb. 22nd.
Preserving Sports for Female Students Utah H.B. 302
The Utah State Legislature is debating a bill that would protect women from competing against transgender males identifying as a woman. House Bill 302 titled Preserving Sports for Female Students, would require public schools to designate athletic activities by sex. Furthermore, It would prohibit a student of the male sex from participating in athletic activities designated for female students. Bill Sponsor, House District 53 Representative Kera Birkeland which includes Daggett, Morgan and the northwestern portion of Duchesne County. Interview aired on Newstalk 104.5 FM KVEL on 2-16-21
Representative Blake Moore made his first visit to the Uintah Basin since taking office as Congressman for Utah's 1st Congressional District on February 9th. During his visit, he met with local leaders and industry representatives about the potential impacts the Biden Administrations actions will have on the fossil fuel industry and subsequent economy in the Uintah Basin. Interview aired on Newstalk 104.5 FM and AM 920 KVEL on Feb. 9, 2021
According to Summit Energy's Director of Marketing Operations, Reed Page, the future of energy production in the Uintah Basin is positive in spite of recent actions by the Biden Administration.
Future of Energy Production in Uintah Basin is Bright
According to energy economist Reed Page, the future of energy production in the Uintah Basin is bright. During this 20 minute discussion on local energy forecast, Summit Energy's Reed Page shares his opinions on subjects like the suspension of oil and gas leases on public lands, cancelation of the Keystone Pipeline, the future of faking, consequences for energy producers due to the U.S. entering into the Paris Agreement and what that could mean to energy producers in the Uintah Basin.
Saturday, January 16th Uintah County Attorney Greg Lamb was sworn in as 8th District Court Judge. Uintah County Deputy Attorney Jon Stearmer who represents Uintah Counties civil interests has been appointed to serve as interim county attorney until the selection process for transpires. Mr. Stearmer visit's with Newstalk 104.5 KVEL about this transition and his ambitions to serve the citizens of Uintah County.
Congressman Blake Moore addresses Wednesday's tragedy at the U.S. Capital and his congressional vote to certify the state elections. He also provides his perspective of government affairs over the next two years with Democratic controlled Senate, House and Presidency.
Mike McKee, Seven County Infrastructure Coalition Executive Director, provides an update on the Uinta Rail project. Project scope, timelines, public comment dates and an announcement from private finance company Drexel Hamilton about proposed changes to public private partnership agreement once the project is commercialized. Great news for Utah's energy producing counties. McKee was a guest on the Uintah Basin Today Show on Newstalk KVEL. Program aired on Nov. 4 2020
Madeline Kazantzis (R) Write-in Candidate for Utah Governor
Conservative voters have a choice beyond Spencer Cox for Utah Governor this election. Madeline Kazantzis and her family attended the Mainstreet Vernal Trump parade Friday and stopped by the KVEL studios to discuss her candidacy, her motivations, qualifications and vision for Utah.
Westyn's Vision - Children With Disabilities Playground Project
Children with disabilities struggle to experience the joys other children take for granted like playing with friends on playground equipment in our local parks. Shaylee and Johnny Hacking are local parents of Westyn, a child with disabilities. Motivated by her strong desire for Westyn to experience activities like others, Shaylee began fundraising efforts to build a playground for children with disabilities in the Naples Community Park. Interview on KVEL 9-28-20
Rio Grande Pacific Sr. Vice President, Mark Hemphill and 7 County Infrastructure Coalition Executive Director, Mike McKee provide an update on progress made with the Uinta Rail Project.
Should the Utah State Legislature have had more influence on the State's response to the Coronavirus pandemic? Senator Winterton addresses that question along with discussion on legislation passed passed during the most recent special session that will affect Utah Elections, the State's extraction industries, economic stimulus programs administered through the State and more. Program Aired on Newstalk KVEL Aug. 31, 2020
Tri-County Health Director Jordan Mathis addresses community concerns over the school mask mandate with Mike Stangel and Mark Winterton on the Uintah Basin Today Show on Newstalk KVEL. Program aired live August 26, 2020.
Mrs. Carranza is head of the U.S. Small business Administration provides an update on CARES Act programs administered through the SBA including the P.P.P. and EIDL programs. Learn of recent changes to these programs which could benefit your business.
Blake Moore Utah First Congressional Dist. (R) Nominee
Blake Moore Republican Nominee for Utah's First Congressional District was in the Uintah Basin recently meeting with civic leaders and the public. Should he be elected this November, Moore shares his vision of how he can use his experience and position to help diversify and grow the economy of Northeastern Utah. Interview aired on KVEL July 28, 2020.
Uintah School District Proposal to Reopen this Fall
Uintah School District Board Chair, Kurt Case, Curriculum Administrator, Jayme Leyba, and Superintendent, Rick Woodford (pictured left to right), discuss districts plans to re-open K-12 schools this fall. Program aired on KVEL July 13, 2020
Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Joel Brown and Vernal City Manager, Quinn Bennion discuss the Small Business Economic Recovery Grant stimulus and application. Uintah County, Vernal City, Naples City, and Ballard City rolled out the grant application Friday June 26th. The application deadline is July 10th. This grant is part of the CARES Act passed by congress earlier this year.
Rep. Rob Bishop - BLM-Uintah Co. Ashley Springs Land Transfer
BLM Vernal Field Office announced on May 19th the conveyance of 780 acres of public lands, known as the Ashley Springs Property in Uintah County. The land to be managed as open space to protect the watershed and underground karst system and aquifer. The 35,000 citizens of Uintah County rely on this watershed for culinary water.
As our community is in the orange stage of the Coronavirus pandemic, Ashley Regional Medical Center new CEO Wes Taylor discusses hospital readiness and elective and non-urgent surgeries and procedures now available at Ashley Regional Medical Center. Taylor discusses emergency procedures implemented to protect patients and staff.
Resources Available to Parents with Homeschooling Children
Uintah School District Superintendent, Rick Woodford and Julie Wilde USD Director of Student Services talk about resources available to parents who are helping children with homeschooling. They also discuss post COVID-19 district challenges and vision moving forward.
The Utah State Legislature met in 4 virtual special sessions earlier this month to pass several pieces of legislation that helped the State better manage affairs during the pandemic. The State of Utah’s interests were met but what about the small, independent business owner? Does the State of Utah have an obligation to support Utah businesses who were ordered by the Governor to shut down their businesses? Former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman told us emphatically yes during this program last week. Utah Senator Ron Winterton answers these questions and shares his opinions and efforts he is making as Senator to argue for further economic support for rural Utah economies.