Latest news with #SpenserHeaps
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Before the shots rang out, nonviolence and unity defined ‘No Kings' protest
People take part in the 'No Kings' protest in Salt Lake City on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) For more than two hours, 10,000 protesters coalesced in their anger against President Donald Trump and his policies to march peacefully through scorching Salt Lake City streets Saturday. They had cheered organizers' urging for nonviolence and reveled in moments of unity as they walked, from appreciative honks from waiting cars to church bells ringing out for them as they passed St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral. Just before 8 p.m., gunshots sounded, sending the crowd scrambling. Police confirmed Sunday that an individual who they said was 'possibly part of the event's peacekeeping team' had spotted a man with a rifle approaching the marchers, and fired. That man, identified as 24-year-old Arturo Gamboa, sustained a minor gunshot wound and was later arrested and booked into jail for investigation of murder. An innocent bystander walking in the protest, Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, 39, was also shot. He died of his injuries Saturday night. A long list of questions remains. But up until that moment, the message of the event had been the same as protests happening in cities large and small around the country, part of a nationwide declaration of defiance of Trump coinciding with a large-scale military parade in Washington, D.C. marking the Army's 250th anniversary, a date that was also the president's 79th birthday. The Salt Lake City demonstration was the last and largest of 11 planned protests across the state Saturday, including a demonstration that drew thousands more to the University of Utah that morning. Speaking to reporters on a dark Salt Lake City street about two hours after the shooting, the city's police chief and mayor both praised the protesters for exercising their rights peacefully and without incident. 'We had thousands of people come out today, not only in Salt Lake City, but in protests around the state, protests around this nation, and they were, by and large, peaceful demonstrations,' Mayor Erin Mendenhall said. 'We are a nation that needs our First Amendment right. We deserve to be able to protest in peace. And what happened today, I hope, will not silence the voices of the public who deserve to have their voices heard.' Protesters' chants included 'This is what democracy looks like,' 'Trump is a felon,' and 'No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here.' There were also some unflattering shoutouts to elected Utah officials including Sen. Mike Lee, Rep. Celeste Maloy, Gov. Spencer Cox and state Rep. Trevor Lee. Despite Utah's unquestioned status as a red haven, with Republicans consistently holding the governor's office, all of the state's congressional seats and a supermajority in the Legislature, Utahns who disagree with Trump's politics have been making their voices heard in growing numbers since the president began his second term, including earlier in the week. Some protesters, like Ogden sisters Kimberly and Heidi Cruzatt, marched on behalf of those concerned about demonstrating publicly. They wore scrubs, a symbol of their Peruvian parents' work as CNAs. 'I believe it's not safe for them, and they have a family at home to take care of, so I don't want to risk them any harm being here,' said Heidi Cruzatt. Kimberly Cruzatt carried a poster styled after the broadway hit 'Hamilton' logo, including the line 'Immigrants, we get the job done.' 'It's about Alexander Hamilton, but since he's an immigrant, he's decided, 'OK, I think everybody who has come from different countries has collaborated in the community,'' she explained. Not far from the sisters was Rachel Blackmer, of Taylorsville, who teaches English to adult immigrants and trains foster parents to care for refugee teenagers. In the center of the sign she carried above her head, Blackmer drew a heart with words 'Protect the immigrants I love' inside, and dozens of names of her students appearing around it. 'Everyone I care about is being threatened right now. My students tell me about how scared they are, and they carry their ID with them, but that isn't even good enough. They're still scared, and I'm really excited to show them my sign and show them their names on it and why I'm here,' Blackmer said. Looking at the sea of people around her, Blackmer said she hopes the scale of the recent protests will spur change, comparing it to the height of Black Lives Matter protests in 2020. 'I'm really hoping that our country will respond even more than they did back then, this will be even bigger, and more people will respond,' she said. Why protest? 'They work,' she said.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Peacekeeper' involved in shooting at SLC ‘No Kings' protest is a military veteran, organizers say
People take cover after gunshots rang out during the 'No Kings' protest in Salt Lake City on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) As questions continue to circle around the 'peacekeepers' acting as armed security at the 'No Kings' protest in Salt Lake City on Saturday, when police say a man inadvertently shot and killed a bystander, protest organizers issued a statement Tuesday saying the 'safety volunteer' who was involved is a 'military veteran.' 'During the protest an individual was spotted holding an AR-15 style weapon,' organizers with Utah 50501 said in the prepared statement provided to Utah News Dispatch on Tuesday. 'Our team of safety volunteers, who have been selected because of their military, first responder, and other relevant de-escalation experience, believed that there was an imminent threat to the protesters and took action.' Utah 50501 is a state chapter of the 50501 Movement, a grassroots group that organizes rallies to protest actions by President Donald Trump and his administration. According to Salt Lake City police, the shooting happened after two men described as 'peacekeepers' confronted another man, 24-year-old Arturo Gamboa, who was carrying an AR-15 style rifle. One of the men, reportedly part of the event's security team, fired three shots from a handgun, grazing Gamboa but also hitting an 'innocent bystander,' Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, who was pronounced dead at a hospital. Beloved Utah fashion designer's friends remember his life and his last moments Shortly after the shooting, police arrested Gamboa, and he was booked into jail for investigation of murder. Police say, however, that Gamboa did not fire his rifle. The two 'peacekeepers,' who wore high-visability vests, were initially detained by police, but were released after being questioned. Police said the man who fired the three shots is cooperating with investigators. 'The safety volunteer who responded to the individual (holding the rifle) and who was questioned by police is a military veteran,' the Utah 50501 statement said. 'The person currently in custody was apprehended thanks to a protester who saw the rifle and brought it to police attention.' In the statement, Utah 50501 organizers also expressed 'profound heartbreak' for the death of Ah Loo. 'We are mourning Afa Ah Loo with everything we have, and we are holding his family and friends in our hearts,' the statement said. 'Afa's name, courage, and commitment to his people will never be forgotten. We express our dearest and deepest sympathy to all those who knew and loved him.' The protests' organizers also noted the investigation into the shooting is 'still currently ongoing. At this time SLCPD has not chosen to charge any of the volunteers.' Salt Lake City police are investigating the shooting, but the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office will ultimately decide charges. As of Tuesday, no charges had been filed against Gamboa or anyone else involved in the shooting. The Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office has declined to say whether prosecutors are considering filing any charges against the 'peacekeepers' who were involved in the shooting. Man dies after being shot in chaotic scene at Salt Lake City's 'No Kings' protest 'This continues to be an active investigation by the SLCPD that is yet to be screened by our office, which is not uncommon or of concern as we remain so early into the criminal inquiry,' Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill said in a prepared statement issued Tuesday. 'When the gathered evidence is presented to our office and homicide team, we will have a better understanding of facts, evidence and any chargeable decision,' Gill continued. 'Until then any conjecture would be purely speculative, inaccurate and inappropriate.' Gill urged Utahns to 'be patient and let law enforcement finish their work.' He also asked anyone 'who may have evidence or may be witnesses to contact and share that information with the SLCPD.' He referred to a link to the Salt Lake City Police Department's website, where evidence can be submitted online. In the days following the chaotic shooting, unanswered questions remain, including more details of who the 'peacekeepers' were and how they were vetted to be acting as armed security. Questions also remain regarding Gamboa's intentions and why he brought a rifle to the protest. As Utahns grieve Ah Loo's death, some have applauded actions by the 'peacekeepers' to prevent what could have been a mass shooting, while others have questioned whether the armed man who shot at Gamboa and inadvertently fatally struck Ah Loo acted appropriately. The Utah 50501 statement provided Tuesday offered a bit more information about who the protest's organizers said served as 'safety volunteers,' including that the people selected had 'military, first responder, and other relevant de-escalation experience,' and that the man involved was a 'military veteran.' However, other questions remain unanswered, including the ages of the two 'peacekeepers' that were involved in the shooting, how they were vetted, and how many of them present at the protest were armed. The Utah News Dispatch on Monday sent emails to both national and local organizers asking those questions and others. On Tuesday, Utah organizers pointed to the prepared statement and declined to provide interviews at this time. 'The organizers genuinely want to engage with the public but we have to balance the public's need for transparency with the participant's legal and psychological health,' the organizers said in an email. Utah 50501 organizers have drawn some criticism over the shooting, including from other local activist groups. The group Armed Queers SLC, which describes itself as an 'LGBTQ organization dedicated to the defense, and success, of oppressed people's movements,' posted a statement on its Instagram story saying 'we are still shocked at how the events unraveled' at the protest. 'Armed Queers takes gun ownership and its use for defense of our communities very seriously, and reject the way this situation was handled,' the group said. 'This event resulted in a direct loss of life that could have been avoided, and other measures should have been in place for proper de-escalation before openly shooting into a vulnerable crowd.' Armed Queers, the statement said, 'had no involvement in the planning' of Salt Lake City's 'No Kings' protest, adding that though some members attended, 'Armed Queers was given very little information about this event or our role in it.' 'We were asked to work as extra members of 50501's de-escalation team 2 days before the event,' their statement added. 'We agreed to participate because the organizers were concerned about agitators, but we were given very few details and transparency about the de-escalation plan.' The group said its members 'worked as a 'secondary de-escalation' team, and had no real interaction with agitators, or coordination with the event organizers while fulfilling that role.' It noted that no Armed Queers members were wearing high-visability vests, and no Armed Queers were 'part of any escalation of events.' 'One of Armed Queers' founding principles is 'The abolition of prisons and police as they serve as nothing but tools of capitalist oppression.' We completely reject any collaboration with the police or efforts by the state to celebrate certain protest movements, while repressing others,' the Armed Queers statement added. 'We were only made aware of any information being shared with the police when public videos had surfaced of 50501's team.' The group added that they grieve 'the killing of Afa Ah Loo. His life was unjustly cut short, and our hearts are with his family and his community.' Organizers with the national 50501 Movement have said they discourage people from bringing firearms to protests. 'In the face of this heartbreaking situation, we would like to affirm our commitment to nonviolence and to our non-negotiable prohibition of firearms policy for anyone representing 50501 at any of our actions or events,' organizers with the national 50501 Movement said in a Facebook post Monday. 'It is clear we do not have a complete understanding of what happened yet. What is certain is that, if no guns were present at the protest, this tragedy would have been prevented altogether.' Utah, however, is a 'constitutional carry' state, which means its laws allow the open and concealed carrying of firearms without a permit for those who are legally allowed to possess them. In 2021, with HB60, the Republican-controlled Utah Legislature eliminated the state's concealed carry permit requirements. Now, anyone 21 and over who can legally possess a gun is free to carry it loaded and hidden in public. Unlike 26 other states, Utah has not adopted a law prohibiting carrying long guns at state capitols or political protests, according to Everytown Research & Policy, an organization that produces research on gun violence and advocates for gun violence prevention. The group has ranked Utah as No. 36 in the country for 'gun law strength.' Salt Lake City Police spokesperson Brent Weisberg said in a lengthy statement issued Monday that police are continuing to investigate the 'peacekeepers' involvement, as well as other aspects of the protest's organization and staffing. He said neither of the two men identified as 'peacekeepers' involved in the shooting were 'current or former members of law enforcement, including the Salt Lake City Police Department.' Police investigating 'peacekeepers' role in fatal shooting at 'No Kings' protest in Utah 'While Utah law governs when and how a person may carry and use a firearm, the lawfulness of any individual's possession or use depends on the specific facts and circumstances of each case,' Weisberg said. Weisberg said it 'remains unclear whether these individuals were hired by or volunteered for the event organizers, or acted on their own initiative.' He also noted that the term 'peacekeeper' does not 'represent any formal designation recognized by the Salt Lake City Police Department or the City,' and that there was 'no record in the event's permit indicating the presence of organized or armed security.' He said the 'peacekeeping' term was how the volunteer questioned by police 'self-identified.' 'While the Salt Lake City Police Department was aware that Saturday's demonstration would include people in support roles, such as those helping to marshal or guide the crowd, these functions are entirely internal to the event,' Weisberg said. 'They are not overseen, sanctioned, or trained by the Salt Lake City Police Department. From the department's standpoint, these persons are considered members of the public, subject to the same rights and responsibilities as any other person in Utah.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Supreme Court sides with Utah in air quality lawsuit
Air thick with particulate pollution and fog hangs over Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. The AQI at the time was listed at 130 according to and the National Weather Service had issued a dense fog advisory. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) The U.S. Supreme Court sided with Utah and Oklahoma on Wednesday in a case that started over disagreements with the Clean Air Act, and evolved into a debate over where certain lawsuits could be heard. The high court issued a unanimous opinion in Oklahoma v. Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday, ruling that local courts can hear objections to federal air quality laws, rather than defer to courts in Washington D.C. The case stems from a 2015 decision by the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, that made air quality standards for ozone more strict. Ozone pollution happens when nitrogen oxides react with volatile organic compounds, often called VOCs, according to the EPA. Essentially, when pollutants from cars, refineries, boilers and other sources of emissions react to sunlight and hot temperatures, ground-level ozone forms. Ozone pollution can be common in Utah, especially during summer months. It's been linked to a number of health issues, causing respiratory problems and even intellectual disabilities, according to a recent study from the University of Utah. States were required to submit plans outlining their compliance with the new ozone standards, which included how they would adhere to the Clean Air Act's 'good neighbor' provision — essentially, how the state would try to reign in emissions that might impact air quality in other states. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The EPA rejected plans put forward by 21 states, including Utah and Oklahoma, which sued the agency in the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Colorado. But the EPA argued the lawsuits should be heard in a Washington D.C. Circuit Court, since its rule disapproving of the state air quality plans constituted a 'single, nationally applicable action.' The Colorado court complied — but Utah and Oklahoma disagreed, instead taking the issue of jurisdiction to the Supreme Court. And in Wednesday's opinion, written by Justice Clarence Thomas, the court agreed, handing the case back to the 10th Circuit in Colorado. 'These two disapprovals are undisputedly locally or regionally applicable actions. A (state implementation plan) is a state-specific plan, so an EPA disapproval on its face applies only to the State that proposed the (state implementation plan),' Thomas wrote. In a statement, Utah Attorney General Derek Brown celebrated the ruling, describing it as a win for Utah. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE 'The Court agreed with Utah's argument involving the Clean Air Act that local courts should handle local issues, and the federal government should collaborate with the states — not ignore their unique differences,' Brown said. 'We are also grateful to the Trump Administration's EPA for reconsidering its ruling that required litigation in the first place, and look forward to our continued partnership on behalf of Utah.' In March, the Trump administration announced it would reconsider the good neighbor provision, calling it 'troubled.' The EPA said it would work with states whose implementation plans were initially rejected by the Biden administration's EPA, including Utah. Justice Samuel Alito did not take part in the decision. According to SCOTUSblog, Alito owns stock in a company that was also challenging the EPA's good neighbor provision.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Yellowstone' spinoff among new Utah film productions approved under tax incentive program
The Capitol in Salt Lake City is pictured on Thursday, April 10, 2025. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) Four new film productions are headed for Utah and will receive a tax credit under the state's film incentive program, including a 'Yellowstone' spinoff and a new season of 'The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch.' That's according to the Utah Film Commission, which made the announcement on Friday. The four productions will generate an estimated economic impact of about $57.4 million and more than 380 jobs, with filming set to take place in Salt Lake, Summit, Wasatch and Uintah counties. The 'Yellowstone' spinoff — titled 'Y: Marshals' — is the latest addition to the popular series that drew millions of viewers and was partly filmed in Utah. But after filming three seasons in the Beehive State, the production packed up and relocated to Montana, where it was offered a better tax break. That loss contributed to lawmakers expanding the state's film incentive for rural productions. 'Y: Marshals' will star Luke Grimes as Kayce Dutton, continuing the arc of his 'Yellowstone' character as a member of the U.S. Marshalls. Production will begin in Summit County this fall, and the show has a $52 million budget. 'Utah is such a draw for film and television because of its diverse landscapes, fantastic crews, and amazing, knowledgeable film office,' said Adam Morra, vice president of planning and finance for Paramount Global, in a statement. 'There is no doubt, though, the film incentive is a vital and necessary part of the package.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The seventh season of 'The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch' will also receive a tax credit under the state's rural film incentive program. Focused on the notorious Skinwalker Ranch in Uintah County, the History Channel show follows researchers who explore the ranch's reported paranormal activity. It has a $3.2 million budget. Filmed in Wasatch and Summit counties with a $1.8 million budget, 'Keep Coming Back' is the third production to receive incentives under the state's rural film program. It's an independent film from director and producer Mark Rosman, who said the tax incentives, experienced film crews and proximity to Los Angeles made Utah a draw. 'When it came to picking a state to shoot the film, it was natural to look at Utah,' Rosman said in a statement. And the new competition show 'Freshman Inventors' will receive a rebate under the Utah Community Film Incentive Program. With plans to film in Salt Lake County with a $300,000 budget, the Netflix show highlights Gen Z inventors. The Utah Motion Picture Incentive Program currently offers a refundable tax credit up to 25% for funds spent in the state, with different sums of money set aside for productions that meet certain criteria. The rural film incentive — which 'Y: Marshals,' 'The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch' and 'Keep Coming Back' qualified for — sets aside $12 million per year for projects that spend at least 75% of production days in a rural county. The community film incentive program is a 20% post-performance cash rebate for projects that originate in Utah. It's aimed at helping smaller productions with budgets between $100,000 to $500,000, and is meant to promote up-and-coming local filmmakers, according to Utah Film Studios. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Utah earns Moody's highest credit rating again
The downtown Salt Lake City skyline is backdropped by fresh snow on the Wasatch Mountains on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) Describing Utah's economy as strong and its outlook as stable, Moody's affirmed the state's Aaa issuer credit rating Tuesday. That's the highest possible rating for a government entity, indicating the lowest risk for investors. Along with Utah, 13 other states hold that score with Moody's, Fitch and S&P Global, three big rating agencies. 'The Aaa issuer rating reflects Utah's robustly expanding economy, formidable budget reserves, minimal leverage, and exemplary fiscal governance,' the financial firm wrote in the announcement. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Analysts also expect Utah's demographic trends to continue to drive good revenue performance and diversify the state's economy, they wrote. In the meantime, the state has 'excellent budget flexibility' with low fixed costs from 'low leverage from bonded debt, pension liabilities and retiree healthcare.' However, the state also faces credit challenges, including climbing cost of living prices and diminishing housing affordability, which could slow down the state's 'in-migration' trends in the future. Additionally, catering to more Utahns living in the state means more spending, especially for public education. And, like in most Western states, Utah's issues with water supply and drought 'can disrupt the economy and drive capital spending,' analysts said. Gov. Spencer Cox celebrated the news, saying in a release that the rating would allow the state to save taxpayer dollars with low-borrowing costs to fund infrastructure and public services. 'These ratings reflect the fact that our hard work is paying off,' Cox said in a statement. 'Utah continues to be recognized as one of the best-managed states in the nation because of our commitment to fiscal responsibility and the incredible work of public servants who take that responsibility seriously every day.' The firm also highlighted that Utah's score will remain steady since its fiscal and debt management style could allow it to successfully navigate potential economic challenges, while its 'judicious' approach to expenses in sectors like education, transportation and health care will make for stronger financial stability. 'We don't take this kind of recognition for granted,' Cox said. 'The recent launch of GRIT and the BUILD Coordination Council reflects our commitment to keep improving by solving problems early and delivering real results for Utahns. A top credit rating is something to be proud of, but it is also a reminder to keep earning that trust every single day.' Moody's noted that Utah's rating could be downgraded if the state departs from its tradition of fiscal and liability management, or if the state reduces its reserves to less than 25% of own-source revenue due to economic downturn or other events. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
