Author: Eric Peterson (Eric Peterson)

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Glowing pains: Developing nuclear power could cost Utah tens of billions
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Glowing pains: Developing nuclear power could cost Utah tens of billions

The following story was reported by The Utah Investigative Journalism Project in partnership with Utah News Dispatch. Gov. Spencer Cox announced Operation Gigawatt in 2024 to double the state’s energy capacity in 10 years. For the governor and state lawmakers an ambitious energy plan means big investments now in all energy options — including nuclear....

Spending your tax dollars to hide government secrets
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Spending your tax dollars to hide government secrets

The following was written by The Utah Investigative Journalism Project in partnership with Utah News Dispatch. Utah lawmakers are not only trying to close off your access to records about how the government does (or doesn’t) work — they want you to pay the bill for it. Two bills are taking direct aim at the...

How to advocate for yourself as a DV/SA Survivor
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How to advocate for yourself as a DV/SA Survivor

On February 27 from 6-9 pm we are hosting a special training virtually, and in-person, to help crime victims know how to navigate the court database, request copies of their police reports and understand how the criminal justice system works. The event will especially focus on helping survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual assault advocate...

How you can keep tabs on the legislature
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How you can keep tabs on the legislature

The 2025 Legislature is officially in session! There is a lot to keep tabs on and it can get overwhelming. However you can easily track lawmakers, legislation and even lookup how much money special interests are donating to lawmakers. Last year we devoted a full hour-long webinar to the topic which you can watch HERE....

Did Moab’s police chief fully disclose his history of leaving departments while under investigation for misconduct?
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Did Moab’s police chief fully disclose his history of leaving departments while under investigation for misconduct?

The following story was reported by The Utah Investigative Journalism Project in partnership with Salt Lake City Weekly and the Moab Sun News. At a Sept. 27, 2022, Moab City Council meeting, then-Chief Jared Garcia introduced his new assistant chief Lex Bell to the council, as well as another detective. It was a standard small...

Some of Cox’s Cabinet members don’t disclose siblings’ business connections
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Some of Cox’s Cabinet members don’t disclose siblings’ business connections

The following story was reported by The Utah Investigative Journalism Project in partnership with Utah News Dispatch. State officials are required to disclose if their “immediate family” are involved in businesses that could receive public funding. Recently obtained records, however, show that some heads of state agencies have interpreted the disclosure rules to mean they...

Here’s why Trump Jr.’s Utah hunting guide is headed to jail before his trial
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Here’s why Trump Jr.’s Utah hunting guide is headed to jail before his trial

The following story was reported by The Utah Investigative Journalism Project in partnership with The Salt Lake Tribune. Influential hunting guide Wade Lemon, celebrated for drawing “literally tens of millions of dollars” into Utah’s rural communities and efforts to conserve game herds, was ordered to report this week to a federal prison. The longtime owner...

New data tool allows journalists and the public to track ‘wandering cops’ in Utah
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New data tool allows journalists and the public to track ‘wandering cops’ in Utah

By Eric S. Peterson and Sam Stecklow The following story was reported by The Utah Investigative Journalism Project in partnership with the Invisible Institute and Salt Lake City Weekly. In September 2019, the Logan City Police Department hired Officer Miguel Deras, who had recently left the University of Utah’s campus police. Police officers move from...