Flooding

For years, many people have assumed that climate change will send massive waves of “climate refugees” across borders around the world. But Jan Freihardt, a political scientist at ETH Zurich, says the reality is far more complicated. Studying communities along the Jamuna River in Bangladesh—where floods and erosion regularly destroy homes and farmland—Freihardt has followed families trying to decide whether to stay, move a little, or start over somewhere else. Distant migration is the option of last resort — and often not an option at all.

Wetland experts advocate a 300-foot buffer for development around rivers, but an upcoming city council vote in Logan might shrink the buffer to 25 feet.

Our hosts discuss the lack of flood warnings in Texas, the Supreme Court's curbing of lower courts' injunctive powers, and cuts to Utah's education programs.

In other news, Spanish Fork is receiving $1.2 million in federal funds to assist in flood repair. And, roads in two northern Utah cities have closed due to malfunctioning railroad crossing arms.

Tribune reporter Emily Anderson Stern and Moab Times-Independent reporter Andrew Christiansen join UPR’s Tom Williams, who broadcast live from Moab this week, to talk about the latest news.

Utah currently has 227 "high hazard" dams, 107 in which are in need of some sort of rehabilitation based on Utah's criteria. The issue is the state only has funding for 6 of these 107 dams.

In other news, a Logan Walmart was evacuated early Sunday morning after an online bomb threat was made against the location, and various southern Utah state parks are expected to experience flash flooding this week.

In other news, fireworks sparked a brush fire in Parley's Canyon on Tuesday. With July 4 approaching, more fires are expected.

In other news, Salt Lake County libraries are now providing free menstrual products at all 18 of its branches. And, the Supreme Court is considering reviving approval for a rail project that would boost fuel production in rural eastern Utah.

In other news, Provo City officials are warning the public to stay away from the Provo River this summer. And, Utah has received $20 million in federal funding from the Federal Highway Administration to help “connect the West.”