Podcast
KSL News Daily
Join us on the KSL News Daily, where we delve deep into the stories that shape Utah. Every weekday, our dedicated host Maria Shilaos brings you an in-depth analysis of a pressing story in the news alongside a quick update on the three things you need to know to start your day. With the expertise and hard work of the journalists at KSL News, you can expect coverage in context and a nuanced understanding of the Beehive state’s unique landscape. Tune in to stay informed, engaged, and connected to the heart of Utah's news.
- Daily News chart
- #139
- Episodes
- 97
- Releases
- Daily
- Typical length
- 23 min
- On air since
- 2026
- Latest episode
- 16 hours ago
Episodes
97 episodes, newest first
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18 min
Election Day in Utah: What’s at Stake and Why Every Vote Counts
Show notes
It’s Election Day, and KSL Political Reporter Bridger Beal-Cvetko joins Maria Shilaos to discuss what’s at stake in the midterm election and why every vote matters.
Plus, another round of flooding hits San Juan County, Utah students get a voice in classroom AI decisions, and Utah and BYU prepare for a top-10 rivalry showdown.
Before you go: How the ACLU’s Party at the Polls encourages voter turnout.
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27 min
Utah’s Adult Website Age Verification Enforcement Begins
Show notes
Utah is enforcing mandatory age verification for adult websites. We talk with the head of the Utah Division of Consumer Protection and the law’s Senate sponsor about what it requires and how enforcement will work. Plus, the campaign spending surrounding Amendment B, a Box Elder County sheriff’s voluntary leave, and a holiday market featuring local businesses. Before you go: Explore a massive dinosaur bonebed near Green River and the push to protect it.
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19 min
Deceived: Inside the Daybell Story | Vernal’s Last Weekend of Scares
Show notes
Journalist Nate Eaton joins Maria Shilaos to discuss his new podcast, Deceived: The Daybell Story, exploring the disturbing doomsday beliefs behind Chad and Lori Daybell’s murders and the lasting harm to those left behind. Plus, potential power bill increases for some Utah customers, blasting concerns in Herriman, and home insurance cancellations. And before you go: Vernal’s Haunted Hotel checks out with one final weekend of scares for charity.
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27 min
Utah’s Betting Battle, Teens and Energy Drinks, and an AI-Designed Eye Implant
Season 1
Show notes
Utah is taking on Kalshi, and federal regulators are pushing back. As the state pursues criminal charges against the prediction market, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission is suing to block Utah’s enforcement efforts. KSL legal analyst Greg Skordas joins Maria Shilaos to explain the clash over who gets to regulate these markets and what could happen next.
Then, KSL’s Todd Kunz examines teens’ use of energy drinks, a pediatrician’s concerns about caffeine and sleep, and how parents can start the conversation.
Plus, meet Corey Hansen, the Utah mechanic who received an AI-designed lens implant this week after years of declining eyesight.
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21 min
Utah Couple Stranded in Eastern Europe for Three Years Appeals to Lawmakers for Help
Season 1
Show notes
A Utah couple says shifting immigration policies have left them stranded in Eastern Europe for three years. Maria Shilaos takes a closer look at their efforts to return home, their appeal to Utah lawmakers and the Salt Lake community rallying behind them.
Plus, AI will soon answer non-emergency calls in the Salt Lake Valley, DNA evidence confirms Ted Bundy killed Melissa Ann Smith, and county clerks urge voters to return mail ballots before time runs out. Before you go: meet a Utahn preparing to help handle a giant balloon in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
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23 min
Rising Need, Shrinking Resources—and the Power of a Thank-You
Show notes
As high prices strain Utah households, organizations serving low-income residents are struggling to keep up. Maria Shilaos explores funding shortages forcing Community Action Services to cut services and jobs, while the Rescue Mission of Salt Lake shares what it’s seeing on the front lines. Plus, a Ted Bundy-linked cold case closes in Summit County, Davis County expands pediatric care and Salt Lake City International Airport celebrates its final redevelopment gates. Before you go: one woman’s mission to inspire 10,000 handwritten thank-you notes.
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23 min
Nancy Baird’s Disappearance: A New Accuser Shares Her Story
Show notes
Cold podcast host Dave Cawley joins Maria Shilaos to share Gorgi Rigby’s allegations against former East Layton police officer Tom Jackson, a person of interest in Nancy Baird’s 1975 disappearance. Plus, Erika Kirk seeks a speedy trial for her husband’s accused killer, University of Utah Health employees raise concerns about changes to paid time off and a Park City entrepreneur aims to inspire 10,000 thank-you notes. Before you go: bagpipes mark the 40th anniversary of Salt Lake’s Scottish Festival.
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30 min
Federal Election Monitors Head to Utah—and PAC Ad Spending
Show notes
Federal election monitors are coming to Utah—but what will their presence mean for voters? Maria Shilaos explores the move with Utah Republican Party Chair Robert Axson, Democratic Party Chair Brian King and the Hinckley Institute’s Jason Perry.
Plus, shifting early voting habits, a new UVU study on voter fraud, flooding that displaced residents in Hurricane, and a look at political action committee spending on Utah ads.
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22 min
Utah County’s Data Center Debate—and a Hogwarts Halloween
Season 1
Show notes
Utah County Commissioner Amelia Powers Gardner joins Maria Shilaos to discuss new guidelines for data center applicants and a protester’s arrest following a heated planning commission meeting.
Plus, officials investigate stolen ballots in Millcreek, Elizabeth Smart advocates for a three-digit emergency line for survivors of sexual abuse and trafficking, and a new report examines poverty among Utah women.
Before you go: a Bountiful senior living community brings Hogwarts magic to Halloween.
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20 min
Utah AG Takes on Kalshi—and a Million-Dollar Treasure Hunt
Season 1
Show notes
Utah Attorney General Derek Brown joins Maria Shilaos to explain his lawsuit seeking to stop online betting platform Kalshi from operating in Utah.
Plus, more Utah voters are opting out of the major political parties, Senator John Curtis pushes for Great Salt Lake funding and water conservation, and our Meet the Candidate series continues.
Before you go: a nationwide scavenger hunt is coming to Utah with a $1 million grand prize.
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25 min
Utah’s Resilient Economy: Inflation, Priorities and Greek Heritage
Show notes
Utah’s economy remains resilient, but inflation is squeezing household budgets. Utah Chamber President Derek Miller joins Maria Shilaos to break down the latest economic snapshot and priorities for decisionmakers.
Plus, falling home sales give buyers more leverage, Salt Lake City weighs a zoning change tied to Smith’s Ballpark redevelopment, and a new state Capitol monument honors Greek immigrants’ contributions to Utah.
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17 min
Google’s Geothermal Plans in Utah—and Turkeys Take Over Liberty Park
Season 1
Show notes
A massive geothermal project in southwest Utah could power a new Google data center. Deseret.com’s Leah Bowers joins Maria Shilaos to explore Google’s agreement with Fervo Energy and what it could mean for Utah.
Plus, Utah’s latest jobs numbers, a possible bridge across Utah Lake, and a new graduate program at Utah Tech. Before you go: Why a flock of domestic turkeys is turning heads at Salt Lake City’s Liberty Park.
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22 min
Faith Leaders Gather in Utah for G20 Interfaith Forum; BYU Hosts College GameDay
Show notes
World faith leaders gather in Salt Lake City for Utah’s first G20 Interfaith Forum. KSL Religion Specialist Carole Mikita explores the gathering and the global challenges on its agenda.
Plus, congressional candidates Blake Moore and Peter Crosby share their priorities, and KSL Sports’ Jeremiah Jensen previews ESPN’s College GameDay visit to BYU. Maria Shilaos also covers Utah’s financial health, Millcreek’s challenge to a proposed Parleys Canyon gravel mine, and a fare-free weekend on UTA.
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27 min
A Community Ski Resort for Utah? One Man’s Plan to Make Skiing Affordable
Season 1
Show notes
As the Wasatch gets its first measurable snow of the season, one Utah man hopes to make skiing more affordable by creating a community ski resort. Plus, plans for downtown Salt Lake City’s Sports and Entertainment District, the latest inflation concerns, and Salt Lake Acting Company’s 55th birthday. Before you go: Meet the Draper dog trainer chosen to design an agility course for the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
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31 min
Utah Ballots Are on the Way: Know the Voting Changes Before You Vote
Season 1
Show notes
Ballots are heading to mailboxes across Utah. Maria Shilaos and Inside Sources Producer Andy Cupp break down recent changes to voter registration and casting your ballot ahead of the midterm elections. They also take a closer look at the 1st Congressional District.
In the things you need to know to start your day: a legal fight over a Nine Mile Canyon trucking project, the cause of a deadly Washington Terrace fire and efforts to simplify transfers between Utah colleges.
And a hack targeting grocery store refrigeration in France raises food safety concerns here in Utah.
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22 min
Utah’s Spam-Call Surge: What Can You Do?
Show notes
Tired of unwanted calls? Utah’s spam-call complaints jumped 36% in 2025. KSL Investigative Reporter Matt Gephardt joins Maria Shilaos to explain the surge and what you can do about it.
Plus, a storm that could bring feet of mountain snow, Utah has the fourth highest instances of book bans and remembering a longtime advocate for Utah’s homeless Pamela Atkinson.
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25 min
Privacy Concerns Fuel Push to Remove Flock Cameras From Utah Highways
Show notes
Could public opposition prompt UDOT to end its agreement with Flock Safety? Utah Civic Compact’s Clark Dice joins host Maria Shilaos to discuss the group’s privacy concerns about automated license plate readers and its push to remove the cameras from Utah highways. Plus, Washington Terrace resumes using Flock cameras, Crumbl closes dozens of locations, and quartz countertop safety raises concerns. And before you go: Meet Dottie Beaver, who celebrated her 99th birthday sharing her love of music.
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26 min
Federal Disaster Relief Opens Door to Recovery in Beaver and Piute Counties
Show notes
A major disaster declaration will allow Beaver and Piute counties to apply for federal funding to help cover flood damage tied to the Cottonwood Fire burn scar. Maria Shilaos explores what that assistance could mean for communities recovering from fire and flooding.
Plus, new findings on seatbelt use, compensation for eligible generic drug purchases and why Kaysville is canceling its fire station bond vote. And before you go, a West High student’s app could help crews find and fix potholes faster.
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22 min
Utah’s Water Infrastructure: Do Taxpayers Have the Full Picture?
Season 1
Show notes
Does Utah need a significant tax increase to fund its water infrastructure? Investigative reporter Daniella Rivera and Utah Rivers Council’s Zach Frankel join the show to discuss the council’s new report challenging a Division of Water Resources study and alleging it leaves out relevant data.
Plus, rising diesel costs raise concerns for school districts, an Orem domestic violence shelter expands, and Warriors Over the Wasatch gets new dates. Before you go: fire prevention advice following a deadly Riverdale fire blamed on an overheated power strip.
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23 min
Project Beehive: Nuclear Heat Concerns and Utah’s AI Push
Season 1
Show notes
A proposal for 456 small nuclear reactors and data centers near Price is raising questions about how much heat the massive facility would generate. KSL reporter Mike Anderson joins Maria Shilaos to discuss Valar Atomics’ “Project Beehive,” in the initial planning stages on more than 9,000 acres of BLM land.
Plus, UVU’s Brandon Amacher explains what Utah’s push for “pro-human” artificial intelligence could mean for state government. Also: Provo considers more downtown liquor licenses, and vehicle thefts rise at the University of Utah.
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