New homelessness boss, refugee frustrations and Vicky Chavez leaves sanctuary on this week’s ‘Behind the Headlines’
Join Salt Lake Tribune journalists for KCPW’s weekly news roundup.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Vicky Chavez laughs at the cheers of her friends and family before leaving the First Unitarian Church for the first time in three years, April 15, 2021. In January 2018, Chavez sought sanctuary at the church, living in a converted Sunday school classroom for more than three years with her two daughters. Chavez and her two daughters have been granted a stay and are no longer considered a priority for deportation by the United States. Chavez will remain in the United States for at least a year while lawyers continue to plead for permanent residency. At right is a doll of President Joe Biden that Chavez hand-knitted herself.
| April 15, 2021, 7:57 p.m.
| Updated: 11:52 p.m.
A new “homelessness czar” is appointed to oversee Utah’s response to the growing number of unsheltered people in the state. Refugee resettlement groups express frustration that President Joe Biden has yet to expand the number of refugees the U.S. is willing to accept. And after three years in sanctuary in a Salt Lake City church, Vicky Chavez and her two daughters can now leave without fear of deportation.
At 9 a.m. on Friday, Salt Lake Tribune reporters Matt Canham and Taylor Stevens, along with editorial page editor George Pyle, join KCPW’s Roger McDonough to talk about the week’s top stories.
Every Friday at 9 a.m., stream “Behind the Headlines” at kcpw.org, or tune in to KCPW 88.3 FM or Utah Public Radio for the broadcast. Join the live conversation by calling 801-355-TALK.