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Parched alfalfa, prison mosquito problems and controversial coyote kills on ‘Behind the Headlines’

Salt Lake Tribune journalists join KCPW’s weekly news roundup.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) The new Utah State Prison is seen from Audubon’s Gillmor Sanctuary on the Great Salt Lake's South Shore on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022. Inmates arrived at the site in mid-July, during the summer mosquito season, and some have complained of "getting eaten alive" with bites. They had no access to bug repellent as officials scrambled to mitigate swarms, records indicate.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) The new Utah State Prison is seen from Audubon’s Gillmor Sanctuary on the Great Salt Lake's South Shore on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022. Inmates arrived at the site in mid-July, during the summer mosquito season, and some have complained of "getting eaten alive" with bites. They had no access to bug repellent as officials scrambled to mitigate swarms, records indicate.

Alfalfa in the spotlight: Why one crop uses more than half of Utah’s water — and how that relates to the plight of the Great Salt Lake. Mosquitoes, as predicted, are wreaking havoc at the new state prison, but addressing the problem could cause harm to an already stressed ecosystem. And state-approved coyote killing contests in Utah stir controversy.

At 9 a.m. on Friday, Salt Lake Tribune reporters Paighten Harkins and Brian Maffly, 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.

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