Tom Williams

Behind the Headlines

News EN ↓ 93 episodes

From its politics to its public lands to polygamy, Utah has always been fertile ground for news. Here on UPR, The Salt Lake Tribune presents a fresh way for Utahns to process the headlines. Behind the Headlines, a live weekly broadcast, examines the week’s top local stories through the eyes of reporters on the beat. Hosted by UPR's Tom Williams, a rotating panel of the state’s top journalists explain what’s happening in the Beehive State along with the hows and whys. Listeners can join the discussion by sending questions to @upraccess on Twitter or emailing upraccess@gmail.com. Behind the Head...

Author

Tom Williams

Episodes

Mike Lee targets national park sites and more on Behind the Headlines 19.12.2025 50:03

Salt Lake Tribune reporters Robert Gehrke, Leia Larsen, and Jessica Schreifels talk about the week’s top stories, including a former Utah governor calling out President Trump for recent posts.

Record spending in SLC, pro-LDS podcasting, and more on Behind the Headlines 05.12.2025 45:43

Tony Semerad and Tamarra Kemsley talk about the week’s top stories, including record spending on police budgets in Salt Lake City and the influence of pro-LDS podcasts.

Salt Lake City plans for homeless shelter and more on Behind the Headlines 21.11.2025 48:53

Salt Lake Tribune reporters Leia Larsen, Brooke Larsen, and Jose Davila IV talk about the week’s top stories, including Utah’s plans to bring a nuclear hub to Brigham City.

Utah judge rejects GOP congressional map and more on Behind the Headlines 14.11.2025 48:29

Salt Lake Tribune reporters talk about the week’s top stories, including a Utah judge rejecting GOP lawmakers’ congressional map and picking a map with a district favoring Democrats.

Utah election results, Dirtylicious, and more on Behind the Headlines 07.11.2025 50:37

Salt Lake Tribune reporters Robert Gehrke, Jose Davila IV, and Paighten Harkins join to talk about the week’s top stories, including election results across Utah, the fate of Dirtylicious, and more.

The government shutdown's impact on SNAP and more on Behind the Headlines 03.11.2025 47:38

Salt Lake Tribune reporters Robert Gehrke, Megan Banta, and Jordan Miller talk about the week’s top stories, including why the federal shutdown will lead to more empty shelves and empty bellies.

Utah's K-12 enrollment dip, No Kings protests, and more on Behind the Headlines 24.10.2025 50:17

Salt Lake Tribune reporters Courtney Tanner, Brock Marchant, and Brooke Larsen talk about the week’s top stories including last week's ‘No Kings’ protests, the dip in K-12 public enrollment, and more.

Dallin Oaks is the new LDS president and more on Behind the Headlines 17.10.2025 49:47

Salt Lake Tribune reporters talk about the week’s top stories, including Dallin Oaks ascending to the presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Utah’s disputed redistricting process and more on Behind the Headlines 10.10.2025 49:08

Salt Lake Tribune reporters talk about the week’s top stories, including what’s next in Utah’s disputed redistricting process now that lawmakers have adopted a map.

Turning Point USA visits Utah State and more on Behind the Headlines 03.10.2025 49:49

Salt Lake Tribune reporters talk about the week’s top stories, including the death of Russell M. Nelson, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Erica Kirk to lead Turning Point USA and more on Behind the Headlines 22.09.2025 47:38

Salt Lake Tribune reporters Paighten Harkins and Sean Means talk about the week’s top stories, including the shooting and death of Charlie Kirk, Erica Kirk taking over Turning Point USA, and more.

Charlie Kirk's shooting at UVU and more on Behind the Headlines 12.09.2025 41:26

Salt Lake Tribune reporters Courtney Tanner, Addy Baird, and Brooke Larsen talk about the week’s top stories, including the shooting and death of Charlie Kirk during a college appearance in Utah.

Utah Supreme Court calls off execution and more on Behind the Headlines 05.09.2025 46:42

Salt Lake Tribune reporters talk about the week’s top stories, including the Utah Supreme Court calling off Ralph Menzies’ execution days before he was set to die by firing squad.

New Utah congressional maps to be drawn and more on Behind the Headlines 02.09.2025 50:01

Salt Lake Tribune reporters Robert Gehrke, Emily Anderson Stern, and Peggy Fletcher Stack talk about last week’s top stories, including the ordered redrawing of congressional maps.

A surprise visit with distant relatives of Cache Valley’s birds 26.08.2025 3:56

Awhile back, I was riding my bicycle along country roads in Cache Valley, when suddenly six unusual looking chicks ran across the road in single file right in front of me. I slammed on the brakes just in time as the chicks disappeared down the farmhouse driveway on the other side of the road.

A town in mourning, tax evasion allegations, and more on Behind the Headlines 22.08.2025 47:14

Salt Lake Tribune reporters Jose Davila IV, Tony Semerad, and Kevin Reynolds talk about the week’s top stories, including a Utah town mourning two police officers killed in the line of duty.

Owners want to rebuild destroyed bars and restaurant on Behind the Headlines 15.08.2025 50:53

Salt Lake Tribune reporters Robert Gehrke, Emily Anderson Stern, and Brock Marchant talk about the week’s top stories, including three bars and a restaurant that burned down but may be rebuilt.

The future of Utah health care and more on Behind the Headlines 04.08.2025 50:50

Tribune reporters Addy Baird, Leia Larsen, and Paighten Harkins join to talk about the latest news, including how Republicans’ cuts to the Affordable Care Act may affect Utahns’ health care and more.

Utah County's growing need for homeless services and more on Behind the Headlines 11.07.2025 49:45

Tribune reporters Paighten Harkins, Leia Larsen, and Courtney Tanner join us this week to talk about the latest news, including an increasing need for homeless services in Utah County and more.

Utah's first child measles case and more on Behind the Headlines 27.06.2025 45:31

Tribune reporters Brock Marchant, Brooke Larsen, Megan Banta, and Clarissa Casper join host UPR’s Tom Williams to talk about the latest news, including measles cases identified in Utah.

Protest shooting, Mike Lee's comments, and more on Behind the Headlines 20.06.2025 48:58

Tribune reporters Robert Gehrke and Anastasia Hufham join this week to talk about the latest news, including the shooting at the ‘No Kings’ protest in Salt Lake City and more.

Improvements at Utah Lake and more on Behind the Headlines 06.06.2025 45:47

Salt Lake Tribune reporters Robert Gehrke and Paighten Harkins, along with UPR/Tribune reporter Clarissa Casper join us this week to talk about the latest news.

Mosquito management, tithing for foreign aid, and more on Behind the Headlines 23.05.2025 51:21

This week we discuss how scientists manage mosquitos in the Great Salt Lake’s wetlands, Sen. John Curtis' suggestion for foreign aid, and the ban on transgender health care for youth.

Budget cuts to Utah universities and more on Behind the Headlines 25.04.2025 48:17

Tribune reporters Emily Anderson Stern and Courtney Tanner discuss the latest news, including Planned Parenthood closing two Utah clinics after President Trump cut federal reproductive health funds.

Bernie Sanders and AOC draw massive crowd and more on Behind the Headlines 21.04.2025 48:26

Tribune reporters Emily Anderson Stern, Robert Gehrke, and Tony Semerad talk about the latest news, including Bernie Sanders drawing a massive crowd during his ‘Fight Oligarchy’ tour in Utah.