Fox13 breaks the victim-blaming trend of Utah media's Halloween trick-or-treating safety tips.
Hits & Misses
By Benjamin Wood @BjaminWood
Hit: Tricks and Treats
Halloween came and went and with it, the annual cycle of news reports on the surge in pedestrian fatalities linked to trick-or-treating. As always, most of the local media focused on ways children are expected to avoid being killed by drivers, like going out before sunset (boring), spoiling their costumes with lights and reflectors (lame) and generally refraining from the carefree revelry of youth (groan). But Fox 13 went beyond the typical victim-blaming and highlighted SLC residents obtaining block party permits to close their streets to traffic, boosting safety by eliminating the threat of drivers entirely. "We can take a break from our last-minute errands and driving and just sort of, maybe, get to know our neighbors and our trick-or-treaters and keep them safe," said Adelaide Corey-Disch, who organized a street closure in Sugar House. Even on Halloween, not all heroes wear capes.
Miss: Bump, Set, Spike It
A group of Utah lawmakers wearing cringeworthy "BOYcott" t-shirts—led by Morgan Republican and culture war reactionary Rep. Kera Birkeland—put on a big show of sanctimonious superiority by attending a Utah State University women's volleyball game over (what else?) the inclusion of transgender athletes. There's hundreds of issues affecting Utahns that would be a better use of a lawmaker's time and attention, and while outlets like The Salt Lake Tribune couldn't resist the catnip, they did at least make a point to feature the thoughtful comments of Southern Utah University student Kaleb Cox—son of Gov. Spencer Cox—who criticized SUU administrators for their "deafening silence" in the wake of a broiling controversy that has made campus feel less safe. "We're letting these hypotheticals get in the way of human decency and kindness and compassion," Kaleb Cox told the Tribune. "[It's going] toward someone who's just trying to play a sport that they love with their friends."
Miss: Big Brother is Watching
The Utah County Clerk's Office has a storied history of tripping over its own feet, particularly around Election Day, when the state's second-largest county is regularly among the last to get its ballots counted. But Clerk Aaron Davidson outdid himself by exposing a questionable practice of tracking the personal voting habits of state lawmakers. Spanish Fork Republican Sen. Mike McKell cried foul after Davidson let slip that he knew exactly how and exactly when the good senator cast his mail-in ballot, after which Davidson doubled-down, telling the Deseret News his list goes well beyond just McKell. "I have a list of all the politicians," he said. "There's nothing in statute that says how you voted is a private record." McKell described Davidson's behavior as troubling and unethical, and various calls for the clerk's resignation soon followed, but Davidson continued to thumb his nose at detractors while pushing the baseless notion that mail-in voting is unsecure.
About The Author
Benjamin Wood
Lifelong Utahn Benjamin Wood has worn the mantle of City Weekly's news editor since 2021. He studied journalism at Utah State University and previously wrote for The Salt Lake Tribune, the Deseret News and Entertainment Weekly
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