Utah.gov News Provider

Updated Economic Snapshots available for Central and Southwest areas

Wed, 16 May 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Get the latest economic data for Southwest Utah, including employment, housing, and retail sales.

Utah Health Status Update: The Economic Impact of Obesity

Wed, 16 May 2012 12:00:00 GMT

A growing number of Utah elementary and high school students are obese. This report explores the economic impacts of the growing obesity trend on the state of Utah.

8th Utah Lake Festival Scheduled for June 2

Wed, 16 May 2012 12:00:00 GMT

You are invited to attend the Utah Lake Festival scheduled to be held on Saturday, June 2, 2012 from 10:00am - 2:00pm, at the Utah Lake State Park. The festival is free and will offer those attending a chance to enjoy the lake, learn about its many recreational opportunities and educate attendees about the lake's ecosystem.

Governor Details Comprehensive State Response to Data Breach

Tue, 15 May 2012 12:00:00 GMT

SALT LAKE CITY - In the Capitol Board Room this afternoon, Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert, flanked by agency leadership, detailed the State's comprehensive response to the recent health and Medicaid data breach. The State response includes a full-scale, independent audit of technology security systems, the appointment of a new health data security ombudsman, investigation by law enforcement and personnel action.

"The State of Utah must restore the trust placed in it," the Governor said."Cyber-security is the modern battlefront and we are all enlisted-you, me, our state agencies, the Legislature-all of us have a critical role to play," he added.

Confirming that the March 30 unauthorized transfer of personal files from state servers was an isolated incident, the Governor apologized to the approximately 280,000 individuals whose Social Security Numbers were compromised, as well as approximately 500,000 others who had less sensitive information also stored on the server. "The compromise of even one person's private information is a completely unacceptable breach of trust," said the Governor. "The people of Utah rightly believe that their government will protect them, their families and their personal data. As a state government, we failed to honor that commitment. For that, as your Governor and as a Utahn, I am deeply sorry."

According to law enforcement authorities, cyber attacks on public information systems have increased 600% this year, resulting in nearly a million attempts daily by cyber terrorists or hackers to infiltrate the State IT network. That reality, coupled with the recent data breach, prompted the Governor to call for a comprehensive, independent security audit of information technology systems, both for this incident and across all agencies. The security audit, conducted by Deloitte & Touche, is now underway, as is a parallel assessment of the State's response to victims.

Another critical part of the State's response is Governor Herbert's appointment of Sheila Walsh-McDonald as the new Health Data Security Ombudman. She will oversee individual case management, credit counseling and public outreach. The Governor said, "Sheila is a trusted and experienced member of the public health and advocacy community, having dedicated her 33-year professional career to working on behalf of Utah's disparate populations, with a focus on improving and strengthening the public and private programs that serve them. It is truly an honor to have Sheila on board in this effort and I thank her for her willingness to serve."

During today's event, the Governor also announced the resignation of Stephen Fletcher, executive director of the Dept. of Technology Services (DTS), and the subsequent appointment of 28-year IT veteran Mark VanOrden as acting director of DTS. VanOrden is the IT director for the Utah Dept. of Workforce Services and recent recipient of the Merrill Baumgardner award for excellence. "Right now, I am counting on Mark's well-established ability to pull the DTS team together to focus on optimizing the value of Deloitte's audits and our efforts to rebuild public trust in our IT systems and processes," said Governor Herbert.

The Governor urged impacted individuals and families to contact the Utah Dept. of Health hotline (1-855-238-3339) with any questions and encouraged them to enroll in free credit monitoring.

He further cautioned citizens to beware of scammers and those who prey on the vulnerable and ill-informed. "Please know that no one from the State will contact you and ask for information over the phone or via email regarding this incident. Do not provide private information, especially not a Social Security Number or account information, in response to a phone call or email you did not initiate," the Governor said. "This incident is a tragic reminder that it is a different world in which we live. The dynamics continue to change and there is a very real and growing cyber threat."

Governor to Hold Press Conference on Medicaid Data Breach Will announce new Health Data Security Ombudsman

Tue, 15 May 2012 12:00:00 GMT

WHAT:           Governor Herbert will hold a press conference to discuss the recent Medicaid data breach

WHO:             Governor Gary R. Herbert, representatives from the Utah Department of Health and Utah Department of Technology Services

WHEN:           Tuesday, May 15, 2012, 2:30 PM

WHERE:        Capitol Board Room (Suite 240), Utah State Capitol

Utah Leads the Way in Responsible Energy Development

Tue, 15 May 2012 12:00:00 GMT

"Energy development will assuredly be a top campaign issue in national and state elections this year. The connection between energy to economic development and national security (in addition to $4 gallon gasoline that makes it a very real part of our everyday lives) will put a white-hot spotlight on the debate", says Derek Miller, Chief of Staff, Office of the Governor.

Utah Geological Survey Receives National Award for Earthquake Research

Tue, 15 May 2012 12:00:00 GMT

The Utah Geological Survey (UGS) received a 2012 National Award in Excellence for Research at the National Earthquake Conference. The award recognizes the significant contributions to earthquake research and risk reduction made by three Utah Earthquake Working Groups convened under the auspices of the UGS in cooperation with the Utah Seismic Safety Commission and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

2011 Landslides in Utah: in the May issue of Survey Notes

Tue, 15 May 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Just one of the stories in the May 2012 issue of Survey Notes, a publication of the Utah Geological Survey.

High School Summer Programs at BATC

Tue, 15 May 2012 12:00:00 GMT

The BATC Summer Programs run June 11 through July 31 and are offered to juniors and seniors. Classes are from 8 am to 12 noon, Monday through Friday unless otherwise noted.

Governor Herbert Authorizes Lowering the Flags for Peace Officers Memorial Day

Mon, 14 May 2012 12:00:00 GMT

SALT LAKE CITY - Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert has authorized the lowering of the Flag of the United States of America and the Flag of the State of Utah on Tuesday, May 15, 2012, in recognition and honor of "Peace Officers Memorial Day."

"Our Peace Officers put themselves in harm's way every day in order to protect and serve their fellow citizens," said Governor Herbert, I am grateful for their service, courage, and tireless dedication in protecting our citizens and communities. The benefits of our civil society - the ability to exercise the God-given rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness - are protected through the selfless service of our peace officers."

The flags will be flown at half-staff on all state facilities from sunrise to sunset on Tuesday, May 15th, only.