Human Interest

Charlottesville Donnybrook

Dear Dave,

My husband opened his own commercial painting business in May. He knows he will have about three months in the year where he’s making little to no income. We’ve gotten $1,000 set aside for our Baby Step 1 beginner’s emergency fund, but because of that down period he would like to skip paying off all our debt except for the house, which is Baby Step 2, and move to Baby Step 3 and put an emergency fund aside. I can understand his thinking, but I wanted your thoughts on the idea.

Melody

Dear Melody,

Bishop Announces August Town Hall Meetings

Brigham City, UT – Congressman Rob Bishop (UT-01) will host a series of Town Hall meetings around Utah’s first congressional district. The series will begin with a radio broadcast from Vernal’s KVEL 920 AM, followed by a pair of meetings in Brigham City & Layton (full details below). Rep. Bishop has extended the following invitation to constituents:

Misunderstanding Media

Marshall McLuhan wrote ‘Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man’ in 1964.  He was way ahead of his time.  It was and still is a definitive look at how mass media effects and influences us and why.  It influenced me to adjust my career track.  Most people associate McLuhan with the phrase “The medium is the message” which is often mistaken as the title of the book.  It was a chapter in the book.

Credibility of Pulitzer Prize Takes a Hit by Rewarding ProPublica's Liberal Bias
By Drew Johnson

After busting the New York Police Department for abusing a decades-old eviction law, nonprofit news organization ProPublica received a public service Pulitzer Prize. A powerful story of journalism in pursuit of justice, right?

Not so fast.

On Monday, August 21, 2017, all of North America will be the host to an eclipse of the sun. Anyone within the path of totality can see one of nature’s most awe-inspiring sights - a total solar eclipse. This path, where the moon will completely cover the sun will stretch from Lincoln Beach, Oregon to Charleston, South Carolina. Observers outside this path will still see a partial solar eclipse where the moon covers part of the sun's disk.

 Dear Dave,

I’m debt-free except for my home, and I’m considering having solar panels installed on the roof of the house. It would cost about $27,000. I have $80,000 in savings, but the company doing the installation will finance it all for just one percent interest. It’s almost like free money. My electric bills average around $310 a month, and I thought this would be a good way to save money in the long run. What do you think?

Michael

Dear Michael,

Dear Dave,

We’re following your plan, and we’re in the middle of paying off all our debts except for the house. My wife just learned she’ll be losing her job at the end of the year. She’s a project manager for a software company in Seattle, and she will be receiving a severance package if she works until year’s end. We were curious as to how you think we should handle the next few months.

Kevin

Dear Kevin,

Sen. Lee Releases Statement of Support for Family of Aaron Butler

SALT LAKE CITY – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) released the following statement after learning of the death of Utah National Guardsman Aaron Butler from Monticello, Utah:

“My heart goes out to the Butler family on the loss of their son Aaron. I am very grateful for all our service men and women who put their lives on the line for our nation. I will pray for all our Utah families who have loved ones serving in Afghanistan today.”