Victims of radiation exposure across Utah have been fighting for justice for years. Now, there is new life in the effort to expand the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) to cover all Utahns and communities elsewhere harmed by fallout from atmospheric testing in Nevada decades ago.
We just need our own congressional delegation to close the deal. The question is — will they?
On Nov. 20, United States Senate negotiators unveiled a compromise proposal to renew and expand RECA after the program officially lapsed on June 7. Since RECA expired, the Department of Justice stopped processing claims. Families and survivors across all of Utah are now stuck in limbo.
After the government detonated nuclear bombs and exposed Utahns and other downwind communities to cancer-causing fallout, it’s deeply disturbing that the remaining survivors have lost life-saving assistance.
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The U.S. government formally apologized in 1990 for the harm inflicted on ordinary citizens by atmospheric testing during the 1950s and 60s. When President George H.W. Bush signed the original RECA (introduced by the late Sen. Orrin Hatch) into law, the government committed to “recognize and assume responsibility for the harm done to these individuals.”
RECA was always far too limited, covering only 10 counties in Utah and 12 others in Nevada and Arizona. Too many communities in northern Utah and the West were excluded, although evidence since RECA’s passage has shown much more about who was harmed by Cold War testing in Nevada, how much further radioactive fallout from above-ground tests spread, how the uranium industry endangered more workers, and how nuclear waste was negligently and illegally dumped in several U.S. communities.
In March, a bill to expand RECA passed the U.S. Senate with a bipartisan super majority. It adds the entire states of Utah, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Idaho, Colorado, Montana and Guam, as well as additional uranium miners and communities dealing with the aftermath of weapons production and waste storage — all of whom evidence has shown were heavily impacted by radiation exposure. Unfortunately, the legislation stalled in the House of Representatives where Speaker Mike Johnson held up its passage citing cost concerns.
After months of negotiations, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), one of the bill’s sponsors, has rolled out what he called a “reasonable compromise.” The new proposal takes the legislation already passed by the Senate and places a spending cap on it that reduces the projected cost by 90%. This solution is a significant sacrifice for downwinders and advocates, but we willingly agreed to it. It makes good sense.
The compromise keeps the expanded geographic areas and the increase into account for 34 years of inflation and dramatically higher cancer care costs.
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The compromise proposal would mean that payouts to victims across the country would initially be capped at $5 billion in total, which is estimated to last over the next five to six years. If the Department of Justice, which administers the program, needs funds for more claims it can ask Congress for more. This is a reasonable middle ground to ensure that thousands of victims get compensation without the heavier $50 billion price tag over 19 years.
In the past, Speaker Johnson has been a problem. But now with the new proposal, he might play ball. Public reports have said he would support the compromise plan if the Utah delegation gets on board.
This means we are close. All we need is our congressional delegation — Reps. Owens, Malloy, Moore and Curtis — to support the compromise. If they say “yes,” the program is back in operation. If they say “yes,” thousands of additional Utahns are eligible for benefits. If they say “yes,” downwinders, uranium mine workers and atomic veterans in Utah can move on with their lives.
We ask our delegation to support his workable compromise that helps Utahns statewide. The Utah delegation now has no excuse. We are a dwindling population that can’t afford to wait for justice any longer. Rep. Celeste Maloy and Rep. John Curtis represent the areas of the state with the most past RECA claimants. They need to be our champions and get this passed before the current congressional session ends in a few weeks.
(Mary Dickson) Mary Dickson is a Salt Lake City writer and downwinder who has been a long-time advocate for victims of nuclear weapons.
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Mary Dickson is a Salt Lake City writer and downwinder who has been a long-time advocate for victims of nuclear weapons. She is currently the Mellon Community Practitioner in the Environmental Humanities Program at the University of Utah.
The Salt Lake Tribune is committed to creating a space where Utahns can share ideas, perspectives and solutions that move our state forward. We rely on your insight to do this. Find out how to share your opinion here, and email us at voices@sltrib.com.
The National Weather Service’s Salt Lake City office is predicting three snowstorms to hit northern Utah this week.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) The main village of Solitude Mountain Resort, pictured Tuesday, May 7, 2025. The Wasatch Mountains are expected to see snow this weekend, with some possible in the Salt Lake Valley, too.
Periods of heavy snowfall are expected across the Wasatch Mountains on Sunday, and meteorologists are urging post-Thanksgiving travelers to plan ahead.
That’s because three snowstorms are expected to hit northern Utah this weekend, bringing the possibility of a foot or more of snow in higher-elevation areas, the National Weather Service’s Salt Lake City office is predicting.
The Salt Lake Valley could get about an inch.
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The first and mildest of the three systems is expected Friday evening, bringing a light dusting to the mountains, said meteorologist Joe Worster.
“On Sunday is when the fun really begins to happen,” Worster said. “We have a pretty decent system coming in from the Pacific Northwest.”
Snowfall is expected to begin in the morning and continue through early Monday, he said.
The system could leave 4-10 inches of accumulated snow in higher-elevation areas, particularly in Parley’s Canyon and along the Wasatch Back, Worster said.
Utahns planning to drive through those regions Sunday should take “appropriate precautions,” he said. That includes keeping a survival kit handy, inspecting vehicles beforehand and acknowledging one’s own “driving abilities,” Worster said.
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Meteorologists are less certain about how much snow the valley will see early Sunday, but current projections show about an inch or less, Worster said.
However, by Sunday afternoon, temperatures in the valley will warm, transitioning that snow into rain, he said.
On the mountains, though, the snow is expected to stick around. It’s promising news for skiers, Worster said, especially as several Utah ski resorts have had to push back their opening dates due to lack of snow.
The mountains could also see another 4-10 inches next Wednesday as another system is predicted to roll in, Worster noted.
CEDAR CITY, Utah — On the day of giving thanks, how do you thank those who served our country?
Eighty-six-year-old Jim Murphy started his time in the service by guarding nuclear missiles along the former Czechoslovakian border.
On Thursday, Murphy brought his family to a free Thanksgiving meal for veterans and their families hosted by the American Legion post and held at the First Baptist Church in Cedar City.
Dozens of volunteers cooked, served, and just helped.
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Sit down with any of the veterans, and they have extraordinary stories to tell.
Local family partners with Salvation Army for annual Thanksgiving meal for those in need:
Local family partners with Salvation Army for annual Thanksgiving meal for those in need
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People sitting nearby had no idea they were next to the first men’s track athlete in U.S. Air Force history to win a national championship.
Or someone on the splashdown recovery teams for the Gemini missions.
Or someone who was a sniper at the Berlin Wall during the Cold War.
Or a professional kickboxer.
Or a 24-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department.
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Murphy was all five, but he says he doesn’t really bring it up unless someone asks.
“A lot of humility and not getting carried away with yourself,” he said. “You have to be humble.”
Air Force veteran David Williams started the free Thanksgiving for Veterans in 2021.
“I thought there must be other veterans like me who would like to eat Thanksgiving together,” Williams said. “It feels like family… some of us can’t go home, so this is like going home to family.”
Organizer Scotty Harville of American Legion Post 74 said this year’s free meal was opened up to other members of the community.
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“Especially with the shutdown and the way the economy’s been going. So we just opened it up so that way, we can extend that out to the rest of the community,” Harville explained.
Vietnam veteran Scott Gerig of St. George showed off a jacket full of patches of his military accomplishments. But one patch stood out… the one that said Hug a Veteran.
“A lot of vets are lost,” Gerig shared. “It’s nice if someone gives you a hug.”
The Utah Mammoth’s revenge tour came to a halt Wednesday night against the Montreal Canadiens.
They got the Vegas Golden Knights back last game after losing handily a few days prior. Their intent was to do the same with the Habs, who beat them 6-2 earlier in the month, but they just couldn’t get it done.
Here’s the story.
Quick catchup
Montreal Canadiens: 4
Utah Mammoth: 3
This one was a tale of three wildly different periods.
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The Mammoth found themselves in a two-goal hole by the end of the first, but they took the lead in the second. The third went back-and-forth, but the Canadiens did enough to retake the lead and keep it.
Nine different players factored into the scoring on Utah’s goals.
Sean Durzi returned from an upper-body injury that he suffered in the second game of the season. He registered 21:34 of ice time — the second-most among Mammoth defensemen. His presence could bolster a roster that has needed help defensively.
Utah Mammoth defenseman Nate Schmidt (88) falls to the ice as he and Montréal Canadiens left wing Juraj Slafkovský (20) battle for the puck as the Utah Mammoth and the Montreal Canadiens compete in and NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
The puck gets past Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) as the Utah Mammoth and the Montreal Canadiens compete in and NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth center Logan Cooley (92) brings the puck across as the Utah Mammoth and the Montreal Canadiens compete in and NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth right wing Clayton Keller (9) controls the puck as the Utah Mammoth and the Montreal Canadiens compete in and NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth center Barrett Hayton (27) reacts after receiving a high stick from Montréal Canadiens center Oliver Kapanen (91) as the Utah Mammoth and the Montreal Canadiens compete in and NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
A pair of Montréal Canadiens fans celebrate after a goal as the Utah Mammoth and the Montreal Canadiens compete in and NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth right wing Clayton Keller (9) and Montréal Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson (8) grapple for the puck as the Utah Mammoth and the Montreal Canadiens compete in and NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Montréal Canadiens right wing Brendan Gallagher (11) shoots the puck past Utah Mammoth defenseman Ian Cole (28) as the Utah Mammoth and the Montreal Canadiens compete in and NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth left wing Brandon Tanev (13) looks for a passing lane as the Utah Mammoth and the Montreal Canadiens compete in and NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth center Nick Schmaltz (8) takes a shot as the Utah Mammoth and the Montreal Canadiens compete in and NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth center Kevin Stenlund (82) shoots and has his shot blocked by Montréal Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes (75) as the Utah Mammoth and the Montreal Canadiens compete in and NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
The puck bounces off the post on an open goal shot by the Montréal Canadiens as they and the Utah Mammoth compete in an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth right wing Kailer Yamamoto (56) takes the puck and looks down ice as the Utah Mammoth and the Montreal Canadiens compete in and NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth center Kevin Stenlund (82) shoots and has his shot blocked by Montréal Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes (75) as the Utah Mammoth and the Montreal Canadiens compete in and NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) watches the puck as the Utah Mammoth and the Montreal Canadiens compete in and NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth center Kevin Stenlund (82) gets checked into the glass by Montreal Canadiens center Jared Davidson (49) as they compete in an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) watches the puck as the Utah Mammoth and the Montreal Canadiens compete in an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Montreal Canadiens right wing Brendan Gallagher (11) shoots the puck past Utah Mammoth defenseman Ian Cole (28) as the Utah Mammoth and the Montreal Canadiens compete in an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth fans celebrate a score as the Utah Mammoth and the Montreal Canadiens compete in an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Rob Harmon celebrates a Utah score as the Utah Mammoth and the Montreal Canadiens compete in an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth fans celebrate a score as the Utah Mammoth and the Montreal Canadiens compete in an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth fans celebrate a score as the Utah Mammoth and the Montreal Canadiens compete in an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth defenseman Nate Schmidt (88) gains control of the puck as the Utah Mammoth and the Montreal Canadiens compete in an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Young Utah Mammoth fans celebrate a score as the Utah Mammoth and the Montreal Canadiens compete in an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) goes after the puck as the Utah Mammoth and the Montreal Canadiens compete in an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth center Logan Cooley (92) races after the puck with Montreal Canadiens defenseman Jayden Struble (47) right behind as they compete in an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth left wing Lawson Crouse (67) shoots the puck toward the goal as the Utah Mammoth and the Montreal Canadiens compete in an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
The puck zips around the corner past Utah Mammoth right wing Dylan Guenther (11) as the Utah Mammoth and the Montreal Canadiens compete in an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth center Logan Cooley (92) takes a shot as the Utah Mammoth and the Montreal Canadiens compete in an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth center Logan Cooley (92) looks around for a teammate to pass the puck to with Montreal Canadiens defenseman Jayden Struble (47) defending as they compete in an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth right wing Kailer Yamamoto (56) misses a shot on Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes (75) in front of the goal as they compete in an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Adam Engstrom (42) and Utah Mammoth center Jack McBain (22) battle for the puck as they compete in an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth center Nick Schmaltz (8) gets to the puck ahead of Montreal Canadiens right wing Josh Anderson (17) in the corner as they compete in an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth center Nick Schmaltz (8) sticks his stick out to disrupt Montreal Canadiens center Oliver Kapanen (91) as they compete in an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth center Jack McBain (22) falls to the ice behind Montreal Canadiens right wing Zack Bolduc (76) as they compete in an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth center Logan Cooley (92) works to control the puck with Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson (48) pressuring as they compete in an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Tidbits and takeaways
Broken streaks
Going into this game, the Mammoth hadn’t scored a 5-on-4 goal since Oct. 26 — precisely a month. They also hadn’t allowed a goal at 5-on-4 since the same day.
Both of those streaks ended against the Canadiens.
Additionally, Barrett Hayton’s cold spell ended with his goal. He hadn’t gotten on the score sheet — goal or assist — since Oct. 28.
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The penalty kill, which ranked sixth in the league when the team woke up Wednesday morning, allowed three goals, though one was disallowed due to an extremely close offside and an excellent coach’s challenge.
Head coach André Tourigny wasn’t too bothered, given the PK’s recent record.
“It’s once a month, we’ll live with that,” he said.
Better second period, worse first and third
How many Mammoth game recaps have pointed to the second period as their weakness? On Wednesday, the middle frame was their best.
Going into this game, they were net +7 in first-period goals, -10 in the second period and +6 in the third.
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All three of their goals came within a span of 4:09 in the second period, though they allowed multiple goals against in both the first and third periods.
“Obviously, that was something we reviewed, something we had to be better at,” Hayton said of the second period. “Overall, game-wise, we need a second to reflect on exactly what it is.”
What’s going on with the goaltending?
Mammoth fans have seen both sides of Karel Vejmelka this season: the one that can steal a game and the one that can’t stop a beach ball.
They got the latter on Wednesday.
Looking at full-season stats, Vejmelka currently sits at the middle of the pack in the most telling stats. Out of the 38 goalies to play at least 10 games this season, he’s:
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20th in goals-against average (2.84),
27th in save percentage (.886),
27th in goals saved above average (-5.62),
20th in high-danger save percentage (.814).
While he has shown that he’s capable of playing at an elite level, he hasn’t done it consistently enough to deserve the starter’s net every night.
In this game in particular, he struggled to track passes and rebounds, which led to a few goals that he could have otherwise saved.
Tourigny offered an explanation a few days prior, saying that when the team suppresses shots the way Utah does, it hurts the goaltenders’ stats. In a conversation with Vejmelka a few days later, he refused to blame it on the math.
Instead, he said he just needed to play better.
Vítek Vaněček hasn’t been great, either, so it’s hard to rely on him in Vejmelka’s stead. If Utah is going to make the playoffs, they either need one of these guys to step up or they need to bring in someone else that can get the job done.
Goal of the game
Yamamoto from Guenther and Cooley
Kailer Yamamoto did a good job to find open space, but the goal wouldn’t have happened without Logan Cooley’s hard work in the corner and Dylan Guenther’s brilliant pass.