UT News Digest: 03-02-10

It's do-or-die time for cigarette tax as Utah House passes bill

03/02/10 In a narrow vote on a divisive issue the Utah House approved a $1 per pack increase to the state's tobacco tax Tuesday. The tax is projected to generate about $43 million in revenue to help plug a gaping budget hole and avert cuts to the prison system, public safety and human services.

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Trial begins for man facing 56 sex abuse charges

03/02/10 PROVO, Utah (ABC 4 News) - The trial began today for a man facing 56 charges of sexually abusing teenagers in Utah County. Provo police arrested Pedro Hugo Rodriguez in 2008 after a teenager said Rodriguez offered them jobs, but he said the teen needed to spend the night at his house. That's when the teen said the abuse began. It went on for months because police said the teen was too scared to ...

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Father jailed for punishing daughter with a belt

03/02/10 An Eagle Mountain father was booked in jail because of how he dealt with his daughter when she didn't get her school work finished. Police say he hit his daughter with a belt hard enough that it left severe bruising and welts.

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