INSIGHTS

The SLC International Airport is a first-class gift to Utah’s economy

By Natalie Gochnour | 01/20/2018

Originally published in the Deseret News. I just completed eight years of service on the Salt Lake City International Airport Board. During this time, I observed air traffic controllers doing their stressful work, TSA officers screening luggage in their high-tech monitoring area, airline employees supervising the automated luggage sorting system, airport police working with their…

Themes for a New Year: Storylines, Words and Phrases in 2018

By Natalie Gochnour | 01/16/2018

Originally published in Utah Business. At the end of every year, news entities, language companies and others select a word or phrase of the year. In 2017, Merriam-Webster selected “feminism” because of the Women’s March in Washington D.C., the #MeToo movement and other instances of women speaking their minds. Oxford Dictionaries picked the noun “youthquake”…

President Monson leaves a living legacy for all of Utah

By Natalie Gochnour | 01/07/2018

Originally published in the Deseret News. The day after Thomas S. Monson died, I taped a radio program in downtown Salt Lake City. As I interacted with people at the station — both LDS and non-LDS — I noticed a divergence in their views about the LDS prophet’s passing. Understandably, they viewed President Monson’s death…

A Recipe for Holiday Joy throughout the Year

By Natalie Gochnour | 12/21/2017

Originally published in Utah Business. The holidays are in full stride. Downtown shines with holiday lights and our homes radiate with gifts, menorahs, nativities and pine trees. We sip cider, sing carols to neighbors and celebrate with loved ones. This is the season of joy. Joy is a wonderful word. We feel joy at the…

Seeking a message of hope this holiday season

By Natalie Gochnour | 12/20/2017

Originally published in the Deseret News. The holidays serve as a catalyst for greater hope in our lives. Whether it’s the Christmas message of childbirth, the Jewish Hanukkah message of dedication or another faith or family tradition of love, the holidays bring a message of hope to our world. I feel it’s badly needed.

Correcting the record: Finding the right balance with public lands

By Natalie Gochnour | 12/06/2017

Originally published in the Deseret News. Editor’s note: Natalie Gochnour’s column published Wednesday, Dec. 6, stated that she was denied “final approval” to attend the signing event associated with President Donald Trump’s Salt Lake City visit this week due to her ideological differences with the president. Gochnour, however, is now confident that there was no…

Utah economic advice — stop, look and listen

By Natalie Gochnour | 11/18/2017

Originally published in the Deseret News. John Maynard Keynes said, “It is better to be vaguely right than precisely wrong.” I’m going to make an attempt to be vaguely right about Utah’s near-term economic forecast. The Utah economy has started to moderate. I think this modest growth will continue and now is a good time…

Fall Reading: Conscience of a Conservative

By Natalie Gochnour | 11/15/2017

Originally published in Utah Business. Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake is one of few Republican senators who challenge President Donald Trump directly, openly and actively. He’s written a new book titled Conscience of a Conservative. In it he makes the case that America’s conservative movement has lost its way and is in crisis. And while his commentary may…

Dispatches from Jordan to Israel, pt. 4: Western Wall blessing for our governor

By Natalie Gochnour | 11/01/2017

Originally published in the Deseret News. Editor’s Note: Natalie Gochnour traveled recently on a trade mission to Jordan and Israel led by the World Trade Center Utah. The Deseret News asked Gochnour to write about her experiences. In this, her final dispatch, Gochnour shares the highlights of the trip through a few stories and quotes.…

Dispatches from Jordan to Israel, part 3: Welcome to Startup Nation

By Natalie Gochnour | 10/27/2017

Originally published in the Deseret News. Editor’s note: Natalie Gochnour is traveling this week on a trade mission in Jordan and Israel led by the World Trade Center Utah. The Deseret News asked Gochnour to write about her experiences. In this, the third dispatch, Gochnour describes Israel’s economic success and what Utah can learn. Warren…