“Utah Insight,” PBS Utah’s new, weekly series, examines the most pressing issues facing the state. Hosts Liz Adeola and RaeAnn Christensen join leading experts and local authorities to shed light on topics that matter most to Utahns, from air quality to affordable housing. The 11-part series premieres Friday, May 15, at 7:30 p.m. on PBS Utah.

Each half-hour episode of “Utah Insight” is dedicated to one topic and features a panel of experts, interviews with people on the front lines and a segment illustrating the human impact these issues have in the community.

While the series presents an in-depth analysis of issues impacting the state, it also offers viewers a chance to engage in the conversation. Utah Insight incorporates viewer comments and fields Utahns’ pressing questions directly to those who are best equipped to answer them.

Adeola and Christensen take turns hosting the series, which highlights individuals and organizations working to tackle the issues in their own way, from high school students creating art for air quality to a new initiative bringing tech jobs to rural communities.

In the premiere episode, “Utah Insight” presents economic recovery solutions for those negatively impacted by COVID-19, with a focus on connecting the unemployed, small, struggling businesses, underinsured or uninsured people worried about paying bills to the resources they need to help them through this challenging time. Christensen speaks with Five Wives Vodka, a local business that pivoted to meet the public need for hand sanitizer in the wake of extraordinary demand during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Throughout the first season, hosts Adeola and Christensen guide viewers through a series of topics including the urban-rural divide in mental health services, education funding, how to prepare for when the worst happens, the growing senior population, diversity, Utah’s tech boom, air quality, the growing homeless population, lack of women in politics, and affordable housing.

“Utah Insight” provides nuanced perspectives from leading experts and local authorities about the real-life impacts these issues have on Utahns today. With ample time to address the issues that Utahns care about, this new PBS Utah series leaves viewers more informed and better prepared to confront the issues that impact their state, in their own lives and their communities.