This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Could Al Gore jump into the presidential race? Colorado mine wastewater has reached Utah. Poll: Salt Lake west-siders believe they get the shaft on city services.
Happy Friday. While the GOP presidential field is just short of 20 candidates, there's only a handful of folks on the Democratic side — and Hillary Clinton is easily the frontrunner. And there could be one more: Former VP Al Gore. Several news outlets reported that aides close to Gore say there's been talk of the 2000 Democratic nominee jumping into the race. [http://abcnews.go.com/beta/Politics/al-gores-friends-aides-eyeing-2016-race/story?id=33072322" target="_blank">ABCNews]
Topping the news: Though wastewater from a Colorado mine spill has likely reached Utah, officials say it's safe for recreation. [http://www.sltrib.com/home/2836697-155/mine-spill-sediment-reaches-lake-powell" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/officials-san-juan-river-in-utah-is-safe-for-peopl/24272/-_S4IRSxIE68rgDBDh11FA" target="_blank">ABC4] [http://fox13now.com/2015/08/13/toxic-mine-waste-reaches-utah-but-state-officials-say-water-is-safe-for-recreation/" target="_blank">Fox13] Meanwhile, Utah congressman are looking for a solution to the contaminated sludge. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865634505/Utahn-led-congressional-committees-wade-into-Colorado-mine-spill.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Despite lots of good things going on on Salt Lake City's west side, a majority of residents there believe they are still getting snubbed when it comes to city services. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2835178-155/poll-residents-believe-salt-lake-citys" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Mayoral contender Jackie Biskupski is critical of SLC Mayor Ralph Becker's decision to keep former spokesman Art Raymond on the city's payroll after Raymond posted disparaging comments on The Tribune's site under a pseudonym. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2836701-155/biskupski-blasts-becker-over-handling-of" target="_blank">Trib] Becker did, however, release a new set of standards for all city employees to follow regarding political commentary during work hours. [http://kuer.org/post/city-employees-receive-list-dos-and-donts-after-mayors-spokesman-outed-tribune-comments" target="_blank">KUER]
Tweets of the day: From @https://twitter.com/ForecasterEnten" target="_blank">ForecasterEnten: "Look folks, I don't wanna be starting rumors... but the rumor I just made up is that John Edwards is thinking of running for prez."
-> From @https://twitter.com/Patbagley" target="_blank">Patbagley: "Utah wants to put prison next to SLC Intn'l Airport. Why not 'Utah: Life Incarcerated!' billboards for visitors?"
-> From @https://twitter.com/daveweigel" target="_blank">daveweigel: "Most popular reporter Q to O'Malley: 'How important is Iowa?' Most popular voter Q: 'Who are you?'"
Happy Birthday: Today to SL Co. Councilman Michael Jensen, SLC mayor advisor Helen Langan and 2016 4th District congressional candidate Doug Owens. On Saturday to Utah Policy's Bryan Schott, BYU's Quin Monson, and on Sunday to former state Sen. Brent Goodfellow and Mike Jerman.
Tune in: Tribune reporter Matt Canham, health, education and environment editor Rebecca Walsh, and government and politics editor Dan Harrie join Jennifer Napier-Pearce to talk about the week's top news stories including the new state prison site, a polluted San Juan River and primary election results. Listen to Behind the Headlines on KCPW in Salt Lake County or statewide on Utah Public Radio starting at 9 a.m. MDT.
In other news: Paul Rolly says a street closure near the University of Utah has nothing to do with the fact that SLC Mayor Ralph Becker lives there. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2830610-155/rolly-heavy-u-traffic-prompts-city" target="_blank">Trib]
-> With the emergence of Jackie Biskupski in the mayoral primary and Derek Kitchen in the City Council District 4 race, political analysts say the tide is turning in Salt Lake City for the acceptance of LGBT politicians. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865634534/LGBT-candidates-find-favor-in-Salt-Lake-City.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> State Rep. Steve Eliason is sponsoring a bill to speed up the time between the election night vote counts and the final canvass, which can come up to a week later because of mail-in ballots. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2831403-155/as-election-result-uncertainty-settles-in-for" target="_blank">Trib]
-> HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell visited Salt Lake City to speak with medical professionals and meet with state leaders about Medicaid expansion. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2836453-155/hhs-head-burwell-hears-about-utah" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/hhs-secretary-in-utah-seeking-suggestions-on-healt/11293/DnFikzPnck-nXzcU40eoUA" target="_blank">ABC4]
-> Bob Bernick and Bryan Schott talk about this week in politics including the SLC mayoral primary and the prison site recommendation. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/6663-Bob%20Bernick%20and%20Bryan%20Schott" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> The state GOP convention on Saturday is expected to wrap up any controversy surrounding SB54, the Count My Vote compromise. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865634537/GOP-convention-will-focus-on-SB54-compliance.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Schott notes that the actual resolution to be voted on at the GOP convention is a bit confusing. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/6656-" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> Top educators in the state are looking to bring more diversity to the leadership of Utah schools. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2835620-155/utah-educators-are-whiter-than-the" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Gov. Gary Herbert is encouraging students to walk to school with a new Utah Department of Transportation initiative. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2826383-155/ditching-cars-and-picking-up-your" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865634482/Herbert-students-trade-wheels-for-sneakers-on-walking-school-bus.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://fox13now.com/2015/08/13/udot-aims-to-reduce-pollution-increase-child-safety-and-exercise-with-walking-school-bus-app/" target="_blank">Fox13]
-> Against a backdrop of infighting and conflict, the West Jordan City Council approved a pay raise for the assistant city manager. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2835759-155/west-jordan-city-approves-big-pay" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Here's a list of the top 25 cities in Utah with the highest taxes. [http://www.deseretnews.com/top/3338/0/The-25-Utah-cities-that-are-most-expensive-for-taxpayers.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Three Utah metro areas — Ogden-Clearfield, Provo-Orem and Salt Lake City — rank among the top 5 places across the nation for the highest number of births. [http://kutv.com/news/local/where-are-americans-having-the-most-babies" target="_blank">KUTV]
Nationally: Vice President Joe Biden spoke to Richard Harpootlian, former chairman of the South Carolina Democratic Party, about a potential run for office in 2016. [http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/14/us/politics/joe-biden-on-beach-vacation-wades-further-into-16-bid.html?ref=politics&_r=0" target="_blank">NYTimes] If he chooses not to run, Hillary Clinton's campaign expects her poll numbers to go up. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/08/13/expect-a-boost-for-hillary-clinton-if-and-when-joe-biden-bows-out/" target="_blank">WaPost]
-> NBC announced Thursday that while "The Celebrity Apprentice" will remain on air, presidential hopeful Donald Trump won't be a part of the show. [http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/08/13/donald-trump-is-officially-off-the-celebrity-apprentice/?ref=politics" target="_blank">NYTimes]
-> President Barack Obama plans to read six books while vacationing on Martha's Vineyard. Find out what's on his reading list. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/08/13/here-are-the-6-books-on-president-obamas-summer-reading-list/" target="_blank">WaPost]
Where are they?
Got a tip? A birthday, wedding or anniversary to announce? Email us at cornflakes@sltrib.com" target="_blank">cornflakes@sltrib.com. If you haven't already, sign up for our weekday email and get this sent directly to your inbox. [http://www.sltrib.com/pages/email" target="_blank">Trib]
— Thomas Burr and Courtney Tanner
https://twitter.com/thomaswburr" target="_blank">Twitter.com/thomaswburr and https://twitter.com/CourtneyLTanner" target="_blank">Twitter.com/CourtneyLTanner