This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
Donald Trump opens up 'yuge' lead nationally. Senate passes anti-Obamacare, anti-Planned Parenthood bill. Utahns pay tribute to Olene Walker.
Happy Friday. The Donald remains on top — and by a lot more than a hair. Donald Trump is the top choice of more than one out of every three Republican and Republican-leaning registered voters, according to the results of a new CNN/ORC poll out this morning. And it's not even close — at 36 percent, Trump's closest competitor for the GOP presidential nomination is Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, at 16 percent. [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/12/poll-gop-donald-trump-216423" target="_blank">Politico]
Topping the news: With Republicans openly welcoming a preordained veto, the Senate yesterday approved legislation aimed at crippling Obamacare and tossing funding for Planned Parenthood. [http://www.sltrib.com/home/3262835-155/senate-votes-to-demolish-health-care" target="_blank">Trib] [http://kutv.com/news/nation-world/senate-oks-republican-bill-unraveling-health-care-law" target="_blank">KUTV] [http://fox13now.com/2015/12/03/senate-passes-budget-bill-repealing-obamacare-defunding-planned-parenthood/" target="_blank">Fox13]
-> Though the federal No Child Left Behind act is poised for an update after a landslide bipartisan vote in the House, all four of Utah's elected representatives cast opposing votes. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3262260-155/no-child-left-behind-replacement-still" target="_blank">Trib] [http://kuer.org/post/besides-hatch-utahns-congress-snub-no-child-left-behind-rewrite" target="_blank">KUER]
-> One of the Utah Transit Authority Board members expected to resign amid controversy over a trip to Switzerland now says he will serve out the remaining eight months of his four-year term, but will not seek reappointment. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3262171-155/amid-swiss-trip-flap-one-uta" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Utahns paid their last tributes and said goodbye Thursday evening in the Utah Capitol to a Beehive State original, former Gov. Olene Walker. Her funeral is today. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3262409-155/capitol-farewell-for-former-utah-gov" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865643002/Utahns-pay-their-final-respects-to-former-Gov-Olene-Walker.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://fox13now.com/2015/11/30/funeral-services-announced-for-former-utah-gov-olene-walker/" target="_blank">Fox13] [http://www.good4utah.com/news/local-news/hundreds-pay-respects-to-former-governor-olene-walker" target="_blank">ABC4] [http://kuer.org/post/friends-family-pay-respects-late-governor-olene-walker" target="_blank">KUER]
Tweets of the day: From http://twitter.com/yochidreazen" target="_blank">@yochidreazen: "You know things are really bad here when an Iraqi friend emails from Baghdad to ask 'What the hell is wrong with your country?'"
From https://twitter.com/BittrScrptReadr">@BittrScrptReadr: "Trump: 'Pay me $5M or I won't debate!' CNN: 'Final offer - $0. Take it or leave it.' Trump: 'See you on the 15th' Grand negotiating, hair."
From https://twitter.com/AriFleischer">@AriFleischer: "Poor Ben Carson. Someone should have told him how to pronounce Hamas. He sounds like he's not familiar with the group."
Happy Birthday: Today to state Rep. Mark Wheatley, tomorrow to SL Co. Mayor Ben McAdams and on Sunday to Rep. Mia Love.
Tune in: Tribune reporters Christopher Smart and Nate Carlisle, health, education and environment editor Rachel Piper as well as government and politics editor Dan Harrie join Jennifer Napier-Pearce to talk about the week's top news stories including new health labels for electronic cigarettes, new state history standards, Biskupski's blanket resignation and former Utah Gov. Olene Walker. Listen to Behind the Headlines live on KCPW or Utah Public Radio.
In other news: For once, the upcoming jobs report may not be the most critical of all time with payroll data likely offering more information about the pace of tightening in the months ahead than on the timing of the first hike. [http://www.sltrib.com/home/3262648-155/big-payroll-surprise-needed-to-sway" target="_blank">Trib]
-> New Census data shows that the recovery from the recession is being kind to the well-educated and rich in Utah, but others are facing poverty. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/3257356-155/utah-economy-census-data-show-a" target="_blank">Trib] [http://fox13now.com/2015/12/03/census-data-says-increasing-number-of-single-mothers-in-utah-living-below-the-poverty-line/" target="_blank">Fox13]
-> In order to crack down on fraud, Utah may end up licensing drug treatment centers. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3262899-155/utah-may-license-drug-treatment-centers" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865642998/Fraud-in-substance-abuse-programs-could-bring-regulation.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Utah House Speaker Greg Hughes outlined more details about the newest Medicaid expansion plan being sought by GOP legislators yesterday. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865643004/House-speaker-reveals-more-details-on-newest-Medicaid-expansion-plan.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://www.good4utah.com/news/top-stories/state-leaders-talk-about-finding-common-ground-on-medicaid-expansion-solution" target="_blank">ABC4]
-> Lawmakers are hoping to restore dental benefits to the blind and disabled through Medicaid. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865642979/Lawmakers-looking-to-restore-dental-benefits-to-Utahs-disabled-blind.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Former Utah Sen. Bob Bennett says that his cancer has not spread and he'll return to a regular work schedule after spending months in chemotherapy. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3261540-155/former-sen-bob-bennett-says-his" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Crews demolish the historic Arrow Press Square building in Salt Lake City yesterday. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3262838-155/photos-crews-demolish-historic-building-at" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Scientists say the updated standards in Utah still omit key climate facts. [http://kuer.org/post/scientists-updated-standards-omit-key-climate-facts" target="_blank">KUER]
-> A French ambassador visited a Utah dual-immersion school yesterday. [http://kutv.com/news/local/french-ambassador-visits-utah-dual-immersion-school" target="_blank">KUTV] [http://fox13now.com/2015/12/03/draper-students-roll-out-red-carpet-for-french-ambassador-to-the-u-s/" target="_blank">Fox13]
-> Pleasant Grove High School was on lockdown yesterday after allegations that a student had a gun, though the rumors proved to be false. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3262201-155/pleasant-grove-high-school-locked-down" target="_blank">Trib] [http://kutv.com/news/local/student-made-false-gun-report-to-avoid-class-activity-police-say" target="_blank">KUTV] [http://fox13now.com/2015/12/03/pleasant-grove-high-school-on-lock-down-after-report-of-man-with-gun/" target="_blank">Fox13] [http://www.good4utah.com/news/police-say-15-year-old-pleasant-grove-student-lied-about-gunman-on-campus" target="_blank">ABC4] This week's California tragedy has affected how people in Utah respond to hoaxes. [http://kutv.com/news/local/mass-shooting-in-california-affects-response-to-utah-shooter-hoax" target="_blank">KUTV]
-> Sen. Mike Lee believes "prayer shaming" is a result of misplaced anger after the shootings. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865643000/Is-prayer-shaming-another-result-of-shootings.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> The dramatic ending to the search for two mass shooting suspects in San Bernardino, California, involving several armored police vehicles, has raised the question of whether Utah's law enforcement vehicles should have the same protection. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865642992/Does-San-Bernardino-shootout-warrant-need-for-armored-vehicles-in-Utah.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> It also has Utahns debating gun control. [http://fox13now.com/2015/12/03/utahns-discuss-gun-regulations-in-wake-of-mass-shootings/" target="_blank">Fox13]
-> Meanwhile, Bob Bernick wonders whether the Utah Capitol is safe in this age of mass shootings and terrorist worries. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/7839-" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> Bernick and Bryan Schott discuss this week in politics, including incoming SLC Mayor Jackie Biskupski's transition, election law changes and job approval polls. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/7837-Bob%20Bernick%20and%20Bryan%20Schott" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> A United Arab Emirates man was indicted by a federal grand jury in Salt Lake City on Wednesday for allegedly trying to export sniper rifles to Belarus. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3262237-155/man-indicted-in-utah-court-accused" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865642991/Indictment-Man-tried-to-buy-sniper-rifles-smuggle-them-to-Belarus.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://kutv.com/news/local/federal-prosecutors-in-utah-charge-alleged-would-be-gun-smuggler" target="_blank">KUTV]
-> The mayor for a polygamous town on the Arizona-Utah border accepted a subpoena to testify at a civil trial investigating whether the local government discriminates against non-FLDS residents. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3261310-155/polygamous-towns-mayor-is-found-served" target="_blank">Trib]
-> After viewing "Prophet's Prey" about the FLDS church, some are asking what they can do to help. [http://www.custercountynews.com/cms/news/story-722888.html" target="_blank">CusterCountyChronicle]
-> After new guidelines opened all military positions to women, Utah soldiers are excited for the future. [http://fox13now.com/2015/12/03/utah-soldiers-excited-for-new-opportunities-after-policy-change-on-women-in-combat/" target="_blank">Fox13]
-> Edward Snowden is scheduled to speak to a Park City audience via satellite on Saturday. [http://kutv.com/news/local/edward-snowden-to-speak-to-park-city-city-audience-saturday" target="_blank">KUTV]
-> Pat Bagley gives his take on who's a good dog. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3262791-155/bagley-cartoon-whos-a-good-dog" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Paul Rolly remembers former Gov. Olene Walker, a leader "with no guile but lots of guts." [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3260638-155/rolly-remembering-olene-walker-a-governor" target="_blank">Trib]
Nationally: After the Colorado shooting this week, "prayer-shaming" has become a trend for those who say condolences are not sufficient. [http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2015/12/prayer_shaming_isn_t_about_attacking_prayer_it_s_about_calling_out_empty.html" target="_blank">Slate]
-> Both Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders said Thursday the response to the San Bernardino mass shooting needs to be stronger limits on gun purchases. [http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/03/politics/hillary-clinton-bernie-sanders-gun-control/index.html" target="_blank">CNN]
-> But Republican candidates defend the nation's right to bear arms. [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/12/gop-candidates-double-down-on-guns-216408" target="_blank">Politico]
-> GOP presidential candidates Donald Trump and Ben Carson both faced a foreign policy test when addressing Jewish crowds this week, and neither faired well. [http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/04/us/politics/donald-trump-and-ben-carson-face-a-foreign-policy-test-before-a-republican-jewish-group.html?partner=IFTTT&_r=0" target="_blank">NYTimes]
-> The Washington Post shared a lit of the most popular fact checks in November. Among them, Trump's claim of cheering Muslims after 9/11 and the number of Syrian refugees President Barack Obama wants to admit into the U.S. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2015/12/04/the-most-popular-fact-checks-of-november-2/" 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 Mariah Noble
https://twitter.com/thomaswburr" target="_blank">Twitter.com/thomaswburr and https://twitter.com/mnoblenews" target="_blank">Twitter.com/mnoblenews