This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Trump promises 'showbiz' at convention, but stars on stage will be relatively dim. House expected to pass bill limiting Antiquities Act power. Trump polls better with evangelicals than Romney.

Happy Thursday. For months now, Donald Trump has promised that his convention would be unlike any other — a dazzling, spectacular affair that soars above traditional political theater. But so far, it appears the star-power may be kind of dim. Few of the GOP's rising stars nor many of its former and current leaders are planning to attend, leaving the stage to Trump, his family and a few former rivals. [<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-promises-showbiz-at-convention-but-stars-on-stage-will-be-relatively-dim/2016/07/13/2e28d14e-4453-11e6-bc99-7d269f8719b1_story.html">WaPost</a>]

<strong>Topping the news: </strong>During a special session, lawmakers passed a bill that will allow fire bosses to shoot down drones flying over wildfires, as well as a tax break that will hopefully convince Facebook to build its new data center in Utah. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4114044-155/utah-lawmakers-move-to-ground-drones"; target="_blank">Trib</a>] [<a href="http://www.good4utah.com/news/local-news/lawmakers-pass-several-bills-during-special-session"; target="_blank">ABC4</a>]

-> The U.S. House is expected to pass legislation today that would keep the president from creating national monuments in Bears Ears and other parts of Utah. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4113879-155/house-considers-bill-limiting-presidents-ability"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]

-> Evangelicals support Donald Trump more than they ever supported Mitt Romney, a recent poll shows. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4112926-155/evangelicals-back-presbyterian-trump-more-than"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]

<strong>Tweets of the day: </strong>From @<a href="http://www.twitter.com/mkraju">mkraju</a>: "Newt on what Trump will have to weigh if he chooses him as a running mate: 'Do you really want a two-pirate ticket?'"

From <a href="https://twitter.com/ryanbeckwith"; target="_blank">@ryanbeckwith</a>: "Hook/Smee 2016."

From <a href="https://twitter.com/rebekahahubbard"; target="_blank">@rebekahahubbard</a>: "Obama has an article in a peer-reviewed journal. Wonder what he'll do when not 'tied up' being prez..."

<strong>Happy Birthday: </strong>to state Rep. Keith Grover.

<strong>In other news:</strong> Neither Rep. Jason Chaffetz, Rep. Mia Love nor Rep. Chris Stewart will attend the GOP Convention in Cleveland next week. [<a href="http://fox13now.com/2016/07/13/three-of-utahs-4-representatives-to-avoid-gop-convention/"; target="_blank">Fox13</a>]

-> Legislators are drafting a bill that would allow them to block to Utah from participating in California's proposed regional power grid. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4114162-155/utah-lawmakers-take-first-step-to"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]

-> Legislators say they and the public are hesitant to fund the UTA's projects because the UTA has still not won back the public's trust. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4112614-155/lawmakers-to-uta-to-build-future"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]

-> Gov. Gary Herbert says he would like to see Donald Trump pick Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as his running mate. [<a href="http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/10159-">UtahPolicy</a>]

-> The Attorney General's office arrested 71 people on charges of human trafficking and child sex exploitation, rescuing at least six children in the process. [<a href="http://kutv.com/news/local/ag-announces-arrests-for-human-trafficking-child-sex-exploitation-in-utah"; target="_blank">KUTV</a>] [<a href="http://www.good4utah.com/news/local-news/task-force-arrests-70-alleged-child-predators-across-utah-during-special-operation"; target="_blank">ABC4</a>]

-> Utah-based VidAngel filed a countersuit against four Hollywood production companies, claiming that its business is legal under the Family Movie Act. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4113323-155/utah-based-vidangel-files-counterclaim-against-four"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]

-> Salt Lake City plans to use the future state prison as a catalyst for development in the surrounding area. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4112421-155/salt-lake-city-decides-if-you"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]

-> Park City residents rallied against Colorado-based Vail Resorts' attempt to trademark the name "Park City" for its own use. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4113606-155/new-rallying-cry-in-park-city"; target="_blank">Trib</a>] [<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865657986/Park-City-residents-We-are-a-town-not-a-trademark.html"; target="_blank">DNews</a>]

-> Outgoing Salt Lake City Fire Chief Brian Dale allegedly used sexist slurs when talking about female subordinates based on several audio recordings obtained by The Tribune. Some believe these recordings prove there is a "culture of sexism" within the department. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4091966-155/fire-chief-in-utah-allegedly-uses"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]

-> Salt Lake City will completely run on renewable energy by 2032. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4108994-155/in-a-pledge-for-the-planet"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]

-> Lawmakers discussed "right-to-die" measures, but it has yet to take a position. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4108856-155/at-what-point-has-someone-suffered?fullpage=1"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]

-> CNBC ranked Utah the number one state for business. [<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865657988/Utah-ranked-No-1-state-for-business.html"; target="_blank">DNews</a>]

-> Pat Bagley comments on the rise of Pokemon Go while the nation deals with intense disagreement and pain over the use of firearms. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/4113994-155/bagley-cartoon-first-person-shooter"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]

<strong>Nationally: </strong>Donald Trump will announce his vice presidential pick on Friday. [<a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/trump-vp-pick-to-come-friday-225515"; target="_blank">Politico</a>]

-> Nearly seventy percent of Americans believe race relations are bad, putting racial discontent at its highest point under the Obama administration. [<a href="http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/07/14/us/most-americans-hold-grim-view-of-race-relations-poll-finds.html?emc=edit_ne_20160713&nl=evening-briefing&nlid=75850776&te=1&referer="; target="_blank">NYTimes</a>]

-> Protestors at the Republican National Convention will not be allowed to carry toy guns, but they will be allowed to carry real guns even though many Ohio leaders oppose the state's open carry laws. [<a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2016/07/13/ahead-of-gop-convention-cleveland-officials-affirm-protesters-may-carry-guns/"; target="_blank">WSJ</a>]

-> President Obama published a scholarly article assessing the Affordable Care Act, making him the first sitting president to publish an article. [<a href="http://fortune.com/2016/07/11/obama-jama/"; target="_blank">Fortune</a>]

<strong>Where are they?</strong>

<ul>

<li>Rep. Jason <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/jasoninthehouse"; target="_blank">Chaffetz</a> </strong>chairs an Oversight hearing regarding countries who refuse to take back deported nationals.</li>

<li>Rep. Chris <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/RepChrisStewart"; target="_blank">Stewart</a> </strong>meets with the Utah United Way and attends a House Intelligence Committee briefing. He also meets with constituents in his Washington office.</li>

<li>Rep. Mia <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/RepMiaLove"; target="_blank">Love</a> </strong>attends a Financial Services markup. Later she meets with constituents and Intermountain healthcare. After that she attends a meeting about the Financial Serivces Choice Act.</li>

<li>Gov. Gary <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/GovHerbert"; target="_blank">Herbert</a> </strong>attends National Governors Association summer meetings in Des Moines, Iowa.</li>

<li>Lt. Gov. Spencer <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/SpencerJCox"; target="_blank">Cox</a> </strong>attends the National Association of Secretaries of State Summer Conference in Nashville, Tenn.</li>

<li>State Auditor John <strong><a href="http://twitter.com/FrugalDougall"; target="_blank">Dougall</a></strong> meets with the executive director of the Mountainland Association of Governments. He also meets with an associate superintendent at the office of the State Board of Education.</li>

<li>SLC Mayor Jackie <a href="http://twitter.com/slcmayor"; target="_blank"><strong>Biskupski</strong></a> attends the Governor's Office of Economic Development Board meeting in the morning. In the afternoon, she hits a Council of Government meeting.</li>

<li>SL Co. Mayor Ben <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/MayorBenMcAdams"; target="_blank">McAdams</a> </strong>speaks at the Governor's Office of Economic Development board meeting. In the afternoon, he meets with Utah Rep. Brad Wilson.</li>

<li>President Barack <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/BarackObama"; target="_blank">Obama</a></strong> participates in a town hall conversation hosted by ABC  in the afternoon.</li>

</ul>

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— Thomas Burr and Kayla Goodson

<a title="Thomas Burr" href="https://twitter.com/thomaswburr"; target="_blank">Twitter.com/thomaswburr</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/kay_goodson"; target="_blank">Twitter.com/kay_goodson</a>