This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated.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 hits an electoral wall as the general election kicks off. Obama pays tribute to Harry Reid. LDS Church re-routes Russian-bound missionaries.

Happy Tuesday. We're now full-speed ahead into the general election — 63 days, friends — and things are not looking well for Donald Trump, who appears to be running straight into an electoral wall. In poll after poll, Trump isn't even close to winning a majority of the vote. While he's narrowed the gap between his campaign and Hillary Clinton in recent weeks, in the past 21 national polls conducted using conventional phone or internet methodologies over the last five weeks, Trump's high-water mark in a head-to-head matchup with Clinton is 44 percent. With third-parties in the mix, he tops out at 40 percent. [<a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2016/09/donald-trump-polling-227750">Politico</a>]

<strong>Topping the news: </strong>At the end of Sen. Harry Reid's congressional career, President Barack Obama paid tribute, calling him one of the best leaders in the Senate. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4313388-155/president-obama-says-harry-reid-is"; target="_blank">APviaTrib</a>]

-> In the wake of a recent Russian anti-proselytizing law, the LDS Church has given 30 missionaries intended to go to Russia new Eastern European destinations. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/lifestyle/faith/4317303-155/mormon-church-reassigns-some-missionaries-who"; target="_blank">Trib</a>] [<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865661743/New-law-prompts-LDS-Church-to-reassign-30-volunteers-initially-bound-for-Russia.html"; target="_blank">DNews</a>] [<a href="http://kutv.com/news/local/lds-church-to-decrease-number-of-missionaries-in-russia"; target="_blank">KUTV</a>] [<a href="http://www.good4utah.com/news/local-news/lds-church-reassigning-missionaries-called-to-russia"; target="_blank">ABC4</a>] [<a href="http://fox13now.com/2016/09/05/lds-church-decreasing-missionaries-called-to-russia/"; target="_blank">Fox13</a>] [<a href="http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/fewer-lds-missionaries-in-russia-due-to-new-law/article_5fe44487-ef45-50d8-ac59-5ad72ef4614d.html"; target="_blank">Herald</a>]

-> The Scofield Reservoir algal bloom is now contaminating the Price River, prompting officials to discourage farmers from irrigating with it and ranchers from feeding it to their animals. Water being extracted from the river for human consumption is being run through special disinfecting equipment. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4308789-155/scofield-cyanotoxins-now-polluting-price-river"; target="_blank">Trib</a>] [<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865661602/Livestock-producers-farmers-warned-to-stay-away-from-Price-River-Scofield-water.html"; target="_blank">DNews</a>] [<a href="http://kutv.com/news/local/officials-dont-use-the-water-from-price-river"; target="_blank">KUTV</a>] [<a href="http://www.good4utah.com/news/top-stories/utahs-inaugural-hispanic-heritage-festival-carries-a-message"; target="_blank">ABC4</a>]

-> Phaze Concrete, the FLDS company accused by the U.S. Department of Labor of violating child labor laws and sending money to the church, has been hired for a job on Utah State University's campus. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4299575-155/company-accused-of-using-child-workers"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]

<strong>Tweets of the weekend: </strong>From @<a href="https://twitter.com/alivitali"; target="_blank">alivitali</a>: "That moment when the Trump press corps bus is stopped in traffic because of @HillaryClinton's motorcade."

 

From @<a href="https://twitter.com/ddiamond"; target="_blank">ddiamond</a>: "Questions on Hillary's health are playing out like conspiracies on Obama's birth. But this myth is harder to disprove—everyone gets sick."

From @<a href="https://twitter.com/daveweigel"; target="_blank">daveweigel</a>: "Also lead politics story on news here is Clinton coughing a lot. Fits between some crime stories."

<strong>Happy Birthday: </strong>to State Rep. David Lifferth and Hayley Lewis. Happy belated birthday to chairman of the Utah Shooting Sports Council Clark Aposhian and Utah House of Representatives Chief of Staff Greg Hartley on Monday.

<strong>Opinion section: </strong>George Pyle relates the 2016 election to Comic Con. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/4304460-155/george-pyle-save-us-comic-con?page=2"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]

-> Paul Rolly challenges New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's competency and dedication to his job with a look back at the 2013 Bridgegate scandal. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/4285645-155/paul-rolly-christies-role-in-bridgegate"; target="_blank">Trib</a>] Then, he tells the story of one of his high school classmates, brought to light during their 50-year high school reunion. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4278861-155/rolly-high-school-reunion-a"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]

-> Paul Mero, president and CEO of Next Generation Freedom Fund, rips into George Pyle's recent article that argues worries over expanding religious freedom stem from fear of losing parochial authority. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/4295883-155/paul-mero-pyle-proves-hollands-point"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]

-> Kelsey Bourgeois, a former Mormon and Brigham Young University student and current women's rights activist and campaign writer for online petition site Care2, gives her own suggestions to BYU as the school re-evaluates the way it balances the honor code and sexual assault. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/4304458-155/byu-must-realize-that-students-are"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]

-> Don and Denise Oblak, operators of Canyon Voyages Adventure Co. in Moab, praise Master Leasing Plans as a way to balance the interests of all the stakeholders in public lands, from gas and oil companies to tourism and recreation businesses. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/4304487-155/op-ed-moab-plan-is-a-model"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]

-> John Kushma, a Logan communication consultant, describes his idea of the  appropriate way to address problems in America while still honoring its symbols in light of San Fransisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick's choice not to stand for the national anthem. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/4304503-155/op-ed-kaepernick-has-a-right-but"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]

-> On the eve of the canonization of Mother Teresa, Mike O'Brien, a Utah attorney, recounts his experience hearing her speak at mass in rural Huntsville, Utah as an 11-year-old. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/4295415-155/op-ed-when-mother-teresa-came-to"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]

-> Stuart C. Reid, a former Utah state senator and past government relations manager for LDS Public Affairs, warns against the appeasement of sex-based legal and political agendas and letting religious freedom of conscience get trampled in the process. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/4295895-155/op-ed-religious-appeasers-are-the-chamberlains"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]

-> Pat Bagley looks back on the state of the country at the beginning of President Barack Obama's presidency. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/4311280-155/bagley-cartoon-final-days-of-a"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]

-> Peter J. Pitts, president of the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest, rebuts the implications of a recent Journal of the American Medical Association study that suggested physicians who are taken out to a meal by pharmaceutical representatives are more likely to prescribe brand-name medications. Pitts introduces other possible variables — like learning about the drug. [<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865661544/My-view-Drug-marketing-to-doctors-also-helps-patients.html"; target="_blank">DNews</a>]

-> Provo resident Rose Wilson draws parallels from the bible story of David and Goliath to independent Evan McMullin's presidential candidacy, encouraging voters to choose him over corrupt political giants. [<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865661676/My-view-David-vs-the-political-Goliaths.html"; target="_blank">DNews</a>]

-> David Jenkins, president of Conservatives for Responsible Stewardship, calls Rep. Rob Bishop's Public Land Initiative a push for personal interests rather than a grand compromise. [<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865661679/My-view-Rep-Bishop7s-zeal-is-PLI7s-Achilles-heel.html"; target="_blank">DNews</a>]

-> LaVarr Webb and Frank Pignanelli offer a guide to understanding the spoken and the unsaid language of the 2016 election. [<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865661674/Interpreting-the-campaign-incongruities.html"; target="_blank">DNews</a>]

-> Richard Eidlin, vice president of policy for the American Sustainable Business Council, encourages support for businesses that unite owner and employee through employee stock ownership plans and worker cooperatives. [<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865661723/My-view-Labor-Day-is-a-time-to-celebrate-workers.html"; target="_blank">DNews</a>]

-> Don Peay, founder of Trump for President in Utah and head of the Sportsman for Fish and Wildlife, explains how knowing the Trump family on a personal level has shown him that their values align with Utahns. [<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865661720/My-view-Trumps-family-values-are-Utahs-values.html"; target="_blank">DNews</a>]

-> President of the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation and National Right to Work Committee Mark Mix touts the benefits of having a right to choose whether or not to join a union. [<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865661721/My-view-This-Labor-Day-celebrate-the-freedom-and-prosperity-of-Right-to-Work.html"; target="_blank">DNews</a>]

-> Jay Evensen, senior editorial columnist at the Deseret News, offers a humorous perspective on this week's news. [<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865661596/Jays-Jokes-Comic-Con-where-the-scary-stuff-is-make-believe.html"; target="_blank">DNews</a>]

<strong>Weekend in review:</strong> The causes, effects, and possible political solutions to the algae problem in Utah's bodies of water are explained. [<a href="http://local.sltrib.com/online/waste-water/"; target="_blank">Trib</a>] [<a href="http://fox13now.com/2016/09/02/utah-rivers-council-says-climate-change-is-reason-for-algal-blooms/"; target="_blank">Fox13</a>]

-> Utah Rep. Steve Eliason, R-Sandy, is sponsoring legislation that would aim to get firearms out of reach of people at risk of suicide. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4295205-155/lock-limit-remove-utah-legislator-presents"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]

-> Many American Indian students in Utah don't have enough Native American blood to officially enroll in their tribe, robbing programs designed to help American Indians succeed in school and thrive culturally of adequate funding. [<a href="http://local.sltrib.com/online/not-native-enough/#content-wrapper"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]

-> Rapid rehousing programs are helping residents of homeless shelters find their own places to live, but not without problems. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4308332-155/rapid-rehousing-not-a-panacea-for?fullpage=1"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]

-> The state of Utah and PacifiCorp, the parent company of Rocky Mountain Power, are fighting the Environmental Protection Agency's mandate to install pollution controls in two Utah coal-based plants to reduce haze in the national parks. The state previously proposed an alternate plan in which the 2015 shutting down of a PacifiCorp plant would count toward reducing emissions, but the EPA rejected the plan. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4309624-155/state-of-utah-utility-company-challenging"; target="_blank">Trib</a>] [<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865661600/Utah-challenges-EPAs-regional-haze-decision.html"; target="_blank">DNews</a>]

-> The Utah College of Applied Technology announced on Saturday its four final contenders for commissioner of technical education, the top job at the school. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4309234-155/four-finalists-named-for-top-job"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]

-> The Hispanic Heritage Parade made Saturday a colorful one on Rio Grande Street as people celebrated their Latino heritage and explored health care options. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4311436-155/hispanic-heritage-parade-and-festivities-highlights?page=1"; target="_blank">Trib</a>] [<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865661693/Salt-Lake-City-parade-celebrates-hispanic-heritage.html"; target="_blank">DNews</a>] [<a href="http://kutv.com/news/local/hispanic-heritage"; target="_blank">KUTV</a>]

-> Ride-hailing companies Uber and Lyft have tripled their business in and around Salt Lake City in the last year. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4308397-155/uber-lyft-triple-salt-lake-area?fullpage=1"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]

-> Salt Lake County's public works building in Midvale is soon to be named after the late Randy Horiuchi, a late Salt Lake County commissioner and councilman with a special love for the public works department. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4300804-155/horiuchis-name-to-adorn-public-works"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]

-> Salt Lake County council members are dealing with land-use issues in soon-to-be Millcreek before it officially becomes a city in January with its own officials to address them. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4308446-155/land-use-issues-surface-in-millcreek-before"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]

-> Sen. Steve Urquhart reminisces about his 16 years on Utah's Capitol Hill. [<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865661694/A-look-back-with-retiring-Sen-Steve-Urquhart-on-the-LDS-church-LGBT-rights-and-Donald-Trump.html"; target="_blank">DNews</a>]

-> More than 150 small arts groups will receive funding next year through the Zoo, Arts, and Parks program thanks to a Salt Lake County Council vote last week. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4300810-155/19-million-for-arts-goes-a?page=1"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]

-> On the one-year anniversary of a flash flood that devastated a polygamist town and killed at least a dozen people on the Utah-Arizona border, Colorado City, Arizona will host a memorial service. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4317263-155/polygamous-town-plans-memorial-for-2015"; target="_blank">APviaTrib</a>]

-> The annual AFL-CIO Labor Day Picnic in Magna celebrated the labor movement and American workers on Monday, sporting a show of old-school cars. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4317811-155/labor-day-picnic-brings-together-thousands"; target="_blank">Trib</a>] [<a href="http://www.good4utah.com/news/magna-labor-day-picnic-attracts-hundreds"; target="_blank">ABC4</a>] [<a href="http://fox13now.com/2016/09/05/labor-day-picnic-brings-reminders-of-purpose-of-holiday/"; target="_blank">Fox13</a>]

<strong>Nationally:</strong> The FBI released the report on its investigation of Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server as well as the notes from her FBI interview on Friday. [<a href="http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-fbi-report-hillary-clinton-email-20160902-snap-story.html"; target="_blank">LATimes</a>] [<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/fbi-releases-hillary-clinton-email-investigation-documents/2016/09/02/21bd3682-704c-11e6-8365-b19e428a975e_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_clintonfbi-115pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory" target="_blank">WaPost</a>] [<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/03/us/politics/hillary-clinton-fbi.html?ref=politics&_r=0http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/03/us/politics/hillary-clinton-fbi.html?ref=politics&_r=0" target="_blank">NYTimes</a>] [<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/02/politics/hillary-clinton-fbi-interview-notes/index.html"; target="_blank">CNN</a>]

-> Polls show that, despite the repelling influence Donald Trump has had on Latinos this election, Clinton is not doing any better with the demographic than previous Democratic presidential candidates. [<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/clinton-isnt-doing-better-than-previous-democrats-with-latinos—even-against-trump/2016/09/02/9daa792a-7052-11e6-8365-b19e428a975e_story.html"; target="_blank">WaPost</a>]

-> When Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte heard of President Barack Obama's plans to confront him about the way he handles drug crime in his country at an anticipated Tuesday meeting, he responded angrily and with obscenities, causing Obama to cancel the meeting. [<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/05/politics/philippines-president-rodrigo-duterte-barack-obama/index.html"; target="_blank">CNN</a>] [<a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/philippines-duterte-threatens-curse-obama-over-drug-war-killings-n642841"; target="_blank">NBCNews</a>] [<a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2016/09/obama-philippines-president-227743"; target="_blank">Politico</a>]

-> Records show that Trump made a $25,000 contribution to a group supporting Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi just as she was about to investigate fraud accusations involving Trump University. She later dropped the case, and Trump denies that his contribution was meant to influence that decision. [<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/05/politics/trump-pam-bondi-florida-attorney-general/index.html"; target="_blank">CNN</a>] [<a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2016/09/trump-denies-impropriety-trump-university-donation-controversy-227741"; target="_blank">Politico</a>]

-> Trump reached out to black voters when he visited Great Faith Ministries church in Detroit on Saturday. [<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/04/us/politics/donald-trump-black-voters-detroit.html?ref=politics&_r=0"; target="_blank">NYTimes</a>] [<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/03/politics/donald-trump-black-voters-detroit/index.html"; target="_blank">CNN</a>] [<a href="http://time.com/4478603/donald-trump-detroit-black-voters/"; target="_blank">Time</a>]

-> On Labor Day, traditionally thought of as the first day of the presidential race home stretch, Clinton and Trump both campaigned in Ohio. [<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/06/us/politics/clinton-trump-labor-day-campaign.html?ref=politics"; target="_blank">NYTimes</a>] [<a href="http://time.com/4479061/clinton-trump-labor-day-ohio-campaign/"; target="_blank">Time</a>]

<strong>Where are they?</strong>

<ul>

<li>Rep. Jason <a href="https://twitter.com/jasoninthehouse"; target="_blank">Chaffetz</a> reviews classified FBI files on the Clinton email case, meets with committee staff, and attends a chairmen meeting with House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy.</li>

<li>Rep. Mia <a href="https://twitter.com/RepMiaLove"; target="_blank"><strong>Love</strong></a> flies to Washington from Utah, heads to meetings of the Western Caucus and GOP members, and votes.</li>

<li>Gov. Gary <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/GovHerbert"; target="_blank">Herbert</a></strong> catches up with his chief of staff.</li>

<li>Lt. Gov. Spencer <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/SpencerJCox"; target="_blank">Cox</a></strong> heads to the Multicultural Commission and receives an intergenerational poverty update.</li>

<li>President Barack <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/BarackObama"; target="_blank">Obama</a> </strong>meets with President Bounnhang Vorachith of Laos, attends an official state luncheon, speaks to the people of Laos, and socializes with Embassy personnel and their families.</li>

</ul>

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— Thomas Burr and Zoe Woolf McGinn

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