MILLION - The Salt Lake Tribune

Recording reveals Mark Shurtleff’s ‘bizarro’ $2 million offer

Thu, 23 May 2013 20:26:43 MDT

Recording reveals Mark Shurtleff’s ‘bizarro’ $2 million offer

By Robert Gehrke The Salt Lake Tribune

Updated May 23, 2013 08:26PM MDT

On the breakfast table at Mimi’s Cafe, Darl McBride had eggs and potatoes served in a fried tortilla and an offer of $2 million from Utah’s then-attorney general, Mark Shurtleff, if he would just shut his mouth. McBride says he had invested $286,000 with a prominent businessman, Mark Robbins, who had allegedly promised him a $5 million return that McBride hoped would sustain a grueling legal battle over intellectual-property rights between his company, The SCO Group, and IBM. But, facing a bench...

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Analysis: Medicaid expansion would save Utah millions, cover 123K uninsured

Thu, 23 May 2013 21:29:54 MDT

Analysis: Medicaid expansion would save Utah millions, cover 123K uninsured

By Jennifer Dobner The Salt Lake Tribune

Updated May 23, 2013 09:29PM MDT

Utah could save $131 million and extend health insurance to more than 123,000 of its uninsured residents over the next 10 years if state officials opt to fully expand Medicaid, according to a cost-benefit analysis released Thursday. If Utah chooses not to expand, however, Medicaid will cost the state $177 million due to increased enrollment as those who are currently eligible, but not enrolled, are spurred to seek coverage. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), virtually everyone must have healt...

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Nation’s CEOs seeing a lot more pay

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:03:03 MDT

Nation’s CEOs seeing a lot more pay

By CHRISTINA REXRODE The Associated Press

Updated May 22, 2013 06:03PM MDT

CEO pay has been going in one direction for the past three years, up. The head of a typical large public company made $9.7 million in 2012, a 6.5 percent increase from a year earlier that was aided by a rising stock market, according to an analysis by The Associated Press using data from Equilar, an executive pay research firm. CEO pay, which fell two years straight during the Great Recession but rose 24 percent in 2010 and 6 percent in 2011, has never been higher. Companies say they need to pa...

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Jets’ Goodson pleads not guilty to charges in NJ

Wed, 22 May 2013 23:40:56 MDT

Jets’ Goodson pleads not guilty to charges in NJ

The Associated Press

Updated May 22, 2013 11:40PM MDT

Morristown, N.J. • New York Jets running back Mike Goodson has pleaded not guilty to drug and weapons charges in New Jersey. Goodson appeared in court in Morristown on Wednesday morning. He was arrested early last Friday along with a friend after they were found in a car stopped on Interstate 80. The men were charged with marijuana possession, possession of drug paraphernalia and weapons offenses stemming from a 45-caliber semi-automatic handgun that included a hollow-point bullet found in t...

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Sen. Mike Lee rents house from friend who bought his home

Thu, 23 May 2013 11:33:47 MDT

Sen. Mike Lee rents house from friend who bought his home

By Thomas Burr The Salt Lake Tribune

Updated May 23, 2013 11:33AM MDT

Washington • Sen. Mike Lee sold his home in a short sale two years ago to a friend and then rented a home nearby from the same man, a neighbor, federal contractor and campaign donor. Lee was forced to forfeit his down payment and sell his sprawling million-dollar Alpine home — at a big loss to his mortgage bank, J.P. Morgan Chase — in 2011 after he was elected to the Senate and couldn’t afford the payments. The buyer, property records show, was Ron McMillan, an author and co-founder of VitalSma...

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Romo to miss at least 3 weeks after cyst removal on back

Tue, 21 May 2013 23:54:32 MDT

Romo to miss at least 3 weeks after cyst removal on back

The Associated Press

Updated May 21, 2013 11:54PM MDT

Irving, Texas • Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo will miss at least three weeks of offseason workouts after a procedure to remove a cyst from his back. The team’s website reported Tuesday, the first day of organized team workouts, that Romo underwent the procedure last month and could return for the mandatory minicamp that starts June 11. He will be ready for training camp in July. Romo became the highest-paid player in franchise history in March when he signed a six-year, $108 million extensio...

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Falcons granted $200 million loan by NFL

Tue, 21 May 2013 23:54:32 MDT

Falcons granted $200 million loan by NFL

The Associated Press

Updated May 21, 2013 11:54PM MDT

Boston • NFL owners have approved a $200 million loan for construction of a new stadium in Atlanta. The Falcons received the money Tuesday at the NFL’s spring meetings. The multipurpose stadium could cost as much as $1 billion. Falcons owner Arthur Blank says the approval is an “important milestone in moving the new stadium project forward.” Blank says the design and construction will take place over the next four years. The stadium will be built with $200 million from public bonds, with t...

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‘Star Trek’ does $70.6M but falls short of studio hopes

Sun, 19 May 2013 11:38:02 MDT

‘Star Trek’ does $70.6M but falls short of studio hopes

By DAVID GERMAIN The Associated Press

Updated May 19, 2013 11:38AM MDT

Los Angeles • “Star Trek: Into Darkness” has warped its way to a $70.6 million domestic launch from Friday to Sunday, though it’s not setting any light-speed records with a debut that’s lower than the studio’s expectations. The latest voyage of the starship Enterprise fell short of its predecessor, 2009’s “Star Trek,” which opened with $75.2 million. Since premiering Wednesday in huge-screen IMAX theaters and expanding Thursday to general cinemas, “Into Darkness” has pulled in $84.1 million, wel...

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Small Florida city wonders who won Powerball jackpot

Sun, 19 May 2013 23:09:57 MDT

Small Florida city wonders who won Powerball jackpot

By TAMARA LUSH and BARBARA RODRIGUEZ The Associated Press

Updated May 19, 2013 11:09PM MDT

Zephyrhills, Fla. • Some lucky person walked into a Publix supermarket in suburban Florida over the past few days and bought a ticket now worth an estimated $590.5 million — the highest Powerball jackpot in history. But it wasn’t Matthew Bogel. On Sunday, he loaded groceries into his car after shopping at the Publix. He shook his head when asked about the jackpot. “It’s crazy, isn’t it?” he said. “That’s so much money.” It’s an amount too high for many to imagine. Compare it to the budget for t...

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

$590M-plus Powerball: 1 winning ticket sold in Fla

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:05:41 MDT

$590M-plus Powerball: 1 winning ticket sold in Fla

By BARBARA RODRIGUEZ The Associated Press

Updated May 19, 2013 01:05AM MDT

Des Moines, Iowa • It’s all about the odds, and one lone ticket in Florida has beaten them all by matching each of the numbers drawn for the highest Powerball jackpot in history at an estimated $590.5 million, lottery officials said Sunday. The single winner was sold at a Publix supermarket in Zephyrhills, Fla., according to Florida Lottery executive Cindy O’Connell. She told The Associated Press by telephone that more details would be released later. “This would be the sixth Florida Powerball w...

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

$590M-plus Powerball: 1 winning ticket sold in Florida

Sun, 19 May 2013 10:03:55 MDT

$590M-plus Powerball: 1 winning ticket sold in Florida

By BARBARA RODRIGUEZ The Associated Press

Updated May 19, 2013 10:03AM MDT

Des Moines, Iowa • It’s all about the odds, and one lone ticket in Florida has beaten them all by matching each of the numbers drawn for the highest Powerball jackpot in history at an estimated $590.5 million, lottery officials said Sunday. The single winner was sold at a supermarket in Zephyrhills, Fla., according to Florida Lottery executive Cindy O’Connell. She told The Associated Press by telephone that more details would be released later. “This would be the sixth Florida Powerball winner a...

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Business events in Utah this week

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:01:03 MDT

Business events in Utah this week

THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Updated May 17, 2013 05:01PM MDT

Convention Calendar Sunday Society for Industrial & Applied Mathematics Snowbird Attendance • 600 Runs through • Saturday Monday Azteca Systems Inc. 2013 Cityworks User Group Salt Palace Attendance • 500 Runs through • Thursday Friday Conduit 2013 Science Fiction & Fantasy Convention Radisson Hotel Salt Lake City downtown Attendance • 350 Runs through • May 27 Economic Calendar New economic numbers to be released this week include: Wednesday National Association of Realtors • E...

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Short takes on the news

Sat, 18 May 2013 18:34:32 MDT

Short takes on the news

Updated May 18, 2013 06:34PM MDT

Looking forward • The Utah Transit Authority’s decision to spend more than $2 million of taxpayer money on parking garages near the Jordan Valley TRAX station seems like a waste of money, since only a handful of the 1,200 stalls are occupied on a normal day. UTA officials say the agency built the structures at a cost of $15.5 million — of which the federal government paid $9.3 million and developers will pick up another $3.9 million — with an eye toward parking needs in 2030. In the meantime, la...

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Pooling friends’ money with yours for Powerball? Beware

Fri, 17 May 2013 22:02:11 MDT

Pooling friends’ money with yours for Powerball? Beware

By BARBARA RODRIGUEZ The Associated Press

Updated May 17, 2013 10:02PM MDT

In workplaces across the nation, Americans this week have invited their colleagues to chip in $2 for a Powerball ticket and a shared daydream. The office lottery pool is a way to improve your odds and have a little fun with co-workers. And besides, who wants to be the only person at work the next day when everyone quits? With $600 million on the line, this is the time to play. It’s the largest-ever Powerball jackpot and the second-largest world jackpot of all time. And it could get even bigge...

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Natural gas rate hike would cost typical Utah user $50 more a year

Thu, 16 May 2013 23:04:03 MDT

Natural gas rate hike would cost typical Utah user $50 more a year

By Steven Oberbeck The Salt Lake Tribune

Updated May 16, 2013 11:04PM MDT

For most of the past five years, Utahns have enjoyed the benefits of an abundance of natural gas that has kept the lid on monthly bills for the fuel used to keep their homes warm and their water hot. But a recent rebound in the price from a five-year low means that’s likely about to change to the tune of about $50 a year for the typical residential customer. Questar Gas is asking state utility regulators for permission to increase the amount it collects by $61 million. If the state’s Public Serv...

$1 million in jewelry stolen near Cannes Film Festival

Fri, 17 May 2013 10:58:48 MDT

$1 million in jewelry stolen near Cannes Film Festival

By JAMEY KEATEN The Associated Press

Updated May 17, 2013 10:58AM MDT

PARIS • Thieves ripped a safe from the wall of a hotel room near the Cannes Film Festival and made off with around $1 million worth of jewelry, in a brazen late-night burglary just hours after the screening of a film about break-ins at the homes of Hollywood celebrities, French officials said Friday. The apparently well-planned robbery at the Novotel hotel took place in the room of a representative of Chopard, the Swiss-based watch and jewelry maker and festival sponsor that was hosting a splash...

Venezuelans scrambling to find scarce toilet paper

Thu, 16 May 2013 15:09:24 MDT

Venezuelans scrambling to find scarce toilet paper

By FABIOLA SANCHEZ and KARL RITTER The Associated Press

Updated May 16, 2013 03:09PM MDT

Caracas, Venezuela • Venezuelans scrambled to stock up on toilet paper Thursday as fears of a bathroom emergency spread despite the socialist government’s promise to import 50 million rolls. After years of economic dysfunction, the country has gotten used to shortages of medicines and basic food items like milk and sugar but the scarcity of bathroom tissue has caused unusual alarm. “Even at my age, I’ve never seen this,” said 70-year-old Maria Rojas. She said she had been looking for toilet pape...

No Powerball winner; jackpot soars to $475 million

Thu, 16 May 2013 10:23:05 MDT

No Powerball winner; jackpot soars to $475 million

By BARBARA RODRIGUEZ The Associated Press

Updated May 16, 2013 10:23AM MDT

So you didn’t win Wednesday’s $360 million Powerball jackpot? Make that you and everyone else. A message early Thursday on the multistate lottery’s website said the jackpot has soared to $475 million after none of the tickets sold matched all the winning numbers in Wednesday night’s drawing: 2, 11, 26, 34, 41 and a Powerball of 32. The next drawing will be held Saturday. A jackpot of $475 million ranks as the second largest in Powerball history and third biggest overall. Lottery officials expect...

NBA owners reject Sacramento Kings moving to Seattle

Wed, 15 May 2013 23:58:26 MDT

NBA owners reject Sacramento Kings moving to Seattle

By SCHUYLER DIXON The Associated Press

Updated May 15, 2013 11:58PM MDT

Dallas • NBA owners voted Wednesday to reject the Sacramento Kings’ proposed move to Seattle, the latest in a long line of cities that have tried to land the franchise. The 22-8 vote followed a recommendation made last month by the NBA’s relocation committee and may have finally brought an end to an emotional saga that has dragged on for nearly three years. A group led by investor Chris Hansen had a deal to buy the team. Hansen hoped to move the franchise to Seattle and rename it the SuperSonics...

Judge reinstates Wells Fargo fine tied to overdraft fees

Wed, 15 May 2013 17:21:02 MDT

Judge reinstates Wells Fargo fine tied to overdraft fees

REUTERS

Updated May 15, 2013 05:21PM MDT

A federal judge has again ordered Wells Fargo to pay $203 million to settle class-action litigation accusing it of imposing excessive overdraft fees on checking account customers, reviving an award that had been thrown out last year. U.S. District Judge William Alsup reinstated a penalty he first imposed in August 2010, saying the fourth-largest U.S. bank violated a California law that protects consumers against fraudulent misrepresentations. “Wells Fargo was profiting off its most vulnerable cu...