This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated.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.

Drudge still asking: Will Mitt run? Utah GOP leaders move on litmus test plan. Hatch backs Lynch, Lee doesn't.

Happy Friday. The Drudge Report breaths new life into an old story line — that Mitt Romney may still run for president. It's a scenario that apparently begins if Jeb Bush fails to win New Hampshire. [http://www.boston.com/news/nation/2015/04/19/why-does-drudge-think-romney-may-run-for-president-again/lPITCtXT89Tq3mzn0RAJUJ/story.html" target="_blank">Globe] And a new poll has Bush trailing Sen. Marco Rubio, Gov. Scott Walker and Sen. Rand Paul. [http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/04/23/fox-news-poll-rubio-jumps-to-head-2016-gop-pack-clinton-honesty-questioned/" target="_blank">FoxNews]

Topping the news: Utah GOP leaders agreed to move forward on a plan requiring potential candidates to submit to an interview with party leaders before they could run as Republicans, a reaction to the "Count My Vote" nomination process. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865627073/Utah-GOP-leaders-going-forward-with-new-requirements-for-candidates.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> Sen. Orrin Hatch was one of 10 Republicans to support the confirmation of Loretta Lynch as the next attorney general 166 days after President Barack Obama first nominated her. Sen. Mike Lee voted against Lynch. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2434993-155/orrin-hatch-votes-yes-mike-lee" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/senate-confirms-loretta-lynch-as-attorney-general/91904/PNCp425-WkWNn6szKIN-Ig" target="_blank">ABC4]

-> A new documentary tells the story of the still developing relationship between China and the United States through former Ambassador Jon Huntsman and his adopted daughter Gracie Mei. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2436116-155/huntsman-daughter-gracie-star-of-new?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed" target="_blank">Trib]

Tweets of the day: From @https://twitter.com/PubliusDB" target="_blank">PubliusDB: "'I love it when I win an argument on the internet' no one was able to declare ever."

Happy Birthday: On Saturday to David Litvack, director of the Salt Lake County Criminal Justice Advisory Council, and Utah State Tax Commissioner John Valentine on Sunday.

Tune in: Tribune reporters Jennifer Dobner, Robert Gehrke and Lya Wodraska, editorial writer George Pyle and health, environment and education editor Rebecca Walsh join Jennifer Napier-Pearce to talk about the GOP candidate selection plan, the "Capitol 13" plea deal, a federal sage grouse decision and University of Utah coach Greg Marsden. Listen to the Trib's weekly news roundtable, "Behind the Headlines," on KCPW 88.3/105.3 FM at 9 a.m. MDT.

In other news: Ordain Women founder Kate Kelly says she's "happier" and more invigorated after her excommunication from the LDS Church. [http://www.sltrib.com/lifestyle/faith/2434905-155/ordain-women-founder-kate-kelly-happier" target="_blank">Trib]

-> State Sen. Todd Weiler keeps up his opposition to the idea of required candidate interviews. [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/gop-members-speaking-out-about-controversial-selec/24366/1thYsWQmkE6hbQYvnVdFlA" target="_blank">ABC4]

-> A federal judge issued an order regarding the lawsuit banning the GOP from compelling testimony about the "Count My Vote" bill. [http://fox13now.com/2015/04/23/judge-limits-utah-gops-digging-into-count-my-vote-compromise-law/" target="_blank">Fox13]

-> Pat Bagley gives his take on the rise of the billionaire political donors propping up presidential candidates. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/2436714-155/bagley-cartoon-billionaire-frat-party" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Rep. Rob Bishop, the chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, is demanding the Obama administration hold off on new rules that would ease the process for Indian groups to acquire federal tribal recognition. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2434423-155/utah-congressman-tells-obama-administration-hold" target="_blank">AP]

-> How Utah became an industrial banking giant — luck. [http://www.cityweekly.net/utah/bank-on-it/Content?oid=2782335" target="_blank">CityWeekly]

-> Snowboarders are trying to revive a lawsuit against Alta for banning their preferred downhill sport by filing an appeal to the 10th Circuit in Denver. [http://fox13now.com/2015/04/23/federal-appeals-court-asked-to-revive-lawsuit-over-alta-snowboarding-ban/" target="_blank">Fox13]

-> Utah Department of Environmental Quality Director Amanda Smith will step down next month after six years on the job. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2434269-155/amanda-smith-leaving-as-head-of" target="_blank">Trib]

-> I-15 will be narrowed to one lane in each direction in Bountiful this weekend during the night hours. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2434638-155/i-15-to-be-narrowed-to-one" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Eight candidates that would get more votes than Hillary Clinton in Utah. [http://www.cityweekly.net/utah/hillary-vs-utah/Content?oid=2782168" target="_blank">CityWeekly]

Nationally: Hillary Clinton's team is having a hard time stopping a series of stories about the foreign cash collected through the family's foundation. Questions about potential conflicts of interest could dog her throughout the campaign. [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/04/hillary-clinton-foreign-cash-media-coverage-117273.html?hp=c1_3" target="_blank">Politico]

-> The Washington Post's Chris Cillizza implores people to stop calling the White House Correspondents Dinner "nerd prom." Anything that George Clooney goes to can't be called nerd prom. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2015/04/23/anyone-who-calls-the-correspondents-dinner-nerd-prom-will-hereby-be-shunned/" target="_blank">WaPost]

-> Here are 10 things to keep an eye on when nine GOP presidential contenders square off in Iowa this weekend. [http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2015/04/23/things-watch-gop-speechfest-iowa/26278015/" target="_blank">USAToday]

Where are they?

  • Rep. Rob https://twitter.com/RepRobBishop" target="_blank">Bishop is meeting with Miranda Ballentine, the assistant secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Energy.
  • Rep. Jason https://twitter.com/jasoninthehouse" target="_blank">Chaffetz is in Mexico City for briefings on embassy security and development plans for a new embassy.
  • Rep. Rob Bishop meets with the assistant secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Energy Miranda Ballentine in Washington.
  • Gov. Gary https://twitter.com/GovHerbert" target="_blank">Herbert attends NGA meetings in Denver.
  • Lt. Gov. Spencer https://twitter.com/SpencerJCox" target="_blank">Cox attends a Tooele County Convention.
  • SLC Mayor Ralph https://twitter.com/beckerformayor" target="_blank">Becker helps middle school students plant trees for Arbor Day.
  • President Barack https://twitter.com/BarackObama" target="_blank">Obama has lunch with Vice President Joe Biden and then gives a speech marking the 10th anniversary of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
  • 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, Matt Canham and Erica Palmer

    https://twitter.com/thomaswburr" target="_blank">Twitter.com/thomaswburr and https://twitter.com/erica_palmer">Twitter.com/erica_palmer