This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
Obama's new role: Attack comic-in-chief. Becker's re-elect chances dwindling. Mike Lee speechless on Trump question.
Happy Friday. President Barack Obama has a new role going into his final year in office: Attack comic. Politics, particularly Republican presidential politics, has gotten ridiculous, he thinks. These people aren't serious enough to be president in Obama's mind, and he's got the platform to lay into them, and the natural sarcastic sense of humor to fit the role. [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/11/obamas-2016-role-jokester-in-chief-215580" target="_blank">Politico]
Topping the news: Given the number of uncounted ballots, SLC Mayor Ralph Becker would have to win an overwhelming number of votes to re-take the lead. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3143103-155/door-closing-on-salt-lake-city" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865640817/Becker-sees-improbable-not-impossible-hurdle-in-SL-mayors-race.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://kutv.com/news/local/biskupski-closer-to-becoming-salt-lake-city-mayor" target="_blank">KUTV] [http://fox13now.com/2015/11/05/4996-uncounted-ballots-will-decide-slc-mayors-race/" target="_blank">Fox13] [http://kuer.org/post/salt-lake-county-clerk-still-counting-votes-slc-mayoral-race" target="_blank">KUER] [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/7554-" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> Sen. Mike Lee didn't know what to say when he was asked whether he endorsed GOP candidate Donald Trump. [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/11/mike-lee-donald-trump-215551" target="_blank">Politico]
-> Lee has been working to draft bipartisan legislation alongside Democratic Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3143204-155/utahs-mike-lee-touts-bipartisan-cooperation" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Rep. Rob Bishop unveiled a bill Thursday that would significantly restrict the federal government from buying up new land in the West. [http://www.sltrib.com/home/3142105-155/utahs-bishop-would-restrict-feds-from" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865640783/Bishops-proposal-to-reform-land-fund-draws-criticism.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> A new Mormon policy declares married same-sex couples apostates [http://kutv.com/news/local/lds-church-issues-update-on-what-is-considered-apostasy" target="_blank">KUTV] and bans their children from being baptized until independent. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3144035-155/new-mormon-policy-makes-apostates-of" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/mormon-church-bars-children-same-sex-couples-baptism-blessings-n458416" target="_blank">NBC] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865640835/Church-updates-policies-on-families-in-same-sex-marriages.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://kutv.com/news/local/lds-church-to-exclude-children-of-same-sex-couples-from-membership" target="_blank">KUTV] [http://fox13now.com/2015/11/05/lds-church-changes-policies-regarding-members-in-same-sex-marriages-their-children/" target="_blank">Fox13] [http://www.good4utah.com/news/local-news/lds-church-makes-changes-to-policies-regarding-same-sex-couples-and-their-children" target="_blank">ABC4]
Tweets of the day: From http://twitter.com/politicoroger" target="_blank">@politicoroger: "Kimmel: 'You went to Donald Trump's wedding.' Hillary: 'I did.' Kimmel: 'Did you get him a gift?' Hillary: 'I went to his wedding!'"
From http://twitter.com/mtaibbi" target="_blank">@mtaibbi: "In the second term, the Fiorina tax code will be squeezed onto the back of the commemorative Paul Newman postal stamp."
From http://twitter.com/pourmecoffee" target="_blank">@pourmecoffee: "GOP rules are brutal. Christie and Huckabee bumped down to undercard debate and Graham and Pataki have to be everyone's butler for a week."
Happy Birthday: Today to former state Rep. Richard Greenwood. Tomorrow to West Valley City Mayor Ron Bigelow, state Sen. Howard Stephenson and Connor Boyack. Sunday to Conservative activist Cherilyn Eagar and Matt Sandgren, Judiciary Committee counsel to Sen. Orrin Hatch.
Tune in: Tribune reporters Lee Davidson, Chris Smart, Mike Gorrell and editorial writer George Pyle join Jennifer Napier-Pearce to talk about the week's top news stories including Election Day outcomes for Prop 1, Millcreek and the Salt Lake City mayor's race. Tune in to KCPW or Utah Public Radio at 9 a.m. for the live broadcast.
In other news: A group hoping to limit terms for appointees to state boards and commissions abandoned efforts Thursday to put the issue on 2016's ballot. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3142443-155/group-abandons-effort-to-limit-terms" target="_blank">Trib] [http://kutv.com/news/local/group-abandons-term-limits-ballot-initiative-push" target="_blank">KUTV]
-> To build the new state prison, they're going to need a lot of dirt. The ground near the SLC International Airport will need to be built up to prevent sinking. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3142717-155/once-site-secured-new-utah-prison" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865640821/State-to-hire-firm-to-manage-construction-of-new-prison-as-soon-as-possible.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://fox13now.com/2015/11/05/lawmakers-checking-off-to-do-list-before-beginning-construction-of-new-utah-state-prison-in-slc/" target="_blank">Fox13] Utah's ACLU is calling for an end to solitary confinement in the new facility. [http://kutv.com/news/local/end-solitary-confinement-at-new-state-prison-aclu-says" target="_blank">KUTV]
-> After his controversial departure from his position as Salt Lake City police chief, Chris Burbank has secured a new job at a police research center. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3141850-155/chris-burbank-finds-new-job-as" target="_blank">Trib] [http://kutv.com/news/local/ex-police-chief-burbank-takes-job-for-police-think-tank" target="_blank">KUTV] [http://fox13now.com/2015/11/05/former-slc-police-chief-has-new-job-with-national-think-tank/" target="_blank">Fox13] [http://kuer.org/post/chris-burbank-takes-job-national-policing-think-tank" target="_blank">KUER]
-> Utah police departments are struggling to fill their ranks. [http://fox13now.com/2015/11/05/who-wants-to-be-a-cop-police-departments-in-utah-struggling-to-fill-their-ranks/" target="_blank">Fox13]
-> The Utah Highway Patrol is cracking down on drivers impaired by prescription drugs. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865640780/UHP-cracking-down-on-prescription-drug-impaired-drivers.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> A proposal to ban shooting on most or all of the Beaver Dam Wash National Conservation Area in southwestern Utah has caught the attention of the National Rifle Association. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3142005-155/nra-urges-members-to-oppose-proposed" target="_blank">Trib]
-> The Utah National Guard said Thursday that its $75,000 marketing contract with Real Salt Lake doesn't fund any military appreciation events staged by the soccer franchise. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3144350-155/utah-national-guard-says-it-does" target="_blank">Trib] [http://fox13now.com/2015/11/05/rsl-contract-with-utah-national-guard-included-in-national-report-on-paid-patriotism/" target="_blank">Fox13]
-> A state judge said Wednesday that a law which blocks public access to 2,700 miles of streams crossing private land violates provisions of the Utah Constitution and that trout rivers and streams must be more accessible. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3141689-155/judge-invalidates-law-says-utahs-trout" target="_blank">Trib] [http://fox13now.com/2015/11/05/utah-anglers-celebrate-ruling-from-judge-expanding-access-to-more-waterways/" target="_blank">Fox13]
-> Bob Bernick and Bryan Schott talk about this week's election results in their videocast. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/7552-Bob%20Bernick%20and%20Bryan%20Schott" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> The Utah Supreme Court on Thursday questioned whether a polygamous trust operated by the state can be held liable for Warren Jeffs' role in forcing a 14-year-old girl to marry. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3141688-155/utah-supreme-court-weighing-child-brides" target="_blank">Trib] [http://kutv.com/news/local/utah-supreme-court-hears-polygamy-child-bride-case" target="_blank">KUTV] [http://fox13now.com/2015/11/05/child-brides-40-million-lawsuit-against-warren-jeffs-hits-utah-supreme-court/" target="_blank">Fox13]
-> Doctors and parents are concerned by Utah's premature birth rate report. [http://fox13now.com/2015/11/05/utahs-premature-birth-rate-report-concerning-to-parents-doctors/" target="_blank">Fox13]
-> A report says Utah is the No. 14 best state for working moms. [http://www.deseretnews.com/top/3213/12/Utah-The-best-states-for-working-moms-.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Students at Utah State critical of the college's ties to the billionaire Koch brothers want to know how much of the pair's money is flowing into the school. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3142463-155/students-want-more-details-on-donations" target="_blank">Trib]
-> The state school board is considering alternative ways to assess kindergartners. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865640836/State-School-Board-considering-new-assessment-for-kindergarteners.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Cyber attacks on a Salt Lake school district have raised security awareness. [http://kutv.com/news/local/salt-lake-school-district-cyber-attack-raises-security-awareness" target="_blank">KUTV]
-> Air quality grants are available for schools to reduce emissions from equipment and vehicles. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865640773/Air-quality-grants-available-for-heavy-duty-diesel-equipment-school-buses.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> The U. was awarded a $1.2 million water quality study grant from the Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday. [http://kuer.org/post/u-u-lands-12m-water-quality-study-grant-epa" target="_blank">KUER]
-> The troubling economic climate for continued exploration and drilling is having repercussions in Utah. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865640818/Low-energy-prices-lead-to-turmoil-rumors-for-Utah-oil-operations.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Adidas has offered to help change Native American logos for the U. and other schools. [http://kutv.com/news/local/adidas-offers-to-help-change-native-american-logos-for-utah-other-schools" target="_blank">KUTV]
-> An Apple discount has been extended to Brigham Young University alumni from their bookstore. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865640774/Apple-discount-is-being-extended-to-BYU-alumni.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Macey's is launching an online shopping option in Utah County. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865640805/Maceys-launching-online-shopping-option-in-Utah-County.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Snowbird Resort will forego development in the lower part of American Fork Canyon. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865640820/Snowbird-to-forego-development-in-lower-American-Fork-Canyon.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Paul Rolly says that even though Draper Republicans brought out the big guns against a Democratic City Council candidate, their plans backfired. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3137125-155/rolly-republicans-break-out-the-big" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Pat Bagley shares his view on Dr. Ben Carson's believing base. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3143966-155/bagley-cartoon-dr-ben-carsons-believing" target="_blank">Trib]
Nationally: An 18-state coalition led by New York and California is taking on a block of 26 states, including Utah, in a court fight over the Obama administration's Clean Power Plan. [http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-11-04/new-york-california-lead-18-state-defense-of-clean-power-plan" target="_blank">Bloomberg]
-> Hispanic activists are demanding that GOP candidate Donald Trump not be allowed to host NBC's "Saturday Night Live" because of his "racist" comments. [http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/hispanic-activists-demand-snl-dump-trump-20151105" target="_blank">RollingStone] One group has even offered audience members $5,000 for interrupting him. [http://money.cnn.com/2015/11/05/media/donald-trump-snl-disrupt-bounty/index.html?sr=twCNN110515donald-trump-snl-disrupt-bounty0832PMVODtopLink&linkId=18536562" target="_blank">CNN]
-> Trump and fellow Republican Ben Carson are getting protection from the Secret Service. [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/11/donald-trump-ben-carson-secret-service-protection-215560" target="_blank">Politico]
-> A top Florida fundraiser has quit Republican Jeb Bush's campaign after it started going after fellow candidate Marco Rubio. [http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/259352-bush-fundraiser-quits-over-rubio-attacks" target="_blank">TheHill]
-> Candidates Chris Christie and Mike Huckabee have been cut from the main stage at the upcoming GOP debate. [http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/11/05/chris-christie-in-big-blow-to-his-campaign-is-cut-from-main-debate-stage/?smid=tw-share&_r=0" target="_blank">NYTimes]
-> Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton is focusing on the issue of gun control to win over voters. [http://time.com/4101947/hillary-clinton-guns-democrats/?xid=time_socialflow_twitter" target="_blank">TIME]
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
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