This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated.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

Washington, D.C. rapidly sinking into the sea. NSA may have tracked calls, emails during SLC Olympics. Poll: Most Salt Lakers don't care about mayoral race.

Happy Thursday. A lead item this morning that may not make that many people too sad: Turns out, Washington, D.C. may be rapidly sinking into the sea. New research indicates that land beneath the nation's capital will drop 6 or more inches in the next 100 years. [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/washington-sinks-into-the-sea_55b8f540e4b0a13f9d1b0d4b?" target="_blank">HuffPost]

Topping the news: The NSA may have tracked calls and emails in Salt Lake City during the 2002 Winter Olympics, according to a former Quest Communications CEO. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2781877-155/ex-qwest-ceo-likely-the-nsa-snatched" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Nearly three-quarters of Salt Lake City voters say they aren't paying attention to the mayoral election, a new poll shows. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/6493-" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]

-> Of 233 countries, Utah would rank 139 for largest population — that is, if it were a country. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2782766-155/where-utahs-population-would-rank-" target="_blank">Trib]

Tweets of the day: From @https://twitter.com/DanH_TIME" target="_blank">DanH_TIME: "Ah, cheese steaks, the great political issue of our time"

-> From @https://twitter.com/joshgondelman" target="_blank">joshgondelman: "Boston rejected the Olympics but how do we know they didn't just do it to make the Olympics want them more?"

Happy Birthday: To Sen. Orrin Hatch spokeswoman Heather Barney and former Republican congressional candidate Morgan Philpot.

In other news: Sen. Orrin Hatch is squirreling away campaign donations: could it mean he's seeking an eighth term in office? [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2778019-155/could-sen-orrin-hatch-be-keeping" target="_blank">Trib]

-> UTA's FLEX bus service is upheld nationally as a successful transit system for the disabled. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2781405-155/feds-promote-uta-innovation-as-way" target="_blank">Trib]

-> After the change of heart of a candidate in Stockton, a city in Tooele County, it turns out a primary vote was unnecessary. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2782151-155/theres-one-utah-town-where-votes" target="_blank">Trib]

-> The Salt Lake County Clerk's Office says voter turnout has increased this election thanks to mail-in ballots. [http://kuer.org/post/vote-mail-increasing-turnout-salt-lake-county" target="_blank">KUER]

-> A report from the Sierra Club details how it would be cheaper for Utah companies and customers to shift away from carbon fuels, such as coal-based electricity. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2781902-155/sierra-club-says-utah-customers-might" target="_blank">Trib]

-> The West Jordan City Council announced a $4 million bond for park improvement. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865633434/West-Jordan-parks-to-get-makeovers.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> Gov. Gary Herbert is asking residents to donate to the Utah Food Bank. [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/utah-food-bank-governor-herbert-ask-for-donations/16467/Yve-dJm6nUWL56yCx90F4g" target="_blank">ABC4]

Nationally: Former Virginia Gov. James Gilmore filed the necessary paperwork to enter the 2016 presidential race — making him the 17th GOP candidate. [http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/07/29/james-gilmore-ex-virginia-governor-files-papers-to-run-for-president/" target="_blank">NYTimes] [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/07/jim-gilmore-2016-gop-field-120789.html" target="_blank">Politico]

-> Fox News will announce which 10 of the Republican candidates (11, if there's a tie) will make the debate cut-off Tuesday. [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/07/decisive-debate-polls-set-for-release-120790.html" target="_blank">Politico]

-> Many House Republicans believe the congressional recess will result in an end to the Export-Import Bank renewal bill. [http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/30/business/outlook-for-the-ex-im-bank-dims-as-congress-departs.html?ref=politics" target="_blank">NYTimes]

-> The Koch brothers' network is taking inspiration from an unlikely source: President Barack Obama's successful 2012 campaign. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/inside-the-koch-networks-plan-to-create-a-permanent-ground-force/2015/07/29/712eb650-35ec-11e5-b673-1df005a0fb28_story.html" target="_blank">WaPost]

Where are they?

  • Rep. Mia https://twitter.com/RepMiaLove" target="_blank">Love votes, participates in a Financial Services Committee meeting and returns to Utah.
  • Gov. Gary https://twitter.com/GovHerbert" target="_blank">Herbert attends a Native American summit at Utah Valley University.
  • Lt. Gov. Spencer https://twitter.com/SpencerJCox" target="_blank">Cox also goes to the summit.
  • SLC Mayor Ralph https://twitter.com/beckerformayor" target="_blank">Becker sits in on a ZAP Recreation Advisory Board meeting and speaks with the press with an LGBTQ announcement.
  • President Barack https://twitter.com/BarackObama" target="_blank">Obama meets with Vice President Joe Biden for lunch and takes part in a conference call to discuss the Iran nuclear deal.
  • 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 Courtney Tanner

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