This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated.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

Donald Trump may be running out of time to mount a third-party bid. LDS Church to continue role with Scouts. Poll: Utahns don't want to fly Confederate Flag.

Happy Thursday. Donald Trump famously said at the first GOP presidential debate that he wouldn't rule out a third-party bid if he loses the Republican nomination. But he may be running out of time to make that decision. Trump has until the end of September to decide if he wants to run in the South Carolina GOP primary, which requires candidates to pledge to support the eventual GOP nominee. [http://abcnews.go.com/beta/Politics/donald-trump-running-time-rule-party-bid/story?id=33315169" target="_blank">ABCNews]

Topping the news: The LDS Church announced that it will continue its partnership with the Boy Scouts, while saying it will appoint leaders who "uphold and exemplify church doctrine, values and standards." [http://www.sltrib.com/lifestyle/faith/2878941-155/mormon-church-sticking-with-boy-scouts" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/lds-church-will-continue-with-the-boys-scouts-of-a/18982/LvKRXbRx9Ue0BV1h7AXVeg" target="_blank">ABC4] [http://fox13now.com/2015/08/26/lds-church-to-go-forward-with-boy-scouts-of-america-program/" target="_blank">Fox13] [http://kuer.org/post/lds-leaders-decide-not-end-relationship-boy-scouts-despite-policy-changes" target="_blank">KUER] [http://kutv.com/news/local/lds-church-continues-affiliation-with-boy-scouts" target="_blank">KUTV]

-> More Utah voters want Donald Trump as president over Hillary Clinton in 2016, according to a poll conducted by Brigham Young University. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2878985-155/new-poll-says-donald-trump-would" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865635393/Poll-Utahns-would-take-Donald-Trump-over-Hillary-Clinton-despite-disliking-him-more.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> A quarter of Utahns are OK with the government flying the Confederate Flag over its buildings but 59 percent of residents would object, a new poll shows. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/6804-" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]

Tweets of the day: From http://twitter.com/brianjameswalsh" target="_blank">@brianjameswalsh: "I can't think of any other candidate over the years who is routinely allowed to call-in on a regular basis and skip being on camera."

From http://twitter.com/greenfield64" target="_blank">@greenfield64: "WHY (fill in name) WILL/WON"T/CAN'T/WIN/LOSE/" There; I've saved you reading 100 political pieces."

From https://twitter.com/EricKleefeld" target="_blank">@EricKleefeld: "Donald Trump will put up a wall at his next press conference — and he will make " target="_blank">@jorgeramosnews pay for that wall."

In other news: Utah fell from its No. 1 spot as ACT scores were released Wednesday. For the past two years, the state has had the highest average score on the college entrance exam when compared with other states where all students are tested, but it fell to No. 5 this year. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2878862-155/utah-students-drop-from-top-spot" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/top/3366/0/ACT-scores-2015-A-breakdown-of-each-state-subject.html">DNews] [http://kuer.org/post/more-utah-students-take-act-scores-drop-slightly" target="_blank">KUER] [http://kutv.com/news/local/utah-loses-bragging-rights-for-act-scores-falls-to-5th" target="_blank">KUTV]

-> Although traffic jams caused an average of 37 hours of delay for Salt Lake commuters in 2014, the delay is the second best scenario when compared with 45 other large and very large urban areas, according to a scorecard released Wednesday. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2879489-155/salt-lake-congestion-bad-but-better" target="_blank">Trib]

-> The Utah Transit Authority's plan for a proposed sales-tax increase would enable more expansive bus services. Although the organization will not advocate for the tax, the resolution says it will provide accurate and transparent information on how the extra money would be used. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2879598-155/uta-says-tax-hike-would-help" target="_blank">Trib]

-> About one in four homeless veterans was discharged from the military for drug or alcohol abuse, a study conducted by researchers from the University of Utah and Utah State University found. The discovery could cause more caseworkers to intervene early and help vets who fall into this category with rehabilitation, mental health services and housing programs. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2880684-155/study-1-in-4-homeless-vets" target="_blank">Trib]

-> In a survey of nearly 53,000 Utahns by Envision Utah, researchers found that 78 percent desire neighborhoods designed for convenient walking and transit to keep travel costs down. [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/envision-utah-survey-results-show-utahns-want-more/11010/2Liv8zCsgECrKR5UyQoH1w" target="_blank">ABC4]

Nationally: Graphic images published on the cover of New York Daily News sparked outrage on social media after a former reporter shot and killed two former coworkers on live TV. The cover photos were taken from a body camera worn by the shooter and showed one of the victims before, during and after the incident. [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/new-york-daily-news-cover-shocks-with-graphic-cover-of-murdered-journalists_55de8078e4b029b3f1b19cd2" target="_blank">HuffPost] While the choice of art fueled a discussion on ethics in journalism, the violent event itself resurfaced the hotly-debated issue of gun control. [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/08/on-air-shooting-alison-parker-adam-ward-gun-control-121763.html" target="_blank">Politico]

-> The pressure for Vice President Joe Biden to declare his candidacy for the 2016 presidential election has been weighing on him, but he doesn't want to commit until he's sure he has the "emotional fuel" to give it his all. [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/08/joe-biden-says-hes-trying-to-figure-out-if-he-has-the-emotional-fuel-to-run-for-president-121791.html#ixzz3jyhNFby7" target="_blank">Politico]

-> After two weeks of speculation and tension since Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton handed over her private email server to the FBI, she stated Wednesday that although it was allowed, her decision to use a personal email for both her private life and career "clearly wasn't the best choice." [http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/08/26/hillary-clinton-takes-responsibility-for-email-use-saying-it-wasnt-the-best-choice/" target="_blank">NYTimes]

-> Donald Trump's recent clash with Univision reporter Jorge Ramos has strained his already rocky relationship with the media, but Trump said Wednesday that he was pleased with the way he handled the situation when Univision reporter Jorge Ramos was escorted out of a media event after he refused to stop asking a question about immigration. [http://time.com/4012637/donald-trump-jorge-ramos-univision-election/" target="_blank">TIME]

Where are they?

  • Gov. Gary https://twitter.com/GovHerbert" target="_blank">Herbert records a public service announcement film.
  • Lt. Gov. Spencer https://twitter.com/SpencerJCox" target="_blank">Cox gathers for a combined Multicultural and Martin Luther King commissions meeting, responds to questions from Bloomberg News and joins the Governor's Office Outreach at the Draper Library.
  • SL Co. Mayor Ben https://twitter.com/MayorBenMcAdams" target="_blank">McAdams convenes with Sandy City Mayor Dolan before heading to the Conference of Mayors. Later he stops by the Wasatch Front Regional Council meeting and speaks at Salt Lake County Youth Services' annual open house.
  • President Barack https://twitter.com/BarackObama" target="_blank">Obama heads to New Orleans for a discussion on Hurricane Katrina 10 years after the tragedy. He later delivers remarks on the area's rebirth at the Andrew P. Sanchez Community Center and returns to Washington in the evening.
  • 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

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