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Economic optimism fuel approval rating bump for Obama. Poll: Herbert beats Matheson 2-1. Utah opposes effort to depose Herbert in Count My Vote fight.
Happy Tuesday. President Barack Obama could use some good news and a new poll shows he may get some. For the first time since May 2013, more Americans say they have a positive impression of Obama with 48 percent approving of his job performance to 37 percent disapproving. Yes, it's not much but it comes at a time when Americans are giving the president his highest remarks on handling the economy of his presidency. [CNN]
Topping the news: Democrats hoping for former Rep. Jim Matheson to take on Gov. Gary Herbert might want to think twice about that. A new poll shows 57 percent of Utahns would back Herbert while only 33 percent would go for Matheson. [UtahPolicy]
-> Utah is asking a federal judge to block the Utah Republican Party's efforts to depose Gov. Herbert in the "Count My Vote compromise" lawsuit. [Fox13]
-> A scathing new audit says the embattled Jordanelle Special Service District was poorly managed for years and its failure to keep required records may have been an intentional move to obstruct investigation into alleged malfeasance. [Trib] [DNews]
-> County clerks across the state are researching a new law that will take effect May 12 that will allow them to refuse to perform same-sex marriages as long as their county provides someone else to do so. [DNews]
Tweets of the day: From @TheFix: "This pic of Hillary Clinton and a Gameboy is boss. wapo.st/1D7O7sP"
Happy Birthday: To Dell Smith, district director for Rep. Chris Stewart.
Tune in: Renowned Mormon sociologist Armand Mauss and Tribune religion writer Peggy Fletcher Stack join Jennifer Napier-Pearce to discuss how the LDS Church can survive - and thrive - in the coming decades. Watch Trib Talk live at 12:15 p.m. MDT on sltrib.com.
In other news: A new poll from Utah Policy says most Utahns are OK with the amount of influence the LDS Church has over the state legislature. [Trib] [UtahPolicy] [Fox13] [ABC4]
-> Rep. Mia Love talks about health care, veterans issues and campaign funding. [Fox13]
-> The State Transportation Commission is looking into requests by Bluffdale and Tooele County to take over local road projects that would be needed in the event of the prison being moved there. [Trib]
-> Sen. Harry Reid confirmed former Sen. Larry Pressler as a member of the LDS Church last weekend after originally introducing him to the Book of Mormon. [DNews]
-> The Midvale slag site, which was once full of toxic contaminants, is now being heralded as a national model for cleanup. [DNews]
-> Salt Lake County and Murray leaders are launching Utah's first rainwater collection program to battle record-low levels of spring runoff. [DNews] [Fox13]
-> A reporter spent time at the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District to learn ways Utahns can conserve water. [ABC4]
-> A West Jordan veteran received medals from Rep. Mia Love yesterday for his service in World War II. [DNews]
-> Despite Salt Lake City's multiple closing golf courses, the courses in Ogden and Davis County are getting closer and closer to getting out of the red. [Standard]
-> Cottonwood Heights is holding an open house next Thursday to discuss the future of Fort Union Boulevard. [DNews]
Nationally: Democratic presidentail candidate Hillary Clinton visited New Hampshire just after the GOP candidates did, and expressed sentiment that they seem to "be talking about only me." [WaPost] [Politico] [ABC]
-> President Barack Obama signaled over the weekend that he is open to legalizing medical marijuana, saying that we should follow the science behind the issue as opposed to the ideology. [TheHill] [IBTimes] [Guardian]
-> Likely GOP presidential candidate Jeb Bush is planning a summer trip to Europe to boost his global economic and national security background. [CNN] [Reuters] [TheHill]
Where are they?
Rep. Jason Chaffetz returns to Washington and presides over the mark-up of a Resolution of Disapproval moving through committee.
Rep. Chris Stewart travels to Washington, discusses rural broadband issues with constituents and attends a House Intelligence Committee meeting.
Gov. Gary Herbert meets with Isaac Jacobson with the Orem Owlz, gives an Armenian Remembrance Day declaration, meets with Kaydor Aukatsang, Representative of the Dalai Lama to the Americans, and attends the state of sport awards.
Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox attends the state of sports awards.
President Barack Obama tapes an interview with Chris Matthews at the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce on trade promotion authority, welcomes Kevin Harvick and his Stewart-Haas Racing team members to the White House to honor his 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship, and holds a reception to thank the majority of Congress who supported healthcare bill HR2.
Got a tip? A birthday, wedding or anniversary to announce? Email us at cornflakes@sltrib.com. If you haven't already, sign up for our weekday email and get this sent directly to your inbox. [Trib] — Thomas Burr and Erica Palmer Twitter.com/thomaswburr and Twitter.com/erica_palmer