This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated.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

Self-described socialist Sanders to jump into 2016 race. Utah officials react to same-sex marriage arguments. Romney aide declines run against Sen. Lee.

Happy Wednesday. Sen. Bernie Sanders, "a blunt self-described socialist who has become a favorite of progressive activists for his denunciations of big banks and the financial elite," is expected to jump into the 2016 presidential race tomorrow, becoming the second to challenge Hillary Clinton's bid for the White House. Former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee jumped in this month. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/04/28/bernie-sanders-to-launch-presidential-bid-thursday/" target="_blank">WaPost] [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/04/bernie-sanders-2016-presidential-run-117433.html?hp=l2_4" target="_blank">Politico] [http://digital.vpr.net/post/bernie-sanders-announce-presidential-run" target="_blank">VPR] [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/28/bernie-sanders-presidential-campaign_n_7165270.html" target="_blank">HuffPost] [http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2015/04/28/bernie-sanders-would-be-first-official-challenger-to-hillary-clinton/" target="_blank">WSJ]

Topping the news: Here's how Utah's officials reacted to the oral arguments that were heard in the Supreme Court today on the specifics of the states' role in the legalization of same-sex marriage. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2451333-155/utahns-react-to-same-sex-marriage-arguments" target="_blank">Trib] [http://fox13now.com/2015/04/28/utah-officials-discuss-same-sex-marriage-and-supreme-court-arguments/" target="_blank">Fox13] [http://fox13now.com/2015/04/26/scotus-to-hear-oral-arguments-on-same-sex-marriage-tuesday-utahns-weigh-in-on-issue/" target="_blank">Fox13] [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/us-supreme-court-hears-arguments-in-marriage-equal/22131/_vhbUbE_IUafke0qYH9loQ" target="_blank">ABC4] And some select quotes from the arguments: [http://www.standard.net/News/2015/04/28/What-they-said-Supreme-Court-quotes-on-gay-marriage.html" target="_blank">AP].

-> Both supporters and opponents of marriage equality held opposing rallies in Salt Lake City yesterday evening for their causes. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2453846-155/utahns-rally-for-and-against-same-sex" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865627519/Opposing-sides-of-same-sex-marriage-rally-as-Supreme-Court-deliberates.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://fox13now.com/2015/04/28/utahns-rally-as-scotus-hears-oral-arguments-for-same-sex-marriage/" target="_blank">Fox13]

-> Utah Reps. Chris Stewart and Rob Bishop announced the launch of a "Federal Land Action Group" yesterday to identify ways Congress can push for a transfer of federal lands to the states. [http://www.sltrib.com/home/2451901-155/bishop-stewart-launch-action-group-for" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Alex Dunn, a former Romney aide being urged to challenge Sen. Mike Lee, released a statement saying he isn't prepared for a campaign. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2453377-155/mike-lee-dodges-potential-challenger-with" target="_blank">Trib]

Tweets of the day: From https://twitter.com/StuPolitics" target="_blank">@StuPolitics: "Who has a better chance to be nominated for president: Bernie Sanders or Rick Santorum? The answer: Neither."

From @https://twitter.com/ryanbeckwith" target="_blank">ryanbeckwith: "Suggested hed if Hillary loses support from liberals to Sanders: WEAKENED AT BERNIE'S"

Happy Birthday: To state Rep. Marc Roberts, Paul Murphy, external communications director at Rocky Mountain Power, and The Utah Foundation's Dan Bammes.

Tune in: The Most Rev. John C. Wester, Catholic bishop of Salt Lake City, joins Jennifer Napier-Pearce to discuss his social justice agenda during his eight years in Utah and his new assignment as archbishop of Santa Fe. Watch Trib Talk live at 12:15 p.m. MDT on http://sltrib.com/" target="_blank">sltrib.com.

In other news: A new study seeks to pinpoint the nation's most racist areas, and found that people in the Southern and Eastern United States Google the N-word much more often than Westerners. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2451660-155/racist-google-searches-high-in-the" target="_blank">Trib]

-> The Prison Relocation Committee is holding three informational public open houses to give Utahns a chance to learn about the potential sites for the new prison. [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/prison-relocation-commission-hosting-open-houses-t/19351/5vmIvNDDREO1aQxdH_sOGg" target="_blank">ABC4]

-> Utah officials declared a victory in a 10-year effort to alleviate chronic homelessness in the state through the "Housing First" initiative, with numbers dropping 91 percent in the past decade. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2448407-155/utahs-chronic-homeless-numbers-drop-from" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865627447/Chronic-homelessness-in-Utah-down-91-percent-under-decade-long-Housing-First-initiative.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/state-officials-end-chronic-homelessness/24085/ab7j6m0VH0GAa3AGOfRdFA" target="_blank">ABC4]

-> SLC residents are split on whether they like the new parking meters in the city but older voters tend not to be most critical. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/5515-poll-salt-lake-city-s-parking-meters-could-become-political-issue" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]

-> The West Jordan City Council called an emergency meeting today to challenge Mayor Kim Rolfe's decision to put the city attorney on paid leave and escort him out of City Hall. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2447031-155/west-jordan-councilman-denounces-abuse-of" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Utah's Attorney General Sean Reyes unveiled a new public service campaign yesterday, "One with Courage," to raise awareness about child sex abuse. [http://fox13now.com/2015/04/28/new-campaign-announced-to-bring-awareness-to-child-sexual-abuse/" target="_blank">Fox13] [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/one-with-courage-aimed-to-stop-child-sex-abuse/36952/3SSjD-J1TUOlPKbolCcJVg" target="_blank">ABC4] The LDS Church donated $100,000 to the cause. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865627509/LDS-Church-donates-100000-to-combat-effects-of-child-abuse.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> Catholic Bishop John C. Wester said Americans need to reform their thinking before the political issue of immigration reform can be solved. He will be appointed later this week as archbishop of Santa Fe, N.M. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2452684-155/bishop-wester-immigration-reform-may-require" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Paul Rolly discusses the police officer who refused to ride in a Pride Parade last year and his new job at the Sutherland Institute. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2447050-155/rolly-utah-cop-who-refused-pride" target="_blank">Trib]

-> State Sen. Karen Mayne blasted the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control yesterday for alleged mistreatment of employees. [http://www.sltrib.com/entertainment/2451688-155/utah-legislator-blasts-liquor-agency-leaders" target="_blank">Trib] [http://fox13now.com/2015/04/28/lawmaker-gives-dabc-a-tongue-lashing-accuses-liquor-control-agency-of-bullying-and-spying/" target="_blank">Fox13]

-> Leaders from Nashville are visiting Salt Lake City to brainstorm how to expand mass transit with a rapidly growing population, an issue that both cities face. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2451727-155/nashville-officials-visiting-slc-for-ideas" target="_blank">Trib]

Nationally: After violent riots erupted in Baltimore over the death of a black man who in police custody, President Barack Obama expressed deep frustration at both recurring black deaths at the hands of law enforcement and the rioters' response of senseless violence and theft. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765672773/Obama-criticizes-black-deaths-by-police-but-also-rioters.html" target="_blank">AP] [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/04/baltimore-riots-larry-hogan-117414.html" target="_blank">Politico] [http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/obama-excuse-senseless-violence-baltimore/story?id=30648026" target="_blank">ABC] [http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-32503813" target="_blank">BBC]

-> A new poll says there is growing support for same-sex marriage among religious communities. [http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/27/living/poll-religion-gay-marriage/" target="_blank">CNN]

Where are they?

  • Rep. Chris https://twitter.com/RepChrisStewart" target="_blank">Stewart attends a House Intelligence Committee meeting, attends the joint meeting of Congress with the prime minister of Japan and meets with Reps. Fortenberry, Rooney and Crenshaw. Later Stewart sits down with Gov. Gary Herbert and the Utah delegation and the Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems.
  • Rep. Mia https://twitter.com/RepMiaLove" target="_blank">Love attends a joint session of Congress with the Prime Minister of Japan, a CBS weekly meeting and the meeting with Gov. Herbert.
  • Gov. Gary https://twitter.com/GovHerbert" target="_blank">Herbert attends a consumer electronics award presentation in Washington, meets with Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell, meets with Rep. Mia Love and attends a federal delegation meeting in Sen. Orrin Hatch's office.
  • Lt. Gov. Spencer https://twitter.com/SpencerJCox" target="_blank">Cox has no public events.
  • SLC Mayor Ralph https://twitter.com/beckerformayor" target="_blank">Becker has no public events.
  • President Barack https://twitter.com/BarackObama" target="_blank">Obama honors the 2015 National Teacher of the Year and finalists, meets with Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and travels to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland to visit with wounded service members.
  • 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 Erica Palmer

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