This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated.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

Embattled Kentucky clerk met secretly with Pope Francis. Judge blocks Herbert's order to cut off Planned Parenthood funding. Poll: 55% would re-elect Mike Lee.

Happy Wednesday. Kim Davis, the Kentucky clerk who went to jail rather than issue same-sex marriage licenses, met secretly with Pope Francis during his visit to Washington last week. Francis reportedly gave Davis rosaries and told her to "stay strong," according to her lawyer. [http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/30/us/county-clerk-kim-davis-who-denied-gay-couples-visited-pope.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=second-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0" target="_blank">NYTimes]

-> A new poll shows Sen. Mike Lee would get 55 percent of the vote against a challenge by Democrat Jonathan Swinton, who nabs 25 percent. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/7152-" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]

-> Utah's Rep. Jason Chaffetz said at a tense congressional hearing yesterday that Planned Parenthood raises enough money on its own and doesn't need federal funds. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3005881-155/utahs-chaffetz-says-planned-parenthood-raises" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765680517/GOP-Planned-Parenthood-spends-federal-money-on-politics.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://fox13now.com/2015/09/29/rep-chaffetz-grills-planned-parenthood-president-over-federal-funding/" target="_blank">Fox13] [http://kutv.com/news/local/house-chair-planned-parenthood-doesnt-need-federal-money-09-29-2015" target="_blank">KUTV] [http://kutv.com/news/local/planned-parenthood-president-grilled-at-house-hearing" target="_blank">KUTV] In response to some of his remarks, he's told to check his sources. [http://kutv.com/news/local/chaffetz-told-check-your-source-by-planned-parenthood-after-using-anti-abortion-material" target="_blank">KUTV]

Tweets of the day: From http://twitter.com/ConanOBrien" target="_blank">@ConanOBrien: "With Trump offending Hispanics and Ben Carson offending Muslims, which GOP candidate is going to step up and take on the Amish?"

From @http://www.twitter.com/snowden" target="_blank">snowden: "Can you hear me now?"

From http://twitter.com/MMFlint" target="_blank">@MMFlint: "NBC poll: Planned Parenthood "is the single most popular political entity" amongst the American ppl - more loved than anyone running 4 prez."

From http://twitter.com/EWErickson" target="_blank">@EWErickson: "Since Planned Parenthood says no child's ever survived an abortion, maybe PP should be in charge of carrying out death sentences in prisons."

Happy Birthday: Today to Rep. Joel Briscoe.

Tune in: University of Utah philosophy professor Peggy Battin joins Jennifer Napier-Pearce to talk about her new book and digital archive, "The Ethics of Suicide," an exhaustive historical study of suicide. Tune in to Trib Talk live at 12:15 p.m. MDT on http://sltrib.com/" target="_blank">sltrib.com.

In other news: Some Utah lawmakers are confident a government shutdown will be avoided, [http://www.good4utah.com/news/top-stories/utah-lawmakers-confident-government-shutdown-will-be-averted" target="_blank">ABC4] but others are bracing for the worst. [http://kuer.org/post/utah-braces-federal-shutdown-just-case" target="_blank">KUER]

-> Rep. Mia Love is making no apologies for spending nearly $83,000 of taxpayer money in mass mailings and communications to constituents in her first six months in office. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3005907-155/mia-love-spent-83k-on-mass" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Sen. Jim Dabakis is headed to Washington in hopes that President Barack Obama use his executive power to declare a national monument. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865637897/Dabakis-headed-to-DC-for-monument-push.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> Rep. Jake Anderegg opened a bill file to rein in speed traps after he says he was a victim of one. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3002190-155/legislator-seeks-to-rein-in-possible" target="_blank">Trib]

-> World Trade Center of Utah President Derek Miller talks to Bryan Schott about how the European refugee crisis is affecting Utah. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/7151-" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]

-> GOP candidate Jonathan Johnson is criticizing Gov. Herbert for refusing to debate him this year ahead of next year's election. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865637887/GOP-candidate-calls-on-Gov-Gary-Herbert-to-debate.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://kutv.com/news/local/gop-candidate-calls-on-gov-gary-herbert-to-debate" target="_blank">KUTV]

-> A state lawmaker wants to restore a $500,000 budget cut from the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3005672-155/legislator-seeks-to-restore-budget-cut" target="_blank">Trib]

-> The Utah law reducing sentences for certain drug crimes will go into effect tomorrow. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2992160-155/utah-law-reducing-sentences-for-certain" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865637894/New-initiative-creates-incentives-for-Utah-prison-inmates-to-get-out-early.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> The U. is asking for $200 million in private donations for scholarships and other programs. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865637890/U-asking-for-200M-in-private-donations-for-scholarships-other-programs.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> The Salt Lake County Council gave $1.8 million in funding to the Zoo, Arts and Parks program. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3006416-155/salt-lake-county-gives-out-18" target="_blank">Trib]

-> A report shows that Utahns are confident in the current economy but skeptical of the future. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865637864/Consumers-confident-about-current-economy-wary-of-future.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://kuer.org/post/survey-shows-perplexing-slump-utahns-economic-expectations" target="_blank">KUER]

-> A former South Jordan City Council candidate is suing a councilman for defamation after he was accused of bribery. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865637900/Former-South-Jordan-City-Council-candidate-sues-councilman-for-defamation-after-bribery-allegations.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> Local regulators are skeptical of the EPA's new rules, unsure if they will do much more than regulations already put in place by the state. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3006784-155/epas-new-rules-aim-to-curb" target="_blank">Trib] [http://kutv.com/news/local/epa-to-consider-utahs-revised-haze-plan" target="_blank">KUTV]

-> An LDS ec0-faith activist, who co-founded the Mormon Environmental Stewardship Alliance, fears time is running out for humans to reverse an abusive relationship with the planet. [http://www.sltrib.com/lifestyle/faith/2924532-155/mormon-eco-faith-activist-preaches-green-gospel" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Lower Mormon missionary ages has caused sports teams to scramble when filling their rosters. [http://www.sltrib.com/lifestyle/faith/2968482-155/lower-mormon-mission-age-a-game" target="_blank">Trib]

-> The LDS Church History Museum reopened with new interactive features and a focus on stories. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3006921-155/lds-church-history-museum-reopens-with" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865637902/Church-History-Museum-reopens-after-year-of-renovation.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://www.good4utah.com/news/local-news/lds-church-history-museum-reopens-with-new-exhibit" target="_blank">ABC4] The additions also acknowledge early polygamy. [http://kutv.com/news/local/mormons-acknowledge-early-polygamy-days-at-renovated-museum-09-30-2015" target="_blank">KUTV]

-> The U. is reopening an on-campus building originally used as a simulated household for students with a focus on "social responsibility." [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3001915-155/university-of-utah-re-opens-home-ec-dorm" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Many Utah homes are built atop potential landslides. [http://kutv.com/news/local/living-on-top-of-potential-disaster-utah-homes-built-on-or-near-landslides" target="_blank">KUTV]

-> Administrators at Copper Hills High School were accused of disrespecting American Indian history after a "Pocahontas" float was allowed in the homecoming parade. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3001960-155/utah-schools-pocahontas-parade-float-has" target="_blank">Trib] [http://fox13now.com/2015/09/29/pocahontas-float-at-high-school-homecoming-parade-sparks-outrage-from-native-american-students/" target="_blank">Fox13]

-> Paul Rolly compares similar actions taken by Utah men, but notes the different outcome when someone is a politician. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3005309-155/rolly-guilty-or-innocent-depends-on" target="_blank">Trib]

Nationally: Planned Parenthood's leader pushed back in a congressional hearing yesterday after she was grilled by the GOP. [http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/30/us/politics/planned-parenthood-congress-republicans.html?_r=0" target="_blank">NYTimes]

-> President Barack Obama met with Cuban President Raul Castro yesterday. [http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2015/09/29/obama-raul-castro-cuba-united-nations-violent-extremism/73025452/" target="_blank">USAToday]

-> GOP candidate Chris Christie said he's focusing his efforts on Iowa. [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/09/chris-christie-iowa-2016-214215#ixzz3nBmFEs4a" target="_blank">Politico]

-> Presidential candidates are rated from least to most factual in a chart. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/09/29/the-least-and-most-factual-2016-candidates-charted/?tid=sm_tw" target="_blank">WaPost]

-> Republican presidential hopefuls Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio are competing for financial support from Wall Street. [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/09/jeb-bush-marco-rubio-wall-street-2016-214231#ixzz3nB8763GZ" target="_blank">Politico]

Where are they?

  • Rep. Jason https://twitter.com/jasoninthehouse" target="_blank">Chaffetz conducts meetings with the Salt Lake Chamber, the president of Associated General Contractors of Utah and Utah Retired School Employees.
  • Rep. Chris https://twitter.com/RepChrisStewart" target="_blank">Stewart hits meetings with the House Intelligence Committee, the Republican Study Committee, the Utah Retired School Employees, the Defense Intelligence Agency and Western Caucus Executives. Later he addresses the SLC Chamber.
  • Rep. Mia https://twitter.com/RepMiaLove" target="_blank">Love heads to a financial services hearing, votes and holds meetings with General Contractors of Utah and with the Congressional Black Caucus.
  • Gov. Gary https://twitter.com/GovHerbert" target="_blank">Herbert testifies to the House Committee on Natural Resources, gathers for the Big 7 Principles Meeting, interviews with The Hill and meets with ex-governors in the Senate.
  • Lt. Gov. Spencer https://twitter.com/SpencerJCox" target="_blank">Cox talks with the Sevier County local officials and tours local businesses.
  • SLC Mayor Ralph https://twitter.com/beckerformayor" target="_blank">Becker speaks on a conference call with the National League of Cities executive director, attends the 2015 Children's Champion event and heads to San Jose, Calif., for California League of Cities/NLC events.
  • SL Co. Mayor Ben https://twitter.com/MayorBenMcAdams" target="_blank">McAdams hits meetings with Wasatch Front Regional Council Executive Director Andrew Gruber, Deputy Mayor Lori Bays and Herriman City Mayor Freeman. He also receives the Children's Champion Award from Voices for Utah Children at their annual luncheon and participates in the Road Home's Annual Great Salt Lake Chili Affair.
  • President Barack https://twitter.com/BarackObama" target="_blank">Obama delivers remarks to state lawmakers at the White House.
  • 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