This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated.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

Five things that could still cause a government shutdown. More resignations expected at UTA. Poll: Ben Carson leads in Utah.

Happy Friday. The bipartisan budget agreement reached last month is supposed to put an end to the fiscal fights that have dominated President Barack Obama's relationship with congressional Republicans. But that doesn't mean the threat of a government shutdown is over. Here's a look at the five things that could still spark a shutdown. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2015/11/20/the-five-things-that-could-still-force-a-government-shutdown/" target="_blank">WaPost]

Topping the news: Resignations from state Sen. Sheldon Killpack and Justin Allen from the Utah Transit Authority board are expected soon. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3203584-155/uta-resignations-by-killpack-allen-may" target="_blank">Trib] State House Speaker Greg Hughes said the recent resignations have nothing to do with a recent controversial trip to Switzerland. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865641992/Utah-House-speaker-says-UTA-resignations-not-related-to-Switzerland-trip.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://kutv.com/news/local/speaker-of-the-housse-says-uta-resignations-not-related-to-swiss-trip" target="_blank">KUTV] [http://kuer.org/post/transit-board-reacts-swiss-trip-leader-unapologetic" target="_blank">KUER]

-> A new poll shows former neurosurgeon Ben Carson leads the GOP field in Utah with 22 percent of the vote of all Utahns, and 30 percent among Republicans. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/7709-" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]

-> The new national spokeswoman for Republican Donald Trump this week falsely claimed the Department of Justice had investigated and closed down "Mormon churches," using it as a precedent for the government to shutter mosques with terrorist ties. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3201632-155/did-trump-spokeswoman-misspeak-she-says" target="_blank">Trib] [http://kutv.com/news/local/trump-spokeswoman-says-us-justice-department-shut-down-mormon-churches" target="_blank">KUTV]

-> Rep. Mia Love announced her endorsement of GOP presidential candidate Marco Rubio. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3201881-155/rep-mia-love-endorses-marco-rubio" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/11/mia-love-endorses-marco-rubio-216060" target="_blank">Politico] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865641993/Rep-Mia-Love-endorses-Marco-Rubio-for-president.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> The FBI cleared SL Co. Mayor Ben McAdams after allegations over county contracts with campaign supporters. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3202220-155/fbi-clears-salt-lake-county-mayor" target="_blank">Trib]

Tweets of the day: From http://twitter.com/DavidLifferth" target="_blank">@DavidLifferth: "Yep, 1st Christmas Card that I got this year arrived a week before Thanksgiving. The Winner is ">@SpencerJCox."

From http://twitter.com/gopTODD" target="_blank">@gopTODD: "As a life-long Republican, a "Trump-Cruz 2016" ticket would be my worst nightmare."

From http://twitter.com/Jeandioslc" target="_blank">@Jeandioslc: "Hmm, same UT Reps who berate people for fears about open carry of guns, fear refugees. Far more US deaths by gun toters than refugees."

Happy Birthday: Today to State Rep. Francis Gibson and GOP consultant Mike Deaver. Tomorrow to SL Co. Council member Arlyn Bradshaw and Rob Bishop staffer Adam Gardiner. Monday to Gary Webster, Southern Utah Director for Rep. Chris Stewart. Wednesday to Weber County Commissioner Kerry Gibson and Michael Mitchell, formerly of Equality Utah. Thursday to former state Rep. Tim Cosgrove. Next weekend to Temma Martin, former state Rep. Janice Fisher and Josh Smith.

Tune in: Tribune reporters Jennifer Dobner, Matt Canham and Christopher Smart as well as government and politics editor Dan Harrie join Jennifer Napier-Pearce to talk about the week's top news stories including the debate over Syrian refugees, more hot water for Utah Transit Authority, an investigation of Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid and Salt Lake City's first gay mayor. Listen to Behind the Headlines at 9 a.m. on KCPW and Utah Public Radio.

Programming note: Political Cornflakes will be off next week for the Thanksgiving holiday but back in your inboxes and on your computer screens bright and early on the morning of Nov. 30.

In other news: Gov. Gary Herbert is considering a special legislative session to figure out a solution to the ongoing battle over primary ballots and party nominees. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865641923/Gov-Gary-Herbert-considering-special-legislative-session-on-election-issues.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> The race for an open seat in the Utah Senate is quickly becoming popular. [http://kutv.com/news/local/race-for-open-utah-senate-seat-quickly-becoming-crowded" target="_blank">KUTV]

-> Skewed numbers from Utah College of Applied Technology may be a signal that Utah's education goal is unattainable. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3198183-155/lawmakers-wonder-if-its-possible-for" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Bryan Schott and Bob Bernick discuss this week in politics including the final results in the SLC mayoral race, the fight over SB54 and rhetoric of Syrian refugees. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/7707-Bob%20Bernick%20and%20Bryan%20Schott" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]

-> Lawyers for a southern Utah man facing a possible death penalty sentence are planning to depose all of Utah's 29 county prosecutors in an effort to show capital punishment is unconstitutional. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3201396-155/lawyers-want-to-depose-all-utah" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765681978/Lawyers-want-to-depose-all-Utah-prosecutors-on-death-penalty.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> A proposed rule against the sale of water heaters that emit pollution was pulled before it went into effect, but will get another chance in the Legislature next year. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3198636-155/proposed-utah-water-heater-pollution-rule-will" target="_blank">Trib]

-> A former Eagle Gate College adjunct instructor has filed a lawsuit against the school, accusing it of discriminating against him for his same-sex marriage. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3202276-155/lawsuit-utah-college-discriminated-against-instructor" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865641978/Former-Eagle-Gate-College-instructor-sues-school-alleges-same-sex-discrimination.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> An instructor at Salem Junior High School assigned students to draw a "terrorism propaganda poster." [http://kutv.com/news/local/utah-junior-high-school-asks-students-to-draw-terrorism-propaganda-poster" target="_blank">KUTV]

-> A Utah refinery will install new pollution-control technologies as its owner pays a $1.2 million penalty to the EPA in a settlement over alleged Clean Air Act violations. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3203169-155/utah-refinery-to-get-new-pollution" target="_blank">Trib] [http://kutv.com/news/local/slc-refinery-agrees-to-pay-12m-in-settlement-with-feds-over-emissions" target="_blank">KUTV]

-> Longtime activist and former director of the Utah chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union Carol Gnade has been named acting director of the Utah Pride Center. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3201910-155/longtime-activist-tapped-as-acting-utah" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Former Gov. Mike Leavitt told lawmakers Thursday they need take quick action on taxes. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865642007/Former-Gov-Leavitt-warns-action-needed-soon-on-taxes.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> Utah is selling used F-16s to foreign countries and Hill Air Force Base. [http://kutv.com/news/local/us-sells-used-f-16s-to-foreign-countries-including-from-hill-af-base" target="_blank">KUTV]

-> A Duchesne County recorder has been charged with assault. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865642013/Duchesne-County-recorder-charged-with-assault.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> A study has ranked Utah as a national leader in wage growth and expansion. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865641974/Utah-ranks-as-national-leader-in-job-growth-expansion.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> Though Sandy decided to remove an animal shelter gas chamber in September, several remain in Utah. [http://kuer.org/post/sandy-city-removes-animal-shelter-gas-chamber-several-more-utah-remain" target="_blank">KUER]

-> Pat Bagley gives his take on Trump's "huuuge polling numbers." [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3203953-155/bagley-cartoon-trumps-huuuge-polling-numbers" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Paul Rolly tells how a Mormon congregation at BYU-Idaho has scrapped plans for a gay-conversion-therapy discussion. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3196734-155/rolly-mormon-congregation-at-byu-idaho-scraps" target="_blank">Trib]

Nationally: GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump said he'd "absolutely" create a database of Muslims. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/11/20/donald-trump-would-certainly-and-absolutely-create-a-database-of-muslims/" target="_blank">WaPost] Fellow candidate Ben Carson compared Syrian refugees to "dogs," and others have called for bans on them entering the country, spreading fear that has escalated since last weekend's Paris attacks. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/rabid-dogs-and-muslim-id-cards-anti-islam-rhetoric-grows-in-gop/2015/11/19/1cdf9f04-8ee5-11e5-baf4-bdf37355da0c_story.html" target="_blank">WaPost]

-> The House passed a GOP-authored bill to restrict the admission of Iraqi and Syrian refugees to America by requiring extra security procedures. [http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/11/19/456651251/house-votes-to-increase-security-checks-on-refugees-from-iraq-syria" target="_blank">NPR] [http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-34870724" target="_blank">BBC]

-> Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton has announced her plan to take on the Islamic State in Syria, diverting from President Barack Obama's plan. [http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/19/politics/hillary-clinton-isis-speech/index.html" target="_blank">CNN]

-> Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders referenced former President Franklin D. Roosevelt in his defense of democratic socialism. [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/11/bernie-sanders-socialism-speech-216071" target="_blank">Politico]

Where are they?

  • Gov. Gary https://twitter.com/GovHerbert" target="_blank">Herbert holds a meeting with Chairman Manuel Heart of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and tours Summit Powder Mountain. Tomorrow he heads to the Utah Manufacturers Association annual awards banquet.
  • SLC Mayor Ralph https://twitter.com/beckerformayor" target="_blank">Becker spends time at the NewDEAL Conference in Washington and meets with delegation. He also goes to a Waterpocket Fold Diary event.
  • President Barack https://twitter.com/BarackObama" target="_blank">Obama sits down for meetings with Embassy personnel and families and departs from the Philippines en route Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Later he participates in a Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) town hall and has a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Najib Razak of Malaysia.
  • 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