This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated.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

Trump says black pastors canceled endorsement after pressure from 'Black Lives Matter.' Poll: 57 percent of Utahns like signature gathering process for primary ballot. Tributes to Olene Walker.

Happy Monday. Presidential candidate Donald Trump says he thinks a group of black pastors meeting with him today had planned to endorse him for president but were pressured out of it because he "believes all lives matter." "Probably some of the Black Lives Matter folks called them up and said, 'Oh, you shouldn't be meeting with Trump because he believes all lives matter,'" Trump said Monday on MSNBC's "Morning Joe." [http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_GOP_2016_TRUMP_MINISTERS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2015-11-30-08-08-06" target="_blank">AP]

Topping the news: Some 57 percent of Utahns want the ability to get on the primary ballot by gathering signatures while 25 percent back the Utah GOP's effort to keep the convention process, a new poll shows. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/7783-" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]

-> Sen. Orrin Hatch, who was once an ally to President Barack Obama's trade plans, may help fight against the latest transpacific-trade proposal. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3207547-155/once-an-obama-ally-on-trade" target="_blank">Trib]

-> The Utah Republican Party cannot prevent office-seekers from gathering signatures to secure a spot on the primary election ballot, according to a formal determination by Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3206567-155/utah-elections-boss-says-candidates-can" target="_blank">Trib] But some are not satisfied with his declaration. [http://kuer.org/post/clarification-lt-govenor-not-enough-utah-gop-wants-utah-supreme-court-rule-sb54" target="_blank">KUER]

-> Democrats will be allowed to let unaffiliated voters cast ballots in their June primaries, state elections officials say. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3227864-155/utah-dems-will-be-able-to" target="_blank">Trib] [http://kuer.org/post/federal-ruling-sb54-case-doesnt-apply-utah-democratic-party" target="_blank">KUER]

Tweets of the week: From http://twitter.com/samsteinhp" target="_blank">@samsteinhp: "What are the chances that of the 300m people in the US, only two saw Muslims in New Jersey cheering 9/11 and both are prez candidates!"

From http://twitter.com/FrankConniff" target="_blank">@FrankConniff: "Bet the detectives Trump sent to Hawaii to investigate Obama's birth certificate could break this whole Jersey Muslim 9/11 thing wide open!"

From http://twitter.com/pmarca" target="_blank">@pmarca: "Do you think Donald Trump goes through life wondering why no other adults accuse one another of being dummies?"

Opinion section: Eric C. Ewert, Ph.D., a professor of geography at Weber State University, expands on the decline of the once-Great Salt Lake. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3192874-155/op-ed-the-decline-of-the-once" target="_blank">Trib]

-> A group of social and mental health professionals along with LGBT advocates and others invite Utahns to focus efforts on facilitating individual self-determination and doing no harm when participating in gender and sexuality debates. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3224396-155/op-ed-time-has-come-for-a" target="_blank">Trib]

-> D. Kurt Graham, the director of the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum in Independence, Mo., says the LDS Church's policy change involving children of gay couples is part of a conservative movement within the church. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3224417-155/op-ed-lds-policy-change-is-part" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Marion Bishop, a resident of Logan, believes all God's children deserve love and community. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3197879-155/op-ed-all-gods-children-deserve-love" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Anne McMullin Peffer, a sixth-generation Mormon, who considers herself to have been a Mormon feminist since early childhood and no longer believes in the religion, explains how women share the plight of oppression with LGBT Mormons. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3224379-155/op-ed-women-share-the-plight-of" target="_blank">Trib]

-> David Folland, M.D., a retired pediatrician and volunteer co-leader for Salt Lake City Chapter of the non-partisan, non-profit Citizens' Climate Lobby, encourages Utahns to both be grateful and ask for a better future. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3191650-155/op-ed-with-gratitude-ask-for-a" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Mark Innocenti, the director of research and evaluation at the Center for Persons with Disabilities at Utah State University and part of a team that developed the Utah Preschool Pay for Success model, weighs in on how it has changed lives. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3218435-155/op-ed-pay-for-success-model-changes" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Matt Pacenza, executive director of HEAL Utah, says that although Rocky Mountain Power charges that the group's points are false, they haven't disproved HEAL Utah's claims. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3228022-155/op-ed-rocky-mountain-power-calls-us" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Eric Balken, a Utah native and executive director of Glen Canyon Institute, questions whether the Colorado River would provide for a pipeline for Lake Powell. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3218393-155/op-ed-if-lake-powell-pipeline-is" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Rep. Brad Wilson, the House majority assistant whip who represents District 15 in Davis County, delves into how the nation's "experiment" with freedom endures. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3234628-155/op-ed-our-great-nations-experiment-with" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Herman Daniels Jr., a Navajo Nation Council Delegate representing Shonto, Naa'tsis'Áán, Oljato and Ts'ah Bii Kin, disagrees with Rep. Rob Bishop and says Native Americans in Utah want Bears Ears protected. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3234452-155/op-ed-bishop-is-wrong-utahs-native" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Paul Rolly suggests Utahns do more "thanks-living" each day [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3222752-155/rolly-maybe-we-should-do-a" target="_blank">Trib] and feels that Utah's nonprofit disclosure law should remain in place. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3228579-155/rolly-utahs-nonprofit-disclosure-law-should" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Pat Bagley gives his take on Trump Matters [http://www.sltrib.com/home/3224420-155/bagley-cartoon-trump-matters" target="_blank">Trib] and the coalition to defeat ISIS. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3235758-155/bagley-cartoon-coalition-to-defeat-isis" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Frank Pignanelli and LaVarr Webb share what politicians say as they celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865642618/Politicos-gather-round-the-Thanksgiving-table.html" target="_blank">DNews]

Week in review: Sen. Hatch said last week the Senate Finance Committee has found a way to continue road projects without raising taxes. [http://kutv.com/news/local/sen-hatch-congress-may-cut-programs-to-finance-roads" target="_blank">KUTV]

-> Hatch also suspects the United States has to "put some boots on the ground" in the fight against ISIS. [http://fox13now.com/2015/11/24/hatch-u-s-likely-has-to-put-some-boots-on-the-ground-to-fight-isis/" target="_blank">Fox13]

-> GOP gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Johnson will debate Democratic Sen. Jim Debakis, who is not running for governor but wants to voice his position on issues, starting in December. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3227267-155/gop-utah-governor-candidate-johnson-to" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865642473/GOP-Utah-governor-candidate-to-debate-Democratic-lawmaker.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://kutv.com/news/local/gop-utah-governor-candidate-to-debate-democratic-lawmaker" target="_blank">KUTV]

-> The day after Gov. Gary Herbert voiced his support for more rigorous refugee screening, the White House sent governors a letter touting the process the country has. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3211948-155/white-house-sends-utah-gov-gary" target="_blank">Trib] [http://kutv.com/news/videos/utah-may-not-have-much-say-in-getting-refugees" target="_blank">KUTV]

-> Gov. Herbert said he now wishes he had vetoed a sweeping election overhaul that the Legislature passed in 2014 and instead let a grass-roots ballot initiative go forward. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3219561-155/herbert-wishes-hed-vetoed-sb54-gop" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Those endorsing a new "scattered" model for small homeless shelters approved last week by Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker's commission on homelessness are seeking a $20 million initial appropriation and $7 million in annual funding from state lawmakers. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3218626-155/city-and-county-to-seek-27" target="_blank">Trib] [http://kutv.com/news/local/salt-lakes-3-part-plan-to-address-homelessness" target="_blank">KUTV] [http://kuer.org/post/salt-lake-city-county-leaders-ask-state-money-build-new-homeless-shelters" target="_blank">KUER]

-> After being chosen to lead of Utah's network of technical colleges, Sen. Aaron Osmond announced that he is stepping away from the job and also resigning from the Senate this week. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3219364-155/osmond-steps-down-from-senate-and" target="_blank">Trib]

-> SLCC student Deyvid Morales has created an app to help "dreamer" undocumented immigrants, like himself, find scholarships for college. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3160755-155/utah-activist-makes-app-to-help" target="_blank">Trib]

-> State education managers plan to present a revised a set of new science standards, which clarify the impact of human activity on climate change, to the state school board this week. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3227609-155/science-standards-to-go-before-utah" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Salt Lake City is one of five places in the United States offering the acclaimed bioEYES program, giving students a hands-on science experience. [http://fox13now.com/2015/11/29/bioeyes-program-gives-utah-students-hands-on-science-experiences/" target="_blank">Fox13]

-> Utah lawmakers are focusing on early childhood education. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865642477/Early-childhood-education-an-emerging-focus-for-lawmakers.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> Congress has recently ruled on a new education bill to allow states more power over local schools. [http://kutv.com/news/videos/decker-education" target="_blank">KUTV]

-> A St. George judge amended a court order that would have allowed a murder defendant's lawyers to depose all of Utah's 29 county attorneys to determine why some seek the death penalty and some don't. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3234040-155/judge-defendant-cant-depose-utah-prosecutors" target="_blank">Trib]

-> In a civil trial scheduled to start Jan. 19, the Justice Department plans to show how municipal governments in Hildale and Colorado City discriminate against people who do not follow FLDS leaders and how Warren Jeffs runs the FLDS from prison. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3192047-155/trial-to-explore-how-warren-jeffs" target="_blank">Trib] [http://fox13now.com/2015/11/26/big-names-on-the-witness-lists-in-justice-dept-lawsuit-against-polygamous-towns/" target="_blank">Fox13]

-> A company accused of using unpaid laborers from a Utah-based polygamous group to pick pecans says the women and children were picking up fallen nuts, not working as employees. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865642356/Company-says-kids-from-polygamous-towns-werent-employees.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://kutv.com/news/local/company-says-kids-from-polygamous-towns-werent-employees" target="_blank">KUTV] [http://fox13now.com/2015/11/25/company-claims-flds-children-used-in-harvest-werent-employees/" target="_blank">Fox13]

-> An organization that assists women and children fleeing polygamy is offering refuge in a newly remodeled home in Draper. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3238361-155/draper-home-to-serve-as-refuge" target="_blank">Trib] [http://fox13now.com/2015/11/26/a-new-home-for-people-leaving-utahs-closed-polygamous-communities/" target="_blank">Fox13]

-> A West Jordan building for victims of domestic violence has shown promise. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865642614/Olene-Walker-Utahs-first-and-only-female-governor-dies-at-age-85.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> Though Utah has been labeled as the "worst state for women," experts say the first step to improving the gender pay gap is to understand it. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865642670/Men-and-women-Understanding-the-wage-gap-is-first-step-in-closing-it.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> An organization designed to help women succeed is including men in the process. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865642669/ElevateHer-counts-men-as-allies-in-push-to-help-women-succeed.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> A local program matches refugee families from other countries with Utahns who volunteer to mentor them. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3223393-155/rewarding-program-matches-refugees-in-utah" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Donations are needed for 600 refugee families in Utah. [http://kutv.com/news/local/donations-needed-for-600-refugee-families-in-utah" target="_blank">KUTV]

-> The SL District Attorney's Office declined to file charges against a man who left a gun in State Capitol earlier this fall in order to protest mass shootings. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865642487/DA-declines-to-file-charges-against-man-who-left-rifle-at-Capitol.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://kutv.com/news/videos/unhappy-over-no-charges-filed" target="_blank">KUTV]

-> The FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice are now cooperating with a request from the state attorneys prosecuting former Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff to produce the evidence they had previously withheld, new court papers say. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3231565-155/fbi-justice-department-cooperating-with-shurtleffs" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865642496/Shurtleff-prosecutor-working-with-feds-to-get-withheld-evidence.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://fox13now.com/2015/11/25/feds-may-be-producing-info-in-shurtleff-swallow-corruption-cases/" target="_blank">Fox13]

-> A judge allowed Jeremy Johnson to return home for Thanksgiving after a trial on his connections to a possible gag order violation. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3227530-155/jeremy-johnson-avoids-jail-in-connection" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865642489/Judge-doesnt-allow-Jeremy-Johnson-to-represent-himself-in-fraud-case.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> The Salt Lake County Council has nominated two incumbents and one of its own members for three open positions on the Central Utah Water Conservancy District board. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3228693-155/sl-county-submits-water-board-nominees" target="_blank">Trib]

-> The SL Co. Council vetted its first nominees for the Mountainous Planning District, many of whom had previous experience. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3228956-155/county-council-vets-first-planning-nominees" target="_blank">Trib]

-> The SL Co. Council also gave preliminary approval for the 2016 budget. [http://kuer.org/post/county-council-poised-pass-budget-money-criminal-justice-reforms" target="_blank">KUER]

-> Despite fining Hispanic University of Utah $3 million in 2013 and ceasing registration the year before, the Utah Division of Consumer Protection says it's difficult to prevent similar scams. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3170018-155/diploma-mill-is-biggest-case-for" target="_blank">Trib]

-> In wake of the controversy awarding a convict with the Phil Lyman award, urban counties may form a "big county caucus" in January. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3235077-155/urban-counties-may-form-caucus-in" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Salt Lake County health officials warn those eating Thanksgiving leftovers of potential food poisoning. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3228990-155/county-health-officials-warn-of-food" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865642491/Health-experts-encourage-safe-food-handling-of-Thanksgiving-leftovers.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> The Salt Lake City International Airport ranks No. 6 in the nation for healthy food. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3224005-155/utah-airport-ranks-no-6-in" target="_blank">Trib]

-> State Sen. Mark Madsen plans to revive his debate over medical marijuana after falling one vote short last time around. [http://www.good4utah.com/news/top-stories/debate-over-medical-marijuana-set-to-return-to-utahs-capitol-hill" target="_blank">ABC4]

Nationally: Last week GOP candidates Ben Carson and Donald Trump both claimed they saw Muslims cheering on 9/11, [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/11/ben-carson-donald-trump-muslim-september-11-claim-216162" target="_blank">Politico] which has earned the pair scrutiny from fellow Americans like Sen. John McCain, who said Trump's rhetoric is turning Muslims against America. [http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/261443-trumps-rhetoric-turning-muslims-against-the-us-mccain-says" target="_blank">TheHill]

-> Carson made a visit to Jordan during the weekend, where he met Syrian refugees applauded the Jordanian government for taking in their neighbors. [http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/28/politics/ben-carson-jordan-syrian-refugees/index.html" target="_blank">CNN]

-> Following a terrorist attack that captured global attention, Paris will host a conference this week where world leaders, including President Barack Obama, will talk about a new global approach to climate change. [http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-34960051" target="_blank">BBC]

-> Police arrested four people in connection with a shooting in Minneapolis last week where five were shot during a Black Lives Matter demonstration. [http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/26/us/4-arrested-in-shooting-at-black-lives-matter-protest-are-identified.html?_r=0" target="_blank">NYTimes]

-> A gunman targeted people in a Colorado Springs, Colo., Planned Parenthood building, which left at least three dead and injured nine. [http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/11/28/some-details-emerge-on-planned-parenthood-shooter.html" target="_blank">AlJazeera]

Where are they?

  • Rep. Jason https://twitter.com/jasoninthehouse" target="_blank">Chaffetz returns to Washington, meets with the Bears Ears Coalition and manages House floor time for the Breast Cancer Research Stamp Reauthorization Act of 2015.
  • President Barack https://twitter.com/BarackObama" target="_blank">Obama participates in a bilateral meeting with President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China and the COP21 climate conference. He takes a family photo with leaders of other countries participating in the event, eats at a lunch hosted by President Francois Hollande of France, sits down with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India for another bilateral meeting and contributes to a Mission Innovation Event with other leaders. He later attends a working dinner.
  • 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