This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
Herbert at 72 percent approval rating. Talks break down as government shutdown deadline nears. Hatch praises highway bill, Lee bashes it.
Happy Monday. Another day, another potential government shutdown story. GOP and Democratic leaders had planned to present a massive omnibus spending bill today that they could pass by the end of the week — but talks have broken down, meaning Congress may need to pass a short-term measure to keep the government operating past Friday. [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/12/omnibus-spending-deal-congress-216470" target="_blank">Politico]
Topping the news: Gov. Gary Herbert enjoys a 72 percent approval rating, a new poll shows, while Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox finds himself at 52 percent. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/7866-" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> Sen. Orrin Hatch is praising a new highway bill recently signed into law, while Sen. Mike Lee denounced the measure. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3266577-155/utahs-hatch-praises-highway-bill-passage" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Salt Lake City joined in urging the U.S. Supreme Court to hear and overturn a lower court decision that has halted President Barack Obama's executive actions on immigration. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3266453-155/salt-lake-city-joins-in-defending" target="_blank">Trib] [http://kuer.org/post/salt-lake-city-joins-legal-brief-support-president-obama-s-immigration-actions" target="_blank">KUER]
-> Newly released documents show that UTA sought and received federal permission to waive competitive bidding requirements to lease space in a locomotive-repair facility, only to reverse itself and open it up to bids. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3265940-155/uta-reversed-contract-stance-to-allow" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865643163/UTA-changed-bidding-process-to-make-room-for-Swiss-rail-company.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> The menorah outside a Salt Lake City's synagogue stolen and vandalized just before Hanukkah. [http://www.sltrib.com/home/3273023-155/menorah-vandalized-outside-salt-lake-city" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865643158/Menorah-stolen-from-SL-synagogue-before-start-of-Hanukkah.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://kutv.com/news/local/on-first-night-of-chanukkah-vandals-steal-famous-salt-lake-city-menorah" target="_blank">KUTV] [http://fox13now.com/2015/12/06/menorah-stolen-found-damaged-outside-utah-jewish-synagogue/" target="_blank">Fox13] [http://www.good4utah.com/news/local-news/salt-lake-city-jewish-centers-menorah-stolen-and-vandalized" target="_blank">ABC4]
Tweets of the weekend: From http://twitter.com/StephenKing" target="_blank">@StephenKing: "Donald Trump is like the crazy, ranting uncle you hope your friends will never meet."
From http://twitter.com/RexHuppke" target="_blank">@RexHuppke: "Pretty bummed Obama's speech didn't include a plan for defeating ISIS by hating people or building a big-ass wall. https://twitter.com/hashtag/lame?src=hash">#lame"
From http://twitter.com/johncardillo" target="_blank">@johncardillo: "Tonight on TV I saw an honest assessment of Islamic terror and how to effectively fight it by watching Homeland and ignoring Obama."
From http://twitter.com/JonahLupton" target="_blank">@JonahLupton: "If there was a drinking game where we took a shot every time Obama said something smart during tonight's speech...we'd all still be sober."
Tune in: Jennifer Dailey of the Utah Academy of Family Physicians, Utah Smoke Free Association's Tad Jensen and Tribune writer Robert Gehrke join Jennifer Napier-Pearce to talk about vaper regulation. Watch Trib Talk live at 12:15 p.m. MT on http://sltrib.com/" target="_blank">sltrib.com.
Opinion section: Scott Berry, a Salt Lake City resident and president of Wild Utah Project Board, says a grazing decision has cost Utahns a great "library" in the Tushar Mountains. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3256448-155/op-ed-grazing-decision-cost-us-a" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Howard Lehman, a professor of political science at the University of Utah, explains how promises of the "age of idealism" is giving way to distrust from the "age of cynicism." [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3260854-155/op-ed-promise-of-age-of-idealism" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Kyle Eng, a senior at Rowland Hall and intern with Alliance for a Better Utah, describes why Healthy Utah is still the best solution for the state's current Medicaid dilemma. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3261588-155/op-ed-healthy-utah-still-looks-like" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Michael Jensen, a graduate student in economics at USU, and fellow Strata affiliate William Shughart, research director of the Independent Institute and professor in USU's business school, urgebs rejection of the Export-Import Bank to protect U.S. businesses. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3262322-155/op-ed-dont-renew-export-import-bank-to" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Matt Huntington, an SLC resident and student at the U., says the coyote bounty is human mismanagement of the balance that should exist between predators and prey. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3261596-155/op-ed-coyote-bounty-is-human-mismanagement" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Joro Walker, the Utah director of Western Resource Advocates, asks Utahns not to let the EPA delay necessary actions for clean air. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3261552-155/op-ed-dont-let-epa-delay-action" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Members of the Utah Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights Commission and Utah Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox say hate crimes require a community-wide response. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3261576-155/op-ed-hate-crimes-require-a-community-wide" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Sherri Park, a longtime faithful member of the LDS Church in West Jordan, apologizes to LGBT friends for what she says is the faith's recent "sleight of hand." [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3261600-155/op-ed-sorry-lgbt-friends-for-lds" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Steve Washenko, a 2016 candidate for a JD/MBA at Brigham Young University who chose the LDS Church over polygamy at age 18, shares his story. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3261558-155/op-ed-at-18-i-chose-the" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Paul Rolly tells how the new science standards in Utah reflect tea party trends. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3250107-155/rolly-new-science-standards-reflect-tea" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Pat Bagley gives his take on the "ambassadors of the Lord." [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3266890-155/bagley-cartoon-ambassadors-of-the-lord" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Frank Pignanelli and LaVarr Webb explain political issues to contemplate on cold, smoggy days. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865643123/A-few-political-issues-to-contemplate-on-cold-and-smoggy-days.html" target="_blank">DNews]
Weekend in review: Rep. Chris Stewart says he's drafted a bill that may ease the mutual distrust that's grown between Americans and their federal regulators. [http://kuer.org/post/stewart-bill-would-end-fed-agency-swat-teams" target="_blank">KUER]
-> UTA bus service to ski resorts has begun. [http://fox13now.com/2015/12/06/sunday-marks-uta-change-day-start-of-ski-bus-service-to-salt-lake-area-resorts/" target="_blank">Fox13]
-> Edward Snowden spoke via satellite to guests in Park City about the NSA's Utah Data Center and data gathered at the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3270149-155/edward-snowden-talks-about-nsas-utah" target="_blank">Trib] [http://kutv.com/news/local/nsa-documents-leaker-snowden-speaks-in-park-city" target="_blank">KUTV] [http://kuer.org/post/attorney-ben-wizner-discusses-upcoming-interview-edward-snowden" target="_blank">KUER]
-> While Davis and Weber counties will collect millions of additional tax dollars for road, sidewalk and trail improvements, the state's two most populous counties, Salt Lake and Utah, will lag behind. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865643157/Davis-Weber-roads-to-reap-from-Prop-1-while-states-2-biggest-counties-lag-behind.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Utah officials submitted a preliminary licensing proposal to the federal government in the latest attempt to get the Lake Powell Pipeline approved and built. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865643112/Will-pipeline-weigh-down-your-wallet-or-buoy-your-future.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Undisclosed buyers paid $57 million for control of 490,000 mostly agricultural acres around Cove Fort in central Utah. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3256259-155/490000-acres-of-utah-ranch-land" target="_blank">Trib]
-> A new 20-acre development project broke ground in Murray on Friday. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865643067/New-20-acre-development-project-breaks-ground-in-Murray.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> One of the LDS Church's real estate companies is moving to develop church-owned farmland on Riverton's west side into residential and mixed-use neighborhoods. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3265668-155/mormon-church-real-estate-firm-plans" target="_blank">Trib]
-> A public town hall meeting will explore how the LDS Church's new same-sex family policy has affected local wards. [http://www.sltrib.com/lifestyle/faith/3263745-155/tribune-town-hall-will-explore-how" target="_blank">Trib]
-> The recent change in LDS Church policy about gay couples is not completely analogous to its stance on polygamy. [http://www.sltrib.com/lifestyle/faith/3266412-155/new-mormon-policy-on-gay-couples" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Former Gov. Olene Walker was remembered at a funeral service Friday as a leader, mother and role model. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3266693-155/former-gov-olene-walker-remembered-as" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865643084/Former-Gov-Olene-Walker-remembered-as-devoted-to-the-public-good.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://www.good4utah.com/news/top-stories/former-governor-olene-walker-remembered-as-tough-value-driven-leader" target="_blank">ABC4]
-> Despite reservations on a new science educate update that excludes God from its teachings, state school board members voted to approve it. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3265989-155/school-board-approves-update-to-utah" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865643035/State-School-Board-adopts-new-middle-school-science-standards.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://kuer.org/post/utah-adopts-new-science-standards-despite-some-criticism" target="_blank">KUER]
-> The state Board of Education hopes that if the president designates a new national monument in Utah, the state school-trust fund will be "held harmless" and land swaps will be made. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3255363-155/state-school-board-wants-land-swap" target="_blank">Trib]
-> So far 11 of Utah's 41 school districts have launched technology initiatives, according a technology specialist with the Utah Office of Education. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3191418-155/digital-devices-for-every-utah-student" target="_blank">Trib] [http://fox13now.com/2015/12/06/high-tech-tool-helps-teachers-take-students-on-virtual-field-trips/" target="_blank">Fox13]
-> A 15-year-old student, who allegedly admitted he lied about seeing a man with a weapon inside Pleasant Grove High School last week, has been arrested on suspicion of making a false report and terroristic threats. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3266273-155/utah-teen-who-allegedly-lied-about" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865643083/Massive-Pleasant-Grove-High-response-not-overkill-but-the-norm-police-say.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://fox13now.com/2015/12/05/student-facing-charges-after-false-report-of-gunman-sends-hundreds-of-cops-to-pleasant-grove-school/" target="_blank">Fox13]
-> Two bar owners are facing charges after police found drugs and underaged drinkers in the building Sunday. [http://fox13now.com/2015/12/06/several-people-arrested-after-large-fight-breaks-out-at-wvc-bar/" target="_blank">Fox13]
-> A free house call program is being launched in Utah and Salt Lake counties to combat asthma. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3265948-155/salt-lake-utah-counties-kick-off" target="_blank">Trib]
-> A new facility with Intermountain Healthcare for patients who typically pick up the lion's share of costs could be the solution to making medical costs cheaper. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865643078/6Sickest-of-the-sick7-Caring-for-patients-who-account-for-lions-share-of-costs.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Though tens of thousands of people signed up with Arches Health Plan, a co-op spawned with Obamacare, the CEO blamed the federal government for the company's demise. [http://kutv.com/news/local/arches-ceo-claims-will-be-paid-feds-changed-rules-led-to-demise" target="_blank">KUTV]
-> Clean air advocates rallied in SLC on Saturday. [http://kutv.com/news/local/clean-air-advocates-rally-in-salt-lake-city" target="_blank">KUTV]
-> Attorneys on Friday set in motion a procedure for trying to find several years of missing emails in the case against St. George businessman Jeremy Johnson and top-level employees of his online marketing company. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3266347-155/search-ramping-up-for-missing-emails" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865643038/Jeremy-Johnson-associates-seek-to-delay-trial-in-iWorks-case.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Counties in Utah have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to settle boundary disputes with the Ute Tribe. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3266844-155/utah-counties-ask-us-supreme-court" target="_blank">Trib]
-> A 4th District judge has declined to put a hold on his order invalidating Utah's 2012 Public Waters Access Act, which had restricted anglers and boaters from using streams that cross privately owned ground. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3267112-155/judge-will-not-put-on-hold" target="_blank">Trib]
-> A Monticello police officer from has been arrested for alleged assault. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3267107-155/southeast-utah-police-officer-arrested-for" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Uber has launched a ride-sharing program called uberSKI for the first time in Utah. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3266542-155/uber-launches-ride-sharing-program-utah-skiers" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Utah hopes refugees will become savvy programmers, and some instruction is already being provided for them to move in that direction. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3269615-155/utah-envisions-refugees-as-savvy-programmers" target="_blank">Trib]
-> A ceremony Friday allowed 154 immigrants to become U.S. citizens. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865643054/PHOTOS-154-immigrants-become-US-citizens-during-SL-ceremony.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> A "Lost Boy" of Sudan was ordained as a deacon by Episcopal Diocese of Utah on Saturday. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865643129/Lost-Boy-of-Sudan-ordained-as-deacon-by-Episcopal-Diocese-of-Utah.html" target="_blank">DNews]
Nationally: President Barack Obama vowed to "destroy" ISIS in an address from the Oval Office Sunday. [http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/06/politics/obama-oval-office-address-isis-terror/" target="_blank">CNN] [http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/12/6/obama-Oval-Office-speech.html" target="_blank">AlJazeera] Many who heard his words noted that he said nothing new, [http://www.vox.com/2015/12/6/9859792/obama-address-san-bernardino-isis" target="_blank">Vox] and GOP candidates felt his address was "too little, too late." [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/12/06/gop-candidates-to-obama-too-little-too-late/" target="_blank">WaPost]
-> Though others already have, Attorney General Loretta Lynch is cautious in linking ISIS to last week's California attacks. [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/12/loretta-lynch-san-bernardino-california-isil-216464" target="_blank">Politico]
-> Democracy for America will begin polling its members today to decide which candidate will receive an endorsement in the Democratic presidential primary. [http://time.com/4137980/democracy-america-endorsement/" target="_blank">TIME]
-> GOP presidential candidate Marco Rubio is switching his focus to take aim at fellow GOP candidate Ted Cruz, hoping to slow his momentum. [http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/07/us/politics/marco-rubio-switching-focus-aims-to-halt-ted-cruzs-momentum.html?ref=politics&_r=0" target="_blank">NYTimes]
Where are they?
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— Thomas Burr and Mariah Noble
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