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Corroon better watch his head. Why does rural Utah support Matheson? Poll respondents clearly don't think Lee is too extreme.
It's Monday, but for the residents of Herriman it is far from a happy one. The Machine Gun Fire, caused by a spark at the Camp Williams shooting range, has destroyed four houses so far and displaced a few thousand residents. Schools in the area are closed today. [SL Trib] [D News] [KSL] [Fox13] [KUTV] [ABC4]
Gov's race: At his annual gala, Gov. Gary Herbert pulled in $700,000 from 1,400 supporters despite the criticism from his opponent, Democrat Peter Corroon, that such donations may have led to special deals. Republican Party Chairman Dave Hansen responds that Herbert's supporters "want somebody to rip Corroon's head off." [SL Trib] [D News] [KSL]
-> Utah progressives picket the governor's mansion.
-> A Democratic state Rep. has asked for an audit of UDOT following the $13 million payout to a construction firm that has become a bit of a controversy for Herbert, according to ABC4.
-> AG Mark Shurtleff says he should have been informed about the $13 million payoff but he won't investigate the governor's meetings with contributors.
-> Corroon aide admits he "blew it" with political e-mail.
Senate race: The latest Dan Jones Poll for the D News and KSL shows Republican Mike Lee with a massive lead over Democrat Sam Granato. So far Granato's claim that Lee is too extreme is not sticking.
-> The D News/KSL poll also asked who voters would have picked if Sen. Bob Bennett ran as an independent and Lee came out ahead of Bennett 37 to 32.
-> Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski picks the path Bennett rejected — a write in campaign against a tea party-backed candidate.
-> If you want to check out the KUED debate, it airs tonight at 8 p.m. MST. Or you can just check it out online.
2nd District race: So how does Rep. Jim Matheson keep winning in a district where Republicans outnumber Democrats 4 to 1? The Trib's Brandon Loomis heads to rural Utah to find some answers.
-> Republican Morgan Philpot's belief that locals should control the land, not the federal government, is at the center of his campaign.
Media watch: The New York Times reports on the D News' pro-immigrant stance and how it has angered some of its conservative readers.
Happy Birthday: To our good friend Gene Hummel.
Tweets of the weekend: @mattklewis: Whoa. Mike Lee jokes that Orrin Hatch was in law school during the William Howard Taft administration. (Matt is a columnist at Politics Daily who attended a speech Lee gave in Texas)
@governorherbert: Spent a lot of time tonight with a lot of good people. As a state, we will support them in every way we can. #HerrimanFire
Where are they? SL County Mayor Peter Corroon has a cabinet meeting. SLC Mayor Ralph Becker has no public meetings. President Barack Obama will take part in a CNBC town hall on the economy before traveling to Philadelphia to participate in a fund-raiser for Dem Senate candidate Joe Sestak. We haven't seen a schedule for Herbert yet, but here's a safe bet that both he as governor and Corroon as the mayor of the county will be out in Herriman today.
The Opinion section: Alta Mayor Tom Pollard explains his opposition to Matheson's Wasatch wilderness bill.
-> Attorney Mark Alvarez says despite some legitimate frustration, immigration reform is a fed issue.
-> Karen Crompton from Voices for Utah's Children writes that its time to pass the Dream Act. The Trib's Peg McEntee agrees.
-> Bagley's take on the Democrats perilous 2010 election chances.
Weekend roundup: Rolly reports that a group of lawmakers are trying to overthrow the House leadership, with Rep. Becky Lockhart, R-Provo, preparing a run for House speaker.
-> At a Constitution Day celebration, LDS Apostle Dallin Oaks said states, not the federal government, should define if marriage rights should be extended to gay couples. [SL Trib] [D News] [KSL]
-> The AP highlights two Utah companies owned by the same three people. One does campaign mailers, one does congressional mailers paid by taxpayers. They often look the same.
-> Meet Becker's girlfriend: Kate Kopischke.
-> Sharron Angle headlined Utah's Freedom Conference and said the group of tea party activists represent "mainstream America."
-> Following intense lobbying from both sides, Shurtleff decides to oppose a California law that bans children from buying violent video games.
-> Shurtleff says there's no way to create an Arizona style immigration bill that complies with the Constitution, but the Legislature needs to have legal alternatives.
-> Utah soldier who was determined to join the Army after 9-11 was killed in Afghanistan. [SL Trib] [D News] [KSL] [Fox13]
-> Former Senate Majority Leader Sheldon Killpack ended his fight to overturn the state's suspension of his license, though he continues to battle against the DUI charge.
-> Ethics reformer accused of violating ethics laws.
-> In tough budget times, some question the pay of school superintendents. But it appears Utah's superintendents make far less than the national average.
-> State Medicaid officials to press able-bodied recipients to get a job.
-> The DA strikes a deal with Sinclair for a new downtown home.
-> Sen. Orrin Hatch goes after "activist judges" in Constitution Day speech.
-> Rep. Jason Chaffetz says South Valley airport needs to be improved or abandoned.
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— Matt Canham Twitter.com/mattcanham<