Poll: Matheson leads all challengers. Romney tops in N.H. Huntsman serves dinner in Utah.

Happy Tuesday. Some must-see numbers out of the Deseret News poll: Rep. Jim Matheson leads all Republicans and Reps. Stephen Sandstrom and Carl Wimmer are close for the GOP nod. [DNews]

Robert Gehrke analysis, via Twitter: "Interesting stuff out of the DNews-KSL poll today. Matheson 50+ against all Republicans in the 4th. Net negative opinion of Wimmer. ... Also floor seems to be 35% (where little known Jay Cobb is) but Wimmer/Sandstrom don't the needle much. Low 'undecided' surprising."

Topping the news: Mitt Romney leads New Hampshire by double digits as Jon Huntsman drops behind Rep. Ron Paul -- again. [LATimes]

-> Continuing a long tradition, Huntsman serves Christmas dinner to the homeless in SLC. [KUTV] [Fox13] [ABC4]

-> State Sen. Ben McAdams wants to take on payday lenders and make them file future legal cases in courts where loans originate. [Trib]

-> Some of Utah's cities and towns are spending the proceeds from the state's beer tax on causes that don't have anything related to preventing or prosecuting alcohol offenses. [Trib]

Today's news: Utah Policy insiders suggest their Near Year's resolutions. [UtahPolicy]

-> 2012 may be the end of the year for the Mayan calendar, but for SLC, it's just the start. [Trib]

-> A federal suit out of northern Utah could alter range management. [Trib]

-> Bryan Schott and Bob Bernick continue their countdown of the top political stories of the year with No. 4: Rep. Jason Chaffetz not challenging Sen. Orrin Hatch. [UtahPolicy]

Tweet of the day: From @RealClearScott: "Here's what actually happens on #iacaucus night. Red-white-and-blue sequined shoe boxes! bit.ly/sPK2CM"

Flashback: How well did you pay attention to the news this year? Take a test on political happenings of 2011 and let us know how you do. [MiamiHerald]

Opinion section: The Utah Association of Counties takes on The Tribune over RS2477 roads. [Trib]

-> A Sandy bagpiper offers a fun take on why horse-drawn carriages are good for the horses. [Trib]

-> George Pyle looks back at some sad journalism problems this year. [Trib]

-> Pat Bagley suggests one item Santa doesn't want. [Trib]

-> Paul Rolly says if Republicans don't nominate Romney, there could be a backlash by Mormon Republicans. [Trib]

-> Government and God can co-exist, says a West Valley City author. [Trib]

-> A retired Foreign Service officer says the LDS Church needs to be more inclusive to Democrats. [Trib]

-> Connor Boyack challenges the Daily Herald on its editorial about Highland's food freedom ordinance. [Herald]

-> LaVarr Webb and Frank Pignanelli offer their take on what Utah politicians really wanted from Santa. [DNews]

-> A fascinating take from ex-Sen. Bob Bennett on why Newt Gingrich is wrong about trying to impeach judges for unpopular decisions. [DNews]

-> Tribune managing editor Terry Orme looks back at what 2011 brought and what 2012 might bring. [Trib]

2012 watch: Newt Gingrich's rise has opened up the field -- for Romney. [TPM]

-> The New York Times takes a deep look at Romney's time at Harvard, where he got a business degree and law degree in four years. [NYTimes]

-> If Ron Paul wins Iowa, it could be a free-for-all headed into New Hampshire and the rest of the contests. [DailyCaller]

-> Huntsman has faced PolitiFact's Truth-o-meter 15 times and only received one "pants on fire rating." [PolitiFact]

-> Romney: It's all about the economy, voters. [NYTimes] [WaTimes]

-> High Country News columnist says Huntsman is the best-qualified Republican candidate. [HCN]

-> Mike Huckabee, who bested Romney four years ago in Iowa, says his former opponent could win the Hawkeye State. [NYPost]

-> Speakers at a forum on faith all agree, there's still a "Mormon problem" that Romney will face. [KYPost]

-> George H.W. Bush endorses Romney. [Globe]

Weekend in review: The Tribune names SLC Police Chief Chris Burbank as its Utahn of the Year. [Trib]

-> ABC4 recounts its top 2011 stories. [ABC4]

-> Bagley looks back at headlines from 1911. [Trib]

-> "Nerd" has become the new word in Congress -- with Rep. Jason Chaffetz using it twice recently. [TheHill]

-> Salt Lake City is considering a new rule to allow billboards to be converted into electronic signs as long as another billboard is taken down. [DNews]

-> A state lawmaker wants to take Utah off the daylight savings clock switch. [DNews]

-> Occupy protesters lay out their 2012 plans: be loud and unavoidable. [Trib]

-> Capitol Theatre will be renovated soon to expand the downtown performance hall. [Trib]

-> EnergySolutions has won a three-month extension on the Moab tailings removal project while the federal government ways its protest over a lost bid. [Trib]

-> A City Weekly writer offers a colorful take on attending a Christmas party at the Governor's Mansion. [CityWeekly]

-> In Utah, unwed fathers rarely win in attempts to stop adoptions. (The first of four parts). [Trib]

-> And in part two, a would-be dad says misplaced trust cost him his son. [Trib]

-> Would Jesus occupy? The religious community is divided. [Trib]

-> A Salt Lake Tribune poll of voters nationally show that a solid majority would be comfortable voting for a Mormon presidential candidate. About one in four voters, though, expressed discomfort with the idea. [Trib]

-> Polygamy -- cited as the No. 1 concern for those would said they would be uncomfortable voting for a Mormon for president -- remains PR problem for the church. [Trib]

Got a tip? A birthday, wedding or anniversary to announce? Email us at cornflakes@sltrib.com.

-- Thomas Burr
Twitter.com/thomaswburr