This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Shurtleff denies poker accusation. Obamacare delays may continue. Poll numbers drop for Congress and the president.
Happy Wednesday. Meet the mysterious smiling woman who used to be the face of the Obamacare health exchange. She's an immigrant from Colombia who agreed to receive free family photos if the government could use her image on the federal website. [ABCNews]
Topping the news: The federal online health insurance marketplace will unlikely be ready by the end of the month as previously promised by the White House. The software is still unable to handle high-capacity traffic, and contractors have only fixed about 60 percent of the problems. [WaPost]
-> Former Attorney General Mark Shurtleff appeared on Trib Talk and said he never discussed the legality of processing online-poker back in 2010. Shurtleff said the discussion centered on whether online-poker was a game of chance or skill and the legal ramifications behind both options. [Trib] [KUTV] Video of Shurtleff on Trib Talk: [Trib]
Tweets of the day: From @SenJohnMcCain: "Watched #Homeland last night - isn't that Senator a real jerk? Like some I know!"
-> From @OKnox: "I know it's @sentedcruz but sometimes my brain processes it as @scentedcruz which is terrible and wrong."
Happy birthday: To former state Sen. Ross Romero and the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Stephanie Hugie, a native Utahn.
In other news: House investigators looking into Attorney General John Swallow issued three more subpoenas to Jeremy Johnson, Tim Lawson and a payday-loan chain. [Trib] [DNews]
-> Lawson, known in some circles as Shurtleff's fixer, concerned some within the attorney general's office, so much that they asked that his conduct be reviewed for potential criminal charges. [Trib]
-> Salt Lake County approved nearly $10 million in Zoo, Arts and Parks tax, elevating Art Access/VSA Utah to top tier status. [Trib]
-> The Utah Department of Health is beginning second-tier of the three tier process to investigate the health risks involved with the medical-waste incinerator owned by Stericycle. [DNews]
-> The Utah Nurses Association has endorsed Medicaid expansion and plans to hold a rally next week to press state leaders into using this option to cover the poor. [Trib]
-> The Davis County Board of Health is looking to limit the amount of nicotine used in e-cigarettes, and to require proper labeling for all ingredients of the liquid used. The proposal would also ban advertisements that say it is a healthy alternative to smoking. [Trib]
-> Construction has begun in Brigham City for the state's third "diverging diamonds interchange" where motorists temporarily drive on the wrong side of the road. [Trib]
-> The new Sugar House Streetcar line will open with a promotional free ride on Dec. 7 and then a $1 fare the following day. After the line officially opens, riders who pay electronically will be charged the $1 fare, where customers who pay in cash will be charged $2.50. [Trib]
-> The Salt Lake City Council approved a new transportation plan for Sugar House, with the goal of turning the area into more of a walkable community. [Trib]
-> Salt Lake County Council has a difficult decision to make when it and its planning staff decide how to update the Foothill and Canyons Overlay Zone. Drinking water resources will remain a top priority, but they must also face the reality that ski resorts are not just winter businesses, but cater to summer crowds as well. [Trib]
-> A man who was recently acquitted for murder in Salt Lake City was deported back to his home country of Belize for felony illegal re-entry of a deported alien and possession of a firearm and ammunition by an illegal alien. [Trib] [DNews] [KUTV]
Nationally: Polls show Congress and President Barack Obama hit all-time lows in their approval rating. Congress is at 9 percent, while the president is at 39 percent. [CBSNews]
-> Former President Bill Clinton said that President Barack Obama should honor his promise that those who liked their health care coverage could keep it under the Affordable Care Act. [BuzzFeed] [Politico] [CNN] [NYTimes]
-> Hawaii is about to become the 12th state to legalize same-sex marriages, after its state Senate approved such a bill. [WaPost]
Where are they?
Gov. Gary Herbert attends the annual EDCUtah meeting, participates in the Utah Developmental Disabilities Council, discusses Medicaid and hosts the Uplift Families dinner.
SL Co. Mayor Ben McAdams attends the Utah Association of Counties Annual Convention.
SLC Mayor Ralph Becker remains in Seattle for the National League of Cities Congress of Cities and Exposition.
WVC Mayor Mike Winder also takes part in the National League of Cities Congress.
President Barack Obama meets with faith leaders in the Oval Office to discuss immigration, delivers remarks at the 2013 Tribal Nations Conference at the Department of Interior, meets with Secretary of State Kerry in the Oval Office and then Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel.
Got a tip? A birthday, wedding or anniversary to announce? Email us at cornflakes@sltrib.com. If you haven't already, sign up for our weekday email and get this sent directly to your inbox. [Trib]
— Matt Canham and Jordan Bailey Twitter.com/mattcanham and Twitter.com/thejordanbailey