This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Gore: America's political system 'utter catastrophe.' Biz leaders push for immigration reform. BLM vows to corral wild horses.

Happy Wednesday. Former Vice President Al Gore says the American political system is broken thanks to all the unbridled money flowing to politicians. "The American political system is an utter catastrophe," he says. "Our democracy has been hacked. The country is utterly and completely paralyzed. Hog-tied. And on a measure that will mean countless deaths in the future." [Politico]

Topping the news: Immigration reform may be stalled in Washington but Utah business leaders are urging action, saying the impacts of doing nothing are too much for immigrants and the economy. [Trib] [DNews] [UtahPolicy]

-> Meanwhile, two Utah officials met with President Barack Obama on Tuesday as he urged action on immigration reform. [Trib]

-> Staff Sgt. Patrick Watkins will receive the Distinguished Service Cross, second only behind the Medal of Honor, for his time in the U.S. Army; he may be the only Utah to receive the honor from the Vietnam War. [Trib]

-> The BLM vows to capture 200 wild horses in southern Utah and plans to have the situation under control in the next few years. [KSL]

-> An essay posted on LDS.org discusses the violent acts by early Mormons, though critics say it glosses over some terrible moments. [Trib]

Tweet of the day: From @RicCantrell: "Tonight I'm going to drive while texting revenge porn in Recapture Canyon. You can surveile me with a drone."

Happy Birthday: To former chairman of the SL Co. Democratic Party, Christian Burridge.

In other news: The Bureau of Land Management is closing nearly 20 acres of public land by the Great Salt Lake to limit exposure to hazardous waste from the US Magnesium Rowley Plant. [DNews]

-> Test your knowledge of Utah's new state tree with seven fun facts about the quaking aspen. [Trib]

-> A Utah State University study states wolves in Yellowstone National Park need their own space and resources to survive. [DNews]

-> UTA will host a "Bike Bonanza" event near the Gallivan Center on Friday. [Trib]

Nationally: A federal magistrate said Idaho's same-sex marriage ban is unconstitutional because it treats gay and lesbian couples as second-class citizens. [Politico]

-> Scientists are concerned that melting ice sheets near Antartica will cause sea levels to raise "significantly." [WSJ] [LATimes]

-> Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz says the United States may lift its ban on crude oil exports. [WSJ]

Where are they?

Gov. Gary Herbert meets with Zions Bank's Scott Anderson and attends the American Society of Civil Engineers meetings.

Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox travels to Bountiful to speak at the Davis County Women's Forum and later takes part in the Homeless Coordinating Committee meeting.

SLC Mayor Ralph Becker stays in Iowa for day two of the White House climate task force meeting.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama travel to New York to speak on transportation infrastructure and hit a couple fundraiser events in the evening.

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]

— Thomas Burr and Courtney Tanner Twitter.com/thomaswburr and Twitter.com/CourtneyLTanner