VP Mike Pence’s staff ‘updated’ his itinerary after advertising a meeting with the president of Peru — the one who resigned 3 weeks ago. The Department of Interior will raise park entrance fees by $5 after outcry over a proposal to double the cost. Utah regulators find it hard to crack down on wood-smoke offenders.
Happy Friday. Vice President Mike Pence will visit Peru today for the Summit of the Americas. One of the itinerary highlights advertised recently by his office was “a banquet hosted by President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski of Peru.” The problem is, as of three weeks ago, Kuczynski was no longer president of the country — he was forced out amid scandal. Now an “updated“ schedule released early this morning says Pence will attend “a banquet hosted by President Martín Vizcarra of Peru.” [WaPost]
Topping the news: Interior officials have backed away from plans to double entrance costs at some national parks, but a $5 fee increase is expected to go into effect come June. [Trib] [DNews] [ABC4] [KSL]
-> Even after dozens of complaints by residents, Utah regulators still struggle to find wood-smoke violators. [Trib]
Tweets of the day: From @MEPFuller: “I can report: The Eagle Cam was offline so the House Press Gallery is currently broadcasting a Puppy Cam and they are reddish golden retrievers so basically my productivity is shot today.”
-> From @ShawnReynolds_: “People: ‘How did Facebook collect my personal data?!’ Also people: ‘Alexa, what’s my social security number again?’”
Happy Birthday: To former state Sen. Scott Jenkins. And on Sunday to state Rep. Scott Chew.
Behind the Headlines: Tribune reporters Courtney Tanner, Luke Ramseth, Taylor Anderson and Kyle Goon, as well as editorial page editor George Pyle, join KCPW’s Roger McDonough to talk about the week’s top stories, including voter redistricting in San Juan County and the Utah Jazz making it back in the playoffs. Each Friday at 9 a.m., stream “Behind the Headlines” online at kcpw.org or tune in to KCPW 88.3 FM or Utah Public Radio for the broadcast.
In other news: State Rep. Lynn Hemingway announced that he is withdrawing from the race for his Utah House District 40 seat citing concerns about his wife’s health. [DNews] [Fox13]
-> Col. Lawrence Wilkerson criticized President Donald Trump and U.S. foreign policy during his forum at the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics on Thursday. [ABC4]
-> Pat Bagley suggests House Speaker Paul Ryan doesn’t want to participate in Trump’s battles anymore. [Trib]
-> Robert Gehrke analyzes the LDS Church’s stance on medical marijuana and how it differs from state to state. [Trib]
-> Michelle Quist breaks down how Utah widens the gender pay gap. [Trib]
Nationally: In a newly published memoir, former FBI director James Comey details his behind-the-scenes conversations with President Donald Trump. [WaPost]
-> In a reversal of previous statements, Trump said he would reconsider joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a deal that he has often criticized and withdrew from last January. [NYTimes]
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— Courtney Tanner and Eric Baker