Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake says he won’t support controversial Utahn for a top State Department gig. Medical marijuana initiative will appear on Utah’s ballot this fall. Count My Vote initiative doesn’t make the cut.
Happy Wednesday. Sen. Jeff Flake wrote online Tuesday that he will not support the White House’s nominee to lead a State Department office that oversees refugees because of the man’s hardline anti-immigration rhetoric. Flake, who is not seeking re-election, is the first GOP senator to say he won’t back Ronald Mortensen, a Utahn the president tapped for a top State Department job. [Politico]
Topping the news: A ballot initiative to legalize medical marijuana will be on November’s ballot, but the Count My Vote initiative will not. [Trib]
-> U.S. Senate candidates Mitt Romney and Mike Kennedy faced off in a debate, revealing more differences in personality than ideology. [Trib] [DNews] [KSL] [KUER]
-> U.S. Rep. John Curtis questioned whether his opponent, Chris Herrod, is an “extremist,” pointing to Herrod’s views on immigration. Herrod said he was the true conservative in the race. [Trib] [DNews]
-> Democrats Kurt Weiland and Lee Castillo, who are running to face incumbent Rep. Rob Bishop in the race for Utah’s 1st Congressional District, also debated Tuesday. [Trib] [DNews]
Tweets of the day: From @PalmerReport: "In the two weeks since Melania Trump vanished, Donald Trump has: - Called her ‘Melanie’ - Claimed she was looking out a White House window when she wasn’t - Tweeted about how beautiful Hope Hicks is“
-> From @bcsproul: "In Roseanne’s defense, it’s hard to know the difference between racism that gets you fired versus racism that gets you elected President of the United States.”
-> From @MrEmilyHeller: "I love that conservatives are coming for Bill Maher as revenge for Roseanne. It’s like if I took your ice cream cone and you retaliated by adding sprinkles”
Happy birthday: To former SLC Mayor Ralph Becker.
In other news: Real Salt Lake will hold its first-ever Pride Night this evening, the first such event by professional sports team in the state. [Trib]
-> Rocky Mountain Power announced it is seeking proposals for a new alternative energy project that would focus on solar, wind and geothermal power. [Trib]
-> Tribune reporter Scott D. Pierce says ABC made the right decision canceling “Roseanne” after the show’s Utah-native star tweeted a racist comment about a former adviser of President Barack Obama. [Trib]
-> Pat Bagley shows where he thinks Barr likely learned how to racist dog whistle: Trump University. [Trib]
-> Michelle Quist says the LDS Church still has improvements to make in addressing its racist history, as well as in making members feel included. [Trib]
-> Robert Gehrke argues that an inland port would be good for the state and calls on Utah leaders to work out differences that could prevent the port project from moving forward. [Trib]
Nationally: ABC canceled the hit sitcom “Roseanne” after the show’s star, Roseanne Barr, tweeted a racist comment about Valerie Jarrett, a former adviser of President Barack Obama. [NYTimes] [CNN] [CBS]
-> Amid personal and political scandals, including allegations that he initiated unwanted sexual contact with a hairdresser, Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens announced he will resign. [WaPost] [NYTimes] [Politico]
-> First lady Melania Trump’s lack of public appearances since undergoing a minor surgery has prompted a number of conspiracy theories, such as that she is cooperating with Robert Mueller or living with the Obamas. [Politico]
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— Thomas Burr and Connor Richards
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