How to get a presidential pardon (celebrity edition). Mark Shurtleff sues all involved in his investigation. Salt Lake County cities are voting on a possible tax increase for transportation.
Happy Thursday. A White House official this week said President Donald Trump is “obsessed” with pardons, describing them as the president’s new “favorite thing” to talk about. While previous administrations have looked to the Justice Department to review requests for people yearning for a pardon from their crime, that’s not how Trump works. Here’s a quick guide on how to get a presidential pardon. Hint: If you’re a celebrity, it helps. [WaPost]
Topping the news: Two years after being acquitted on all public corruption charges, former Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff is suing everyone who was involved in the investigation for $60 million. [Trib]
-> Cities in Salt Lake County are voting whether to approve a 0.25 percent sales tax increase that would go toward transportation. [Trib]
Tweets of the day: From @MeLoseBrainUhOh: "Kim Kardashian has accomplished more than Paul Ryan.”
-> From @StephenAtHome: "Calling Trump ‘Commander of Cheese’ is the first factually accurate thing Kellyanne Conway’s ever said.“
-> From @ryanbeckwith: "Reupping my call for a video series called ‘Trump History’ that’s kind of like ‘Drunk History.’“
Trib Talk: Tribune reporter Benjamin Wood discusses this week’s Supreme Court decision involving a Colorado baker who refused to bake a wedding cake for a gay couple with ACLU of Utah legal director John Mejia and Bill Duncan, director of The Sutherland Institute Center for Family and Society. [Trib]
In other news: A Utah financial adviser was sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to fraud and tax evasion charges. [APviaTrib]
-> In an attempt to prevent officer turnover, Sandy will be adding $1 million to its annual police budget. [Trib]
-> Despite little support from city officials, South Jordan and Herriman may soon be getting their first bars. [Trib]
-> While there have been moves to better address sexual assault in the state, there is still a backlog of untested rape kits. [Trib]
-> Pat Bagley draws EPA Director Scott Pruitt after the official was accused of using his position to try to help his wife get a Chick-fil-A franchise. [Trib]
Nationally: In Tuesday’s primary races, Republicans avoided a worst-case scenario while Democrats came closer to winning control of the House. [NYTimes]
-> While he has been hesitant to do so up to this point, outgoing House Speaker Paul Ryan undercut President Donald Trump on “spygate” and the idea that the president could pardon himself. [Politico]
-> Despite escalated immigration tactics by the Trump administration, including separating children from their parents, there has been no immediate deterrent effect. [WaPost]
Got a tip? A birthday, wedding or anniversary to announce? Send us a note to cornflakes@sltrib.com.
— Thomas Burr and Connor Richards
Follow @sltribpolitics