Facing mounting political pressure and a court-ordered deadline of July 26, federal authorities are scrambling to reunite migrant families separated at the southwest border — calling in volunteers to sort through records and resorting to DNA tests to match children with parents. Of the nearly 3,000 children still in US custody, about 100 are under the age of 5. “I think it’s mission impossible,” said a New York lawyer who represents around a dozen parents whose children were taken. [NYTimes]
Happy Friday.
Topping the news: A former Utah State University student who was raped at a fraternity house will receive a $250,000 settlement, marking an end to one of several high-profile sexual assault cases at the school. [Trib] [Fox13] [DNews]
-> A recent Salt Lake Tribune-Hinckley Institute of Politics poll found that nearly half of Utahns view construction and housing development across the state as a positive thing. [Trib]
-> US Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman called President Donald Trump’s planned meeting with Russia’s Vladimir Putin an accomplishment “in itself.” [APviaTrib]
Tweets of the day: From @BrandyLJensen: "cut to Scott Pruitt loading up a van with stolen office supplies”
-> From @petridishes: "Scott Pruitt is resigning in order to spend more money with his family”
-> From @pourmecoffee: "Congratulations to the new EPA Administrator, Jesse Watters smoking a cigar with his feet on the desk and mashing all the buttons on his phone.”
Happy Birthday: Today to former Ogden Police Chief Jon Greiner and on Saturday to Terry Camp of the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Behind the Headlines: Tribune reporters Kathy Stephenson and Courtney Tanner and senior managing editor Matt Canham join KCPW’s Roger McDonough to talk about the week’s top stories, including LGBTQ groups marching in Provo’s Freedom Festival and redistricting in San Juan County.
Every 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: Two Utah officials in separate counties, Sanpete and Tooele, were accused of pocketing more than $238,000 in public funds over multiple years of employment. [Trib]
-> The Dollar Ridge Fire, Utah’s largest burning wildfire so far this year, has destroyed at least 90 homes and is threatening 1,000 more along the Uinta Basin. [Trib] [KUTV] [KSL] [Fox13]
-> With just 58 points between them in a four-way race for state House District 24, Jen Dailey-Provost and her competitor, Igor Limansky, are anxiously awaiting the latest ballot results, which the county clerk’s office is expected to release this afternoon. [DNews]
-> Pat Bagley reacts to Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt’s resignation and says there’s still much to be concerned about. [Trib]
-> Robert Gehrke wonders why Utahns typically list education as a top priority but are opposed to increasing taxes to fund schools in the state. [Trib]
Nationally: Pruitt resigned amid a torrent of scandals over his management decisions, ethical lapses and and lavish spending. Andrew Wheeler, Pruitt’s top deputy, will be taking over the agency. [WaPost] [NYTimes] [Politico]
-> China condemned Trump’s imposition of tariffs on American goods and fired back with tariffs of its own after vowing to protect the country’s own interests — increasing the possibility of an escalating trade war. [WaPost]
-> Trump has reportedly narrowed his shortlist to replace retiring Supreme Court justice Anthony Kennedy to three federal judges: Brett Kavanaugh, Raymond Kethledge and Amy Coney Barrett. [WaPost]
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-- Taylor Stevens and Connor Richards
Follow @sltribpolitics