Only 36 percent of Americans approve of the president’s job performance, according to a new poll. Utah Gov. Gary Herbert calls for a sound new medical pot law no matter the election outcome and a congressional candidate quietly bails out of the race.
Happy Friday!
President Trump’s poor approval ratings — 60 percent disapprove/36 approve — also spill into related areas. The numbers are even worse for Trump when the poll turned to the investigation of Special Counsel Robert Mueller, which is supported by 63 percent of Americans despite the constant attacks against it by the administration and its allies. The poll says that 49 percent believe impeachment proceedings are in order, compared to 46 percent opposed. [WaPost] {ABC]
Topping the news: Gov. Herbert says that regardless of how November’s medical marijuana ballot initiative fares, legislators need to move forward to craft a workable law that serves legitimate patient needs. [Trib][Fox13][ABC4][DNews]
-> Environmentalists are in uproar as EnergySolutions applies for an exemption to Utah’s policy banning depleted uranium. Utah’s Radiation Control Board has called an emergency meeting to discuss the implications. [Trib] [Fox13]
-> Mitt Romney acknowledged the existence of climate change and proposed that feds will need to make big moves in order to keep wildfires from becoming more rampant. [Trib]
Tweets of the day: From @realDonaldTrump, “CNN is working frantically to find their “source.” Look hard because it doesn’t exist. Whatever was left of CNN’s credibility is now gone!”
-> From @ConanOBrien, “Ugh, my dog's giving me those "Jeff Sessions checking to see if Trump is still mad at him" eyes again.”
-> From @ryanbeckwith, “Idea: Split the presidency into two roles. One for doing all the policy and politics. The other as an official mourner and heartfelt speech-giver.”
-> From @cvpayne, “"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character" MLK Jr. Where are progressives on Harvard punishing less “likeable” Asian Americans?”
Happy Birthday: to former State Rep. Christopher Herrod and one-time Trib Intern Andreas Rivera. Also today, McCain will be lying in state.
Behind the Headlines: Tribune digital news editor Rachel Piper, senior managing editor Matt Canham and columnist Robert Gehrke join KCPW’s Roger McDonough to talk about the week’s top stories, Every Friday at 9 a.m., stream “Behind the Headlines” at kcpw.org, or tune in to KCPW 88.3 FM or Utah Public Radio for the broadcast.
In other news: The Pioneer Park Coalition releases a grand plan for what it envisions the park — for decades plagued by drug-dealing, crime and homeless campers — could become with a little love and a lot of money. [Trib]
-> Jan Garbett, the United Utah Party candidate in the 2nd Congressional District, has quietly dropped out of the race. Garbett, an executive with her husband in a development firm, said she needed to spend more time working on the business. [Fox13]
-> A political scientist discussing Utah’s medical marijuana ballot initiative says if voters approve the measure, it may reflect a waning political influence for the LDS church. Check out the Mormon Land podcast. [Trib]
-> Sen. Orrin Hatch is pushing for the Federal Trade Commission to investigate Google’s advertising and searching methods, referencing a variety of antitrust complaints. [KUTV]
-> An area of Kearns finally has paved roads after more than 70 years of getting by with dirt byways. [Trib]
-> The BLM is seeking members for the Bears Ears Advisory Committee, which will provide advice and recommendations on a variety of issues and procedures having to do with the national monument. [DNews]
-> Mitt Romney held a town hall targeted at senior citizens in Clinton, Utah Wednesday evening, covering such topics as Medicare, Medicaid, and the status of Dreamers. [ABC4]
-> In a congressional field hearing on Wednesday, residents of the Uinta Basin pointed out a link between the energy economy and the education system. [DNews]
-> Mitt Romney acknowledged the existence of climate change and proposed that feds will need to make big moves in order to keep wildfires from becoming more rampant. [Trib] test test test
-> Pat Bagley gives his impression of a Utah Inland Port committee’s meeting. [Trib]
Nationally: Pres. Trump is pushing to freeze salaries of more than 2 million federal workers in 2019, prompting Congress to settle differing views as to whether employees should receive pay hikes. [WaPost][NYTimes]
-> Calling journalists “enemies of the people”, a California man was arrested for issuing death threats to Boston Globe reporters. [Politico][NYTimes][WaPost]
-> The U.S. Justice Department has accused Harvard University of racial bias in their admissions process, claiming that the school discriminates against Asian-American students. [BBC][NYTimes]
-> Allies of the president are hoping that he will be able to create a better legal strategy and staff in preparation for the potential takeover of the U.S. House by Democrats and the prospect of a tidal wave of subpoenas against the administration. [WaPost]
-> Sarah Palin, the 2008 vice presidential nominee, was not invited to attend the funeral of John McCain, who picked her as running mate in one of his campaign’s most controversial moves. [BBC][CNN]
Programming note: Political Cornflakes is off Monday for Labor Day and will return to your inbox on Tuesday morning. Enjoy your holiday weekend!
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-- Dan Harrie, Connor Richards and Cara MacDonald
Twitter.com/danattrib, Twitter.com/crichards1995 and Twitter.com/carammacdonald
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