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Political Cornflakes: A new push is on to close the massive gender gap in Congress as 200-plus women make it through their primaries

Women's March demonstrators hold signs as they walk past the White House in Washington, Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018. On the anniversary of President Donald Trump’s inauguration, people participating in rallies and marches in the U.S. and around the world Saturday denounced his views on immigration, abortion, LGBT rights, women's rights and more. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

More than half a dozen Democratic women in the U.S. House have launched a new political action committee designed to help get more women elected.

Happy Thursday. Amid the polarizing battle over confirming a Supreme Court justice under the cloud of a sex-assault accusation, women Democratic representatives hope to help direct money and consulting help to female candidates this year. Out of more than 600 women who filed as candidates for the House, Senate and governorships. some 211 are still in the running after making it through the primaries. The gender gap in the U.S. House is glaring: 20 percent of members are women (89 out of 435). [Politico]

Topping the news: The Beaver County Sheriff’s Office shared an hourlong anti-marijuana video on its Facebook page, urging residents to vote “no” to Proposition 2. The agency removed the politically charged message, which likely violates state election law, after The Tribune contacted the office for comment. [Trib]

-> Utah State University has opened up a new investigation after a former piano student filed suit a teacher accusing him of assaulting her nearly 25 years ago. [Trib][DNews]

-> President Trump praised former Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz book, “The Deep State” via twitter, calling the book “very interesting.” [Trib]

Tweets of the day: From @ryanbeckwith: “OK but I stepped in a puddle and my shoes are wet and judging from Twitter that’s probably as good as it will get today so.”

-> From @AaronBlake: “A BIG Kavanaugh walkback that lots (including me) missed last night: Hatch’s office now says Kavanaugh didn’t deny being at the party -- just denied being at a “party like the one she describes.””

-> From @kashanacauley, “There’s nothing more invigorating than a week-long debate on whether or not attempted rape is bad.”

-> From @SenBobCorker: “After learning of the allegation, Chairman @ChuckGrassley took immediate action to ensure both Dr. Ford and Judge Kavanaugh have the opportunity to be heard, in public or private. Republicans extended a hand in good faith. If we don’t hear from both sides on Monday, let’s vote.”

In other news: Salt Lake City’s new airport will likely inject around $5.5 billion into the local local economy as well as create around 3,300 new jobs, a new study says. [Trib]

-> Sen. Orrin Hatch believes that the allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh should be vetted, but that Democrats are obstructionist for waiting to release this information. Hatch’s office tweeted that, “NONE of this was necessary had these accusations been given to the FBI six weeks ago for an apolitical investigation out of public eye.” [Trib]

-> A group in Nevada wants to pump groundwater in the dry and arid desert near the Utah state line and is appealing a court decision blocking the plan. Utah groups, including the LDS Church, are oppose the proposal. [DNews]

-> The BLM and U.S. Forest service will host three public meetings to discuss how land will be used in Bears Ears National Monument, as well as go over proposals with the public. [DNews]

-> Airbnb hosts in both Utah and Sanpete counties can now list their homes for $0 on the app for victims of Utah fires, offering a helping hand to the thousands of evacuees. [KUTV]

-> President Trump praised former Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz book, “The Deep State” via twitter, calling the book “very interesting.” [Trib] test test test

-> Democrat Suzanne Harrison and Republican Brad Bonham clashed over Medicaid and other issues in a debate in the campaign for state House District 32 in the Sandy and Draper area. [Trib]

Nationally: Professor Christine Blasey Ford, who has accused Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault nearly four decades ago, said that she wants the FBI to investigate the case before she testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee. But Republicans who control the Senate say they will go forward with a hearing with or without her. [NYTimes][Politico][CNN]

-> President Trump’s discontent for Attorney General Jeff Sessions reached new heights as he said “he does not have an attorney general.” He’s been upset with Session’s actions on immigration and the ongoing investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election. [BBC][NYTimes]

-> Politico analyzed the Democrats likely to be elected in the upcoming midterms, outlining why they are “poised” to torment Trump once in office. [Politico]

-> President Trump and his organization is preparing for the chance that Democrats will take control of the Senate after the midterm elections this fall -- an event that would lead to significant headaches for the Trump administration for the rest of his term. [CNN]

-> Polish leader Andrzej Duda has offered to name a U.S. military base there “Fort Trump,” as well as to pay up to $2 billion to make it happen. [NYTimes]

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-- Dan Harrie and Cara MacDonald

https://twitter.com/danattrib and Twitter.com/carammacdonald