If Democrats take the House, how do they work with Trump while also investigating him? With a comfortable lead, Mitt Romney now trying to boost other GOP candidates. Learn about judicial retention questions.
Happy Tuesday. We’re two weeks out from the midterm elections where history and polling suggest Democrats could take back control of the House. And what if they do? Look for gridlock as the Senate -- which could stay in GOP hands -- could block anything the House passes. But also be ready for a lot of oversight of the Trump administration. Democrats are going to have to balance working with Trump to get something done while also investigating him. [WaPost]
Topping the news: A concrete tunnel to nowhere has been buried underneath a Salt Lake City International Airport taxiway for 14 years, but will finally see use as a key feature in the new airport expected to open in 2020. The 1,000 foot long “concrete box” will serve as a connection between two concourses, allowing them to build the additions in a much more economic and efficient fashion. [Trib][ABC4]
-> Senate candidate Mitt Romney has a comfortable lead in polls over his opponent, Salt Lake County Councilwoman Jenny Wilson, and has been spending his time helping other GOP candidates campaign including Reps. Mia Love and Chris Stewart. Wilson launched an ad last week criticizing Romney for considering himself a “deficit hawk.” [DNews]
-> Learn about voting whether to retain or not retain judges on the midterm election ballot. [KUER]
Tweets of the Day: From @jonkarl: “I asked @realDonaldTrump if Ted Cruz is still Lyin’ Ted. His answer: ‘He’s not Lyin’ Ted anymore. He’s Beautiful Ted.’”
Happy Birthday: To former Utah State Senate Chief of Staff Ric Cantrell and the University of Utah’s Tim Chambless.
In other news: Sen. Mike Lee called for the United States to end its involvement with Saudi Arabia’s war against Yemen, following the death of Saudi dissident journalist and U.S. resident Jamal Kashoggi. [DNews]
-> Utah teachers are working on ways to incorporate learning about opioids and opioid addictions into high school curriculum, hoping to educate students about how they work and how they can become a serious addiction. [KUER]
-> A new report by Wallethub revealed that BYU now ranks above all other colleges in Utah based on student admission, cost, job placement, and other factors. [DNews][KUTV]
-> Read profiles of Utah’s 2nd Congressional District candidates Rep. Chris Stewart and opponent Shireen Ghorbani before you vote. [DNews]
-> Health care has been the most searched topic in Utah as of Monday. [DNews]
-> Pat Bagley illustrated the hypocrisy in President Trump’s statements about a migrant caravan hiding Middle Eastern terrorists. [Trib]
Nationally: President Trump alleged via Twitter on Monday that the caravan of around 5,000 migrants headed for the U.S.-Mexico border contains “criminals and unknown middle easterners." He also falsely accused Democrats of causing these immigration problems, telling voters to consider this in the midterm elections. [NYTimes][CNN][Fox][WSJ]
-> Trump announced Monday that he plans to build up the U.S. nuclear arsenal in order to put pressure on China and Russia. Trump said he will build the weapons until “people come to their senses.” [BBC][CNN]
-> A senior U.S. official undertook talks with the crowned prince of Saudi Arabia on Monday, despite growing concern about the country’s role in the death of Saudi dissident journalist and U.S. resident Jamal Kashoggi. [BBC][CNN]
-> Mass outcry has erupted in the United States in response to Trump and the Department of Health and Human Services making moves to eliminate “Transgender” as a legal term, instead defining gender in terms of sex organs. The transgender community in America is estimated to be around 1.4 million people, and outcry abounds as people fight back against their sexuality being defined “out of existence." [BBC][CNN]
-> Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders has been helping Democrats around the United States campaign for the midterm elections. He urged Democrats to go vote, stating that a “blue wave” is not assured for Nov. 6th. [NYTimes][Fox]
-> Republicans have headed into the final month leading up to the midterm elections ahead of Democrats financially. As of September 30th the GOP had $337 million in the bank, while Democrats had $285 million. [NYTimes]
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-- Thomas Burr and Cara MacDonald
https://twitter.com/thomaswburr and Twitter.com/carammacdonald