Happy Monday! Democrats running for president are trying to break out from the pack through visits to the early primary states and big rallies. But where do they actually stand on the issues? Politico has a handy guide by issue that explores what positions they’ve staked out or previously stated. [Politico]
Topping the news: Utah Democrats on Saturday elected businessman Jeff Merchant as chairman, replacing Daisy Thomas who had sought another term. [Trib]
-> Sens. Mitt Romney and Mike Lee said Trump made the right decision in halting military strikes against Iran. [Trib]
-> Romney said at a town hall on Friday that he is happy Trump has mostly stuck to the standard Republican playbook. [Trib]
Tweets of the day: From @oureric: “SOCIAL EXPERIMENT: If you come across this tweet please put your phone down, leave it down, never return, forget all of this, every last part, your password and everything, when people say Twitter stare at them blankly for a long time and then shake your head and smile.”
-> From @mollypriddy “hey dude candidates, if your wife is your ‘better half’ why isn’t she running instead of you. I don’t want to worse half in charge.”
Happy Birthday: to Taylor Oldroyd and state Rep. Jen Dailey-Provost, both of whom celebrated yesterday.
In other news: The Trump administration could require the American nuclear industry to use 25% domestic uranium, raising the possibility of future mining in southern Utah. The Tribune’s editorial team raises concerns that uranium mining in Utah will lead to fleeting benefits and long-term harms. [Trib]
-> LGBTQ+ members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spoke about their identities and experiences at the Affirmation International Conference on Saturday. [Trib]
-> A school for troubled youth in St. George is still operating even after repeated police reports of violence against students by staff members. [Trib]
-> Salt Lake County parks officials rejected a mountain bike skills park proposed for part of Olympus Hills Park. [Trib]
-> Good news! Utah is one of the best places in the nation to find a job. [Trib]
-> Threats of deportation raids by the Trump administration have caused fear in Utah’s immigrant communities. [DNews]
-> Utah’s resort towns are facing livability challenges as they expand as tourist destinations. [DNews]
Nationally: Lawyers and doctors who have visited Border Patrol detention facilities for children reported that sick and unattended children are sleeping on concrete floors. Government lawyers have defended the conditions in court, arguing that giving children soap and toothbrushes is not necessary for the facilities to be “safe and hygienic.” [Texas Tribune] [ABC] [New Yorker]
-> Writer E. Jean Carroll has accused President Trump of raping her. [NYMag]
-> Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg faced criticism over the fatal shooting of a black man by police in South Bend. [Reuters]
-> Buttigieg, Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris are taking the lead in a field full of Democratic candidates vying for their party’s nomination. [WSJ]
-> The United States plans to put sanctions on Iran as tensions between the two countries continue to mount. [WSJ]
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-- Thomas Burr and Sara Tabin
Follow @sltribpolitics