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Political Cornflakes: Trump-favored company gets $400M contract to build the border wall

(Matt York | AP file photo) In this Sept. 10, 2019, file photo, government contractors erect a section of Pentagon-funded border wall along the Colorado River, in Yuma, Ariz. The Defense Department has announced a President Trump-touted company has just been awarded a $400 million construction contract for wall construction.

Happy Tuesday!

A company that President Donald Trump has repeatedly touted won a Defense Department contract to build a stretch of wall along the U.S.-Mexican border. Fisher Sand and Gravel landed the $400 million contract after its chief executive, Tommy Fisher, made multiple appearances on Fox News to talk up his company. [WaPost]

Topping the news: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a statement Monday reaffirming its support for refugees and called for members to create “welcoming communities.” [Trib]

-> A substitute teacher who lectured a Utah elementary school class about the “sin” of homosexuality has been fired. [Trib]

-> Utah Highway Patrol troopers have responded to some 600 accidents in just five days. [Trib]

Tweets of the day: From @RetireOrrin: “I was told there would be no malarky.”

-> From @AWinderNewton: “Closest thing I will probably get to an endorsement from @GovHerbert: “If you want someone to say something you get a man. If you want someone to DO something you get a woman.” - Governor Herbert at the Republican Women Christmas luncheon today.”

-> From @news_slc: “Stop using the word coup when it’s not a coup.”

Happy Birthday: Travis Webb, constituent affairs representative for Rep. Chris Stewart.

Also in the news: Salt Lake City’s West High School has a new interim leader while district officials investigate Principal Ford White, who is on leave after driving two students home when he found them drinking alcohol on school property. [Trib]

-> Ogden City Chief Administrative Officer Mark Johnson said the city is paying close attention to protesters calling for police reforms — including creating a civilian review board — but for now is making no major changes. [StandEx]

-> A former Davis County Jail inmate has filed a federal lawsuit alleging that it took more than 20 minutes for deputies to respond to his call about being stabbed by another inmate. [StandEx]

-> Utah County public defenders say they are suffering from case overload and need extra funding to hire new attorneys. [DailyHerald]

-> The Salt Lake County Council is expected to sign off on a tax hike at a slightly lower level following their finding $6.5 million in cuts. [DNews]

-> Rep. Karen Kwan plans to introduce legislation that would ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. [Fox13]

-> Utah Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox is gearing up for a tricky balancing act as a 2020 gubernatorial candidate and as the sitting lieutenant governor. [DNews]

-> Utah Transit Authority officials have unveiled new signs and bus stop designs aimed at making service more comfortable and accessible to the disabled. [Trib]

-> Tribune columnist Robert Gehrke is encouraging giving instead of getting this holiday season. [Trib]

-> Cartoonist Pat Bagley gives his take on Mark Zuckerberg’s claim that he doesn’t have anything to do with chaos. [Trib]

Nationally: As the House dives into a landmark week in the impeachment proceedings, the partisan split keeps growing with Democrats marching toward impeachment and Republicans fiercely defending the president’s actions. [AP] [CNN] [NYTimes]

-> Federal prosecutors in New York say they are “likely” to file additional charges in the case against associates of Rudy Giuliani. [CNN]

-> President Trump ratcheted up U.S. trade wars Monday, announcing tariffs on Brazilian and Argentine steel and aluminum imports and 100% tariffs on billions of dollars in French products, from sparkling wine to cheese. [WaPost]

-> Republicans produced their own anti-impeachment report on the Trump-Ukraine inquiry. [NYTimes]

-> After months of unexplained delay, the Trump administration has released $105 million in military aid to Lebanon that had the unified support of Congress, the State Department, Pentagon and National Security Council. [AP]

-> President Donald Trump’s campaign has announced it will no longer give credentials to Bloomberg News reporters to cover campaign events after it said it would not investigate Democratic candidates. [AP]

-> Sanctions against Iran have not helped to further U.S. goals, but they might have spurred protests. [NYTimes]

-> The Supreme Court’s first Second Amendment case in nearly a decade may not amount to any significant action or consequence. [NYTimes]

Got a tip? A birthday, wedding or anniversary to announce? Email us at cornflakes@sltrib.com. If you haven’t already, sign up here for our weekday email to get this sent directly to your inbox.

-- Dan Harrie and Clara Hatcher