Happy Friday! The GOP-led Senate is planning a streamlined impeachment trial without witnesses, a process that President Donald Trump has acquiesced to. But privately, Trump is still harboring a desire to create a flashy, testimony-filled trial, fueled by a belief that such an approach would vindicate him and embarrass Democrats. It’s unlikely, though, that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will change course to give Trump the show he wants. [Politico]
Topping the news: Utah Gov. Gary Herbert has signed legislation reforming the state’s tax code that would cut overall taxes by roughly $160 million. [Trib] [StandEx]
-> A Salt Lake City police internal review found that no excessive force was used by officers when confronting inland port protesters. [Trib] [DNews]
-> A longtime law enforcement leader from New York is set to become the University of Utah’s first-ever chief safety officer. [Trib]
Tweets of the day: From @RobertGehrke: “I must have missed the part in the articles about ‘being a jerk.’ It was a lot more about misusing taxpayer money and exploiting foreign policy for personal political gain. But I guess that is kind of ‘being a jerk,’ too.”
-> From @Timodc: “The current President is a pretend billionaire who was just impeached for corruption and is lining his pocket with taxpayer dollars in an unprecedented fashion but watching this debate you’d think the real scandal was taking 2 grand from a donor.”
-> From @ananavarro: “I confess, I like wine caves."
Happy Birthday: To our friend Mandy Rogers.
News quiz: Last week, 88% of you knew that Utah’s shrinking lakes are contributing to more dust in the air, but only 28% of you knew that it’s been 10 months since Utah moved to decertify BYU’s police department. Think you kept up with the news this week? Take our quiz to find out. If you’re using The Salt Lake Tribune mobile app, click here. [Trib]
Programming note: Political Cornflakes will be taking a holiday break but will return to your inboxes on Jan. 6. We wish everyone happy holidays and look forward to bringing you the news roundup in the new year.
Behind the Headlines: Tribune Washington bureau chief Thomas Burr, reporter Nate Carlisle and editorial page editor George Pyle join KCPW’s Roger McDonough to talk about the week’s top stories, including the impeachment in the U.S. House of president Donald Trump.
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. Join the live conversation by calling (801) 355-TALK.
Also in the news: Emery is the only county in Utah that had a statistically significant decrease in median household income in the past decade. [Trib]
-> Tribune columnist Robert Gehrke digs into why Sen. Mitt Romney should present himself as a model Republican and bring integrity to the impeachment process. [Trib]
-> A new poll shows just what Utahns are looking for in their ideal tax reform. [DNews]
-> Tribune reporter Lee Davidson writes about why Utah’s snow plow drivers are not wishing for a white Christmas. [Trib]
-> Salt Lake City International Airport has released two new smartphone apps to assist travelers ahead of the holidays. [Trib]
-> Utah’s two Republican senators voted opposite each other on a budget to keep the government funded. [DNews] [CNN]
Nationally: In the Democratic debate last night, candidates took to the stage as an intimate and mostly caucasian group. [CNN] [Politico] [WaPost]
-> Congress has approved raising the age limit for e-cigarette and vaping devices to 21 as advocates warn that more action is needed. [NYTimes]
-> New Jersey Rep. Jeff Van Drew has switched parties from Democrat to Republican after he split from his former party to vote against impeachment. [NYTImes] [CNN] [Politico]
-> House Democrats may delay a Senate trial as they slow down transmitting articles of impeachment. [NYTimes]
-> The House passed President Trump’s revised North American Free Trade Agreement just a day after impeaching him. [CNN] [WaPost]
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-- Thomas Burr and Clara Hatcher
Follow @sltribpolitics