Happy Wednesday. President Donald Trump is still demanding billions of dollars to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexican border. Or maybe a fence. Or maybe steel slats. Trump’s vision for the fence has changed since he first promised in his campaign to build a wall and make Mexico pay for it. [Politico]
Topping the news: Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox is vowing to create avenues for latinos to feel more welcome in Utah including boosting diversity on state boards, in the workforce and in government. [Trib]
-> Rep. Ben McAdams appears to be upholding a campaign promise to listen to his constituents by scheduling two town halls and an open house this month. McAdams had been critical of his predecessor former Rep. Mia Love over what he claimed to be a lack of access. [Trib] [DNews]
-> Ogden’s furloughed IRS employees affected by government shutdown will hold a rally on Thursday. [KUTV]
Tweets of the day: From @TribTomWharton What! The President is on?! No NCIS? The horror!!!!
-> From @RalstonReports: “Man held hostage by TelePrompter, escapes after 10 minutes.”
->From @pourmecoffee “John Bolton is here to wage wars and adjust his eyeglasses.”
->From @awprokop “The side that didn't shut down the government has a pretty big incentive not to "reward" this tactic with concessions. Or else they'd be dealing with it all the time.”
Happy Birthday: to former state Rep. Jim Bird and ex-GOP State Vice Chair Christy Achziger.
In other news: In an uncontested vote, Charlie Luke takes over as chairman of the Salt Lake County Council and James Rogers as vice chairman. [Trib]
-> Salt Lake County officials take oath of office with Democrats holding seven out of 10 seats.[DNews] [ABC4]
-> Catholic Community Services offers twice a month shopping cart of food to local federal employees affected by the government shutdown. [Fox13]
-> Rep. John Curtis believes members of Congress should be held responsible to reach a budget compromise and is proposing a bill that would withhold their pay during federal shutdowns. [Fox13]
-> A police retirement program that was slashed during the Great Depression could make a comeback during Utah’s current legislative session after the recent death of Provo police officer. [KSL]
-> A Diné mother of three from Monument Valley to move to Mexico with her husband in order to avoid a family separation after ICE issued deportation orders. [NavajoTimes]
Nationally:President Trump addressed the nation in a nine-minute primetime speech attempting to justify the government shutdown as a necessary means to achieve national security and attempting to appeal to the emotions of his viewers by calling border security a “crisis of the heart and soul.” [NYTimes] [WaPost] [Politico]
-> Trump’s claims of terrorism at the border are called into question by experts and counterterrorism officials. [NYTimes]
-> Due to a formatting error, redacted portions of court filings made by Paul Manafort’s lawyer uncovered details about the case not originally intended for the public eye. [NYTimes] [WaPost] [Politico]
-> After taking a majority in the House, Democrats unveil plans for legislation mandating background checks on all firearm purchases. This first move of the new congressional majority indicates a high priority for this agenda item. [NYTimes] [WaPost] [Politico]
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-- Thomas Burr and Christina Giardinelli