Lawsuit alleges collusion between White House and conspiracy folks. Stewart helps Trump go after leakers. Ott’s deputy becomes acting recorder
Happy Wednesday.
A private detective who investigated the slaying of a Democratic National Committee staffer alleged in a lawsuit this week that Fox News Channel worked with White House officials to push a discredited theory about the case to undermine allegations of Russian collusion with Donald Trump’s presidential campaign. [WaPost]
Topping the news: Joining President Donald Trump’s crusade against leakers, Rep. Chris Stewart introduced legislation that would make sharing classified information prosecutable. [Trib]
-> Former Salt Lake County Recorder Gary Ott’s chief deputy Julie Dole was sworn in Tuesday as the acting recorder while the GOP looks for his replacement. [Trib] [DNews] [KUER]
Tweets of the day: From @RobertGehrke: It’s fitting that @senorrinhatch is in the top spot of the new Website, just like he was in first edition of the newspaper in 1870.”
-> From @gopTODD: “Mooch was like the worst D.C. Intern ever.”
Happy Birthday: To Cam Madsen, Legislative Assistant for Rep. Chris Stewart.
In other news: Rep. Mia Love held “open office hours” and spoke with small groups Tuesday, departing from the traditional town hall format because of security concerns. [Trib] [DNews]
-> State and city leaders are calling on the U.S. secretaries of state and transportation to take action against Persian Gulf countries which they say are violating Open Skies agreements. [Trib]
-> Utah launched the first installment of the ”Mighty Five Electric Vehicle Corridor Initiative,” which aims to make it easier for electric cars to travel throughout the state. [Trib]
-> Pat Bagley illustrates Sen. Orrin Hatch’s hold on his seat. [Trib]
-> Robert Gehrke argues that proposed ballot initiatives for the upcoming election signal voter frustration with elected officials. [Trib]
Nationally: The Senate overwhelmingly confirmed Christopher Wray to replace James Comey as FBI director. [NYTimes] [WaPost] [Politico]
-> In his new book, Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake wrote harsh critiques of President Donald Trump. [NYTimes] [WaPost] [Politico]
-> The Justice Department is reportedly preparing to sue universities of affirmative action policies that it deems discriminatory against whites. [NYTimes] [WaPost]
Where are they?
Rep. Mia Love speaks to constituents at a town hall meeting in Utah County.
Gov. Gary Herbert meets with staff and holds a weekly meeting with the general counsel.
Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox goes on a leg of the 25K Jobs tour and participates in the Governor’s Rural Partnership Board meeting.
State Auditor John Dougall teleconferences and drafts various correspondences.
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-- Thomas Burr and Emily Anderson
Twitter.com/thomaswburr and Twitter.com/emilyinorgandy
Follow @sltribpolitics