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If Utah's year in politics were Facebook. Romney forgives MSNBC. Administrative subpoenas rarely urgent.
Happy Monday. How would Utah's year in politics look if it were a Facebook feed? Well, let's show you. The Tribune's Robert Gehrke (with a little help from yours truly) compiled a faux feed for all the fun stuff that kept us occupied in 2013. Click to check it out and feel free to share: [WallMachine]
Topping the news: New search warrants unveiled in the John Swallow/Mark Shurtleff investigation allege fake tax documents were prepared to hide shadowy financial transactions. [Trib] [AP] [KUTV]
-> After MSNBC hosts poked fun of a black adopted grandson of Mitt Romney, the former presidential candidate says he accepts the hosts' apologies and says political figures accept the criticism they're dealt but targeting family members crosses the line. [WaPost] [RCP]
-> Dan Harrie digs into the administrative subpoenas issued in child porn cases and finds that the expedited action investigators argued they needed is rarely the case. [Trib]
-> A Utah gun company was a finalist for a $15 million contract to supply sniper rifles to Pakistan but withdrew because it saw ethical problems with the deal. [ABC4] [DNews]
Tweet of the day: From @markknoller: "Pres Obama's 15 days in Hawaii included 9 rounds of golf; 5 dinners out; 2 beach outings; 3 nature hikes; and 1 snorkeling session et al."
Opinion section: A BYU law professor says that the federal courts " displayed a remarkable disrespect for the institution of marriage," in its rulings on same-sex weddings and polygamy. [Trib]
-> A Salt Lake City artist who lost his partner to cancer 17 years ago explains why marriage equality means so much for those in committed relationships. [Trib]
-> A First Baptist Church pastor says same-sex marriage will only strengthen all such unions. [Trib]
-> A Davis County anesthesiologist discusses the difficulty in expanding Medicaid and says he's glad he doesn't have to make the choice. [Trib]
-> The government liaison for the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City says helping the downtrodden by expanding Medicaid is the right role of government. [Trib]
-> Pat Bagley pokes fun at the it's snowing so global warming must be a hoax crowd. [Trib]
-> Here's Paul Rolly's picks for the best and worst of Utah's politicians in 2013. [Trib]
-> Rolly also discusses an African woman's nine-year fight to get her diploma from Weber State. [Trib]
-> Frank Pignanelli says conservatives have themselves to blame for the same-sex marriage ruling in Utah while LaVarr Webb says it puts Democrats in a bad spot for future elections in the state. [DNews]
-> Former Sen. Bob Bennett looks back on what happened in 2013 and what could come this year. [DNews]
Week in review: State lawmakers may ask Utahns to vote on another marriage amendment, this one to ensure churches aren't forced to wed same-sex couples. [Trib] [DNews] [AP]
-> Attorneys for the plaintiffs that brought about gay marriages in Utah argued in a filing that the Supreme Court shouldn't grant a stay that two lower courts wouldn't. [Trib]
-> A Lesbian couple featured in The Tribune found themselves as plaintiffs in a lawsuit they didn't agree to be part of. [Trib]
-> Some states are going all out to promote that they allow gay marriage to entice tourism dollars to start flowing their way, but don't look for the same from Utah. [Trib]
-> A former Arizona sheriff who was the main plaintiff in a landmark gun case came to Utah to blast the federal court ruling on same-sex marriage. [DNews]
-> With Rep. Jim Matheson not seeking re-election, this year's political races could be sort of unsurprising. [DNews]
-> A Utah lawmaker is seeking to bring recall elections to Utah to allow voters to remove elected leaders from office. [KUTV]
-> Meet your new mayors including the eight new faces leading new cities in Salt Lake County. [Trib]
-> Murray Mayor Dan Snarr — and his iconic mustache — is moving on after four terms. [Trib]
-> As Salt Lake City grows, so does the age-old problem of developers vs. the city over parking and demolishing old buildings. [Trib]
-> State Sen. Todd Weiler plans to introduce legislation to have the attorney general appointed rather than elected. [ABC4]
-> West Valley City's new police chief has one big goal ahead of him: Restoring public trust. [Trib]
-> Utah's new AG Sean Reyes also plans to focus on restoring trust in the office after the Swallow scandal. [Trib]
-> American Athiests are trying a new tact to garner attention in Utah with a billboard that features a family saying they don't believe in God. [Trib]
-> Utahns' have many excuses — or financial reasons — for late property tax payments, including a developer who uses it as a cheap loan rate. [Trib]
-> Cottonwood Heights may have fixed its snow removal problem but its potholes are now the issue. [Trib]
Nationally: The National Security Agency won't say whether it's spying on members of Congress, answering only that members have the same protection as all Americans. [WaPost]
-> Liz Cheney, the daughter of the former vice president, is withdrawing from the Senate race against Wyoming's Mike Enzi. [FoxNews]
-> President Barack Obama may have a hard time recovering in the polls to the level that Presidents Reagan or Clinton achieved in their second terms. [WaPost]
-> Sen. Rand Paul says NSA leaker Edward Snowden should get some leniency to return to the United States while Sen. Chuck Schumer says he deserves the charges he faces. [ABCNews]
-> Actor Steven Seagall says he's mulling over whether to run for Arizona governor. [ABCNews]
Where are they?
SL Co. Mayor Ben McAdams holds a Cabinet Meeting and attends the Wasatch Summit Management Committee meeting.
President Barack Obama meets with senior advisers.
Got a tip? A birthday, wedding or anniversary to announce? Email us at cornflakes@sltrib.com. If you haven't already, sign up for our weekday email and get this sent directly to your inbox. [Trib]
— Thomas Burr Twitter.com/thomaswburr