Why does President Trump tweet? And why do we wait for it so much. Poll: Love has a small lead over McAdams. Herbert scheduled for surgery today.
Happy Friday. President Donald Trump likes to tweet. A lot. And don’t we all. Twitter feeds a need, in some ways, for all of us, it’s an egocentric well that we can always toss a coin into and await a response. [Politico]
Topping the news: According to a new poll, Rep. Mia Love has only a narrow lead over Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams in what many are predicting to be a close race. [Trib]
-> Legislators are set to examine a new package of bills termed the “family economic prosperity priorities” that would address matters like birth control, parental leave and sales tax on food. [Trib] [DNews] [KUTV]
-> Lawmakers are concerned over “out of control” costs as the new Utah State Prison is already almost $50 million over-budget. [DNews] [KSL]
-> Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox will briefly serve as governor while Gov. Gary Herbert undergoes surgery today. [Trib] [Fox13]
Tweets of the day: From @StephenAtHome: “Mueller, a few weeks from now: ‘Thank you for sitting down for this interview, Mr. President. First, I’m going to ask you to point to anyone in this room who you regret not firing.’”
-> From @BrendanNyhan: “Prediction: Tomorrow ‘he only *tried* to fire him’ will be the new ‘it’s just a tweet.’”
-> From @AshaRangappa_: “Does anyone remember what the news was a week ago?”
-> Also being considered is a new bill that would reorganize much of the Utah Transit Authority. Proposals include a sales-tax increase, diversion of highway funds towards mass-transit and increased registration fees for electric cars. [Trib] [DNews] [KUTV]
Happy Birthday: On Saturday to former WVC Mayor Mike Winder, lobbyist Spencer Stokes and state Rep. Dan McCay
Behind the Headlines: Tribune reporter Luke Ramseth, government and politics editor Dan Harrie and columnist Robert Gehrke join KCPW’s Roger McDonough to talk about the week’s top stories, including a new hate crimes bill and Rep. Chris Stewart’s visit to the Utah Legislature.
In other news: Mitt Romney is expected to announce whether he’s running next week. [DNews] [Fox13] [KSL]
-> Two proposed bills would require the state to register visitors to the DMV as voters in an effort to increase overall voter registration. [Trib]
-> The House passed a bill that outlines the methods through which law enforcement can legally obtain blood draws. This bill comes in response to the confrontation that took place between law enforcement and a Utah nurse who refused to provide a blood sample without a proper warrant. [Trib] [KSL]
-> The House unanimously passed a bill that would remove Utah’s “porn-czar” position. [Trib]
-> The state Senate has given preliminary approval to a bill that would allow counties to remove officials who are deemed mentally unfit for service. [DNews]
-> A newly proposed bill would allow for more “free range parenting” and lessen penalties for parents who let their children go out on their own. [ABC4]
-> The House Transportation Committee endorsed a bill that would prohibit panhandlers from many of the busier Salt Lake City roads. [Trib]
-> Rep. John Curtis reported to members of the Utah Senate on Wednesday that he as been busy in his new role as a congressman. [DNews]
-> The 2020 presidential election is still years away, but presidential wannabe Rep. John Delaney made an early campaign visit to Utah. [Trib]
-> The I-15 will be closed in Layton for three nights this weekend. Exact hours of closures will vary each day. [Trib]
-> Pat Bagley depicts Utah’s current image problem. [Trib]
-> Robert Gehrke asks state lawmakers what they think future generations will say about the effects of the 2018 Legislative Session. [Trib]
-> Michelle Quist argues that the LDS Church could do a lot of good if it supported new bills that are before the Legislature. [Trib]
Nationally: President Donald Trump ordered the firing of special counsel Robert Mueller back in June 2017, according to new sources. White House counsel refused the request, prompting the president to back down. [NYTimes]
-> Former American gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar was sentenced to 40 to 175 years for sexual abuse following a trial where over 150 victims described their abuse. [NYTimes]
-> The Doomsday Clock was moved closer to midnight: Scientists say we’re now two minutes away from midnight. [WaPost]
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-- Thomas Burr and Eric Baker