President Trump falsely claims record viewership for his State of the Union address. Biskupski gives her State of the City speech. McAdams outraises Love.
Happy Thursday. Just like with his inauguration, President Donald Trump is consumed with how many people watched the State of the Union. The president tweeted -- falsely -- that he had the most people watching his speech on Tuesday than ever before, but that’s just not true. In fact, more people watched his joint address last year, and former presidents have had more viewers for their addresses. [Politico]
Topping the news: Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski delivered her state of the city address Wednesday. She proposed a half-penny city sales tax increase that would fund initiatives like affordable housing and road repair. [Trib] [DNews] [ABC4] [KUTV] [Fox13]
-> Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams raised $42,000 more than Rep. Mia Love in the last quarter. Love has spent more money, too -- but continues to lead in the polls. [Trib]
-> The federal judge handling the lawsuits against President Donald Trump’s move to reduce the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante monuments has ruled that the five cases have been condensed into two. [Trib]
Tweets of the day: From @pourmecoffee: “I have enjoyed saying ’release the memo’ to people today but it has been made clear to me in subtle ways that it’s time to wrap it up”
-> From @Bjaminwood: “The car in front of me has a ‘Covfefe’ license plate and I don’t know how to feel about that.”
-> From @aedwardslevy: “January 32 is going to be something”
In other news: University Hospital nurse Alex Wubbels testified at the state legislature Wednesday, giving her support to a bill that clarifies when law enforcement can obtain blood draws. Wubbels was arrested last year after she refused to give law enforcement a blood sample from an unconscious patient--a scenario this bill would prevent. [Trib] [DNews] [ABC4] [KUTV] [KSL]
-> Utah lawmakers are considering a pair of bills that would set up a state-run industry to allow terminally ill Utahns to access medical marijuana. [Trib] [DNews] [KUTV] [Fox13]
-> In this week’s Trib Caucus, Salt Lake Tribune political reporters and columnists discussed recent Salt Lake Tribune poll results. [Trib]
-> Multiple members of the Salt Lake City faith community and volunteers are helping to provide sanctuary to a Honduran woman and her children who are staying in a Salt Lake church to avoid deportation. [Trib] [ABC4] [KUTV]
-> The UTA Board passed a resolution in a Wednesday meeting to work with state lawmakers to reorganize and reform the scandal-ridden agency. [Trib]
-> The Utah House Law Enforcement Committee voted Wednesday to approve a bill that would toughen a state law that allows people to defend themselves with force. Some are worried this bill would increase violence against minorities. [Trib]
-> The Utah Senate approved a bill Wednesday that would end the 90-day waiting period for couples seeking a divorce. [Trib]
-> State Sen. Ann Millner, R-Ogden, is sponsoring a bill that incentivizes Utah college graduates to stay and work in state by offering loan forgiveness. [Trib]
-> According to a new poll by The Salt Lake Tribune and The Hinckley Institute, 46% of Utah Rep. John Curtis’ constituents don’t know who he is -- something the new congressman says he’ll work to improve. [Trib]
-> The hotline created for this year’s Sundance Film Festival attendees to report sexual harassment and assault received 32 calls during the festival. One call reported a sexual assault that allegedly occurred in 1998, an incident that is now being investigated. [Trib]
-> Students that will soon go to the new Farmington High School wanted their mascot to be the Farts or the Fascists. Now the school has decided on the still controversial Phoenix. [Trib] [Fox13]
-> Michelle Quist gives her thoughts on Tuesday’s BYU devotional that addressed sexual contact and consent. [Trib]
-> Robert Gehrke says he’s for the legislation to allow a toll road in the canyons. [Trib]
Nationally: In a rare move, the FBI issued a statement Wednesday that warned about inaccuracies and omissions in a memo President Donald Trump is pushing to release. The memo is related to the investigation into Russian collusion in the 2016 election. [WaPost]
-> A train carrying Republican lawmakers to a retreat in West Virginia collided with a truck Wednesday morning. One of the truck’s passengers was killed and other injuries were reported. [NYTimes]
-> CDC Director Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald resigned Wednesday due to health-related financial investments that could create a conflict of interest in her position. Some of the investments were in tobacco companies. [NYTimes]
-> The Justice Department dropped its corruption case against Democratic New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez Wednesday. Menendez was originally charged in 2015 with accepting gifts from a Florida eye-doctor. [Politico]
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-- Thomas Burr and Madalyn Gunnell
