Happy Friday!
President Donald Trump announced new protections for health-care workers who refuse for moral or religious reasons to provide services or prescriptions related to abortion, assisted suicide or other procedures. The 440-page rule has some worried about depriving patients of reproductive health care. [NYTimes] [CNN]
Topping the news: Utahns are once again starting to trust the scandal-scarred Utah Transit Authority, according to a new survey the agency commissioned. [Trib]
-> Democrats aren’t alone in wanting special counsel Robert Mueller to testify before Congress — so does Utah Sen. Mitt Romney. [Trib] [DNews]
-> The Utah Attorney General’s Office is rebutting claims in a lawsuit that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints acted as a theocratic play-caller in getting state lawmakers to repeal and replace the medical marijuana initiative approved by voters. [Trib] [Fox13] [KUTV]
Tweets of the day: @jjmccluskey: “4 years ago, Lauren graduated with honors from high school. Today she was supposed to graduate with honors from @UUtah. She will watching from heaven as her friends go through the ceremony.”
@ShawnMilne: “Even though he can’t stand my political leanings, former State Senator Dubakis is an alright guy and tells me that he doesn’t hold a grudge. *Ironically, I can’t tag him in the post ‘cause he blocked me years ago and hasn’t fulfilled his recent promise to undo that *ahem*”
@joelcampbell: “'Edward R. Murrow long ago warned about mixing the craft of journalism with ratings and entertainment. “We are in the same tent as the clowns and the freaks-that’s show business.'” ― Edward R. Murrow”
News Quiz: Last week, 93% of you knew Mitt Romney was “sickened” by Trump’s actions described in the Mueller report, but only 41% knew that Utah will allow only 10 cannabis farms to supply its medical marijuana program. Think you kept up with the news this week? Take our quiz to find out. If you’re using The Salt Lake Tribune mobile app, click here. [Trib]
Behind the Headlines: Tribune senior managing editor Matt Canham, reporter Jessica Miller and columnist Robert Gehrke join KCPW’s Roger McDonough to talk about the week’s top stories, including Kennecott’s shuttering of its last coal-fired power plant. Every Friday at 9 a.m., stream “Behind the Headlines” at kcpw.org, or tune in to KCPW 88.3 FM or Utah Public Radio for the broadcast. Join the live conversation by calling (801) 355-TALK.
Happy Birthday: On Saturday to GOP guru Dave Hansen and state Sen. Todd Weiler; and Sunday to state Rep. Phil Lyman and former Rep. Brad Dee.
Also in the news: One of the three new homeless resource centers under construction will be named after Jazz owner Gail Miller, whose family has pledged $10 million in matching funds to the project. [Trib] [DNews]
-> Sue Ferry, the matriarch of Utah contract lobbyists, has died at the age of 86. Services will be held Saturday in Brigham City. [Trib]
-> Democratic Rep. Ben McAdams was the only member of Utah’s congressional delegation to vote against withdrawal of the United States from the Paris climate change agreement. [DNews]
-> Civil-rights leader the Rev. France Davis challenged University of Utah students at Thursday night’s commencement to find a way, in this age of polarization, to bring people together. [Trib] [DNews]
-> FBI agents raided a Murray office building suspected of hiding a covert casino. [KUTV]
-> Cartoonist Pat Bagley gives his take on the latest head-scratching ruling by the Utah liquor commission. [Trib]
-> Columnist Robert Gehrke previews Saturday’s Utah Republican Party Organizing Convention and compares it to the new Avengers’ movie “Endgame.” [Trib]
Nationally: Democrats threaten to find Attorney General William Barr in contempt of Congress for refusing to appear before a House committee on the special counsel investigation. [NYTimes] [Politico]
-> Republicans are relieved that Stephen Moore withdrew from consideration for Federal Reserve Board after criticism over his past comments disparaging the role of women in the workplace and in sports. [Politico]
-> The FBI sent an undercover investigator to meet with a Trump aide during the summer of 2016 as part of the counterintelligence prove of campaign ties with Russia. [NYTimes] [Fox]
-> President Donald Trump praises steel tariffs despite Republican calls to end them. [Bloomberg]
-> President Donald Trump declared the special counsel investigation and congressional follow-up “done.” He dismissed talk of congressional subpoenas for the testimony of former White House Counsel Don McGhan. [Fox]
-> Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet jumps into the presidential race after winning his battle with cancer. [NPR]
Got a tip? A birthday, wedding or anniversary to announce? Email us at cornflakes@sltrib.com. If you haven’t already, sign up here for our weekday email to get this sent directly to your inbox.
-- Dan Harrie
