Happy Friday!
The New York Times takes a deep dive into whether Paul Huntsman can save The Salt Lake Tribune by turning it into a non-profit. “I took the losses and subsidized the paper as long as I could. The losses were devastating to me personally. I said, ‘I have to make a change,’” Huntsman explains. The story takes a personal look at Huntsman and his style. [NYTimes]
Topping the news: A new report shows that homelessness in Weber County is skyrocketing but it’s not getting the attention it deserves. [Trib]
-> The Utah Transit Authority is about to test “microtransit,” a cross between a traditional bus system and Uber and Lyft, where riders can use a smartphone app to get to a specific destination. [Trib]
-> The Point of the Mountain Authority Board appointed Alan Matheson, the former executive director of the Utah Department of Environmental Quality, as its new director. [Trib]
Tweets of the day: @RepKarenKwan: “Tax Reform town hall in WVC. Asked attendees for input on several tax reform options, someone wrote “A bad bet” for Sports Gambling. #ohsopunny #taxreformhumor #utpol”
->@thesidetrack: “Reminder that Trump could never have been elected President without a news media that covers politics as entertainment.”
->@ambientgillan “Centrism is the toxoplasmosis of politics”
Happy Birthday: Former state Rep. Rebecca Chavez-Houck and former state Sen. Margaret Dayton.
Behind the Headlines: Tribune government and politics editor Dan Harrie, reporter Courtney Tanner and columnist George Pyle join KCPW’s Roger McDonough to talk about the week’s top stories, including a plan by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to increase political participation among its members. 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.
Also in the news: Utah lawmakers say they made a mistake not appropriating funds to encourage Utahns to participate in the upcoming census, so they are considering designating up to $1 million for the effort. [Trib]
-> Lobbyists ask Utah lawmakers to eliminate 7.5% sales tax to help oil and gas industry. [Trib]
-> A ride along the Jordan River helps Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski promote alternative transportation. [Trib]
-> A memorial pays tribute to 25 fallen Salt Lake City policemen who ‘served with integrity and character.’ [Trib]
-> The parents of a Utah teen killed by Cottonwood Heights police are suing the department and the officer who fired the gun. [Trib]
-> A hearing discusses changing Utah County’s commission form of government into a council-mayor form. [DailyHerald]
-> Utah will treat medical cannabis the same as other prescription drugs and not punish medical cannabis patients. [FOX 13]
-> Crystal Legionaires, who disrupted the 2019 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints general conference, will go on trial next week. [FOX 13]
-> Columnist Robert Gehrke shares his take on how Spencer Cox can be beat in the 2020 gubernatorial race. [Trib]
-> Cartoonist Pat Bagley depicts “Speaker for the Speechless.” [Trib]
-> Last week, 92% of you knew about the uptick in Utah’s butterfly population, but only 64% knew about a law-breaking former liquor store employee. Think you kept up with the news this week? Take our quiz to find out. A new one will post every Friday morning. You can find previous quizzes here. If you’re using The Salt Lake Tribune mobile app, click here. [Trib]
Nationally: After weeks of conflict, President Donald Trump told acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan that he does not want to go to war with Iran. [NYTimes]
-> Trump unveils his plan to overhaul the legal immigration system, trying to stress merit and education over family ties. [APviaTrib]
-> Frustrated with the Trump administration’s lack of cooperation, Democrats are counting on Robert Mueller’s potential testimony clear up questions about his Russia investigation. [NYTimes]
-> A federal judge ordered that prosecutors make public a transcript of a phone call that former national security adviser Michael had with a Russian ambassador in late 2016. [WaPost]
-> House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff said his committee will meet next week to discuss holding Attorney General William Barr in contempt for ignoring the committee’s subpoena of the unredacted special counsel report and related documents. [WaPost]
-> Taiwan is now the first country in Asia with laws allowing and detailing the terms of same-sex marriage. [WaPost]
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.
-- Lee Davidson and Alison Berg
