Happy Wednesday!
The nation’s largest drug companies distributed more than 76 billion oxycodone and hydrocodone pain pills in America from 2006 through 2012, according to newly released federal data. During that period, the nation’s opioid epidemic surged and claimed about 100,000 lives. Three companies manufactured nearly 90% of these pills, and six companies distributed three-quarters of them. [WaPost] (Note: This item has been updated.)
Topping the news: The 10th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled in favor of San Juan County’s new voting districts. The district map upheld by the court gives more voting power to Navajo residents, who previously raised concerns that their population was unfairly packed into a single voting district. [Trib] [Fox13]
-> University of Utah Police Chief Dale Brophy announced his retirement nine months after the murder of Lauren McCluskey. [Trib]
-> The U.S. House of Representatives voted to condemn racist tweets in which President Donald Trump said four congresswomen of color should return to where they came from. Utah’s GOP House members voted against the resolution on Tuesday, while Democratic Rep. Ben McAdams supported the measure. [Trib]
Tweets of the day: From @SharonGF_NBCT: “Have to say that as a white woman, I have NEVER been told to ‘go back to where I came from.’ I don’t know one white person who has had this said to them. I have seen this happen to American-born minority individuals on a regular basis.”
-> From @PresidentAmelia: “Condemning racist comments isn’t falling for the bait or giving bullies the attention they crave when the source of the hate is the president. It’s sending a message to any bystander that racism will not be tolerated. Ignoring hate is a privilege, condemning it a responsibility”
-> From @AriWRees: “You can tell Suzie from Stranger Things is a Mormon because she persists in doing a singalong to a song from a children’s movie when literally no one has asked for it.”
-> From @BjaminWood: “Once upon a midnight dreary, while @SeanReyesUT pondered, weak and weary, over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore — While he nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping, As of someone gently rapping, rapping at his office door. #utpol”
In other news: Utah changed its proposed medical marijuana rules to scrap a residency requirement for businesses to obtain cannabis cultivation licenses. [Trib]
-> The Utah Transit Authority is partnering with a transportation app to ease trip planning. [Trib]
-> The Bureau of Land Management will shift 44 jobs from D.C. to Utah as its headquarters moves to Colorado. [Trib]
-> Gov. Gary Herbert says Utah welcomes everyone, but has not explicitly condemned Trump’s tweet. [Trib]
-> John Rallo, a St. Louis businessman with ties to a Utah food company, pleaded guilty to federal charges Tuesday. [SLToday] [Trib]
-> An escaped raven from the Tracy Aviary came knocking on Capitol Hill. [Trib]
-> Texas Longhorns made an appearance on the front lawn of Utah’s Capitol on Tuesday as part of the annual “Days of ’47” celebration in honor of the arrival of the state’s pioneers. [Fox13]
-> State Rep. Angela Romero, D-Salt Lake City, wants to force clergy to report confessions of child sex abuse to the police. [Fox13]
-> Cartoonist Pat Bagley gives a nod to the 1969 moon landing. [Trib]
Nationally: New studies provide further evidence that hot weather could increase violence. This could spell trouble as global temperatures rise with climate change. [WaPo]
-> The New York police officer who choked Eric Garner to death during an attempted arrest in 2014 will not face charges. [Reuters]
-> President Donald Trump said his administration is investigating Google’s relationship with China. [Reuters]
-> Former liberal Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens died Tuesday. [WSJ] [WaPo]
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-- Bethany Rodgers and Sara Tabin
