Happy Tuesday!
Floridians last year approved a ballot measure to allow ex-felons to vote. However, the state’s Republican-leaning Legislature swiftly added restrictions, passing a measure that would only restore the right to vote to individuals who had paid off their court-imposed fees. That legislation is being challenged in the courts. [LATimes]
Topping the news: Salt Lake City Mayor-elect Erin Mendenhall said she plans to take “immediate steps” to improve the city’s poor air quality. [Trib]
-> The incumbent Salt Lake City Council Chairman Charlie Luke has conceded to his opponent, Dan Dugan, in the race to represent District 6 in the capital city. [Trib] [DNews]
-> Two internationally recognized science societies removed job ads for BYU after members raised concerns about the school’s LGBTQ policies banning “homosexual behavior.” [Trib]
Tweets of the day: From @katieomatheson: “Chris Stewart: that student who misses half the classes, then loudly complains that the class never learned the material that’s on the final. #utpol”
-> From @kylegriffin1: “The widow of Rep. Elijah Cummings, Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, just told @maddow that she plans to file the paperwork tomorrow to run for her late husband's congressional seat in Maryland.”
-> From @MJMcKean: “Every creaky, bleary, shuffly morning I greet my face in the mirror with a raspy ‘OK, boomer’ so you don't have to.”
Also in the news: The Iranian American Society of Utah says U.S. sanctions against Iran have created problems for the nonprofit that includes being flagged by payment processing companies. [Trib]
-> With the downtown Road Home shelter closing in about three weeks, South Salt Lake’s new homeless center will begin taking in men next week. [DNews]
-> In the Navajo Nation, Veterans Day was celebrated through a ceremony and two-day event that drew about 100 people. [KUER]
-> Southern Utah University is accelerating the speed at which a student can earn their bachelor’s degree with a new pilot program. [Fox13]
-> Utah’s tech companies are recruiting by using the state’s outdoor access and big peaks as perks of the job. [Trib]
-> Columnist Robert Gehrke discusses the University of Utah students who are showing why the Supreme Court should protect the Dreamers. [Trib]
-> Tribune cartoonist Pat Bagley illustrates what the new spiritual advisor for the White House might bring to the table. [Trib]
Nationally: A top Defense Department official in charge of Russia and Ukraine, Laura K. Cooper, testified that the White House began asking questions about aid to Ukraine after a meeting with President Donald Trump in mid-June. [NYTimes]
-> White House acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney’s lawyers announced he will be filing his own lawsuit over testimony in the House impeachment inquiry. [AP] [Politico]
-> Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is planned to visit the White House on Wednesday, though a number of House lawmakers are urging Trump to rescind the invitation. [Politico] [CNN]
-> Energy Secretary Rick Perry, who will leave his role on Dec. 1, is revealed to have had a central role in the Ukraine scandal, according to recently released testimony. [CNN]
-> The Former United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley said in her coming memoir that she was recruited to undermine President Donald Trump in an effort to “save the country.” [CNN] [WaPost]
-> Former Gov. Deval Patrick of Massachusetts said he is considering a last-minute entry into the 2020 presidential race. [NYTimes]
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-- Bethany Rodgers and Clara Hatcher
