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Situational awareness - November 21, 2018
Good Wednesday morning from Salt Lake City.
Executive summary: McAdams wins by a razor-thin margin. Utah Republicans eye eliminating straight-ticket voting. Trump tried to order the Justice Department to prosecute Hillary Clinton and James Comey.
TICK TOCK
5 days until federal and multi-county races are certified by the State Board of Canvassers (11/26/2018)
68 days until the first day of the 2019 Utah Legislature (1/28/2019)
114 days until the final day of the 2019 Utah Legislature (3/14/2019)
195 days until the municipal election filing period opens (6/3/2019)
199 days until the municipal election filing period ends (6/7/2019)
266 days to the 2019 Utah primary elections (8/13/2019)
350 days to the 2019 municipal elections (11/5/2019)
440 days to the 2020 Iowa Caucuses (2/3/2020)
714 days until the 2020 presidential election (11/3/2020)
Today At Utah Policy
Some Republicans want get rid of straight-party option after Democrats romp in Salt Lake CountyBy Bryan Schott, Managing Editor Utah Democrats racked up some big numbers in Salt Lake County on election day. But what really got the attention of Republicans is the number of Democrats in Salt Lake County who voted straight party ticket....
It's official! McAdams defeats Love by 694 votes; Prop. 4 hangs onBy Bryan Schott, Managing Editor Democrat Ben McAdams ousted Republican Mia Love by 694 votes after the final count on Tuesday....
It's time for a governance change in Utah CountyBy LaVarr Webb, Publisher In some ways, Utah County is the future of Utah. It is booming in growth, jobs and high-tech entrepreneurism. In a few decades it could be Utah's most populous county. Its thriving technology sector contrasts with its agricultural roots. And agriculture is still important in...
Podcast: It's finally over!By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor Bob Bernick and Bryan Schott wrap up the 2018 midterms and look ahead to 2019....
Hatch ran up an $11,000 hotel bill on a recent trip to EuropeBy Bryan Schott, Managing Editor Sen. Orrin Hatch traveled to France earlier this month to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. While there, Hatch, his staff and security detail spent $11,000 on hotel rooms in Paris....
OTHER UTAH HEADLINES
Deseret News
Editorial: Exploding growth in Utah Valley requires a mental shift in the role of housing
Utah House speaker, police investigate confrontation between 2 state lawmakers
Utah proposition to battle gerrymandering passes as final votes tallied
It's Congressman-elect Ben McAdams after election results certified, but Love hasn't conceded
Utah House Democrats re-elect Rep. Brian King as minority leader
Salt Lake Tribune
Editorial: Hatch's effort for cancer patients will go on
Unified Fire Authority won't sue to recover money misused by its former chief and other leaders
It's over. Democrat Ben McAdams ousts Republican Rep Mia Love by 694 votes
House Democrats re-elect Brian King as minority leader despite Republican's allegation
Newly released video footage shows altercation between Utah Senate Republican and House Democrat
Other
Mining company will alter expansion plan to leave historic West Mountain petroglyphs in place (Daily Herald)
Utah County finalizes election results, solidifying wins for McAdams, Provo Bond and Prop 5 (Daily Herald)
NATIONAL HEADLINES
- Bombshell! In April, President Trump wanted to order the Justice Department to prosecute Hillary Clinton and former FBI director James Comey. Trump backed off after then-White House counsel Don McGahn told him such an abuse of power could lead to his impeachment - https://nyti.ms/2FJ6mCe
- In a shocking move, President Trump sided with the Saudi government in the apparent murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Trump said it may never be known whether Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered Khashoggi's execution, even though the CIA concluded that was the case - https://nyti.ms/2FAvlr1
- Congress has until Dec. 7 to avoid a partial government shutdown. President Donald Trump is pressuring Republicans to obtain at least $5 billion for his border wall while Democrats want protections for special counsel Robert Mueller - https://politi.co/2Fzb8SH
- Economic warning signs flashing! The stock market dropped more than 500 points on Tuesday, wiping out gains for the year - https://nyti.ms/2FuzLzI
- Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker was paid more than $1.2 million by a shady conservative non-profit group that does not disclose its donors - https://wapo.st/2FAVR3y
- House Democrats plan to investigate White House adviser Ivanka Trump's use of a personal email for government business - http://bit.ly/2Fzq03o
- President Trump said reports about his daughter's use of a personal email to conduct White House business were "fake news" and dismissed any similarities to Hillary Clinton's use of a private email while Secretary of State - http://bit.ly/2FxiRR2
- "Fox and Friends" spent months bashing Hillary Clinton for using a personal email for government business. The news program discussed Ivanka Trump's use of a personal email account in the White House for just 25-seconds - https://wapo.st/2FISrf4
- Rep. Martha Fudge, who was considering challenging Nancy Pelosi for speaker next year, dropped her bid after cutting a deal on Tuesday - https://nyti.ms/2FyyKql
- President Trump lashed out at a federal judge who blocked his administration's hard-line policy on migrants who claim asylum when apprehended at the U.S.-Mexico border - https://wapo.st/2FwH1ej
- President Trump's lawyers submitted his written answers to questions from special counsel Robert Mueller - https://nyti.ms/2FAC8kK
- A federal judge blasted Mississippi lawmakers for passing a state law banning most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, saying the measure was "gaslighting" intended to mislead the public into believing they cared about women's health - https://thebea.st/2FAtu5G
- The infighting in the West Wing has turned "vicious" as staffers jockey for position ahead of the likely departure of chief of staff John Kelly - http://bit.ly/2FLRfIf
- Prosecutors in Los Angeles have filed felony charges against nine people who they allege were involved in a voter fraud scheme to offer homeless people cash and cigarettes in exchange for false or forged signatures on voter registration forms and ballot petitions - http://bit.ly/2FACV5c
ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY
- 1789 - North Carolina is admitted as the 12th state.
- 1877 - Thomas Edison announces his invention of the phonograph, a machine that can record and play sound.
- 1905 - Albert Einstein's paper that leads to the mass-energy equivalence formula, E = mc, is published.
- 1922 - Rebecca Latimer Felton of Georgia becomes the first female U.S. Senator. Her appointment was temporary as she served just 24 hours.
- 1938 - Nazi forces occupied western Czechoslovakia and declared its people German citizens.
- 1974 - Congress passed the Freedom of Information Act over President Gerald Ford's veto.
- 1985 - U.S. Navy intelligence analyst Jonathan Pollard is arrested for spying after being caught giving Israel classified information about Arab nations.
- 1986 - National Security Council member Oliver North and his secretary, Fawn Hall, start to shred documents allegedly implicating them in the Iran-Contra affair.
Policy News
Fox files: 'Project BOAT reflections' Last week, my phone was incessantly buzzing with friends sharing news articles and analyses on Amazon's decision to locate HQ2 and HQ3 in N.Y.C. and D.C., and an "Operations Center" of 5,000 people in Nashville....
World Trade Center Utah position announcement: Vice President for Foreign Investment WTC Utah is looking for an experienced and exceptional leader to develop and implement a state-wide foreign investment strategy....
Central Wasatch Commission moves forward with CWNCRA At a special meeting on Monday, the Central Wasatch Commission (CWC) voted unanimously to approve the 10/26/18 draft legislation of the Central Wasatch National Conservation Recreation Area Act (CWNCRA) and encourage introduction by Utah's Congressional delegation....
More National Headlines
Trump hammered for California wildfire claims but Gov. Brown has also backed new forest management measures (FOX News)
Acosta decision could make it easier for White House to kick reporters out (Washington Examiner)
The Beto O'Rourke 2020 buzz, explained (Vox)
How the Beto Bubble Could Burst (Politico)
Rick Scott, Ron DeSantis certified as victors of Florida races after recounts (FOX News)
Here are the scandals and other incidents that have sent Facebook's share price tanking in 2018 (CNBC)
Trump makes recount joke during turkey pardoning (New York Post)
The perils of taking on Nancy: Liberal activists threaten 'backlash' to Dems who oppose her (FOX News)
Interior Secretary Zinke blames 'radical' environmentalists for contributing to wildfires (NBC News)
Trump condemns 'disgraceful' 9th Circuit, dubbing it rubber-stamp for his foes (FOX News)
Actress says Michael Avenatti had been violent toward her before, court documents show (Los Angeles Times)
Leadership Note
"Because power corrupts, society's demands for moral authority and character increase as the importance of the position increases." John Adams
Taxes
"A fine is a tax for doing wrong. A tax is a fine for doing well." One Line Fun
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