Romney fundraises for Paul Ryan in Florida. Urquhart seeks additions to hate-crime laws. Poll: Utahns split on Herbert's Planned Parenthood decision.
Happy Friday. Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan were back together this week but it wasn't a hint at another go at the White House. Romney spoke at a a fund-raising retreat in Florida for his former running mate and now House speaker. Also, Ryan has now hired Utahn Spencer Zwick, a longtime Romney aide, to run his fund-raising operation. [Politico]
Topping the news: Sen. Steve Urquhart unveiled a bill to add sexual orientation, gender identity and disability to Utah's hate-crimes law. [Trib] [DNews] [Fox13] [KUTV]
-> According to a Tribune/Hinckley Institute poll, Utahns are split on Gov. Gary Herbert's decision to cut funding to Planned Parenthood. [Trib] Utah Democrats called for the governor to reverse his decision. [Trib] [DNews] [Fox13] [KUER]
-> Utah ranchers organized a gathering to mourn Robert "LaVoy" Finicum, who was killed in the Oregon standoff. [Spectrum] [APviaTrib] The FBI released a video of the confrontation that led to Finicum's death. [Fox13] [ABC] [WaPost] A Utah woman who participated in the group said the protest was non-violent. [Fox13]
Tweets of the day: From @joelcampell: "Now there's one for the books. Jim McMahon is cited as reason to pass med marijuana bill."
From @mviser: "Donald Trump, who is not even participating in the debate, STILL has the highest minute-by-minute candidate search in NH (via Google Trends)"
Happy Birthday: On Sunday to Michael Kempner and former state Sen. Pat Jones.
Tune in: Tribune reporters Robert Gehrke, Christopher Smart and Emma Penrod as well as editorial writer George Pyle join Jennifer Napier-Pearce to talk about the week's top news stories, including the State of the State address, bills that are gaining traction and a contentious EPA air quality hearing. Listen live at 9 a.m. MT on KCPW and Utah Public Radio.
From Capitol Hill: Rep. Craig Hall is touting the idea of allowing a virtual drivers license on your cell phone. [UtahPolicy]
-> Taylorsville Republican Sen. Wayne Harper pulled his bill to collect online sales tax from a committee schedule amid massive opposition from conservative groups. [Trib]
-> Rep. David Lifferth introduced a bill to address cyber crimes such as denial of service attacks. [Fox13]
-> A proposal to allow firearms on public transit passed through committee. [Trib] [DNews] [ABC4]
-> New legislation seeks to allow makers of liquor and beer in Utah to offer samplings of their products to consumers. [UtahPolicy]
-> A bill to extend the statute of limitations for criminal air polluters passed committee while another bill to increase penalties remained stalled. [Trib]
-> Pleasant Grove Republican Rep. Brian Greene introduced a bill that would allow the raising of sales tax to improve roads without giving money to Utah Transit Authority. [Trib]
-> A coalition of social service organizations complained about the $500 million the state is spending in earmarks. [DNews]
-> A House committee approved a bill to allow 12-year-olds to apply for a special hunting permit. [DNews]
-> Rep. Chris Stewart told Utah lawmakers that the country is in a "dangerous time." [DNews]
-> The Senate passed a bill to offer state employees a "phased retirement." [Trib]
-> Attorneys told Utah lawmakers that the state could win a lawsuit to take public lands from the federal government. [Trib] The governor said he hasn't decided whether to go forward with the suit. [DNews]
-> Disabled veterans may get a free pass to state parks under a bill that passed a House committee. [DNews]
-> Salt Lake City Democrat Jim Dabakis is crafting legislation to rename Columbus Day to "Indigenous People's Day." [Fox13]
-> House Speaker Greg Hughes said the recent shooting of Unified Police Officer Doug Barney doesn't make him to regret passing criminal justice reform last year. [KUTV]
-> Here is today's legislative committee schedule. [Trib]
In other news: A leader of Mama Dragons, a support group for families of gay Mormons, reported an increase in suicides since the church changed its policy last year. [Trib] [DNews]
-> U.S. Marshals took a violent fugitive into custody after a raid in Taylorsville. [Trib] [Fox13]
-> A cellphone call led to a physical confrontation between a Utah woman and a Duchesne County recorder. [Trib]
-> Pat Bagley's take on the "right wing media." [Trib]
-> Paul Rolly tells the story of a Vietnam veteran who has been waiting three years for surgery. [Trib]
Nationally: Without Republican front-runner Donald Trump on the stage, Sen. Ted Cruz took the spotlight at the Fox News GOP debate. [Politico] [WaPost] Trump skipped the debate and held his own rival event. [NYTimes] Here are the top ten moments from the debate. [Politico]
-> Sen. Bernie Sanders co-sponsored a bill to repeal a law which gives legal protections to gun manufacturers. [CNN]
-> Sanders and Hillary Clinton accused each other of dodging debates. [Politico]
-> Top executives will leave popular political news site Politico at the end of November. [NYTimes]
Where are they?
Got a tip? A birthday, wedding or anniversary to announce? Email us at cornflakes@sltrib.com. If you haven't already, sign up for our weekday email and get this sent directly to your inbox. [Trib]
Thomas Burr and Michael Anderson