News roundup: Huntsman may face lawsuit over unpaid campaign bills

Herbert takes the brunt of it at debate. Gingrich camp sends Utah a new check. Romney's wife defends her role as a homemaker.

Happy Thursday. Some former advisers to Jon Huntsman are getting antsy that they haven't been paid for their work on his short-lived presidential campaign and have dished that they may file a lawsuit if they don't hear from the former Utah governor soon. [Politico]

Topping the news: In the first debate since mid-March, Gov. Gary Herbert gets ganged up on by five Republican challengers who say they can do his job better than he can. [Trib] [DNews] [Fox13]

-> Herbert calls for a statewide security audit after a poorly-protected server was pillaged of private Medicaid data. [Trib] [DNews]

-> The 4th District Republicans, particularly Mia Love and Carl Wimmer, are taking shots at each other for their fundraising support as they try to get the upper hand in what appears to be a tight race. [Trib]

-> Newt Gingrich's campaign has put another $500 check in the mail to Utah elections officials and his team promises this one won't bounce. [Trib] [Fox13]

Tweets of the Day: From @aburnspolitico: "You know what this election needs more of, is manufactured outrage"

From @HotlineReid: "Jon Huntsman won an election! Well, to be on Caterpillar's board of directors.'

Happy birthday: to political adviser Fred Piccolo.

Congrats: To Susannah Hertz, who has been named Utah's newest Cherry Blossom and will represent Utah at the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C.

In other news: Utah Democrats running for Senate face off in a debate but united under one common goal: beat Sen. Orrin Hatch. [Trib] [DNews]

-> In a mandated straw poll of state senators, Dan Liljenquist beat Hatch. It probably didn't hurt Liljenquist that he was a member of the state Senate just a few months ago. [Trib]

-> A Legislative candidate is wed to accused swindler Rick Koerber and she plans to fight the corruption that she says led to his charges. [Trib]

-> The two Democrats are far out raising the six Republicans in the SL Co's Mayor race that could result in two primary showdowns. [Trib]

-> A candidate for Utah's 2nd Congressional District Jason Buck is being sued for more than $19,500 by a local consulting firm that alleges the former BYU and NFL football player failed to pay for materials and services provided to his campaign. [Trib]

-> Utah's Supreme Court heard a lawsuit challenging legislators of lumping together more than a dozen bills — including ones that were defeated — into an education bill in 2008 questions how the Utah Legislature functions. [DNews]

-> The troubled Department of Alcohol Beverage Control is facing another state audit. This time of its inventory issues. [ABC4]

-> Ute tribes are among 41 tribes nationwide to reach a $1 billion settlement with the federal government in lawsuit alleging mismanagement of tribal trust funds. [Trib] [DNews]

-> A calculation error leaves Utah schools $25 million short, a point opponents of Herbert are likely to use in their campaigns for governor. [Trib] [DNews]

-> Jon Huntsman joins Caterpillar's board of directors, adding yet another notch on his resume. [ChicagoTrib] [BusinessWeek]

-> The Utah Transit Authority gets high marks for its approval rating — receiving a five our of seven overall [Trib], and its "distracted walking" ordinance seems to be working. [Trib]

-> University of Utah students launch an open government to encourage members to be more open their agendas. [Trib] [Fox13]

-> After a federal immigration audit, a fancy Utah hotel lost nearly 10 percent of its staff. [Trib]

-> Activists against a power plant in their areas are ramping up their fight now that state regulators have approved the pitch. [Trib]

-> Leaders from Richfield enjoyed a White House reception Thursday as one of five winners of a program initiative by the First Lady to honor groups supporting the troops. [Trib]

-> The high-anticipated airport TRAX line is still a work in progress, and UTA says the economic conditions will keep it from going directly to the University of Utah. [Trib]

-> An attorney for Salt Lake City has been named to fill one of the federal court's open magistrate positions in Utah. [Trib]

2012 Watch: Ann Romney takes to Twitter to defend herself from an accusation by a Democratic pundit that she has never worked a day in her life. [LaTimes]

-> Now that Rick Santorum is no longer an option, Evangelicals are scooting over to Mitt Romney for their presidential pick. [NYTimes]

-> Obama and Romney face off to declare the other as "elitist" and "out of touch." [CSMonitor]

-> As the general election fight heats up, its Vice President Joe Biden's job to be rough with Romney. [USNews]

-> Romney tries to the pick up the female votes that would have gone to Santorum. [USAToday]

-> Gingrich says Santorum's exit has provided him an entrance to edge closer to Romney and "finally be one-on-one" with him. [FoxNews]

-> Ron Paul is making pleas to his supporters with a message that is as blunt as it is realistic: donate or his campaign dies. [TheHill]

-> Thanks to Romney supporters, Republicans and his own former staffers, Tim Pawlenty is now debt free. [ABCNews]

-> Although Santorum is out of the race, his campaign helped social conservatism have a voice and made Romney a better candidate. [WaPost]

-> While Ron Paul has been campaigning for the presidency, his seat in Congress is being sought after — a position he didn't seek reelection for. [Politico]

Where are they?

Rep. Jason Chaffetz attends a luncheon at Utah Valley University.

Gov. Gary Herbert hosts ceremonial bill signings.

SL Co. Mayor Peter Corroon goes to a United Way board meeting and Board of Tourism meeting then heads to the Board of Tourism retreat.

SLC Mayor Ralph Becker hits a Capital Improvement Projects budget meeting.

WVC Mayor Mike Winder meets with delegates in Midvale.

President Barack Obama continues to make his case for the Buffett rule.

Got a tip? A birthday, wedding or anniversary to announce? Email us at cornflakes@sltrib.com.

— Matt Canham and Laura Schmitz Twitter.com/mattcanham