News roundup: Romney passes on San Diego Olympic bid offer

Romney: No thanks, San Diego. Dems win — court battle over records. Our tweeting Congress.

Happy Wednesday and welcome to May. A Mitt Romney aide says the former 2002 Winter Olympic chief is glad to offer advice to San Diego in its bid for the Summer Games but won't take any official position with the city's bid committee. San Diego's mayor had suggested that Romney could help swing the Games his way thanks to all his work in the Salt Lake Olympics. Alas, it's not to be. [CNN]

Topping the news: A state judge ruled for the Utah Democratic Party in its lawsuit against the Legislature over costs for the records request over redistricting documents — and orders the state to pay the party's $15,000 in legal fees. [Trib]

-> The Interior Department's No. 2 official, David Hayes, is leaving for the private sector as newly minted Secretary Sally Jewell takes over. [WSJ]

-> Some members of Utah's federal delegation take to Twitter to announce appearances, offer restaurant recommendations and tout new legislation — while others take a far different approach. [Trib]

Tweet of the day: From @sltrib: "Happy 20th birthday, world wide web! Here's a peek at our home page way back in 1996: http://yfrog.com/oec9hwp "

And from @GinaNSmith: "And it just keeps getting weirder. Hustler publisher Larry Flynt has endorsed Mark Sanford."

Happy birthday: To The Trib's politics boss, Dan Harrie, HuffPost Live's Abby Huntsman, former Taylorsville Mayor Janice Auger Rasmussen and Wasatch County GOP Chairman Aaron Gabrielson.

Congrats: To our former intern, Laura Schmitz, on her engagement to Nathan Sweet.

In other news: Political gadfly George Zinn has apologized for sending a "joke" to Salt Lake Marathon organizers about placing a bomb at the race. [Trib]

-> Former Utah National Guard Adjutant General John L. Matthews has died. [Trib]

-> A Mormon candidate is leading the presidential race in Mali. [ABC4]

-> In an about face after the case made headlines, prosecutors have dropped charges against an animal activist charged under Utah's "ag gag" law. [Trib] [DNews] [Fox13]

-> Jon Huntsman Sr. is used as an example in a new book about the "givers" in life. [Atlantic]

-> Jon Huntsman Jr., meanwhile, talks to Bloomberg TV about his involvement in "No Labels." [Bloomberg]

-> Salt Lake County officials praised Kennecott for its handing of the massive land slide. [Trib] [DNews]

-> Mayors from the Wasatch Front told UTA they want quicker commutes, reasonable but low fares, stations designed around high-density development and good old fashioned buses. [Trib]

-> Rep. Jim Matheson joins a volunteer delivering Meals on Wheels in Lehi. [Herald]

-> Paul Rolly says some Utah County folks are getting creative in their search for gold, using recreational dredging. [Trib]

-> Doug Robinson notes how print reporters were ranked as having the worst job in America — and why it's probably true. [DNews]

Nationally: Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona notes that new poll numbers show him lower than "pond scum" after his vote against the background checks legislation. [Politico]

-> Obama vows during a news conference on Tuesday to close Guantanamo Bay's detention center — again. [WaPost]

-> The only debate between South Carolina congressional candidates Mark Sanford and Elizabeth Colbert Busch was essentially a draw — bad news for Sanford who needed to turn the storyline in this race. [WaPost]

-> Former California Gov. Arnold Swarzenegger throws his support behind the Gang of 8's comprehensive immigration proposal. [Politico]

-> Attention Sen. Mike Lee: A Missouri senator wants to ban seersucker suits. [Esquire]

Where are they?

Rep. Jason Chaffetz hits the Tech Crunch in NYC and then flies back to Utah.

Gov. Gary Herbert hits a ribbon cutting ceremony at Startup Provo, attends a Western Governors Association subcommittee meeting, does a media availability on his Israel trade mission and later hits the Mansion Artist Series.

SL Co. Mayor Ben McAdams offers remarks at the Salt Lake County Criminal Justice Services training and then heads to the county Bicycle Advisory Committee meeting.

SLC Mayor Ralph Becker meets with Utah Museum of Fine Arts Executive Director Gretchen Dietrich, hits the Civic Engagement Task Force and gets a briefing on the performing arts center.

WVC Mayor Mike Winder meets with Petzl executives, host a monthly open door constituent meetings and speaks at the Les Belle Lettres event.

President Barack Obama meets with senior advisers in the Oval Office and then sits down with Secretary of State John Kerry and Treasury Secretary Jack Lew.

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 BurrTwitter.com/thomaswburr