News roundup: Obama calls for peace after Zimmerman verdict

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Obama calls for calm after Zimmerman verdict. SkiLink appears dead. Utah tops drug crimes in national parks.

Happy Monday. In the aftermath of the jury decision of George Zimmerman, President Barack Obama issued a statement asking for all sides to pause a moment and think about what's truly important: "I know this case has elicited strong passions. And in the wake of the verdict, I know those passions may be running even higher. But we are a nation of laws, and a jury has spoken. I now ask every American to respect the call for calm reflection from two parents who lost their young son." [HuffPost]

Topping the news: The congressional legislation to create the SkiLink between Canyons and Snowbird appears dead this year despite a big push last year. [Trib]

-> Utah leads the nation in the number of drug crimes in national parks. [Trib]

-> Two major steps forward in the investigation into AG John Swallow are due to take place this week - the appointment of a House committee and the naming of a special counsel. The Utah House and Senate will meet Wednesday to clarify the powers of the House committee. [Trib] [DNews] [ABC4]

-> An internal UTA study has concluded that doing away with the transit agency's police force would cost more than it would save. [Trib]

Tweet of the day: From @RepBrianKing: "I would just like the world to know that, despite the last name, to the best of my knowledge I am not related to Rep. Steve King (R-IA)."

Happy birthday: to Rep. Chris Stewart.

Opinion Section: Paul Rolly discusses the NRCC's relentless attacks on Rep. Jim Matheson, Utah's lone Democratic congressman, even though the next general election is 18 months away. [Trib]

-> George Pyle offers his take on Republicans' attitude toward the poor. [Trib]

-> The government liaison for the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City explores the human story of immigrants attempting to cross the Mexico-U.S. border undetected. [Trib]

-> The executive director of Glen Canyon Institute says that all states reliant on the Colorado River need to work together to address the projected basin-wide shortages or risk facing devastating consequences. [Trib]

-> A University of Utah philosophy professor gives his take on same-sex marriage. [Trib]

-> Former House Rep. David Irvine looks at how much an investigation into AG John Swallow is likely to cost the taxpayer. [Trib]

-> Two members of the Utah House, Rep. Brian S. King, D-Salt Lake City, and Rep. Kraig Powell, R-Heber City, believe that there should be monetary limits on campaign contributions to lower the risk of improper influence over elected officials. [Trib]

-> A former chair of the S.L. Co. Republican Party fears that Utah's administrative subpoena law allows for a significant abuse of power. [Trib]

-> Pat Bagley gives his take on NSA leaker Edward Snowden's decision to hide out in Russia. [Trib]

-> Frank Pignanelli and LaVarr Webb discuss the impact on Utahns of the Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage and the Utah Representatives' expected course of action on immigration reform. [DNews]

-> The founder and president of two air quality groups argues that the Utah Clean Air Partnership should not be supporting the UDOT'S West Davis Corridor, as it will increase traffic. Instead it should back the Utahns for Better Transportation's Shared Solution. [DNews]

-> Former Sen. Bob Bennett discusses the delay in parts of the Affordable Care Act. [DNews]

Weekend in Review: Paul Rolly talks of the legacy left by the late Vernon B. Romney, former Utah AG, who died Saturday at the age of 89. [Trib]

-> Speaking on ABC News' This Week, Sen. Orrin Hatch said he believes the House will propose measures on immigration that will strengthen the Senate bill, and trusts that a conference committee of the two bodies can come up with a satisfactory solution. [Trib]

-> Our D.C. notebook looks at the "nuclear option" in the Senate, the House delegation's allegiances and a side-affect of sequestration that's impacting Rep. Rob Bishop's day. [Trib]

-> The Road Home, an organization providing emergency shelter and housing services, has received a $340,240 grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs to help homeless and at-risk veterans and their families. [Trib]

-> Most Utah prosecutors are wary of using administrative subpoenas, which can be issued without court approval, because they're concerned that the power to use them could be abused. [Trib]

-> Veterans have voiced their displeasure over West Valley City Police officers wearing armed forces ribbons which they have not won. The West Valley City Manager said that the ribbons earned by the officers closely resemble military ribbons in design, but are not the same. [Trib]

-> Weber County Commissioner Matt Bell wants to scale back the $45 million plan to upgrade and expand the county's libraries, arguing that they don't need to be "Taj Mahals." Critics say libraries are worthy of investment as they are increasingly becoming community meeting places. [Trib]

-> Three Utah pastors express disappointment at the outcome of the trial of George Zimmerman. [Trib]

-> Officials in Carbon County are seeking state funding to begin paving a 34-mile stretch of roadway through Nine Mile Canyon to serve natural gas operations. Critics fear the real motivation is the transportation of oil. [Trib]

-> Representatives from the Defense Department were in Salt Lake City on Saturday to help the families of soldiers missing in action find answers. [DNews] [Fox13] [ABC4]

-> Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s PAC has received a $50,000 donation from the managing partner of a New York City-based hedge fund. [DNews]

-> SL Co. Mayor Ben McAdams is outraged that Valley Mental Health is planning to cut care to some patients and he is pushing for an independent audit. [Fox13]

Nationally: President Barack Obama called for calm on Sunday in the wake of the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of teenager Trayvon Martin. [NYTimes] [WaPost] [Politico]

-> Former Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer has announced that he won't run for the state's Senate seat in 2014, increasing Democratic fears that the party may struggle to maintain the majority after the midterm elections. [NYTimes] [WaPost]

-> An American military spokesman has reported that 15 prisoners at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba have quit participating in a hunger strike. [NYTimes]

-> The Air Force has named wing commander Maj. Gen. Margaret H. Woodward head of its newly-expanded office in charge of sexual assault prevention and response policies. [NYTimes]

-> According to senior Kremlin officials, NSA leaker Edward Snowden has not submitted a formal request for asylum to Russia. [NYTimes]

-> The relationship between Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and minority leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is becoming increasingly strained as the pair clash over a potential historic change to Senate fillibuster rules. [WaPost] [Politico]

-> Consumer advocates and government officials are warning the public that fraudsters are set to capitalize on widespread confusion over Obamacare, soliciting personal information such as credit card details and Social Security numbers. [WaPost]

Where are they?

SL Co. Mayor Ben McAdams holds a staff meeting.

SLC Mayor Ralph Becker joins conference calls with the Policy Consensus Initiative and regional director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Marguerite Salazar.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama are joined for lunch by former President George H.W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush before hosting the couple at a White House event to honor the winner of the 5,000th Daily Point of Light Award.

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 Isobel MarkhamTwitter.com/thomaswburr and Twitter.com/i_markham