News roundup: How we'd describe the shutdown if it were another country

How we'd describe the shutdown if it were another country. Hatch calls the closure a 'dark moment.' What's running, what's not.

'Tis Tuesday, and October, and for the first time in 17 years, the U.S. government has shuttered as congressional leaders remain in a budget standoff. A rundown below of what led to the shutdown and what impacts it will have. But first, Slate takes a look at what this story would look like if we were writing it about another country: "the government of this intensely proud and nationalistic people ... shut down, a drastic sign of political dysfunction in this moribund republic."

"The current rebellion has been led by Sen. Ted Cruz, a young fundamentalist lawmaker from the restive Texas region, known in the past as a hotbed of separatist activity." [Slate]

Shutdown begins: For the first time in 17 years, the U.S. government has officially closed for business after the House and Senate couldn't reach an agreement. Congress played ping pong back and forth, but in the end, couldn't find common ground. [Trib] [WaPost] [Politico] [CNN] [NYTimes]

-> Sen. Orrin Hatch calls the government shutdown a dark moment in our nation's history, and Rep. Rob Bishop is upset and frustrated by it. [KUTV] [Fox13]

-> With the government shutting down, America's national parks are closing their gates, and unsuspecting tourists aren't happy about it. [Trib]

-> Up to 40,000 Utahns could be furloughed because of the shut down, but Utah's economy should be OK if it is short. [Trib] [DNews]

-> Confused about how a government shutdown works? This will help you understand essentially everything there is to know about it. [WaPost]

-> And some more info for federal workers out there wondering whether to go to work. [WaPost]

-> In an address directed at the troops, President Barack Obama said that Congress has not fulfilled its duty to the American public. Obama said that soldiers will remain on normal duty status, but Defense Department civilians might face furloughs. [Politico]

-> Republicans battled to halt funding for the Affordable Care Act and Congress ended up shutting the government down over it, but even with the closure, Obamacare will go live on Tuesday. [WaPost]

-> Pat Bagley suggests what tea partyers are willing to do to halt Obamacare's implementation. [Trib]

Tweets of the day: From @JimGaffigan: "Wow, congress isn't taking the end of "Breaking Bad" very well at all."

From @RobertGehrke: "In less than 20 minutes, all of your U.S. currency will be completely worthless. Might as well send it to me now."

From @bazecraze: "Is the government shutting down or just going out of style?"

From @KenJennings: "The big 'Years Without a Government Shutdown' sign on Hoover Dam flips from '17' to '00.' The lights flicker once and then go out."

Happy birthday: To former state Rep. Trisha Beck, Senate President Wayne Niederhauser and to Bill Keshlear.

In other news: Want to learn more about upcoming debates and meet the candidates for your city? Here is a list of those events. [Trib]

-> Meanwhile, a candidate for West Valley City mayor may want to study what the job actually entails. [Trib]

-> Gov. Gary Herbert's former communications director pens and open letter to Sen. Mike Lee saying Obamacare is helping her breast-cancer surviving mother. [UtahPolicy]

-> A bipartisan panel met with students at the University of Utah to discuss the national debt and the role of the rising generation. [DNews]

-> LaVarr Webb says members of Congress aren't doing their job if they come from safe political districts and are unafraid of losing. [UtahPolicy]

-> A look at what Herbert may want in picking his top lieutenant. [UtahPolicy]

-> Stericycle is denying it violated any state or federal clean-air regulations or its permits, setting up a lengthy trial between the Utah Division of Air Quality and the company. [DNews]

Nationally: President Barack Obama has tapped a former adviser to Mitt Romney critical of his Social Security plans for the Social Security Commission. [NYTimes]

-> Sixty people were arrested Monday outside the White House in a protest for more disability rights. [WaPost]

-> NBC has canceled a miniseries on Hillary Clinton after a conservative uproar worried that it would offer free publicity to the potential 2016 presidential candidate. [Politico]

Where are they?

Gov. Gary Herbert interviews candidates for the 2nd District juvenile court.

SL Co. Mayor Ben McAdams participates in a fact-finding trip to Arizona.

SLC Mayor Ralph Becker does the "Man Enough to Be a Girl" photo shoot with the Girls Scouts of Utah and holds an Affordable Care Act insurance marketplace press conference.

WVC Mayor Mike Winder attends Pete Harman Day events at Harman Senior Center, tours the city housing stock and conducts the City Council meeting.

President Barack Obama meets with people who will benefit from the Affordable Care Act.

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 Jordan Bailey Twitter.com/thomaswburr Twitter.com/thejordanbailey