News roundup: Ann Romney says D.C. lacks grace

Ann Romney's prescription for fixing Washington. The legendary life of Nelson Mandela. Swallow's leftover campaign cash.

Happy Friday. Ann Romney on her book tour says what is ailing Washington is a lack of respect among the political combatants, something they should have learned as children. "We have to get a little bit more graciousness back in our lives." [Politico]

-> And she said if one of her five is most likely to jump into a life of politics, it is Tagg Romney, who lives in Massachusetts. [BostonHerald]

Topping the news: Nelson Mandela, one of history's most influential statesmen, passed away at the age of 95 in South Africa. Mandela will be remembered as the first president of a post-apartheid South Africa, and his remarkable efforts for peace and understanding. [WaPost] [Politico] [CNN] [NYTimes] [BuzzFeed] [LATimes] [USAToday] [BBC] [AlJazeera]

-> Mandela's attempt to bridge racial divides made a mark around the globe, including in Utah. [Trib] [DNews]

-> U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan visited Utah's Northwest Middle School to note the remarkable turnaround in student achievement at the school where most students are minorities and poor. [Trib] [DNews]

Tweet of the day: From @MittRomney: "In the modern age, Nelson Mandela will be remembered as an unsurpassed healer of human hearts."

Happy birthday: On Sunday to Exoro's Maura Carabello.

In other news: Former Attorney General John Swallow left over $150,000 in campaign funds which he can spend on many things, including his legal bills. [DNews] [Fox13]

-> A former aide to Rep. Jason Chaffetz is charged with wire fraud for allegedly lying about his military service and collecting benefits he didn't earn. The congressman referred the case to authorities when he learned about the exaggerated military claims. [DNews]

-> Students at Endeavor Hall Charter School in West Valley City formally asked President Barack Obama to continue the presidential tradition of visiting the Beehive State. [Trib]

-> Dugway Proving Grounds held a family day for the first time in its history allowing workers' families to see all the safety protocols and features the site has to keep their loved ones protected. [Trib]

-> State Sen. Lyle Hillyard gives you his early thinking on the upcoming budget. [UtahPolicy]

-> Paul Rolly discusses Davis School Board member Peter Cannon and how his view that Spanish-speaking parents' voices shouldn't be heard until they learn English. [Trib]

-> Gov. Gary Herbert appointed Marty Carpenter as his new communication director replacing Ally Isom. [Trib] [DNews]

-> The Naval Sea Cadet Corps program in Utah will change its name to NSCC Battleship Utah in honor of the USS Utah, the first ship torpedoed in the attack on Pearl Harbor. [Trib]

-> The Sugar House Streetcar, or S-Line, opened with fireworks to greet it, and officials praising it for bringing in over $400 million of investment and development to Sugar House. [Trib]

-> State investigators wrapped up their probe into the Goblin topplers and now it is up to the Emery County Attorney to decide whether to prosecute the vandals. [Trib] [DNews]

-> Bryan Schott and Bob Bernick talk about Swallow's exit and Herbert's budget plan on their weekly video discussion. [UtahPolicy]

-> Bernick writes about what we learned from the Swallow scandal. [UtahPolicy]

-> Utahns seeking to sign up for insurance through healthcare.gov are seeing less glitches and having more success. [DNews]

Nationally: The White House admitted that President Barack Obama and his uncle lived together for a short time while the president was a student at Harvard Law School. The White House said Obama never denied meeting his estranged uncle, but that there was no record of it. [WaPost] [Politico] [CNN] [NYTimes] [LATimes] [USAToday]

-> Rep. Paul Ryan and Sen. Patty Murray are getting close to finalizing a budget deal without raising any taxes and decreasing deficit. They plan to do this by selling off government assets and tweaking with federal employees' pensions. [WaPost] [Politico] [CNN] [LATimes] [USAToday]

-> Forgetful travelers left over $530,000 in loose change across the U.S. last year according the a TSA report to Congress. [WaPost] [LATimes] [USAToday]

Where are they?

Rep. Chris Stewart speaks at the Southern Utah Bar Association and meets with the Recreational Aviation Foundation.

Gov. Gary Herbert sits down with Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox and meets with the Board of Examiners.

SLC Mayor Ralph Becker attends the Performing Arts Center meeting and sits down with the Community Council Chairs.

WVC Mayor Mike Winder cuts the ribbon at Freebirds World Burrito.

President Barack Obama attends the National Christmas Tree Lighting on the Ellipse with the First Family and delivers remarks afterwards.

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]

— Matt Canham and Jordan Bailey Twitter.com/mattcanham and Twitter.com/thejordanbailey