News roundup: GOP upset over slow pace of IRS probe

GOP upset over slow pace of IRS probe. Herbert hopes to have fed deal on Medicaid by summer. Audit: Utah State Fair under-attended, over-subsidized.

Happy Friday. The IRS, easily one of Americans' top hated government agencies, seems like an easy target for Republicans but some in the GOP are upset by Oversight Chairman Darrell Issa's continued probe over the targeting of tea party groups. The point: It shouldn't have dragged on so long, and it's become a distraction from serious charges. Among those complaining, Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah: "There is a perception that if your case is rock-solid, it doesn't need months to sort it out." [Politico]

Topping the news: Gov. Gary Herbert said he hopes to have a deal with the feds on Medicaid expansion by summer. [Trib] [DNews] [KUER] [Fox13] [KUTV] [ABC4]

-> A new audit found that the Utah State Fair is the most under-attended and highly subsidized state fair in the Intermountain states. [Trib] [KUER] [Fox13] [KUTV]

-> The National Parks director says Americans' disconnect with their national treasures is making it more difficult to protect and maintain the lands. [Trib]

Tweets of the day: From @WestWingReport: "Unlike most visitors to Rome, a President gets the Colosseum all to himself (Pool: @dougmillsnyt) pic.twitter.com/TUbOgM7FQR"

From @CarrieNBCNews: "Biden, noting his diplomatic outreach in the Americas: 'The president's basically put me in charge of this hemisphere.'"

Happy Birthday: On Sunday, to former state Rep. Lorie Fowlke and the Utah Department of Environmental Quality's Stacee Adams.

In other news: Former Deputy AG Kirk Torgensen is also part of the broad investigation into former AG John Swallow. [Trib]

-> The change in age requirements for Mormon missions is again cutting into enrollment at Utah colleges, especially among women. [Trib]

-> SL Co. Republican Party Chairman Chad Bennion has resigned amid allegations of domestic abuse. [Trib] [ABC4]

-> A South Weber City councilman was charged with embezzling more than $200,000 from a Bountiful assisted living facility. [Trib] [KUTV]

-> Former state Democratic Party Chairman Jim Dabakis said the party almost convinced a former LDS general authority to run for office two years ago. [Trib]

-> Bob Bernick and Bryan Schott discuss Dabakis' resignation and the possible GOP lawsuit against the Count My Vote deal. [UtahPolicy]

-> Gov. Herbert said if he runs for another term he would gather signatures to get on the primary ballot as well as go through the caucus-convention system. [KUTV] Bernick says even state officials are a little confused about the new process to get on the ballot. [UtahPolicy]

-> Paul Rolly says a teacher that criticized Granite School District's standardized testing was put on administrative leave and may be fired. [Trib]

-> GOP Salt Lake County Councilwoman Aimee Winder Newton is taking a page out of Mayor Ben McAdams playbook: reaching across the aisle to grab support for her election. [UtahPolicy]

-> A health clinic for low-income people opened in Midvale with help from the Affordable Care Act. [Trib] [DNews] [KUER]

-> Ann Romney will be the commencement speaker at Southern Utah University. [DNews]

-> Pat Bagley pokes fun at Sen. John McCain's reaction to Russia's annexation of Crimea. [Trib]

Nationally: A report commissioned by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's administration on the George Washington Bridge lane closures put almost all the blame on two former Christie appointees. The report did not conclude if the closures were politically motivated or not. [BergenRecord]

-> President Barack Obama met with Pope Francis and the two discussed poverty, inequality, war and other topics. [WaPost]

-> Congress has approved a $1 billion aid package for Ukraine. [NYTimes]

-> The White House said more than 6 million people signed up for health insurance through state and federal exchanges. [Politico]

Where are they?

Rep. Jason Chaffetz meets with Indiana Gov. Mike Pence.

Gov. Gary Herbert has a bill review with Jacey Skinner, 3rd District Judicial interviews, meets with Mary Carpenter and hits the Pillar of the Valley. On Saturday, he attends the Vietnam Veterans Recognition.

Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox also participates in the bill review and judicial interviews.

SLC Mayor Ralph Becker hits EPA meetings in Washington.

President Barack Obama flies from Rome to Saudi Arabia and has a bilateral meeting with His Majesty King Abdullah.

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 Topher Webb Twitter.com/thomaswburr and Twitter.com/topherjwebb