News roundup: Mike Lee's Jell-O day makes true fact list

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Mike Lee's Jell-O day makes true fact list. Report: Inversion, oil & gas development creating bad air in Utah. Chaffetz questions $400k camel.

Happy Wednesday. For yesterday's April Fools fun, The Washington Post put together a list of 15 political things that are actually true even if they sound completely made up, i.e. that Congress once appropriated money to blow out the walls of the Senate because of worries the stuffy air was killing its members and that Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., actually raised $17,000 for her campaign from her ex-boyfriends. Also a true fact: That you can get free Jell-O every Wednesday in Sen. Mike Lee's office as a tribute to Utah's official dessert. Since today is Wednesday, we expect a few more visitors to the weekly event. [WaPost]

Topping the news: The Utah Division of Air Quality released a study saying that cold weather inversions along with oil and gas development in northeastern Utah are causing the dangerous winter ozone levels in the Uinta Basin and seasonal controls may be a way to fix it. [Trib] [DNews]

-> Rep. Jason Chaffetz has some questions about a $400,000 camel statue purchased for the U.S. Embassy in Pakistan, which he calls "a questionable use of taxpayer resources." [BuzzFeed]

-> Incumbent Republicans who voted for the Count My Vote compromise are facing heat from some constituents who are angry about the change to the nominating process. [UtahPolicy]

Tweet of the day: From @TheDirtySports: "The Red Sox visited the White House today. The team gave Obama a jersey & he returned the favor by forcing them to sign up for Obamacare."

Happy Birthday: To state Rep. Dana Layton, R-Orem, State Auditor John Dougall and former state Rep. Julie Fisher.

In other news: Paul Rolly profiles perennial candidate Merrill Cook who now cares for his wife with Alzheimers. [Trib]

-> Matt Canham takes a look at the candidates who want to replace outgoing Rep. Jim Matheson in Utah's 4th Congressional District. [Trib]

-> Today is the last day for Gov. Gary Herbert to sign or veto bills. He signed 70 more Tuesday. [Trib]

-> The Governor's Mansion will glow blue for World Autism Day. [Trib]

-> Utah Policy looks at what could be the five most vulnerable House seats in the Utah Legislature. [UtahPolicy]

-> Salt Lake City is considering three new off-leash dog parks. [Trib]

Nationally: The White House announced that more than 7 million people have signed up for health insurance through the health insurance marketplaces. [WaPost] [DNews] Some Utah lawmakers aren't as enthusiastic as the president. [ABC4] Pat Bagley gives his take. [Trib]

-> Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., released a budget proposal that would cut $5 trillion during the next 10 years. [WaPost]

-> General Motors CEO Mary Barra expressed remorse to a House committee over deaths caused by ignition switch defects in compact cars. [NYTimes]

-> Here is a look into what White House Grandma Marian Robinson's life is like. [WaPost]

Where are they?

Rep. Jason Chaffetz hits a GOP Conference meeting, a hearing on ATF operations, a Judiciary mark-up, a Republican Study Committee meeting, sits down with Provo River Water Users, the Western Caucus, House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, and with Energy and Commerce Committee chairman Fred Upton, R-Mich.

Rep. Chris Stewart attends the GOP Conference meeting, goes to a House Appropriations Labor Subcommittee hearing with Labor Secretary Thomas Perez, the Republican Study meeting, a House Appropriations Interior Subcommittee hearing with the US Forest Service. He later hits the Western Caucus meeting and meets with the Utah Pork Producers.

Gov. Gary Herbert reviews bills with Jacey Skinner, meets with state Rep. LaVar Christensen, R-Draper, and later with Marty Carpenter and goes to the GOED Economic Summit reception.

SL Co. Mayor Ben McAdams speaks at the Bonneville Exchange Club, meets with Midvale Mayor JoAnn Seghini, and hits the 59th annual Communication at the University of Utah awards banquet.

SLC Mayor Ralph Becker hits a media interview, and meets with mayoral liaisons meeting and with staff on the budget.

President Barack Obama speaks a the University of Michigan about raising the minimum wage, and flies to Chicago to attend a DNC event before returning to the White House.

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