News roundup: Girl asks Biden to prom; he sends a corsage

Biden turns down 17-year-old's prom request but sends corsage. Federal judge orders Utah to recognize same-sex marriages already performed. BLM to auction 100k acres for drilling in southern Utah.

Happy Tuesday. A 17-year-old Connecticut girl sent Vice President Joe Biden a note last fall asking him to prom. "I am inviting you so far in advance because I'm sure many 17-year-old girls send you prom invitations, and I had to beat them to it," Talia Maselli said in her letter. "I could only tolerate a high school dance if I was to be escorted by the most delightful man in America." She never expected to hear back. But on the eve of the prom, a deliveryman showed up with a note from the Veep saying he was flattered but couldn't attend. He did, however, send a corsage. [Courant] [Politico] [WaPost]

Topping the news: A federal judge said Utah must recognize the same-sex marriages that occurred in the state during the legal window in December and January; the decision takes effect in 21 days and it is anticipated that Utah Attorney Sean Reyes will attempt to appeal the ruling before then. [Trib] [DNews] [KUTV] [KSL] [Fox13]

-> The Bureau of Land Management plans to auction 100,000 acres of land in southern Utah for drilling. [Trib]

-> Utah environmentalists are rallying against and suing the U.S. Forest Service for allowing the Bureau of Land Management to authorize a petroleum company to dig oil wells in the Uinta Basin. [Trib]

Tweets of the day: From @TajMagruder: "Why didn't I think of asking @HillaryClinton to prom?"

-> From @dcfairbank: "I have a better idea Rep Paul Ray. How about Dr Evil's sharks with frickin' laser beams attached to their heads?"

-> From @Patbagley: "Only people happy at the demise of #sltrib would be crooked politicians and polluters"

In other news: Land managers in Utah are looking for a balance with the region's cattle and elk to prevent overuse of Western lands. [Trib]

-> South Jordan residents concerned about the future of Mulligans Golf and Games are asking for an audit of the property. [Trib]

-> Residents of Farmington are concerned about a proposed subdivision in the city because of what they say is unstable land. [KSL]

-> National Park Service officials say it's too late to stop the invasive Quagga mussel from reaching Lake Powell. [DNews] [KSL]

-> Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker wants citizens to schedule one-on-one meetings with him to discuss their concerns. [DNews]

Nationally: President Barack Obama will create a national monument in the Organ Mountains near the U.S.-Mexico border on Wednesday. [LasCrucesSunNews] [USAToday] Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, is asking him to reconsider. [RobBishop]

-> The U.S. Department of Justice charged five members of China's army with economic espionage. [NYTimes] [WSJ] [WaPost]

-> A federal judge struck down the ban on same-sex marriage in Oregon. [NYTimes] [WSJ] [WaPost]

-> Jill Abramson, former executive editor of The New York Times, spoke at the Wake Forest University's commencement; it was the first time she'd spoken in public since being fired from The Times. [Politico] [WaPost]

Where are they?

Rep. Jason Chaffetz attends a fundraiser in the morning, heads to a Medicare mismanagement hearing and meets with the Utah Dental Association and later with Utah Tourism Industry. Chaffetz ends his day eating dinner with the Deputy Ambassador from India.

Gov. Gary Herbert sits in on a Utah Taxes Now conference and attends a Healthy Utah strategy meeting.

Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox participates in a public safety summit in St. George.

SL Co. Mayor Ben McAdams goes to a Unified Fire Authority meeting and presents commission on youth awards at the County Council hearing.

SLC Mayor Ralph Becker meets with department directors, listens to an update on the Utah Performing Arts Center and attends an electric vehicle press conference. He later hears about recent airport development and goes to the City Council meeting.

President Barack Obama discusses creating jobs for Americans with national and international business leaders and later speaks with Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel.

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 Courtney Tanner Twitter.com/thomaswburr and Twitter.com/CourtneyLTanner