News roundup: Cruz: Vampire massacre of fictional supporters 'sucks'

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Cruz: Vampire massacre of fictional supporters sucks. Herbert pushes for action on border. Tar-sands protesters released from jail.

Happy Wednesday. The latest episode of "True Blood" featured a vampire-run massacre of a fictional Ted Cruz rally at the George W. Bush Presidential Library in Texas but the Texas senator was none too happy to see his fictional supporters lose their lives. "Well, I'm sorry to have lost the vampire vote, but am astonished (and amused) that HBO is suggesting that hard-core leftists are blood-sucking fiends...." Cruz wrote on Facebook. Let's just put it this way, Cruz thinks that a show with vampires attacking his people really sucks. [WaPost] [Politico]

Topping the news: Gov. Gary Herbert is among a group of governors asking President Barack Obama to act on immigration. [Trib] [DNews] [Fox13]

-> The anti-tar sands protestors who were arrested Monday have been released from jail [Trib] [DNews]

-> Utahns deployed in Afghanistan will still be celebrating Pioneer Day while abroad this Thursday. [Trib]

Tweet of the day: From @jimmyfallon: "President Obama just said that Joe Biden would be a good president. When asked why, he said 'Because he'd make me look AMAZING.'"

Happy Birthday: On Saturday to Ron Fox and daughter Kari Fox Hardy. And on Sunday to Weber State's Julie Snowball.

Programming Note: Cornflakes is taking a break for Pioneer Day and starting the weekend early but will return to your inbox and computer screens (and iPads and iPhones and all that) on Monday. We hope you have a safe and fun holiday.

In other news: Check out what the latest court decision on the Affordable Care Act could mean for Utahns. [Trib] [DNews] [KUTV]

-> Paul Rolly writes about a few good Samaritans, including a dog saving firefighter. [Trib]

-> Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox is behind a new committee examining the potential of casting a ballot online in Utah elections. [Trib]

-> Mark Byrge, a candidate for House District 56, was charged with alleged assault and kidnapping. [Trib] [DNews] [KUTV] [KSL] [Fox13]

-> State Sen. Luz Robles, D-Salt Lake City, plans to defeat Sen. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, in the bid for Utah's congressional District 2 by pushing residents to vote by mail. [Trib]

-> Medical professionals in Utah are advocating for a new national park in the state. [Trib]

-> Salt Lake City accepted a donation to remodel the lounge of Abravanel Hall; the City Council will also shuffle some money to the new George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Theater being built on Main Street. [Trib]

-> Jordan School District will buy out the contract of the superintendent who left the district amidst talk of a split. [Trib]

-> The growing hostilities in Gaza is hurting one Utahn's travel business. [Trib]

-> Nearly $600 million was spent at Utah's parks and monuments in 2013. [DNews] [KUTV]

-> The Utah State Fairpark could be transformed into a soccer stadium with the help of Real Salt Lake. [DNews]

-> The Education Task Force from the Utah Legislature got a lesson in technology. [DNews] [KUTV]

-> Bob Bernick and Bryan Schott discuss whether SLC Mayor Ralph Becker will run again. [UtahPolicy]

-> Draper's historic Park School is under threat of demolition, but preservationists could gain more time in their battle to save the building. [Trib]

-> Heber City ranks in the top ten nationwide as one of the best small towns to live in, pulling in as eighth on the list. [Trib]

-> Salt Lake City's GREENBike program is hitting stride with an increase in use. [KUTV] [Fox13]

Nationally: Two appeals courts differed in rulings on subsidies from the Affordable Care Act, with one backing the federal exchanges under Obamacare and the other saying that only states can offer the financial assistance. [NYTimes] [WaPost] [WSJ] [Politico] [LATimes]

-> President Barack Obama may have asked Congress for $4 billion to stop a flood of immigration at the Mexican-American border but Senate Democrats only want to give him $3 billion. [Politico]

-> Obama signed a law to better training opportunities for federal employees. [NYTimes]

Where are they?

Rep. Jason Chaffetz attends a Republican conference meeting, sits in on a Homeland Security hearing and participates in a Republican Study Committee meeting. Later he meets with House Speaker John Boehner and eats dinner with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Rep. Chris Stewart takes part in the Bountiful Handcart Days parade.

President Barack Obama attends a House Majority PAC event in San Francisco, speaks at a party fundraiser and travels to Los Angeles for another fundraiser.

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