This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Utah' s reps oppose assault-weapons ban. Lee's chief of staff leaves to lobby. Romney's Christmas card is out.

Happy Wednesday. Mitt Romney's Christmas card is arriving in mailboxes around the country and features the largest Romney clan yet, 30 people total, with the arrival of Tagg Romney's twin boys. The picture for the card was taken in the summer when the then-White House candidate didn't know whether he'd be sending it as the president-elect or just as a private citizen. [WaPost]

Topping the news: KSL has suspended its online firearms classifieds in the wake of the Newton shooting. [Trib]

-> KTVX jettisons some 15 employees, with longtime reporter Chris Vanocur likely on the list. [Trib]

-> Utah's congressmen, Rep. Jim Matheson included, oppose the new assault-weapons ban currently being drafted by the president and Senate Dems. [Trib]

Tweets of the day: From @jaredeborn: "Warren Jeffs thinks the Mayans are wrong ... by 48 hours youtu.be/xn_aSU43YMg"

Happy birthday: To Herriman's Jann Perkins.

In other news: The state's House Republicans opposed a proposed mandatory helmet law but accomplished little else during their Tuesday session. [Trib]

-> Former Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt's firm has a new "Exchange in a Box" to help states meet the Affordable Care Act's October deadline. [Trib]

-> Sen. Mike Lee's chief of staff, Spencer Stokes, will leave his two-year post to return to his lobbyist roots. [Trib]

-> Utah Gov. Gary Herbert appoints a new veterans and military services adviser to oversee restructuring of the state's outreach services. [DNews]

-> Utah Republicans also weighed in on the issue in what was described as a private and emotional discussion. [DNews]

-> Utah Policy continues its countdown of the top stories of the year with discussion of No. 6: that the LDS Church encouraged its members to attend neighborhood caucuses and what effect it had. [UtahPolicy]

-> Paul Rolly tells a story about late Senate Minority Leader Rex Black. [Trib]

-> Pat Bagley offers his take on Republican's thoughts on the mentally ill. [Trib]

Nationally: Republicans' latest fiscal cliff proposal would have taxes raised on those with incomes of $1 million or more and have the Bush-era tax cuts extend for those making any less. House Speaker John Boehner assured fellow House Republicans that the concession would buy time, allowing for further discussion of other portions of the cliff deal early next year. [WaPost]

-> Perhaps as a further attempt to pacify his party, Boehner's office referred to his latest plan as a "net tax cut" in a press release. [BuzzFeed]

-> Among developed countries, the United States has the most gun owners and the highest per capita gun-related death rate. [WaPost]

-> Following the Monday death of Sen. Daniel Inouye, Sen. Patrick Leahy was sworn in as Senate president pro tempore. [WaPost]

Where are they?

Utah Governor Gary Herbert joins in inaugural planning and speech preparation with staff, meets with the Governor's Advisory Team, holds judicial interviews for the 5th district and discusses education priorities with legislators.

SL County Mayor Peter Corroon attends a news conference on the Magna federal grant and later heads to his own open house.

WVC Mayor Mike Winder attends a board meeting for the Economic Development Corporation of Utah.

President Barack Obama delivers remarks at the Diplomatic Corps Holiday Reception at the State Department.

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 Betsy BlanchardTwitter.com/thomaswburr and Twitter.com/betsyblanchard