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Huntsman heads to Brookings. More liquor licenses. Love: Democrats worst nightmare.

Happy Thursday. Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman has now joined the left-leaning Brookings Institution as a senior fellow. "As we try to address America's domestic and foreign policy challenges, Jon's extraordinary government service at home and abroad will be a great benefit to the Institution," said Brookings President Strobe Talbott in a statement. [WaPost]

Topping the news: State lawmakers add 90 liquor licenses to the mix during a special session. [Trib] [ABC4] [DNews]

-> In the public lands battle, Utah's GOP leaders will give the congressional avenue a chance, but are still banking on the courts to give them final say. [Trib]

-> A Democrat running for state Senate is disqualified for not filing financial paperwork in time and District 7 goes uncontested for Republican Deidre Henderson. [Trib]

Tweet of the day: From @robertgehrke: "BREAKING: House Speaker Becky Lockhart confirmed tonight she will be attending the big Def Leppard/Poison show. #notjoking"

In other news: A Wall Street Journal writer calls Mia Love the "Democrats' worst nightmare." [WSJ]

-> Peg McEntee says the Legislature made the right choice and that it hopefully leads the way for more breakthroughs in liquor laws. [Trib]

-> Republican lawmakers want to end independents voting in GOP primaries by signing up as Republicans on Election Day. Dems say allowing the current law to expire will discourage voting, but GOP lawmakers say it'll end the prospect of political subterfuge. [Trib]

-> The Washington Post writes about the health benefits of the Mormon lifestyle and the lower death rates of devout members. [WaPost]

-> Apple Valley will remain a city. The vote to disincorporate fails 115 to 167. [Trib]

-> The Red Butte pipeline disaster is used as an example in a national effort to ramp up pipe inspections by the feds. [Trib]

-> Alta now officially owns the land its buildings were built on, thanks to a bill by Sen. Mike Lee. However, the Forest Services says the land should have been paid for. [Trib]

-> Some 55,000 voters have already cast their ballot before the Tuesday primary, just under 4 percent of registered voters. [Trib]

-> Liquor licenses are most likely on the way, but will there be enough for those wanting to start business in the near future? [DNews]

2012 watch: Florida voters are in favor of a purging non-U.S. residents from the voter rolls in the battleground state. [CNN]

-> A Bloomberg poll says President Barack Obama holds a 13-point lead over Mitt Romney, contrary to recent polls that say they are neck and neck. [CNN]

-> Reporters, analysts and even campaign strategists agree this year's presidential election is one of the most boring and trivial to date. [Politico]

-> A photograph of a young Romney with business partners and cash popping out of their suit coats may play to his confidence, but certainly doesn't make him more popular with those who say he's out of touch. [WaPost]

-> Karl Rove and several VP hopefuls will be guests of Romney in Utah this weekend to talk strategy. It's closed press, sadly. [WaPost]

-> Immigration issues are "off-topic" for now, as the Romney camp struggles to find the right answers to win over Latino voters. [Reuters]

-> The May fundraising results are in, and Republicans have raised $10 million more than and have double the cash that Democrats do. [CNN] The Obama camp spent more than it earned in May. [WaPost]

Where are they?

AG Mark Shurtleff continues his stay at the National Association of Attorneys General in Anchorage, Alaska.

SL Co. Mayor Peter Corroon sits in on a Unifed Police Department board meeting, makes remarks at a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, then tours the new Olympus High School.

SLC Mayor Ralph Becker attends a Jordan River Commission meeting, talks with Council Member Luke Garrott, then tours the "This Light of Ours" photo exhibit.

WVC Mayor Mike Winder campaigns in Draper and West Valley City, meets with Salt Lake Realtors, then participates in the KNRS debate.

President Barack Obama meets with senior advisers. He will then deliver remarks regarding student loan interest rates.

Got a tip? A birthday, wedding or anniversary to announce? Email us at cornflakes@sltrib.com.

— Thomas Burr and Andreas RiveraTwitter.com/thomaswburr and Twitter.com/andreascrivera