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Poll: Obama now as unpopular as Bush. Swallow probe was hampered by investigator infighting. More LDS excommunications to come?
Happy Friday. President Barack Obama is now just as unpopular as former President George W. Bush, a new survey finds. Some 51 percent of Americans polled have an unfavorable opinion of Obama, and the same number feel the same about Bush, according to a CNN/ORC International poll. Obama and Bush share about the same favorable rating. [TheHill]
Topping the news: A probe focused on John Swallow didn't uncover key pieces of information because of alleged conflicts with the Utah team of investigators and their federal counterparts. [Trib]
-> The leader of the Ordain Women movement, Kate Kelly, faces possible excommunication from the LDS Church for supporting the ordination of women into the priesthood, but now her parents and others may suffer consequences of their support as well. [Trib]
-> Utah's per-pupil spending, already the lowest in the country, has fallen even more during the economic slump. [Trib]
Tweets of the day: From @LOLGOP: "Just checked with Eric Cantor's internal pollster and I'm betting a kidney on the U.S. winning the World Cup."
-> From @cyboyack: "Starting in Aug, #utleg lobbyists must wear name tags issued by @SpencerJCox identifying them as such. I wonder how ugly they'll be."
-> From @RobertGehrke: "I suspect the lobbyists will be just as ugly as they are now. Only with name tags."
Happy Birthday: To state Rep. Jennifer Seelig, D-Salt Lake City. On Saturday to Fox13's Ben Winslow. And on Sunday to Utah Film Center executive director Holly Martak Yocom and Cindie Quintana.
In other news: Mia Love's campaign mailed bumper stickers and fundraising letters to Democrats, including leaders in the Utah House, and her Democratic opponent is taking full advantage of the opportunity. Doug Owens is offering a "sticker exchange" to help fund his own campaign. [Trib]
-> Three members of the Salt Lake City Council will not be attending the Days of '47 parade after controversial issues, including alleged discrimination against gays and Jerry the Horse. [Trib]
-> Mitt Romney is in Park City, along with 2016 presidential hopefuls and big name donors for his annual retreat. [DNews] [KUTV]
-> Check out Pat Bagley's cartoon on "poor" Americans, including Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. [Trib]
-> The Governor's Office of Economic Development approved a multi-million dollar plan to help bring Oracle, an engineering company to Utah, a move that is anticipated to bring 351 jobs with it. [Trib] [DNews]
-> The Utah State Hospital dedicated a new center focusing on pediatric care. [Trib] [DNews]
-> Interested in reading the original Amendment 3 documents? Check out this comprehensive list with everything up to the recent filings for an appeal. [Fox13]
-> The National Park Service is donating almost $500,000 in a grant to the Topaz Museum in Delta, Utah. [Trib]
-> Paul Rolly says the cop who spend through an intersection sans lights and siren and then confronted a jogger who complained has been identified and has apologized. [Trib]
-> Bryan Schott and Bob Bernick discuss this week in politics, including the news that Mike Leavitt won't seek to run for the Senate and what House Majority Leader Eric Cantor's loss means for immigration reform and Rep. Jason Chaffetz. [UtahPolicy]
-> Take a look at Utah politicians favorite books for summer reading. Here's a hint: Attorney General Sean Reyes is a fan of Marvel comic book characters. [CityWeekly]
Nationally: Since Eric Cantor's fall in the primary and his resignation as House majority leader, many Republicans have stepped up to fill his position and some worry political infighting for the spot could damage the party; it seems House majority whip Kevin McCarthy is in the lead for the bid. [NYTimes] [WaPost] [WSJ] [Politico] [LATimes]
-> Hillary Clinton sparred with an NPR host over her support of same-sex marriage, saying, "I think you are being very persistent, but you are playing with my words and playing with what is such an important issue." [Politico]
-> Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, the POW from the Afghan War, has landed on U.S. soil in Texas. [WSJ]
-> According to a poll by the Brookings Institution, for every election a tea party candidate wins, there are five more that the party loses. [WaPost]
-> Former President George H.W. Bush celebrated his 90th birthday with a sky dive, and received a gift from Russian President Vladimir Putin. [WaPost] [LATimes]
-> A House vote that would allow schools to not participate in Michelle Obama's healthy school lunch initiative was postponed for next week. [NYTimes]
Where are they?
Rep. Jason Chaffetz attends staff and committee meetings in Washington and later travels back to Utah.
Rep. Chris Stewart flies to Utah to speak at the Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce.
SL Co. Mayor Ben McAdams meets with Deputy Mayor Nichole Dunn.
SLC Mayor Ralph Becker goes to the 106th annual Utah State Fireman's Convention, speaks at a press conference and attends a Bikeshare meeting.
President Barack Obama travels to North Dakota with First Lady Michelle Obama. They take part in a roundtable discussion with Native American Youth at a local elementary school and attend the Cannon Ball Flag Day Celebration before flying to Palm Springs, Calif.
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