Local News Highlights: Daily Briefing Morning Must Reads for Thursday, September 15, 2016

Nike Air Force White MID, Nike Air Force MID White Nike Air Barrage MID Navy, Nike Air Barrage MID Men's, Nike Air Barrage MID - Men's White/navy/black | 44-15203-2-04

Thursday, September 15, 2016 - 11:30am

Utah Policy

Local News Highlights: Daily Briefing

Morning Must Reads for Thursday, September 15, 2016

Good Thursday morning from Salt Lake City. Today is the 259th day of the year. There are 107 days left in 2016.

Utah GOP leaders are wading into some state school board races. Donald Trump, Jr. will attend a fundraiser in Salt Lake City next week. Facebook selects New Mexico for a new data center instead of Utah.

The clock:

11 days to the first presidential debate at Hofstra University (9/26/2016)
19 days to the vice presidential debate at Longwood University (10/4/2016)
24 days to the second presidential debate at Washington University (10/9/2016)
34 days to the third presidential debate at UNLV (10/19/2016)
54 days until the 2016 presidential election - (11/8/2016)
130 days until the first day of the 2017 Utah Legislature - (1/23/2017)
175 days until the final day of the 2017 Utah Legislature - (3/9/2017)

Ten talking points for Thursday:

Utah GOP leaders are stepping into some state school board races to oppose candidates backed by the Utah Education Association [Utah Policy].

Donald Trump, Jr. will attend a high-dollar fundraiser for his father's campaign in Salt Lake City next week [Utah Policy].

Facebook selects New Mexico instead of West Jordan for their new data center. West Jordan officials lash out at Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams for opposing the project [Deseret News, Tribune].

Rep. Rob Bishop's Public Lands Initiative gets a public hearing with the ultimate goal of heading off a national monument designation for Bears Ears [Tribune, Deseret News].

Both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump release more information about their health records [Politico].

A new national poll shows the race between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton is virtually tied [CBS News].

Donald Trump visited Flint, Michigan. During a speech at a local church, Trump started his stump attacks on Hillary Clinton but was cut off by the church's pastor [NBC News].

Rep. Jason Chaffetz says it's very likely that Hillary Clinton's private email server was hacked, making it highly probable that her emails will eventually be leaked online [Town Hall].

The Utah Education Association endorses Gov. Gary Herbert over Democrat Mike Wineholtz [Utah Policy, Tribune].

Gov. Gary Herbert says a "scheduling conflict" will prevent him from debating Mike Weinholtz at the Utah League of Cities and Towns convention. The gubernatorial debate at that event has been a tradition for nearly three decades [Tribune].

On this day in history:

1776 - British forces occupied New York City during the American Revolution.
1942 - The armies of Nazi Germany began their siege of the Russian city of Stalingrad.
1963 - Four black girls were killed in the bombing of a church in Birmingham, Alabama.
1982 - The first edition of the USA Today newspaper was published.

Today At Utah Policy

UEA and Outside Groups are Battling Over School Board Elections
By Bob Bernick, Contributing Editor
Get ready for partisan, big money, races for the Utah State School Board, as the last nonpartisan races of 2016 are already seeing long-time education factions facing off....

Chaffetz Grills FBI Flack: 'I Get to See It All' (Video)
By Golden Webb
The FBI illegally refuses to provide Rep. Jason Chaffetz's Oversight Committee with the full unredacted notes fromits interview with Hillary Clinton, prompting thisentertaining exchange between Chaffetz and the Bureau'scongressional liaison....

Hatch: Clinton Victory Would Lead to Judicial Tyranny
By Golden Webb
In an op-ed, Sen. Orrin Hatch warns that a Hillary Clinton win in November wouldensurethe most liberal Supreme Court in 80 years....

Donald Trump, Jr. to Hold High-Dollar Fundraiser in Utah Next Week
By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor
Donald Trump, Jr. is coming to Salt Lake City next Wednesday to fundraise for his father's presidential campaign....

Presenting the Government Affairs Bootcamp: Top 5 Reasons Any Business Professional Should Enroll
By Salt Lake Chamber
The Salt Lake Chamber, Utah’s leading business advocacy organization, is accepting applications for its inaugural Government Affairs Bootcamp....

Weekly Survey: Tax Hike to Fund Education?
By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor
Will there be an income tax hike in 2017 to better fund public education in Utah? Let us know your thoughts in our weekly survey....

Utah Voters Say Education is Top Priority for State Spending
By Utah Foundation
More than twice as many voters (47% to 20%) agree with the statement, “Utah should reduce taxes and reduce spending.”...

Policy News

Press Release: Utah Educators Recommend Gov. Herbert
The Utah Education Association, through its political action committee, has recommended Gov. Gary Herbert for re-election....

Hatch Presses for Answers Regarding Treasury Department's Iran Payments
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) sent a letter to Treasury Inspector General Eric Thorson asking a number of questions regarding the Treasury Department’s payment to Iran out of the “Judgement Fund” by the Department of State...

Nominations Open for 2016 Governor's Medal for Science and Technology Awards
The Governor’s Office of Economic Development and the Utah Science Technology and Research initiative are now accepting nominations for the 30th annual Governor’s Medal for Science and Technology Awards....

State Board to Recommend Legislative Changes to Utah's Assessment and Accountability Systems
The Utah State Board of Education will recommend considerable changes for the state’s assessment and accountability system to the Utah Legislature later this month, after voting Friday to affirm a framework proposal made by a Board task force....