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Situational awareness - June 21, 2019 Good morning from Salt Lake City and TGIF! Today is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year and the official start of summer. Welcome to Utah's must-read daily political news rundown. Please encourage your friends and colleagues to sign up for our emails. Here are the stories we're following today: - Bishop is rethinking his decision to retire.
- Trump ordered, then called off, a strike against Iran.
- The Senate voted to block Trump's arms sale to Saudi Arabia.
Friday trivia In the 1980s the mayor of one Utah city was removed from office for "high crimes and misdemeanors." Can you name the mayor and what city kicked him out of office? Send your answers to me at bschott@utahpolicy.com. The first three readers with a correct response will be recognized in Monday's newsletter.
 My inbox is open to you! Got a confidential news tip? Is there a story we should be following? Drop me a line at bschott@utahpolicy.com.
The UtahPolicy.com daily newsletter gets you up to speed on the top local and national news about politics and public policy. Our news is curated by Managing Editor Bryan Schott, along with help from Golden Webb. ((Click here to subscribe))
TICK TOCK Today is the 172nd day of the year. There are 193 days remaining in 2019. The Utah State Democratic Party Organizing Convention is tomorrow (6/22/2019) 5 days to the first Democratic presidential primary debates in Miami (6/26/2019) 31 days until ballots for the 2019 primary election are mailed to voters (7/22/2019) 39 days to the second Democratic presidential primary debates in Detroit (7/30/2019) 53 days to the 2019 Utah primary elections (8/13/2019) 83 days to the third Democratic presidential primary debate (9/12/2019) 137 days to the 2019 municipal elections (11/5/2019) 220 days to the first day of the 2020 Utah Legislature (1/27/2020) 227 days to the 2020 Iowa Caucuses (2/3/2020) 256 days to the 2020 Utah presidential primary (3/3/2020) 265 days to the final day of the 2020 Utah Legislature (3/12/2020) 501 days until the 2020 presidential election (11/3/2020)
Today At Utah Policy  Rep. Rob Bishop may be having second thoughts about retiring from Congress
By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor
In 2017 Rep. Rob Bishop said he would retire if he won re-election to Congress in 2018. Now, it appears Bishop may be rethinking that decision.
 Bob Bernick's notebook: When is an endorsement not an endorsement?
By Bob Bernick, Contributing Editor
KSL broadcasting, both TV and radio, are playing a dangerous public confidence game this year and next.
 Romney seeks to add key Utah and national security priorities to defense bill
By Press release
U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) this week introduced several amendments to the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which is currently being considered on the Senate floor.
 McAdams boosts support for Children's Justice Centers to help victims of child abuse
By Press release
Congressman Ben McAdams successfully bolstered funding for a program that helps children and families receive support during the criminal justice process as investigations proceed in cases of alleged child abuse and domestic violence.
 Stewart amendment to save retired war dogs passes the House
By Press release
Congressman Chris Stewart's (UT-02) amendment in the first appropriations package, which allocates $200,000 to save retired war dogs, passes the House.
 Watch: Lee says restrictions on federal funding for abortions should remain in place
By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor
Sen. Mike Lee disagreed strongly with the ACLU over whether there should be restrictions on federal funding of abortions.
OTHER UTAH HEADLINES Deseret News Salt Lake Tribune Other
NATIONAL HEADLINES Trump ordered military strikes on Iran but called them off. Military and diplomatic officials were expecting a strike after President Donald Trump approved retaliatory strikes against Iran for downing an American drone. The operation was underway in the early stages when it was called off - https://nyti.ms/2Y5Fzoi - Trump warned Iran through intermediaries in Oman that an attack by the U.S. was imminent. Trump made it clear in the message he would like to begin talks between the two countries, but Iran is not interested - https://reut.rs/31MNby1
- The Pentagon has placed military forces on 72-hour standby in preparation for a possible strike on Iran - http://bit.ly/2XZlobC
The Senate voted to block $8.1 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia. The Senate approved measures to stop President Trump from using emergency powers to push through an arms sale to Gulf countries. Trump will likely veto the move - https://cnn.it/2Y3ucx4
Trump administration lawyers blocked Hope Hicks from answering questions from Democrats more than 150 times. Hicks had 6 lawyers with her as she was questioned by the House Judiciary Committee earlier this week - http://bit.ly/31RdKm3
Republicans vow to crush Roy Moore's campaign for U.S. Senate next year. Moore lost the 2017 special election in Alabama to Democrat Doug Jones after sexual misconduct allegations arose. Republicans say Moore's campaign will hurt their chances of regaining the seat - https://politi.co/2Y1tOz2
Trump threatened a reporter with prison time. President Trump threatened to imprison a Time Magazine reporter after the publication's photographer tried to take a picture of a letter sent to him by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un - http://bit.ly/2Y4KwO3
Children caring for children in border facility. Migrant preteens are caring for toddlers at a Texas border facility according to lawyers who recently visited the installation. They also warned of poor sanitation and inadequate water and food. Some children said they haven't bathed in weeks - http://bit.ly/31XBgOe
Hmmm. President Trump's visits to his private businesses have raised more than $1.6 million in revenue so far during his term as federal officials and GOP politicians often follow him on those trips - https://wapo.st/2Y46aBV
Court rules Trump administration's abortion gag rule can take effect. A federal appeals court ruled a proposed rule that strips certain federal funding from any clinic that provides abortions or abortion referrals can go into effect during the appeals process - https://politi.co/31MGuMB
Supreme Court. Justices ruled a 40-foot cross in Maryland erected as a tribute to war dead is secular in nature and may remain on public land - https://wapo.st/31PH1gD
Climate - Scientists say two recent temperature readings are some of the hottest ever recorded. It hit 129 degrees in Kuwait in July 2016 and 128.7 degrees in Pakistan in 2017 - https://wapo.st/2Y73i7E
- Ice is melting at unprecedented rates in the Arctic as temperatures are soaring 40 degrees above normal. The Greenland ice sheet is melting faster than ever while ice in the Arctic Ocean is at one of the lowest points in recorded history - https://wapo.st/31P9h3d
ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY 1788 - The U.S. Constitution went into effect as New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify it. 1898 - The United States captures Guam from Spain. 1900 - Boxer Rebellion. China formally declares war on the United States, Britain, Germany, France, and Japan, as an edict issued by the Empress Dowager Cixi. 1915 - The Supreme Court hands down its decision in Guinn v. United States, striking down Oklahoma grandfather clause legislation which had the effect of denying the right to vote to blacks. 1945 - Japanese troops on Okinawa surrendered to U.S. forces. 1964 - Three civil rights workers disappeared in Philadelphia, Miss. Their bodies were found buried in an earthen dam six weeks later. 1973 - The Supreme Court ruled that states may ban materials found to be obscene according to local standards. 1982 - John Hinckley Jr. was found innocent by reason of insanity in the shootings of President Ronald Reagan and three others. 1989 - The Supreme Court ruled that burning the American flag as a form of political protest is protected by the First Amendment.
Policy News Casual Friday: Weekend Events & Outdoors ReportOutdoors Report-- Salt Lake Tribune: Watchdog to investigate whether BLM broke the law by studying Grand Staircase monument's potential for oil and gas leasing
Rep. Steve Eliason to co-chair the Intervention to Save Lives SubcommitteeState Representative Steve Eliason has accepted an invitation from The Council of State Governments (CSG) to be on their Healthy States: What Works National Task Force.
Volunteers needed for the 68th United Nations Civil Society ConferenceVolunteers are needed for the 68th United Nations Civil Society Conference, announced Mayor Jackie Biskupski.
Utah consumer alert: Beware of fake Wells Fargo crucial notice textFrancine A. Giani, Executive Director of the Department of Commerce, announced today that the Utah Division of Consumer Protection has received a report that phony texts pretending to be from Wells Fargo Bank are being sent to consumer phones. More National Headlines
Wise Words The Constitution
"Don't interfere with anything in the Constitution. That must be maintained, for it is the only safeguard of our liberties." Abraham Lincoln
Whales errr Wales
"This is very nice, though. Trump apologized for the mistake by tweeting, 'Sorry price of Wales. Sincerely, Prince of Walls."- JIMMY FALLON Subscribers may receive special messages with information about new features, special offers, or public policy messages from clients and advertisers. Advertise With Us | 
