Local Headlines 12-12-13

Salt Lake Tribune

Energy developers shake up Utah’s Escalante Valley over oil

Ward drops out of A.G. race over residency questions

NSA head says metadata program key tool against terrorism

More rail vs. more buses? UTA seen as both good, bad example

Court rejects LasVegas groundwater rights to rural valleys

Prison committee wants consultant to move faster

WVC police chief orders audit of criminal cases filed in past year

AG candidates agree: Office needs change and they’re best fit for the job

SLC wants a transit system that works for everyone

Deseret News

Gov. Herbert, other Western governors gather in Vegas to talk land use, fires

Murray to honor outgoing Mayor Dan Snarr

Utah gas prices among lowest in nation

Brent Ward withdraws from race to fill Utah A.G. vacancy

Candidates to replace Swallow agree: It’s time to clean house

Other

Lee, Chaffetz split on budget deal in Congress (Daily Herald)

Editorial: Cap out-of-state gun permits (Standard-Examiner)

Davis legislator proposes lobbyist disclosure requirements (Standard-Examiner)

Cache County Council OKs 2014 budget; measure includes 5 percent property tax increase (Logan Herald Journal)

Group asks Cache County to join effort to put federal land under state control (Logan Herald Journal)