Ten Things You Need to Know for Monday – December 22, 2014
Bryan Schott
Utahns oppose Obama on immigration. Matheson looks back on his career in Congress. Reyes excuses himself from lawsuit against SB 54.
Countdown:
Days until the opening day of the 2015 Utah Legislature – 35
Days to the final day of the 2015 Utah Legislature – 80
Days to the 2015 Utah municipal primary elections – 232
Days to the 2015 election – 316
Days to the 2016 Iowa Caucus (tentative) – 392
Days until the 2016 presidential election – 687
Monday's top-10 headlines:
A new poll shows an overwhelming number of Utahns oppose President Obama's executive actions on immigration [Utah Policy].
North Korea makes threats against the U.S. after being accused of being behind a massive cyber attack on Sony Pictures [BBC].
Two New York City police officers were killed "execution style" while sitting in their police car over the weekend [USA Today].
Rep. Jim Matheson reflects on his time in Congress as his last term in Washington comes to an end [Tribune].
Attorney General Sean Reyes recuses himself from the lawsuit from the Republican Party over SB 54 [Deseret News, Tribune].
Kirk Torgerson, a top aide in the Attorney General's office under John Swallow, has been fired after being on paid leave for nine months [Deseret News, Tribune].
Attorney General Sean Reyes decides to pass a potential case against the son of Rep. Mike Noel to Davis County Attorney Troy Rawlings [Tribune].
The LDS Church clarifies its stance on a statewide non-discrimination law that includes sexual orientation after a draft statement was mistakenly published online [Deseret News].
Sen. Aaron Osmond proposes a toll road, or tunnel, to improve a road through the Oquirrh Mountains between Tooele and Salt Lake County [Tribune].
On this day in history:
1864 – During the Civil War, Union Gen. William T. Sherman sent a message to President Abraham Lincoln from Georgia, saying, "I beg to present you as a Christmas gift the city of Savannah."
1944 – During the Battle of the Bulge, Germany demanded the surrender of American troops at Bastogne, Belgium; Brigadier Gen. Anthony McAuliffe reportedly replied: "Nuts!"
1989 – Romanian President Nicolae Ceausescu was toppled from power in a popular uprising.
2001 – Richard Reid, a passenger on an American Airlines flight from Paris to Miami, tried to ignite explosives in his shoes, but was subdued by flight attendants and fellow passengers.
2010 – President Barack Obama signed a law allowing gays for the first time in history to serve openly in America's military.