Countdown: Â There are 50 days to the 2013 municipal elections, 134 days until the start of the 2014 Legislature, 409 days until the 2014 midterm elections and 846 days until the 2016 Iowa Caucuses.
- Lt. Governor Greg Bell announces he is stepping down in order to find employment in the private sector [Tribune, Utah Policy].
- A leaked document from the governor’s office suggests Gov. Gary Herbert hopes to name Bell’s replacement quite soon [Utah Policy].
- That same document warns against reacting to “rants” from Democratic Party Chair Jim Dabakis during the search for Bell’s replacement [Utah Policy].
- A number of Utahns take shelter during Monday’s mass shooting at the Navy Yard in Washington, D.C. [Tribune].
- Sen. Mike Lee wants to raise the federal per-child tax credit by $2,500 [Deseret News].
- Utah lawmakers prepare to take bids on possibly relocating the state prison [Deseret News].
- Some campaign shenanigans are taking place in North Ogden as campaign signs are disappearing or being moved [Standard-Examiner].
- Robert Redford speaks to a crowd of about 2,000 at the annual Equality Utah Allies dinner [Deseret News].
- Environmentalists protest a decision by the BLM to open up part of the San Rafael Swell to energy exploration [Tribune].
- An attorney for a fired West Valley City police officer involved in the shooting of an unarmed civilian says the city didn’t follow protocol when terminating his employment [Tribune].
- The LDS Church joins a growing chorus of churches asking their adherents to help defend “religious liberty” [Deseret News].
- The UTA does not plan to make any cuts to service when they make changes to schedules in December [Tribune].
- Attendance at the Utah State Fair drops 15% from last year [Tribune].
