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Ten Things You Need to Know Today – Friday, February 12, 2016

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Good Friday morning from Salt Lake City. There are 323 days left in 2016.

Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders face off in Milwaukee. Mia Love is squarely in the crosshairs of national Democrats. Jonathan Johnson calls for the repeal of the “Count My Vote” compromise.

The clock:

  • Eight days to the Nevada Democratic Caucuses and South Carolina Republican Primary (2/20/2016)
  • 11 days to the Nevada Republican Caucuses (2/23/2016)
  • 17 days to the South Carolina Democratic Primary (2/27/2016)
  • 30 days to the final day of the 2016 Utah Legislature – (3/10/2016)
  • 42 days to the Utah Republican and Democratic caucus meetings (3/22/2016)
  • 74 days to the Utah Republican and Democratic State Conventions (4/23/2016)
  • 140 days to the 2016 Utah primary election – (6/28/2016)
  • 157 days to the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland (7/18/2016)
  • 164 days to the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia (7/25/2016)
  • 273 days until the 2016 presidential election – (11/8/2016)

Friday’s top-10 headlines:

  1. Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders debate in Milwaukee. Observers say Clinton shone while Sanders struggled [CNN, New York Times, Politico, Washington Post].
  2. National Democrats say they are targeting Rep. Mia Love‘s 4th Congressional District as one of the most vulnerable Republican seats this election cycle [Utah Policy, Tribune].
  3. Gov. Gary Herbert says he’s launching a review of Utah’s probation and parole system after some serious violations. Two top officials have already resigned [Tribune, Deseret News, Fox 13].
  4. Republican gubernatorial challenger, Jonathan Johnson calls for the repeal of the dual-track system to Utah’s primary ballot and vows to scrap the law if he’s elected [2 News].
  5. Are there enough votes on Utah’s Capitol Hill to gut the “Count My Vote” compromise this year? [Utah Policy].
  6. Lawmakers give the thumbs up to a proposed 2.5% increase in Utah’s per-pupil spending [Tribune, Deseret News].
  7. The Utah House approves a $10 million funding package for all-day Kindergarten [Tribune]. 
  8. A controversial bill allowing Rocky Mountain Power to pass costs for clean energy investments to ratepayers moves out of a Senate committee. Critics say the bill does not provide enough oversight of the utility [Deseret News].
  9. Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski launches a national search for a new economic development director [Tribune, Deseret News].
  10. The standoff at an Oregon wildlife refuge ends as the final occupiers give themselves up. Meanwhile, Cliven Bundy is charged with six counts related to the 2014 standoff with federal authorities at his ranch [Washington Post, Tribune].

On this day in history:

  • 1733 – The American colony of George was founded by James Oglethorpe.
  • 1877 – Alexander Graham Bell’s new invention, the telephone, was publicly demonstrated with a hookup between Boston and Salem, Mass.
  • 1914 – A dedication ceremony was held, and the first stone of the Lincoln Memorial was laid.
  • 1999 – The Senate acquitted President Bill Clinton on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice.