Happy Tuesday. We’re now 200 days into Donald Trump’s presidency, and his approval rating stands at its lowest point yet with only 38 percent of Americans giving the president good marks. Additionally, three-quarters of Americans say they can’t trust most of what they hear from the White House. [CNN]
Topping the news: Candidates in the 3rd Congressional District special election were at each other’s throats over attack ads during a debate Monday. [Trib] [DNews] [Fox13]
-> A national group that advocates for term limits and criticizes longtime politicians like Sen. Orrin Hatch opened an office in Utah on Monday. [Trib] [KUER]
Tweets of the day: From @CharlesPPierce: “I could have lived a happy life without hearing Orrin Hatch say, ‘shot their wad.‘”
-> From @pourmecoffee: “You should be getting ready for the eclipse by looking at everybody and everything obliquely starting now. This is very important.”
Happy Birthday: To former Salt Lake City chief of staff David Everitt.
In other news: State lawmakers are working on legislation to increase firework restrictions. [Trib]
-> Women fill only 21 percent of city council and mayoral seats in Salt Lake, Utah, Davis and Weber counties. [Trib]
-> UTA will make minor schedule changes to some of its transit services Sunday. [Trib]
-> In the wake of Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ quest to revive the federal governments civil asset forfeiture program, Paul Rolly recounts three instances of the practice that he believes demonstrate its unconstitutionality. [Trib]
-> Pat Bagley depicts Trump voters’ antagonists. [Trib]
Nationally: Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said he will respond to Russia’s expulsion of U.S. diplomats before Sep. 1. [Reuters] [AP] [Politico]
-> In response to new U.S. sanctions, North Korea threatened the United States with “thousands-fold” revenge. [NYTimes] [WaPost] [Politico]
-> After Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal alleged that President Donald Trump may have colluded with Russia, Trump took to Twitter to call the Democrat a “phony Vietnam con artist.” [APviaNYTimes] [WaPost] [Politico]
Where are they?
Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox meets with the State Homelessness Coordinating Committee to discuss Operation Rio Grande.
State Auditor John Dougall spends time in his office, meets with lawmakers and speaks with representatives from Public Employees Health Plans.
Got a tip? A birthday, wedding or anniversary to announce? Email us at cornflakes@sltrib.com.
-- Thomas Burr and Emily Anderson
Twitter.com/thomaswburr and Twitter.com/emilyinorgandy