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WESTERN GOP-CONFERENCE
Cruz, Lee bash health law, Obama at GOP conference
SANDY, Utah (AP) — Tea party favorites and Republican U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz and Mike Lee condemned the federal health care law and the Obama administration to a crowd about 1,000 Utah Republican faithful Friday night.
Cruz, speaking in front of a giant American flag, called President Barack Obama "the most lawless President" in the nation's history, criticizing decisions from his administration to delay parts of the health law and deciding not to go after states legalizing marijuana.
Cruz's speech closed out a two-day conference of western Republican leaders from about a dozen states, who gathered in Utah to discuss public lands and campaign strategies, among other issues.
The crowd gave Cruz several standing ovations during his 20-minute speech, including when he called for abolishing the Internal Revenue Service and repealing the health care law.
Cruz, a potential 2016 presidential candidate, led a fight last fall that precipitated the 16-day partial government shutdown over opposition to Obama's health care law.
Besides Lee and Cruz, other speakers at the Western Republican Leadership Conference included U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, National Republican Party Chairman Reince Priebus (ryns PREE'-bus), Utah Gov. Gary Herbert and Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes, and congressional candidate Mia Love.
CEDAR CITY WILDFIRE
Utah wildfire that threatened homes is contained
CEDAR CITY, Utah (AP) — Officials say a fast-moving wildfire has been contained after threatening about 30 homes north of Cedar City.
Utah fire management officer Mike Melton says burning debris started the fire Friday afternoon, and it charred 45 acres of dry grass and brush on Bulldog Road about a mile north of the city.
He says there are early indications the fire was human-caused, but an investigation is underway. The blaze was completely contained by Friday night.
Iron County sheriff's Sgt. Charles Triplett told The Salt Lake Tribune (http://bit.ly/1kedKB4 ) that it burned three power poles and caused an outage. He says Rocky Mountain Power was working to replace them.
Melton says winds that whipped the fire reached speeds of 25 to 30 miles per hour with gusts up to 40 miles per hour.
WESTERN GOP-PUBLIC LANDS
Western GOP officials: Let states run public lands
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Some Western Republican officials say their states are missing out on revenues and opportunities to prevent wildfires because they don't have enough control over public lands.
The group on Friday included U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop and state lawmakers from Montana, Nevada and Utah.
The gathering follows an announcement last week from another group of Western officials who said it's time they manage federal lands rich in natural resources.
But critics are questioning where states will find resources to manage vast ranges.
The Bureau of Land Management in recent weeks rounded up cattle belonging Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, saying he hasn't paid grazing fees he has owed since the 1990s. Bundy does not recognize federal authority on the land.
Federal officials released the cattle after a standoff with armed protesters.
GOVERNOR-CHIEF OF STAFF
Miller steps down as governor's chief of staff
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Gov. Gary Herbert is searching for a new chief of staff after Derek Miller announced he's stepping down from the position.
Miller said Thursday he's leaving to become the new president and CEO of World Trade Center Utah, an organization that seeks to create more international opportunities for Utah businesses.
Herbert says he expects to make a decision within the next three weeks.
Miller says he would stay on until the governor selects his replacement.
Miller became chief of staff in December 2010 after serving as deputy director of the Governor's Office of Economic Development.
MORMON TEMPLE-OGDEN
Mormon temple in Ogden to reopen in September
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The Mormon church says the renovated temple in Ogden will be opened in September.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced Friday that the public will be allowed to visit the temple from Aug. 1 to Sept. 6 except on Sundays.
The rededication of the temple is scheduled for Sept. 21.
The temple was closed in April 2011. The renovation project included an overhaul of the exterior that includes new stone and art glass. Church officials say the temple also has reconfigured rooms, energy-saving systems, underground parking and newly landscaped exterior.
The Ogden temple was first opened in 1972 when it was just the 14th temple worldwide and fifth in Utah. Today, the church has 142 temples, including 13 in Utah.
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