President accuses the media of creating ‘a different image of Donald Trump than the real person.’ Group of Republican state lawmakers look to end death penalty — including in Utah. Utah‘s new lower drunken driving threshold has majority support from voters.

Happy Thursday. President Donald Trump accused the media of portraying him as “more uncivil” than he really is. “I went to an Ivy League college,” he said. “I was a nice student. ... You know, the fact is I think — I really believe — I think the press creates a different image of Donald Trump than the real person.” [WaPost]

Topping the news: A group of Republican state lawmakers are looking to end the death penalty, citing growing support among conservative officials. [Trib] [UPR]

-> Utah dropped its blood alcohol content level for drivers from 0.08 to 0.05, and a new poll shows a majority of voters support the change (especially Republicans and “very active” members of the LDS Church). [Trib]

Tweets of the day: From @petridishes: “literally the only thing saving us from senator kid rock is kid rock’s statesmanlike restraint”

-> From @LoopEmma: “family: Wow! Reporting in Washington. So exciting! me: uh yea *orders toilet paper on Amazon while waiting outside a closed-door meeting*”

Happy Birthday: To state Sen. Peter Knudson.

In other news: Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill determined an officer-involved shooting in September was legally justified. [Trib] [Fox13] [KUTV] [ABC4]

-> The Alliance For a Better Utah compiled a petition of almost 700 signatures, requesting an apology from Sandy Councilman Steve Smith for his controversial Facebook posts from 2013. [Fox13] [KUTV]

-> Salt Lake City Police Lt. James Tracy was demoted after the arrest of nurse Alex Wubbels. He’s now appealing that decision, suggesting it was “excessive discipline.” [Trib] [DNews]

-> Utah Transit Authority board member Brent Taylor shared concerns about the agency borrowing $88.5 million when it already has $2 billion in debt. [Trib] [DNews]

-> The public hearings for the Count My Vote ballot initiative have been revised and now include one in Cottonwood Heights. [Trib] [DNews] [Fox13]

-> Pat Bagley draws out the difference between free speech and hate speech. [Trib]

-> Robert Gehrke explains how the LDS Church and lawmakers could be inhibiting hate crime proposals from being passed. [Trib]

-> Michelle Quist advises leaders in Utah to follow the example of Sen. Jeff Flake by speaking up more. But unlike the Arizona Republican, she encourages them to “stay in the game.” [Trib]

Nationally: After Sen. Jeff Flake’s announcement that he will not seek re-election, critics in the Republican Party face a choice: “give in or give up.” [NYTimes]

-> Trump will travel to Asia next month — his first time as president and his longest trip during his administration so far. [Politico]

-> More details have emerged regarding the Niger ambush, where four American soldiers were slain. According to a senior official, there was confusion in communication, which resulted in at least an eight-hour delay before the White House learned their official status. [WaPost]

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