Buzz Blog

ProPublica digs into nonprofits using tax exempt status for barely legal electioneering. “Our examination shows that dozens of these groups do little or nothing to justify the subsidies they receive from taxpayers. Instead, they are pouring much of their resources, directly or indirectly, into political races at the local, state and federal level.” ProPublica reports.---

Top of the Alty World

“Nonprofit Dark Money Dominates Politics”—ProPublica via Nuvo.

African-Americans make up only 6 percent of San Francisco’s population but are seven times more likely to be arrested than whites in the city.—California Watch

The Economist looks at Mitt Romney’s history of changing positions and asks if he is the “Chameleon in Chief”—The Economist

Al Jazeera’s Fault Lines looks at the impact of the Obama administration on the War on Drugs.—Fault Lines

Top of Alty Utah

Utah Republican Party officials talk about preparing for the Republican National Convention and what will happen if a hurricane potentially derails the event.--KCPW

Sen. Orrin Hatch is back to avoiding debates in his election campaign.—KUER

Until Sept. 21, Salt Lake County residents can sign up for a special county initiative that will get them a bulk discount on solar panel purchase and installation for their home or business.—Salt Lake City Weekly

The University of Utah is named one of the top 25 campuses for being LGBT-friendly.—Salt Lake City Weekly

Rantosphere: Q Salt Lake editor Michael Aaron suggest boycotts against LGBT unfriendly businesses are a failure and recommends more “buycotts” or support of LGBT-friendly businesses.

“We have hundreds of businesses and service people in this state who actively pursue our business and our dollars. Wouldn’t it make more sense to use them than to bully a hater into submission?”—Q Salt Lake

The Long View

City Weekly offers a practical guide of how average Utahns can use public records to improve their everyday lives.

“For example, who is that mulleted guy your daughter brought home for dinner who says he’s a self-employed writer? Is that fixer-upper home you’re looking at a screaming deal because of increasing values, or because the crimes on your street had former residents running and screaming from the block? How is the contractor remodeling your kitchen spending your money? Has your doctor been sanctioned by the state because of a different understanding of “bedside” manners? You don’t need to hire a private eye or computer hacker to find out—public documents can answer these questions and more.”—Salt Lake City Weekly.