There are 90 days until the 2012 election and 173 days until the start of the 2013 legislative session.

Democrat Peter Cooke challenges Gary Herbert to seven debates ahead of November’s election [Tribune, Deseret News, Daily Herald, KSL].

Republicans on the Salt Lake County Council agree to put a $47.5 million bond to improve parks on the November ballot [Tribune, Deseret News].

Utah is at the center of a fight between the White House and Mitt Romney’s campaign over welfare policy [Tribune].

Gov. Herbert says he will wait to see who wins the presidential election before deciding what to do with Medicaid expansion in Utah [Deseret News].

Herbert tells a northern Utah business group the best way to provide more funding for Utah’s schools is to improve the state’s economy [Standard-Examiner].

An analysis says, despite ballooning enrollment, Utah’s Medicaid is able to treat more people for less money [Tribune].

Utah’s Democratic Party wants the Legislature to turn over redistricting documents to a local TV station [ABC 4].

The Salt Lake County Council wants more study before making a decision to take part in a proposed Broadway-style theater in Salt Lake City [Tribune, Deseret News].

Centerville bans smoke shops [Tribune, City Weekly, Standard-Examiner].

Highland City approves a $900,000 property tax hike [Deseret News].