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Trump to make English the nation’s official language
Approved, National, The Daily Caller

Trump to make English the nation’s official language

By Reagan Reese | Daily Caller President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order declaring English the official language of the United States, a White House official confirmed to the Daily Caller. The Wall Street Journal first reported Friday that though the nation has not had an official language Trump is planning to sign an executive order declaring one. A summary of the order, provided to the WSJ, writes that the move is in an effort to promote “unity, establish efficiency in the government and provide a pathway to civic engagement.”  The executive order is expected to rescind a federal mandate from former President Bill Clinton, which required agencies and other recipients of federal funding to provide language assistance to non-English speakers, the WSJ reported. ...
Thune squeezes Democrats with transgender athlete Senate vote
Approved, National, Washington Examiner

Thune squeezes Democrats with transgender athlete Senate vote

By David Sivak | Washington Examiner Senate Democrats will take a politically difficult vote on Monday when Republicans bring to the floor a bill preventing transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports. The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, which withholds federal funding to schools that permit transgender participation, is not likely to become law due to the Senate filibuster. But the vote, teed up Thursday by Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), suggests the continued potency Republicans see in transgender politics after putting it front and center in the 2024 election. It is one of the first bills Senate GOP leadership is prioritizing since retaking the majority in January. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Dr. Glynell Horn Jr., named RTD’s co-chief in October, resigns
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local

Dr. Glynell Horn Jr., named RTD’s co-chief in October, resigns

By Christa Swanson | CBS Colorado RTD's acting Co-Chief of Police has resigned. The agency confirmed that Dr. Glynell Horn Jr. submitted his resignation on Feb. 21 and will leave his position on March 6. Horn, a native of Houston, Texas, began his career in public safety as a patrol officer with the Stafford Police Department. He worked up to Assistant Chief of Police before joining RTD in 2023. READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS COLORADO
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston floats 20% service charge on tabs to tackle restaurant woes
Approved, denvergazette.com, Local

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston floats 20% service charge on tabs to tackle restaurant woes

By Deborah Grigsby | The Denver Gazette Denver Mayor Mike Johnston wants to add a 20% service charge to local restaurant tabs — and then tax it — to help restaurants cope with the city’s minimum wage and promote what he called pay equity among tipped and non-tipped employees. On Monday, Johnston told City Cast Denver, a popular podcast, that he has already been discussing the idea with restaurant owners. He didn’t say whether they are on board. He also did not discuss if increasing people's dinner costs would decrease restaurant visits.  READ THE FULL STORY AT THE DENVER GAZETTE
‘Jurassic Park’ alarm systems debated in HB 1060 reading on House floor
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

‘Jurassic Park’ alarm systems debated in HB 1060 reading on House floor

By Brian Porter | Rocky Mountain Voice Some private property owners are turning back the clock to install 19th century alarms, and a bill in the state legislature aims to define the practice. House Bill 25-1060, by Delta County Republican Rep. Matt Soper and Arapahoe County Democrat Rep. Chad Clifford, seeks a uniform definition of an electronic fence detection system which can cause an alarm to signal a property owner or others, a flashback to the ADT of yesteryear. "These things look like Jurassic Park," Clifford said. "It is an alarm system that goes all the way back to the 1800s." But some find the bill to be an overreach, like Republican Rep. Dan Woog, who was among the opposition in the House's Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee. The measure advanced...
Manitou Springs City Council members sit out pledge to American flag at meeting
Approved, gazette.com, Local

Manitou Springs City Council members sit out pledge to American flag at meeting

By Savannah Eller | The Gazette Three Manitou Springs City Council members chose to sit during the Pledge of Allegiance at a recent meeting, preceded by a statement by the mayor saying he believed the action was a protest against the federal government.  At-large councilmembers John Shada, Julie Wolfe and Judith Chandler each sat during the pledge at a regular council meeting on Feb. 18.  "In light of recent actions in the federal government, I can understand her angst, and her desire to protest the chaos and disruption at the national level," said Mayor John Graham in his statement at the meeting. He did not specify to which councilmember he was referring.  READ THE FULL STORY AT THE GAZETTE
Rep. Weinberg asks ‘Why do we need a bill?’ during reading of HB 1226
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Rep. Weinberg asks ‘Why do we need a bill?’ during reading of HB 1226

By Brian Porter | Rocky Mountain Voice As House Democrats were slamming one bill after another through on readings Thursday, Larimer Republican Rep. Ron Weinberg wanted to know why one of them was a bill on the floor at all. "If we want this on the agenda, why don't we put this on the agenda?" he asked. "Why do we need a bill?" His concerns were related to House Bill 25-1226, which would instruct the state's health care review interim committee to study billing practices. The bill, by Morgan County Republican Rep. Dusty Johnson, cleared the House's Health & Human Services Committee on an 8-4 vote, splitting Republican support on the committee. Johnson responded the bill was necessary to have the issue as part of the health care review agenda. "I've heard stories of peopl...
Crisanta Duran, a former Colorado House speaker, jumps into 2026 race for attorney general
Approved, State, The Colorado Sun

Crisanta Duran, a former Colorado House speaker, jumps into 2026 race for attorney general

By Jesse Paul | The Colorado Sun Democrat Crisanta Duran, a former speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives, announced Thursday morning that she will run next year to be Colorado’s attorney general.  “I’m running for attorney general because I am committed to ensuring that every Coloradan is safe, healthy and economically secure,” Duran said in a written statement. “Like many Coloradans, I’m deeply concerned about the future of our country and know that a new path forward is required in times like these when it can seem as though nothing is sacred.” If elected, Duran said she would “work to protect consumers, increase affordability, combat corruption and stand up to greed.” READ THE FULL STORY AT THE COLORADO SUN
Boulder Co. Democratic vacancy committee to select successor to former Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis
Approved, coloradopolitics.com, Local

Boulder Co. Democratic vacancy committee to select successor to former Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis

By Marianne Goodland | Colorado Politics A Boulder County Democratic vacancy committee will convene on March 18 to select a successor to former Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis of Longmont. Jaquez Lewis resigned on Feb. 17 after allegations surfaced that she had submitted a fabricated letter of support to a Senate ethics committee investigating a complaint charging she mistreated aides and interns. Ten candidates have announced their intention to seek the seat. READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS
Pam Bondi says FBI lied to her about turning over all of the Epstein files
Approved, Daily Wire, National

Pam Bondi says FBI lied to her about turning over all of the Epstein files

By  Ashe Schow | Daily Wire In a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel, Attorney General Pam Bondi accused the bureau of lying to her about turning over its files on millionaire sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Bondi sent the letter on Thursday, after she said she learned from a source Wednesday night that she hadn’t received all the Epstein files despite the FBI’s repeated assurances that she had. “Before you came into office, I requested the full and complete files related to Jeffrey Epstein,” Bondi wrote to Patel, according to a copy of the letter posted to X by Michael Shellenberger. “In response to this request, I received approximately 200 pages of documents, which consisted primarily of flight logs, Epstein’s list of contacts, and a list of victims’ names and phone numbers.” R...