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U.S. House passes bill blocking future presidential bans on hydraulic fracking
Approved, National, The Center Square

U.S. House passes bill blocking future presidential bans on hydraulic fracking

By Thérèse Boudreaux | The Center Square A bill preventing future presidents from unilaterally banning hydraulic fracking is on its way to the Senate after passing the House 226-188 Friday. Sixteen Democrats joined all Republicans in voting for the Protecting American Energy Production Act, which will block future bans on hydraulic fracking without congressional approval, if enacted. “When President Biden took office, his administration took a 'whole of government' approach to wage war on American energy production, pandering to woke environmental extremists and crippling this thriving industry,” the bill’s sponsor, Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, said on X following the vote. “My legislation that passed today is a necessary first step in reversing Biden’s war on energy.” READ TH...
Rufo: How to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education
Approved, City Journal, Commentary

Rufo: How to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education

By Christopher F. Rufo | Commentary, City Journal There is a tingle of fear in any corporation whenever the words “restructuring,” “merger,” “acquisition,” or “hostile takeover” spread through the office. Employees work on their resumes, whisper about projected layoffs, and assess their options. We’re seeing the same phenomenon unfold right now in our nation’s capital. Since taking over last month, President Trump has promised to blitz through federal departments to roll back waste, cut ideological programs, and return fiscal sanity to American governance. While Republican presidents have long promised to “reduce the size of government,” they have usually failed to do so—the bureaucracy always wins. This time might be different. The second Trump administration has been surprising...
Rick Dunlap, a Montrose Co. commissioner and longtime sheriff, mourned by Western Colorado
Approved, Local, Rocky Mountain Voice

Rick Dunlap, a Montrose Co. commissioner and longtime sheriff, mourned by Western Colorado

By Lindy Browning | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Newly-elected Montrose County Commissioner, Rick Dunlap, died suddenly Feb. 8, 2025, leaving the Montrose community in grief and shock. Dunlap, who also served as sheriff for Montrose County for three terms before he retired in 2018, was well known and beloved by the community he served.  In total, Dunlap served 28 years in law enforcement, as well as serving the U.S. Army for 21 years. “Rick lived his life with unwavering commitment to the values he cherished most: faith, family, country, community and his friends and neighbors," Montrose County wrote in a statement upon his death. "His kindness, strength and dedication touched the lives of many, and his presence in our community will be sorely missed.”  Commissione...
Bill would give candidates a choice to assign their watcher of preference in recounts
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Bill would give candidates a choice to assign their watcher of preference in recounts

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice When the smoke began to clear in El Paso County's House District 16 election in mid-November, Republican Rebecca Keltie had won election to the seat by seven votes. Or, so it might have appeared. The margin was not beyond the state's requirement for a mandatory recount, so Keltie was forced to sweat it out until Dec. 5 to be certified the winner, following a recount. House Bill 25-1155, by Republican Rep. Mary Bradfield and Democrat Rep. Cecelia Espenoza, would give candidates like Keltie an added opportunity, should they become a candidate in a runoff. "This is a simple bill," Bradfield said. "In a recount, the candidates have an option of having their own watcher present." The bill was supported on second reading in the Colorado House...
Leading Democrats pander to unions as they join King Soopers picket lines
The Center Square, Approved, Local

Leading Democrats pander to unions as they join King Soopers picket lines

By Elyse Apel | The Center Square King Soopers workers have gone on strike across Colorado, with prominent state leaders appearing on the picket line. The Colorado-based grocery store is one of the largest employers in the state. More than 70 stores, many of them in the Denver area, have joined the strike since it began Thursday. The United Food and Commercial Workers Local Union No. 7 initiated the two-week strike of more than 10,000 unionized workers, alleging unfair labor practices. According to a press release, 96% of union members voted to strike. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE CENTER SQUARE
Democrat-led SB 63, seeking to curb library book challenges, clears first hurdle
Approved, Chalkbeat Colorado, State

Democrat-led SB 63, seeking to curb library book challenges, clears first hurdle

By Ann Schimke | Chalkbeat Colorado Colorado’s public schools would be required to have policies governing school library book challenges, and only parents with students at a school would be allowed to challenge a book in that school’s library. These are some of the provisions of a school library bill that cleared its first legislative hurdle Monday evening, advancing out of the Senate Education Committee in a 5-2 vote. The bill represents the second attempt by Democratic lawmakers to curb school library book removals and protect school librarians from retaliation for doing their jobs. A similar school library bill died during the 2024 legislative session, though a separate one focused on public libraries passed. READ THE FULL STORY AT CHALKBEAT COLORADO
‘There’s lots and lots of flu’ cases, hospitalizations in Colorado
Approved, gazette.com, Local

‘There’s lots and lots of flu’ cases, hospitalizations in Colorado

By Debbie Kelley | The Gazette If you’ve heard something’s going around, it’s not just a rumor. Influenza A, also known as the flu, is “everywhere,” says Dr. Michelle Barron, senior medical director of infection prevention and control for UCHealth, one of Colorado’s major hospital and health systems. “Flu is definitely the predominant pathogen we’re seeing in terms of hospitalizations and numbers of cases overall,” she said. “There’s lots and lots of flu.” READ THE FULL STORY AT THE GAZETTE
Aurora ICE raid leaker close to being identified, ‘border czar’ Tom Homan says
Approved, Fox News, Local

Aurora ICE raid leaker close to being identified, ‘border czar’ Tom Homan says

By Madison Colombo  | Fox News President Donald Trump’s border czar Tom Homan says he is closing in on the individual believed to be responsible for leaking details of a major ICE operation in and around Aurora, Colorado, that tipped off violent gang members and derailed planned arrests. "We think it’s coming from inside. And we know the first leak in Aurora is under current investigation. We think we’ve identified that person," Homan said on "Hannity," Monday. The leaked information reportedly allowed members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TDA) to evade capture last week as federal agents were met with mostly empty apartments and buildings. In the end, about 30 people were taken into custody. READ THE FULL STORY ON FOX NEWS
Employees in Aurora could be asked to return to in-person work 3 days a week — but they don’t have to
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local

Employees in Aurora could be asked to return to in-person work 3 days a week — but they don’t have to

By Tori Mason | CBS Colorado The Aurora City Council is moving forward with a resolution that could bring city employees back to the office three days per week. Some council members say the resolution aims to bring back a sense of normalcy after the pandemic and foster community in the workplace. While not a mandate, they hope staff will begin to utilize the city's facilities more regularly. According to the resolution, the city says in-person work fosters collaboration, reduces isolation, and creates healthier boundaries between work and personal life. It also says operating empty city buildings wastes taxpayer dollars on utilities that could be better spent on community needs. READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS COLORADO
$71M project to address ice buildup in Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnels
Approved, kdvr.com, State

$71M project to address ice buildup in Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnels

By Rachel Saurer | KDVR-TV Fox 31 News The iconic Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnels on the Interstate 70 corridor might soon be getting a facelift after the Colorado Department of Transportation noticed more ice buildup over the past several years.  “With any structure, especially one as complex as this tunnel, there’s going to be some aging, there’s going to be some maintenance needed on the tunnel,” said Stacia Sellers, a spokesperson for CDOT. The Eisenhower Tunnel was built in 1973 and the Johnson Tunnel was built in 1979, so both have seen their share of wear and tear. When they were built, the two held their title as the highest tunnel in the world, and now they are still considered the longest mountain tunnel in the United States. READ THE FULL STORY AT ...