Rocky Mountain Voice

Approved

China involvement in fentanyl crisis a ‘huge problem’, official says
Approved, National, Westernslopenow.com

China involvement in fentanyl crisis a ‘huge problem’, official says

By Jamie Joseph | Westernslopenow.com China is a driving force behind much of the illegal drug trade in the United States, including fentanyl and marijuana, according to law enforcement authorities. Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics Director Donnie Anderson says China’s involvement is a “huge problem.” “It’s been a problem here in Oklahoma since 2019 or 2020,” Anderson said Monday on “Elizabeth Vargas Reports.” “It’s not just marijuana. It is directly related to the cartels. The Chinese criminal organizations are laundering money for the cartels, and they’re very good. … They’re the best we’ve ever seen.” READ THE FULL STORY AT WESTERNSLOPENOW.COM
Colorado test scores affirm daunting task to overcome COVID-era learning loss
Approved, denvergazette.com, State

Colorado test scores affirm daunting task to overcome COVID-era learning loss

By Nicole C. Brambila | Denver Gazette The latest academic achievement data demonstrates the daunting task schools face in overcoming student learning loss across the state, including the Denver metro area, even as the COVID-19 pandemic is now in the rearview mirror.  The modest gains in math and English are remarkably similar to last year, when state officials described the results as a “stair step” improvement and local educators called the scores disappointing. Colorado students showed a 1.3-point improvement in math and 0.4 points in English. READ THE FULL STORY AT DENVER GAZETTE
Colorado Springs’ Randy Royal named IAFC Fire Chief of the Year
Approved, KXRM-TV, Local

Colorado Springs’ Randy Royal named IAFC Fire Chief of the Year

By Austin Sack | Fox 21 Colorado Springs At the core of the Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) is a group of people who love to serve the city, but every group needs a strong leader. The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) has selected CSFD Fire Chief Randy Royal as the Career 2024 Fire Chief of the Year. Chief Royal was awarded the honor on Aug. 14 at the 2024 Fire-Rescue International Conference in Dallas, Texas. Since 1996, the International Fire Chief of the Year award has recognized one volunteer and one career fire chief for their leadership, innovation, professional development, integrity, public service, and contributions to the fire service on an international level. READ THE FULL STORY AT FOX 21 COLORADO SPRINGS
Democrat Gov. Jared Polis’ husband, Marlon Reis, shuts down social media after heated wolf debate with rancher
Approved, New York Post, State

Democrat Gov. Jared Polis’ husband, Marlon Reis, shuts down social media after heated wolf debate with rancher

By Patrick Reilly | New York Post Colorado First Gentleman Marlon Reis deactivated his social media accounts after getting into a howling match about wolves on Facebook over the weekend. Reis, who is Colorado Democratic Gov. Jared Polis’ husband, had posted online about grants the state was offering for nonlethal wolf deterrents when he got into a heated exchange in the comments with David Gittleson, according to 9 News. READ THE FULL STORY AT NEW YORK POST
Pentagon withholding docs on whether DEI hiring improves national security, veteran says
Approved, National, The Daily Signal

Pentagon withholding docs on whether DEI hiring improves national security, veteran says

By Casey Harper | Daily Signal The U.S. Department of Defense is under scrutiny for refusing to release records about exactly how spending on diversity, equity, and inclusion helps with national security. The Center to Advance Security in America in May filed with the Defense Department a Freedom of Information Act Request, the legal pathway to obtain government documents. The FOIA sought to find out what Pentagon officials estimate is the real impact on national security of DEI spending, for which Congress approved $86.5 million in fiscal year 2023. READ THE FULL STORY AT DAILY SIGNAL
Claiming Colorado GOP chairmanship, Eli Bremer asks court to declare Dave Williams was properly removed
Approved, coloradopolitics.com, State

Claiming Colorado GOP chairmanship, Eli Bremer asks court to declare Dave Williams was properly removed

By Ernest Luning | Colorado Politics One of the two Colorado Republicans who lay claim to the title of state GOP chairman sued the other on Wednesday, escalating a battle for control of the party just weeks before ballots start going out to voters. In the days since a group of the party's central committee members met to oust Dave Williams, the incumbent chairman, and elect Eli Bremer as his replacement, both men have insisted that they are the Colorado GOP's rightful leader while comparing the other to an illegal squatter. READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS
Illegal immigrants try to hijack California school buses as Denver suburb deals with armed Venezuelan gangs
Approved, National, The Lion

Illegal immigrants try to hijack California school buses as Denver suburb deals with armed Venezuelan gangs

By John Ransom | The Lion A sheriff’s office in Southern California is investigating a series of incidents where illegal immigrants allegedly attempted to board school buses, in one instance blocking the road.   At the same time, a Denver suburb is dealing with armed gangs from Venezuela that are allegedly taking over apartment complexes “block by block,” according to a local council member.  The chaos led one prominent legislator to warn of Denver becoming a “lawless region” if law enforcement doesn’t act soon.  READ THE FULL STORY AT THE LION
Who is running the country? Biden spotted lounging on the beach for a second straight week
Approved, National, Washington Examiner

Who is running the country? Biden spotted lounging on the beach for a second straight week

By Heather Hunter | Washington Examiner President Joe Biden was seen lounging in a beach chair under an umbrella again on Wednesday while enjoying Rehoboth Beach in Delaware. Biden has been criticized for his long stretches of vacations along with a minimal work schedule as president since mid-July. The president has held a low-key presidential schedule since he tested positive for COVID-19 in July, following his announcement of withdrawing from the 2024 presidential election and endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris as front-runner for the Democratic Party ticket. READ THE FULL STORY AT WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Biden-Harris admin working to ‘Trump-proof’ hundreds of DOJ jobs, watchdog says
Approved, Fox News, National

Biden-Harris admin working to ‘Trump-proof’ hundreds of DOJ jobs, watchdog says

By Jamie Joseph | Fox News The Biden-Harris administration may be attempting to "Trump-proof" the Department of Justice (DOJ) by hiring permanent appointees to some federal positions, according to findings from a watchdog group's public records request.  Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) documents obtained by Protect the Public’s Trust (PPT) and shared with Fox News Digital show the administration is using an "obscure hiring authority" that bypasses normal hiring processes based on merit to secure DOJ positions that could thwart former President Trump's agenda if he takes office in 2025.  READ THE FULL STORY AT FOX NEWS
Pine Canyon development will ’cause true impacts’, Castle Rock asks residents to weigh in
Approved, kdvr.com, Local

Pine Canyon development will ’cause true impacts’, Castle Rock asks residents to weigh in

By Heather Willard | Fox 31 News The town of Castle Rock is opposing a new development that’s been proposed and the town is encouraging residents to weigh in on the plan. The Pine Canyon project is an urban-level development “in the heart of Castle Rock,” which would take over 530 acres of unincorporated Douglas County and add over 4,500 residents to the area. The acreage is nestled between The Woodlands neighborhood, Metzler Ranch and Red Hawk. According to Castle Rock, the area is “completely surrounded” by the town. “It is not possible to develop this property without causing true impacts to the Town of Castle Rock’s community and infrastructure,” Castle Rock’s Director of Development Tara Vargish and senior planner Sandy Vossler said in a letter to Douglas County’s c...