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Proposed Denver slaughterhouse ban could cost Colorado economy up to $861M, study shows
Approved, coloradopolitics.com, State

Proposed Denver slaughterhouse ban could cost Colorado economy up to $861M, study shows

By Noah Festenstein | Colorado Politics If Denver’s ballot measure to ban slaughterhouses is approved by voters in November, it could cost Colorado’s economy up to $861 million and impact nearly 3,000 jobs, according to a study by Colorado State University’s Regional Economic Development Institute. Denver voters will be asked, “Shall the voters of the City and County of Denver adopt an ordinance prohibiting slaughterhouses, and, in connection, beginning January 1, 2026, prohibiting the construction, maintenance, or use of slaughterhouses within the City; and requiring the City to prioritize residents whose employment is affected by the ordinance in workforce training or employment assistance programs?” Pro-Animal Future, a group that works to protect animal rights, introduced the ...
Zorn: Colorado’s passenger rail romance vs. reality
Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Zorn: Colorado’s passenger rail romance vs. reality

By Ryan Zorn | Guest Columnist Have you noticed that the expansion of passenger rail is beginning to permeate agendas of state and local governments?  The romance of big rail projects and access to other people’s money have always been hard for career politicians to resist.  Gov. Jared Polis is no different.  The Biden administration is dangling billions of federal taxpayer dollars out for grabs.  Here at home, the governor just secured a legislated $3 per-day rental car fee worth $58 million per year and a privately-negotiated political ransom worth $175 million per year from Colorado oil and gas producers in the form of new production fees that will be funneled toward new passenger rail initiatives.  His message to our local governments seems to be “all ...
Devotional: What type of dog are you?
Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Devotional: What type of dog are you?

By DRAKE HUNTER | Special Contributor Using your imagination and curiosity is one of life’s greatest joys when used in a healthy way. I invite you to think about something fun: "What type of dog are you most like?" It's interesting how our behavior and personality often reflect those of our furry friends. This exploration might help you learn something new about yourself and make you more faithful and trusting in life as we "Watch Them Dogs!" Over the nearly four decades I’ve been a believer and follower of Christ, I've heard and delivered countless impactful and meaningful sermons. But one stands out more than others, and I want to share it with you. In August 1988, when I became a Christian, I heard a message that made a lasting impression. It was called "Watch Them Dogs!" and w...
Trump says trial, conviction ‘very hard’ on wife Melania
Approved, National, THE HILL

Trump says trial, conviction ‘very hard’ on wife Melania

By NICK ROBERTSON | The Hill Former President Trump said Sunday that his weeks-long criminal hush money trial in New York City and conviction Thursday have been “very hard” on his wife, Melania, amid testimony recounting his alleged infidelity. Trump was convicted Thursday of 34 felony counts of falsifying business documents, the first time a former president was ever convicted of a crime. He has appealed the ruling. The charges were connected to hush money payments made in the weeks before the 2016 election intended to cover up alleged past affairs between Trump and an adult film star, which he has denied. The alleged affair with adult film actress Stormy Daniels occurred in 2006, just a year after Trump had married Melania and months after the birth of their son, Ba...
What Are NIH Officials Hiding?: Fauci to Testify on America’s Response to COVID-19
Approved, National, The Daily Signal

What Are NIH Officials Hiding?: Fauci to Testify on America’s Response to COVID-19

By Robert Moffit and Mary McCloskey  | The Daily Signal Expect fireworks. On Monday, Dr. Anthony Fauci is scheduled to testify under oath before the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic to account for his performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fauci, former director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, appeared before the select subcommittee earlier this year for a closed-door, 14-hour transcribed interview conducted over two days. Needless to say, congressional investigators have a lot of ground to cover Monday, ranging from Fauci’s advice on mask mandates to his oversight of coronavirus research grants and response to the Chinese origins of the global pandemic. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE DAILY SIGNAL
Where’s Hunter? President’s son in court today to begin case of illegal gun possession
Approved, National, Politico

Where’s Hunter? President’s son in court today to begin case of illegal gun possession

By BETSY WOODRUFF SWAN and HAILEY FUCHS | Politico As Hunter Biden walks into court Monday to go on trial, he’ll pass a familiar sight: a large photo of his father, sporting a reassuring grin. The photo — hanging prominently in the lobby of a federal courthouse in dilapidated downtown Wilmington — is a vivid reminder of how the president’s political career and now his son’s legal travails both run through this struggling port city. For years, Hunter Biden has drawn scrutiny for his links to controversial Ukrainian, Chinese and Romanian business ventures. Congressional Republicans and former President Donald Trump have accused him of influence-peddling and corruption. But the trial — which opens Monday morning with jury selection — isn’t about any of that. Instead, its focus is ...
In Boebert-less 4th District debate, Republican Rumble still centered on Boebert
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

In Boebert-less 4th District debate, Republican Rumble still centered on Boebert

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice DENVER -- A brief heated exchange between Deborah Flora and Richard Holtorf highlighted what otherwise was a 4th District congressional debate which seemed to center on everything but those appearing on stage Saturday during the Republican Rumble here at the Grizzly Rose. Lauren Boebert chose not to attend the Republican Rumble debate, and instead focus her final weekend prior to ballots being received on campaigning. Yet, she was the focus of the first question of the debate when candidates were asked to consider differences between them and the top-line candidate on the ballot. "We hear a whole bunch of rhetoric that doesn't actually discuss results," said Mike Lynch, adding criticism of Boebert's move from the 3rd to the 4th District, aski...
Evans, Flora win Republican Rumble straw poll; LP chair second to Lopez in special election poll
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Evans, Flora win Republican Rumble straw poll; LP chair second to Lopez in special election poll

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice DENVER -- Deborah Flora captured another straw poll win Saturday on the eve of primary ballots beginning to populate mail boxes across the district and the state. Following an exchange with 4th Congressional District opponent Richard Holtorf over the financial status of her non-profit and the service of family and spouses to active duty military, Flora captured the Republican Rumble straw poll victory here at the Grizzly Rose. Flora, viewed by some to be a front-runner with Lauren Boebert, earned 24.8% of the straw votes. "I'm humbled again for this latest straw poll victory. From Douglas to Weld and Kit Carson to Prowers, I've worked tirelessly to hear your concerns and be your voice for Congress," Flora said. "We're building on that momentu...
Evans positions as a ‘big tent’ option in 8th District during Rumble with opponent Janak Joshi
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Evans positions as a ‘big tent’ option in 8th District during Rumble with opponent Janak Joshi

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice DENVER -- Gabe Evans appeared Saturday to walk the walk. "I'm going to work as a big-tent Republican," Evans said. "That is how we win the 8th Congressional District." When his opponent, Janak Joshi, drifted hard right during the Republican Rumble here at the Grizzly Rose, Evans seemed to moderate on issues that will play to a general election audience against an incumbent Democrat. "I'm literally all in to go out, fight and win, to flip this seat," Evans said, closing a debate with Joshi where he drew a major difference in intelligence policy and the abortion issue. Joshi supports dissolving the nation's intelligence community, and then rebuilding. It was supported from a Libertarian Party contingent in attendance. "All of these dep...
Trump’s New York felony conviction can’t keep him from becoming president
Approved, CBS Colorado, National

Trump’s New York felony conviction can’t keep him from becoming president

By Kathryn Watson | CBS Colorado Former President Trump's New York felony conviction Thursday on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a "hush money" payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels can't stop him from becoming president if the voters put him back in office, legal scholars seem to agree.  The Constitution imposes very few prerequisites for the presidency — a candidate must be at least 35 years of age, a natural-born citizen and a U.S. resident for a minimum of 14 years. It says nothing about the impact of a felony conviction on a president's ability to serve.  "The short answer is yes, that there's no constitutional bar," said Corey Brettschneider, a lawyer and professor of political science at Brown Univers...