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Denver Mayor Mike Johnston’s $1.76B budget is a 0.6% increase from prior year
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Approved, coloradopolitics.com, Local

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston’s $1.76B budget is a 0.6% increase from prior year

By Alexander Edwards | The Gazette, via Colorado Politics The Denver City Council on Tuesday gave Mayor Mike Johnston’s proposed $1.76 billion spending plan for next year the final nod. The council approved the budget unanimously. The approval is more a formality, as the city’s charter says if a vote is not taken by a certain date, the budget, as amended, is approved. The 800-page  plus document did not change much despite several councilmembers' attempts to amend it last week. READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS
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Trump Cabinet picks: Here’s who’s on the list to carry out his agenda
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Approved, National, THE HILL

Trump Cabinet picks: Here’s who’s on the list to carry out his agenda

By Alex Gangitano and Brett Samuels | The Hill President-elect Trump is assembling his Cabinet and senior staff for his second term in the White House before taking office in January. Trump must nominate leaders for 15 government agencies and other top administration jobs that require Senate confirmation, along with appointing senior staff. Here’s a look at who has been tapped to serve so far.  READ THE FULL STORY AT THE HILL
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Colorado sheriff who froze to death in 1881 to be honored in national memorial for fallen officers
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Approved, Local, The Colorado Sun

Colorado sheriff who froze to death in 1881 to be honored in national memorial for fallen officers

By Olivia Prentzel | The Colorado Sun Chaffee County’s first elected sheriff, who reportedly froze to death in 1881 after becoming stranded while trying to evict claim jumpers at a mine west of Buena Vista, will be honored next year when his name is added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.  Lucien Morgan was 45 when he died in the line of duty due to weather exposure on Jones Mountain, a 13,218-foot peak, according to archives of the Rocky Mountain News and The Mountain Mail, Salida’s newspaper. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE COLORADO SUN
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‘We only needed to flip three seats’: In House District 16, Keltie leads and is working to keep it that way
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Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

‘We only needed to flip three seats’: In House District 16, Keltie leads and is working to keep it that way

By Jen Schumann | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice The final act of a mother’s life has come to symbolize the stakes in Colorado’s House District 16 race. A late mother's son ensured his mother's ballot was cured, honoring her final wish to participate in the electoral process. “She saw herself as a patriotic American,” said Rebecca Keltie, the House District 16 Republican candidate. “That was her last act on Earth, and it touches my heart to know she voted for me. It’s humbling.” In one of the last two uncalled Colorado House races, the story highlights the weight of every vote. As of today, Keltie leads incumbent Democrat Steph Vigil by 21 votes. The razor-thin margin triggers an automatic recount per state law. With a midnight Wednesday, Nov. 13, deadline to cure ballots...
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Just elected, Dist. 31 Sen. Chris Hansen to resign Jan. 9 from legislature to start new job as utility CEO
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Approved, State, The Colorado Sun

Just elected, Dist. 31 Sen. Chris Hansen to resign Jan. 9 from legislature to start new job as utility CEO

By Jesse Paul | The Colorado Sun Democratic state Sen. Chris Hansen plans to resign from the legislature Jan. 9, the day after Colorado’s 2025 lawmaking term begins, as he takes on a new role as the chief executive officer of the La Plata Electric Association. Hansen, who lives in Denver, told The Colorado Sun that he will submit a letter of resignation to Capitol leadership in the coming days.  The La Plata Electric Association on Tuesday announced that it had selected Hansen as its CEO, a week after Hansen was reelected to a second four-year term in the Colorado Senate representing District 31. He didn’t make his plans to resign from the legislature known until Wednesday when he spoke with The Sun.  READ THE FULL STORY AT THE COLORADO SUN
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Trump tabs Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence: ‘Fearless spirit’
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Approved, Fox News, National

Trump tabs Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence: ‘Fearless spirit’

By Andrea Margolis  | Fox News President-elect Trump announced on Wednesday that he is appointing Tulsi Gabbard to serve as director of national intelligence in his new Cabinet. In a statement, Trump said that the former congresswoman "has fought for our Country and the Freedoms of all Americans." Gabbard served as a Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii from 2013 to 2021 before becoming an Independent and then recently joined the GOP. "As a former Candidate for the Democrat Presidential Nomination, she has broad support in both Parties - She is now a proud Republican!" Trump's statement added. "I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community, championing our Constitutional Rights, and securing Peace through Strength...
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Trump nominates Matt Gaetz as Attorney General
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Approved, National, Washington Examiner

Trump nominates Matt Gaetz as Attorney General

By Kaelan Deese | Washington Examiner President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday nominated Rep. Matt Gaetz to become the next attorney general, a surprise choice. “It is my Great Honor to announce that Congressman Matt Gaetz, of Florida, is hereby nominated to be The Attorney General of the United States,” Trump said in a statement on Truth Social. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
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Buena Vista middle schooler competes in first-ever National Civics Bee
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Approved, denvergazette.com, Local

Buena Vista middle schooler competes in first-ever National Civics Bee

By Daniel Boniface | The Denver Gazette A Buena Vista middle school student on Tuesday represented Colorado in the first-ever National Civics Bee. Joseph Drexler, a student from Darren Patterson Christian Academy, competed in the first two rounds of the National Civics Bee in Washington, D.C., answering multiple-choice questions on history and democracy against competitors from across the country. The top 10 competitors from the opening rounds advanced to the third round, during which the middle school students delivered civic-minded speeches. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE DENVER GAZETTE
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Denver’s minimum wage among highest in U.S., but rent far from ‘affordable’, report finds
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Approved, Local, Out There Colorado

Denver’s minimum wage among highest in U.S., but rent far from ‘affordable’, report finds

By Spencer McKee | Out There Colorado It's no secret that housing prices around the country have gotten quite lofty in recent years – all while the federal minimum wage has stayed at the $7.25 that was established in 2009. That said, 34 states have increased their own minimum wages above the federal level and some cities have established local minimum wage requirements that are even higher than those required by their state. Denver, for example, has a minimum wage of $18.29 an hour above Colorado's required $14.42. A recent report from Clever took a dive into the topic of minimum wage and affordability, using data to determine where around the country minimum wage workers spend the largest and smallest share of their income on rent. Their report compares local minimum wage ...
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Douglas County School District considers consolidating elementary schools
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Approved, kdvr.com, Local

Douglas County School District considers consolidating elementary schools

By Greg Perez | Fox 31 News The Douglas County School District will hold a community meeting at 9 a.m. Wednesday to discuss a possible school closure plan. According to a letter that was sent to families, district leaders want to consolidate up to six elementary schools in Highlands Ranch by August 2026. They said enrollment numbers have been dropping in the area and the figures are not expected to improve anytime soon. “DCSD is taking a proactive approach to address the challenges of growth and decline in the North Planning area. Since last school year, DCSD committees made up of leaders and community members have discussed the best ways to manage decline to benefit our students and families. We have not only learned from other districts in the same position but al...
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