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Bill to legally allow Colorado lawmakers to violate parts of open meeting laws, in place since 1972, heads to governor
Approved, coloradopolitics.com, State

Bill to legally allow Colorado lawmakers to violate parts of open meeting laws, in place since 1972, heads to governor

By Marianne Goodland | Colorado Politics Despite a last-ditch effort by some House lawmakers on Monday, a bill that will exempt the Colorado General Assembly from following parts of the open meetings law established in 1972 is now in the hands of Gov. Jared Polis. What Polis thinks of the measure, which the House passed on a 39-22 vote, remains unknown. The state's 1972 Sunshine Law declares that it is a "matter of statewide concern and the policy of this state that the formation of public policy is public business and may not be conducted in secret.” But lawmakers at the state Capitol, who complain the law hinders their ability to have private conversations about public policy and bills, including through text or email with their colleagues, seek to rewrite the law. READ TH...
February inflation report a setback for Fed rate cut plans; prices up 3.2%
Approved, National, The Washington Post

February inflation report a setback for Fed rate cut plans; prices up 3.2%

By Rachel Siegel | The Washington Post The Federal Reserve is looking for steady, reliable signs that inflation is simmering down before it cuts interest rates this year. So far, 2024 has not delivered. Data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Tuesday showed prices rose 3.2 percent over last year, slightly outpacing forecasts of 3.1 percent. Prices also rose 0.4 percent in February over the previous month — in line with expectations, but still hotter than economists would like to see. Those top-line figures represent just a snippet of a bigger economic story. But they also added a dose of uncertainty about whether the Fed’s inflation fight is getting tougher after 2023’s remarkable progress. Markets dipped slightly into the red shortly after Tuesday’s open, before postin...
Supreme Court extends freeze on Texas illegal immigration law
Approved, National, The Epoch Times

Supreme Court extends freeze on Texas illegal immigration law

By Tom Ozimek | The Epoch Times The U.S. Supreme Court issued an order on March 12 that extends for at least another week its temporary pause on enforcement of Texas’ immigration law, which would have allowed state police to arrest people suspected of crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally. Justice Samuel Alito, who oversees the federal circuit handling the case, issued an administrative stay on Tuesday, postponing the implementation of Texas Senate Bill 4 until March 18. The move follows a similar March 4 decision that imposed a temporary freeze on SB4, which was signed into law by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in December 2023 and was set to go into effect on March 5. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE EPOCH TIMES
Ken Buck announces he will leave Congress on March 22, scrambling race to replace him that includes Lauren Boebert
Approved, National, The Colorado Sun

Ken Buck announces he will leave Congress on March 22, scrambling race to replace him that includes Lauren Boebert

By Jesse Paul | The Colorado Sun U.S. Rep. Ken Buck will leave Congress on March 22, the Windsor Republican announced Tuesday in a decision that’s sure to scramble the already highly contentious and competitive race to replace him that includes Lauren Boebert. “It has been an honor to serve the people of Colorado’s 4th District in Congress for the past nine years,” Buck said in a written statement. “I want to thank them for their support and encouragement throughout the years. Today, I am announcing that I will depart Congress at the end of next week. I look forward to staying involved in our political process, as well as spending more time in Colorado and with my family.” Buck, who was already planning to retire after his current term ends in January 2025, didn’t p...
Biden says he never meant to keep classified documents; Hur stands by report on President’s memory
Approved, National, Stars & Stripes

Biden says he never meant to keep classified documents; Hur stands by report on President’s memory

By ZEKE MILLER, COLLEEN LONG AND FARNOUSH AMIRI | Stars & Stripes Over five hours of interviews, President Joe Biden repeatedly told a special counsel that he never meant to retain classified information after he left the vice presidency, but he was at times fuzzy about dates and said he was unfamiliar with the paper trail for some of the sensitive documents he handled. A transcript of the Biden interviews was made public Tuesday, just as the special counsel, Robert Hur, went before the House Judiciary Committee to face questions about his investigation of the Democratic president. Hur, in his report, concluded that Biden should not face criminal charges over his mishandling of documents but also impugned the president’s age and competence. The special counsel stood by his assess...
Colorado lawmakers eye regulation of dating apps to prevent assault, rape
Approved, coloradopolitics.com, State

Colorado lawmakers eye regulation of dating apps to prevent assault, rape

By Marissa Ventrelli | Colorado Politics The number of couples who have met on a dating app or website has skyrocketed since online dating services first debuted over two decades ago. While many find happy and healthy relationships through the online services, others looking for love have not been so lucky. Currently, Colorado is ranked as the fifth-most dangerous state for online dating, pushing legislators to propose a comprehensive bill that will provide its citizens some peace of mind. The ranking took into account data, including cybercrime stats, rates of romantic fraud, and violent crime stemming from online interactions. Wading into issue, Senate Bill 011 requires online dating services to create and publish safety policies, including information on whether ...
Town hall called by ‘We, the people’ in Weld County to discuss county’s sanctuary status with commissioners
Approved, Northern Colorado, Rocky Mountain Voice

Town hall called by ‘We, the people’ in Weld County to discuss county’s sanctuary status with commissioners

By BRIAN PORTER | The Rocky Mountain Voice A town hall meeting to discuss Weld County’s sanctuary status and fiscal responsibility has been called for Wednesday, March 13, a press release from “We, the concerned citizens of Weld County” reads. The email with the press release received by The Rocky Mountain Voice indicates all Weld County commissioners have been invited, along with House District 48 Rep. Gabe Evans.  “This gathering aims to discuss and reinforce our collective commitment to ensuring Weld County remains a non-sanctuary county and that taxpayer funds are not used in any capacity related to this matter,” the release reads. The town hall will take place at 5:30 p.m. at the Weld County administrative offices located at 1150 O ST. Greeley, CO 80631. The town hall is a...
Boeing whistleblower found dead days after testifying against company
Approved, DENVER7, National

Boeing whistleblower found dead days after testifying against company

By Elina Tarkazikis | Denver7 A Boeing whistleblower who raised concerns about the company's production standards was found dead days after testifying against the company. Sixty-two-year-old John Barnett of Louisiana had worked for Boeing for 32 years before retiring in 2017 because of his health, according to the BBC. In the lead-up to his death, he had been giving evidence in a whistleblower lawsuit against the aircraft giant. The Charleston County Coroner's Office in South Carolina confirmed to several news outlets that Barnett died on March 9 of what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was found dead in his truck in a hotel parking lot. READ THE FULL STORY AT DENVER7
Trump Secret Service driver refutes ‘third-hand’ claim J6 committee relied upon from star witness
Approved, National, The Epoch Times

Trump Secret Service driver refutes ‘third-hand’ claim J6 committee relied upon from star witness

By Zachary Stieber | The Epoch Times The Secret Service agent who was driving the SUV with then-President Donald Trump inside on Jan. 6, 2021, refuted the claim that President Trump grabbed for the wheel of the vehicle, according to a U.S. House of Representatives report issued on March 11. The agent, who is not being identified by name by lawmakers, told a House panel that he “did not see him reach.” President Trump “never grabbed the steering wheel,” the agent said. “I didn’t see him lunge to try to get into the front seat at all.” READ THE FULL STORY AT THE EPOCH TIMES
They’re just using a different tool to control water now
Approved, Commentary, National

They’re just using a different tool to control water now

By GREG WALCHER | GregWalcher.com There are at least 25 different types of wrenches commonly found in toolboxes. There are box-end, open-end, combination, and crescent wrenches. For particular jobs, one might reach for a lug wrench, basin wrench, oil filter wrench, or an impact, flare-nut, strap, chain, or torque wrench. Like most people, I also have socket wrenches, Allen wrenches, and pipe wrenches.   My dad taught us that every job is easier with the right tools, but he also knew there were several ways to accomplish any task. If one wrench won’t work, you try a different wrench. That is exactly what environmental industry lawyers, and their government allies, are doing in the wake of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Sackett v. EPA. That is the case in which the Court finally decl...