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Texas House frozen for a second week over GOP map push
kdvr.com, Approved, National

Texas House frozen for a second week over GOP map push

by Maddie Biertempfel | KDVR FOX 31 WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – The redistricting fight continues in Texas, as State House Democrats remain out-of-state for a second week in a row.  “A quorum is not present,” Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows said Monday before the body adjourned.  More than 50 Democrats have fled Texas, and there aren’t enough lawmakers left to vote.  “We intend to kill the first called special session,” State Rep. Mihaela Plesa (D-Texas.) said.  A group of those Democrats joined Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin in Chicago Monday.  “It isn’t just a Texas issue. This is an American issue. An issue as to whether or not there’s due process and fairness in our politics,” Sen. Durbin said.  READ THE COMPLETE STORY AT KDVR FOX 31...
Charges Dropped as Predator Found Incompetent in Aurora Playground Attempt
Local, Approved, kdvr.com

Charges Dropped as Predator Found Incompetent in Aurora Playground Attempt

By Hanna Powers | KDVR Fox 31 ARAPAHOE COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — A registered sex offender accused of attempting to kidnap a child from a playground will not face prosecution after a judge dismissed the case due to a finding of permanent incompetence. Carmen Galligan — previously known as Solomon — was charged in connection with an attempted kidnapping at Black Forest Hills Elementary in April 2024. According to police, Galligan targeted multiple children who were playing outside, sparking panic among parents and neighbors. But in court Thursday, a judge dismissed the case after doctors at Fort Logan State Hospital determined Galligan has a chronic mental condition and will never be competent to stand trial. “This is a case where the victims expressed great fear at what happened t...
Outsiders Commit Most Crimes in Douglas County Despite Declining Rates
Local, Approved, kdvr.com

Outsiders Commit Most Crimes in Douglas County Despite Declining Rates

By Vicente Arenas | KDVR Fox 31 CASTLE ROCK, Colo. (KDVR) — New information shows there has been a drop in crime rates in Douglas County in the last six months. However, 23rd Judicial District DA George Brauchler said the majority of people committing crimes in Douglas County are from other counties. The DA showed a dramatic video of Castle Rock police trying to capture a man driving a stolen car. The man behind the wheel can be seen trying to get away from officers by driving the vehicle back and forth, as it was pinned between two other cars. The driver is eventually able to speed away but is captured by officers from the Castle Rock Police Department moments later after a loud crash. “My best advice is, follow the freaking law. If you won’t do that, do yourself and us ...
Colorado Forced To Defend Controversial Gas Stove Warning Law in Court
State, Approved, kdvr.com

Colorado Forced To Defend Controversial Gas Stove Warning Law in Court

By Heather Willard | KDVR Fox 31 DENVER (KDVR) — The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers is taking the state to court in a First Amendment lawsuit aimed at stopping a new law that would require warning labels on gas stoves. The law went into effect on Wednesday, one of hundreds of new laws that came into effect, and requires the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to establish a page with “credible, evidence-based information on the health impacts of gas-fueled stoves.” The bill also requires that retailers have a yellow adhesive label on display models of gas stoves that states: “Understand the air quality implications of having an indoor gas stove.” The label then must have a link or a QR code so consumers can see the webpage created by the health dep...
ICE Asks for Tips in Ongoing Search for Second Suspect Accused of Ramming Vehicle
Local, Approved, kdvr.com

ICE Asks for Tips in Ongoing Search for Second Suspect Accused of Ramming Vehicle

By Heather Willard | KDVR Fox 31 DENVER (KDVR) — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is still searching for a second man connected with an attempted ramming that spurred a large operation last week. However, the agency isn’t sharing many details. The federal agency first reported on Thursday, July 31, that two suspects tried to use their vehicle to ram an officer in Black Forest near Colorado Springs, prompting a second ICE agent to fire three shots into the vehicle. The two suspects fled and abandoned the vehicle. ICE said on Aug. 1 that it arrested Francisco Zapata-Pacheco, the vehicle’s passenger, at about 2 p.m. on July 31, and said he was cooperating with law enforcement. However, the suspect driver, Jose Mendez-Chavez, remains at large, according to ICE. On Wednes...
Governor Mobilizes National Guard to Fight Massive Elk and Lee Fires Near Meeker
Local, Approved, kdvr.com

Governor Mobilizes National Guard to Fight Massive Elk and Lee Fires Near Meeker

By Heather Willard | KDVR Fox 31 DENVER (KDVR) — On Wednesday night, Gov. Jared Polis authorized the mobilization of the Colorado National Guard to aid with fire response near Meeker. The authorization allows the state authority to use the National Guard assets in fire suppression efforts if necessary. The Governor’s Office noted that the wind has continued to drive the Rio Blanco County fires, pushing the Lee Fire to jump Highway 13 on Wednesday and leading to the area around Meeker being evacuated and the town of Meeker being placed on pre-evacuation status. The Lee Fire, as of Wednesday evening, was estimated to have burned 45,000 acres, according to the Colorado Governor’s Office. Over the weekend, Polis verbally declared a disaster emergency for the Elk Fire in Rio Blan...
Wildfires Force New Evacuations Across Rio Blanco and Garfield Counties
Approved, kdvr.com, State

Wildfires Force New Evacuations Across Rio Blanco and Garfield Counties

By  Spencer Kristensen | KDVR Fox 31 DENVER (KDVR) — As crews continue to battle wildfires across the state, more evacuations and pre-evacuations have been ordered due to several fires growing in size. Multiple agencies in different jurisdictions around Colorado ordered a new round of evacuations and pre-evacuations on Wednesday afternoon. Rio Blanco County: Lee and Elk Fires There are two large wildfires in Rio Blanco County that have burned more than 30,000 acres. Evacuations have already been sent for certain areas in the county, and the Rio Blanco Sheriff’s Office continued with more evacuations and pre-evacuations on Wednesday. Zone 40 Zone 40 is located southwest of Meeker and just east of Lion Canyon. The area contains a stretch of Highway 13. Immediate e...
Redistricting off the table in Colorado? Independent commission holds the line
State, Approved, kdvr.com

Redistricting off the table in Colorado? Independent commission holds the line

By Gabrielle Franklin | KDVR Fox 31 DENVER (KDVR) — The battle over the balance of power in Congress is already underway with the 2026 midterm election still more than a year away. Reactions to Texas Democrats fleeing their state to avoid a vote to redraw the state’s congressional maps continue to grow as states with Democratic majorities threaten counteraction. Could Colorado act too? FOX31’s political analysts both said it is unlikely the state would take any action on redistricting soon, but there are still some observations to be learned from the Lone Star State. “No, I don’t see Colorado joining that arms race,” said FOX31 Political Analyst and Republican strategist Michael Fields. “We redistrict every 10 years. We’re not at a time where we redistrict right now,” said F...
Feds Approve Colorado Ban on Buying Soda with Food Stamps
State, Approved, kdvr.com

Feds Approve Colorado Ban on Buying Soda with Food Stamps

By Dara Bitler | KDVR FOX31 DENVER (KDVR) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has allowed Colorado to exempt sugary beverages and soda from being purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funds. The announcement was made on Monday, following the state’s submission of the waiver request on May 13. The waiver will take effect in 2026, according to a release from the USDA. The SNAP waiver is designed to bring a focus on healthy eating, according to Colorado Governor Jared Polis. The waiver changes what foods can be purchased through SNAP. Beneficiaries can still purchase milk-based drinks and 100% juice drinks with their SNAP benefits, but sweetened beverages, such as soft drinks with sugar or artificial sweeteners, will be excluded. The waiver specifically exclud...
Over 4200 Acres Burned in South Rim Wildfire, Now 50% Contained
Local, Approved, kdvr.com

Over 4200 Acres Burned in South Rim Wildfire, Now 50% Contained

By Jacob Factor | KDVR Fox31 DENVER (KDVR) — As containment grows for the more than 4,000-acre wildfire burning in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, officials have detailed some of the park’s losses, what crews have saved and what’s next for the park as portions reopen. Fire officials recently published a detailed story map of the South Rim Fire, which has burned about 4,200 acres in the National Park in Montrose County and just Wednesday surpassed 50% containment. The fire has been burning since lightning ignited it and several other Colorado wildfires on July 10. Fire officials in a Wednesday morning update said the north rim side of the National Park is also set to reopen Wednesday. Here’s a look at where the South Rim Fire is now and how the Black Canyon of the Gu...

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