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The Catch-Up: Mourning a moose, spirited airline merger talks and disconnecting cellphones at school

The Egyptian Theatre and Main Street are seen during the the Sundance Film Festival on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, in Park City, Utah.
Charles Sykes
/
Invision AP
The Egyptian Theatre and Main Street are seen during the the Sundance Film Festival on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, in Park City, Utah.

Jan. 27-31, 2025

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King Soopers employees vote to go on strike in the Denver area

Sarah Fotis, assistant bakery manager at the King Soopers in Denver's Capitol Hill neighborhood, during the United Food and Commercial Workers Local Seven strike in January. Union leaders say a proposed merger between King Soopers' parent company Kroger and Albertsons, which owns Safeway, could put many workers out of jobs and hurt union members' bargaining power.
Robyn Vincent
Sarah Fotis, assistant bakery manager at the King Soopers in Denver's Capitol Hill neighborhood, during the United Food and Commercial Workers Local Seven strike in January 2022. Union leaders say a proposed merger between King Soopers' parent company Kroger and Albertsons, which owns Safeway, could put many workers out of jobs and hurt union members' bargaining power.

Workers at numerous Denver metro area King Soopers have voted to strike, but the grocery chain has assured customers that stores will remain open. The employees are focused on more healthcare benefits along with worries about new technology impacting staffing levels and increased workloads.

Before the vote, Kim Cordova, the president of the union known as the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 7 spoke to KUNC and said the issue is just as much about the workers as it is about the customers.

There could be more union action ahead with worker contracts expiring in Fort Collins, Greeley, Longmont, and Loveland in February. 


Spirit rejects merger proposal from Frontier, but talks aren’t over

FILE - A Frontier Airlines jetliner taxis to a runway to take off from Denver International Airport Thursday, April 23, 2020, in Denver.
David Zalubowski
/
AP
A Frontier Airlines jetliner taxis to a runway to take off from Denver International Airport Thursday, April 23, 2020, in Denver. Frontier Airlines is once again in talks with Spirit Airlines for a proposed merger.

Denver-based Frontier Airlines is back in merger talks with Spirit Airlines. Frontier pitched an offer to Spirit this month that was rejected Wednesday, but both companies say they will keep the discussions open. Frontier tried to merge with Spirit in 2022 but ended up being outbid by JetBlue Airways. The JetBlue-Spirit deal was tossed out by a federal judge last year over concerns it would hurt competition and consumers.


Showing them the money, lawmakers propose a $34 million tax break to woo the Sundance Film Festival to Boulder

A lit sign is seen at dusk that reads Sundance Film Festival. Festive lights are strung across the street and buildings in the background.
Chris Pizzello
/
Invision/AP
The Egyptian Theatre is pictured on the eve of the 2017 Sundance Film Festival on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017, in Park City, Utah.

Colorado lawmakers want to put millions of dollars in state tax credits on the table to lure the Sundance Film Festival to Boulder. The annual, independent film fest says it’s outgrown its longtime home of Park City, Utah and is shopping for a new location. The incentive package, which could be up to $34 million dollars, is making its way through committees in the state House of Representatives. Sundance is held in late January, a time when Colorado’s tourism industry typically experiences a lull. The festival is also considering Cincinnati and Salt Lake City as possible locations.


Proposal to ban guns with detachable magazines in Colorado clears first hurdle

A controversial gun control proposal cleared its first hurdle in the state legislature Tuesday. The bill would make it illegal to buy, sell or make guns that use detachable magazines. The Democratic-majority committee voted along party lines to advance the measure. That bodes well for its prospects in the full Senate, where it’s headed next.


Seeking to be less disconnected, a new state bill looks to districts to answer the call for consistent cell phone policies

Three students enter through the doors of a school and show their phones and IDs to a security officer.
Rachel Cohen
/
KUNC
Students at Doherty High School in Colorado Springs show their IDs and their phones inside Yondr pouches to security guard Lonny Barrett. The school district started a new policy this year banning cell phones for middle and high schoolers.

Colorado lawmakers want local educators to write formal policies for cell phone use in schools. A bill in the state legislature would require districts and charter school operators to draft rules that would apply throughout their jurisdiction. Supporters say it would end a patchwork of rules that can vary from school to school - and even teacher to teacher. The state Attorney General's Office says it's also awarded grants to two high schools and five districts to test out different cell phone policies.


Debate begins over paying Colorado college athletes – but some criticize lack of transparency

The discussion over radical changes to how college athletes are compensated kicked off at the Colorado state legislature this week. Lawmakers peppered CU Boulder representatives with questions about the legislation, House Bill 1041, that would allow higher education institutions to pay students directly for their “Name, Image and Likeness” or NIL. No action was taken and the discussion will continue, likely next week. Among the contentious issues is a provision of the bill that would prohibit public disclosure of contracts between student-athletes and higher education.


Goals! Plans for the new National Women's Soccer League include a dedicated stadium and facilities

The majority owner of the new National Women's Soccer League team in Denver says there are plans to build a dedicated soccer stadium for the club. The league formally announced on Thursday that Denver was awarded the 16th NWSL team, set to start play in 2026. It will become the city's first top-tier women's professional team. Sportico previously reported the team was acquired for a record $110 million expansion fee. The majority owner of the team is IMA Financial Group CEO Robert Cohen.


Community mourns death of beloved moose "Morty" in Minturn

A moose stands in deep snow under a tree beside someone's fenced deck.
Jim Gonzales
Morty the Moose was often seen along Main St. in Minturn. The animal was spotted frequently in the last month or so.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is looking into the death of a moose that had a devoted local following. The 400-pound bull nicknamed “Morty” gained notoriety in the town of Minturn this month, often seen walking around Main Street. A local resident posted on Facebook this week about the moose’s death. Parks and Wildlife removed the animal from where it was found on a trail. Wildlife officials are conducting a necropsy at the department’s lab in Fort Collins to determine the cause of death. 

As a reporter and host for KUNC, I follow the local stories of the day while also guiding KUNC listeners through NPR's wider-scope coverage. It's an honor and a privilege to help our audience start their day informed and entertained.
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