Don't make me turn this democracy around! In this week's Colorado Edition, yes, we cover more of the issues you can vote on in the upcoming midterm elections. Also: A Vietnam War vet tells the story of his captivity as a prisoner of war, a troubling future for the Colorado River and an artist's unique take on the self-portrait.
Before the stories, a note from the production team and hosts of Colorado Edition:
KUNC is a public radio station, which means most of our funding - 90 percent of it, to be exact - comes from the community and people who listen. A gift of $12 or $20 a month goes a long way in supporting the work we do, including the travel, reporters, equipment, engineers, editors and podcasters that make this possible. Consider becoming a member today and throw a little love our way. Thanks.
Now, to the stories. First up, a topic that's near and dear to every Coloradan heart: traffic congestion. It's a growing problem in a lot of the state, not just the Front Range. Many Western Slope areas are feeling the crunch. In three counties, voters are being asked to increase their property taxes to pay for mass transit upgrades, on top of the two statewide transportation funding questions. Matt Bloom went to Glenwood Springs to report from one really crowded transit center .
Americans who were held prisoner during the Vietnam War recently hit a milestone: the 45th anniversary of their return home. Since then, about a third of these POWs have passed away, and many are now in their 70s. Michael de Yoanna spoke with Robert Wideman, a vet living in Fort Collins, about how he is preserving his story .
After years of drought, the Colorado River is in trouble . Water levels have been dropping in Lake Mead and Lake Powell, the river's two biggest reservoirs, to the point where officials are now working on plans to get by with less water. Our resident water expert Luke Runyon reported on the negotiations and what's at stake.
For painters throughout history, the portrait has been a staple of their repertoire. The style is a way of capturing a moment in time. The subject is their muse. But as Stacy Nick reports , Fort Collins artist Haley Hasler is taking a unique approach to both .
In "A Star Is Born," a famous singer discovers a young talented woman, whom he takes under his wing - and then some. It's directed by Bradley Cooper, who also stars in the movie alongside Lady Gaga. KUNC film critic Howie Movshovitz, who teaches film and television at CU Denver, says this old warhorse of a story may have seen better days .
In the headlines:
Paul Romer, son of former Colorado Gov. Roy Romer, is one of the winners of this year's Nobel Prize in economics. Accepting his award at a press conference in New York, he urged those listening to "commit to something that's larger than yourself."
Colorado Edition is made possible with support from our KUNC members . Thank you!
Our intro music is "Remember Me" by Colorado musician Kalatana. Our outro is "Good Grief" by Ryan Little. Other music this week:
- Evan Schaefer - "Graze"
- Broke for Free - "Note Drop"
- Blue Dot Sessions - "Valantis"
- Robbie Reverb - "Bling Bong"
- Pipe Choir - "Almost Time"
This episode was hosted and produced by assistant news director Erin O'Toole and Karlie Huckels. Digital editor Ashley Jefcoat handled the web. News director Catherine Welch and managing editor Brian Larson contributed to this episode.
KUNC's Colorado Edition is a weekly look at the top stories from our newsroom. It's available every Friday on our website, as well as on iTunes , Google Play , Stitcher or wherever (RSS) you get your podcasts. You can hear it on the air every Sunday at 9 p.m. on KUNC.