In this week's episode of Colorado Edition, we look at how the fight to contain measles turned personal for one family and the struggle for cannabis companies looking to patent their products. Plus, after the governor's bill-signing bonanza, we see how full-day kindergarten might play out in two northern Colorado communities.
Denver voters this week decided to stick with Mayor Michael Hancock after a fierce runoff with challenger Jamie Giellis that got heated in the final days leading up to Tuesday's election. KUNC's state Capitol reporter Scott Franz spoke with political commentator Eric Sonderman about the challenges Hancock facesgoing into a third term.
Gov. Jared Polis signed the final bills of 2019 last weekend. One of the new laws passed this year was one that he was behind right from the start — all-day kindergarten. In the past, Colorado school districts only received enough state money to fund half-day programs. The additional cost was up to the district or passed along to parents. Stephanie Daniel looks at how an influx of new funding will impact two northern Colorado school districts.
It's no secret the cannabis industry is becoming more mainstream. Some companies are racing to patent their products — from new strains of plants to better ways of extracting THC. But as Ali Budner reports, the race may not be a clear or fair one, since the industry has lived in the shadows for so long
Measles cases have reached the highest numbers in 25 years, with more than 900 cases reported to the CDC so far. The Mountain West is especially vulnerable. Too few kindergartners in our region are fully vaccinated. One Colorado family took that to heart... and then things got personal. Rae Ellen Bichell reports.
Echo in the Canyon is a new documentary about the explosion of music that came from California's famed Laurel Canyon in the 1960s. For KUNC film critic Howie Movshovitz, who teaches film and television at CU-Denver, the movie misses many opportunities.
In the headlines:
- Court documents show dozens of Colorado sheriffs are showing their support for a legal challenge against the state’s ban on large capacity magazines. Earlier this year, the Colorado Supreme Court agreed to hear a case brought by the gun rights group Rocky Mountain Gun Owners. Now, in an amicus brief, an association of firearms instructors and 30 sheriffs argue that these magazines have legitimate uses — that they are more effective than smaller magazines when used in self defense — and suggest regulating instead of banning them.
- This week 100 years ago – on June 4, 1919 – Congress passed the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote. This week, U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner introduced legislation to install Loveland artist Jane DeDecker's sculpture "Every Word We Utter" in Washington, D.C. The sculpture features Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Sojourner Truth, Alice Paul and Ida B. Wells. It would be the first outdoor monument to commemorate the women's suffrage movement.
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Our intro music is "Remember Me" by Colorado musician Kalatana. The midshow break is "Bling Bong" by Robbie Reverb. Other music this week by Blue Dot Sessions:
- "Lamplist"
- "Base Camp"
- "Coal Baron Blue"
- "Rapids"
- "Trail Runner"
- "Turning On The Lights"
This episode was hosted and produced by assistant news director Erion O'Toole and Karlie Huckels. Digital editor Jackie Hai 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.