On this week's Colorado Edition, scientists find their funny bone, Mother Nature gets testy with Colorado River users, and African-American women unite to fight breast cancer.
Last month marked National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Since it started more than three decades ago, the number of people dying from the disease has dropped by about 39 percent. But Stephanie Daniel spent time with one group of women in Colorado with a higher mortality rate than others - African-Americans.
Water managers along the Colorado River are trying to figure out how to live with less. Climate change is growing the gap between the river's supply and the demands of the seven states that rely on it. The federal government recently released proposals designed to keep the river's biggest reservoirs from draining. Luke Runyon and Bret Jaspers from KJZZ break it all down.
Guns, gun control, and the 2nd Amendment are hot-button issues across the country, and right here in Colorado. KUNC is embarking on a new reporting project to cover it: Guns & America. Leigh Paterson will be reporting on these stories. First up, she breaks down some of the numbers on assault weapons ban in this conversation with Kyra Buckley.
There's a common stereotype that scientists aren't funny - they're smart, anti-social, maybe a little odd, but not (intentionally) funny. One organization isout to prove that wrong by showing that science can be a riot. Stacy Nick checked out the Science Riot program and the scientists enrolled.
The new documentary Studio 54 chronicles the spectacular rise and fall of New York's most outrageous disco club, which lasted less than three years. For KUNC film critic Howie Movshovitz, who teaches film and television at CU Denver, the movie shows a lot about America - both then and now.
One final note: It's time to fall back. Set your clocks back one whole hour on Sunday (and enjoy the tiny bit of time travel that gives you an extra hour in your day).
In the headlines:
- The number of hate crimes is going up in the U.S. The deadly attack on a synagogue in Pittsburgh is one of the latest incidents in an increasing trend.
- Gov. John Hickenlooper did not tell an employee at a coffee shop in New Hampshire he was going to run for president. (It was a joke, says a spokesman.)
- Did you notice any teal pumpkins out on porches this week? They're part of a movement to signal parents where their kids with allergies or dietary restrictions can get non-food treats during Halloween.
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:
- Broke for Free - "Golden Hour"
- Doctor Turtle - "Stuff Will Never Love You Back"
- Loyalty Freak Music - "Lag"
- Robbie Reverb - "Bling Bong" and "Hot Yacht Bot"
- Steve Combs - "Halloween"
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.