On this week's Colorado Edition, we talk about an innovative solution to a vexing problem: 911 calls that aren't true emergencies. Other stories this week include a campaign to end Denver's ban on "urban camping" and a unique club bringing some love to the lost art of letter writing.
In early October the Department of Homeland Security announced a proposed regulation that would change U.S. immigration policy. The changes would affect people who want or have a visa, those who want to obtain a green card or those who want to become lawful permanent residents. Stephanie Daniel reports on how the proposal is already having a negative impact in Colorado.
When people call 911, it's not always for something you'd consider an emergency. Sometimes the callers are in a bind and can't think of anyone else to help them. But the calls still require a full response: firefighters, big trucks, police cars, the whole nine yards. Michael de Yoanna checked out the Greeley Fire Department's innovative solution to the problem.
The midterm elections ended almost a month ago, but campaign season isn't over in Denver. Next May voters there will decide whether the city's homeless can take shelter and sleep in public spaces. The practice known as "urban camping" was banned by city officials six years ago. Scott Franz checked out the campaign behind the Right to Rest initiative.
When was the last time you wrote a letter? Not an email, not a long series of texts, but putting pen to an actual piece of paper that you folded up, put in an envelope, sealed with a stamp and sent off? If it's been a while, you're not alone. Stacy Nick found a place and a group of people taking the time to slow down and practice the forgotten art of correspondence.
The new Japanese movie "Shoplifters" won the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival last May and has since played at many other film festivals in this country. KUNC film critic Howie Movshovitz teaches film and television at CU Denver. He says it's the best film he's seen this year. You might even say it stole his heart.
In the headlines:
- A new study, involving some "experiments" on Denver residents and visitors, says that public art may actually make people happier.
- Higher than average snowpack is easing drought conditions in part of the state. Climatologists suggest portions of the Western Slope could some marginal improvements in drought conditions. But the state's not out of the woods yet - some of the driest winters on record started strong and petered out in the spring.
Colorado Edition is made possible with support from our KUNC members . Thank you!
Our intro music is "Remember Me" by Colorado musician Kalatana. The midshow break is "Bling Bong" by Robbie Reverb, and our outro is "Good Grief" by Ryan Little. Other music this week:
- Doctor Turtle - "Always the Teasmade Never the Tease"
- Chtin Mara - "Butterfly in the Stomach"
- Robert Abraham - "Soul Burned Away"
- Blue Dot Sessions - "Valantis"
- Broke for Free - "Warm Up Suit"
- Steve Combs - "Enough to Kill a Horse"
This episode was hosted and produced by assistant news director Erin O'Toole and Karlie Huckels. Digital manager Ashley Jefcoat handled the web. News director Catherine Welch and managing editor Brian Larson and 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.