Latest news with #ColoradoSun
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Support journalism that is independent and honest
(Stock photo by Nenov via Getty Images Plus) I am often overwhelmed and alarmed by much of what passes as news in the United States. Moreover, the problem of fake news is increasing as we become ever more polarized and as our government tries to undermine and to silence media that exposes intentions and actions it wants to keep hidden from us. Adding to the problem is the proliferation of social media posts that may or may not be accurate. Increasingly, I have become a supporter of independent journalism and have dropped my subscriptions to local papers — owned by what some call vulture equity firms, interested only in power and profit. I've even dropped my long-time subscriptions to two well-known national newspapers. Instead, I support my local library, where I can access, online, my local newspaper, as well as national news publications such as The New York Times and The Washington Post. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX I am not necessarily advocating that you drop your newspaper subscription. Instead, I am hoping you are aware of the many independent news sources available to you. In Colorado, among those I support are Colorado Sun, Mountain Ear and this newspaper, Colorado Newsline (part of the States Newsroom organization). Conveniently, in Colorado alone there are many more independent news sources than the three I have named. The Media and Democracy Project has compiled a list that can be found at the organization's website. Personally, I also support a number of independent national news sources, some of which are identified online at Most crucially, I support those organizations that support independent journalism in a variety of ways — organizations such as the Colorado News Collaborative, the Freedom of the Press Foundation, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, and the Media and Democracy Project. What do I mean by independent news sources? Independent news sources are those that are free from the influence of governments, corporations or special interest groups, ensuring that what they report is truthful. To determine independence, you could begin by looking at whether the news source is more reliant on facts than on opinions/arguments, by investigating the sources of its funding and whether there are potential conflicts of interest, by evaluating its history and track record (e.g., its record for exposing criminality or abuses of power), and by assessing the extent to which it follows established journalistic standards and ethics. When I want to ensure that what I am reading is trustworthy, I search for primary sources if available (e.g., a C-Span video or a legal document) and for additional reports on the topic. I search Reuters Fact Check, Snopes, and Media Bias/Fact Check, too — all available online. We are awash in fake news, and it is eating away at our society. We deserve an honest, skeptical, independent press. Too much of corporate-run media is only interested in lining their own pockets at our expense. According to a Sept. 18, 2020, article in TechStartups online: These media conglomerates are owned by the elite or the ruling class, which extends its reach to encompass not only traditional power structures but also modern behemoths like big tech companies, exerting control over the content we consume — what we read, watch, and listen to … The term 'elite' often slips into our conversations without much thought, yet its roots and significance remain unfamiliar to many. Derived from the French élite, which traces back to the Latin eligere, meaning 'to select or to sort out,' elites represent a select group of influential individuals who wield a disproportionate share of wealth, privilege, political power, or expertise within society. Are you confused and overwhelmed about whom and what to believe? If so, make a point of becoming a savvy news consumer, and spreader, of truly important and reliable news. Don't repeat or repost something you've read without first checking out whether it's true. And support independent journalism. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Joe Rogan Issues Concerning 'Warning' to Colorado
UFC commentator Joe Rogan is officially worried about wolf attacks in the United States. Multiple wolf attacks were reported near Aspen over Memorial Day weekend. According to the Colorado Sun, they occurred on the Crystal River Ranch, McCabe Ranch and Lost Marbles Ranch. As you'd imagine, ranchers are concerned about their livestock. If Colorado Parks and Wildlife wasn't under enough pressure to keep ranchers and their livestock safe, that'll change after this Wednesday. Rogan posted a lengthy message on social media regarding these wolf attacks in Colorado. He's been trying to raise awareness since February. "Back in February I posted about wolves being released on my friend's ranch outside of Aspen, and the devastation it was bound to cause. Since then just on his neighbor's property they've had 7 calves and one cow killed by wolves, along with 4 calves and one cow wounded. And this is just one property. This Memorial Day weekend there was a series of wolf attacks at Lost Marbles Ranch, Crystal River Ranch and McCabe Ranch leaving two calves dead and others injured. These ranches have to hire men to patrol throughout the night to try to scare off wolves, and even that isn't enough," Rogan wrote on Instagram. "These are cunning and intelligent killers that they've moved into Aspen, and they haven't even started breeding yet. The people who live in this area are rightly freaked out by what's happening and it's only going to get worse." The prominent podcast host let it be known that he loves wolves, he just doesn't want them anywhere near cattle ranches in Aspen. "For the record, I love wolves and all wildlife, but moving intelligent, ruthless predators into a community filled with cattle ranches that have no experience with wolves is an insanely stupid thing to do. And they've spent over 4.7 million dollars of taxpayer money doing it," Rogan explained. Rogan's post on Instagram included a graphic photo that puts these attacks into perspective. We'll see if Rogan's words inspire any changes in Colorado. Joe Rogan Issues Concerning 'Warning' to Colorado first appeared on Men's Journal on May 28, 2025
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Outgoing official makes bold move to push through controversial legislation: 'There's no room for discussion'
Outgoing Colorado Governor Jared Polis is pushing a major energy bill to enshrine his ambitious plan to meet the state's climate target of 100% clean energy a decade early. Polis is term-limited and will not run for re-election in 2026 but seeks to leave office with his climate goal enshrined into law. According to CPR News, the timing of the bill, late into Colorado's 120-day legislative session that began in January, has caused some pushback from business leaders. Sarah Blackhurst, president of Action 22, a local organization that represents 22 counties in southern Colorado, told the publication: "There's no room for discussion. There's no room for stakeholdering. This would be … devastating to the state." Those concerns aren't shared by environmental groups, who are demanding bold action to push the Centennial State on the path toward net-zero pollution by 2040. Colorado's existing plan calls for a 50% reduction by 2030, 90% by 2040, and 100% by 2050. The updated legislation will move that timeline forward by 10 years. The revised proposal will give utility companies 15 years to move to net-zero harmful pollution while keeping rates affordable for residents. The governor has modified his often acrimonious relationship with oil and gas interests in the state. Last year, a compromise was worked out between the dirty fuel industry and environmental groups to avert a "costly, divisive" ballot measure for a few years, as the Colorado Sun detailed. The latest drive to enshrine climate targets into law in Colorado is just one of several key environmental bills being hashed out in state legislatures nationwide. It serves as an important reminder that some of the most consequential political action to protect the environment starts at the local level. Colorado's main problem in reaching its goals isn't actually electricity, which is more or less on target, but transport. Cars will prevent Colorado from reaching its 2025 target. Colorado is actually one of the lesser car-dependent states in the union (ranked 40th), but a lack of public transportation options will make reaching future goals challenging. A spokesperson for the governor's office, Shelby Weiman, explained the updated energy bill was "just the beginning" of talks and expressed hope that "Colorado can continue leading the nation on reliability, cost savings on electricity and climate action." Do you think governments should ban gas stoves? Heck yes! Only in new buildings Only in restaurants Heck no! Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Axios
04-04-2025
- Business
- Axios
Colorado braces for Trump tariff fallout
Colorado businesses, consumers and lawmakers are preparing for President Trump's new tariffs to significantly damage the state's economy. The big picture: The tariffs target key trading partners and could raise consumer prices, disrupt business activity, and upend global trade, Axios' Courtenay Brown and Neil Irwin write. Stocks have seen a historic plunge, and China has already retaliated with a 34% tariff on all U.S. exports. By the numbers: Colorado imported $17 billion and exported $10.5 billion in goods last year, per the Colorado Sun. The state depends heavily on trade with Canada, China and Mexico. Canada is Colorado's top trade partner, with the state importing $5.4 billion and exporting $1.6 billion in goods annually, according to the Colorado Chamber of Commerce. State of play: Local business leaders are warning of serious financial fallout. "Specifically for Colorado, which is already one of the most expensive states to live and do business, tariffs could seriously interfere with our work to improve competitiveness and the broader economy," Colorado Chamber president and CEO Loren Furman said in a statement. Zoom in: Some of the state's biggest industries and brands are already feeling the pain. 👕 VF Corp., the Denver-based owner of The North Face and Vans, saw its stock nosedive nearly 29% Thursday — its worst day since 1987, per the Denver Post. 🍺 Colorado's craft brewers — fourth most per capita in the U.S. — were already facing higher costs tied to 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum announced last month. 🚗 Auto dealers in the state saw a recent sales bump as buyers rushed to beat expected price hikes. Fred Emich with Denver-area Emich Automotive told CPR tariffs could make business "very difficult" and "very unnerving" in the long term. 🌾 Plus: Farmers fear long-term damage ranging from pricier equipment and fertilizer to a drop in demand for exports. Ashley House with the Colorado Farm Bureau told CPR that Trump's tariffs trigger a "virulent near-term trade storm that immediately chips away at our competitiveness for Colorado-grown and, by extension, American products." What they're saying: Colorado's Democratic leaders, including Gov. Jared Polis, call the tariffs deeply damaging and warn they'll raise the costs of everything from groceries to housing. The other side: Trump allies in Colorado's congressional delegation — including Reps. Lauren Boebert (R-Windsor) and Gabe Evans (R-Thornton) — are backing the move, CPR reports.
Axios
01-04-2025
- Business
- Axios
Colorado budget tightens, but spares Medicaid and schools
Colorado lawmakers are preparing to vote on a $43.9 billion spending plan unveiled Monday that attempts to close a $1.2 billion shortfall without gutting core services. Why it matters: The annual state budget is the most consequential bill passed each legislative session. This year's edition arrives with outsized pressure — it's the first without pandemic-era federal funding in five years and requires painful belt-tightening across major programs. Colorado lawmakers are preparing to vote on a $43.9 billion spending plan unveiled yesterday that attempts to close a $1.2 billion shortfall without gutting core services. Why it matters: The annual state budget is the most consequential bill passed each legislative session. This year's edition arrives with outsized pressure — it's the first in years without pandemic-era federal funding and requires painful belt-tightening across major programs. Follow the money: Transportation is taking one of the hardest hits. More than $71 million is being cut from alternative transit projects, including on-demand rides, bike lanes and emissions-reduction initiatives. Another $64 million is being pulled from broader transportation funding backed by the general fund. The budget also slashes $34 million from the Healthy School Meals for All Program, leaving just $8 million to keep it running through December. Democratic lawmakers plan to ask voters to approve new taxes to sustain it, the Colorado Sun reports. Another $13 million is being trimmed from a fund that acts as a loan program for state employees. Lawmakers also plan to ask voters this November to raise tax revenue for the program, Colorado Politics reports. Yes, but: The budget proposal as is avoids the feared cuts to education and Medicaid, long seen as vulnerable targets. It includes $150 million in new K-12 spending, a win for education advocates. What they're saying:"I think that this is a budget that everyone will be upset by and that everyone can be proud of," said Sen. Jeff Bridges (D-Greenwood Village), chair of the budget committee, per the Denver Post. What's next: The Senate will spend this week weighing the legislation before sending it to the House. After it passes the House, it will head to Gov. Jared Polis' desk.
