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Congress approves temporary funding and pushes the fight over the federal budget into the new year

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:00 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ending the threat of a government shutdown until after the holidays, Congress gave final approval to a temporary government funding package that pushes a confrontation over the federal budget into the new year.The Senate met into Wednesday night to pass the bill with an 87-11 tally and send it to President Joe Biden for his signature one day after it passed the House on an overwhelming bipartisan vote. It provides a funding patch into next year, when the House and Senate will be forced to confront — and somehow overcome — their considerable differences over what funding levels should be.In the meantime, the bill removes the threat of a government shutdown days before funding would have expired.“This year, there will be no government shutdown,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said at a news conference after the bill's passage.The spending package keeps government funding at current levels for roughly two more months while a long-term package is negotiated. It s...

47th annual 'Great American Smokeout' today

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:00 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Thinking about quitting smoking? Well, you could start on Thursday with thousands of other Americans. Thursday is the 47th annual 'Great American Smokeout.' A day to take your first steps towards quitting smoking. The initiative is held every third Thursday in November.  St. Louis police warn of surge in carjackings and break-ins It initially focused on cigarettes, cigars, and pipe smoking, but now includes all forms of tobacco products and vaping. The American Cancer Society started the Great American Smokeout. The organization says smoking is still the number one cause of preventable death and illness in the world. Resources to help you quit smoking can be found on the American Cancer Society's website.

Letters: Coloradans with student loans can make better choices, too

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:00 GMT

Loan forgiveness too taxingRe: “Student loans: Coloradans grapple with resumption of payments,” Nov. 13 news storyWhile I understand that many are grappling with student loans (including some of my own family members), what I do not understand is why those with loans feel like it is alright that their loans are forgiven carte blanche and someone else’s taxes will pay for their mistake in getting the loan in the first place. Where is the personal responsibility? Many would appear to have some other options but choose not to exercise those options. For example, living in Boulder — with its high cost of living — might not be the best option for someone struggling with student loans.Mike Conkey, ThorntonTaxpayers should be the priorityRe: “Dems working OT to reduce taxes — no, hell hasn’t frozen over,” Nov. 15 editorialWater, water everywhere, but for some, not a drop to drink. Yes, Proposition HH failed. Voters saw through it and rejected it. I...

Aurora HOA’s limits on solar installations “over the top,” residents say

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:00 GMT

Dick Cunningham and Walter Rozycki want to do what a lot of other Denver-area homeowners have done: put solar panels on their roofs. But the Aurora residents say their homeowner association board pulled the plug on their plans in defiance of state law.An attorney and solar advocate who wrote an amendment to a law on HOAs and solar systems said the board at the Villas at Cherry Creek is flouting the state law designed to protect people’s right to use solar energy to power their homes.The attorney for the HOA said the board’s position has been misrepresented and that the board’s policy is in line with state law.Meanwhile, Cunningham and Rozycki say they’ve been waiting for a resolution. Both are former presidents of the HOA board and both submitted their initial applications more than a year ago to put solar panels on their roofs.Both were turned down.“I want to do this for the good of the environment, not so much to save money. The saving of the money is...

A compelling civil rights “herstory” lesson at Vintage | Theater review

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:00 GMT

The civil rights movement continues to inspire new stories and call forth those we think we know.Take the recent Netflix biopic “Rustin” — starring Colman Domingo as Bayard Rustin. He was the architect of 1963’s March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom where Martin Luther King Jr. declared he had a dream. He was also gay and a close friend of MLK, and in telling his story, the movie expands on the history of those who contributed and shaped a movement.Dee (Zeah Loren, left) and Abby (Shadiya Lyons) get into it in “Cadillac Crew.” (RDG Photography, provided by Vintage Theatre)Closer to home, there’s Vintage Theatre’s production of “Cadillac Crew” (running through Nov. 26). Directed by ShaShauna Staton, Tori Sampson’s involving drama is an act of recovery and discovery, of connecting dots and tracing lineage. It also delivers some fine laughs thanks to the snappish interactions of its four central characters.The play begins in a Virginia civil rights movement office in 1963; it ...

Colorado lawmakers aim for property tax cuts, higher tax credits and flat refunds in special session

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:00 GMT

Equal tax refunds and expanded tax credits for lower-income households were among the top Democratic priorities emerging Wednesday ahead of a special session that will convene Friday to provide property tax relief.But legislative leaders were still sorting out details for their approach to what’s expected to be the legislative centerpiece — how to directly head off historic increases that will hit property tax bills across the state early next year, with median value increases running at about 40%. It was also not yet clear how much those increases might be scaled back.Lawmakers will gather under the Gold Dome for a minimum of three days, working through the weekend to forge a post-Proposition HH path forward. Gov. Jared Polis called the special session in the aftermath of voters’ resounding no vote in the Nov. 7 election — by nearly 19 percentage points — on a ballot measure that he and other Democrats in the Capitol had championed.Democrats have a sup...

What to do this weekend: Mariah Carey’s Christmas, Botanic Gardens lights, a 7-year-old fashion star

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:00 GMT

Mariah Carey’s early Christmas presentTuesday. The aurally iconic voice behind “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” a classic of Christmas pop, will headline Ball Arena on Tuesday, Nov. 21, in what promises to be the most Christmas-y concert of the week (and that’s saying something).The Denver show from Mariah Carey and her Merry Christmas One and All! tour is one of only 13 dates this winter. “This festive event is a celebration of the global superstar’s timeless collection of holiday classics including the record-breaking mega-hit, ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You,’ and fan favorite chart toppers,” promoter Live Nation wrote.If that’s your jam, head to 1000 Chopper Circle in Denver for the 7:30 p.m. show. Tickets are still available, though be warned that many are pricey (if verified) resales from Ticketmaster. $85-$200, ticketmaster.comGaylord Rockies visitors prepare to slide down the ice as part of the annual ICE! event ...

Pretty in pink: Denver Zoo opens new exhibit for an old favorite

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:00 GMT

Flamingos aren’t new to the Denver Zoo, but the magnificent pink and white birds will move into some shiny new digs on Thursday when the organization opens an upgraded habitat.Related ArticlesThings To Do | Denver Zoo welcomes new Amur tiger, Viktor Things To Do | Things to do this weekend: Lil Yachty at the Fillmore, sea monsters at the Denver Zoo Inspired by the Andean Highlands in Chile, the habitat features multiple wading pools, nesting spaces and indoor/outdoor living spaces for the American and Chilean flamingos. That’s better for their well-being, the Zoo said, as for guests who want to see the colorful flock.“We’re grateful to our dedicated guests, members and donors who have rallied behind our flamingos to bring this remarkable new habitat to life and provide the best possible home for our flock,” said Denver Zoo President Bert Vescolani in a statement.“Those who invest in the future of Denver Zoo are ensuring we can continue to ...

Good Golly Ms Dolly: Dolly Parton has recorded a rock album, because why not?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:00 GMT

Good Golly Ms Dolly: When Dolly Parton was first nominated for and then inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame last year, certain quarters of the rock community lost their collective shit. Never mind the fact that a precedent has long been set by that institution that they’re using the term “rock & roll” in its broadest sense, feathers were well and truly ruffled. “She’s country, they have their own hall of fame, she doesn’t belong in ours.”(Courtesy of Butterfly Records / Photos by Vijat Mohindra)Frankly, it stunk of simplistic thinking. But ultimately, it all comes down to whether one views “rock & roll” as a genre or a spirit, a feeling. We’ve always veered toward the latter, which is why the likes of Public Enemy, and Kraftwerk, and yes, ABBA, absolutely deserve their spot. As does Dolly Parton.The Queen of country has influenced countless musicians across countless scenes, smashing glass ceilings and kicking down metaphorical doors. When she initially, graciousl...

South Bay school district considers a plan to save Japanese at Lynbrook High

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:00 GMT

Just a few months ago, one of the country’s most renowned high school Japanese programs was at risk of extinction. Struggling with declining enrollment, the Fremont Union High School District had planned to phase out Japanese classes at three of its five campuses — but after an outpouring of community opposition, the district is considering changing course.Although a final decision won’t be made until January, efforts are being made to retain the program at Lynbrook, Homestead and Fremont high schools, and phase it out at Cupertino and Monta Vista. Chinese — whose projected cut at Homestead was also contested by the community — will continue to be offered at that school, while French would be phased out at Fremont High.Since 2019, enrollment in Fremont Union’s world language offerings have dropped by 18%, while total enrollment has dropped by 12%, according to the district. Fremont Union also anticipates its student population will drop by more than 2,0...