Week of Oct. 21 to Oct. 25
Each week, KUNC collects and curates some of the more important stories of the week that have aired on our daily newscast. We know how busy life can be, and that it's not always possible to get your news on our airwaves (or from streaming us right here on our website). Fill in the gaps and catch up right here. No one enjoys the feeling of missing out!
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National IV shortage hits Colorado
Hospitals in Colorado are canceling some procedures because of an ongoing shortage of I-V fluid caused by Hurricane Helene. Banner Health that they began delaying or canceling non-emergency surgeries earlier this month at all of its locations, including North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley, McKee Medical Center in Loveland and the Fort Collins Medical Center. , UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center is taking a number of steps to conserve its supply of intravenous fluids while shipments have been interrupted. The hospital is reaching out to some patients to postpone some non-emergency procedures due to the shortage. It started after a production facility in North Carolina was damaged by Hurricane Helene and has impacted hospital systems around the country.
E. coli outbreak causes sickness, death, and legal action in Colorado
An E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald's has sickened at least 75 across multiple states, including in Colorado where one person died in Mesa County. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention the source of contamination, but officials have identified onions supplied by a California-based farm as a possible source. That鈥檚 prompted onion recalls across the U.S.
Colorado health officials told KUNC this week that every McDonald鈥檚 in the state was at risk of contamination. State officials are encouraging people who got sick after recently eating at the fast-food chain to get tested for the bacteria. If onions are to blame, there are a few ways they could have been contaminated.
"It could be in the soil as it germinates, it could be contaminated water used to water the crops, and it also could be in proximity to livestock near the growing fields," said epidemiologist Rachel Jervis with the state.
Meanwhile, a Greeley man filed a lawsuit against McDonald鈥檚 this week after getting sick. The the man said he ate at a McDonald鈥檚 in Greeley on October 4th and later tested positive for E. coli at the hospital.
Crews work to cool 100-year-old underground fire
Colorado started work this week to cool an underground coal mine in Boulder County that鈥檚 been smoldering for a century. The is expected to take four months. Crews plan to excavate the coal seam and cool it with cold soil and rock to prevent further ignition. The state鈥檚 Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety is required to have 30-thousand gallons of water on site at all times in case there鈥檚 fire activity. You can hear more about how crews will tackle the project on KUNC鈥檚 In The NoCo. The Marshall Mesa Trailhead will be closed for the next year due to the project and other trail improvement work.
Court proceedings conclude in grocer merger trial, ruling expected next month聽聽
Closing statements in the Kroger Albertsons Merger Trial wrapped up this week. The a judge鈥檚 decision won鈥檛 come for at least two weeks as attorneys work to submit post-trial briefs. The state of Colorado wants to block the merger, arguing that it would eliminate healthy competition and drive up prices in rural areas. Kroger鈥檚 lawyers accused the state of 鈥渞igging the data鈥� and pledged to reinvest profits to lower prices. The merger is also being challenged in other states and by the Federal Trade Commission.
Fewer deaths from domestic violence last year, but troubling trends continue
Colorado this week showing a significant drop in domestic violence-related deaths last year - 58 compared to 94 in 2022. That鈥檚 good news, but it doesn鈥檛 get at the larger problem of domestic violence statewide.
鈥淭he reduction in fatalities is not necessarily the reduction of abusive behaviors, but the further assistance from the agencies and people that can help those being abused,鈥� said Kari Clark, the Executive Director of in Loveland. Clark says they've seen the need for their services steadily increase over the last several years, no matter how many domestic violence fatalities get reported by the state.
Many local resource providers to victims of domestic violence say a lot of people who seek help are in dangerous situations that could easily turn fatal. in Fort Collins said they struggle to keep up with demand and sometimes have to turn people away. And federal and state funding that supports these resources is diminishing.
New tool to price healthcare costs
Coloradans have access to a new online tool they can use to compare the cost of specific medical procedures at every hospital across the state. The lists how much a hospital charges for a procedure, but the final cost depends on each patient鈥檚 healthcare coverage. The free digital tool is the first of its kind in the country. It was created by a nonprofit focused on patient rights.
New transit stops on I-25
Colorado has opened its first three along the I-25 corridor. The hubs are located at Centerra Loveland, Berthoud, and Firestone-Longmont. They鈥檒l help expand access to the state鈥檚 transit network. The Centerra Loveland hub will also serve the City of Loveland Transit with stops located in the hub鈥檚 parking lot area. The Colorado Department of Transportation has several other new mobility hubs planned from Fort Collins to Pueblo.
