Dec. 9-13
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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A Kroger-Albertsons merger is no longer on the table
Albertsons is giving up on its merger with Kroger and it is suing the grocery chain, saying it didn't do enough to secure regulatory approval for the $24.6 billion agreement. Albertsons wants $600 million in termination fees as well as billions more for legal expenses from the trial and lost shareholder value. Kroger states that Albertsons鈥� claims are 鈥渂aseless.鈥� Kevin Coupe, a supermarket industry reporter with says Albertsons is trying to project financial confidence after sending a different message before. Meanwhile, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser is still waiting on a state court decision he says will address other illegal actions by the companies. The proposed Kroger-Albertsons merger was blocked by two courts this week.
After public outcry, mining operation will not use cyanide to extract gold and silver
A mining company in Leadville has abandoned a controversial plan to use hundreds of pounds of toxic chemicals to remove gold and silver from old mining waste. Residents were concerned using cyanide during the process could have contaminated the Arkansas River. CJK Milling says it will now use a newer, non-toxic process to separate the metals from mine tailings, called leaching.
Polis repeals hundreds of executive orders
Gov. Jared Polis repealed over 200 old and obsolete executive orders this week. The governor says the move will improve government efficiency. Some of the orders he repealed were over a hundred years old. Most of them created commissions that are no longer relevant and requirements for government agencies that are now obsolete. Some included outdated language around mental and behavioral health. Polis says the orders created an unnecessary administrative burden. The repealed orders will be archived at .
Boulder anti-camping ban suit rejected
A judge has dismissed a lawsuit challenging the City of Boulder's camping ban. Boulder County District Court judge Robert R. Gunning ruled last week that the city's ordinance was constitutional under state and federal law. Gunning cited a Supreme Court decision from earlier this year that upheld a similar ban in Grants Pass, Ore. The ACLU of Colorado filed the lawsuit in 2022, alleging the ban criminalizes unhoused people with nowhere to sleep. According to the Boulder Reporting Lab, the ACLU plans to appeal the ruling. They cited a recent increase in the number of individuals being turned away from the city's largest shelter in North Boulder.
CDOT announces new Bustang Outrider service
The Colorado Department of Transportation is launching a new service to bring communities on the Eastern Plains to Denver International Airport. Its service will now connect more than 400,000 people in northeast Colorado to the airport via the new Sterling route. Services are operating now. Multiple stops on the line include Fort Morgan and Keenesburg. Ticket prices range from $7 to $20.
Wildlife officials advise leashing pets to avoid deer attacks
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is telling residents to keep their pets leashed around deer after several recent reports of attacks involving deer and dogs. Deer are in their mating season right now and can become aggressive. Pet owners should be cautious and keep a close watch on their pets even in backyards. Some of the attacks occurred in neighborhoods with nearby deer habitat. There have also been reports of residents illegally feeding deer. Officials say that can be dangerous during the rut and can lead to health problems in wildlife and the spread of disease.
CU Boulder鈥檚 Hunter being considered for Heisman聽
University of Colorado Buffaloes standout Travis Hunter was named as a finalist for the Heisman Trophy this week. The two-way player finished the season with 92 receptions, which ranked first in the Big 12 Conference and fifth in the NCAA. Hunter is also projected to be one of the top picks in next spring鈥檚 NFL Draft. He鈥檚 the fourth CU player to be named as a finalist for college football鈥檚 prestigious award. The winner of the Heisman Trophy will be announced Saturday night.
What鈥檚 a rain garden? This new art installation in Boulder has answers.
Boulder has a new 3-D art installation that the city hopes will educate the public about the function of rain gardens. features a multicolored dotted path that goes from storm clouds to a parking lot to a rain garden before flowing into a lake. Stormwater picks up pollutants like animal waste and fertilizers and usually goes into sewers and local rivers. Boulder has several rain gardens to mitigate this issue. These shallow areas are designed with soil and plants to filter out contaminants. A dedication ceremony for the rain garden artwork is Saturday at Valmont Park at 2 pm.
