Governor Signs Tuition Bill

On April 29, 2013 By

Amidst a charged atmosphere of students and civic and government leaders at Metropolitan State University in Denver, Governor John Hickenlooper signed the Colorado ASSET bill into law today. KUNC’s Nathan Heffel has more.

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Driver’s License Bill Moves Forward

On April 11, 2013 By

A bill that would allow people who’ve entered the country illegally to receive a Colorado driver’s license passed its first hearing by a state senate committee yesterday. Nathan Heffel has more from the State Capitol.

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In-State Tuition Measure to Face Final Vote Friday

On March 6, 2013 By

A measure to give undocumented Colorado high school graduates in-state college tuition is nearing the end of its long and often tumultuous legislative journey. The full House initially approved the bill yesterday. It’s already cleared the Senate and still needs a final House vote. As Bente Birkeland reports, despite bi-partisan support, the debate was [...]

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Rising GOP Support for Instate Tuition Measure

On February 21, 2013 By

As the Republican Party licks its wounds after a tough election cycle, some Colorado lawmakers are hoping a bill to give illegal immigrants in-state college tuition will help bridge the gap with Latino voters. Just last year, Republicans defeated a similar measure when they controlled the statehouse. But as Bente Birkeland reports, a few [...]

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Colorado Senator Michael Bennet on Immigration Reform

On January 30, 2013 By

Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) spoke on Marketplace Morning Report from American Public Media on immigration reform this morning. Find out here where you can listen to the segment.

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Instate Tuition Bill Clears Committee

On January 25, 2013 By

Illegal immigrant students in Colorado are one step closer to receiving in-state college tuition. The measure passed the senate education committee yesterday. The issue has long been divisive at the legislature. Bente Birkeland has more from the state capitol.

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Supporters Optimistic about In-State Tuition Bill

On January 16, 2013 By

Colorado Democrats are once again trying to pass a bill to give illegal immigrants who graduate from Colorado high schools in-state college tuition. Students currently pay out of state rates. Similar measures have failed in the past, but supporters expect the bill to easily clear the legislature now that Democrats control both chambers. Bente [...]

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Reaction to President Obama’s Deferred Deportation Executive Order

On July 16, 2012 By

Immigrant rights groups in Colorado say they hope President Barack Obama’s deferred deportation executive order will have an impact on local policies, such as efforts to pass a new tuition category for certain undocumented students. Immigrants are also bracing for the new federal program and figuring out what they’ll need in order to apply. [...]

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Metro State Faces Hearing on Tuition Level

On June 21, 2012 By

State lawmakers grilled Metro State College of Denver officials on its new tuition policy for undocumented immigrants yesterday. Republicans on the Joint Budget Committee are critical of the policy and say it goes against state law. The hearing comes just one day after the Attorney General said the school has no authority to do [...]

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Round-Up: Springer Fire at 10% containment; AG says Metro State can’t create new tuition category; FREX to end

On June 19, 2012 By

The Springer Fire burning just miles away from Lake George is now at 10% containment…Colorado Attorney General John Suthers says the Metropolitan State College of Denver does not have legal authority to create a discounted tuition category for undocumented immigrants…Colorado Springs plans to end the Front Range Express bus service that runs from the city up to Denver.

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Round-Up: AG to look into legality of tuition level at Metro State; Landowner in San Luis Valley commits to easements

On June 15, 2012 By

Republican Attorney General John Suthers is investigating whether Metropolitan State College of Denver has the authority to create a new tuition category specifically for undocumented immigrants…Billionaire Louis Bacon plans to protect the rest of his vast landholdings in southern Colorado from development.

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Metro State Creates New Tuition Level for Undocumented Immigrants

On June 8, 2012 By

Metropolitan State College of Denver has become the first school in Colorado to create a new tuition category specifically for undocumented immigrants who gradate from Colorado high schools. The tuition would be significantly lower than the out-of-state rate students currently pay. It mirrors a bill that failed in the state legislature. Bente Birkeland has [...]

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Round-Up: CO driver’s license for undocumented immigrants faces challenges; Canon City Police Chief resigns; and more

On May 22, 2012 By

Proponents of an initiative that would allow undocumented immigrants to obtain a Colorado driver’s license say they face a long road to get enough signatures for the ballot this November…Canon City Police Chief Duane McNeill has resigned after an audit alleged the department has management and morale issues…and, Firefighters are mopping up a wildfire that burned about 12 square miles in northern Colorado.

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Illegal Immigrant Tuition Bill Falls

On April 26, 2012 By

Republican state lawmakers defeated a bill to allow undocumented immigrants who graduate from Colorado high schools to pay less than out of state tuition. It’s the second year in a row the measure has met this same fate, but proponents vow not to give up. Bente Birkeland has more from the state capitol.

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Tuition Blll Clears First Hurdle in Republican House

On April 24, 2012 By

The Republican controlled house education committee has passed a bill to let undocumented immigrants who graduate from Colorado high schools pay less than out of state tuition. The controversial bill survived because one Republican lawmaker who had previously voted against it, now supports the concept. But as Bente Birkeland reports, the measure’s fate in [...]

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Senate Clears Illegal Immigrant Tuition BIll

On April 9, 2012 By

The Colorado Senate passed a bill today that would allow illegal immigrants who graduate from Colorado high schools to pay less than out of state tuition, but more than in-state. The measure passed on a party line vote, and Governor Hickenlooper recently weighed in with his support. Bente Birkeland has more from the [...]

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Round-Up: ICE officials arrest 92 in CO; Sen. Udall wants national monument, wilderness designations along Ark. River

On April 3, 2012 By

Federal officials say they arrested 92 immigrants in Colorado who were convicted of serious crimes, immigration violations, or were immigration fugitives…and, Colorado Senator Mark Udall wants to create a national monument and wilderness area along the Arkansas River between Salida and Buena Vista.

To provide input on the proposal for national monument and wilderness [...]

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Immigrant Tuition Bill Gains Initial Approval

On February 10, 2012 By

The state senate initially passed a measure today that would give illegal immigrants who graduate from Colorado high schools lower tuition rates. The bill still needs a final vote in the senate before moving to the house. Bente Birkeland has more from the state capitol.

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Tuition Measure Clears First Committee

On January 27, 2012 By

A measure that would give illegal immigrants who graduate from Colorado high schools lower tuition rates has cleared its first hurdle at the state capitol. The bill passed the senate education committee on a party line vote on yesterday. State capitol reporter Bente Birkeland has more on the emotional hearing.

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Round-Up: Tuition bill moves forward; and, more

On January 26, 2012 By

A proposal to allow students who are illegal immigrants to receive in-state tuition came down to a party-line vote in committee today, with Democrats in favor and Republicans against…Colorado state health officials want to require flu vaccinations for nearly all hospital and nursing-home employees…and, federal officials are considering using wolves to control the number [...]

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Lawmakers Set to Debate Tuition Bill for Undocumented Students

On January 23, 2012 By

State lawmakers are planning to debate the controversial topic of illegal immigration and education this week. On the table is a bill that would give undocumented students who graduate from Colorado high schools in-state tuition. While two previous attempts have failed, each time the measure gets one step closer to passing the legislature. Bente [...]

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Soda Springs Cover

Tonight: Love, Sex, Civil Rights and The Messy Business of Change

On November 8, 2011 By

Who could resist the intrigue of a novel about a young idealistic lefty learning the messy lessons of life during the 1960s against the backdrop of the civil rights movement and the San Luis Valley, especially when the book is illustrated by none other than Colorado Springs’ own ultra-conservative political cartoonist [...]

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Round-Up: ‘Secure Communities’ program questioned; AFA cadets graduate

On May 25, 2011 By

Concerns are growing about a controversial federal immigration program aimed at deporting violent illegal immigrants…and, more than 1000 cadets graduated from the Air Force Academy today.

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News

NPR
Afghans With Disabilities Fight For The Right To Rights
May 19, 2013 | NPR · Afghanistan isn’t an easy place for anyone to make a living. But for those with disabilities, it’s a downright hostile environment. Support has mostly come from nonprofits, but activists are pressing the government to take action.
 

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Nonconservative Groups Say IRS Scrutinized Them, Too
May 19, 2013 | NPR · The IRS has admitted it flagged tax-exemption requests from groups with “tea party” or “patriot” in their names starting in 2010. But some liberal groups and journalism organizations say their applications also faced long delays during the same period.
 

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Escape From An Eritrean Prison
May 19, 2013 | NPR · Thousands of prisoners are held in detention camps throughout Eritrea, according to Amnesty International. Here’s the story of one man who made it out.
 

Arts & Life

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Siblings’ Separation Haunts In ‘Kite Runner’ Author’s Latest
May 19, 2013 | NPR · Khaled Hosseini’s new novel, like his two earlier works, is set partly in Afghanistan — but this time, political turmoil isn’t a major element of the plot. Instead, And The Mountains Echoed is a story of a family’s loss that spans decades and continents.
 

Stories Of Hope Amid America’s ‘Unwinding’
May 19, 2013 | NPR · When the factory she worked at closed down, Tammy Thomas reinvented herself as a community organizer; and when Dean Price’s truck stop business went belly up, he became a champion of biofuel. In a new book, George Packer examines how ordinary people are adapting to a new America.
 

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One Couple, Nearly 20 Years, All ‘Before Midnight’
May 19, 2013 | NPR · We’ve already met Jesse and Celine, twice. In the 1995 film Before Sunset, they had a romantic encounter in Vienna. Nine years later, they found each other in Paris. In a third film, their relationship has progressed another nine years. The romance hasn’t left, says director Richard Linklater, it’s simply changed.
 

Music

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Laura Mvula: A Soulful Voice That Once Answered Phones
May 19, 2013 | NPR · Less than two years ago, Laura Mvula was a receptionist honing her phone answering skills at music organization in Birmingham, England. Now, she’s got a record deal, a lot of critical acclaim and she’s touring around the U.S.
 

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Marques Toliver: An R&B Crooner With Strings Attached
May 19, 2013 | NPR · Toliver’s music is anchored by the violin, on which he is classically trained. He says he discovered the instrument in fifth grade — and that in a way, it chose him.
 

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Draco Rosa: A Pop Survivor Returns From The Brink, With Friends
May 18, 2013 | NPR · In the 1980s, he was Robi Rosa, the lead singer of Menudo at the boy band’s peak of popularity. Rosa went on to write hits for bandmate Ricky Martin and develop a solo career. When Rosa was diagnosed with cancer several years ago, some of the biggest names in Latin music assembled to support him.
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