Governor Delivers State of the State; Talks Guns, Fracking, and More

On January 10, 2013 By

Governor John Hickenlooper called for universal background checks for all gun sales during his third state of the state address today. He also touched on several other issues, including regulating marijuana, hydraulic fracturing, and reforming the state’s mental health system. Bente Birkeland has more from the state capitol.

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Democrat Mark Ferrnadino of Denver takes over the speaker’s chair from Republican Frank McNulty of Highlands Ranch.

Legislative Session Opens

On January 9, 2013 By

Today’s opening ceremonies of the Colorado legislature were marked by the typical pomp and circumstance as in years past. But even before it started, the 2013 session made history as one of the most diverse groups of lawmakers ever to gather under the golden dome. Bente Birkeland has more.

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Handling Panhandling: Part 2

On January 9, 2013 By

Shortly after Colorado Springs City Council passed the downtown no-solicitation ordinance, we began a Big Something series exploring the ways in which this ban is perceived by the people it affects. Our first piece featured interviews with a local street musician and a self-described “houseless” man, both of whom expressed frustration with the ordinance [...]

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Colorado Springs Councilors Consider Proposal to Increase Pay

On January 7, 2013 By

Members of Colorado Springs City Council are paid barely over $6,000 a year, less than minimum wage for what they say is a full-time job. But as KRCC’s Liz Ruskin reports, a proposal to boost their pay met with resistance at today’s informal session.

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Capitol Conversation: Previewing the Upcoming Legislative Session

On January 4, 2013 By

State lawmakers return to the capitol’s gold dome on January 9th. As part of our capitol conversation series, statehouse reporter Bente Birkeland talked to fellow reporters about some of the key issues to watch out for, and the new political dynamic.

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Q & A: House Minority Leader Mark Waller

On January 4, 2013 By

Republicans in Colorado are coming off a difficult election after losing control of the Colorado state house. Bente Birkeland talked to the next House Minority Leader Republican Mark Waller to see how he’ll motivate his caucus during the session and work with Democrats.

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Q & A: Speaker of the House Mark Ferrandino

On January 3, 2013 By

Democratic state lawmaker Mark Ferrandino will make history next legislative session by becoming Colorado’s first openly gay Speaker of the House. Capitol reporter Bente Birkeland sat down with him to discuss his priorities for the session and his new role.

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Q & A: State Senate Minority Leader Bill Cadman

On January 2, 2013 By

Colorado’s Senate minority leader Bill Cadman will be the only legislative leader returning to the same post when the session convenes January 9th. Statehouse reporter Bente Birkeland talked to him about how he sees the session playing out and what’s on his agenda.

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Q & A: State Senate President John Morse

On December 31, 2012 By

Democratic state senator John Morse will take over as the next senate president in January. He previously served as the majority leader. Statehouse reporter Bente Birkeland sat down with him to talk about how he sees his new role and his hopes for the legislative session.

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Lawmakers Preview Session

On December 17, 2012 By

Gun laws, marijuana reform, and oil and gas regulations will be just a few of the hot button issues that state lawmakers grapple with during the next legislative session. Governor John Hickenlooper and legislative leaders outlined their thoughts in a recent panel at the Colorado Press Association. Bente Birkeland has more from the state [...]

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Not So Frack: Postcard from the Protest

On December 12, 2012 By

The standoff between City Hall and community acitivists heated up yesterday with a protest and a delayed vote on the extremely divisive issue of hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” within the Colorado Springs city limits. Here’s an audio collage and photo essay from the event.

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‘Election Integrity Listening Tour’ Comes to Colorado Springs

On December 6, 2012 By

The top state elections official was in Colorado Springs today to hear citizen feedback on last month’s election. As KRCC’s Liz Ruskin reports, an obvious partisan divide emerged.

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Governor Hickenlooper Q & A: Marijuana, Child Welfare, and Drought

On December 6, 2012 By

In our semi-regular sit down with Governor John Hickenlooper, he gives his take on statewide marijuana regulations, and explains why he doesn’t think the industry will be booming in the coming months. He also tells statehouse reporter Bente Birkeland why he’s not sold on a major overhaul to the state’s child welfare system in [...]

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Number of LGBT Elected Officials Reaches Historic Levels

On December 5, 2012 By

During last month’s general election, Americans voted into office more gay and lesbian lawmakers than ever before. And in states like Wisconsin, Oregon and Colorado, gay and lesbian officials will hold some of the highest positions of power. Bente Birkeland takes a closer look at what’s driving the change.

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Capitol Conversation: Election Analysis, Legislative Predictions

On November 15, 2012 By

Democrats will control both state legislative chambers when the session convenes in January. Lawmakers will be dealing with several controversial issues, including crafting regulations for recreational marijuana. Bente Birkeland talks to fellow statehouse reporters about what to expect and how the dynamics are likely to change.

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Final Redistricting Map Unveiled for Colorado Springs Council

On November 13, 2012 By

Colorado Springs’ City Clerk today unveiled the final map for city council redistricting, showing how the city is to be divided into districts for representation on the city council. As KRCC’s Liz Ruskin reports, some neighborhood advocates didn’t like what they saw.

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New Statehouse Leaders

On November 8, 2012 By

Colorado Democrats made history today by selecting the first openly gay man to be the speaker of the state House of Representatives. Bente Birkeland has more from the capitol.

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Democrats Take Back Control of State Legislature

On November 7, 2012 By

Democrats now have control of both chambers of the Colorado state legislature, putting the GOP in the backseat when it comes to next legislative session. Republicans had hoped to expand their one-seat advantage in the House of Representatives. Bente Birkeland has more from Denver.

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El Paso County Election Watch Parties and Reaction

On November 7, 2012 By

Voters across the country took part in election night watch parties yesterday, and El Paso County was no exception. KRCC reporters attended the Democratic and Republican gatherings in the county, and this report starts with Kate Dunn, who spent the evening with the El Paso County Republicans.

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AM Round-Up: Region’s Congressmen re-elected; Other election results

On November 7, 2012 By

Southern Colorado’s Congressmen are re-elected…County-wide measures in El Paso County pass…and more results.

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Rejoice! St. Election’s Day is Here!!

On November 6, 2012 By

At long last, election day is upon us! If you’re reading this Big Something right now, it means that you’ve successfully weathered the torrent of ads, emails, phone calls, viral YouTube videos, and spirited Facebook posts that have come to define American Democracy in the twenty-first century. Congratulations! There’s only one thing left to do… [...]

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Figure Heads: Corie Cole’s 3-D Political Cartoons

On November 5, 2012 By

One doesn’t often mention international foreign policy and ceramics in the same breath. Artist Corie Cole took the absurdity of such a proposition to its (il)logical conclusion in what she calls her 3-D political cartoons. As America prepares to cast its ballots in the presidential election on Tuesday, Cole takes us on a first-hand [...]

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Presidential Ground Game Heats Up

On November 2, 2012 By

Both presidential campaigns are working overtime in the home stretch to try to mobilize their bases and get voters to the polls. In Colorado where the race is seen as a tossup, the ground game will be especially important. Bente Birkeland talked with grassroots volunteers from both campaigns out on the front lines.

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News

iStockphoto.com
A Catch For Insurers That Cut Deductibles For Healthy People
May 21, 2013 | KHN · Rewards to policyholders for claims that don’t meet the annual deductible can be a boon for healthy people. But the approach might not pass the smell test in 2014 when the federal health law bans discriminating against people based on their health status.
 

AFP/Getty Images
Gandhi Artifacts Could Fetch Steep Prices At Auction
May 21, 2013 | NPR · A pair of sandals, a shawl and a drinking cup that were used by the Indian independence leader are among the objects going under the hammer in the U.K.
 

Courtesy of Caliber Therapeutics
Vertical ‘Pinkhouses:’ The Future Of Urban Farming?
May 21, 2013 | NPR · Architects have come up with spectacular concepts for vertical farms that would grow crops in city skyscrapers. But many horticulturists think the future of vertical farming isn’t in skyscrapers but rather, in large, indoor warehouses lit up magenta by super-efficient LEDs.
 

Arts & Life

AP
‘Arrested Development’ Leads The Charge For Old Brands In New Media
May 21, 2013 | NPR · Brands that found their original audiences in traditional, old-media platforms are finding ways to keep going in the world of new media.
 

NPR
China Builds Museums … But Will The Visitors Come?
May 21, 2013 | NPR · China is on a spree to build world-class museums and has opened about 100 of them annually in recent years. Two of the biggest opened on the same day last fall on opposite banks of Shanghai’s Huangpu River. But filling these museums — with both art and visitors — is proving more challenging.
 

The Art And Science Of Motivation
May 21, 2013 | NPR · Graduation season is upon us and that means a slew of uplifting commencement speeches trying to motivate young adults to greatness. Science and experience tell us that everyone is motivated differently, so how do speakers, coaches and business managers inspire people?
 

Music

NBC/NBCU Photo Bank
Kanye West Stands Alone
May 21, 2013 | NPR · On his new songs, the rapper points fingers in every direction, including back at himself.
 

Courtesy of the artist
The National On World Cafe
May 21, 2013 | WXPN · The band plays dour but beautiful songs from its brand-new album, Trouble Will Find Me.
Windows Media
 

Metropolitan Opera
Gods And Monsters: 5 Unforgettable Wagner Moments
May 21, 2013 | NPR · William Berger, author of Wagner Without Fear, guides us through five of his favorite Wagner moments — musical episodes that keep the composer’s extraordinary dramas in our lives today.
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