The Catholic Charities based in Glenwood Springs helps newcomers to the United States. One of its programs, the immigrant advocacy project, helps immigrants through tough times…regardless of their legal status.

On a recent afternoon, a soft-spoken man named Eduardo pays a visit to the project. He’s lived in the valley over ten years, has a decent job, and is in the process of obtaining legal status.

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Congressional staff are coming to Ft. Carson to investigate mental health care for soldiers. Also coming are staff from the Government Accountability Office.

Joining them for part of the visit are members of the non-profit group Veterans For America. VFA says theyve been contacted by dozens of soldiers from across the country who complain of mistreatment or abuse at the hands of the Army due to their combat related mental health problems. Those issues were given national media attention last year, with the coverage focusing on Ft. Carson. Following that, nine members of congress asked the Governent Accountability Office to look into treatment of mentally ill soldiers.

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Counties across Colorado would get more judges under a bill that aims to relieve the states backlogged court system. The measure initially cleared the senate Thursday after its sponsor delayed it for months while he tried to rally support for the bill. It had already passed the house chamber, but was controversial because of how the new positions would be funded. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

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WHITNEY: Colorado Springs is getting an ICE office. ICE being the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. Some local elected leaders, including Sheriff Terry Maketa, have been lobbying for a federal Immigration enforcement office here for more than a year. Today Senator Wayne Allard said he received a report from the agency saying it plans to open ICE offices in Colorado Springs and Greeley. Allards office says they could open within months. Steve Wymer, a spokesman for the senator, says the agency will use existing funding to shift resources to the Springs and Greeley.

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The state may not be giving communities affected by oil and gas drilling enough money to offset the impacts of Colorado’s energy development boom. To find out, lawmakers created a new committee that will study the issue over the summer. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

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One of Americas leading underground comics artists is speaking tonight at Colorado College. John Porcellino has been self-publishing comics and zines since 1982. Now, he has a new book out published by Canadian publisher Drawn and Quarterly, its called King-Cat Clasix. Porcellino lives in Denver and earlier this week spoke with Noel Black.

Porcellino will speak, give a slide presentation and sign books at Tutt Library, 1021 N. Cascade Ave. 7pm, this event is free and open to the public.

To listen to our 5 minute interview with John Porcellino, click below:

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To listen to an extended interview with John Porcellino, click below:

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New installments of Springs Culture Cast. More at their website [Springs Culture Cast].

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When it comes to health care coverage in Colorado, not all illnesses are treated equally. A bill to expand health care coverage to include more mental health problems initially cleared the senate chamber Monday. Several Republicans opposed the measure saying it would drive up health insurance costs. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

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Negotiations between lawmakers and the energy industry on a controversial bill seemed to have paid off. Senators voted unanimously to initially pass a measure that would change how the state regulates oil and gas development. The bill faced fierce Republican opposition when it cleared the House chamber. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

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Nearly thirty percent of students in Colorado drop out before they graduate from high school, that’s according to state figures. On Tuesday Governor Bill Ritter created a council to examine how the state can lower the drop out rate and close the achievement gap between students of different races, gender and economic backgrounds. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

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