The 2010-2011 season marks Lawrence Leighton Smith’s 11th year as Music Director of the Colorado Springs Symphony and Philharmonic, and his final one on the job. What should have been a triumphant retirement year for Smith has been darkened by news of his recent diagnosis with Binswanger’s Disease, a form of dementia. But Smith was in high spirits as he looked back on his career with KRCC’s Michelle Mercer, who offers this retrospective.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Disclaimer: the Philharmonic is an underwriter of KRCC.
A bill that would let illegal immigrants who graduate from Colorado high schools pay in-state college tuition cleared the Democratic controlled senate education committee on a party line vote yesterday. The committee room was packed, and an opponent of the controversial bill even asked that all non-citizens be removed from the hearing room. Bente Birkeland has more from the state capitol.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Top leaders in the Democratic controlled senate say parts of Governor John Hickenlooper’s budget are dead on arrival…and, Action 22, a group that represents 22 southern Colorado counties, opposes another element in the Governor’s proposed budget that would close a prison in Las Animas. The group says the Fort Lyon Correctional Facility is in an area in desperate need of jobs.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Crews have contained a grass fire that was threatening buildings near Ellicott in El Paso County…Crews are beginning to remove rock from US 50 west of Cotopaxi, and aim to have the highway reopen by the weekend…Army officials say President Barack Obama’s budget proposal includes $477 million for destroying obsolete chemical weapons stored in Colorado and Kentucky….and, Katie’s Law, a crime fighting tool that has raised privacy concerns has been fully implemented in Colorado.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
(Image courtesy CDOT.)
In Colorado Springs, the city clerk says candidates should return corporate contributions (Gazette, KKTV). Area school districts react to proposed cuts in the state budget (Gazette). The National Trust for Historic Preservation recognizes the city in its annual list of “Dozen Distinctive Destinations” (Gazette).
The Pueblo Board of Water Works leases water for an additional $500,000 in revenue (Chieftain). County Commissioners approve three wind turbines at a rural home (Chieftain). The Chieftain takes a look at what’s next for the city’s police chief, who has stepped down.
Otero County Commissioners vote to issue a letter in support of rescinding a waiver that would allow expansion of the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site (LaJunta Tribune-Democrat). The Florence-Penrose school district names its new superintendent (Canon City Daily Record). The Canon City School District sets financial priorities (Daily Record).
Disclaimer: KRCC and KRCC News make no guarantees regarding the content within these reports, however consider them part of the news and media outlets reporting on issues affecting our coverage area. The Index is not exhaustive, and is not an endorsement of any kind. * indicates subscription required.
Public schools will likely bear the biggest brunt of the cuts if the Governor’s budget is approved by the legislature. Those cuts come at a time when many traditionally under-performing Colorado schools are starting to win praise for turning things around. From Rocky Mountain Community Radio member station KUNC, Kirk Siegler reports.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Governor John Hickenlooper released a budget plan for next year that met with Republican praise and Democratic concern. Hickenlooper is proposing the deepest cuts in state history for K-12 schools. Bente Birkeland has more from the state capitol.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Governor John Hickenlooper released his budget today and is proposing the highest cuts to K-12 schools the state has ever seen…Crews are working on cleaning up a rockslide on U.S. 50 that occurred yesterday (see photo above)…and, Army leaders will gather at Fort Carson tomorrow for a symposium on rear detachments.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
(Image courtesy CDOT)
A portion of U.S. 50 between Cotapaxi and Howard remains closed due to a rock slide (KRDO, KXRM, Chieftain).
In Colorado Springs, a ruling prohibiting corporate contributions to campaigns surprises council members (Gazette), while one mayoral candidate files a complaint over corporate contributions other mayoral candidates received (Gazette, KKTV). Former NFL players visit Fort Carson to talk about transition (Gazette). Focus on the Family looks to talk about abortion with Planned Parenthood (KOAA).
Plans for a new aviation brigade at Fort Carson prompt new fears regarding Pinon Canyon expansion (Trinidad Times-Independent).
Pueblo health officials set to start a study on teen sex (KRDO, KKTV). The Arkansas Valley Conduit is listed for funding in President Barack Obama’s proposed budget (Chieftain).
Candidates for the superintendent position in the Florence-Penrose district meet at a forum (Canon City Daily Record).
Some Trinidad utilities customers will see a credit on their February bills (Trinidad Times-Independent). A small earthquake was recorded west of Trinidad (Trinidad Times-Independent).
In Raton, the license for a planned racino is pulled (Trinidad Times-Independent).
Disclaimer: KRCC and KRCC News make no guarantees regarding the content within these reports, however consider them part of the news and media outlets reporting on issues affecting our coverage area. The Index is not exhaustive, and is not an endorsement of any kind. * indicates subscription required.
A measure that would make it tougher to change the state constitution cleared a senate committee yesterday. Supporters of the proposal say the constitution is already too complicated and initiatives cost millions of dollars to defeat and defend in court. But as Bente Birkeland reports, Libertarian and Tea Party groups say the measure infringes on the people’s rights to petition the government.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
