Kate Redmond

Over 100 people rallied in Montrose on Saturday, demonstrating support for women's autonomy in response to a controversial draft Supreme Court decision leaked to the news outlet Politico signaling the high court is poised to overturn Roe V. Wade. Kate Redmond reports. Plus, PFAS chemicals are in some ski waxes, which then get into the environment, groundwater and even our bodies, causing health issues. The Mountain West News Bureau’s Madelyn Beck reports on one local source to get rid of that wax.

Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters and deputy Belinda Knisley will not be allowed to oversee elections for a second year in a row, a district court judge ruled yesterday. Plus, Colorado is poised to take an unusual step in granting state lawmakers paid parental leave. Robyn Vincent reports the move highlights a legacy of female political representation. Also, Kate Redmond speaks with one of the Paonia Town Trustees, seated since the recent election.

The precipitous drop in Lake Mead is a wake-up call about the dire nature of the aridification of the west. Kate Redmond speaks with Sinjin Erberle, Southwest communications director for American Rivers about the future of the Colorado River Basin. Plus, Colorado lawmakers are on the verge of passing a bill to address a spike in fentanyl overdose deaths. As Scott Franz reports for Capitol Coverage, the senate is rejecting a push from prosecutors to make possessing small amounts a felony.

When’s the last time you sent a fax? Medical facilities routinely use antiquated technology to send medical records. Kate Redmond speaks with a CEO who seeks to change that. Plus, Colorado social services are desperately seeking foster parents. Ariel Clinical Services is one of the groups working to solve the problem with offices in Delta and Grand Junction. Gavin Dahl learns more from foster family recruiter Kathy McCoy.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission Chair Carrie Hauser talks with Laura Palmisano about the agency's opportunity to be more culturally inclusive in naming, signage, and history programming. Plus a 5k in Fruita this Saturday marks the conclusion of a girls after-school program. Kate Redmond reports.

Tonight at 6:30 at Horsefly Brewing in Montrose, Dave Bowman hosts a Montrose Summer Music Series Lineup release party. Meanwhile, Kate Redmond reports Paonia Town Trustees heard from the North Fork Valley's most prolific concert promoter Rob Miller at their meeting last Thursday. Plus, Ben Katz is public lands program director for the Western Slope Conservation Center, based in the North Fork Valley. He’s headed to the state capitol tomorrow and I asked him to tell us more about two bills he’s fired up about, related to oil and gas accountability.

The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act was first passed in 1990. It provides benefits to those impacted by the nuclear weapons industry. That includes uranium mine workers and those downwind of atomic testing. But the act will expire on July 10th of this year. And there are many alive that still qualify but haven’t collected. A new bill expanding coverage is in Congress. Proponents are in a race to pass it. Justin Higginbottom speaks to those impacted by radiation exposure about the support they’re hoping for.

Kate Redmond interviews Cherokee artist SD Youngwolf. He is traveling from Taos, New Mexico next week to begin an artist residency in Hotchkiss. Plus, we hear clips from last night’s Local Motion, on ballot measure 6A to create a sales tax increase of less than one cent per dollar for the next 8 years to help fund Delta Health. Business owner Jere Lowe recommends voting no. Philanthropist Sarah Bishop recommends voting yes.

Hotchkiss artist Ira Houseweart talks about his recent appearance on national TV. Plus, Capitol Coverage reporter Scott Franz heads to Steamboat Springs, a town on the frontlines of the housing crisis, and reports how state lawmakers plan to help.

Colorado has been collecting more taxes than it can legally spend in recent years. As Scott Franz reports, Gov. Jared Polis and Democratic lawmakers are planning to send out $400 refunds this summer. Then, trails around Paonia and other recreational amenities are coming to fruition. Kate Redmond shares an update on the Paonia In Motion initiative. Plus, spending on dietary supplements has jumped dramatically during the pandemic. The Mountain West News Bureau looks into what’s driving the demand, and what concerns it raises for healthcare providers.