FEATURE: Today we wrap up our conversation with Jonathan Cohee, CEO Delta Health, on the potential impacts to the rural hospital and its clinics following the passage of President Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act." Cohee spoke about the possibility of decreasing services in the county wide network, however, the CEO promised that the hospital will remain open.
Delta Health was recently selected to join a new federal initiative aimed at improving financial stability for rural hospitals. Over the next 18 to 24 months, the hospital will receive targeted support to develop new services, address care gaps, and improve operational efficiency.
TOP STORIES: With continued wildfire activity in our region, officials are encouraging travelers to ‘know before you go’ by checking the latest road information at COtrip.org.
Hwy 141 is closed in both directions at mile marker 124 due to the Turner Gulch and Wright Draw Fire. The popular Rim Rocker Trail from Montrose to Moab was shut down last Thursday due to the Deer Creek Fire burning on the Utah and Colorado border. For more fire information please check out our website kvnf.org for facebook pages containing up to date local and regional wildfire information.
Delta City Councilwoman Jamie Lane recently vacated her District B seat on the council citing lack of representation on the council. She also said she wanted to spend more time with her family. Lane joined the council by appointment immediately following the April 2024 election. She has served alongside Mayor Kevin Carlson and Council Members William Tedrow, Ron White and Dan Korthuis.
Senator John Hickenlooper talked with KVNF Senior Reporter Lisa Young on potential cuts to public media just ahead of Congress making a decision.
Hickenlooper noted that over $1 billion dollars could be removed from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Congress already approved the funding for the private, nonprofit agency for the next two fiscal years.
He said the de-funding would decimate the federal support for public broadcasting that is vital for rural Americans.
" I look at the types of, of rural communities that are dependent on public broadcasting to get their news, to get emergency alerts, you know, floods or wildfires, those types of communities are the most vulnerable. This is a big part of their of their funding. It's not just 5 or 6 or 7%. It can be 20% or 30%. That's really putting us in harm's way," said the Colorado lawmaker.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser is co-leading a multistate lawsuit against the Trump administration over education funding. Weiser says a sudden freeze in federal money is throwing school budgets into disarray with the new academic year just weeks away. Kyle McKinnon reports for the Colorado Capitol News Alliance.
