Public News Service

$Most methane pollution comes from the drilling and processing of fossil fuels, and has been on the rise since the introduction of hydraulic fracturing technology. (Adobe Stock)$

Colorado, nation face public health, climate risks as methane pollution soars

Methane pollution is increasing at the fastest rate in decades, according to a new report, and that's making it harder to turn the tide on climate …

Negotiating the costs of health care procedures using Medicare payments as a reference has proven effective in reducing health care spending, especially for large employers. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado hospitals charge commercial insurers up to six times Medicare rates

The rates Medicare pays hospitals are carefully calculated to cover the actual cost of care in an efficient health care facility. But Anthem, Cigna…

Voting by people who are not U.S. citizens already is illegal in federal elections, and there is no indication it's happening anywhere in significant numbers. (Adobe Stock)

Groups debunk claims of 'skyrocketing' numbers of non-citizen voters

After a recent flurry of claims that Democrats are allowing immigrants into the country illegally in order to register them to vote in the upcoming U.…

Es ilegal para las personas que no son ciudadanas estadounidenses votar en elecciones federales, y no hay indicios de que est� sucediendo en ning�n lugar en cantidades significativas. (Adobe Stock)

Desacreditan afirmaciones de que votantes no ciudadanos están en 'aumento'

Después de una reciente avalancha de afirmaciones de que los demócratas están permitiendo la entrada ilegal de inmigrantes al país…

Of more than 7,300 lawmakers nationwide, just 116, or 1.6%, currently or last worked in manual labor, service industry, clerical or labor union jobs. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Working class missing in state legislatures

Half of Americans go to work every day in the service industry, doing clerical work or in construction and other manual labor jobs but fewer than 2% …

The U.S. Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United decision held that the freedom of speech clause of the First Amendment prohibits the government from restricting independent expenditures for political campaigns by corporations. (Adobe Stock)

Tracking foreign interests in Colorado political campaigns

Despite federal laws that prohibit campaign contributions by people who are not United States citizens, foreign-influenced corporations and their …

La decisi�n de Citizens United de 2010 de la Corte Suprema de Estados Unidos sostuvo que la cl�usula de libertad de expresi�n de la Primera Enmienda proh�be al gobierno restringir los gastos independientes para campa�as pol�ticas de las corporaciones. (Adobe Stock)

Rastreando intereses extranjeros en campañas políticas de Colorado

A pesar de las leyes federales que prohíben las contribuciones de campaña por parte de personas que no son ciudadanos estadounidenses…

While mortality rates for pregnant women have decreased globally, they continue to rise in the United States, with Black women three times more likely to die during pregnancy than white women. (Inez/Adobe Stock)<br />

Report: Women’s Rights a Canary in Coal Mine for Democracy

By Jennifer Weiss-Wolf for Ms. Magazine.Broadcast version by Eric Galatas for Colorado News Connection reporting for the Ms. Magazine-Public News …

Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering found that revenues from drug companies' top 20 medications pay for all their annual research and development, and still result in a profit of some $40 billion. (Adobe Stock)

Older Coloradans Press Congress to Lower Drug Prices

It's been two months since the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Build Back Better Act, which includes reforms that aim to bring down …

MLK "Marade" Spotlights Drive to Protect Voting Rights

As Democrats in Congress struggle to get enough votes to pass new federal voter protections, Denver's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day "Marade" - a …

A recent survey found that 79% of Democratic voters and 65% of Republicans want the option of voting remotely during the COVID-19 health emergency. (Paul Sableman Flickr)

Colorado's Mail-In Voting System in National Spotlight

DENVER -- A majority of voters across party lines say they want the option to mail in their ballots during the pandemic, according to a recent …

Corporate tax revenues are near historic lows as a share of GDP, at just 1%. Chevron was one of 91 companies that did not pay federal income taxes on their 2018 U.S. income. (Pixabay)

Corporate Tax Avoidance Continues Under New Code

DENVER - In the first year of the Trump administration's new tax law, 91 Fortune 500 companies didn't pay a dime in federal income tax, according to …

Overturning the U.S Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United ruling could require a constitutional amendment. (DonkeyHotey/Flickr)

Colorado Takes Steps to Limit Influence of Money in Politics

LAKEWOOD, Colo. – As the nation marks the ninth anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's Citizens United decision, Coloradans are making strides …

A new study shows that local governments are better positioned to connect traditionally underserved communities to broadband internet. (Pixabay)

Report: Municipal Broadband Could Protect Consumer Privacy

DENVER – As Congress considers remedies for large-scale privacy breaches by Cambridge Analytica and Facebook, a recent report suggests that …

The Trump administration has recommended changes to the greater sage-grouse land management plan that could open up more of its habitat to oil and gas development. (Jeannie Stafford/US Forest Service)

Report: Politics Trump Science for Ten Endangered Species

DENVER – Pressure from special interests is undermining policy decisions about wildlife conservation, according to a report from the Endangered …

A grassroots campaign is under way to promote a ballot initiative that would blunt the impact of special-interest campaign contributions in municipal elections. (Pixabay)

Ballot Measure Targets Campaign Finance Rules for 2018 Elections

DENVER – As Coloradans cast their ballots today, a grassroots effort to limit the influence of big money in politics is setting its sights on …

Anonymous campaign contributions have risen dramatically in the wake of the 2010 U.S. Supreme Court Citizens United decision. (Pixabay)

Coloradans to Gather Saturday to "Make Democracy Work"

DENVER – On Saturday, people from across Colorado who are concerned about the role of money in politics will meet in Denver for a "Making …

In 2015, the U.S. Departments of Interior and Agriculture completed plans to manage the greater sage-grouse's habitat across 70 million acres in 11 Western states. (U.S. Bureau of Land Management)

Watchdog Group Calls Foul on Leaked Oil and Gas Memo on Sage Grouse

DENVER - A document obtained by a watchdog group suggests that the U.S. Department of the Interior could be taking orders from the oil and gas …

Hundreds gathered at the Colorado State Capitol to protest U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos' appearance at last week's American Legislative Exchange Council meeting. (Caroline Fry)

Corporate Lobbying Under Scrutiny after Colo. ALEC Meeting

DENVER -- The American Legislative Exchange Council wrapped up its annual meeting in Denver on Friday, and activists say they'll keep watching as the …

The Wisconsin-based Bradley Foundation is financing efforts to defund Colorado teachers' unions and move tax dollars from public schools to charters. (Getty Images)

Report: Out-of-State Group Bankrolls Attacks on CO Workers

DENVER - The Bradley Foundation, a Wisconsin-based conservative powerhouse, is taking its successful strategies targeting unions and public education …

More than 99 percent of the nation's taxpayers currently are exempt from the federal estate tax, slated for elimination under President Donald Trump's tax proposal. (Pixabay)

Millionaires Urge GOP Leaders to Save Estate Tax

DENVER – More than 50 multi-millionaires have signed a letter urging President Donald Trump and Congress to abandon their attempts to abolish th…

As the Trump administration begins to tackle overhauling the nation's tax code, activists are urging the president to release his returns. (Wikimedia Commons)

Taxpayers Hit Streets Demanding Trump's Returns

DENVER – As taxpayers hustle to meet next week's deadline, a coalition of education, labor and social-justice organizations is planning marches …

Four new bills could help Colorado voters cut through the noise of campaign ads by following the money. (Pixabay)

Lawmakers Consider Reining In Influence of Money in Politics

DENVER – Colorado lawmakers are being asked to shine some light on how so-called dark money influences political campaigns in the state…

A new bill making its way through the Colorado Legislature could make pouring through large quantities of taxpayer-funded public data easier. (Pixabay)

CO sees Legislation to Move Public Records into Digital Age

DENVER — Colorado lawmakers are set to hear a bill Monday that would bring local and state governments one step closer to the levels of transpar…

Colorado health groups are crying foul over claims made by opponents of Amendment 72. (Pixabay)

Health Groups Challenge Cigarette Tax Opponent Claims

DENVER – Coloradans are enduring the typical onslaught of political advertising this election season, and many are familiar with arguments …

Grupos pro salud de Colorado denuncian irregularidades en las demandas hechas por quienes se oponen a la �Amendment 72�. (Pixbay)

Grupos pro Salud impugnan demandas de los opositores al impuesto al tabaco

DENVER – Grupos pro salud de Colorado denuncian irregularidades en las demandas planteadas por los oponentes de la Enmienda 72 en la boleta…

Industry groups topped individual contributors in Colorado's ballot battles over health care, cigarette taxes and constitutional amendments. (Pixabay)

Following Money Behind Colorado's Ballot Battles

DENVER – Coloradans for Coloradans, the group working to defeat Amendment 69 on the statewide ballot, a measure that would create a universal …

A new report warns the rapid growth of charter schools could lead to privatization of the nation's public school system. (Pixabay)

Report Warns Charter Schools Paving Way for Privatization

DENVER – What began as an experiment to create innovation through charter schools has become a movement to privatize public education, …

Both conservative and liberal groups are opposing Initiative 71 on Colorado's November ballot. (State of Washington)

Strange Bedfellows Tackle Measure Limiting Citizen Initiatives

DENVER – Colorado ballot Initiative 71, a move to make it harder to change the state's constitution, has borne out the old adage that 'politics …

More scorchers in store? Climate change could bring hotter temperatures to Colorado in coming decades. (Pixabay)

Changing Climate Means Hotter Days for CO Front Range

DENVER - If global greenhouse gas emissions continue unchecked, cities along Colorado's Front Range will see hotter summers and more powerful storms …

A new report predicts emissions from oil, gas and coal currently in production are enough to raise global temperatures above limits set in Paris. (Pixabay)

Report: Fossil Fuel Expansion has Reached 'Sky's Limit'

DENVER – Existing fossil fuel production is enough to blow the world's entire remaining carbon budget for keeping global temperatures below limi…

Coal companies met with GOP attorneys general to stop the EPA's Clean Power Plan. (Pixabay)

Coal Firms Met with GOP AGs to Stop Clean Power Plan

DENVER - Fossil-fuel companies Murray Energy and Southern Co. paid for private meetings with Republican state attorneys general to discuss opposition …

A new study provides stark evidence on how money shapes U.S. elections. (Pixabay)<br />

Study Provides New Evidence on How Money Shapes U.S. Elections

DENVER – As public outrage over the influence of money in politics continues to grow – seen in both the Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump ca…

An international delegation of environmental activists is joining a Toxic Tour of Philadelphia�s largest refinery today. (Philadelphia Energy Solutions)

International Delegates Take Toxic Tour During DNC

DENVER - As Colorado groups work to put measures onto the November ballot that would limit fossil fuel production, an international caravan is …

Advocacy groups are pushing political candidates to focus on child poverty. (Milkos/iStockphoto)

Putting Childhood Poverty on Candidates' Radar

DENVER – Presidential candidates from both major parties have talked a lot about helping the middle class, but have skipped over one of the …

Colorado families could save more than $1,400 a year in electricity costs under the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Power Plan. (Pixabay)

Clean Power Plan Will Help Cut Utility Bills, Report Says

DENVER – Colorado families could save more than $1,400 a year in electricity costs under the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power…

So far, 24 ballot initiatives have been approved by the Colorado Supreme Court. (Russell Du parcq/iStockphoto)

Colorado Ballot-Initiative Season in Full Swing

DENVER - Warmer days have arrived in Colorado, and that means signature-gatherers are working the sidewalks and parking lots, trying to get proposals …

$Oil and gas groups have raised more than $6 million to defeat ballot initiatives that would limit fracking. (Pixabay)$

Oil and Gas Industry Building War Chest to Fight Ballot Initiatives

DENVER - The oil and gas industry is gearing up to defeat several initiatives headed toward the November ballot that would allow restrictions on frack…

A ballot initiative that would establish the nation's first public, universal health care system in Colorado is facing an uphill struggle. (gpointstudio/iStockphoto)

Grassroots Ballot Initiative Faces Well-Financed Opposition

DENVER - An initiative on the November ballot to make Colorado the first state to establish public, universal health coverage is facing well-financed …

Colorado lawmakers are moving to close offshore-tax loopholes for multinational corporations headquartered in the state. (Galatas)

Colorado Moves to Close Offshore Tax Loopholes

DENVER - The Colorado House of Representatives advanced a measure to close offshore tax loopholes on Monday. The move comes on the heels of a new …

A new report suggests the United States has a two-tiered justice system, one for the rich and powerful and one for everyone else. (Herdesign/iStockphoto)

Report: "Rigged Justice" for Corporations

DENVER - U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren's new report Rigged Justice claims the nation has a two-tiered justice system, one for the rich and powerful…

A debate over a universal health care ballot initiative took place in the heart of ski country on Tuesday. (Jean-Marie Guyon/iStockphoto)<br />

State Senators Make Case for Universal Health Care Initiative

DENVER - The debate on whether or not Colorado should opt out of the Affordable Care Act made its way to Frisco yesterday. State Senators Irene …

The company behind the Keystone XL pipeline is tapping rules under NAFTA to try to win more than $15 billion from the U.S. in damages. (PDTillman/Wikimedia Commons)

Critics Warn TransCanada's $15 Billion Claim Offers Preview of TPP

DENVER – The Canadian corporation behind the Keystone X-L pipeline is using provisions in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to try…

A new report documents the effects of a widening wealth gap in the United States and offers recommendations for limiting inequality. Credit: Milad Mosapoor/Wikimedia Commons

"Patriotic Millionaires" Call for Policies to Close Wealth Gap

DENVER - Patriotic Millionaires, a group that counts Warren Buffett, Bill Gates Sr., and chief executives of Fortune 500 companies among its ranks…

The movement to end mass incarceration in the U.S. has a new digital tool for its toolbox. Credit: sakhorn38/iStockphoto.com

New Tool Exposes Companies Profiting from Mass Incarceration

DENVER - Human rights advocates are deploying a new digital tool to help convince corporations to stop profiting from mass incarceration. More than 2.…

PHOTO: A coalition of more than 60 organizations sent a letter calling on the U.S. House of Representatives to remove provisions in its budget bill they claim would block the FCC from implementing net neutrality rules. Photo credit: Beau Giles/Wikimedia Commons.

Net-Neutrality Activists Decry Move to Block FCC Rules

DENVER – More than 60 civil rights and public-interest groups sent a letter urging Congress to protect the Federal Communications Commission's (…

PHOTO: A proposal to reform the nation's toxic chemical laws does not go far enough to protect the public, and could roll back some important protections currently in place, according to safety and environmental advocates. Photo credit: Andy Beecroft/Wikimedia Commons.

Chemical Industry Backs Proposal to Regulate Toxic Chemicals

DENVER - The chemical industry is backing new legislation in the U.S. Senate to reform the way chemicals are regulated. Its proponents say it's time …

PHOTO: Campaign money played a bigger role in 2014 than in any mid-term in history. But that's not stopping civic and community groups from trying to keep elections clean. Image credit: DonkeyHotey/Flickr.

Battle for Clean Elections Moves Forward

DENVER - The corrupting influence of money in politics is getting worse, according to recent reports by Clean Slate Now and the Center for Responsive …

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - September 20, 2024

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