Colorado Springs Daily

- Hi, I'm Isabella Janney with the Colorado Springs Daily and today is August 4th, 2020. Our first segment today, we'll talk about local teachers worried about the upcoming school year. Our second story today is about the El Paso County Courthouse. And, our last story of the day is about a school specifically for students with dyslexia. - Our first story today is about local teachers expressing their worry over the upcoming school year by notarizing their wills in front of the El Paso County Health Department. Teachers say a lack of accountability and what they believe is district's unwillingness to take public health orders seriously have led them to start preparing for the worst. Aubrey Huey, President of Pike Peaks Education Association, says several teachers have concerns with being in close quarters with large numbers of students. She hopes the county board of health will follow the science being used by the state and require school districts to follow health department recommendations. Huey says several concerned teachers have already applied for virtual teaching jobs, others have chosen to take a leave of absence for a year. - [https://www.koaa.com/rebound/keeping-you-safe/teachers-concerned-about-upcoming-school-year-notarize-their-wills-in-front-of-el-paso-county-health-department](https://www.koaa.com/rebound/keeping-you-safe/teachers-concerned-about-upcoming-school-year-notarize-their-wills-in-front-of-el-paso-county-health-department) - And for our second segment today, The El Paso County Courthouse will be mostly closed to the public and operating on an emergency basis for the next two weeks after a staff member tested positive for the coronavirus. According to a chief judge order issued on Aug. 2, in-person proceedings are canceled through Aug. 14, with a few exceptions. Jury trials will be rescheduled along with jury duty. The courthouse will be open for filings related to public safety matters only. Other criminal appearances on bond will take place virtually. Some appointments will happen over the phone. - [https://krdo.com/health/2020/08/03/el-paso-county-courthouse-limits-operations-after-covid-19-exposure/](https://krdo.com/health/2020/08/03/el-paso-county-courthouse-limits-operations-after-covid-19-exposure/) - Our last story today is about a school just for children with dyslexia that is about to open up here in Colorado Springs. The school is called Orton Academy and it’s a free, public school. There are only a few schools like this in the entire country. It's located inside the Colorado Military Academy and is planning to open its doors for the first time this August. For this fall, instruction will be provided for students 3rd-6th grade, but the goal is to expand eventually to K-8th. One of the most distinguished parts about the curriculum is for an hour a day students will get to work with a certified academic language therapist. Private instruction like this typically costs hundreds of dollars an hour. Some students will be commuting daily all the way from the Denver area for this education. About 50 students have enrolled already. Orton Academy has a 60 person model planned for this upcoming fall- but they may expand if needed. - [https://www.kktv.com/2020/08/03/orton-academy-public-school-in-cos-opening-for-children-with-dyslexia/](https://www.kktv.com/2020/08/03/orton-academy-public-school-in-cos-opening-for-children-with-dyslexia/) - Thank you so much for listening today. I'm Isabella Janney with the Colorado Springs Daily.

- Hi, I'm Isabella Janney with the Colorado Springs Daily and today is August 3rd, 2020. Our first segment today, we'll talk about free entry into state parks to celebrate Colorado's birthday! Our second story today is about toxic algae in local lakes. And, our last story of the day is a national one about the SpaceX landing. - Our first story today is about Colorado's 144th birthday! To celebrate, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is making entry into all state parks free to everyone on Monday, August 3rd. August 1st is the state’s official birthday -- August 1st, 1876 is when Colorado became part of the United States -- but Colorado Parks and Wildlife typically throws a birthday bash on the first Monday of the month. This celebration is better than ever this year, with COVID making outdoor activities some of the safest things to do. And there are plenty of destinations to choose from: Colorado has 41 sate parks! While entry to the parks is free, fees such as camping and fishing will remain in effect. - [https://www.kktv.com/2020/07/29/free-state-park-entry-aug-3-in-honor-of-colorado-day/](https://www.kktv.com/2020/07/29/free-state-park-entry-aug-3-in-honor-of-colorado-day/) - Our second segment today is about toxic blue-green algae that has been found at Pikeview Resevoir, a popular fishing lake in central Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs Utilities says the reservoir is still safe for fishing, but humans and pets are not allowed in the water until further notice. Colorado Springs Utilities says the reservoir has also been removed as a source for drinking water temporarily and they say they are going to increase the frequency of testing at all reservoirs at lower elevations. Prospect Lake, a recreational lake in Colorado Springs, also recently tested positive for the algae. Blue-green algae are self-limiting, naturally-occurring bacteria, which means it eventually phases itself out of bodies of water. - [https://www.kktv.com/2020/08/02/toxic-blue-green-algae-found-at-pikeview-reservoir/](https://www.kktv.com/2020/08/02/toxic-blue-green-algae-found-at-pikeview-reservoir/) - Our last story today is a national one: SpaceX has brought two NASA astronauts home from a historic mission. Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley — the first astronauts to travel into orbit aboard a commercially developed spacecraft — returned home in a splashdown mission on Sunday. This was the first such mission in America in 45 years. Bob and Doug were onboard the International Space Station for two months after launching in the SpaceX Crew Dragon from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. - [https://www.koaa.com/news/national/spacex-bringing-nasa-astronauts-home-in-first-splashdown-return-in-45-years](https://www.koaa.com/news/national/spacex-bringing-nasa-astronauts-home-in-first-splashdown-return-in-45-years) - Thank you so much for listening today. I'm Isabella Janney with the Colorado Springs Daily.

- Hi, I'm Isabella Janney with the Colorado Springs Daily and today is July 31st, 2020. Our first segment today, we'll talk about a hate crime investigation in Pueblo. Our second story today is about the last call order for alcohol. And, our last story of the day is about restaurants in the Springs. - Our first story today is about a hate crime investigation underway in Pueblo following senseless vandalism. Pueblo Police believe the vandalism on the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. and Emmett Till statue outside of Friendly Harbor Community Center was a biased-motivated act. The vandal or vandals also wrote the letters “KKK” outside the center. The crime happened either late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning. Dr. Elissa Ball, the director of Friendly Harbor, said a group of volunteers showed up on Thursday and worked to clean off the graffiti on their own time with their own equipment. If you have any information that could help police in this case you’re asked to call 719-553-2511 and reference case number 20-12771. - [https://www.kktv.com/2020/07/31/hate-crime-investigation-underway-in-pueblo-after-mlk-and-emmett-till-statue-vandalized/](https://www.kktv.com/2020/07/31/hate-crime-investigation-underway-in-pueblo-after-mlk-and-emmett-till-statue-vandalized/) - Our second segment today is about a Denver District Court judge upholding Governor Jared Polis' Executive Public Health Order on the last call for alcohol. The judge denied the request for a restraining order, as the 10 p.m. "last call" for alcohol continues. With help from the [Tavern League of Colorado](https://thetavernleague.com/), hundreds of bars and restaurants challenged the executive order that moved the last call for alcohol up four hours, to 10 P.M. Some bar and restaurant owners testified Wednesday and Thursday, stating that they could be forced to shut down their business within 3 months if the restrictions continue. Prior to the judge's decision, Governor Jared Polis said, "This is a tough time, nobody in the country has figured out how we can have that free-wheeling act of nightlife during a pandemic." The judge clarified that the spike in COVID-19 cases among young people in their 20's gave credence to the state's decision to take action. - [https://krdo.com/news/2020/07/30/legal-battle-ensues-over-last-call-for-alcohol-as-restaurants-struggle-with-restrictions/](https://krdo.com/news/2020/07/30/legal-battle-ensues-over-last-call-for-alcohol-as-restaurants-struggle-with-restrictions/) - Our last story today is about newly released data from a survey conducted by the Colorado Restaurant Association between July 15th and 25th. The survey found that many restaurants continue to struggle, and some may close permanently. Despite reopening, and opening up outdoor dining options, many restaurants say they may need to close in the coming months. Of the restaurants that responded to the survey, 62% said they will consider closing permanently in the next six months under the current conditions. More than 30% said they would consider closing in less than three months, and 5% said they would look at shutting their doors permanently in less than one month. The survey also found that the restaurant industry has lost nearly 87,000 jobs since the start of the pandemic. Data shows that on average, restaurants have spent over $4,500 on PPE. Of the restaurants surveyed, most say cash and increased capacity is their biggest need. - [https://krdo.com/news/2020/07/30/survey-finds-62-of-colorado-restaurants-consider-closing-permanently/](https://krdo.com/news/2020/07/30/survey-finds-62-of-colorado-restaurants-consider-closing-permanently/) - Thank you so much for listening today. I'm Isabella Janney with the Colorado Springs Daily.

- Hi, I'm Isabella Janney with the Colorado Springs Daily and today is July 30th, 2020. Our first segment today, we'll talk about Pueblo hiring a mediator for the Columbus statue protests. Our second story today is about a potential plastic bag ban here. And, our last story of the day is about visitors in the Springs. - Our first story today is about the city of Pueblo hiring a mediator to help bring a resolution to the Christopher Columbus statue protests. Over the last seven weeks, protestors have gathered around the statue and there have also been protests outside the Pueblo Police Department. Protesters have been demanding change in law enforcement across the country after the death of George Floyd. Some local protesters want the statue removed, and some want it to stay. Mayor Nick Gradisar said, “Altogether with the initial costs for overtime and for police officers to be present and renting barricades, the cost has been about $65,000 to date.” The Sons of Italy gifted the statue to the city in 1905, and they want the statue to stay in the city. Some other protesters suggest the statue should be taken down and put into a museum. So, the mayor is in the process of hiring Frank Galvez, who was born and raised in Pueblo, as a potential mediator because he knows the history the city holds and the multiple cultures represented in Pueblo. The city council approved the ordinance in its first reading and will move into the next reading in two weeks for the final vote. Galvez will meet with both sides August 8th and 9th in hopes of coming to a resolution that makes both sides happy. - [https://www.kktv.com/2020/07/29/pueblo-hiring-mediator-to-find-solution-amid-christopher-columbus-statue-protests/](https://www.kktv.com/2020/07/29/pueblo-hiring-mediator-to-find-solution-amid-christopher-columbus-statue-protests/) - Our second story today is about a potetion ballot measure that would charge shoppers 10 cents per single-use plastic bag in the Springs. There would not be a charge for paper bags. It's expected to raise $1.2 million if implemented. Proceeds would be split between stores and the city, with 40% of the money made from the fee staying in stores. The other 60% would go to the city of Colorado Springs to be used for cleanup efforts and environmental education programs. There are some exceptions inside the proposal. Shoppers who use state or federal food assistance programs would not have to pay the fee. Certain single-use plastic bags would still be allowed, like for produce, newspapers, or small jewelry items. The proposal will go before city council again on August 11th. - [https://krdo.com/news/2020/07/29/colorado-springs-plastic-bag-fee-proposal-up-for-discussion/](https://krdo.com/news/2020/07/29/colorado-springs-plastic-bag-fee-proposal-up-for-discussion/) - Our last story today is about visitors here in Colorado Springs. A study by data firm STR found 81.7 percent of Colorado Springs’ hotel rooms are full on the weekends. Typically, occupancy in the summer hovers around 90 percent but Visit Colorado Springs President and CEO Doug Price says this year is going better than expected. Price said, “Because of our wide-open spaces, people feel so much more comfortable being in their own car and being outdoors. Gov. Polis also acknowledges that plenty of people are coming from states that are hot spots for COVID-19. Gov. Polis said visitors from hot spots are one of the reasons why his statewide mask mandate is important. Manitou Springs implemented a stronger mask mandate than the state order last week that also comes with a $25-$30 fine. El Paso County Commissioners as well as Colorado Springs City Council have refused to take further measures, instead relying on the “#MaskUpCOS” campaign. Price calls that campaign ‘brilliant” but thinks he has a plan to inspire visitors to step up their mask game. It hasn’t been implemented yet, but he hopes to roll out a “Peak of Safety” pledge. It would give coupons for visitors

- Hi, I'm Isabella Janney with the Colorado Springs Daily and today is July 29th, 2020. Our first segment today, we'll talk about recreational pot shops in Colorado. Our second story today is about local hospitals and COVID. And, our last story of the day is about college tuition insurance among COVID. - Our first story today says that Colorado Springs will not be voting on recreational pot shops this November. City council was considering whether to put allowing recreational marijuana to be sold in the Springs on the upcoming ballot, but reportedly the issue didn’t garner enough support from councilmembers during an informal work session Monday. Getting an issue on the ballot requires support from five councilmembers. The issue faced “sharp criticism” from Mayor John Suthers, among others. Councilwoman Jill Gaebler, who supported the measure, said allowing retail sales in Colorado Springs would help the local economy -- which took a hit amid the ongoing pandemic -- by creating jobs and generating millions of dollars in sales that would go back to the city. She also pointed out that citizens who want to buy pot just go outside the city limits to get it. Opponents have argued, among other things, relaxing the city’s drug laws could hurt its chances to become the permanent home of U.S. Space Command. - [https://www.kktv.com/2020/07/28/colorado-springs-city-council-declines-to-put-recreational-pot-shops-on-november-ballot/](https://www.kktv.com/2020/07/28/colorado-springs-city-council-declines-to-put-recreational-pot-shops-on-november-ballot/) - Our second segment today is about local hospitals here in Colorado Springs. Though COVID-19 cases have been increasing for about a month in El Paso County, the consensus is that hospitals still have enough resources to handle the demand. Dr. Bill Plauth and Dr. David Steinbruner serve as the chief medical officer for Penrose-St. Francis Health Services and interim chief medical officer for UCHealth, respectively. They have been asked whether or not Colorado Springs hospitals are taking in patients from hotspot states like Arizona and Texas. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has previously said in a press conference that the state would consider it. Dr. Steinbruner said, "We are seeing some of those demands. Obviously a state that has a high incidence and is starting to inundate its hospitals is going to reach out for help. We’re starting to see that on the edges. We want to help, but we want to protect our own ability in our community to take care of our community.” Cary Vogrin, the media relations specialist at UCHealth, said “To date, UCHealth Memorial has admitted one patient with COVID-19 from out of state. As of this afternoon, UCHealth’s hospitals in the Pikes Peak region were caring for about 30 patients who are hospitalized with COVID-19 or who are awaiting test results.” Vogrin says although that number is higher than prior months, it’s about half the number of coronavirus patients compared to what UCHealth cared for during the peak of coronavirus in Colorado in April. - [https://krdo.com/health/2020/07/27/colorado-springs-hospitals-discuss-admitting-out-of-state-patients/](https://krdo.com/health/2020/07/27/colorado-springs-hospitals-discuss-admitting-out-of-state-patients/) - Our last story today is about college students preparing for the upcoming school year by considering the uncertainty COVID-19 brings. The national average cost of tuition is about $42,738 per year and often is nonrefundable, so students are now considering all their options. GradGuard is a tuition insurance company offering aid to college students who completely withdraw for medical reasons. For the first time, they have added a provision to cover students who test positive for COVID-19, although it doesn't cover those who miss class because of quarantine or a sick family member. UCCS spokesperson Jared Verner says the last time the financial aid office had students inquire about tuition insurance was duri

- Hi, I'm Isabella Janney with the Colorado Springs Daily and today is July 24th, 2020. Our first segment today, we'll talk about bars and restaurants opposing the "Last Call" order. Our second story today is about a local nonprofit helping those with limited mobility enjoy the outdoors. And, our last story of the day is about a new mural in downtown Colorado Springs. - Our first story today is about bars and restaurants across Colorado suing the state over the Governor’s “Last Call” order, which mandates that alcohol cannot be served after 10:00 p.m. The usual time for the last call is 2 a.m. in Colorado. The Tavern League of Colorado, which is made up of about 200 bars and restaurants in the state, expects to appear before a judge on either next Wednesday or Thursday. Polis also amended the law to allow grocery and liquor stores to sell alcohol after 10 p.m. The governor is trying to stop people from becoming inebriated at a bar, leading to less social distancing. But the Tavern League believes this order is unfair, and the amendment allowing alcohol to still be sold at grocery and liquor stores will only make matters worse. Chris Fuselier, the owner of Blake Street Tavern in Denver, and a leading member of the Tavern League, says, “Young kids are gonna leave us at ten, they’re gonna stop by the liquor store on the way home, and continue to party at someone’s house. And there will be no social distancing, they’re not going to be wearing masks.” - [https://www.kktv.com/2020/07/24/colorado-bars-challenge-governors-last-call-order/](https://www.kktv.com/2020/07/24/colorado-bars-challenge-governors-last-call-order/) - Our second segment today is about a local nonprofit, The Lockwood Foundation, continuing its mission to help people who are wheelchair-bound not only get outside, but climb mountains as well. Being able to get outdoors is more important than ever right now, especially for those with limited mobility. For a lot of people, accessing Colorado's trails is fairly easy. A manual wheelchair or a power wheelchair would never have a chance on going up 99% of the trails in Colorado. Jeffrey Lockwood, executive director & board president of The Lockwood Foundation, has been a mountain guide and worked in disability care for several years. Lockwood said, "We are more driven than ever to make sure that the outdoors are accessible because right now it is one of the only safe ways to get out with people." With the purchase of the adaptive TrailRider wheelchair last year and volunteer hikers, outdoor adventures for people with a physical disability changed forever. It's the kind of opportunity they want more people in the community to take advantage of. It's why this Saturday the organization will be hosting a TrailRider Tryout at Lovell Park in Pueblo West from 10:30 a.m. to noon. - [https://www.koaa.com/news/covering-colorado/local-nonprofit-helps-those-with-physical-disabilities-access-colorado-trails-mountains](https://www.koaa.com/news/covering-colorado/local-nonprofit-helps-those-with-physical-disabilities-access-colorado-trails-mountains) - Our last story today is about a new mural in downtown Colorado Springs. As a part of the 22nd annual Art on the Streets, Gregg Deal, an indigenous artist who lives in El Paso County, turned an empty wall downtown and turned it into art bearing a message. The mural depicts Deal’s 14-year-old daughter, Sage Deal, wearing a mix of contemporary clothing and traditional Indigenous accessories. There is a red handprint covering the mouth of the portrait, a symbol that references the [Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit](https://www.nativejustice.org/mmiwg2s-project) movement, which works to draw attention to the high rate that indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people go missing or are murdered. Deal firmly believes in using his medium of public art to talk about these issues that are important to not only his family but to indigenous communities as well. De

- Hi, I'm Isabella Janney with the Colorado Springs Daily and today is July 23rd, 2020. Our first segment today, we'll talk abouta new option for COVID testing developed at CU Boulder. Our second story today is about a syndrome appearing in children connected to COVID. And, our last story of the day is about fishing licenses in Colorado. - Our first story today is about a new option for testing COVID-19 outside of the uncomfortable nasal swab in the near future. On Wednesday, CU Boulder said that researchers have been working on a rapid COVID-19 test that can provide results in less than one hour. The test is saliva-based so the patient simply spits in a tube, a solution is added to the spit, the liquid is heated to a certain temperature and if the sample color changes from pink to yellow, the test is positive. If it doesn’t, the test is negative. The research team, in cooperation with Venture Partners at CU Boulder, has created a spin-off company, Darwin Biosciences, to commercialize the test, the university said. As of Wednesday, the saliva test in development by CU Researchers was not available to the public. It isn’t clear when, or if, it will be available. - [https://www.kktv.com/2020/07/22/new-45-minute-covid-19-test-that-uses-spit-being-developed-by-cu-boulder-researchers/](https://www.kktv.com/2020/07/22/new-45-minute-covid-19-test-that-uses-spit-being-developed-by-cu-boulder-researchers/) - Our second segment today is about two deaths in Colorado that have been linked to [multisystem inflammatory syndrome](https://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/coronavirus/3-colorado-children-suspected-of-contracting-new-inflammatory-illness-linked-to-covid-19). The mystery syndrome popping up across the country – mostly among children – that is linked to the novel coronavirus. There have been two deaths in Colorado and seven cases in the state. Colorado officials [first warned](https://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/coronavirus/3-colorado-children-suspected-of-contracting-new-inflammatory-illness-linked-to-covid-19) about the syndrome, MIS-C, in May, when they said there were three suspected cases in the state and that Children’s Hospital Colorado was researching the disorder. The CDC says that all of the cases across the U.S. have involved people under the age of 20. In May, Dr. Samuel Dominguez of Children’s Hospital said that initial information shows the syndrome generally affects children between the ages of 5 and 15, though there have been some cases of children up to age 20 having the syndrome. He said that suggested the syndrome was a post-infectious or inflammatory response to the virus. Children typically have very high fevers for several days and typically experience body inflammation, particularly in the gastrointestinal system and sometimes in the coronary system. The syndrome has also disproportionately affected Hispanic/Latino and Black Americans – with about 70% of cases reported by the CDC occurring in those two groups. Most cases developed 2-4 weeks after a person was infected with SARS-CoV-2. Word of these two deaths comes as Colorado school districts consider the safest way to return students to classrooms in coming weeks. - [https://www.koaa.com/news/coronavirus/two-deaths-in-colorado-linked-to-mis-c-syndrome-in-children-tied-to-coronavirus](https://www.koaa.com/news/coronavirus/two-deaths-in-colorado-linked-to-mis-c-syndrome-in-children-tied-to-coronavirus) - Our last story today is about fishing here in Colorado. More Coloradans are fishing this year than ever. Colorado Parks and Wildlife has issued 90,000 more fishing licenses this year than in 2019. Officials say the uptick is largely a result of people feeling cooped up from stay at home restrictions and public health orders. Plus, fishing does lend itself to social-distancing guidelines quite easily. In addition to annual licenses, Colorado Parks and Wildlife also sells one-day passes and stamps that let you fish with more than one rod. In the first ha

- Hi, I'm Isabella Janney with the Colorado Springs Daily and today is July 21st, 2020. Our first segment today, we'll talk about El Paso County's coronavirus cases. Our second story today is about a local teenager who started a non-profit striving to bring equality to baseball.. And, our last story of the day is about the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo's success. - Our first story today is about coronavirus cases in El Paso County. Time is running out for El Paso County to get its coronavirus cases down -- or risk losing its current variances. The health department submitted a mitigation plan to the state on July 13th, giving the county two weeks to reduce the presence of COVID-19. Tuesday, the state announced El Paso County remained in the “red zone” for high transmission levels and was one of 15 counties at risk of seeing stiffer restrictions reimposed. The state’s threshold for a high-transmission county is a two-week period of over 100 cases per 100,000 population. In a county board of health meeting, El Paso County Public Health Director Susan Wheelan said the county had the second-highest count of cases after Denver County in the last 14 days -- and the highest in the last seven. The county is currently at about 133 cases per 100,000. Keeping with statewide trends, younger people are leading the pack with the most infections. The health department and the mayor called on the public Wednesday to do their part to curtail the cases before they got out of hand.El Paso County’s two weeks ends on July 27th On that date, the county health department will check in with state health department regarding its progress. - [https://www.kktv.com/2020/07/22/el-paso-county-at-risk-of-reverting-back-to-safer-at-home-order/](https://www.kktv.com/2020/07/22/el-paso-county-at-risk-of-reverting-back-to-safer-at-home-order/) - Our second story today is about a local 16-year-old , Josh Kates, who founded a non-profit organization that strives to bring equality to baseball. Kates plays baseball at Air Academy High School. He umpires local leagues and also coaches young kids. Kates says, "Through my years of playing, I've begun to notice the overwhelming influence that money plays in baseball. To be good, you had to have and spend way too much money, and money separated the good leagues from the bad." So, the teenager started [Equality at the Plate Foundation](https://www.equalityattheplate.org/). The organization provides funds to help solve racial and socioeconomic inequality in baseball. Funds go toward promoting equal opportunities for all kids playing the sport of baseball. They collect and distribute funds in order to help provide equipment, registration fees, uniforms, field maintenance, travel, and any other costs associated with baseball. - [https://krdo.com/news/2020/07/22/local-teen-pioneers-organization-to-solve-racial-and-socioeconomic-inequality-in-baseball/](https://krdo.com/news/2020/07/22/local-teen-pioneers-organization-to-solve-racial-and-socioeconomic-inequality-in-baseball/) - Our last story today is about The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in gaining national attention after ranking as one of the top 5 zoos in the entire nation. Not only was the zoo ranked 4th in the nation, but one of its exhibits, Rocky Mountain Wild, came in as the number 2 best exhibit nationwide. Animal Care Manager Rebecca Zwicker said, “All of the animals that are here are ones that you could see in the Rocky Mountains and it’s pretty exciting to be able to come see them up close and then literally just drive not that far into the mountains and be able to see their natural habitat.” The Rocky Mountain Wild section of the zoo features grizzly bears, mountain lions, and a brand new nine-week-old moose who is still getting adjusted to its surroundings. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of only eight accredited zoos in the United States to house moose, which is a big reason why Rocky Mountain Wild is so popular. Zwicker says, “Our animals are pretty excited to see pe

- Hi, I'm Isabella Janney with the Colorado Springs Daily and today is July 21st, 2020. Our first segment today, we'll talk about new guidance for schools opening in Colorado. Our second story today is about dead fish in Prospect Lake. And, our last story of the day is about an Aurora City Council resolution calling for an independent investigation into Elijah McClain’s death. - Our first story today is about new guidance for schools in Colorado as districts scramble to come up with a plan to manage students and staff returning this fall while navigating a historic pandemic. State officials say getting students back inside the classroom is important, a position backed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. But COVID-19 mitigation remains critical as the pandemic shows no signs of winding down. Cases are up nationwide, and even though Colorado has not been as hard-hit as states like Texas, Arizona and Florida, cases are up here too. The Colorado health department held an online news conference Monday to present new recommendations for the 2020-2021 school year. Some, we’ve heard before: social distancing, wearing masks. Other guidance was released for the first time Monday, including the concept of “cohort classes,” which if implemented would see schools break classes into small groups of students who stay together during the whole day. During the news conference, officials presented graphics that show how quickly one case could spread through a group. But if students are kept to a small circle, exposure to a positive case would be limited to that cohort. - [https://www.kktv.com/2020/07/21/cohort-classes-among-new-guidance-from-state-as-districts-prepare-to-reopen-schools/](https://www.kktv.com/2020/07/21/cohort-classes-among-new-guidance-from-state-as-districts-prepare-to-reopen-schools/) - Our second story today is about at least 100 dead fish that have washed up on the shore of Prospect Lake in Memorial Park. The lake was closed in June to swimmers and recreational purposes other than fishing due to toxic blue-green algae issue. However, city officials believe the large amount of dead fish may be tied to something else. Vanessa Zink the Senior Public Communications Specialist with the City of Colorado Springs says, “We believe it has more to do with the water temperature than the algae itself. The algae, however, may be a compounding factor.” Colorado Parks and Wildlife issued a warning to the public on Saturday about trout fishing. According to CPW, when temperatures exceed 70 degrees in lakes, fish stop feeding and become more susceptible to disease. Zink added the temperature at Prospect Lake was about 72.86 degrees back on July 7. - [https://www.kktv.com/2020/07/20/dozens-of-dead-fish-wash-up-on-the-shore-at-prospect-lake-in-colorado-springs-may-have-to-do-with-water-temperature-according-to-city-officials/](https://www.kktv.com/2020/07/20/dozens-of-dead-fish-wash-up-on-the-shore-at-prospect-lake-in-colorado-springs-may-have-to-do-with-water-temperature-according-to-city-officials/) - Our last story today is about Aurora City Council unanimously adopting a resolution on Monday evening calling for an independent investigation into Elijah McClain’s death. The [resolution](https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/60/18/c425b5974152b956f86226c8adb2/07-16-2020-public-safety-courts-civil-service-agenda-packet-revised.pdf) calls for a three-member independent investigation team that will have at least three consultants and will be led by Jonathan Smith of the Washington Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs in Washington, D.C. The team will include consultants who have expertise in independent investigations, law enforcement and public safety accountability, civil rights, use of force, police and EMT training and criminal justice. The city council’s Public Safety, Courts and Civil Service Committee had said just last week they were still working to find a medical expert who can speak to the use of ketamine on M

- Hi, I'm Isabella Janney with the Colorado Springs Daily and today is July 10th, 2020. Our first segment today, we'll talk about the Olympic Museum opening up. Our second story today is about a petition to change Cheyenne Mountain High School's mascot. And, our last story of the day is about a Backpack Bash. - Our first story brings is about the first and only United States Olympic and Paralympic Museum, located in downtown Colorado Springs. The museum was supposed to open by Memorial Day, but the new opening date is set for the end of July 30th and there are different safety and social distancing measures in place. These safety measures include hand sanitizer stations and timed ticketing to control the number of guests allowed in the building. The museum features high-tech exhibits honoring the history of the United States Olympic and Paralympic movement, while celebrating the achievements of its athletes. There will be 12 galleries featured in the museum that will go through an Olympic or Paralympic athlete's journey. In one exhibit, you'll get to see different Olympic torches up close. The $90 million, 60,000 square foot museum is part of an initiative called [City for Champions](https://www.visitcos.com/about-cvb/about-colorado-springs/city-for-champions/#:~:text=City%20for%20Champions%20is%20a,and%20the%20State%20of%20Colorado.), which aims to attract visitors to the City of Colorado Springs and the State of Colorado with unique venues. The museum will also have a space for special events and Olympic gatherings. Tickets are going on sale on July 22nd. - [https://www.koaa.com/news/covering-colorado/us-olympic-and-paralympic-museum-sets-opening-date-for-end-of-july](https://www.koaa.com/news/covering-colorado/us-olympic-and-paralympic-museum-sets-opening-date-for-end-of-july) - Our second story today is about a petition to change the Cheyenne Mountain High School's Indian mascot. The petition has gained more than 2,500 signatures since it was created four days ago. The petition reads: "In light of the current national dialogue surrounding racial injustice, diversity, equity, and inclusion, it is time for Cheyenne Mountain High School to take accountability and reopen a discussion about the removal and replacement of the 'Indian' as its mascot. CMHS's 'Indian' mascot is a harmful reminder of the oppression and marginalization of Native Americans that exists today. It is a dehumanization of culture in an academic setting where students of all backgrounds should feel worthy and safe. We need to unite together to end the racial discrimination scarring our community by removing a symbol that trivializes indigenous people, their personhood, their cultures, and the trauma they’ve endured at the hand of colonialism and white supremacy." - [https://krdo.com/news/2020/07/20/thousands-sign-petition-to-change-cheyenne-mountain-high-schools-indian-mascot/](https://krdo.com/news/2020/07/20/thousands-sign-petition-to-change-cheyenne-mountain-high-schools-indian-mascot/) - Our last story of today is about Pikes Peak United Way and COSILoveYou teaming up over the next month to equip 10,000 kids in El Paso County with backpacks full of school supplies. On two days in August, the free backpacks will be distributed to any child – from preschool to high school – for free! Donated items will be collected over a three-week period at locations across the Pikes Peak region. 16 sites are collecting backpacks and supplies, including 10 Walmart locations. Donations are needed and all donated items must be new. Backpacks will be stuffed by volunteers after all donations are collected and high priority items needed, including child and adult sized masks. There will be 5 Backpack Bash locations to pick up backpacks and each family is allowed to attend **ONE** Backpack Bash on either Aug 1st or Aug 8th. The student must be present to recieve their free backpack and for your safety, backpacks will be given out via drive thru and everyone is asked t