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Colorado's county clerks: Ballot initiative would radically change elections

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:31:14 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- The Colorado County Clerks Association is expressing concern about a ballot initiative proposal currently in process that would change how Colorado elections are run.The proposal would add rank choice voting for certain candidates, require tight deadlines to be met for counting votes and change how candidates can win a spot on the ballot, according to the association. The proposal comes from the wealthy former CEO of DaVita, Ken Thiry. Caraveo’s tranquilizer bill heads to Biden’s desk Thiry has filed three versions of his initiative, with goals to:Initiative 98: Move Colorado to an open primary system for the races of the U.S. Senate, U.S. House, governor, secretary of state, treasurer, attorney general, legislature, state Board of Education, and University of Colorado regent.Move the top four candidates from each open primary to a general election with ranked-choice voting.Require candidates to collect petition signatures to make the ballot (instead of a caucus a...

There are over 90,000 vacation homes in Colorado

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:31:14 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Over 90,000 homes in Colorado are classified as "vacation" homes as of 2022, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau.Of the estimated 2.3 million homes that Colorado had as of 2022, just over 200,000 of them were what the Census Bureau defined as "vacant," meaning no one lived in them when the survey was done. These are the most expensive ZIP codes in Colorado There are a few different categories of vacant homes. These categories include homes and apartments for rent, of which there were 43,819 in 2022, and homes in the state that are vacant for personal or family reasons, of which there are 8,267.One category is specifically defined as "seasonal, recreational or occasional use" vacant homes, which most people colloquially call vacation homes. This category makes up the largest chunk of vacant homes nationwide, but the percentage varies from state to state.Colorado had an estimated 90,728 vacation homes in the state as of 2022, which accounts for 44% of the ...

Justin Rush, longtime FOX31 photojournalist, has died

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:31:14 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Justin Rush, who covered news in Colorado as a photojournalist at FOX31 and Channel 2 for nearly 20 years, passed away Monday night.He was beloved by those who worked alongside him and brought a unique creativity to the stories he covered. From 2018: Justin Rush explores the Clive Cussler auto museum "Justin was a wonderful storyteller and a good man. He was a part of so many big stories here. We will truly miss him," FOX31 News Director Brian Gregory said.Rush had connections across the city and state. His work spanned from unique, often untold stories, to investigative journalism, politics, sports and many of Colorado's biggest events."Justin was an amazing storyteller that inspired me every day, his attention to detail is what made him stand out among the others. The photojournalist staff is heartbroken and will miss Justin's leadership and smile," FOX31 Chief Photojournalist Isaias Medina said. Watch: Justin Rush's signature stories In his...

Photos: Country's first carbon-positive hotel will be in Denver

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:31:14 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — In the summer of 2024, Denver will have an eco-friendly hotel join its skyline.The building, originally the home of Colorado's first gas station, will be the first carbon-positive hotel in the United States, according to Aparium. Photos: Denver skyline to change in 2025 Every part of the Populus Hotel is designed to be carbon-positive.Populus city view by Studio GangPopulus Biophilic Architecture by Studio GangPopulus ariel roof view by Studio GangPopulus Standard Guest Room (Photo credit: Nephew)Populus Guest Suite with Unobstructed City Views (Photo credit: Nephew)Populus Lobby Entrance (Photo credit: Nephew)The design plan is to use low-carbon concrete for the outside of the hotel and recycled, locally sourced materials for the inside.For the first year, the hotel is planning on sourcing food through regenerative agriculture partnerships and landfill diversion programs with recyclable and compostable waste streams.The hotel has an insulated façade system, which ...

Santa and Mrs. Claus hand out presents to patients at Holtz Children’s Hospital in Miami

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:31:14 GMT

Santa and Mrs. Claus delivered some presents to some of South Florida’s youngest patients.The Christmas couple visited Holtz Children’s Hospital in Miami, Tuesday.They handed out gifts that were gathered by the Mortgage Bankers Association of South Florida and handed them out to children undergoing treatment at the hospital to lift their spirits and spread some early holiday cheer.“A lot of them do have to be here for the holiday season, so they’re separated from their families, they’re not able to spend time doing all the things that they would do every year celebrating this special time,” said Talia Mor with Holtz Children’s Hospital. “And so to bring that level of normalcy, and to really bring them a time where they’re able to celebrate, feel love, and feel a sense of belonging with everyone, is really important.”The Claus’ also got a ride on a Miami-Dade Fire Rescue ladder truck and waved to the children inside.

Police: South Florida woman arrested for setting Tinder date and his car on fire

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:31:14 GMT

A Miami woman is facing serious charges, including attempted felony murder and arson, after allegedly setting her Tinder date on fire inside his vehicle.Destiny Lenai Johnson, 25, is accused of igniting his car and him while he was inside of it outside of the Holiday Inn Express & Suites, located at 11520 N Kendall Dr., on Nov. 25. According to the arrest report, the incident unfolded when the victim received a message from Johnson on Tinder, requesting to meet up at the hotel. Upon arrival, Johnson reportedly approached the victim’s vehicle, carrying a gallon jug and seeking money to fix her own car. Despite the victim offering her $60 to fix her car, police said the victim claimed Johnson’s demeanor shifted suddenly, leading to her pouring a liquid, resembling gasoline, onto his car’s front seat.Johnson allegedly then produced a cigarette lighter, setting fire to the victim’s vehicle, himself and even herself. The victim managed to escape and extinguish...

Attorneys for family of absolved South Florida man killed by deputy seeking $16M from Georgia sheriff

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:31:14 GMT

WOODBINE, Ga. (AP) — Attorneys for the family of a Black man fatally shot by a Georgia deputy during an October traffic stop have given formal notice of plans to sue the sheriff’s office in a letter demanding $16 million in restitution.Civil rights attorneys Ben Crump and Harry Daniels told reporters Tuesday that the sum represents $1 million for every year Leonard Cure spent imprisoned in Florida on a wrongful conviction. He was killed just three years after Florida authorities set him free.“Everything was going right for Leonard, things were looking up, until he had this encounter with this sheriff’s deputy,” Crump said during a news conference with members of Cure’s family.Camden County Staff Sgt. Buck Aldridge killed 53-year-old Cure during a violent struggle on the shoulder of Interstate 95 after pulling him over for speeding and reckless driving.Dash and body camera video of the Oct. 16 shooting show Aldridge shocking Cure with a Taser after he refused to put his h...

South Florida man, already facing death for a 1998 murder, now indicted for a 2nd. Detectives fear others

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:31:14 GMT

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — A convicted murderer already on Florida’s death row for the 1998 slaying of one woman is now charged with a second killing that happened two weeks later, with investigators believing he may be tied to even more deaths.The Broward County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday that former mortician Lucious Boyd, 64, has been indicted for the murder of 41-year-old Eileen Truppner, a mother of two, a former businesswoman and native of Puerto Rico whose body was found along a highway west of Fort Lauderdale in December 1998. He is already facing execution for the kidnapping, rape and murder of 21-year-old nursing student Dawnia Dacosta earlier that month.Sheriff Gregory Tony, Detective Zack Scott and Capt. John Brown said that Truppner’s body had been unidentified until earlier this year when its DNA was matched to her family. DNA testing of evidence left by the killer matched Boyd, they said.“For 20 some years, there had been no justice, no clo...

Woman charged in connection with Kowloon fight appears in court

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:31:14 GMT

A woman charged in connection with a fight inside the Kowloon Restaurant in Saugus last month appeared in court Tuesday, pleading not guilty. The fight happened on the night before Thanksgiving and was captured on camera. Authorities said Rosaria Sophia McCauly, 32, of North Reading turned herself into police earlier in the day Tuesday. As she faced a judge, prosecutors outlined allegations against McCauly, saying she used a bottle to hit two men over the head. “The defendant created an incredibly dangerous situation,” said prosecutor Kevin Hennessy. “This was a crowded night at the Kowloon the night before Thanksgiving.”“Things obviously got out of hand,” Hennessy continued. McCauly is one of four people charged in connection with the fight. She is facing charges including two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and one count of disorderly conduct.While prosecutors laid out aspects of their case, McCauly’s attorney said his client is a tra...

Harvard, MIT, Penn presidents face questions on Capitol Hill, defend actions in combatting antisemitism on campus

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:31:14 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The presidents of Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology said Tuesday that they were taking steps to combat antisemitism on campus since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, including increasing security and providing additional counseling and mental health support.In testimony before a House committee, the university leaders said there was a fine line between protecting free speech and allowing protests, while also combatting antisemitism.“Harvard must provide firm leadership in the fight against antisemitism and hate speech even while preserving room for free expression and dissent. This is difficult work, and I admit that we have not always gotten it right,” said Claudine Gay, of Harvard. “As Harvard’s president, I am personally responsible for confronting antisemitism with the urgency it demands.”Gay, Liz Magill of Penn and Sally Kornbluth of MIT disavowed antisemitism and Islamophobia on their campuses, acknowl...