thedenverpost--2020-01-28--Was Kobe Bryant’s pilot feeling pressure to fly that day?

LOS ANGELES — The pilot in the foggy-weather helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant was well-acquainted with the skies over Los Angeles and accustomed to flying celebrities .
Ara Zobayan , 50 , had spent thousands of hours ferrying passengers through one of the nation ’ s busiest air spaces and training students how to fly a helicopter .
Friends and colleagues described him as skilled , cool and collected , the very qualities you want in a pilot .
His decision to proceed in deteriorating visibility , though , has experts and fellow pilots wondering if he flew beyond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressure to get his superstar client where he wanted to go played a role in the crash .
Jerry Kidrick , a retired Army colonel who flew helicopters in Iraq and now teaches at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott , Arizona , said there can be pressure to fly VIPs despite poor conditions , a situation he experienced when flying military brass in bad weather .
“ The perceived pressure is , ‘ Man , if I don ’ t go , they ’ re going to find somebody who will fly this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bryant , his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and six other passengers were killed along with the pilot Sunday morning when the chartered Sikorsky S-76B plowed into a cloud-shrouded hillside in Calabasas as the retired NBA star was on his way to a youth basketball basketball tournament in which Gianna was playing .
The last of the nine bodies was recovered Tuesday .
National Transportation Safety Board investigators have said Zobayan asked for and received permission from air traffic controllers to proceed in the fog .
In his last radio transmission before the helicopter went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ climbing to avoid a cloud layer .
Investigators have yet to establish the cause of the crash and have not faulted his decision to press on or explained why he chose to do so .
Randy Waldman , a Los Angeles helicopter flight instructor who viewed tracking data of the flight ’ s path and saw a photo of the dense fog in the area at the time , speculated that Zobayan got disoriented in the clouds , a common danger for pilots .
He said Zobayan should have turned around or landed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reach his destination , an occupational hazard for pilots often referred to as “ got-to-get-there-itis ” or “ get-home-itis.
” “ Somebody who ’ s a wealthy celebrity who can afford a helicopter to go places , the reason they take the helicopter is so they can get from A to B quickly with no hassle , ” Waldman said .
“ Anybody that flies for a living there ’ s sort of an inherent pressure to get the job done because if too many times they go , ‘ No , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the weather ’ s getting bad or it ’ s too windy , ’ … they ’ re going to lose their job.
” Helicopter pilot Kurt Deetz said he flew Bryant dozens of times over a two-year period ending in 2017 , often to games at Staples Center , and never remembered the Lakers star or his assistants pressing him to fly in bad weather .
“ There was never any pressure Kobe put on any pilot to get somewhere — never , never , ” Deetz said .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You do your job .
I trust you.
’ ” Deetz said that he flew with Zobayan a half-dozen times and that he was familiar with airspace and terrain around Los Angeles and knew “ the back doors ” — alternative routes in case of trouble , such as changes in the weather .
Others who knew Zobayan praised him as unflappable and skilled at the controls .
“ Helicopters are scary machines , but he really knew what he was doing , ” said Gary Johnson , vice president of airplane parts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flown with Zobayan about 30 times in roughly eight years .
“ I wouldn ’ t do it unless he was the pilot.
” The NTSB ’ s Jennifer Homendy said investigators in the crash that killed Bryant will be looking at everything , from the pilot ’ s history and actions to the condition of the helicopter .
“ We look at man , machine and the environment , ” she said .
“ And weather is just a small portion of that.
” Zobayan , was chief pilot for the craft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He also was a flight instructor , had more than 8,000 hours of flight time and had flown Bryant and other celebrities several times before , including Kylie Jenner .
Island Express has had three previous helicopter crashes since 1985 , two of them fatal , according to the NTSB ’ ’ s accident database .
All involved flights to or from the company ’ s main destination of Santa Catalina Island , about 20 miles off the Southern California coast .
In 2008 , three people were killed and three injured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as it came in for a landing on the island .
Investigators said the chopper lost power , probably as a result of cracking in turbine blades inside the engine .
• Pilot of Kobe Bryant helicopter tried to avoid heavy fog • Keeler : Ex-Nuggets coach George Karl on Kobe Bryant ’ s 1998 All-Star benching , and why he became a Black Mamba fan • Gianna Bryant , 13 , was going to carry on a basketball legacy In 1985 , an Island Express helicopter returning from the island collided with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Los Angeles .
One person died and 11 were injured .
The Federal Aviation Administration warns helicopter pilots that it is their job to decide whether to cancel a flight because of bad weather or other risks , and to have a backup plan in case weather worsens during the flight .
Bret Mosher , a commercial jet pilot in the Los Angeles area , said some plane owners pressure him to fly solo rather than with the added expense of another pilot .
“ Typically these owners , they are successful people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personalities .
They are make-it-happen , get-it-done personalities , ” Mosher said .
“ A couple of them have said half-joking and half-serious -– well , probably more than half-serious — ‘ Aren ’ t you tough enough ?
’ or ‘ Aren ’ t you trained well enough ?
’ or ‘ Aren ’ t you good enough ? '
”

Brian Melley, David Koenig, Bernard Condon

LOS ANGELES — The pilot in the foggy-weather helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant was well-acquainted with the skies over Los Angeles and accustomed to flying celebrities.
Ara Zobayan, 50, had spent thousands of hours ferrying passengers through one of the nation’s busiest air spaces and training students how to fly a helicopter. Friends and colleagues described him as skilled, cool and collected, the very qualities you want in a pilot.
His decision to proceed in deteriorating visibility, though, has experts and fellow pilots wondering if he flew beyond the boundaries of good judgment and whether pressure to get his superstar client where he wanted to go played a role in the crash.
Jerry Kidrick, a retired Army colonel who flew helicopters in Iraq and now teaches at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona, said there can be pressure to fly VIPs despite poor conditions, a situation he experienced when flying military brass in bad weather.
“The perceived pressure is, ‘Man, if I don’t go, they’re going to find somebody who will fly this thing,’” Kidrick said.
Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and six other passengers were killed along with the pilot Sunday morning when the chartered Sikorsky S-76B plowed into a cloud-shrouded hillside in Calabasas as the retired NBA star was on his way to a youth basketball basketball tournament in which Gianna was playing. The last of the nine bodies was recovered Tuesday.
National Transportation Safety Board investigators have said Zobayan asked for and received permission from air traffic controllers to proceed in the fog. In his last radio transmission before the helicopter went down, he reported that he was climbing to avoid a cloud layer.
Investigators have yet to establish the cause of the crash and have not faulted his decision to press on or explained why he chose to do so.
Randy Waldman, a Los Angeles helicopter flight instructor who viewed tracking data of the flight’s path and saw a photo of the dense fog in the area at the time, speculated that Zobayan got disoriented in the clouds, a common danger for pilots.
He said Zobayan should have turned around or landed but may have felt the pressure to reach his destination, an occupational hazard for pilots often referred to as “got-to-get-there-itis” or “get-home-itis.”
“Somebody who’s a wealthy celebrity who can afford a helicopter to go places, the reason they take the helicopter is so they can get from A to B quickly with no hassle,” Waldman said. “Anybody that flies for a living there’s sort of an inherent pressure to get the job done because if too many times they go, ‘No, I don’t think I can fly, the weather’s getting bad or it’s too windy,’ … they’re going to lose their job.”
Helicopter pilot Kurt Deetz said he flew Bryant dozens of times over a two-year period ending in 2017, often to games at Staples Center, and never remembered the Lakers star or his assistants pressing him to fly in bad weather.
“There was never any pressure Kobe put on any pilot to get somewhere — never, never,” Deetz said. “I think he really understood professionalism. `You do your job. I trust you.’”
Deetz said that he flew with Zobayan a half-dozen times and that he was familiar with airspace and terrain around Los Angeles and knew “the back doors” — alternative routes in case of trouble, such as changes in the weather.
Others who knew Zobayan praised him as unflappable and skilled at the controls.
“Helicopters are scary machines, but he really knew what he was doing,” said Gary Johnson, vice president of airplane parts manufacturer Ace Clearwater Enterprises, who had flown with Zobayan about 30 times in roughly eight years. “I wouldn’t do it unless he was the pilot.”
The NTSB’s Jennifer Homendy said investigators in the crash that killed Bryant will be looking at everything, from the pilot’s history and actions to the condition of the helicopter. “We look at man, machine and the environment,” she said. “And weather is just a small portion of that.”
Zobayan, was chief pilot for the craft’s owner, Island Express Helicopters. He also was a flight instructor, had more than 8,000 hours of flight time and had flown Bryant and other celebrities several times before, including Kylie Jenner.
Island Express has had three previous helicopter crashes since 1985, two of them fatal, according to the NTSB’’s accident database. All involved flights to or from the company’s main destination of Santa Catalina Island, about 20 miles off the Southern California coast.
In 2008, three people were killed and three injured when an Island Express helicopter was destroyed as it came in for a landing on the island. Investigators said the chopper lost power, probably as a result of cracking in turbine blades inside the engine.
In 1985, an Island Express helicopter returning from the island collided with another chopper near a landing pad in Los Angeles. One person died and 11 were injured.
The Federal Aviation Administration warns helicopter pilots that it is their job to decide whether to cancel a flight because of bad weather or other risks, and to have a backup plan in case weather worsens during the flight.
Bret Mosher, a commercial jet pilot in the Los Angeles area, said some plane owners pressure him to fly solo rather than with the added expense of another pilot.
“Typically these owners, they are successful people in business, they’re type-A personalities. They are make-it-happen, get-it-done personalities,” Mosher said. “A couple of them have said half-joking and half-serious -– well, probably more than half-serious — ‘Aren’t you tough enough?’ or ‘Aren’t you trained well enough?’ or ‘Aren’t you good enough?'”


thedenverpost--2020-01-29--Ask Amy: Boyfriend’s politics might be a deal-breaker

Dear Amy : My boyfriend of a few months is one of the most caring , sweetest , and genuine guys I have ever met .
He ’ s not just nice to me , but I ’ ve observed his behavior toward strangers , waitresses , friends , colleagues , etc .
He is lovely and kind .
He also supports the current president and loathes the Democratic Party .
He is a permanent resident whose family emigrated from a country led by a dictator 52 years ago .
I am the opposite .
I was born in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m not too political , yet I do speak up , rally , and let elected officials know when the causes I support are being infringed upon .
I do not agree with the current administration on anything .
He and I do not talk politics much , but we do talk daily about common interests , our respective days , and we spend our available time with one another .
Our chemistry is undeniably intense and while we have not said “ I love you ” to one another , he has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cares about me .
The only other supporter of this president I allow in my life is a family member who is like a mom to me .
Do you think I am crazy if I continue this relationship ?
Dear SDJ : I don ’ t think you ’ re crazy at all .
He might eventually wonder what he is doing with someone who is so closed-minded , however .
He “ loathes the Democratic party.
” That ’ s covering a pretty broad spectrum , but according to you , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the people .
You , however , seem to say that you ought to reject any individual who supports the current administration .
You ’ ve made an exception for two people — both of whom you love .
So , if you love a person , you will give them a pass regarding their political beliefs .
Headed into this heated political year , ask yourself : What if I loved everyone ?
What if I reflexively loved everyone , and let everyone into my life , even people who hold opinions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who espouse hatred and violence toward fellow humans .
If you believe that support for the administration automatically places your boyfriend into this category , then you should steer clear of him .
One of the ( many ) unfortunate aspects of the current political divisiveness in our country is the way both sides characterize the other as “ bad , evil , disgusting , ” etc .
Because this is the incendiary language the president uses , the country seems to have followed suit .
But , maybe you ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guy is , too .
Dear Amy : I have a co-worker who became a friend .
We would get coffee , have lunch , and take breaks together .
But she and I seem to have misunderstandings .
We got into a fight , to a point where she told me never to text or call her again .
She said that all she wants is a business relationship .
She told me , “ We can ’ t be friends , or she will escalate things and report to the boss.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have her space .
We didn ’ t talk for about a month .
Then she came back from a trip and offered me cookies she brought from her trip .
She came to my desk and told me to pick whichever I wanted .
From that day on , she started talking to me again .
She started texting me for favors .
I still have not texted her back .
I don ’ t know what to think .
I asked her recently if she sees me as a friend and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t really believe her .
I don ’ t want to get hurt again , but I do miss her .
What should I do ?
Dear Workfriend : Your pal seems to be trying to make amends , without actually addressing the direct threat she made to you .
No , I don ’ t think you should trust her .
If she overreacted when she promised to report you to the boss , then she should acknowledge this and ask you to forgive her .
Until then , consider yourself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professional .
Dear Amy : “ Looking for Answers ” was an adopted woman who was rebuffed after contacting her birth family .
I was disgusted by your response to her .
You suggested that she get a lawyer involved .
Why , exactly ?
Dear Disgusted : My answer was long and nuanced .
At the end , I suggested that if she wanted to explore her legal options , if any , she should contact a lawyer .
For someone seeking answers , this would be the last resort .

Dear Amy: My boyfriend of a few months is one of the most caring, sweetest, and genuine guys I have ever met. He’s not just nice to me, but I’ve observed his behavior toward strangers, waitresses, friends, colleagues, etc. He is lovely and kind.
He also supports the current president and loathes the Democratic Party. He is a permanent resident whose family emigrated from a country led by a dictator 52 years ago.
I am the opposite. I was born in this country 47 years ago. I’m not too political, yet I do speak up, rally, and let elected officials know when the causes I support are being infringed upon.
I do not agree with the current administration on anything. He and I do not talk politics much, but we do talk daily about common interests, our respective days, and we spend our available time with one another.
Our chemistry is undeniably intense and while we have not said “I love you” to one another, he has both written and said how much he cares about me.
The only other supporter of this president I allow in my life is a family member who is like a mom to me.
Do you think I am crazy if I continue this relationship?
— SDJ in the Northeast
Dear SDJ: I don’t think you’re crazy at all. He might eventually wonder what he is doing with someone who is so closed-minded, however.
He “loathes the Democratic party.” That’s covering a pretty broad spectrum, but according to you, he hates the ideology — not necessarily the people.
You, however, seem to say that you ought to reject any individual who supports the current administration. You’ve made an exception for two people — both of whom you love. So, if you love a person, you will give them a pass regarding their political beliefs.
Headed into this heated political year, ask yourself: What if I loved everyone? What if I reflexively loved everyone, and let everyone into my life, even people who hold opinions I loathe?
Granted, there are people who espouse hatred and violence toward fellow humans. If you believe that support for the administration automatically places your boyfriend into this category, then you should steer clear of him.
One of the (many) unfortunate aspects of the current political divisiveness in our country is the way both sides characterize the other as “bad, evil, disgusting,” etc. Because this is the incendiary language the president uses, the country seems to have followed suit. But, maybe you’re better than that. And maybe your guy is, too.
Dear Amy: I have a co-worker who became a friend. We would get coffee, have lunch, and take breaks together. But she and I seem to have misunderstandings. We got into a fight, to a point where she told me never to text or call her again. She said that all she wants is a business relationship. She told me, “We can’t be friends, or she will escalate things and report to the boss.”
I gave in and let her have her space. We didn’t talk for about a month.
Then she came back from a trip and offered me cookies she brought from her trip. She came to my desk and told me to pick whichever I wanted.
From that day on, she started talking to me again. She started texting me for favors. I still have not texted her back.
I don’t know what to think. I asked her recently if she sees me as a friend and she said yes, but I don’t really believe her. I don’t want to get hurt again, but I do miss her.
What should I do?
— Workfriend
Dear Workfriend: Your pal seems to be trying to make amends, without actually addressing the direct threat she made to you. No, I don’t think you should trust her. If she overreacted when she promised to report you to the boss, then she should acknowledge this and ask you to forgive her.
Until then, consider yourself burned, and keep your contact strictly professional.
Dear Amy: “Looking for Answers” was an adopted woman who was rebuffed after contacting her birth family.
I was disgusted by your response to her. You suggested that she get a lawyer involved. Why, exactly?
— Disgusted
Dear Disgusted: My answer was long and nuanced. At the end, I suggested that if she wanted to explore her legal options, if any, she should contact a lawyer. For someone seeking answers, this would be the last resort.
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)


thedenverpost--2020-01-29--Colorado darknet moderator pleads guilty to racketeering conspiracy

FRESNO , Calif. — A moderator for AlphaBay — a defunct darknet site that authorities said was once the world ’ s largest online marketplace for illegal drugs — has pleaded guilty in California to racketeering conspiracy .
Bryan Connor Herrell , 25 , of Colorado , entered the plea Monday to a charge of conspiring to engage in a racketeer-influenced corrupt organization , U.S. Attorney McGregor Scott announced in a statement .
He could face up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced in May in Fresno federal court .
Prosecutors said that Herrell was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between sellers and buyers on AlphaBay , a gigantic global marketplace for “ guns , drugs , stolen identity information , credit card numbers and other illegal items , ” the stateent said .
“ At the time , AlphaBay was considered to be the world ’ s largest online drug marketplace , ” the statement said .
Herrell also was a “ scam watcher ” who monitored attempts to defraud AlphaBay users , authorities said .
He was paid in bitcoin , authorities said .
AlphaBay had hundreds of thousands of users @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2017 .
The man prosecutors described as its founder , Canadian citizen Alexandre Cazes , was indicted by a federal grand jury in Fresno and arrested in Bangkok .
But the case was dismissed after he was found hanged in his cell while awaiting extradition to the U.S .

FRESNO, Calif. — A moderator for AlphaBay — a defunct darknet site that authorities said was once the world’s largest online marketplace for illegal drugs — has pleaded guilty in California to racketeering conspiracy.
Bryan Connor Herrell, 25, of Colorado, entered the plea Monday to a charge of conspiring to engage in a racketeer-influenced corrupt organization, U.S. Attorney McGregor Scott announced in a statement. He could face up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced in May in Fresno federal court.
Prosecutors said that Herrell was a moderator who settled more than 20,000 disputes between sellers and buyers on AlphaBay, a gigantic global marketplace for “guns, drugs, stolen identity information, credit card numbers and other illegal items,” the stateent said.
“At the time, AlphaBay was considered to be the world’s largest online drug marketplace,” the statement said.
Herrell also was a “scam watcher” who monitored attempts to defraud AlphaBay users, authorities said.
He was paid in bitcoin, authorities said.
AlphaBay had hundreds of thousands of users before law enforcement authorities shut it down in 2017.
The man prosecutors described as its founder, Canadian citizen Alexandre Cazes, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Fresno and arrested in Bangkok. But the case was dismissed after he was found hanged in his cell while awaiting extradition to the U.S.


thedenverpost--2020-01-29--McConnell lacking votes to halt witnesses in Trump impeachment trial

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial is shifting to questions from senators , a pivotal juncture as Republicans lack the votes to block witnesses and face a potential setback in their hope of ending the trial with a quick acquittal .
After Trump ’ s defense team rested Tuesday with a plea to “ end now , ” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell privately told senators he doesn ’ t yet have the votes to brush back Democratic demands for witnesses now that revelations from John Bolton , the former national security adviser , have roiled the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ book that Trump told him he wanted to withhold military aid from Ukraine until it helped with investigations into Democratic rival Joe Biden .
That assertion , if true , would undercut a key defense argument and go to the heart of one of the two articles of impeachment against the president .
“ I think Bolton probably has something to offer us , ” said Sen. Lisa Murkowski , R-Alaska .
The uncertainty arises days before crucial votes on witnesses , which might come by week ’ s end .
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , at least four GOP senators must join all Democrats to reach the 51 votes required to call witnesses , decide whom to call or do nearly anything else in the trial .
Several Republicans apparently are ready to join Democrats in calling witnesses .
The two days set aside for questions , Wednesday and Thursday , also allow each side more time to win over any undecided senators pondering the witness issue .
In the meantime , all will have the opportunity to grill both the House Democrats prosecuting the case and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Held to submitting written questions to be read by Chief Justice John Roberts , senators are expected to dig into the big themes of the trial — among them whether what Trump did or may have done rises to the level of “ high crimes and misdemeanors ” — as well as pointed and partisan attacks on each side ’ s case .
Trump faces charges from Democrats that he abused his power like no other president , jeopardizing U.S.-Ukraine relations by using the military aid as leverage while the vulnerable ally battled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their probe in a way that threatens the nation ’ s three-branch system of checks and balances .
The president ’ s legal team tried to lock up its case Tuesday and convince GOP senators that the president was right to ask Ukraine for investigations of Biden and his son Hunter and was well within his power to block the aid .
They said he was not bound to abide by the congressional investigation .
Trump complained anew at a Tuesday night rally in Wildwood , New Jersey , charging that “ congressional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crazy witch hunts and deranged partisan crusades.
” Trump attorney Jay Sekulow addressed the Bolton controversy head-on in closing arguments by dismissing the former national security adviser ’ s manuscript as “ inadmissible.
” Attorney Alan Dershowitz , the Harvard scholar , said earlier that even if Bolton ’ s story is true the actions don ’ t rise to an impeachable offense .
Senate Republicans spent considerable time in private discussing how to deal with Bolton ’ s manuscript without extending the proceedings or jeopardizing the president ’ s expected acquittal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ no interest , Minority Leader Chuck Schumer saying , “ We ’ re not bargaining with them.
” GOP senators were warned that if they agree to call Bolton or try to access his manuscript , the White House will block him , likely sparking a weekslong court battle over executive privilege and national security .
Nonetheless , Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah and Susan Collins of Maine appeared to be backed by others in the move to seek more testimony .
Some Republicans including Sen. Pat Toomey want reciprocity — bringing in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for one from the GOP side .
Some Republicans want to hear from Biden and his son , who was on the board of a Ukrainian gas company when his father was vice president .
Those swaps , though , seem likely to fail as most Republican senators don ’ t want to call Bolton and most Democrats would rather avoid dragging the Bidens further into the impeachment proceedings .
The Bidens were a focus of defense arguments though no evidence of wrongdoing has emerged .
“ I don ’ t know that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outcome of the trial , ” said Roy Blunt of Missouri , a member of GOP leadership .
And some Republicans said they simply don ’ t trust Bolton ’ s word .
Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky called Bolton “ disgruntled ” ’ and seeking to make money off his time at the White house .
But John Kelly , Trump ’ s former White House chief of staff , told an audience in Sarasota , Florida , that he believes Bolton .
White House officials privately acknowledge that they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s publication but could sue after the fact if they believe it violated the confidentiality agreement Bolton signed .
Trump and his lawyers have argued repeatedly that Democrats are using impeachment to try to undo the results of the last presidential election and drive Trump from office .
“ What they are asking you do is to throw out a successful president on the eve of an election , ” said White House counsel Pat Cipollone .
Democrats , meanwhile , say Trump ’ s refusal to allow administration officials to testify only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence .
The White House has had Bolton ’ s manuscript for about a month , according to a letter from Bolton ’ s attorney .
Associated Press writers Alan Fram , Mary Clare Jalonick , Andrew Taylor , Matthew Daly , Laurie Kellman and Padmananda Rama contributed to this report .

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial is shifting to questions from senators, a pivotal juncture as Republicans lack the votes to block witnesses and face a potential setback in their hope of ending the trial with a quick acquittal.
After Trump’s defense team rested Tuesday with a plea to “end now,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell privately told senators he doesn’t yet have the votes to brush back Democratic demands for witnesses now that revelations from John Bolton, the former national security adviser, have roiled the trial.
Bolton writes in a forthcoming book that Trump told him he wanted to withhold military aid from Ukraine until it helped with investigations into Democratic rival Joe Biden. That assertion, if true, would undercut a key defense argument and go to the heart of one of the two articles of impeachment against the president.
“I think Bolton probably has something to offer us,” said Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska.
The uncertainty arises days before crucial votes on witnesses, which might come by week’s end. In a Senate split 53-47 in favor of Republicans, at least four GOP senators must join all Democrats to reach the 51 votes required to call witnesses, decide whom to call or do nearly anything else in the trial. Several Republicans apparently are ready to join Democrats in calling witnesses.
The two days set aside for questions, Wednesday and Thursday, also allow each side more time to win over any undecided senators pondering the witness issue. In the meantime, all will have the opportunity to grill both the House Democrats prosecuting the case and the president’s defense team.
Held to submitting written questions to be read by Chief Justice John Roberts, senators are expected to dig into the big themes of the trial — among them whether what Trump did or may have done rises to the level of “high crimes and misdemeanors” — as well as pointed and partisan attacks on each side’s case.
Trump faces charges from Democrats that he abused his power like no other president, jeopardizing U.S.-Ukraine relations by using the military aid as leverage while the vulnerable ally battled Russia. Democrats say Trump then obstructed their probe in a way that threatens the nation’s three-branch system of checks and balances.
The president’s legal team tried to lock up its case Tuesday and convince GOP senators that the president was right to ask Ukraine for investigations of Biden and his son Hunter and was well within his power to block the aid. They said he was not bound to abide by the congressional investigation.
Trump complained anew at a Tuesday night rally in Wildwood, New Jersey, charging that “congressional Democrats are obsessed with demented hoaxes, crazy witch hunts and deranged partisan crusades.”
Trump attorney Jay Sekulow addressed the Bolton controversy head-on in closing arguments by dismissing the former national security adviser’s manuscript as “inadmissible.” Attorney Alan Dershowitz, the Harvard scholar, said earlier that even if Bolton’s story is true the actions don’t rise to an impeachable offense.
Senate Republicans spent considerable time in private discussing how to deal with Bolton’s manuscript without extending the proceedings or jeopardizing the president’s expected acquittal. That effort lost steam as Democrats showed no interest, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer saying, “We’re not bargaining with them.”
GOP senators were warned that if they agree to call Bolton or try to access his manuscript, the White House will block him, likely sparking a weekslong court battle over executive privilege and national security.
Nonetheless, Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah and Susan Collins of Maine appeared to be backed by others in the move to seek more testimony.
Some Republicans including Sen. Pat Toomey want reciprocity — bringing in Bolton or another Democratic witness in exchange for one from the GOP side. Some Republicans want to hear from Biden and his son, who was on the board of a Ukrainian gas company when his father was vice president.
Those swaps, though, seem likely to fail as most Republican senators don’t want to call Bolton and most Democrats would rather avoid dragging the Bidens further into the impeachment proceedings. The Bidens were a focus of defense arguments though no evidence of wrongdoing has emerged.
“I don’t know that the manuscript would make any difference in the outcome of the trial,” said Roy Blunt of Missouri, a member of GOP leadership. And some Republicans said they simply don’t trust Bolton’s word. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky called Bolton “disgruntled”’ and seeking to make money off his time at the White house.
But John Kelly, Trump’s former White House chief of staff, told an audience in Sarasota, Florida, that he believes Bolton.
White House officials privately acknowledge that they are essentially powerless to block the book’s publication but could sue after the fact if they believe it violated the confidentiality agreement Bolton signed.
Trump and his lawyers have argued repeatedly that Democrats are using impeachment to try to undo the results of the last presidential election and drive Trump from office.
“What they are asking you do is to throw out a successful president on the eve of an election,” said White House counsel Pat Cipollone.
Democrats, meanwhile, say Trump’s refusal to allow administration officials to testify only reinforces that the White House is hiding evidence. The White House has had Bolton’s manuscript for about a month, according to a letter from Bolton’s attorney.
Associated Press writers Alan Fram, Mary Clare Jalonick, Andrew Taylor, Matthew Daly, Laurie Kellman and Padmananda Rama contributed to this report.


thedenverpost--2020-01-29--U.S. women defeat Haiti 4-0 to open Olympic qualifying

HOUSTON — Christen Press scored the opening goal off a shoeless assist from Lynn Williams and the United States beat Haiti 4-0 on Tuesday in its opening match of the CONCACAF Women ’ s Olympic Qualifying tournament .
The U.S. , which won the Women ’ s World Cup last summer , extended its unbeaten streak to 24 straight games dating back to a loss to France a year ago .
Press ’ goal came in the second minute on a cross from Williams , who had lost her cleat in her run up the field .
It was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added a goal in the 67th minute on a header off a corner kick from Megan Rapinoe .
Lindsey Horan came off the bench and scored on her first touch in the 73rd minute and Carli Lloyd capped it off with a stoppage-time goal .
It was the first competitive match for U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski , who took over when Jill Ellis stepped down last year .
Lloyd made her 15th start in Olympic qualifying , passing Abby Wambach for most in team history .
Rapinoe , the reigning Ballon d ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Year , played off the bench in the second half .
An announced crowd of 4,363 attended the game , which was hit in the first half by a sudden downpour at BBVA Compass Stadium .
The United States looked rusty at the start and Haiti appeared to tie the game with a goal in the 18th minute , but it was called back .
Then the top-ranked Americans simply wore down their opponents in the second half .
Eight teams are playing in the tournament , with the title match set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The top two finishers will earn berths to the Tokyo Games this summer .
The United States and Haiti were in the same group with Costa Rica and Panama , who played in the early match Tuesday .
Costa Rica won 6-1 .
The U.S. has qualified for every Olympics since women ’ s soccer was introduced in 1996 .
The team has five consecutive titles in the qualifying tournament .
Six teams have already made the field for Tokyo : Japan , Brazil , Great Britain , the Netherlands , Sweden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tournament by winning its qualifying group in the Caribbean region .

HOUSTON — Christen Press scored the opening goal off a shoeless assist from Lynn Williams and the United States beat Haiti 4-0 on Tuesday in its opening match of the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying tournament.
The U.S., which won the Women’s World Cup last summer, extended its unbeaten streak to 24 straight games dating back to a loss to France a year ago.
Press’ goal came in the second minute on a cross from Williams, who had lost her cleat in her run up the field. It was the 52nd international goal for Press.
Williams added a goal in the 67th minute on a header off a corner kick from Megan Rapinoe. Lindsey Horan came off the bench and scored on her first touch in the 73rd minute and Carli Lloyd capped it off with a stoppage-time goal.
It was the first competitive match for U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski, who took over when Jill Ellis stepped down last year.
Lloyd made her 15th start in Olympic qualifying, passing Abby Wambach for most in team history. Rapinoe, the reigning Ballon d’Or winner and FIFA World Player of the Year, played off the bench in the second half.
An announced crowd of 4,363 attended the game, which was hit in the first half by a sudden downpour at BBVA Compass Stadium.
The United States looked rusty at the start and Haiti appeared to tie the game with a goal in the 18th minute, but it was called back. Then the top-ranked Americans simply wore down their opponents in the second half.
Eight teams are playing in the tournament, with the title match set for Feb. 9 in Carson, California. The top two finishers will earn berths to the Tokyo Games this summer.
The United States and Haiti were in the same group with Costa Rica and Panama, who played in the early match Tuesday. Costa Rica won 6-1.
The U.S. has qualified for every Olympics since women’s soccer was introduced in 1996. The team has five consecutive titles in the qualifying tournament.
Six teams have already made the field for Tokyo: Japan, Brazil, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Sweden and New Zealand.
Haiti advanced to the tournament by winning its qualifying group in the Caribbean region.


thedenverpost--2020-01-29--Baseball coach killed with Kobe Bryant honored at team’s opener

COSTA MESA , Calif. — John Altobelli ’ s team knew there was only one way to honor its late coach — by playing on his favorite day .
Altobelli ’ s Orange Coast College baseball team opened its season as scheduled on Tuesday against Chula Vista Southwestern .
The game occurred two days after Altobelli , his wife and their 13-year-old daughter were killed in the helicopter crash that also took the life of Kobe Bryant and five others .
“ They didn ’ t so much ask me .
They told me , ” athletic director Jason Kehler @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to play .
The game at Wendell Pickens Field was a celebration of Altobelli ’ s life and the 27 years he devoted to his program .
More than 2,000 people were on hand on a sunny day at a field that seats 500 .
Fans were lined up and down the first- and third-base lines .
Altobelli ’ s son J.J. , a scout with the Boston Red Sox , and his 16-year old daughter Lexi watched from an area reserved for family along the first-base line near the Pirates dugout .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ leading 7-6 when it was called due to darkness in the ninth inning — the team lined up to hug J.J. and Lexi .
“ I went down and hugged Lexi probably every single inning because she needs it , ” interim manager Nate Johnson said .
“ I told the team they need us.
” Altobelli , his wife , Keri , and their daughter Alyssa were among the eight passengers killed along with the pilot Sunday morning when the helicopter chartered by Bryant plowed into a cloud-covered hillside in Calabasas .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ daughter Gianna , who was also killed in the crash , were on their way to a youth basketball tournament in which Alyssa and Gianna were to play .
There was a banner with Altobelli ’ s uniform number , 14 , on the left-field fence as well as flowers and cards honoring the family on a wall behind home plate .
Many fans were wearing No .
14 T-shirts that read “ Forever A Pirate.
” “ This is a fraction of the impact that John had .
Today speaks to that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couldn ’ t ask for more than this .
We want to make sure that John and his family get the recognition they deserve .
He deserves to have his story be told.
” Kehler , Johnson and Altobelli ’ s brother Tony spoke during a pregame ceremony .
Johnson paused a couple times as he reflected on his former boss and his family .
“ They made everyone feel like an Altobelli or a Pirate .
That ’ s why so many people are wearing 14 today , ” Johnson said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ were here she would be judging me on everything I ’ d be doing .
( Keri ) really ran this team.
” ” If you heard Alyssa laugh she would make you laugh .
She lit up any room she went into .
John loved his family and was so proud of his team .
We ’ re going to do our best to honor him in everything we do moving forward.
” Johnson said Alyssa ’ s goal was to attend Oregon , because her favorite basketball player was Sabrina Ionescu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his father at Orange Coast .
Tony Altobelli — who is also Orange Coast College ’ s sports information director — said his younger brother ’ s death was emotional for everyone , including umpires .
“ It was touching .
The only thing that could come to my mind is could you imagine my brother making an umpire cry ?
I know he would have loved it , ” Altobelli said .
Despite dealing with his own grief , Altobelli announced the game and carried on his usual duties .
• Was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fly that day ?
• Pilot of Kobe Bryant helicopter tried to avoid heavy fog • Keeler : Ex-Nuggets coach George Karl on Kobe Bryant ’ s 1998 All-Star benching , and why he became a Black Mamba fan “ In days like this I wasn ’ t John ’ s brother , I was the SID at Orange Coast College doing something for my brother .
That was the only way I could get through today , ” he said .
John Altobelli , 56 , won more than 700 games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coaches Association named him its coach of the year last year after he guided the Pirates to their fourth state title .
He also managed the Brewster Whitecaps for three seasons in the Cape Cod Summer League .
Among the players he coached there were New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge and New York Mets infielder Jeff McNeil .
McNeil told ESPN that Altobelli took a chance on him and credits him with being drafted .
Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole , who lives in Newport Beach , attended the game and watched from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Johnson said his team was trying too hard early .
The Pirates committed three errors the first five innings and fell behind 7-1 in the sixth .
They scored four times in the sixth and added a run in the seventh .
“ It was a good day .
It stinks that we didn ’ t finish it , ” Johnson said .
“ It still doesn ’ t feel real to me .
When I was making in-game decisions , I kept a seat open .
You ’ re making decisions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last seven seasons .
“ Today , this team ran themselves .
I put the guys out there that I thought Alto would want to see and I felt like were playing with emotion for him .
”

COSTA MESA, Calif. — John Altobelli’s team knew there was only one way to honor its late coach — by playing on his favorite day.
Altobelli’s Orange Coast College baseball team opened its season as scheduled on Tuesday against Chula Vista Southwestern. The game occurred two days after Altobelli, his wife and their 13-year-old daughter were killed in the helicopter crash that also took the life of Kobe Bryant and five others.
“They didn’t so much ask me. They told me,” athletic director Jason Kehler said about the team’s decision to play.
The game at Wendell Pickens Field was a celebration of Altobelli’s life and the 27 years he devoted to his program. More than 2,000 people were on hand on a sunny day at a field that seats 500. Fans were lined up and down the first- and third-base lines.
Altobelli’s son J.J., a scout with the Boston Red Sox, and his 16-year old daughter Lexi watched from an area reserved for family along the first-base line near the Pirates dugout.
After the game — which Southwestern was leading 7-6 when it was called due to darkness in the ninth inning — the team lined up to hug J.J. and Lexi.
“I went down and hugged Lexi probably every single inning because she needs it,” interim manager Nate Johnson said. “I told the team they need us.”
Altobelli, his wife, Keri, and their daughter Alyssa were among the eight passengers killed along with the pilot Sunday morning when the helicopter chartered by Bryant plowed into a cloud-covered hillside in Calabasas.
The Altobellis, Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, who was also killed in the crash, were on their way to a youth basketball tournament in which Alyssa and Gianna were to play.
There was a banner with Altobelli’s uniform number, 14, on the left-field fence as well as flowers and cards honoring the family on a wall behind home plate. Many fans were wearing No. 14 T-shirts that read “Forever A Pirate.”
“This is a fraction of the impact that John had. Today speaks to that,” Kehler said. “We couldn’t ask for more than this. We want to make sure that John and his family get the recognition they deserve. He deserves to have his story be told.”
Kehler, Johnson and Altobelli’s brother Tony spoke during a pregame ceremony. Johnson paused a couple times as he reflected on his former boss and his family.
“They made everyone feel like an Altobelli or a Pirate. That’s why so many people are wearing 14 today,” Johnson said. “I know if (Keri) were here she would be judging me on everything I’d be doing. (Keri) really ran this team.”
”If you heard Alyssa laugh she would make you laugh. She lit up any room she went into. John loved his family and was so proud of his team. We’re going to do our best to honor him in everything we do moving forward.”
Johnson said Alyssa’s goal was to attend Oregon, because her favorite basketball player was Sabrina Ionescu. J.J. attended Oregon after playing for his father at Orange Coast.
Tony Altobelli — who is also Orange Coast College’s sports information director — said his younger brother’s death was emotional for everyone, including umpires.
“It was touching. The only thing that could come to my mind is could you imagine my brother making an umpire cry? I know he would have loved it,” Altobelli said.
Despite dealing with his own grief, Altobelli announced the game and carried on his usual duties.
“In days like this I wasn’t John’s brother, I was the SID at Orange Coast College doing something for my brother. That was the only way I could get through today,” he said.
John Altobelli, 56, won more than 700 games at Orange Coast. The American Baseball Coaches Association named him its coach of the year last year after he guided the Pirates to their fourth state title.
He also managed the Brewster Whitecaps for three seasons in the Cape Cod Summer League. Among the players he coached there were New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge and New York Mets infielder Jeff McNeil.
McNeil told ESPN that Altobelli took a chance on him and credits him with being drafted.
Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole, who lives in Newport Beach, attended the game and watched from the Orange Coast dugout for an inning.
Johnson said his team was trying too hard early. The Pirates committed three errors the first five innings and fell behind 7-1 in the sixth. They scored four times in the sixth and added a run in the seventh.
“It was a good day. It stinks that we didn’t finish it,” Johnson said. “It still doesn’t feel real to me. When I was making in-game decisions, I kept a seat open. You’re making decisions that the man who mentored you made the last seven seasons.
“Today, this team ran themselves. I put the guys out there that I thought Alto would want to see and I felt like were playing with emotion for him.”


thedenverpost--2020-01-29--Nuggets come up short in loss to Grizzlies

MEMPHIS , Tenn. — The Memphis Grizzlies have improved greatly since a month ago , and they showed that off against the Denver Nuggets .
Dillon Brooks scored 24 points , Jonas Valanciunas had 23 points and 12 rebounds , and the Grizzlies beat Denver 104-96 Tuesday night for their third straight win .
The previous two games in the series this season were won by Denver , including a 131-114 victory back in November .
This time , Memphis led wire-to-wire , jumping ahead by as many as 19 .
It was the first time this year the Grizzlies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Memphis now has a 2 1/2-game cushion over San Antonio for the eighth and final spot in the Western Conference playoff race .
“ I felt like our energy just stepped up , pressuring the ball , ” said Ja Morant , who had 14 points , including 10 in the fourth quarter .
“ … We just try to get stops , forcing them into shots we want them to take , rebound and just run.
” As evidence that the strategy worked , Memphis outscored the Nuggets in the paint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ points to Denver ’ s nine .
Jaren Jackson Jr. had 10 points and blocked a career-high seven shots .
“ They dominated the transition game , ” Denver coach Michael Malone said .
“ They had 19 fastbreak points , They had 76 points in the paint , which is a joke .
Then Dillon Brooks , being an X-factor , he went out and got 24 points.
” Denver ’ s Nikola Jokic had 25 points and 13 rebounds for his 22nd double-double in 28 games .
Jerami Grant had 21 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarter as the Nuggets tried to cut into Memphis ’ lead .
For the most part , they were unsuccessful .
Memphis held a 16-point edge near the midway point of the fourth quarter as Valanciunas provided a burst with seven straight points .
Denver crafted a short rally but got no closer than seven points in the closing minute .
Memphis ’ defense held the Nuggets to under 38 % from both the field and 3-point range , and Denver was held under 100 points for the first time in 25 games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failed possessions , ” Jokic said .
“ Defense was not what it was supposed to be .
We were living in the paint .
They would blow by us.
” The Grizzlies extended their lead to 19 early in the third quarter by beating the Nuggets down the floor .
Memphis outscored Denver 19-16 in the low-octane period , but the Grizzlies still held an 82-66 lead heading to the fourth .
“ I think we ’ re in tunnel vision for the next step ahead , ” Jackson said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ settle or anything like that .
We might do that eventually.
” Nuggets : Played without Jamal Murray ( left ankle sprain ) , Paul Millsap ( left knee contusion ) and Mason Plumlee ( right cuboid injury ) .
… Denver ’ s 24-game string of 100-plus-point games was the longest since a 38-game run in 1990-91 .
… Rookie Michael Porter Jr. was held to eight points .
He had reached double figures in seven straight games in which he played .
Grizzlies : Jae Crowder and Grayson Allen were out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anthony Melton was a late scratch because of a sore left hand .
… Have won 11 of 13 home games .
… Are 14-13 at home this season .
… The 76 paint points was two shy of the franchise record set against Sacramento on Feb. 26 , 2011 .
The Grizzlies had 32 assists , including seven each by Morant and backup point guard Tyus Jones .
Memphis leads the league with 27.8 assists per game .
Nuggets coach Michael Malone had praise for Morant but says he is not among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s a hell of a player , ” Malone said in the pregame comments .
“ He ’ s not an All-Star yet in my opinion .
I think he has to go through the growing pains .
He ’ s Rookie of the Year.
” Nuggets : Play at home against Utah on Thursday Grizzlies : Travel to New York to play the Knicks on Wednesday

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis Grizzlies have improved greatly since a month ago, and they showed that off against the Denver Nuggets.
Dillon Brooks scored 24 points, Jonas Valanciunas had 23 points and 12 rebounds, and the Grizzlies beat Denver 104-96 Tuesday night for their third straight win. The previous two games in the series this season were won by Denver, including a 131-114 victory back in November.
This time, Memphis led wire-to-wire, jumping ahead by as many as 19. It was the first time this year the Grizzlies have led from start to finish, and Memphis now has a 2 1/2-game cushion over San Antonio for the eighth and final spot in the Western Conference playoff race.
“I felt like our energy just stepped up, pressuring the ball,” said Ja Morant, who had 14 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter. “… We just try to get stops, forcing them into shots we want them to take, rebound and just run.”
As evidence that the strategy worked, Memphis outscored the Nuggets in the paint — 76-22 — and had 19 fastbreak points to Denver’s nine.
Jaren Jackson Jr. had 10 points and blocked a career-high seven shots.
“They dominated the transition game,” Denver coach Michael Malone said. “They had 19 fastbreak points, They had 76 points in the paint, which is a joke. Then Dillon Brooks, being an X-factor, he went out and got 24 points.”
Denver’s Nikola Jokic had 25 points and 13 rebounds for his 22nd double-double in 28 games. Jerami Grant had 21 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter as the Nuggets tried to cut into Memphis’ lead.
For the most part, they were unsuccessful. Memphis held a 16-point edge near the midway point of the fourth quarter as Valanciunas provided a burst with seven straight points. Denver crafted a short rally but got no closer than seven points in the closing minute.
Memphis’ defense held the Nuggets to under 38% from both the field and 3-point range, and Denver was held under 100 points for the first time in 25 games.
“We had a lot of failed possessions,” Jokic said. “Defense was not what it was supposed to be. We were living in the paint. They would blow by us.”
The Grizzlies extended their lead to 19 early in the third quarter by beating the Nuggets down the floor. Memphis outscored Denver 19-16 in the low-octane period, but the Grizzlies still held an 82-66 lead heading to the fourth.
“I think we’re in tunnel vision for the next step ahead,” Jackson said. “We’re not really trying to settle or anything like that. We might do that eventually.”
TIP-INS
Nuggets: Played without Jamal Murray (left ankle sprain), Paul Millsap (left knee contusion) and Mason Plumlee (right cuboid injury). … Denver’s 24-game string of 100-plus-point games was the longest since a 38-game run in 1990-91 . … Rookie Michael Porter Jr. was held to eight points. He had reached double figures in seven straight games in which he played.
Grizzlies: Jae Crowder and Grayson Allen were out for the Grizzlies. … De’Anthony Melton was a late scratch because of a sore left hand. … Have won 11 of 13 home games. … Are 14-13 at home this season. … The 76 paint points was two shy of the franchise record set against Sacramento on Feb. 26, 2011.
HELPING HAND
The Grizzlies had 32 assists, including seven each by Morant and backup point guard Tyus Jones. Memphis leads the league with 27.8 assists per game.
NOT YET
Nuggets coach Michael Malone had praise for Morant but says he is not among the elite yet.
“I think he’s a hell of a player,” Malone said in the pregame comments. “He’s not an All-Star yet in my opinion. I think he has to go through the growing pains. He’s Rookie of the Year.”
UP NEXT
Nuggets: Play at home against Utah on Thursday
Grizzlies: Travel to New York to play the Knicks on Wednesday


thedenverpost--2020-01-29--70-year-old man killed in two-vehicle crash on I-25 near Pueblo

A fiery two-vehicle crash on Interstate 25 north of Pueblo on Tuesday afternoon killed a 70-year-old man .
The crash @ @ @ @ @ in the northbound lanes of the highway , Trooper Josh Lewis said .
A 55-year-old @ @ @ @ @ the crash was taken to a local hospital .
Traffic was diverted from the highway @ @ @ @ @ shut down by the crash .
Lanes of the highway reopened at about 7:30 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ Department of Transportation .
An investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing .

A fiery two-vehicle crash on Interstate 25 north of Pueblo on Tuesday afternoon killed a 70-year-old man.
The crash happened just before 3:30 p.m. in the northbound lanes of the highway, Trooper Josh Lewis said. A 55-year-old woman who was injured in the crash was taken to a local hospital.
Traffic was diverted from the highway and the northbound lanes were shut down by the crash. Lanes of the highway reopened at about 7:30 p.m., according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.
An investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.


thedenverpost--2020-01-29--RTD board names interim general manager — and turns to search for long-term leader

The Regional Transportation District on Tuesday tabbed the former leader of a Texas transit agency to take the reins of the metro Denver system while it searches for a permanent general manager and CEO .
Paul Ballard was among five finalists for interim general manager announced by RTD on Jan. 9 after the elected board of directors culled through more than 40 applications .
Dave Genova , an RTD veteran who filled the top job for nearly four years , retired Jan. 20 .
RTD ’ s elected board voted 9-6 to hire Ballard , with a target of Feb. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Several directors voiced their disagreement , reflecting diverging opinions during nearly three hours of debate behind closed doors .
Ballard , who retired last year from his job as president and CEO of the Trinity Metro transit agency in Fort Worth , Texas , indicated in his application that he did not intend to seek RTD ’ s permanent position .
Board Chair Angie Rivera-Malpiede said Ballard , with decades of experience at several transit systems , was well-suited to steer RTD through a time of transition .
“ We look forward to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she said in a statement .
He will occupy the interim role as RTD faces increasing pressure from state lawmakers , Gov .
Jared Polis , riders and transit advocates to resolve long-standing budget challenges and operator shortages that are affecting service .
In the last year , RTD ’ s shortage of bus drivers and light rail train operators — an issue faced by other transit agencies amid low regional unemployment — has intensified .
The result has been recurring cancellations of routes , frustrating riders .
To reduce the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the elimination of six bus routes and service cutbacks on many others .
RTD ’ s board also considered interim job applicants Amy Ford , director of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America ’ s Mobility on Demand Alliance and a former high-level official at the Colorado Department of Transportation ; Lone Tree Mayor Jackie Millet ; and two internal RTD contenders — Michael Ford , its chief operations officer , and Mike Meader , the chief safety and security officer .
After making its interim manager pick , the board considered a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RTD ’ s reserves for costs associated with the upcoming search for the agency ’ s long-term leader .
Part of that expense is expected to go to a national executive leadership search consultant .
But several directors balked at the amount .
On a 10-5 vote , they reduced the authorization to $ 200,000 , passing an amendment put forward by Director Natalie Menten .
Now , with a temporary leader coming aboard , the board will turn to the more difficult task of hiring a long-term CEO .
“ We spent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general manager process , ” Director Doug Tisdale said .
“ Now this is what is called ‘ the show ’ — the major leagues .
”

The Regional Transportation District on Tuesday tabbed the former leader of a Texas transit agency to take the reins of the metro Denver system while it searches for a permanent general manager and CEO.
Paul Ballard was among five finalists for interim general manager announced by RTD on Jan. 9 after the elected board of directors culled through more than 40 applications. Dave Genova, an RTD veteran who filled the top job for nearly four years, retired Jan. 20.
RTD’s elected board voted 9-6 to hire Ballard, with a target of Feb. 12 for negotiating his short-term contract. Several directors voiced their disagreement, reflecting diverging opinions during nearly three hours of debate behind closed doors.
Ballard, who retired last year from his job as president and CEO of the Trinity Metro transit agency in Fort Worth, Texas, indicated in his application that he did not intend to seek RTD’s permanent position.
Board Chair Angie Rivera-Malpiede said Ballard, with decades of experience at several transit systems, was well-suited to steer RTD through a time of transition. “We look forward to working with him in the months ahead,” she said in a statement.
He will occupy the interim role as RTD faces increasing pressure from state lawmakers, Gov. Jared Polis, riders and transit advocates to resolve long-standing budget challenges and operator shortages that are affecting service.
In the last year, RTD’s shortage of bus drivers and light rail train operators — an issue faced by other transit agencies amid low regional unemployment — has intensified. The result has been recurring cancellations of routes, frustrating riders.
To reduce the daily strain, RTD officials have proposed the elimination of six bus routes and service cutbacks on many others.
RTD’s board also considered interim job applicants Amy Ford, director of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America’s Mobility on Demand Alliance and a former high-level official at the Colorado Department of Transportation; Lone Tree Mayor Jackie Millet; and two internal RTD contenders — Michael Ford, its chief operations officer, and Mike Meader, the chief safety and security officer.
After making its interim manager pick, the board considered a proposal to set aside $400,000 from RTD’s reserves for costs associated with the upcoming search for the agency’s long-term leader. Part of that expense is expected to go to a national executive leadership search consultant.
But several directors balked at the amount. On a 10-5 vote, they reduced the authorization to $200,000, passing an amendment put forward by Director Natalie Menten.
Now, with a temporary leader coming aboard, the board will turn to the more difficult task of hiring a long-term CEO.
“We spent a long time looking at the interim general manager process,” Director Doug Tisdale said. “Now this is what is called ‘the show’ — the major leagues.”


thedenverpost--2020-01-29--Northglenn to pay $8.75 million to settle federal lawsuit over officer-involved shooting that killed

Northglenn to pay $8.75 million to settle federal lawsuit over officer-involved shooting that killed a man, paralyzed a woman

The city of Northglenn and its insurer have come to an $ 8.75 million settlement in a federal lawsuit filed by the families of two people who were shot , one fatally and the other paralyzed for life , by police .
In the early morning hours of Dec. 13 , 2017 , Jeremy Patscheck and his girlfriend , Serina Minella , were sitting in parked Honda Accord , with the engine off , in the driveway of a Northglenn home in the 10400 block of Franklin Way , according to the civil lawsuit filed on Nov. 22 , 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported stolen but had been loaned to Patscheck , according to the lawsuit , was boxed in by a police vehicle .
What happened at the scene is disputed , but Patscheck was shot dead , hit with at least eight bullets , and Minella was shot and paralyzed .
Officers involved in the incident — James Gardner , Nathan Galluzzo , Zachery Schieferecke and Emil Czernicki — were cleared of any criminal wrongdoing by an Adams County District Attorney ’ s Office review of the officer-involved shooting .
Police said they shouted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward and then put the car in reverse in an attempt to flee , and officers feared that the Honda was going to hit them him .
“ This is a tragic incident — a shooting , resulting in severe injury to a young woman and loss of life is never the outcome we hope for , ” Northglenn Police Department Chief Jim May said in a news release .
“ Our hearts go out to the families , friends and all those associated or involved in this incident .
My sincere hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the healing process for us all.
” Three of the four officers no longer work for the police department .
Schieferecke remains with the department as a civilian employee working in the records department , said Diana Wilson , Northglenn ’ s director of communications .
The city , insured with the Colorado Intergovernmental Risk Sharing Agency ( CIRSA ) , will pay a $ 100,000 deductible and the insurance covers the rest , Wilson said .
Minella , who is paralyzed from the neck down , with receive $ 8.25 million and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It ’ s been a long and very difficult journey for everyone in this case , ” said Birk Baumgartner , the attorney who represented the plaintiffs .
“ Serina ’ s life will be dramatically improved with the settlement , it will add years to her life and immeasurable quality to her life.
” Baumgartner said both plaintiff families are relieved that the lawsuit has been settled without the pain and grief that a trial would have dredged up .
Baumgartner described the settlement as the biggest in Colorado for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elected officials and staff leadership agreed that a public trial would prolong the tragedy and serve no one well , especially the injured party facing significant medical needs and costs , ” Northglenn said in a news release .
“ In the best interest of all affected — our community , the families involved and their loved ones , our city and police department — a settlement agreement for $ 8.75 million was reached in late December .
”

The city of Northglenn and its insurer have come to an $8.75 million settlement in a federal lawsuit filed by the families of two people who were shot, one fatally and the other paralyzed for life, by police.
In the early morning hours of Dec. 13, 2017, Jeremy Patscheck and his girlfriend, Serina Minella, were sitting in parked Honda Accord, with the engine off, in the driveway of a Northglenn home in the 10400 block of Franklin Way, according to the civil lawsuit filed on Nov. 22, 2019.
The Honda, which had been reported stolen but had been loaned to Patscheck, according to the lawsuit, was boxed in by a police vehicle. What happened at the scene is disputed, but Patscheck was shot dead, hit with at least eight bullets, and Minella was shot and paralyzed.
Officers involved in the incident — James Gardner, Nathan Galluzzo, Zachery Schieferecke and Emil Czernicki — were cleared of any criminal wrongdoing by an Adams County District Attorney’s Office review of the officer-involved shooting. Police said they shouted commands and that Patscheck tried to drive forward and then put the car in reverse in an attempt to flee, and officers feared that the Honda was going to hit them him.
“This is a tragic incident — a shooting, resulting in severe injury to a young woman and loss of life is never the outcome we hope for,” Northglenn Police Department Chief Jim May said in a news release. “Our hearts go out to the families, friends and all those associated or involved in this incident. My sincere hope is this offers some closure and supports the healing process for us all.”
Three of the four officers no longer work for the police department. Schieferecke remains with the department as a civilian employee working in the records department, said Diana Wilson, Northglenn’s director of communications.
The city, insured with the Colorado Intergovernmental Risk Sharing Agency (CIRSA), will pay a $100,000 deductible and the insurance covers the rest, Wilson said.
Minella, who is paralyzed from the neck down, with receive $8.25 million and Patschek’s family $500,000.
“It’s been a long and very difficult journey for everyone in this case,” said Birk Baumgartner, the attorney who represented the plaintiffs. “Serina’s life will be dramatically improved with the settlement, it will add years to her life and immeasurable quality to her life.”
Baumgartner said both plaintiff families are relieved that the lawsuit has been settled without the pain and grief that a trial would have dredged up.
Baumgartner described the settlement as the biggest in Colorado for a police excessive force case.
“City elected officials and staff leadership agreed that a public trial would prolong the tragedy and serve no one well, especially the injured party facing significant medical needs and costs,” Northglenn said in a news release. “In the best interest of all affected — our community, the families involved and their loved ones, our city and police department — a settlement agreement for $8.75 million was reached in late December.”


thedenverpost--2020-01-29--Regis University’s cyberattack was “a crisis of the highest order,” but investigators couldn’t trace

Regis University’s cyberattack was “a crisis of the highest order,” but investigators couldn’t trace its origin

Information-technology experts from across Colorado convened at Regis University on Tuesday to learn never-before-shared details about last year ’ s crippling cyberattack — an experience the private Jesuit college ’ s chief information officer called “ a crisis of the highest order.
” The Denver Post reported new details about the cyberattack Tuesday morning , confirming for the first time the Denver campus ’ s computer networks were struck by ransomware , leading school leaders to pay the hackers in the early days of the months-long incident .
Jagan Gudur , Regis ’ s chief information officer , wouldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , skimming over the ransomware details during Tuesday ’ s conference .
In response to follow-up questions from The Post , Salvador Aceves , Regis ’ s senior vice president and chief financial officer , said paying the ransom was successful because the university was able to restore its files .
He noted that some systems remained inoperable months later because not all cyberattacks are the same .
Officials said the decision to pay or withhold ransom in a cyberattack is “ situational.
” “ At the time , given what we knew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right decision , ” Aceves said .
Gudur shared two timelines at the summit , outlining steps Regis took in the hours , days and months after the attack .
A few new details revealed during the presentation : • Federal and third-party investigators were unable to determine a root cause of the attack , meaning it ’ s unclear how the attack originated • The hacker — determined to be from outside the country — attacked Regis ’ s backups first • In a matter of days after the attack that knocked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ email and phone systems , Regis ’ s IT team prepared more than 100 classrooms to be used for the start of the fall semester • When faced with the decision to rebuild the IT system or repair it , officials decided to rebuild and update “ The simple rationale I would offer is that I had a house and a venomous snake got in , and my children were in the house , ” Gudur told attendees of the cybersecurity summit .
“ I could go hunting for the snake .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they couldn ’ t tell me how the venomous snake got in .
I said , ‘ We ’ ll build a new house and move our children to that house.
’ ” Shari Plantz-Masters , dean of Regis ’ s College of Computer & Information Sciences , said she was involved in addressing the “ human side ” of the attack — responding to the repercussions on students , staff and faculty who were trying to start the semester without access to most technology and communication systems .
“ I remember sitting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying we need to go old-school , ” Plantz-Masters said , recalling how class registration worked when she was a college student .
“ We went very analog .
We learned we were way more creative than we realized .
We also realized how important it is to find ways to connect in a human way.
” The university used the Slack messaging service to help the campus community to talk .
Students physically picked up paper schedules telling them where to go .
Regis used social media platforms to spread information .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ biggest eye-opener , ” Plantz-Masters said .
“ We had become so used to our systems , we didn ’ t understand where we needed to have backup systems.
” Plantz-Masters said the experience bonded members of the Regis community , many of whom volunteered to help during the attack in one way or another .
Another positive outcome , she added , was realizing an improved opportunity for two of Regis ’ s colleges .
In May , Regis will integrate its Anderson College of Business and its College of Computer and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business and computing .
“ The cyberattack that hit Regis in August crystalized the need to meld business and technology into a common curriculum so the business students graduate more fluent in managing technology and data science , and computer science and cybersecurity students graduate with a strong foundation in how businesses operate and rely on IT , ” said Jennifer Forker , Regis University spokeswoman .

Information-technology experts from across Colorado convened at Regis University on Tuesday to learn never-before-shared details about last year’s crippling cyberattack — an experience the private Jesuit college’s chief information officer called “a crisis of the highest order.”
The Denver Post reported new details about the cyberattack Tuesday morning, confirming for the first time the Denver campus’s computer networks were struck by ransomware, leading school leaders to pay the hackers in the early days of the months-long incident.
Jagan Gudur, Regis’s chief information officer, wouldn’t disclose how much the university paid, skimming over the ransomware details during Tuesday’s conference.
In response to follow-up questions from The Post, Salvador Aceves, Regis’s senior vice president and chief financial officer, said paying the ransom was successful because the university was able to restore its files. He noted that some systems remained inoperable months later because not all cyberattacks are the same.
Officials said the decision to pay or withhold ransom in a cyberattack is “situational.”
“At the time, given what we knew, we are confident we made the right decision,” Aceves said.
Gudur shared two timelines at the summit, outlining steps Regis took in the hours, days and months after the attack.
A few new details revealed during the presentation:
Federal and third-party investigators were unable to determine a root cause of the attack, meaning it’s unclear how the attack originated
The hacker — determined to be from outside the country — attacked Regis’s backups first
In a matter of days after the attack that knocked out the university’s internet, email and phone systems, Regis’s IT team prepared more than 100 classrooms to be used for the start of the fall semester
When faced with the decision to rebuild the IT system or repair it, officials decided to rebuild and update
“The simple rationale I would offer is that I had a house and a venomous snake got in, and my children were in the house,” Gudur told attendees of the cybersecurity summit. “I could go hunting for the snake. I called the local wildlife department, and they couldn’t tell me how the venomous snake got in. I said, ‘We’ll build a new house and move our children to that house.’ ”
Shari Plantz-Masters, dean of Regis’s College of Computer & Information Sciences, said she was involved in addressing the “human side” of the attack — responding to the repercussions on students, staff and faculty who were trying to start the semester without access to most technology and communication systems.
“I remember sitting in the meeting with the dean and saying we need to go old-school,” Plantz-Masters said, recalling how class registration worked when she was a college student. “We went very analog. We learned we were way more creative than we realized. We also realized how important it is to find ways to connect in a human way.”
The university used the Slack messaging service to help the campus community to talk. Students physically picked up paper schedules telling them where to go. Regis used social media platforms to spread information.
“Our business continuity was probably the biggest eye-opener,” Plantz-Masters said. “We had become so used to our systems, we didn’t understand where we needed to have backup systems.”
Plantz-Masters said the experience bonded members of the Regis community, many of whom volunteered to help during the attack in one way or another.
Another positive outcome, she added, was realizing an improved opportunity for two of Regis’s colleges. In May, Regis will integrate its Anderson College of Business and its College of Computer and Information Sciences into a new college of business and computing.
“The cyberattack that hit Regis in August crystalized the need to meld business and technology into a common curriculum so the business students graduate more fluent in managing technology and data science, and computer science and cybersecurity students graduate with a strong foundation in how businesses operate and rely on IT,” said Jennifer Forker, Regis University spokeswoman.


thedenverpost--2020-01-30--Thurman Munson’s widow finds pain in Kobe Bryant’s death

CANTON , Ohio — The widow of Thurman Munson , the New York Yankees catcher killed in 1979 while flying his plane in Ohio , spoke out about the similar death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant .
Diana Munson was in the Plain Township home she shared with her late husband when she received the news that Los Angeles Lakers icon Kobe Bryant had died Sunday , the Canton Repository reported .
“ My first thought was , ‘ This can ’ t possibly be true .
We ’ re not supposed to lose heroes like this , ’ ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brought up our day , with the memories of how it hit everyone.
” Thurman Munson died in a plane crash at the Akron-Canton Airport in August 1979 when his Cessna twin-engine crashed short of the runway and burst into flames .
He left behind his wife , their two daughters and a son .
Bryant died alongside his 13-year-old daughter Gianna on Sunday when their helicopter crashed outside of Los Angeles , killing all nine aboard .
The basketball star leaves behind his wife and three daughters .
Like with Munson ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prompted a nationwide outpouring of sadness and disbelief from fans and fellow players .
Diana Munson said the response to her husband ’ s tragic death helped her get through it .
“ We have something that other people don ’ t have , because people lose people they love every day , but they don ’ t have that outpouring of love and support , ” she said .

CANTON, Ohio — The widow of Thurman Munson, the New York Yankees catcher killed in 1979 while flying his plane in Ohio, spoke out about the similar death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant.
Diana Munson was in the Plain Township home she shared with her late husband when she received the news that Los Angeles Lakers icon Kobe Bryant had died Sunday, the Canton Repository reported.
“My first thought was, ‘This can’t possibly be true. We’re not supposed to lose heroes like this,’” Diana said. “And obviously it brought up our day, with the memories of how it hit everyone.”
Thurman Munson died in a plane crash at the Akron-Canton Airport in August 1979 when his Cessna twin-engine crashed short of the runway and burst into flames. He left behind his wife, their two daughters and a son.
Bryant died alongside his 13-year-old daughter Gianna on Sunday when their helicopter crashed outside of Los Angeles, killing all nine aboard. The basketball star leaves behind his wife and three daughters.
Like with Munson’s death, Bryant’s death prompted a nationwide outpouring of sadness and disbelief from fans and fellow players.
Diana Munson said the response to her husband’s tragic death helped her get through it.
“We have something that other people don’t have, because people lose people they love every day, but they don’t have that outpouring of love and support,” she said.


thedenverpost--2020-01-29--CU athletic director supports bill to let college athletes profit from name, image and likeness

A member of a key NCAA committee favors allowing Colorado ’ s college athletes to profit off their names and images , he told The Denver Post on Wednesday — a development that promises to put the state legislature at the center of a national shift on the issue .
“ We want our student athletes to be able to benefit , just like our regular students are able to benefit , from their name , image and likeness , ” University of Colorado Athletic Director Rick George said in an interview .
George ’ s public backing of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off of themselves suggests it has a very strong chance of passing out of the state legislature , and could indicate the direction the National Collegiate Athletic Association as a whole is considering supporting .
George sits on an NCAA working group looking at the issue of student athlete compensation .
More than two dozen state legislatures are having the same conversation Colorado is now , and Congress may also step in .
California was the first to pass a law in September — despite strong opposition at that time from the NCAA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ body for college sports made an abrupt about-face a month later .
The Colorado bill , which state Sen. Rhonda Fields , D-Aurora , and three other Democrats introduced last week , is similar to California ’ s and others being considered around the country .
It clarifies that a college athlete ’ s earnings “ may not affect the student ’ s scholarship eligibility ” or athletic eligibility .
There are provisions written into the bill that are meant to limit conflicts of interest and require transparent disclosure by the athletes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Colorado Senate committee in early February , and George plans to testify for it .
He only voiced concern with a provision that calls for college athletes to be allowed to hire agents — a potential point of significant conflict , but one that he said doesn ’ t threaten to undo his overall endorsement of the bill .
The NCAA working group George is on appears to favor a move , on some level , toward allowing athlete compensation .
But the group is proceeding with more caution than the full-speed-ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expanded significantly in recent years and now amount to more than $ 3.5 billion annually in scholarship support alone , ” a Jan. 23 statement from the group ’ s co-chairs reads .
“ While we agree that changes in our rules are in order , we are striving to avoid the myriad of potential consequences that could upend a system that has opened doors for millions of young people to earn degrees and pursue dreams , in many cases debt-free .
“ We are especially concerned about abuses and potentially harmful influences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unique to college sports.
” The Colorado bill specifies that colleges and universities would continue to be barred from paying recruits .
George and the working group ’ s co-chairs have all said the NCAA should get out ahead of these changes to avoid a national patchwork .
“ You can ’ t have an organization like we have and have 50 different rules in 50 different states , ” George told The Post .
“ So I do believe that potentially some federal legislation is going to be important to this.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the vanguard of a national shift that Fields sees as inevitable .
“ It ’ s just a matter of time for this to happen across the nation and federally , ” she said .
She agrees with George that athletes should be able to monetize their own names and images , though she voiced her view in stronger terms than he did .
“ When you were a slave , you didn ’ t get a chance to own who you were , ” she said .
“ You were considered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the field .
I guess the compensation was you could live in a cabin , have scraps of food , but you were considered property.
” • NCAA to allow potential Olympians to receive more benefits • CU basketball drops to No .
23 but still ties program rankings mark • Payton Pritchard : The Pac-12 ’ s best point guard in forever Like Fields , state Sen. Jeff Bridges , D-Greenwood Village , doesn ’ t expect pushback from the NCAA but he said the bill will go forward regardless .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re going to do , this bill should be totally fine , ” he said .
“ If they don ’ t , then we ’ ll pass this and more bills to make sure we ’ re protecting college athletes.
” There is bipartisan support for the bill at the Colorado Capitol .
Republican state Sen. Owen Hill ( R-Colorado Springs ) told The Post that forbidding anyone from profiting off of their own abilities and achievements is “ garbage , trash.
” The proposed change would would take effect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time that year ’ s college football season will begin .
George said the NCAA may have implemented changes before that date .

A member of a key NCAA committee favors allowing Colorado’s college athletes to profit off their names and images, he told The Denver Post on Wednesday — a development that promises to put the state legislature at the center of a national shift on the issue.
“We want our student athletes to be able to benefit, just like our regular students are able to benefit, from their name, image and likeness,” University of Colorado Athletic Director Rick George said in an interview.
George’s public backing of a new Colorado bill to let athletes profit off of themselves suggests it has a very strong chance of passing out of the state legislature, and could indicate the direction the National Collegiate Athletic Association as a whole is considering supporting. George sits on an NCAA working group looking at the issue of student athlete compensation.
More than two dozen state legislatures are having the same conversation Colorado is now, and Congress may also step in. California was the first to pass a law in September — despite strong opposition at that time from the NCAA and state universities — but the regulatory body for college sports made an abrupt about-face a month later.
The Colorado bill, which state Sen. Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, and three other Democrats introduced last week, is similar to California’s and others being considered around the country. It clarifies that a college athlete’s earnings “may not affect the student’s scholarship eligibility” or athletic eligibility. There are provisions written into the bill that are meant to limit conflicts of interest and require transparent disclosure by the athletes.
The bill is expected to debut in a Colorado Senate committee in early February, and George plans to testify for it.
He only voiced concern with a provision that calls for college athletes to be allowed to hire agents — a potential point of significant conflict, but one that he said doesn’t threaten to undo his overall endorsement of the bill.
The NCAA working group George is on appears to favor a move, on some level, toward allowing athlete compensation. But the group is proceeding with more caution than the full-speed-ahead Colorado legislature.
“Student-athlete benefits have expanded significantly in recent years and now amount to more than $3.5 billion annually in scholarship support alone,” a Jan. 23 statement from the group’s co-chairs reads. “While we agree that changes in our rules are in order, we are striving to avoid the myriad of potential consequences that could upend a system that has opened doors for millions of young people to earn degrees and pursue dreams, in many cases debt-free.
“We are especially concerned about abuses and potentially harmful influences with respect to recruiting, a practice unique to college sports.”
The Colorado bill specifies that colleges and universities would continue to be barred from paying recruits.
George and the working group’s co-chairs have all said the NCAA should get out ahead of these changes to avoid a national patchwork.
“You can’t have an organization like we have and have 50 different rules in 50 different states,” George told The Post. “So I do believe that potentially some federal legislation is going to be important to this.”
The Colorado bill would put the state on the vanguard of a national shift that Fields sees as inevitable.
“It’s just a matter of time for this to happen across the nation and federally,” she said.
She agrees with George that athletes should be able to monetize their own names and images, though she voiced her view in stronger terms than he did.
“When you were a slave, you didn’t get a chance to own who you were,” she said. “You were considered property; you just had to work the field. I guess the compensation was you could live in a cabin, have scraps of food, but you were considered property.”
Like Fields, state Sen. Jeff Bridges, D-Greenwood Village, doesn’t expect pushback from the NCAA but he said the bill will go forward regardless.
“If the NCAA does what they say they’re going to do, this bill should be totally fine,” he said. “If they don’t, then we’ll pass this and more bills to make sure we’re protecting college athletes.”
There is bipartisan support for the bill at the Colorado Capitol. Republican state Sen. Owen Hill (R-Colorado Springs) told The Post that forbidding anyone from profiting off of their own abilities and achievements is “garbage, trash.”
The proposed change would would take effect Aug. 31, 2021, around the time that year’s college football season will begin. George said the NCAA may have implemented changes before that date.


thedenverpost--2020-01-29--Three men found guilty in gang-related murder of burned woman

A Jefferson County jury found three men guilty Wednesday of murdering 28-year-old Cymone Duran and setting her body on fire in retaliation for her cooperation with police in early 2018 .
Abel Candy Gallegos , 36 , , Alonso Quintana , 28 , and Rene Francisco Rosales , 36 , were each found guilty of multiple crimes after a three-week trial that included 50 witnesses and more than 400 pieces of evidence , according to a news release from the First Judicial District Attorney ’ s Office .
Gallegos ’ s convictions include two counts of first-degree murder , first-degree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Quintana ’ s convictions include two counts of first-degree murder , first-degree conspiracy to commit murder and second-degree kidnapping .
And Rosales convictions include first-degree conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with a deceased human body , the news release said .
Duran identified in early 2018 Quintana in an Adams County line-up in a shooting that she had witnessed .
In retaliation , Gallegos approached Duran on social media , and she met with him , Rosales and others at a house in Denver , the news release said .
Gallegos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where he met Quintana .
There , the two men assaulted her in the backseat of a car .
They then drove her to a secluded spot in Golden where they shot her 10 times and then poured gasoline on her body and set it on fire .
Pleasant View firefighters found Duran ’ s body at about 1:30 a.m. on Nov. 5 .
They were responding to a brush fire and then realized a body was burning .
Firefighters then called the Jefferson County Sheriff ’ s Office , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Quintana face life in prison without possibility of parole .
They will be sentenced on Jan. 31 at 9 a.m. and Feb. 24 at 8 a.m. , respectively .
Rosales faces a significant prison sentence , and will be sentenced on Feb. 24 at 1:15 p.m. , the DA ’ s news release said .

A Jefferson County jury found three men guilty Wednesday of murdering 28-year-old Cymone Duran and setting her body on fire in retaliation for her cooperation with police in early 2018.
Abel Candy Gallegos, 36, , Alonso Quintana, 28, and Rene Francisco Rosales, 36, were each found guilty of multiple crimes after a three-week trial that included 50 witnesses and more than 400 pieces of evidence, according to a news release from the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
Gallegos’s convictions include two counts of first-degree murder, first-degree conspiracy to commit murder and second-degree kidnapping. Quintana’s convictions include two counts of first-degree murder, first-degree conspiracy to commit murder and second-degree kidnapping. And Rosales convictions include first-degree conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with a deceased human body, the news release said.
Duran identified in early 2018 Quintana in an Adams County line-up in a shooting that she had witnessed.
In retaliation, Gallegos approached Duran on social media, and she met with him, Rosales and others at a house in Denver, the news release said. Gallegos then took Duran to a parking lot where he met Quintana. There, the two men assaulted her in the backseat of a car.
They then drove her to a secluded spot in Golden where they shot her 10 times and then poured gasoline on her body and set it on fire.
Pleasant View firefighters found Duran’s body at about 1:30 a.m. on Nov. 5. They were responding to a brush fire and then realized a body was burning. Firefighters then called the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, according to the DA’s office.
Gallegos and Quintana face life in prison without possibility of parole. They will be sentenced on Jan. 31 at 9 a.m. and Feb. 24 at 8 a.m., respectively. Rosales faces a significant prison sentence, and will be sentenced on Feb. 24 at 1:15 p.m., the DA’s news release said.


thedenverpost--2020-01-29--Citizen-led initiative seeks to ban fracking in Denver

A grassroots environmental advocacy group has taken the first step toward putting a fracking ban on the Denver ballot in @ @ @ @ @ Resilient Denver , began the process last week , spokesperson Ean Thomas Tafoya said in @ @ @ @ @ proposed Charter amendment will further prohibit the extraction of fossil fuels , including hydraulic fracturing @ @ @ @ @ County of Denver and all of its subsurface areas , ” Tafoya said .
It @ @ @ @ @ and disposal of solid or liquid wastes created in connection with the hydraulic fracturing process @ @ @ @ @ citizen-led initiative is a long way from the ballot , however said Alton Dillard , @ @ @ @ @ and recorder ’ s office .
The language must go through a City Council committee @ @ @ @ @ office before Resilient Denver can begin collecting signatures .
In all , the organization must @ @ @ @ @ 120 days before the election for a spot on the ballot , Dillard said .

A grassroots environmental advocacy group has taken the first step toward putting a fracking ban on the Denver ballot in November.
The group, Resilient Denver, began the process last week, spokesperson Ean Thomas Tafoya said in a release.
“The proposed charter amendment will further prohibit the extraction of fossil fuels, including hydraulic fracturing, within the city and county of Denver and all of its subsurface areas,” Tafoya said.
It would also prohibit the storage and disposal of solid or liquid wastes created in connection with hydraulic fracturing, he said.
The citizen-led initiative is a long way from the ballot, however, said Alton Dillard, spokesperson for the Denver clerk’s office. The language must go through a City Council committee and the clerk’s office before Resilient Denver can begin collecting signatures.
The organization must collect about 24,000 signatures for a spot on the ballot, Dillard said.