thedenverpost--2020-09-08--Nuggets blow golden opportunity in Game 3 vs. Clippers: “We should’ve won”

The Nuggets didn ’ t need a quiet bus ride back to their hotel or even a good night ’ s sleep to know the implications of Monday night ’ s loss to the Clippers .
The Nuggets should ’ ve won Game 3 , and they knew it almost immediately .
“ We missed a huge opportunity tonight , ” said Jamal Murray , who kicked himself over his 12 missed shots , including seven in the second half .
“ I think that ’ s why it ’ s worse because it was nothing they did .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us out of our game .
We just missed shots , turned the ball over , couple defensive lapses and that was the game .
We were up the whole game , had them on their heels .
Like I said , it was self-inflicted .
Those are the tough ones to go back to the hotel with.
” The Nuggets were up 97-90 with 8:29 left in the fourth quarter .
From there , Denver ’ s offense froze like a tomato plant in a September snowstorm .
Paul George and Lou @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turnovers started mounting .
Before the Nuggets could re-group , Kawhi Leonard was hitting jumpers , snatching rebounds , stuffing dunks and making it known , in no uncertain terms , that he was the most impactful player on the court .
In a five-minute span , the Clippers reeled off a 17-6 run that all but ended the game .
The worst part ?
Nikola Jokic ( 32 points , 12 rebounds , eight assists ) didn ’ t even expect to play in Game 3 .
And yet the Nuggets couldn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that nearly never happened .
“ I didn ’ t believe that much that I ’ m gon na play , but it was really good the improvement that I felt in the last 24 hours , ” Jokic said of the right wrist sprain which left him a game-time decision .
On a bum wrist , Jokic came up two assists shy of his fifth playoff triple-double .
And it was all for naught .
Jokic needed more help than he got .
In the fourth quarter , Denver ’ s non-Jokic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That was on Jerami Grant ( 2-for-6 ) , Michael Porter Jr. ( 2-for-6 ) , Gary Harris ( 0-for-1 ) and Murray ( 1-for-5 ) .
“ If I did a little more than that we ’ d win that game , ” Murray said .
Added Porter : “ It definitely slipped away from us in that fourth quarter , and we definitely felt like we had this one.
” The Clippers can thank a 29-19 fourth-quarter advantage for their 2-1 series lead .
But it wasn ’ t only the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Denver built a 55-43 lead with just four minutes left in the first half before the Clippers closed on a 14-4 run .
Turnovers fueled their break and snatched whatever momentum the Nuggets would ’ ve carried into halftime .
“ We lost tonight , ” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said .
“ We should ’ ve won the game .
That ’ s how I feel .
… We were leading for most of this game .
Game 2 was a confidence builder because we played our brand of basketball .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ you want to just put in a capsule : ‘ Who is Denver Nuggets basketball ?
’ Game 2 embodies that .
Defense , rebounding , physicality , attacking , and tonight we didn ’ t have that because our defense wasn ’ t where it needs to be.
” Malone ’ s message has been consistent over the last two months in Orlando .
If they defend , they can win .
And if they don ’ t , it ’ s really up to chance if they can outscore the Clippers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grind all the way until Wednesday ’ s Game 4 because it shouldn ’ t have been up to chance .
This was a game they shouldn ’ t have dropped .

The Nuggets didn’t need a quiet bus ride back to their hotel or even a good night’s sleep to know the implications of Monday night’s loss to the Clippers.
The Nuggets should’ve won Game 3, and they knew it almost immediately.
“We missed a huge opportunity tonight,” said Jamal Murray, who kicked himself over his 12 missed shots, including seven in the second half. “I think that’s why it’s worse because it was nothing they did. They didn’t do anything to take us out of our game. We just missed shots, turned the ball over, couple defensive lapses and that was the game. We were up the whole game, had them on their heels. Like I said, it was self-inflicted. Those are the tough ones to go back to the hotel with.”
The Nuggets were up 97-90 with 8:29 left in the fourth quarter. From there, Denver’s offense froze like a tomato plant in a September snowstorm.
Paul George and Lou Williams canned back-to-back 3-pointers, and the turnovers started mounting. Before the Nuggets could re-group, Kawhi Leonard was hitting jumpers, snatching rebounds, stuffing dunks and making it known, in no uncertain terms, that he was the most impactful player on the court. In a five-minute span, the Clippers reeled off a 17-6 run that all but ended the game.
The worst part? Nikola Jokic (32 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists) didn’t even expect to play in Game 3. And yet the Nuggets couldn’t capitalize on an unbelievable night that nearly never happened.
“I didn’t believe that much that I’m gonna play, but it was really good the improvement that I felt in the last 24 hours,” Jokic said of the right wrist sprain which left him a game-time decision.
On a bum wrist, Jokic came up two assists shy of his fifth playoff triple-double. And it was all for naught.
Jokic needed more help than he got. In the fourth quarter, Denver’s non-Jokic shooters were 5-for-18 from the field. That was on Jerami Grant (2-for-6), Michael Porter Jr. (2-for-6), Gary Harris (0-for-1) and Murray (1-for-5).
“If I did a little more than that we’d win that game,” Murray said.
Added Porter: “It definitely slipped away from us in that fourth quarter, and we definitely felt like we had this one.”
The Clippers can thank a 29-19 fourth-quarter advantage for their 2-1 series lead.
But it wasn’t only the fourth quarter where the Nuggets broke down. Denver built a 55-43 lead with just four minutes left in the first half before the Clippers closed on a 14-4 run. Turnovers fueled their break and snatched whatever momentum the Nuggets would’ve carried into halftime.
“We lost tonight,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “We should’ve won the game. That’s how I feel. … We were leading for most of this game. Game 2 was a confidence builder because we played our brand of basketball. That is who we are. If you want to just put in a capsule: ‘Who is Denver Nuggets basketball?’ Game 2 embodies that. Defense, rebounding, physicality, attacking, and tonight we didn’t have that because our defense wasn’t where it needs to be.”
Malone’s message has been consistent over the last two months in Orlando. If they defend, they can win. And if they don’t, it’s really up to chance if they can outscore the Clippers.
But Malone’s gears will grind all the way until Wednesday’s Game 4 because it shouldn’t have been up to chance. This was a game they shouldn’t have dropped.


thedenverpost--2020-09-09--Denver police officer disciplined for suggesting that a woman would be interested in dating him if h

Denver police officer disciplined for suggesting that a woman would be interested in dating him if he beat her

A Denver police officer will lose two days of pay for telling a woman who said she did not want to go on a second date that he bet she would be interested in him if he beat her .
The woman contacted the department ’ s internal affairs in May about the texts , according to a disciplinary letter obtained by The Denver Post through a records request .
She told investigators that she met Officer Christopher Cochran through a dating app in March and that they met up once on April 1 .
Cochran went to the date @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on-duty , for which he received a written reprimand , according to the letter .
After the date , the two stopped texting .
A few weeks later , Cochran started texting the woman again and the woman said she was not interested .
Cochran then responded in a text : “ I ’ ll bet if I beat your ass on the regular , you ’ d be incapable of staying away from me.
” Cochran , who joined the department in 2017 , told internal affairs investigators that the woman had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in unhealthy relationships in the past and that he was trying to “ indicate he was better than the previous men she had dated , ” his disciplinary letter states .
He said the text he sent was poorly worded .
“ Though Officer Cochran indicated that he meant to suggest he was better than the men ( the woman ) had previously dated , the words he used proposed committing an assault and were unbecoming an officer , ” Deputy Director of Public Safety Mary Dulacki wrote in the disciplinary letter .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to tens of thousands of calls for domestic violence each year , department data shows .
Ten Denver residents were killed last year in domestic violence homicides .

A Denver police officer will lose two days of pay for telling a woman who said she did not want to go on a second date that he bet she would be interested in him if he beat her.
The woman contacted the department’s internal affairs in May about the texts, according to a disciplinary letter obtained by The Denver Post through a records request.
She told investigators that she met Officer Christopher Cochran through a dating app in March and that they met up once on April 1. Cochran went to the date in his uniform and while he was on-duty, for which he received a written reprimand, according to the letter.
After the date, the two stopped texting. A few weeks later, Cochran started texting the woman again and the woman said she was not interested.
Cochran then responded in a text: “I’ll bet if I beat your ass on the regular, you’d be incapable of staying away from me.”
Cochran, who joined the department in 2017, told internal affairs investigators that the woman had confided in him that she had been in unhealthy relationships in the past and that he was trying to “indicate he was better than the previous men she had dated,” his disciplinary letter states. He said the text he sent was poorly worded.
“Though Officer Cochran indicated that he meant to suggest he was better than the men (the woman) had previously dated, the words he used proposed committing an assault and were unbecoming an officer,” Deputy Director of Public Safety Mary Dulacki wrote in the disciplinary letter.
Denver police officers are responsible for responding to tens of thousands of calls for domestic violence each year, department data shows. Ten Denver residents were killed last year in domestic violence homicides.


thedenverpost--2020-09-09--Forrest Fenn, art dealer whose treasure sent hunters scouring the western U.S., dies at 90

SANTA FE — Antiquities dealer and author Forrest Fenn , who gained fame after hiding a treasure chest filled with gold , jewels and other valuables that drove hundreds of thousands of people to search remote corners of the U.S. West for the riches — sometimes with tragic consequences — has died .
He was 90 .
Police confirmed Fenn died Monday of natural causes at his home in Santa Fe .
Police spokesman Greg Gurule said Tuesday that officers were alerted that afternoon and that more information would be released as it becomes available .
It was only in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had supposedly been found in Wyoming by someone he didn ’ t name .
Fenn said he hid the loot 10 years ago in the Rocky Mountains and dropped clues to its whereabouts in a poem published in his 2010 autobiography .
Fenn had said he packed and repacked his bronze treasure chest for more than a decade , sprinkling in gold dust and adding hundreds of rare gold coins and gold nuggets .
Pre-Columbian animal figures went in , along with prehistoric “ mirrors ” of hammered gold , ancient Chinese faces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rubies and emeralds .
He had always said he hid the treasure as a way to tempt people to get into the wilderness and give them a chance to launch an old-fashioned adventure and expedition for riches .
The treasure spurred an almost a cult-like following — many people quit their jobs to dedicate themselves to the search .
Others depleted their life savings .
At least four Colorado men died searching for the cache .
Law enforcement officers in New Mexico and elsewhere had asked Fenn to call off the hunt , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to find the valuable haul .
Fenn rebuffed those requests , saying it wouldn ’ t be fair to those who spent time and money looking for the treasure chest .
He tried to narrow the scope for treasure hunters , repeatedly saying the 40-pound chest was neither in a dangerous location nor one where an old man couldn ’ t schlep it alone .
But plenty of searchers forgot , disregarded or didn ’ t hear about that promise of accessibility .
After announcing that the riches had been found , Fenn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bit sad that the chase was over .
“ I congratulate the thousands of people who participated in the search and hope they will continue to be drawn by the promise of other discoveries , ” he posted on his website earlier this summer .
A self-described schmoozer and endless flirt who reveled in endless emails from treasure hunters , Fenn ’ s idea to stash some of his favorite things began years earlier when he was diagnosed with cancer and given just a few years to live .
In his book @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he laid out his unusual rags-to-riches story while sharing memories of his favorite adventures and mischief-making .
The book said the recollections were as true as one man could average , considering that one of his natural instincts was to embellish .
Fenn was raised in Temple , Texas , where his father was a school principal .
His family spent the summers in Yellowstone National Park , where he and his brother honed their sense for adventure .
Fenn spent nearly two decades in the Air Force , including his decorated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
After returning to Texas , he , his wife and two daughters moved to Santa Fe , where , over time , he became one of this artistic enclave ’ s best-known and most successful gallery owners .
As an art dealer , he hosted a virtual who ’ s who of the rich and famous at his gallery and guest house , including Jackie Kennedy Onassis , Sam Shepard , Jessica Lange and Michael Douglas , to name a few .
Even in his 80s , he was known for throwing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shelly Bradbury contributed to this report .

SANTA FE — Antiquities dealer and author Forrest Fenn, who gained fame after hiding a treasure chest filled with gold, jewels and other valuables that drove hundreds of thousands of people to search remote corners of the U.S. West for the riches — sometimes with tragic consequences — has died. He was 90.
Police confirmed Fenn died Monday of natural causes at his home in Santa Fe. Police spokesman Greg Gurule said Tuesday that officers were alerted that afternoon and that more information would be released as it becomes available.
It was only in recent months that Fenn announced his treasure had supposedly been found in Wyoming by someone he didn’t name. Fenn said he hid the loot 10 years ago in the Rocky Mountains and dropped clues to its whereabouts in a poem published in his 2010 autobiography.
Fenn had said he packed and repacked his bronze treasure chest for more than a decade, sprinkling in gold dust and adding hundreds of rare gold coins and gold nuggets. Pre-Columbian animal figures went in, along with prehistoric “mirrors” of hammered gold, ancient Chinese faces carved from jade and antique jewelry with rubies and emeralds.
He had always said he hid the treasure as a way to tempt people to get into the wilderness and give them a chance to launch an old-fashioned adventure and expedition for riches.
The treasure spurred an almost a cult-like following — many people quit their jobs to dedicate themselves to the search. Others depleted their life savings. At least four Colorado men died searching for the cache. Law enforcement officers in New Mexico and elsewhere had asked Fenn to call off the hunt, saying people were putting themselves in danger to find the valuable haul.
Fenn rebuffed those requests, saying it wouldn’t be fair to those who spent time and money looking for the treasure chest.
He tried to narrow the scope for treasure hunters, repeatedly saying the 40-pound chest was neither in a dangerous location nor one where an old man couldn’t schlep it alone. But plenty of searchers forgot, disregarded or didn’t hear about that promise of accessibility.
After announcing that the riches had been found, Fenn had mixed feelings, saying he was a bit sad that the chase was over.
“I congratulate the thousands of people who participated in the search and hope they will continue to be drawn by the promise of other discoveries,” he posted on his website earlier this summer.
A self-described schmoozer and endless flirt who reveled in endless emails from treasure hunters, Fenn’s idea to stash some of his favorite things began years earlier when he was diagnosed with cancer and given just a few years to live.
In his book “The Thrill of the Chase,” he laid out his unusual rags-to-riches story while sharing memories of his favorite adventures and mischief-making. The book said the recollections were as true as one man could average, considering that one of his natural instincts was to embellish.
Fenn was raised in Temple, Texas, where his father was a school principal. His family spent the summers in Yellowstone National Park, where he and his brother honed their sense for adventure.
Fenn spent nearly two decades in the Air Force, including his decorated service as a fighter pilot in Vietnam.
After returning to Texas, he, his wife and two daughters moved to Santa Fe, where, over time, he became one of this artistic enclave’s best-known and most successful gallery owners.
As an art dealer, he hosted a virtual who’s who of the rich and famous at his gallery and guest house, including Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Sam Shepard, Jessica Lange and Michael Douglas, to name a few. Even in his 80s, he was known for throwing parties.
The Denver Post’s Shelly Bradbury contributed to this report.


thedenverpost--2020-09-09--Kyle Freeland explains Rockies pitching focus in ballparks minus fans: “Fabricate that intensity”

Rockies pitcher Kyle Freeland thrives on the energy of a packed ballpark while staring down opposing batters .
A global pandemic eliminated the roar .
Freeland found a way to adapt .
“ You ’ ve got to do your best to fabricate that intensity , ” Freeland said .
“ To lock into your zone and get to that mental state where it ’ s almost like there is a crowd there and you can feed off that adrenaline .
I ’ m one of those pitchers when I ’ m locked into my zone , I have that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if there are 50,000 people at Coors Field screaming or absolutely nobody in the stands.
” Freeland ’ s mound mind-games are working .
Entering Tuesday night , his seven quality starts were tied with Yu Darvish ( Cubs ) and Zac Gallen ( Diamondbacks ) atop the National League .
Freeland is 2-1 with a 3.60 ERA this season .
However , it seems not all Colorado pitchers embrace the stage exactly like Freeland .
“ It ’ s probably helped some of our guys with no crowd ” for increased focus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bud Black said .
Those accustomed to pitching in late and often high-intensity innings , though , face the biggest challenge .
“ There are big moments , big crowds , and physically ( without fans ) you feel a little different , ” Black said .
“ You have to be able to handle that.
” “ I like the crowd noise and when the fans are in it , especially in late-game situations , the crowd noise elevates me to go out there to perform , ” Almonte said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a late-inning .
This is do-or-die right now.
’ Then , I just go out there and pitch.
” Estevez struggling .
Rockies ’ reliever Carlos Estevez allowed the walk-off double Monday night that handed the Padres a 1-0 victory in the bottom of the ninth .
“ That ’ s where you ’ ve got to talk to him : ‘ Hey , one pitch it defined the game , but it shouldn ’ t define you moving forward as long as you learn from it , ’ ” Black said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ( pitching coach ) Steve Foster caught up with Carlos again this afternoon on a few things.
” Estevez had overcome a scary right-hand injury in August with five consecutive outings allowing zero runs .
But Estevez — 1-2 this season with a 6.41 ERA — has now given up seven runs over his last three appearances .
“ He ’ s a valuable part of our bullpen based on his track record and what we think he can do as a late-inning reliever , ” Black said .
“ He ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arm and the weapons .
What stood out to me is that he ’ s been ahead in the count over the last number of appearances , has made a bad pitch , and they haven ’ t missed it.
” Injury update .
Rockies ’ closer Wade Davis was placed on the 10-day injury list ( right shoulder ) last month and is progressing toward a potential return with less than 20 games remaining this season .
“ Davis threw a couple of days ago and is feeling good .
He ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better , ” Black said .
“ He ’ s throwing competitively , albeit in intrasquad games against his own teammates .
There is some intensity to what he ’ s doing .
… The decision at some point is coming with Wade .
We ’ ve got to make sure that his arm is built up where he can effectively be a part of our bullpen .
This is different than a lot of Septembers where you can expand the roster and have a whole bunch of pitching.
” Senzatela makes his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recapturing his early-season magic .
Since starting the year with three consecutive wins , he is 0-1 with four no-decisions .
In his last start , Senzatela allowed two earned runs in 5 1/3 innings .
He is 7-1 with a 2.73 ERA lifetime against the Padres .
Davies — acquired by San Diego last November via trade after five years with the Brewers — is in the midst of a career-best season .
He ’ s won four consecutive games and has struck out at least five batters in seven of eight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the Rockies , Davies is 1-1 with a 2.53 ERA .
Trending : Entering Tuesday night , the Rockies ’ 3.53 road ERA ranked third in the National League and fifth in MLB .
At issue : Colorado is 3-5 over its first eight meetings with San Diego this season and the Rockies were shut out in their last two games ( 6-0 and 1-0 ) heading into Tuesday night .

Rockies pitcher Kyle Freeland thrives on the energy of a packed ballpark while staring down opposing batters. A global pandemic eliminated the roar. Freeland found a way to adapt.
“You’ve got to do your best to fabricate that intensity,” Freeland said. “To lock into your zone and get to that mental state where it’s almost like there is a crowd there and you can feed off that adrenaline. I’m one of those pitchers when I’m locked into my zone, I have that intensity where it doesn’t matter if there are 50,000 people at Coors Field screaming or absolutely nobody in the stands.”
Freeland’s mound mind-games are working. Entering Tuesday night, his seven quality starts were tied with Yu Darvish (Cubs) and Zac Gallen (Diamondbacks) atop the National League. Freeland is 2-1 with a 3.60 ERA this season.
However, it seems not all Colorado pitchers embrace the stage exactly like Freeland.
“It’s probably helped some of our guys with no crowd” for increased focus in a muted venue, Rockies manager Bud Black said. Those accustomed to pitching in late and often high-intensity innings, though, face the biggest challenge.
“There are big moments, big crowds, and physically (without fans) you feel a little different,” Black said. “You have to be able to handle that.”
Rockies reliever Yency Almonte keeps his approach simple amid relative pitching silence.
“I like the crowd noise and when the fans are in it, especially in late-game situations, the crowd noise elevates me to go out there to perform,” Almonte said. “I tell myself: ‘This is a late-inning. This is do-or-die right now.’ Then, I just go out there and pitch.”
Estevez struggling. Rockies’ reliever Carlos Estevez allowed the walk-off double Monday night that handed the Padres a 1-0 victory in the bottom of the ninth.
“That’s where you’ve got to talk to him: ‘Hey, one pitch it defined the game, but it shouldn’t define you moving forward as long as you learn from it,’” Black said. “We had a conversation last night and (pitching coach) Steve Foster caught up with Carlos again this afternoon on a few things.”
Estevez had overcome a scary right-hand injury in August with five consecutive outings allowing zero runs. But Estevez — 1-2 this season with a 6.41 ERA — has now given up seven runs over his last three appearances.
“He’s a valuable part of our bullpen based on his track record and what we think he can do as a late-inning reliever,” Black said. “He’s got big stuff, a big arm and the weapons. What stood out to me is that he’s been ahead in the count over the last number of appearances, has made a bad pitch, and they haven’t missed it.”
Injury update. Rockies’ closer Wade Davis was placed on the 10-day injury list (right shoulder) last month and is progressing toward a potential return with less than 20 games remaining this season.
“Davis threw a couple of days ago and is feeling good. He’s making progress. The shoulder is better,” Black said. “He’s throwing competitively, albeit in intrasquad games against his own teammates. There is some intensity to what he’s doing. … The decision at some point is coming with Wade. We’ve got to make sure that his arm is built up where he can effectively be a part of our bullpen. This is different than a lot of Septembers where you can expand the roster and have a whole bunch of pitching.”
Rockies RHP Antonio Senzatela (3-1, 3.33 ERA) at Padres RHP Zach Davies (6-2, 2.23 ERA)
6:10 p.m. Wednesday, Coors Field
TV: AT&T SportsNet
Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 AM
Senzatela makes his ninth start on Wednesday in hopes of recapturing his early-season magic. Since starting the year with three consecutive wins, he is 0-1 with four no-decisions. In his last start, Senzatela allowed two earned runs in 5 1/3 innings. He is 7-1 with a 2.73 ERA lifetime against the Padres. Davies — acquired by San Diego last November via trade after five years with the Brewers — is in the midst of a career-best season. He’s won four consecutive games and has struck out at least five batters in seven of eight starts. In two games this season against the Rockies, Davies is 1-1 with a 2.53 ERA.
Trending: Entering Tuesday night, the Rockies’ 3.53 road ERA ranked third in the National League and fifth in MLB.
At issue: Colorado is 3-5 over its first eight meetings with San Diego this season and the Rockies were shut out in their last two games (6-0 and 1-0) heading into Tuesday night.
Pitching Probables:
Thursday: OFF
Friday: Angels RHP Griffin Canning (0-3, 4.54) at Rockies RHP German Marquez (2-5, 4.58)
Saturday: Angels Jamie Barria (0-0, 3.38) at Rockies RHP Ryan Castellani (1-2, 5.34)


thedenverpost--2020-09-09--Gannon Stauch case: Stepmother found competent to stand trial, but her attorneys want another evalua

Gannon Stauch case: Stepmother found competent to stand trial, but her attorneys want another evaluation

Letecia Stauch , who is accused of killing her stepson in January in Colorado Springs , will undergo a second @ @ @ @ @ request of her attorneys after a similar test by state experts found her competent to @ @ @ @ @ killed her 11-year-old stepson .
Stauch will next appear in El Paso County District Court @ @ @ @ @ a judge is expected to review the results of the second exam , said Jon @ @ @ @ @ ’ s court system .
On Tuesday , the judge agreed to a second competency @ @ @ @ @ .
Stauch reported 11-year-old Gannon Stauch missing on Jan. 27 .
Investigators believe she killed @ @ @ @ @ in his bedroom and catching Stauch in multiple lies about what happened that day .
@ @ @ @ @ 2 in South Carolina and on March 20 recovered partial remains of the child in @ @ @ @ @ counts of first-degree murder , child abuse resulting in death , tampering with a deceased @ @ @ @ @ physical evidence .

Letecia Stauch, who is accused of killing her stepson in January in Colorado Springs, will undergo a second mental health evaluation at the request of her attorneys after a similar test by state experts found her competent to stand trial on charges she killed her 11-year-old stepson.
Stauch will next appear in El Paso County District Court on Nov. 12, where a judge is expected to review the results of the second exam, said Jon Sarche, spokesman for Colorado’s court system. On Tuesday, the judge agreed to a second competency evaluation during a court hearing.
Stauch reported 11-year-old Gannon Stauch missing on Jan. 27. Investigators believe she killed the boy after finding blood in his bedroom and catching Stauch in multiple lies about what happened that day. Police arrested Stauch on March 2 in South Carolina and on March 20 recovered partial remains of the child in Florida.
Stauch faces two counts of first-degree murder, child abuse resulting in death, tampering with a deceased human body and tampering with physical evidence.


thedenverpost--2020-09-09--Broncos Preview: Courtland Sutton’s to-do list — help Lock, lead rookies, become elite

On June 13 , 2013 , Austin Schlottmann of Brenham , Texas , committed to stay in-state and play college football at TCU .
His decision made , he began talking to the Horned Frogs ’ staff about one of his high school teammates — receiver Courtland Sutton .
“ I tried to talk the coaches at TCU into giving him an offer so he could come play with us , but I guess they didn ’ t see it , ” Schlottmann said .
The Horned Frogs passed , but SMU offered Sutton a scholarship and he signed on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against TCU in 2014-16 , he had a combined nine catches for 228 yards .
“ We saw it for four years and he definitely made his presence known , ” Schlottmann said .
Years later , the high school teammates are Broncos teammates and the NFL is seeing what Schlottmann saw in high school and college — a legitimate play-maker who enters the season opener against Tennessee coming off his 1,112-yard/six-touchdown breakout season .
“ Courtland was always a stud , ” Schlottmann said .
“ And he ’ s absolutely the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changed a bit .
Just wants to go out there and be the best on the field and he ’ s doing a great job at that.
” Playing in his third offensive system and with his third starting quarterback , Drew Lock , in as many pro seasons , Sutton ’ s role is to continue his upward trajectory while leading a young group that includes first- and second-round picks Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler .
Most of all , it ’ s about showing the Pro Bowl appearance was only a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get to a spot where you get to go to the Pro Bowl and are like , ‘ I ’ ve arrived , ’ ” Sutton said .
“ I looked at ( making the Pro Bowl last year ) as motivation.
” Leader on , off the field During a recent practice , Sutton wore a microphone for the team ’ s website .
The video package was a class in Receiving Technique 101 .
He gave tips to Jeudy about how to use his hands while running a route and gave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It was paying things forward , NFL style .
When Sutton was drafted in the second round two years ago , he joined a receivers ’ room led by veterans Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders .
Sutton observed , learned and took mental notes .
How to prepare .
How to run certain routes .
How to set up defenders .
How to grind .
Thomas was traded to Houston in October 2018 and Sanders tore his Achilles ’ in practice a month later , propelling Sutton to No .
1 status @ @ @ @ @ @ @ October , Sanders was traded to San Francisco and Sutton — already the top receiver — took over the room .
He took the aforementioned observations and applied them to hone his style .
( Sutton also learned how not to lead from last summer ’ s incident in which Sanders , who wasn ’ t even practicing , was yapping at the receivers and ended up in a heated confrontation with Sutton . )
“ I always knew he had ( leadership traits ) in him coming out of college and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loved about him , ” receivers coach Zach Azzanni said .
“ But you have to grow into that and earn that , especially with the room he walked into with two veterans — he didn ’ t have to ( lead ) , which was great .
“ Him and I talk constantly about leadership opportunities and things during the day he can do to lead and say and do .
By doing that , it makes him more accountable to himself and that helps him and everybody around him .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s one of those guys people are drawn to.
” During the coronavirus-caused shortened training camp , Sutton ’ s leadership has been even more important .
The rookie receivers got less than 20 practices and no preseason games before facing the Titans .
“ I ’ ll give those ( older ) guys credit , ” said offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur , singling out Sutton , Tim Patrick and DaeSean Hamilton .
“ They ’ ve really put their arms around the young guys and they ’ re trying to bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important the older guys help lead the younger guys.
” Can a 1,000-yard receiver fly under the radar ?
That could be the case for Sutton early this season because of Jeudy ’ s draft status ( No .
15 overall ) and expectations ( lofty ) .
But for Lock to have success in his first full year as a starter , he could lean on Sutton , knowing a 50-50 pass is more like a 75-25 attempt and Sutton understands leverage and angles to draw penalties even on uncatchable passes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4-1 record ) a year ago and Sutton caught 22 passes during that stretch .
Lock ’ s first touchdown pass , 26 yards against the Chargers , went to Sutton when he basically put it in Sutton ’ s zip code for him to make the play .
His second touchdown pass , five yards against the Chargers , was a side-armed throw to Sutton .
Fast forward to the opening practice of training camp last month .
Lock ’ s first two completions were to Sutton .
A week later , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his feet and contorted his body to catch Lock ’ s pass that was slightly behind him .
Sutton made it look effortless and makes the type of plays that energize an entire offense and maybe an entire sideline .
“ He has ‘ it , ’ ” said former NFL receiver Nate Burleson , now an analyst for NFL Network and CBS .
“ He has the flavor .
He has the ‘ sauce ’ as I like to call it .
And he plays angry .
I see that a little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at times , Jarvis Landry — Courtland will make a 10-yard catch to move the sticks and is yelling and screaming about making a play and I ’ m the receiver sitting on my couch in my boxers eating Cheetos and I ’ m screaming , too , because I love that type of energy.
” The Broncos ’ offense desperately needs an energy and productivity boost .
The improvement of tight end Noah Fant in his second year and the arrival of Jeudy won ’ t take pressure off of Sutton ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but should make defenses think twice about putting two defenders on him .
Even with the attention , Sutton ranks favorably among receivers drafted in 2018 .
His 114 catches are third behind Carolina ’ s D.J .
Moore ( 142 ) and Atlanta ’ s Calvin Ridley ( 127 ) , his 1,816 yards are second behind Moore ( 1,963 ) and his 10 touchdown catches are tied for second behind Ridley ( 17 ) .
Last year , Sutton caught touchdown passes from three quarterbacks — Joe Flacco , Brandon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is learning another new offense , but at least Sutton has a five-game foundation with Lock on which to build .
“ He started getting really good at understanding the whole concept of a play last year and he ’ s going to take the next step this year knowing all of the positions on the field , knowing what the quarterback ’ s reads are and seeing defenses a lot quicker than he did in the past , ” Azzanni said .
“ The game within the game — those are the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ step with.
” Those next steps could put the Broncos back in the playoffs .
In 2018 , Courtland Sutton had 19 of the Broncos ’ 66 “ explosive ” ( gain of at least 16 yards ) catches ( 28.8 % ) and last year , he had 26 of the team ’ s 69 “ explosive ” catches ( 37.7 % ) .
A catch-by-catch recap : 2018 ( yards ) : 20 , 25 , 16 , 21 , 42 , 41 , 28 ( TD ) , 42 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 30 , 30 ( TD ) , 16 , 27 , 25 , 20 and 19 .
Sutton had at least one “ explosive ” catch in 11 of the Broncos ’ 16 games .
2019 ( yards ) : 26 , 18 , 24 , 25 , 16 , 16 , 52 , 27 , 70 ( TD ) , 41 , 18 , 41 , 18 , 33 , 25 , 19 , 21 ( TD ) , 48 , 43 , 27 , 26 ( TD ) , 33 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 18 .
Sutton had at least one “ explosive ” catch in 14 of the Broncos ’ 16 games .

On June 13, 2013, Austin Schlottmann of Brenham, Texas, committed to stay in-state and play college football at TCU. His decision made, he began talking to the Horned Frogs’ staff about one of his high school teammates — receiver Courtland Sutton.
“I tried to talk the coaches at TCU into giving him an offer so he could come play with us, but I guess they didn’t see it,” Schlottmann said.
The Horned Frogs passed, but SMU offered Sutton a scholarship and he signed on Feb. 5, 2014. In games against TCU in 2014-16, he had a combined nine catches for 228 yards.
In Good Company In 2018, Courtland Sutton was the third receiver drafted (second round/No. 40 overall). A look at the top five pass-catchers from that draft:
Player, team Round-No. Catches Yards TD D.J. Moore, Carolina 1-24 142 1,963 6 Calvin Ridley, Atlanta 1-26 127 1,687 17 Courtland Sutton, Broncos 2-40 114 1,816 10 Christian Kirk, Arizona 2-47 111 1,299 6 Michael Gallup, Dallas 3-81 99 1,614 8 *Sutton ranks second in both yards and touchdown catches among the rookies who entered the league in 2018.
“We saw it for four years and he definitely made his presence known,” Schlottmann said.
Years later, the high school teammates are Broncos teammates and the NFL is seeing what Schlottmann saw in high school and college — a legitimate play-maker who enters the season opener against Tennessee coming off his 1,112-yard/six-touchdown breakout season.
“Courtland was always a stud,” Schlottmann said. “And he’s absolutely the same exact person. Hasn’t changed a bit. Just wants to go out there and be the best on the field and he’s doing a great job at that.”
Playing in his third offensive system and with his third starting quarterback, Drew Lock, in as many pro seasons, Sutton’s role is to continue his upward trajectory while leading a young group that includes first- and second-round picks Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler. Most of all, it’s about showing the Pro Bowl appearance was only a start.
“You never want to get to a spot where you get to go to the Pro Bowl and are like, ‘I’ve arrived,’” Sutton said. “I looked at (making the Pro Bowl last year) as motivation.”
Leader on, off the field
During a recent practice, Sutton wore a microphone for the team’s website. The video package was a class in Receiving Technique 101. He gave tips to Jeudy about how to use his hands while running a route and gave Diontae Spencer a few pointers about footwork. It was paying things forward, NFL style.
When Sutton was drafted in the second round two years ago, he joined a receivers’ room led by veterans Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. Sutton observed, learned and took mental notes. How to prepare. How to run certain routes. How to set up defenders. How to grind.
Strong Career Start A look at where Courtland Sutton ranks among receivers in Broncos history in key statistics through two years: Category Statistic Rank Games 32 Tied first Catches 114 Third (Eddie Royal 128, Brandon Marshall 122) Yards 1,816 First Yards per catch 15.9 Third (Mark Jackson 18.3, Ashley Lelie 16.0)* TD catches 10 Second (Lionel Taylor 12) *Among players with at least 50 catches. Note: Taylor played for Chicago in 1960 (no catches).
Thomas was traded to Houston in October 2018 and Sanders tore his Achilles’ in practice a month later, propelling Sutton to No. 1 status for the final four games. Last October, Sanders was traded to San Francisco and Sutton — already the top receiver — took over the room. He took the aforementioned observations and applied them to hone his style. (Sutton also learned how not to lead from last summer’s incident in which Sanders, who wasn’t even practicing, was yapping at the receivers and ended up in a heated confrontation with Sutton.)
“I always knew he had (leadership traits) in him coming out of college and it was one of the things I really loved about him,” receivers coach Zach Azzanni said. “But you have to grow into that and earn that, especially with the room he walked into with two veterans — he didn’t have to (lead), which was great.
“Him and I talk constantly about leadership opportunities and things during the day he can do to lead and say and do. By doing that, it makes him more accountable to himself and that helps him and everybody around him. He has a presence about him. He’s one of those guys people are drawn to.”
During the coronavirus-caused shortened training camp, Sutton’s leadership has been even more important. The rookie receivers got less than 20 practices and no preseason games before facing the Titans.
“I’ll give those (older) guys credit,” said offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, singling out Sutton, Tim Patrick and DaeSean Hamilton. “They’ve really put their arms around the young guys and they’re trying to bring them along. It’s very important the older guys help lead the younger guys.”
‘Sauce’ to his game
Can a 1,000-yard receiver fly under the radar? That could be the case for Sutton early this season because of Jeudy’s draft status (No. 15 overall) and expectations (lofty). But for Lock to have success in his first full year as a starter, he could lean on Sutton, knowing a 50-50 pass is more like a 75-25 attempt and Sutton understands leverage and angles to draw penalties even on uncatchable passes.
Lock started the final five games (4-1 record) a year ago and Sutton caught 22 passes during that stretch. Lock’s first touchdown pass, 26 yards against the Chargers, went to Sutton when he basically put it in Sutton’s zip code for him to make the play. His second touchdown pass, five yards against the Chargers, was a side-armed throw to Sutton.
Fast forward to the opening practice of training camp last month. Lock’s first two completions were to Sutton. A week later, Sutton ran an in-breaking route, left his feet and contorted his body to catch Lock’s pass that was slightly behind him. Sutton made it look effortless and makes the type of plays that energize an entire offense and maybe an entire sideline.
“He has ‘it,’” said former NFL receiver Nate Burleson, now an analyst for NFL Network and CBS. “He has the flavor. He has the ‘sauce’ as I like to call it. And he plays angry. I see that a little bit in Mike Thomas, Julio Jones at times, Jarvis Landry — Courtland will make a 10-yard catch to move the sticks and is yelling and screaming about making a play and I’m the receiver sitting on my couch in my boxers eating Cheetos and I’m screaming, too, because I love that type of energy.”
The Broncos’ offense desperately needs an energy and productivity boost. The improvement of tight end Noah Fant in his second year and the arrival of Jeudy won’t take pressure off of Sutton (he applies much of that himself), but should make defenses think twice about putting two defenders on him.
Even with the attention, Sutton ranks favorably among receivers drafted in 2018. His 114 catches are third behind Carolina’s D.J. Moore (142) and Atlanta’s Calvin Ridley (127), his 1,816 yards are second behind Moore (1,963) and his 10 touchdown catches are tied for second behind Ridley (17). Last year, Sutton caught touchdown passes from three quarterbacks — Joe Flacco, Brandon Allen and Lock. Yes, he is learning another new offense, but at least Sutton has a five-game foundation with Lock on which to build.
“He started getting really good at understanding the whole concept of a play last year and he’s going to take the next step this year knowing all of the positions on the field, knowing what the quarterback’s reads are and seeing defenses a lot quicker than he did in the past,” Azzanni said. “The game within the game — those are the things he’ll take the next step with.”
Those next steps could put the Broncos back in the playoffs.
Making Big Plays
In 2018, Courtland Sutton had 19 of the Broncos’ 66 “explosive” (gain of at least 16 yards) catches (28.8%) and last year, he had 26 of the team’s 69 “explosive” catches (37.7%). A catch-by-catch recap:
2018 (yards): 20, 25, 16, 21, 42, 41, 28 (TD), 42, 21, 21, 22, 39, 30, 30 (TD), 16, 27, 25, 20 and 19. Sutton had at least one “explosive” catch in 11 of the Broncos’ 16 games.
2019 (yards): 26, 18, 24, 25, 16, 16, 52, 27, 70 (TD), 41, 18, 41, 18, 33, 25, 19, 21 (TD), 48, 43, 27, 26 (TD), 33, 33, 27, 19 and 18. Sutton had at least one “explosive” catch in 14 of the Broncos’ 16 games.


thedenverpost--2020-09-08--Empower Retirement in Greenwood Village reels in another big deal

Empower Retirement announced Tuesday that it has agreed to acquire the retirement plan business of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. in a deal valued at $ 3.35 billion .
The Greenwood Village company currently administers 41,000 workplace savings plans with 9.7 million participants and $ 667 billion in assets .
The acquisition , expected to be completed later this year , will add 26,000 workplace savings plans with 2.5 million participants and $ 167 billion in assets .
Empower Retirement will pay $ 2.35 billion in what is known in the insurance business as a ceding commission to MassMutual and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capital to support obligations tied to the plans it is adding .
“ Together , Empower and MassMutual connect a broad spectrum of strength and experience with a shared focus on the customer .
We are excited about the opportunity to reach new customers and serve even more Americans on their journey toward creating a secure retirement , ” said Edmund Murphy III , Empower Retirement ’ s president and CEO said in a statement .
Empower Retirement is the nation ’ s second-largest administrator of retirement plans .
Last September , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stadium and in June it announced it would acquire Personal Capital , a Bay Area digital wealth management firm with a significant presence in Denver , in a deal that could reach close to $ 1 billion .

Empower Retirement announced Tuesday that it has agreed to acquire the retirement plan business of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. in a deal valued at $3.35 billion.
The Greenwood Village company currently administers 41,000 workplace savings plans with 9.7 million participants and $667 billion in assets. The acquisition, expected to be completed later this year, will add 26,000 workplace savings plans with 2.5 million participants and $167 billion in assets.
Empower Retirement will pay $2.35 billion in what is known in the insurance business as a ceding commission to MassMutual and put up another $1 billion in capital to support obligations tied to the plans it is adding.
“Together, Empower and MassMutual connect a broad spectrum of strength and experience with a shared focus on the customer. We are excited about the opportunity to reach new customers and serve even more Americans on their journey toward creating a secure retirement,” said Edmund Murphy III, Empower Retirement’s president and CEO said in a statement.
Empower Retirement is the nation’s second-largest administrator of retirement plans. Last September, it acquired the naming rights to Mile High Stadium and in June it announced it would acquire Personal Capital, a Bay Area digital wealth management firm with a significant presence in Denver, in a deal that could reach close to $1 billion.


thedenverpost--2020-09-08--Broncos’ Von Miller likely out for season after sustaining ankle injury, source says

Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller sustained an ankle injury during Tuesday ’ s practice that will likely end his season , according to a source .
The injury is believed to involve a tendon , although not the Achilles , said the source , who described it as a “ freak injury , ” near the end of practice .
When asked if Miller was going to miss the season , the source said it ’ s “ looking that way.
” Because of poor weather conditions , the Broncos practiced inside for the first time since they opened training @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workout that wasn ’ t open to the media in its entirety .
Miller was injured on one of the final plays of practice and underwent an MRI Tuesday evening .
If Miller is out for the season or for a significant part of the year , it ’ s a giant blow to the Broncos ’ season six days before they open against Tennessee .
After posting only eight sacks last year , his fewest in a full season , Miller spent the offseason undertaking an intense training program that saw him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his conditioning .
Outside linebacker Bradley Chubb is returning from a left ACL injury sustained last September .
He was pulled from practice Aug. 29 and has not been a full participant since .
Even if he plays against the Titans , Chubb is expected to have his playing time managed early in the season .
Behind Miller and Chubb are Malik Reed and Jeremiah Attaochu .
Rookie Derrek Tuzska is on the practice squad after clearing waivers Sunday .
The Broncos waived outside linebacker Justin Hollins on Saturday and he was claimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 31 , has missed only five regular-season games because of injury in his career — one game apiece in 2011 and ’ 19 and three games in ’ 13 when he tore his ACL .
The Broncos ’ all-time sack leader ( 106 ) , Miller has been named first-team All Pro three times and to the Pro Bowl seven times .
If the injury is season-ending , it ’ s conceivable Miller has played his final game with the Broncos .
The final year of Miller ’ s contact in 2021 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million , highest on the team .
If the Broncos cut him before June 1 , 2021 , they will create $ 13.875 million of cap space that could be allocated to new contracts for Chubb or safety Justin Simmons .
In the last week , two pass rushers have found new homes — Jacksonville traded Yannick Ngakoue to Minnesota and Jadeveon Clowney signed with Tennessee .
If the Broncos seek a veteran pass rusher , available names include Clay Matthews , Cameron Wake , Terrell Suggs and Brooks Reed .
Matthews , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ production to the Broncos .
Matthews , 34 , played a decade for Green Bay ( five Pro Bowls and 83 1/2 sacks ) and spent last year with the Los Angeles Rams ( eight sacks ) .
Wake , 38 , has 100 1/2 career sacks , but had only a combined 8 1/2 sacks the last two years for Miami and Tennessee .
Suggs , 37 , has 139 career sacks for Baltimore ( 16 years ) and Arizona/Kansas City ( last year ) .
He had 11 sacks for the @ @ @ @

Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller sustained an ankle injury during Tuesday’s practice that will likely end his season, according to a source.
The injury is believed to involve a tendon, although not the Achilles, said the source, who described it as a “freak injury,” near the end of practice. When asked if Miller was going to miss the season, the source said it’s “looking that way.”
Because of poor weather conditions, the Broncos practiced inside for the first time since they opened training camp and it was also the first workout that wasn’t open to the media in its entirety. Miller was injured on one of the final plays of practice and underwent an MRI Tuesday evening.
If Miller is out for the season or for a significant part of the year, it’s a giant blow to the Broncos’ season six days before they open against Tennessee. After posting only eight sacks last year, his fewest in a full season, Miller spent the offseason undertaking an intense training program that saw him add a few pounds and also improve his conditioning.
Outside linebacker Bradley Chubb is returning from a left ACL injury sustained last September. He was pulled from practice Aug. 29 and has not been a full participant since. Even if he plays against the Titans, Chubb is expected to have his playing time managed early in the season.
RELATED: What’s next for Broncos minus Von Miller? Some names to consider
Behind Miller and Chubb are Malik Reed and Jeremiah Attaochu. Rookie Derrek Tuzska is on the practice squad after clearing waivers Sunday. The Broncos waived outside linebacker Justin Hollins on Saturday and he was claimed by the Los Angeles Rams.
Miller, 31, has missed only five regular-season games because of injury in his career — one game apiece in 2011 and ’19 and three games in ’13 when he tore his ACL. The Broncos’ all-time sack leader (106), Miller has been named first-team All Pro three times and to the Pro Bowl seven times.
If the injury is season-ending, it’s conceivable Miller has played his final game with the Broncos.
The final year of Miller’s contact in 2021 carries a cap number of $22.125 million, highest on the team. If the Broncos cut him before June 1, 2021, they will create $13.875 million of cap space that could be allocated to new contracts for Chubb or safety Justin Simmons.
In the last week, two pass rushers have found new homes — Jacksonville traded Yannick Ngakoue to Minnesota and Jadeveon Clowney signed with Tennessee.
If the Broncos seek a veteran pass rusher, available names include Clay Matthews, Cameron Wake, Terrell Suggs and Brooks Reed. Matthews, Wake and Suggs would bring significant pass-rushing production to the Broncos.
Matthews, 34, played a decade for Green Bay (five Pro Bowls and 83 1/2 sacks) and spent last year with the Los Angeles Rams (eight sacks).
Wake, 38, has 100 1/2 career sacks, but had only a combined 8 1/2 sacks the last two years for Miami and Tennessee. Suggs, 37, has 139 career sacks for Baltimore (16 years) and Arizona/Kansas City (last year). He had 11 sacks for the Ravens in 2017.


thedenverpost--2020-09-08--Snow days threatened by the rise of online learning amid coronavirus

The COVID-19 pandemic has halted many traditions — from shaking hands to sports events — at least temporarily , and now it ’ s threatening a pleasure as old as school itself : snow days .
The future of those unexpected days off came up during Denver Public Schools Superintendent Susana Cordova ’ s weekly virtual press briefing Tuesday as an early-season cold front moved through the metro area .
Cordova said no formal talks have occurred yet within Colorado ’ s largest school district , but she hinted that those discussions may not be far away .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the pandemic is the opportunity to continue learning even with the need to go into quarantine or potentially even around extreme weather conditions … , ” she said .
“ My sense is we will be able to stay connected with our students via technology when the weather doesn ’ t allow us to get out on the road.
” There ’ s no doubt that the coronavirus outbreak has forced schools all over the country to up their game when it comes to providing online instruction , after the contagious pathogen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closure of thousands of schools last spring .
Many have kept locks on the doors as the new academic year started up over the past month .
The idea of burying the snow day under a fresh pile of Zoom classes is getting a front-row seat in Vermont and Kansas .
“ That would also mean there won ’ t be a need to make up days at the end of the school year , either , ” Charles Foust , then-superintendent of the Kansas City , Kansas , school district told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Even though we were nervous when this all started , this is making us think differently about how to do school.
” Colorado ’ s second-largest school district , Jefferson County , isn ’ t currently discussing the idea , but No .
3 Douglas County School District , with 67,000 students , appears open to it .
“ We are currently revising our policy on school closures related to weather to include eLearning , ” spokeswoman Paula Hans wrote in an email Tuesday .
She didn ’ t elaborate .
Arvada sixth-grader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ School , said he would be crestfallen if snow days are phased out in favor of online learning .
The 11-year-old said he has had the pleasure of experiencing five unanticipated days off from school due to snowstorms over the years — days he filled with sledding and video games .
“ You would lose that shining hope in the distance that you just get to have a day off to have fun , ” he said , as he stood in his backyard Tuesday under a gray curtain of sleet .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a value that it would be a shame to lose in what is often an overscheduled world for young people .
He remembers excitedly calling the bus barn in Evergreen as a child to see if school buses would be venturing out into stormy weather or not .
“ It ’ s sad to think of them not having that glimmer of hope that when the clouds start building up they might not have to go to school , ” he said .
“ There ’ s something to be said about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days aren ’ t always easy to call , or manage .
Last fall , a pre-Halloween storm that arrived a bit earlier and more energetically than forecast enraged parents as they tried to get their kids to class on slick streets early in the morning only to find schools throughout the metro area closing shop as the storm ramped up .
Jeremy Meyer , a spokesman for the Colorado Department of Education , said policies on snow days are made at the district level .
But school districts must adhere to state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , meaning if a district holds classes online in lieu of canceling a scheduled student contact day , it must take attendance , document teacher-student interaction time and ensure that students have the necessary technology and internet access to participate in remote learning .
Bret Miles , executive director of the Colorado Association of School Executives , said there is no doubt the snow day is in greater danger than it has ever been before .
But students dreaming of that unscheduled day on the sledding hill need not start worrying just yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic is in full swing .
“ I don ’ t think anyone has time to do it right now with all the day-to-day responsibility of keeping the schools open , ” he said .

The COVID-19 pandemic has halted many traditions — from shaking hands to sports events — at least temporarily, and now it’s threatening a pleasure as old as school itself: snow days.
The future of those unexpected days off came up during Denver Public Schools Superintendent Susana Cordova’s weekly virtual press briefing Tuesday as an early-season cold front moved through the metro area. Cordova said no formal talks have occurred yet within Colorado’s largest school district, but she hinted that those discussions may not be far away.
“The silver lining to what we are learning about the pandemic is the opportunity to continue learning even with the need to go into quarantine or potentially even around extreme weather conditions …,” she said. “My sense is we will be able to stay connected with our students via technology when the weather doesn’t allow us to get out on the road.”
There’s no doubt that the coronavirus outbreak has forced schools all over the country to up their game when it comes to providing online instruction, after the contagious pathogen spread across the globe and forced the closure of thousands of schools last spring. Many have kept locks on the doors as the new academic year started up over the past month.
The idea of burying the snow day under a fresh pile of Zoom classes is getting a front-row seat in Vermont and Kansas.
“That would also mean there won’t be a need to make up days at the end of the school year, either,” Charles Foust, then-superintendent of the Kansas City, Kansas, school district told the Kansas City Star in April. “Even though we were nervous when this all started, this is making us think differently about how to do school.”
Colorado’s second-largest school district, Jefferson County, isn’t currently discussing the idea, but No. 3 Douglas County School District, with 67,000 students, appears open to it.
“We are currently revising our policy on school closures related to weather to include eLearning,” spokeswoman Paula Hans wrote in an email Tuesday. She didn’t elaborate.
Arvada sixth-grader Everett Vair, who attends Oberon Middle School, said he would be crestfallen if snow days are phased out in favor of online learning. The 11-year-old said he has had the pleasure of experiencing five unanticipated days off from school due to snowstorms over the years — days he filled with sledding and video games.
“You would lose that shining hope in the distance that you just get to have a day off to have fun,” he said, as he stood in his backyard Tuesday under a gray curtain of sleet.
His father, Michael, said snow days have a value that it would be a shame to lose in what is often an overscheduled world for young people. He remembers excitedly calling the bus barn in Evergreen as a child to see if school buses would be venturing out into stormy weather or not.
“It’s sad to think of them not having that glimmer of hope that when the clouds start building up they might not have to go to school,” he said. “There’s something to be said about having spontaneous free time.”
But snow days aren’t always easy to call, or manage. Last fall, a pre-Halloween storm that arrived a bit earlier and more energetically than forecast enraged parents as they tried to get their kids to class on slick streets early in the morning only to find schools throughout the metro area closing shop as the storm ramped up.
Jeremy Meyer, a spokesman for the Colorado Department of Education, said policies on snow days are made at the district level. But school districts must adhere to state rules on instructional hours, he said, meaning if a district holds classes online in lieu of canceling a scheduled student contact day, it must take attendance, document teacher-student interaction time and ensure that students have the necessary technology and internet access to participate in remote learning.
Bret Miles, executive director of the Colorado Association of School Executives, said there is no doubt the snow day is in greater danger than it has ever been before. But students dreaming of that unscheduled day on the sledding hill need not start worrying just yet — not as long as the COVID-19 pandemic is in full swing.
“I don’t think anyone has time to do it right now with all the day-to-day responsibility of keeping the schools open,” he said.


thedenverpost--2020-09-08--Two-tight end personnel may be Broncos’ best approach early in season

Broncos tight end Nick Vannett couldn ’ t contain his enthusiasm when asked about “ 12 ” personnel potentially being a staple of this year ’ s offense .
Signed from Pittsburgh in free agency , Vannett had reason to be excited because that package calls for one running back , two receivers and two tight ends on the field .
That equals more opportunities for Vannett and Co. to make plays .
“ I might be a little biased , but I ’ ve always been a big fan of it , ” he said .
“ You get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creates so many mismatches , especially when you have two big athletes out there .
We can just own the middle of the field in the passing game .
It makes things more unpredictable.
” As the Broncos prepare for Monday night ’ s season opener against Tennessee , being unpredictable should be offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur ’ s modus operandi .
Using “ 12 ” might also be necessary for the Broncos .
Projected third receiver KJ Hamler ( hamstring ) remains out .
The first month of the season presents edge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ T.J. Watt ( Pittsburgh ) and Shaq Barrett ( Tampa Bay ) , which means using the tight end in protection .
And the best way to ease a young offense into the season is by having an effective running game .
The extra tight end helps there , too .
“ In general , if you feel your two tight ends are better than the third receiver , I would absolutely advocate using ‘ 12 ’ , ” an NFL offensive assistant said .
The Broncos have the players to roll two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game .
Vannett and Noah Fant would be the starters in “ 12.
” Jake Butt is healthy and versatile .
Rookie Albert Okwuegbunam is a receiving threat .
And Andrew Beck can play fullback and tight end .
Shurmur has been able to get regular production from his tight ends .
In Cleveland ( 2011-12 ) , Benjamin Watson had seasons of 37 catches-410 yards-two touchdowns and 49-501-3 .
In Minnesota , Kyle Rudolph had 53 catches and eight touchdowns during the 2017 season .
And in the last two years for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ catches and six touchdowns .
According to Football Outsiders , the Broncos used two-tight end personnel on 23 % of their offensive snaps last year ( 24th in the league ) .
Shurmur ’ s Giants used it on 21 % of their snaps ( 27th ) .
The Super Bowl teams , Kansas City and San Francisco , used two tight ends on 31 % ( 14th ) and 36 % ( seventh ) , respectively .
The Chiefs , with Travis Kelce , and the 49ers , with George Kittle , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Broncos drafted Fant last year and Albert Okwuegbunam this year knowing they could be instant producers as receivers .
As a rookie last year , Fant had 40 catches for 562 yards and three touchdowns .
“ I don ’ t know if it ’ s a part of the spread offense and guys getting more opportunities in college to run routes , but it ’ s forced some good matchups for tight ends , ” Broncos tight ends coach Wade Harman said .
“ When you get some of them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matchups inside .
Some teams play more zone vs. two-tight end stuff to adapt because those guys have been hurting the base personnel.
” Pluses of using “ 12 ” against a base defense : Line Fant up outside and he could feast on a linebacker .
… If a linebacker moves outside to cover Fant , that opens up inside running room .
… If a safety replaces the linebacker in run support , that opens the middle of the field for a medium-to-long pass .
The big winner vs. base defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the biggest advantage , ” the NFL assistant said .
“ Get a linebacker on Fant or the Missouri kid ( Okwuegbunam ) and it ’ s a big matchup issue .
And the best matchup doesn ’ t have to be a tight end on a linebacker .
It could easily feature your top receiver over a linebacker and a tight end against a corner.
” Said Vannett : “ I just think ‘ 12 ’ helps the running game so much because with guys like us on the field ( together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if it ’ s going to be a run or pass.
” Pluses of using “ 12 ” against a sub-package : This is where the Broncos should be able to run it because the defense will take either a lineman or a linebacker off the field and Shurmur can use Vannett ( or Butt ) as a sixth run blocker .
And using Fant alongside receivers Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy and , if he motions out of the backfield , Phillip Lindsay or Melvin Gordon to spread the field horizontally , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Harman said , force teams to play zone ( free releases for the receivers at the snap ) .
Do play-callers prefer facing a base or nickel defense while in “ 12 ” ?
“ For certain plays , for sure ( we want a base defense ) , ” Broncos quarterbacks coach Mike Shula said .
“ But what happens is , some defenses may go nickel all the time and treat ( ‘ 12 ’ ) like it ’ s three receivers or go by down and distance .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you come in with two tight ends .
There is an advantage to throwing the ball vs. base and running the ball vs. nickel , but defenses know that , too , so even if they ’ re in nickel , they ’ ll find a way to have a good run defense out there.
” “ Go nickel and you risk getting run on , especially inside ; go base and you risk getting thrown on and not just because you ’ re playing with three linebackers , but also because your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot less multiple than your nickel designs , ” NFL analyst Andy Benoit said .
“ I wouldn ’ t be surprised if Tennessee plays a ‘ big nickel , ’ and uses a safety instead of a cornerback as the fifth defensive back by sliding Kenny Vaccaro to the slot and bringing in Amani Hooker at safety.
” A look back at some of Fant ’ s explosive plays last year revealed how he was used in a variety of ways .
His 25-yard touchdown against Jacksonville : Left H-back and motioned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pass .
His 75-yard touchdown against Cleveland : Three-point stance and ran an over route , breaking three tackles .
His 48-yard catch at Houston : Motioned to right H-back and easily out-ran linebacker Benardrick McKinney on a go route .
Often , Fant would benefit from the Broncos using play-action or him giving the impression he was staying in protection by engaging or chipping a pass rusher .
If the Broncos feel the best matchup is to use Vannett as a sixth pass protector , that not only frees Fant up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for using Gordon or Lindsay as a receiver out of the backfield .
“ Anytime you get a tight end that runs and can catch the ball the way he does and can run routes the way he does , that ’ s so rare to come by in the league , ” Vannett said .
The NFL assistant is already interested in seeing how Shurmur uses Fant in particular .
“ My team should be doing the same thing , ” the assistant coach said .
“ Everything we do in ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ 12 ’ , ’ too .
”

Broncos tight end Nick Vannett couldn’t contain his enthusiasm when asked about “12” personnel potentially being a staple of this year’s offense.
Signed from Pittsburgh in free agency, Vannett had reason to be excited because that package calls for one running back, two receivers and two tight ends on the field. That equals more opportunities for Vannett and Co. to make plays.
“I might be a little biased, but I’ve always been a big fan of it,” he said. “You get more big bodies out there, it creates so many mismatches, especially when you have two big athletes out there. We can just own the middle of the field in the passing game. It makes things more unpredictable.”
As the Broncos prepare for Monday night’s season opener against Tennessee, being unpredictable should be offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur’s modus operandi.
Using “12” might also be necessary for the Broncos.
Projected third receiver KJ Hamler (hamstring) remains out. The first month of the season presents edge rushers Jadeveon Clowney (Titans), T.J. Watt (Pittsburgh) and Shaq Barrett (Tampa Bay), which means using the tight end in protection. And the best way to ease a young offense into the season is by having an effective running game. The extra tight end helps there, too.
“In general, if you feel your two tight ends are better than the third receiver, I would absolutely advocate using ‘12’,” an NFL offensive assistant said.
The Broncos have the players to roll two tight ends in and out of the game. Vannett and Noah Fant would be the starters in “12.” Jake Butt is healthy and versatile. Rookie Albert Okwuegbunam is a receiving threat. And Andrew Beck can play fullback and tight end.
Many pluses to “12”
Shurmur has been able to get regular production from his tight ends.
In Cleveland (2011-12), Benjamin Watson had seasons of 37 catches-410 yards-two touchdowns and 49-501-3. In Minnesota, Kyle Rudolph had 53 catches and eight touchdowns during the 2017 season. And in the last two years for the Giants, Evan Engram had 99 catches and six touchdowns.
According to Football Outsiders, the Broncos used two-tight end personnel on 23% of their offensive snaps last year (24th in the league). Shurmur’s Giants used it on 21% of their snaps (27th). The Super Bowl teams, Kansas City and San Francisco, used two tight ends on 31% (14th) and 36% (seventh), respectively. The Chiefs, with Travis Kelce, and the 49ers, with George Kittle, have stars at the tight end position.
The Broncos drafted Fant last year and Albert Okwuegbunam this year knowing they could be instant producers as receivers.
As a rookie last year, Fant had 40 catches for 562 yards and three touchdowns.
“I don’t know if it’s a part of the spread offense and guys getting more opportunities in college to run routes, but it’s forced some good matchups for tight ends,” Broncos tight ends coach Wade Harman said. “When you get some of them outside, you usually get some favorable matchups inside. Some teams play more zone vs. two-tight end stuff to adapt because those guys have been hurting the base personnel.”
To Harman’s point …
Pluses of using “12” against a base defense: Line Fant up outside and he could feast on a linebacker. … If a linebacker moves outside to cover Fant, that opens up inside running room. … If a safety replaces the linebacker in run support, that opens the middle of the field for a medium-to-long pass.
The big winner vs. base defense is Fant.
“That’s the biggest advantage,” the NFL assistant said. “Get a linebacker on Fant or the Missouri kid (Okwuegbunam) and it’s a big matchup issue. And the best matchup doesn’t have to be a tight end on a linebacker. It could easily feature your top receiver over a linebacker and a tight end against a corner.”
Said Vannett: “I just think ‘12’ helps the running game so much because with guys like us on the field (together), they don’t know if it’s going to be a run or pass.”
Pluses of using “12” against a sub-package: This is where the Broncos should be able to run it because the defense will take either a lineman or a linebacker off the field and Shurmur can use Vannett (or Butt) as a sixth run blocker. And using Fant alongside receivers Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy and, if he motions out of the backfield, Phillip Lindsay or Melvin Gordon to spread the field horizontally, could present single matchups, or, as Harman said, force teams to play zone (free releases for the receivers at the snap).
Do play-callers prefer facing a base or nickel defense while in “12”?
“For certain plays, for sure (we want a base defense),” Broncos quarterbacks coach Mike Shula said. “But what happens is, some defenses may go nickel all the time and treat (‘12’) like it’s three receivers or go by down and distance. You have to be prepared for both when you come in with two tight ends. There is an advantage to throwing the ball vs. base and running the ball vs. nickel, but defenses know that, too, so even if they’re in nickel, they’ll find a way to have a good run defense out there.”
Defenses could face a pick-their-poison decision.
“Go nickel and you risk getting run on, especially inside; go base and you risk getting thrown on and not just because you’re playing with three linebackers, but also because your base coverages and pass-rush designs are a lot less multiple than your nickel designs,” NFL analyst Andy Benoit said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Tennessee plays a ‘big nickel,’ and uses a safety instead of a cornerback as the fifth defensive back by sliding Kenny Vaccaro to the slot and bringing in Amani Hooker at safety.”
Utilizing Fant
A look back at some of Fant’s explosive plays last year revealed how he was used in a variety of ways.
His 25-yard touchdown against Jacksonville: Left H-back and motioned across the formation before catching a screen pass.
His 75-yard touchdown against Cleveland: Three-point stance and ran an over route, breaking three tackles.
His 48-yard catch at Houston: Motioned to right H-back and easily out-ran linebacker Benardrick McKinney on a go route.
Often, Fant would benefit from the Broncos using play-action or him giving the impression he was staying in protection by engaging or chipping a pass rusher. If the Broncos feel the best matchup is to use Vannett as a sixth pass protector, that not only frees Fant up to be a receiver, the same goes for using Gordon or Lindsay as a receiver out of the backfield.
“Anytime you get a tight end that runs and can catch the ball the way he does and can run routes the way he does, that’s so rare to come by in the league,” Vannett said.
The NFL assistant is already interested in seeing how Shurmur uses Fant in particular.
“My team should be doing the same thing,” the assistant coach said. “Everything we do in ‘11’, we can do in ‘12’,’ too.”


thedenverpost--2020-09-08--Rapids preparing for shivery shootout with high-powered Houston

“ I ’ ve never had snow in September , ” said the 19-year-old Rapids midfielder , who was named to the MLS Team of the Week for his performance last Saturday .
“ I saw something that this was the first time in 20 years it ’ s going to happen in September , I ’ m glad to see snow.
” With snow falling in the city Tuesday and temperatures predicted to be about 50 degrees colder than Colorado ’ s last home game , the match against the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday night at Dick ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel .
“ If Houston doesn ’ t like snow , I think that ’ s an advantage to us , ” Bassett said .
“ We did pretty well in the cold last year so I think we have to use that to our advantage .
The cold and altitude actually help us a bit and we just got to keep doing what we ’ re doing and stay on the front foot , control games and then finish off our chances.
” Bassett has been involved in the last two Rapids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the other in the club ’ s only two goals in its previous two matches .
With the hopes of one day going to play for the big clubs in Europe , Bassett has taken a step forward in his development in recent weeks .
“ I still have a long way to go , ” he said .
“ It ’ s just been the start of trying to get in a run of games and I ’ ve been working hard for a while to try to get in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” That shouldn ’ t be a problem the way Bassett is playing .
It ’ s getting more production out of the rest of the club that is more concerning .
Bassett and Co. have done well in creating chances but haven ’ t been able to finish enough off , scoring three goals total in their last three matches .
It doesn ’ t help that Nicolas Benezet has only played in three of the Rapids ’ eight matches due to a myriad of injury issues .
Captain Jack Price did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was sidelined with a minor issue .
He could be back against Houston , though his status is unclear .
The Dynamo came to Colorado in March of 2019 on a cold day with morning snow and made easy work of the Rapids .
Behind Memo Rodriguez and Alberth Ellis , Houston exposed the Rapids defense in a 4-1 win that included two own goals in the first half .
The Houston attack has scored 10 goals in its past three matches — all wins for first-year year coach Tab Ramos .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us , ” Rapids coach Robin Fraser said .
“ Houston is playing very well , getting very good results .
They have a number of very dangerous attacking players that are a handful to deal with.
” Footnote .
Rapids legend Pablo Mastroeni , a member of the Houston coaching staff , was supposed to have his No .
25 retired by Colorado this season before COVID-19 put those plans on hold .
Colorado has instead opted to wait for Mastroeni to get his day in front of Rapids fans .

Snow in early September?
Littleton native Cole Bassett could only laugh.
“I’ve never had snow in September,” said the 19-year-old Rapids midfielder, who was named to the MLS Team of the Week for his performance last Saturday. “I saw something that this was the first time in 20 years it’s going to happen in September, I’m glad to see snow.”
With snow falling in the city Tuesday and temperatures predicted to be about 50 degrees colder than Colorado’s last home game, the match against the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday night at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park may have a different feel.
“If Houston doesn’t like snow, I think that’s an advantage to us,” Bassett said. “We did pretty well in the cold last year so I think we have to use that to our advantage. The cold and altitude actually help us a bit and we just got to keep doing what we’re doing and stay on the front foot, control games and then finish off our chances.”
Bassett has been involved in the last two Rapids finishes, assisting on one and scoring on the other in the club’s only two goals in its previous two matches. With the hopes of one day going to play for the big clubs in Europe, Bassett has taken a step forward in his development in recent weeks.
“I still have a long way to go,” he said. “It’s just been the start of trying to get in a run of games and I’ve been working hard for a while to try to get in the lineup and try to stay in it.”
That shouldn’t be a problem the way Bassett is playing. It’s getting more production out of the rest of the club that is more concerning.
Bassett and Co. have done well in creating chances but haven’t been able to finish enough off, scoring three goals total in their last three matches. It doesn’t help that Nicolas Benezet has only played in three of the Rapids’ eight matches due to a myriad of injury issues.
Captain Jack Price did not start in San Jose as he was sidelined with a minor issue. He could be back against Houston, though his status is unclear.
The Dynamo came to Colorado in March of 2019 on a cold day with morning snow and made easy work of the Rapids. Behind Memo Rodriguez and Alberth Ellis, Houston exposed the Rapids defense in a 4-1 win that included two own goals in the first half.
The Houston attack has scored 10 goals in its past three matches — all wins for first-year year coach Tab Ramos.
“It’s a huge challenge for us,” Rapids coach Robin Fraser said. “Houston is playing very well, getting very good results. They have a number of very dangerous attacking players that are a handful to deal with.”
Footnote. Rapids legend Pablo Mastroeni, a member of the Houston coaching staff, was supposed to have his No. 25 retired by Colorado this season before COVID-19 put those plans on hold. Colorado has instead opted to wait for Mastroeni to get his day in front of Rapids fans.


thedenverpost--2020-09-09--Rising global temperature closing in on agreed upon limit

The world is getting closer to passing a temperature limit set by global leaders five years ago and may exceed it in the next decade or so , according to a new United Nations report .
In the next five years , the world has nearly a 1-in-4 chance of experiencing a year that ’ s hot enough to put the global temperature at 2.7 degrees ( 1.5 degrees Celsius ) above pre-industrial times , according to a new science update released Wednesday by the U.N. , World Meteorological Organization and other global science groups .
That 1.5 degrees Celsius @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set in 2015 by world leaders in the Paris climate change agreement .
A 2018 U.N. science report said a world hotter than that still survives , but chances of dangerous problems increase tremendously .
The report comes on the heels of a weekend of weather gone wild around the U.S. : Scorching heat , record California wildfires and two more Atlantic storms that set records for earliest 16th and 17th named storms .
The warming that has already occurred has “ increased the odds of extreme events that are unprecedented in our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scientist Noah Diffenbaugh said .
For example , historical global warming has increased the odds of record-setting hot extremes at more than 80 % of the globe , and has “ doubled or even tripled the odds over the region of California and the western U.S. that has experienced record-setting heat in recent weeks , ” Diffenbaugh added .
The world already has warmed nearly 2 degrees ( 1.1 degrees Celsius ) since the late 1800s , and the last five years are hotter than the previous five years , the report said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or it might not be .
There ’ s both man-made warming and natural warming from a strong El Nino weather pattern in the past five years , said World Meteorological Organization Secretary-General Petteri Taalas .
“ The probability of 1.5 degrees ( Celsius ) is growing year by year , ” Taalas told The Associated Press .
“ It ’ s very likely to happen in the next decade if we don ’ t change our behavior.
” That ’ s potentially faster than what a 2018 U.N. report found : that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ degrees sometime between 2030 and 2052 .
Breakthrough Institute climate scientist Zeke Hausfather , who wasn ’ t part of the new report , said the document was a good update of what scientists already know .
It is “ abundantly clear that rapid climate change is continuing and the world is far from on track ” toward meeting the Paris climate goals , he said .
Some countries , including the U.S. and many in Europe , are reducing emissions of heat-trapping carbon dioxide , but Taalas said the world is on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 3 degrees Celsius ) warmer compared with the late 19th century .
That would be above the Paris accord ’ s less stringent 2-degree Celsius target .
The latest report was the U.N. ’ s annual update on “ climate disruption ” caused by the burning of coal , oil and gas .
It highlighted more than just increasing temperatures and rising sea levels .
“ Record heat , ice loss , wildfires , floods and droughts continue to worsen , affecting communities , nations and economies around the world , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a foreword .
The report spotlights unprecedented wildfires in the Amazon , the Arctic and Australia .
California is fighting record wildfires as the report was issued .
“ Drought and heat waves substantially increased the risk of wildfires , ” the report said .
“ The three largest economic losses on record from wildfires have all occurred in the last four years.
” Carbon dioxide emissions will be down 4 % to 7 % this year because of reduced travel and industrial activities during the coronavirus pandemic , but the heat-trapping gas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so the levels in the atmosphere continue to go up , Taalas said .
And , he said , so will the warming .
So far , this year is the second hottest on record and has a 37 % chance of surpassing the global record set in 2016 , according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration .
The Associated Press Health & Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .

The world is getting closer to passing a temperature limit set by global leaders five years ago and may exceed it in the next decade or so, according to a new United Nations report.
In the next five years, the world has nearly a 1-in-4 chance of experiencing a year that’s hot enough to put the global temperature at 2.7 degrees (1.5 degrees Celsius) above pre-industrial times, according to a new science update released Wednesday by the U.N., World Meteorological Organization and other global science groups.
That 1.5 degrees Celsius is the more stringent of two limits set in 2015 by world leaders in the Paris climate change agreement. A 2018 U.N. science report said a world hotter than that still survives, but chances of dangerous problems increase tremendously.
The report comes on the heels of a weekend of weather gone wild around the U.S.: Scorching heat, record California wildfires and two more Atlantic storms that set records for earliest 16th and 17th named storms.
Earlier this year, Death Valley hit 130 degrees (54.4 degrees Celsius) and Siberia hit 100 degrees (38 degrees Celsius).
The warming that has already occurred has “increased the odds of extreme events that are unprecedented in our historical experience,” Stanford University climate scientist Noah Diffenbaugh said.
For example, historical global warming has increased the odds of record-setting hot extremes at more than 80% of the globe, and has “doubled or even tripled the odds over the region of California and the western U.S. that has experienced record-setting heat in recent weeks,” Diffenbaugh added.
The world already has warmed nearly 2 degrees (1.1 degrees Celsius) since the late 1800s, and the last five years are hotter than the previous five years, the report said. The speed-up could be temporary, or it might not be. There’s both man-made warming and natural warming from a strong El Nino weather pattern in the past five years, said World Meteorological Organization Secretary-General Petteri Taalas.
“The probability of 1.5 degrees (Celsius) is growing year by year,” Taalas told The Associated Press. “It’s very likely to happen in the next decade if we don’t change our behavior.”
That’s potentially faster than what a 2018 U.N. report found: that the world was likely to hit 1.5 degrees sometime between 2030 and 2052.
Breakthrough Institute climate scientist Zeke Hausfather, who wasn’t part of the new report, said the document was a good update of what scientists already know. It is “abundantly clear that rapid climate change is continuing and the world is far from on track” toward meeting the Paris climate goals, he said.
Some countries, including the U.S. and many in Europe, are reducing emissions of heat-trapping carbon dioxide, but Taalas said the world is on a path that will be 5.4 degrees (3 degrees Celsius) warmer compared with the late 19th century. That would be above the Paris accord’s less stringent 2-degree Celsius target.
The latest report was the U.N.’s annual update on “climate disruption” caused by the burning of coal, oil and gas. It highlighted more than just increasing temperatures and rising sea levels.
“Record heat, ice loss, wildfires, floods and droughts continue to worsen, affecting communities, nations and economies around the world,” United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres wrote in a foreword.
The report spotlights unprecedented wildfires in the Amazon, the Arctic and Australia. California is fighting record wildfires as the report was issued.
“Drought and heat waves substantially increased the risk of wildfires,” the report said. “The three largest economic losses on record from wildfires have all occurred in the last four years.”
Carbon dioxide emissions will be down 4% to 7% this year because of reduced travel and industrial activities during the coronavirus pandemic, but the heat-trapping gas stays in the air for a century so the levels in the atmosphere continue to go up, Taalas said. And, he said, so will the warming.
So far, this year is the second hottest on record and has a 37% chance of surpassing the global record set in 2016, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The Associated Press Health & Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.


thedenverpost--2020-09-09--Explosive wildfires across California stoked by fierce winds

SHAVER LAKE , Calif. — Wildfires raged unchecked throughout California Wednesday , and gusty winds could drive flames into new ferocity , authorities warned .
Diablo winds in the north and Santa Ana winds in the south were forecast into Wednesday at a time when existing wildfires already have grown explosively .
On Tuesday , 14 firefighters were forced to deploy emergency shelters as flames overtook them and destroyed the Nacimiento Station , a fire station in the Los Padres National Forest on the state ’ s central coast , the U.S. Forest Service said .
They suffered from burns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flown to a hospital in Fresno , where one was in critical condition .
In the past two days , helicopters were used to rescue hundreds of people stranded in the burning Sierra National Forest , where the Creek Fire has destroyed 365 buildings , including at least 45 homes , and 5,000 structures were threatened , fire officials said .
Flames threatened the foothill community of Auberry between Shaver Lake and Fresno .
In Southern California , fires burned in Los Angeles , San Bernardino and San Diego counties , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ region ’ s notorious Santa Anas .
The hot , dry winds could reach 50 mph at times , forecasters said .
People in a half-dozen foothill communities east of Los Angeles were being told to stay alert because of a fire in the Angeles National Forest .
“ The combination of gusty winds , very dry air , and dry vegetation will create critical fire danger , ” the National Weather Service warned .
The U.S. Forest Service on Monday decided to close all eight national forests in the southern half of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ More than 14,000 firefighters are battling fires .
Two of the three largest blazes in state history are burning in the San Francisco Bay Area , though they are largely contained after burning three weeks .
California has already set a record with nearly 2.3 million acres ( 930,800 hectares ) burned this year — surpassing a record set just two years ago — and the worst part of the wildfire season is only beginning .
“ It ’ s extraordinary , the challenge that we ’ ve faced so far this season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The threat of winds tearing down power lines or hurling debris into them and sparking a wildfire prompted Pacific Gas & Electric , the state ’ s largest utility , to shut off power to 172,000 customers over the weekend .
More outages were expected Wednesday , with power not expected to be completely restored until Wednesday night .
To the south , Southern California Edison warned roughly 55,000 customer accounts may lose power while San Diego Gas & Electric said 16,700 customers are at risk of a preemptive outage .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , dozens of campers and hikers were stranded at the Vermilion Valley Resort after the only road in — a narrow route snaking along a steep cliff — was closed Sunday because of the Creek Fire .
Well before dawn Tuesday , the sound of helicopter blades chopping through the air awoke Katelyn Mueller , bringing relief after two anxious nights camping in the smoke .
“ It was probably the one time you ’ re excited to hear a helicopter , ” Mueller said .
“ You could almost feel a sigh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The use of military helicopters to rescue a large number of civilians for a second day — 164 before dawn Tuesday and 214 people from a wooded camping area on Saturday — is rare , if not unprecedented .
“ This is emblematic of how fast that fire was moving , plus the physical geography of that environment with one road in and one road out , ” said Char Miller , a professor of environmental analysis at Pomona College who has written extensively about wildfires .
“ Unless you wanted an absolute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fast.
” Numerous studies in recent years have linked bigger wildfires in America to global warming from the burning of coal , oil and gas , especially because climate change has made California much drier , making plants more flammable .
“ The frequency of extreme wild fire weather has doubled in California over the past four decades , with the main driver being the effect of rising temperature on dry fuels , meaning that the fuel loads are now frequently at record or near-record levels when ignition occurs and when strong winds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Noah Diffenbaugh said in an email .

SHAVER LAKE, Calif. — Wildfires raged unchecked throughout California Wednesday, and gusty winds could drive flames into new ferocity, authorities warned.
Diablo winds in the north and Santa Ana winds in the south were forecast into Wednesday at a time when existing wildfires already have grown explosively.
On Tuesday, 14 firefighters were forced to deploy emergency shelters as flames overtook them and destroyed the Nacimiento Station, a fire station in the Los Padres National Forest on the state’s central coast, the U.S. Forest Service said. They suffered from burns and smoke inhalation, and three were flown to a hospital in Fresno, where one was in critical condition.
In the past two days, helicopters were used to rescue hundreds of people stranded in the burning Sierra National Forest, where the Creek Fire has destroyed 365 buildings, including at least 45 homes, and 5,000 structures were threatened, fire officials said.
Flames threatened the foothill community of Auberry between Shaver Lake and Fresno.
In Southern California, fires burned in Los Angeles, San Bernardino and San Diego counties, and the forecast called for the arrival of the region’s notorious Santa Anas. The hot, dry winds could reach 50 mph at times, forecasters said.
People in a half-dozen foothill communities east of Los Angeles were being told to stay alert because of a fire in the Angeles National Forest.
“The combination of gusty winds, very dry air, and dry vegetation will create critical fire danger,” the National Weather Service warned.
The U.S. Forest Service on Monday decided to close all eight national forests in the southern half of the state and shutter campgrounds statewide.
More than 14,000 firefighters are battling fires. Two of the three largest blazes in state history are burning in the San Francisco Bay Area, though they are largely contained after burning three weeks.
California has already set a record with nearly 2.3 million acres (930,800 hectares) burned this year — surpassing a record set just two years ago — and the worst part of the wildfire season is only beginning.
“It’s extraordinary, the challenge that we’ve faced so far this season,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said.
The threat of winds tearing down power lines or hurling debris into them and sparking a wildfire prompted Pacific Gas & Electric, the state’s largest utility, to shut off power to 172,000 customers over the weekend. More outages were expected Wednesday, with power not expected to be completely restored until Wednesday night.
To the south, Southern California Edison warned roughly 55,000 customer accounts may lose power while San Diego Gas & Electric said 16,700 customers are at risk of a preemptive outage.
In the Sierra National Forest east of Fresno, dozens of campers and hikers were stranded at the Vermilion Valley Resort after the only road in — a narrow route snaking along a steep cliff — was closed Sunday because of the Creek Fire.
Well before dawn Tuesday, the sound of helicopter blades chopping through the air awoke Katelyn Mueller, bringing relief after two anxious nights camping in the smoke.
“It was probably the one time you’re excited to hear a helicopter,” Mueller said. “You could almost feel a sigh of relief seeing it come in.”
The use of military helicopters to rescue a large number of civilians for a second day — 164 before dawn Tuesday and 214 people from a wooded camping area on Saturday — is rare, if not unprecedented.
“This is emblematic of how fast that fire was moving, plus the physical geography of that environment with one road in and one road out,” said Char Miller, a professor of environmental analysis at Pomona College who has written extensively about wildfires. “Unless you wanted an absolute human disaster, you had to move fast.”
Numerous studies in recent years have linked bigger wildfires in America to global warming from the burning of coal, oil and gas, especially because climate change has made California much drier, making plants more flammable.
“The frequency of extreme wild fire weather has doubled in California over the past four decades, with the main driver being the effect of rising temperature on dry fuels, meaning that the fuel loads are now frequently at record or near-record levels when ignition occurs and when strong winds blow,” Stanford University climate scientist Noah Diffenbaugh said in an email.