Into the ‘Misty’ — New film highlights top-secret missions of Vietnam pilots
During the Vietnam War, a group of fighter pilots volunteered for what was largely seen as an impossible mission – preventing the delivery of weapons and supplies from the North into the South. These pilots were known by their radio call sign: Misty. Close to a dozen of them were from Colorado.
A new documentary, “The Misty Experiment: The Secret Battle for the Ho Chi Minh Trail,” is airing on PBS.
The horse race to find the Denver Broncos’ new owner
Don’t let the recent snow fool you. It is NOT football season. Yet the Denver Broncos are involved in a high-stakes contest: the sale of the franchise.
Colorado abortion activists on both sides mobilize in wake of leaked Supreme Court opinion on Roe v. Wade
The leaked opinion has emboldened abortion-rights opponents.
Lessons on how Colorado’s new free preschool will work
After Governor Jared Polis signed it into law, four-year-olds in Colorado will be able to attend preschool for free beginning in 2023. However, families will be limited to 10 hours — which could hamper the schedules of working families. There are also other questions about how the program will actually work, according to Chalkbeat senior reporter Ann Schimke.
Denver photographer captures humanitarian efforts in Ukraine
John Babiak’s parents were displaced from Ukraine during World War II, eventually settling in upstate New York and teaching their children the value of helping others. It’s one reason why the photographer from Denver recently made a trip to Eastern Europe to assist those displaced by the war with Russia. Babiak is working with World Central Kitchen, a global humanitarian group, and has shared some of the photos he’s taken on his journey with Colorado Public Radio.
Tough decisions for a Coloradan who went to Poland to help Ukrainian refugees
Arvada City Councilwoman Lisa Smith has years of experience volunteering at disaster sites, but nothing quite prepared her for having to decide who could flee Ukraine in a vehicle parked nearby, and who would have to wait.
Remembering Colorado sports icon Tom Robinson
Colorado lost an important voice this week with the passing of Tom Robinson. In 2001, Robinson became the first Black administrator hired by the Colorado High School Activities Association. Robinson worked as a teacher, coach and referee. He was even the replay official for the 2017 NCAA college football national championship game. The husband of Cleo Parker Robinson, Tom also helped found the iconic Denver dance company. Rashaan Davis is an assistant commissioner with CHSAA who worked with Robinson for years.
CU’s Conservative Scholar Program aims to broaden thought and policy
It’s fair to say that college professors tend to lean liberal. So, almost 10 years ago, the University of Colorado Boulder embarked on an effort to counter that. It created the position of Visiting Scholar in Conservative Thought and Policy. Since then, a number of conservatives have taught on campus, including John Eastman. Now, a House committee is looking into Eastman’s role in the JIt’s fair to say that college professors tend to lean liberal. So, almost 10 years ago, the University of Colorado Boulder embarked on an effort to counter that. It created the position of Visiting Scholar in Conservative Thought and Policy. Since then, a number of conservatives have taught on campus, including John Eastman. Now, a House committee is looking into Eastman’s role in the January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Robert Pasnau is a philosophy professor at CU Boulder. He directed the conservative scholars program for eight years.
Aurora entrepreneur finds opportunity during the pandemic
When the pandemic hit, many businesses took a step back. But Skye Barker Maa took a step, actually several steps, forward. She’d already started a music school in Aurora, and last year, Barker Maa started a new fashion school as well as schools for photography, theater and film. And that’s not all.
Son of Ukrainian immigrants heads to Poland to help displaced families and children
John Babiak, of Denver, feels a compunction to help people who struggle. It’s a quality his parents instilled in him. In the 1940s, they were displaced from Ukraine. Which is why, despite a congenital heart condition, Babiak soon leaves for Poland to help Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion. The 62-year-old might also cross over into his family’s homeland.
The Smithsonian recognizes women in STEM with their own statues
The Smithsonian exhibit honors female leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics with their own safety orange statues. The exhibit, called “If Then She Can,” features 120 women — and six of them are from Colorado, including Jenny Briggs, the assistant dean of the Colorado School of Mines, and engineer Sarah Wilson with Tortuga AgTech.
Broncos fans get something to cheer about
On Tuesday, the Denver Broncos acquired Seattle Seahawks’ quarterback Russell Wilson in a trade that garnered attention across the league and boosted fans’ expectations that the team could come back after several losing seasons. Commentator and former Bronco Ryan Harris has high expectations too.
Fighting cyber warfare tied to Russian invasion of Ukraine
Ukraine is fighting for its life. And the globe is fighting to grasp the repercussions of the Russian invasion. In Colorado, Governor Jared Polis has said he’ll welcome refugees. He also told his IT workforce to shore up cyber defenses. Let’s get perspective from Elizabeth Van Wie Davis, professor of international politics and policy at Colorado School of Mines. She’s the author of “Shadow Warfare: Cyberwar Policy in the United States, Russia, and China.”
Is American democracy fragile and how can it be fixed?
As midterm elections approach, where is American Democracy? Republican U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming and Colorado Democrat Jason Crow spoke together at the University of Denver’s recent Democracy Summit.
What at-home COVID tests tell us now
Testing was a major part of the strategy to stem the spread of COVID-19. But as the focus shifts to vaccines, what role do tests play now? Data scientist Daniel Larremore from CU Boulder explains how we can use testing as we shift from pandemic to endemic.
Former Denver Bronco Ryan Harris: ‘Anybody paying attention’ should see problems in NFL hiring
Former Broncos offensive lineman Ryan Harris spoke with Colorado Matters about diversity in the front office and NFL coaching ranks, as well as the long-term implications of Bryan Flores’ actions.