April 15, 2008
Building a Better Atomic Clock
April 15, 2008 4:40 PM
The World's Most Accurate Clock . . . won't fit on your wristwatch, but it will be accurate to within 1 second every 200 million years. It's a CU Boulder creation. Shelley Schlender reports....
Posted by Delaney Utterback at 4:40 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Education , Science
October 16, 2007
$13 Million Solar Project Under Construction at Ft. Carson
October 16, 2007 5:22 PM
These are the types of solar panels that will be built at Fort Carson.
Photo courtesy Orea Renewable Energies
Construction has started on one of the largest solar power projects in the state, and it's at Ft. Carson. The $13 million project got underway at the beginning of the month and, when finished, will cover nearly 12 acres at Ft. Carson with photovoltaic solar panels. At maximum capacity it will generate 2 megawatts of electricity, that's a little less than seven percent of the Army base's total electricity needs.
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:22 PM| Permalink | Comments (2) | Posted to Business , Colorado Springs , Energy , Environment , Ft. Carson , Science , Utilities
October 15, 2007
Doctors Fighting Weld County Uranium Mine
October 15, 2007 6:23 PM
Photo by: Power Resources, Inc.
An in-situ uranium mine similar to the one proposed
for Weld County.
Opponents of a proposed uranium mine north of Ft. Collins rallied at the state capitol Sunday. Four state lawmakers at the rally said they'll introduce a new bill to tighten regulations for uranium mines. Three are Democrats, one is a Republican, and Republican Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave who represents the area has also expressed her opposition to the mine. In this story, KUNC's Kirk Siegler reports on efforts by doctors in the area to keep the mine from happening.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 6:23 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Business , Colorado , Energy , Environment , Health , Native American , Politics , Regional , Science
October 9, 2007
Is There A Future For Wilderness?
October 9, 2007 5:11 PM
There's a new effort underway to monitor and improve management of federal wilderness areas.
Peter Landres, a Ph.D. ecologist with the federally-supported Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute in Missoula, Montana says we need to define wilderness "character" so land managers have a better idea what it is they're supposed to protect.
Landres speaks tonight at Colorado College, opening a discussion with the question, "Is There a Future for Wilderness?"
More information click here.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:11 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Environment , Regional , Science , Visiting CC
September 18, 2007
Local News Round-Up for September 18, 2007
September 18, 2007 6:18 PM
Senate OKs Pueblo Depot Cleanup Money
Anti-Abortion Minister Vows to Protest Dem Convention in Denver
CSU Gets TB Research Money
TB Patient Goes Back to Arizona
Gov. Ritter to Testify on Global Warming in DC
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 6:18 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Denver , Environment , Health , Military , Politics , Pueblo , Religion , Science
September 11, 2007
Sheriff Fingers Bacteria in Jailhouse Illness
September 11, 2007 5:24 PM
Pueblo County has identified clostridium perfringens as the bug that made 126 of its jail inmates sick last week, but it's still unclear exactly who is reponsible.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:24 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Health , Prisons , Pueblo , Science
August 15, 2007
State Petroleum Industry Says Natural Gas Fights Global Warming
August 15, 2007 4:19 PM
Colorado's oil and gas industry is holding its annual conference in Denver this week. This year's theme is promoting natural gas as a way to reduce human caused global warming. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:19 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Capitol Coverage , Colorado , Denver , Energy , Environment , Science , Utilities
August 14, 2007
State Computer System Failing
August 14, 2007 4:33 PM
Lawmakers say Colorado's outdated computer system for registering cars and issuing driver's licenses is reaching a breaking point. So far the state's efforts to modernize the system have failed, despite spending millions of dollars trying to fix the problem. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:33 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Capitol Coverage , Colorado , Science , Transportation
CSU launches "Peace Corps MBA"
August 14, 2007 3:39 PM
Starting this month, graduate business students at Colorado State University will have a new option. It's informally called "the Peace Corps MBA." The idea is to give people filled with the save-the-world enthusiasm that Peace Corps volunteers have in spades with practical management experience they sometimes lack. Nancy Greenleese reports.
Read More --> Continue reading "CSU launches "Peace Corps MBA"" »
Posted by Eric Whitney at 3:39 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Business , Colorado , Education , Energy , Entertainment , Health , Poverty , Regional , Science
August 13, 2007
Uranium Mine to Open on Front Range?
August 13, 2007 2:07 PM
Increased demands for nuclear power have rekindled an interest in uranium mining in Colorado. Three mines have reopened in the western part of the state in recent years and now a Canadian company has set its sites on Northern Colorado. The so-called "Centennial Project" is still in its early states but as KUNC's Brian Larson reports opposition from area residents is growing...
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 2:07 PM| Permalink | Comments (1) | Posted to Agriculture/Ranching , Business , Colorado , Energy , Environment , Health , Regional , Science
August 9, 2007
Ritter Urges New Ozone Action Plan
August 9, 2007 4:16 PM
State scientists say parts of Colorado will violate federal ozone standards this year. Governor Bill Ritter is urging a regional air quality council to craft a new plan to address the problem. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:16 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Capitol Coverage , Colorado , Denver , Environment , Health , Politics , Science
July 24, 2007
Colorado Scales Back West Nile Research
July 24, 2007 5:22 PM
Due to federal funding cuts, Colorado will scale back testing of mosquities for West Nile virus this summer. KRCC's Eric Whitney has more.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:22 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Environment , Health , Science
July 23, 2007
Huerfano County Gas Wells Shut Down Following Explosion
July 23, 2007 5:39 PM
The body that regulates oil and gas drilling in Colorado is looking for the source of a methane gas leak in Huerfano county. This in the wake of an explosion in June. That explosion blew the roof off of a well house. Methane is known to sometimes migrate into domestic water wells, causing dangerous gas build-ups and is suspected in the cause of the blown-up well house.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:39 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Energy , Environment , Science
July 20, 2007
Locals Give Thumbs-down to NW New Mexico Power Plant
July 20, 2007 4:49 PM
A proposed major new coal burning power plant in northwest New Mexico is getting an almost unanimous thumbs-down a public hearings in the Four Corners area. The public is being given the chance to comment on a recently released Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
Developers say that in spite of the vocal opposition, they're confident the plant will remain on track.
Victor Locke of KSUT, Four Corners Public Radio attended one of the recent hearings and has this report.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:49 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Business , Colorado , Energy , Environment , Health , Native American , New Mexico , Politics , Poverty , Regional , Science
Feds to Review Preble's Mouse Listing
July 20, 2007 4:36 PM
The Preble's meadow jumping mouse may get to stay on the federal endangered species list.
The Associated Press reports that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is re-examining decisions made by former official Julie McDonald. McDonald resigned after the inspector general said she broke federal rules and should be punished for bullying federal scientists and improperly leaking information about endangered species to private groups.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:36 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Animal Rights/Wellfare , Business , Colorado , El Paso County , Environment , Science
July 13, 2007
West Nile Could Pack A Whallop This Summer
July 13, 2007 4:21 PM
The Associated Press says a third case of West Nile Virus has been confirmed in Colorado, this time in Boulder County. So far this year only three cases have been confirmed in the state, the first coming a week ago in Logan County, the second in Cheyenne County.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:21 PM| Permalink | Comments (1) | Posted to Colorado , Health , Indoor/Outdoor Recreation , Regional , Science
July 11, 2007
New College Admission Standards
July 11, 2007 4:15 PM
Getting into college in Colorado just got tougher. But it's not as tough as some would like it to be. In three years incoming college freshman will face stricter standards to get into college than students do today. But the state's higher education commission rolled back some of the admission requirements and didn't make the standards has tough as they could have. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:15 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Business/Labor , Capitol Coverage , Children & Youth , Colorado , Education , Politics , Science
July 10, 2007
Global Warming Panel
July 10, 2007 4:11 PM
Can America cut greenhouse gas emissions without strangling the national economy? That was the question put to a former chief of the EPA, a Yale professor and two top journalists as part of last week's Aspen Ideas Festival. Bente Birkeland reports.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:11 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Business , Capitol Coverage , Colorado , Energy , Environment , Science
July 5, 2007
Aspen Ideas Festival: Richard Branson On Space Flight
July 5, 2007 2:40 PM
How would you like to stay at a hotel in outer space? Or fly from New York to Sydney in just half an hour? These ideas could soon move from fantasy to reality, if you believe Virgin records founder Richard Branson. The entrepreneur spoke with CBS's Bob Schieffer at the Aspen Institute's Ideas Festival. It was one of the many panels during the weeklong event where top minds discuss issues of the day. Bente Birkeland reports from Aspen.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 2:40 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Business , Colorado , Science
June 28, 2007
Vail Hosts Conference on Endocrine Disruptors in Drinking Water
June 28, 2007 2:00 PM
Scientists from across the country came to Colorado this week to discuss the latest research on emerging contaminants found in water. The compounds show up in minute traces and their effect on humans is unclear, but recent studies indicate they're disrupting fish and frog populations. Bente Birkeland reports from Vail.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 2:00 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Capitol Coverage , Colorado , Drug Use , Environment , Health , Science
June 26, 2007
Colo. Senators Split on Immigration Vote, other news
June 26, 2007 5:30 PM
Colorado's senators split their votes on whether to go forward with an immigration reform bill that the White House favors. Those wanting to continue work on the bill carried the day. Twenty-four Republicans joined 39 Democrats and one Independent.
Colorado Democrat Ken Salazar voted to continue with the bill, while his Republican counterpart Wayne Allard voted not to. Allard said he "could not in good conscience support this flawed process," and that lawmakers can do better than the bill currently before them. He says he will now do all that he can to focus on supporting amendments to address what he calls "serious flaws" in the legislation. There are currently some 26 proposed amendments that the Senate is considering, the bill faces another make or break vote in the chamber as early as Thursday.
The bill in question would provide a pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented workers already in the country, and proposes a guest worker program. Supporters say it has many practical provisions, critics call it amnesty.
More local news after the jump: Ft. Carson Soldiers Killed in Iraq, Dust is Depleting Snowpack Faster, Greens Skeptical of Oil Shale Study and Granby Fire Now Contained....
Read More --> Continue reading "Colo. Senators Split on Immigration Vote, other news" »
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:30 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Business , Colorado , Energy , Environment , Ft. Carson , Immigration , Military , Politics , Regional , Science , Wildfires
June 20, 2007
Pine Beetle Problems - Part 3
June 20, 2007 9:07 PM
State and federal land managers are in Granby today for the first of a two day meeting on the Mountain Pine Beetle epidemic, and just what that means for the state's forests, the risk for wild fire and the impacts that both could have on future water supplies. Recent legislation paves the way for protection of watersheds, but forest researchers say that may have consequences that are not yet fully realized. In the final part of our series on the beetle, KUNC's Brian Larson has more.
Part 3[LISTEN]
Missed the earlier segments?
Part 2[LISTEN]
Part 1[LISTEN]
Posted by Delaney Utterback at 9:07 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Environment , Forest Plans , Science
June 18, 2007
Farmers Learning to Do More With Less Water
June 18, 2007 6:51 PM
Growing food to feed the world accounts for 70 percent of fresh water consumption. But the need for irrigated crops is coming into increasing conflict with the fresh water requirements of cities, factories and a healthy environment. Shelly Schlender reports on how Colorado farmers and scientists are trying to tackle the dilemma.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 6:51 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Agriculture/Ranching , Business , Colorado , Environment , Regional , Science
June 13, 2007
The Unexplainable in Silver Cliff
June 13, 2007 5:48 PM
Colorado has plenty of tales about strange and apparently unexplainable occurrences. One story that's been around for more than a century comes from the tiny town of Silver Cliff in the rural Wet Mountain Valley. Many folks there have witnessed blue lights flitting among the tombstones of the local cemetery on dark, overcast nights. In early June, ten members of the Crypto Science Society at Metro State College decided to investigate the phenomena. Shanna Lewis reports.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:48 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Indoor/Outdoor Recreation , Regional , Science
April 18, 2007
Massive Bee Die-off Threatens Colorado Agriculture
April 18, 2007 5:38 PM
As spring flowers begin to emerge it's time for bees to start getting busy, but nationwide, beekeepers are reporting a die off of the insects beyond anything they've seen before. It's being called colony collapse disorder, and it's proving a significant threat to agriculture in Colorado. From KUNC in Greeley, Brian Larson reports.
[ LISTEN ]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:38 PM| Permalink | Comments (1) | Posted to Agriculture/Ranching , Colorado , Environment , Science
December 1, 2006
ARCHAEOLOGY, BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE ENERGY INDUSTRY
December 1, 2006 2:22 PM
archivesARCHAEOLOGY, BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE ENERGY INDUSTRY
In the last four decades, there's been an explosion in study of the Southwest's substantial archaeological resources. It's mostly due to a federal law mandating that energy companies and other industries document what they find on public land. We talk with High Country News Associate Editor Jonathan Thompson about what's been found, and a new pilot program to improve the system. [LISTEN] []
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 2:22 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Science , Utilities
September 20, 2006
ALZHEIMER'S RESEARCH IN COLORADO
September 20, 2006 9:29 AM
archivesALZHEIMER'S RESEARCH IN COLORADO
Alzheimer's disease affects some 63,000 people in Colorado, and 4 million nationwide. Last weekend the state Alzheimer's association held three so-called "Memory Walks" in Denver, Loveland and Greeley to raise money for research. Brian Larson of KUNC in Greeley has this report on what that research is yielding here in Colorado. [LISTEN] []
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 9:29 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Health , Regional , Science
September 14, 2006
ARMY USING CRAIGSLIST TO RECRUIT
September 14, 2006 3:42 PM
archivesARMY USING CRAIGSLIST TO RECRUIT
Getting new soldiers to join the Army has been tough lately. This report spotlights how the Army is getting hip to the digital age, and using the online exchange board Craig's list to lure new recruits. [LISTEN] []
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 3:42 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Military , Science
November 23, 2005
Energy Efficient Home That's Tasty Too
November 23, 2005 2:28 PM
archivesENERGY EFFICIENT HOME THAT'S TASTY TOO
Students at the University of Colorado have opened their award-winning solar energy home to the public. Maeve Conran reports on this energy efficient building that's constructed with some food-based materials. [LISTEN] []
Posted by Eric Whitney at 2:28 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Energy , Science
November 17, 2005
Commentary: Bug Heaven
November 17, 2005 6:45 PM
archivesCOMMENTARY: BUG HEAVEN
Commentator Sandra Knauf talks about her fascination with bugs. And why Colorado Springs is a good place to be if you ever want to go to a bug museum. [LISTEN] []
Posted by Eric Whitney at 6:45 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Commentary , Science
October 5, 2005
Newscast
October 5, 2005 10:54 AM
archivesNEWSCAST
Stephen Raher reports on the abrupt end to plans for a tribal hotel-casino in Pueblo. Maeve Conran explores the University of Colorado's hopes to participate in the operation of the Los Alamos National Laboratory. [LISTEN] []
Posted by Eric Whitney at 10:54 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Native American , Regional , Science
September 28, 2005
Richard Dawkins Interview
September 28, 2005 3:47 PM
archivesRICHARD DAWKINS INTERVIEW
Richard Dawkins is a professor at Oxford, known internationally for his scholarship on evolutionary biology. The self-proclaimed atheist was in Colorado Springs last week to film a television piece on religion in the United States. In this interview, Dawkins talks to Western Skies' Stephen Raher about religion, science, and politics. [LISTEN] []
Posted by Eric Whitney at 3:47 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Religion , Science
September 23, 2005
Science Education Conference
September 23, 2005 12:01 PM
archivesSCIENCE EDUCATION CONFERENCE
This week, Colorado Springs hosted a meeting of experts who are fighting what they say is a decline of quality science education in U.S. schools. Eric Whitney talks to some of the meeting's participants. [LISTEN] []
Posted by Eric Whitney at 12:01 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Education , Science
September 12, 2005
Alternative Energy
September 12, 2005 10:34 AM
archivesALTERNATIVE ENERGY
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 10:34 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Energy , Science
August 2, 2005
Public Health Drill
August 2, 2005 6:02 PM
archivesPUBLIC HEALTH DRILL
Brian Larson reports on a training drill to help Northern Colorado prepare for a possible pandemic. [LISTEN] []
Posted by Eric Whitney at 6:02 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Health , Regional , Science
March 19, 2005
Pine Beetles
March 19, 2005 1:35 PM
archivesPINE BEETLES
Paul Ingles reports from Santa Fe, where an inventor/scientist is developing new technologies to study the beetle infestation that's threatening the region's piņon pines. [LISTEN] []
Posted by Eric Whitney at 1:35 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Environment , Science
