Headlines – April 19, 2023

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Fox News Settles Over False Election Claims

Fox News has agreed to pay more than  $787 million to settle a defamation suit brought against it by Dominion Voting Systems. The settlement will keep the lawsuit from going to trial.

Denver-based Dominion initially asked for $1.6 billion from Fox, arguing the network damaged the voting system’s reputation by feeding into conspiracy theories alleging the equipment switched votes from former President Trump to Democrat Joe Biden during the 2020 presidential election. 

Records uncovered during the discovery process found Fox executives and hosts aired claims by Trump’s allies despite believing they were false. 

In court papers, Dominion argued Fox “knew the allegations were ‘outlandish’ and ‘crazy’ and ‘ludicrous’ and ‘nuts.’ Yet it used the power and influence of its platform to promote that false story.”

The judge, formally accepting the settlement, would close the case. If it had gone to trial, it would test media organizations’ protection against libel claims that have been in place since 1964.

Legislature Hears Testimony on Assault Weapons Ban

Colorado House Republicans say they expect hundreds of people to testify at the State Capitol today against a bill that calls for a statewide ban on assault weapons.

According to the bill’s text, HB 1230 would prohibit a person from, “manufacturing, importing, purchasing, selling, offering to sell, or transferring ownership of an assault weapon.” 

The bill would also make the possession of a rapid-fire trigger activator a class 2 misdemeanor.

Federal Judge Denies Colorado Abortion Reversal Ban

The Supreme Court is due to make a decision on challenges to the abortion pill mifepristone by midnight tonight. The deadline comes after the U.S. Justice Department asked the court to stay a recent ruling by a Texas judge to reverse the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of mifepristone.  

The pill is used in half of all abortions across the US. 

The struggle over access to safe and legal abortion continues on a state level in Colorado. A federal judge over the weekend enacted a temporary block against an abortion bill that Gov. Jared Polis signed into law last week. 

The bill banned pro-life women’s health clinics from giving pregnant women who have taken mifepristone a drug that they claim will “reverse the abortion.” According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the reversal medication is not scientifically supported. 

A Catholic health clinic sued immediately following Polis’ approval of the ban. 

According to the Denver Post, Bella Health and Wellness, in Englewood, Colorado, claims the bill violates religious freedoms and First Amendment rights. 

Another Denver Settlement In Police Abuse Case

Denver City Council settled a lawsuit Monday with a man involved in a 2020 protest over a homeless encampment. 

The city paid Michael Jacob’s’ $350,000 after being allegedly being beaten by police. Jacob’s attorney told 9news that, “Two Denver Police officers detained Jacobs for allegedly jostling a fence. He said one of the officers punched Jacobs in the head while the other thrust a baton into Jacobs’ anus area.”

Jacobs underwent surgery to repair his rotator cuff, which was torn during his encounter with the police, and experienced panic attacks in response to the trauma.

Jacobs’ settlement of $350,000 brings Denver’s total settlement dollars from the 2020 summer of protests to over $4 million. 

CU Boulder Doubles CU Promise Free Tuition Program

The University of Colorado Boulder announced yesterday that it will double the number of in-state students eligible for free tuition and fees for the 2023-2024 academic year. 

This expansion is part of the CU Promise program, which provides tuition assistance for Colorado resident students based on their Pell Grant eligibility. 

Senate Bill 96, which Gov. Jared Polis signed into law this month, made this expansion possible, allowing the university to broaden the impact of merit and need-based scholarships.

In a press release, CU Chancellor Phillip Distefano said, “The expansion of this program will help us attract and retain in-state students who might not otherwise see higher education as an option.”

Eligibility includes the student being a Colorado resident, a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, eligible for the Federal Pell Grant, admitted or enrolled for a CU undergraduate program and working on their first bachelor’s degree. 

Starbucks BYO Pilot Program

Starbucks locations in Colorado are testing a new “bring your own cup” program, as part of the company’s efforts to reduce waste sent to landfills.

As many as 192 of Starbuck’s nearly 500 Colorado stores are taking part in the pilot program, which runs until June 30th.

Customers who bring their own cups will get a discount for at-the-counter and drive-through coffee purchases.

Starbucks says their goal is to create a cultural movement toward reusables by 2025.

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