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Headlines — August 25, 2022

August 25, 2022

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Headlines — August 25, 2022 Claire

Biden Administration Announces Student Loan Forgiveness

The Biden-Harris Administration yesterday announced long-anticipated student loan forgiveness measures. The student loan forgiveness will benefit millions of Americans who earn less than $125,000 a year. Those who made Pell Grants – based on financial need – will have $20,000 written off of their loan debts. Others are eligible for $10,000 of debt relief.

The administration has also announced it will extend the pause of student loan payments through the end of this year.

American Indian College Fund president Cheryl Crazy Bull said in a press release that if “student loans are a burden, graduates cannot build their families’ cultural and financial wealth.”

Some loan forgiveness will automatically apply, but borrowers with questions can find more information at student aid dot gov.

USDA Invest $8.1 Million Combat Climate Change

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it would invest $8.1million in rural Colorado Communities to combat climate change. The Inflation Reduction Act awarded the USDA $14billion in funding to roll out programs that will support the expansion of biofuels and help rural areas transition into Renewable energy.

Some of the allocations will include an investment in a solar photovoltaic energy generation system, a grid-tied, non-battery, solar electric system to replace the historical energy consumption for agricultural production, and $100,000 to assist approximately 53 rural small businesses to obtain energy audits.

Boulderites can pick up a free Catalytic Converter Anti-Theft Kit Today

The University of Colorado Boulder Police Department will distribute catalytic converter anti-theft etching kits from 2-4 PM today at the Fiske Planetarium.

Boulder County residents can pick up the kits for free. They come with instructions to install the catalytic converter, apply and register the etched decal, and a window sticker that shows the vehicle’s catalytic converter is registered with a law enforcement database. The etched decal and sticker linked to law enforcement will aid in identifying theft and recovering stolen converters.

According to The Daily Camera, theft of catalytic converters increased more than 5000 percent from 2019 to 2021. The converters, which contain precious metals like platinum, sell anywhere from $25 to $1400 dollars.

The city of Boulder and CU’s Police Department, in partnership with the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority, organized the effort to curb catalytic converter theft, especially for students.

Recall effort begins for Kevin Priola

Democratic State Senator Kevin Priola – who switched party affiliation earlier this week – is now facing a recall effort. A recall committee led by a teacher and auto store owner filed the necessary paperwork with the Secretary of State’s Office yesterday.

Boulder County Announces that the Marshall Fire Clean-Up Is Now Complete

Boulder County officials announced Wednesday that they had completed Marshall fire cleanup efforts. With all the significant debris and hazards, residents can begin to rebuild. The Marshall Fire Cleanup costs totaled around $20 million– about half of what Boulder County Public works projected.

Since the fire devastated more than 1000 homes in Boulder County late last year, Crews have cleaned up more than 170,000 tons of debris.

Andrew Barth, a Boulder County public works spokesman, said, “The county is definitely excited that people can focus on the rebuild and not worry about their lot and getting it cleaned up.” Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.