Headlines — November 22, 2022

November 22, 2022

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Colorado Springs Police Identify The Five Victims Of The Club Q Shooting

Colorado Springs Police identified on Monday the five victims of the mass shooting at Club Q. their names are: Kelly Loving, Daniel Aston, Derrick Rump, Ashley Paugh and Raymond Green Vance. They ranged in age from 22-40 years old. 

According to Gun violence archive there have been more than 600 mass shootings in the United States this year. 

We will have more details about the Club Q shooting later in the program.

Giffords Commends Formation of Gun Violence Prevention Caucus in Colorado

Former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords applauds the formation of a new Gun Violence Prevention Caucus in the Colorado Legislature.

A spokeswoman for Giffords, who was wounded in a mass shooting in Arizona in 2011,  said, “The formation of this Caucus is a critical step in the fight to save lives. We look forward to continuing our work with the Caucus to ensure the safety of communities throughout Colorado.”

Giffords, in partnership with state lawmakers from Colorado, plans to address gun violence and prioritize legislation that addresses gun violence with proven, equitable, and evidence-based solutions.

Denver Rescue Mission Pauses Anti-LGBTQ Language From Employee Handbook

The Denver Rescue Mission is putting a halt to anti-LGBTQ language in its employee handbook.  Stacie Johnson has more. 

The Denver Rescue Mission says its removing language from its employee handbook that bars employees from acting on same sex attraction and rejecting one’s biological sex.

Denverite reports that the mission released a statement Monday saying its board of directors and leadership have determined it is appropriate to re-evaluate the recent changes and have since paused the language implementation. The organization currently has a $8.7 million [dollar] contract with the City of Denver and the city’s housing stability unit to operate shelter services. 

The city’s housing stability unit also released a statement to Denverite that the city would not tolerate discrimination of services or employment operated under publicly funded contracts. 

ACLU Colorado legal director Mark Silverstein and civil rights attorney, Mari Newman, who helped write the state’s anti discrimination law, also told Denverite that they believe the handbook violates both state and federal law.

Newman says there is an exemption for religious organizations doing ministry but the exemption would not apply to the employees staffed by the Denver Rescue Mission.

Nonprofit Feet Forward Will Host Free Thanksgiving Meals

Boulder-based nonprofit Feet Forward is providing free Thanksgiving meals for anyone in need this Thursday.

Around 200 warm meals will be available at the Boulder Bandshell on Thanksgiving Day, beginning at 3:00 PM. 

Feet Forward says it is the only area nonprofit offering warm Thanksgiving meals to those in need.

Devin Billingsley Named Chief Financial Officer of Lafayette

The City of Lafayette has announced a new Chief Financial Officer. Devin Billingsley, who has been the city’s interim Finance Director since January, will take on the post. He will be in charge of the city’s cash flow, management of debt, producing annual financial reports, and producing the city’s budget.