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MorningMagazine_2024-12-12 Jack Dawson
Albertsons and Kroger merger called off
After two federal judges voted against the $24.6 billion supermarket merger, Albertsons companies announced Wednesday that its will not go forward with its merger agreement with Kroger.
In the same announcement, the company said it also plans to sue Kroger for a breach of the merger agreement. Albertsons accused Kroger of QUOTE “repeatedly refusing to divest assets necessary for antitrust approval, ignoring regulators’ feedback, rejecting stronger divestiture buyers”.
The company is seeking billions of dollars in damages from Kroger, along with the $600 million dollar termination fee Kroger owes Albertsons as written in the original proposal.
Colorado has previously opposed the merger. According to the Colorado Sun, Attorney General Phil Weiser had sued the companies in February, arguing that the two grocery chains already demonstrated anticompetitive behavior during the King Soopers worker strike in January 2022.
Although Albertsons called off the merger, Kroger still hasn’t agreed yet. Still, Weiser said in a news conference yesterday said he has a good feeling the merger isn’t going to happen.
Boulder seeks public input on Folsom street safety proposals
Boulder officials are seeking input from the public on safety improvements to a section of Folsom Street between Pine Street and Colorado Avenue.
Their online questionnaire will be available from now until early January. The city is encouraging folks to share any experiences they’ve had traveling in that area, and what they think could be improved.
According to The Daily Camera, the improvements are part of the Core Arterial Network initiative that aims to upgrade transportation infrastructure across Boulder.
The initiative specifically targets roads where car crash numbers are elevated, and those streets selected – including Folsom – account for 67% of serious and fatal crashes citywide.
566 crashes were reported on that section of Folsom from January 2015 to July 2024.
For those who want to share their thoughts on potential improvements, go to beheardboulder.org; and look for the Folsom Street Safety Improvements Project.
Douglas County school board approves African American studies course
The board heard from parents and educators on Tuesday, after Board of Education President Christy Williams initially delayed the vote on Nov. 19 during a meeting.
At the time, she said stated that she hadn’t had enough time to review the course, and wanted to insure it fit with Douglas County School District’s equity policy.
The course, created by The College Board, covers centuries of Black history, all the way from early African kingdoms to political and social movements of the last century.
Most parents at the Tuesday meeting supported the class, encouraging the teachings of America’s diverse history.
Before the meeting, though, Williams said she had heard from community members who were worried that critical race theory, an academic concept that says racism runs throughout American institutions, would be a part of the curriculum. After reviewing the curriculum, Williams said she can confirm that it doesn’t bring up some of the “controversial topics” that were included initially.
That’s all according to The Denver Post.
Orphaned bear cubs released
A wild animal rehabilitation center in Colorado put out photos of two bear cubs that were released to their original habitat last week.
The cubs’ mother was hit and killed in a car crash near Paonia. After her death, the cubs were moved to Frisco Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation Center for the summer and fall. There, they gained weight and socialized with other cubs.
After reaching 80 pounds, the cubs were ready to be released, as they have enough fat to last throughout the winter.
According to CBS News Colorado, the cubs have already found a den for the upcoming cold weather.
Boulder County buys Lyons mobile home park
Boulder County is set to purchase a mobile home park in Lyons. The park will be purchased with the last of the county’s pandemic relief funds.
According to The Daily Camera, the county aims to preserve affordable housing and use the money to bolster an eviction representation program.
Most of the money for the $1.7 million purchase will be reallocated from the Nurturing Futures program, which didn’t receive as many applicants as the county thought it would. That program provides direct cash assistance to low-income families with young children.
The Seward Mobile Home Park in Lyons is the only one left in that town. It has eight mobile homes and a six-unit apartment building. The sale is scheduled to close January 2.
