The Pueblo Chieftain
Defective pipe spews raw sewage into river
An accidental sewage discharge reported by the city of Pueblo on Aug. 27 spewed approximately 4.25 million gallons of raw sewage into the Arkansas River, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Testing by the Pueblo...
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Victims of fire still dealing with aftermath
Two months after the Aspen Acres Fire destroyed almost 300 homes in Pueblo County alone, the road to recovery from the fire and subsequent flooding in the Beulah Valley may take years. The total cost of the wildfire in property damage alone is...
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Cup of care &ambition
In 1973, Dolly Parton wrote “I Will Always Love You” to soften the blow of leaving her business partner Porter Wagoner after years of producing hit country duets together. Parton was ready to pursue a solo career. So she played the song for Wagoner to...
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‘DEVASTATING’
Amid devastating flash flooding and debris flows in Aspen Acres Fire burn scar areas, Pueblo County commissioners are urging residents to “remain vigilant and take flooding seriously.” The community of Beulah, in particular, has experienced extreme...
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3 proposed sales tax ballot measures denied
Pueblo Mayor Heather Graham proposed four sales tax increasing measures in July, but only one will appear on the ballot in November. Pueblo City Council voted down three of the four measures’ appearance on the ballot – each presented as a 0.25%...
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Colorado seeks federal aid to support recovery
With Colorado still reeling from two devastating wildfires and destructive subsequent flooding in three counties, Gov. Jared Polis has requested aid from President Donald Trump and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Polis officially requested a...
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PUEBLO OFFICER CLEARED IN DEATH
Editor’s note: This story includes a screenshot from Pueblo police camera footage showing a shoplifting suspect being struck by a police vehicle. Viewer discretion is advised. The 10th Judicial District Attorney’s Office has determined Pueblo police...
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‘We should be able to support both’
Pueblo Mayor Heather Graham and a former promoter of the Leonardo da Vinci Museum of North America do not see eye to eye on how the museum should be funded. Graham held a press conference on Aug. 20 to advocate for Pueblo City Council to approve an...
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‘You’re not alone’
More than a decade after their son’s death, the parents of Isaiah Vialpando are creating a support group for Pueblo families of murder victims. h “When Isaiah was first killed, we went to a support group called the Parents of Murdered Children, and...
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Midterms are key to Social Security’s fate
Odds for Social Security reform may have dimmed after Aug. 11, when one of the program’s biggest champions lost his primary. But advocates say this only highlights the importance of November’s midterm elections. Rep. John B. Larson, D-Connecticut,...
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Signs of slowdown continue for residential real estate market
On the heels of a sluggish June, Pueblo’s residential real estate market had another down month in July. “The Pueblo County single-family home market is showing some interesting signs of a slowdown in 2026,” David Ramirez, a local real estate agent...
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Mission Foods closing its Pueblo tortilla plant
Ninety employees are being laid off as the Mission Foods tortilla plant at 2110 Santa Fe Drive in Blende has ceased operations and is scheduled to close in October. The total closure of the plant, which has operated in Pueblo County since 1994, is...
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Planner earns national honor for transportation planning
Eva Cosyleon, the manager of the Pueblo Metropolitan Planning Organization, recently received national recognition for her work in transportation planning. Cosyleon was selected for an honorable mention in the 2026 Rising Professional Awards by the...
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‘Our hearts are heavy’
A man was killed Aug. 16 after being swept away by fast-moving floodwaters following heavy rain in the Beulah Valley and Aspen Acres burn scar. Henry R. Humphreys, 80, was standing outside near the intersection of Colorado Highway 78 and Central...
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‘An outstanding choice’
Former All-Pro linebacker Karl Mecklenburg is coming to Pueblo to serve as the grand marshal of the Colorado State Fair Parade on Aug. 29. Mecklenburg spent his entire NFL career with the Denver Broncos. He racked up 1,118 tackles and 79 sacks between...
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Judge says school board violated law
A Pueblo judge has invalidated the controversial appointment of a Pueblo County School District 70 Board of Education director after finding the board violated Colorado Open Meetings Law by failing to provide public notice of her appointment. On Aug....
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Could mysterious object be Earhart’s plane?
What happened to Amelia Earhart? That question has eluded countless researchers, biographers and devoted enthusiasts for almost 90 years. Over the decades, researchers have scanned swaths of the ocean floor, traversed remote islands and scoured...
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‘Creates this unique kind of community’
Pueblo School District 60 students, staff and community members gathered on Aug. 12 to usher in a new era for the west side of Pueblo as the district cut the ribbon on Hyde Park Precollegiate Middle School, 2500 W. 18th St. A middle school serving...
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Fair food competition to feature 3 local food trucks
The annual Governor’s Plate food truck competition at the Colorado State Fair is evolving this year, but Pueblo food trucks will once again have a strong presence at the competition. The Governor’s Table – a twist on the annual food truck competition...
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Suicide Memory Walk to raise awareness
Genevieve and Rodney Gonzales’s son Jacob was 20 years old when he took his own life in November 2022. After his death, his parents sought to create a lasting legacy for their son by founding an annual Suicide Memory Walk. “I was in prayer one night,...
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Evacuations cleared
All Aspen Acres Fire evacuations have officially been cleared, vegetation is returning to the burn scar, and the firefighting presence on the seventhlargest wildfire in Colorado history continues to scale down. As of Aug. 10, the fire that began June...
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‘A really educated audience’
Weeks away from a scheduled vote on whether or not to refer a November ballot question, Front Range Passenger Rail District officials stopped in Pueblo for a town hall on Aug. 6. The district is contemplating a November 2026 ballot question proposing...
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COME ONE, COME ALL
Tourism contributed $29.2 billion to Colorado’s economy last year, and travel activity in Pueblo resulted in the Home of Heroes generating $41 million worth of lodging gross sales. A Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce news release reported that Pueblo...
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Reports: U.S. missile supply badly depleted
The war on Iran has severely depleted key U.S. missile stockpiles and left the nation and its allies in a vulnerable position for potentially years to come, several experts and reports say. U.S. missile stockpiles were low before President Donald...
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Free concerts, acts on tap at Colorado State Fair
From a strongman show and a chile cookoff to free live music, the upcoming Colorado State Fair is set to offer families more than a quarter-million dollars’ worth of entertainment for just the price of admission. This year’s fair, which begins Aug. 28...
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2026 Riverfest event to showcase extreme sports
About 8,000 guests are anticipated at the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo for a free event on Aug. 15. Riverfest, an annual celebration of extreme sports, will take place from 1 to 9 p.m. After hosting its inaugural event in 2022, Riverfest 2026...
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Pueblo sets all-time heat record for month
Coming off the seventh hottest July in its recorded history, the Pueblo area is off to a blistering hot start in August. Pueblo saw its hottest August day on record Aug. 3 — a sweltering 107 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the National Weather...
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Aspen Acres Fire now 67% contained at 101,961 acres
The response to the Aspen Acres Fire continues to scale down as the fire remains just under 102,000 acres with 67% containment. In a daily fire update posted Aug. 3 by Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 3, officials said fire management...
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‘We just want to keep wildlife wild’
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is warning Pueblo County residents to watch for wildlife displaced by the Aspen Acres Fire. Due to lower snowpack over winter, there was less food available for large animals such as bears, elk, and deer to begin with this...
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RISING FROM THE ASHES
have been displaced. Matt Medina, who earns his living flipping houses, saw his current projects burn down, and his tools, which were in the garage of his home, did not survive the fire. The couple was also working to build a “healing center” on the...
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Attack sparks fears wars could merge
WASHINGTON – Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States insisted that leaders in Kyiv are not playing “a game of chess” with their recent drone strike on an Iranian ship and have no interest in leveraging their conflict with Russia into a wider, global...
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Teachers, students push for school funding plan
Southern Colorado educators, students, and community members gathered in front of Pueblo County High School on July 29 to show support for a November 2026 initiative to restructure education funding in Colorado. Proposition NN would raise a 1992...
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INSIDE, 4A
THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2026 | CHIEFTAIN.COM PART OF THE USA TODAY NETWORK
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New shops, restaurants coming to Dillon North
It could be the “largest cluster of new development” that the city of Pueblo has seen in over 20 years, according Dillon North project Lead Developer Avik Amin. Amin told the Chieftain that the development is slated to be home to a north side Panda...
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‘It’s going to be awesome’
North side residents with late-night cravings will soon no longer have to trek to 2850 W. Pueblo Blvd. for a Jalapeño & Cheese Whataburger or Premium Whatachick’n. h Whataburger’s second Pueblo store at 4580 Dillon Drive could open as soon as Aug. 7....
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‘A safe return’
Rye Elementary School, Craver Middle School and Rye High School will start a week later than other schools in Pueblo County School District 70 due to the Aspen Acres Fire. The three Greenhorn Valley Schools will host a transition day for preschoolers,...
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Pueblo Zoo tax close to ballot
Efforts to put a retail sales tax question for Pueblo Zoo operations on the November ballot have received the necessary 1,331 signatures from eligible voters. The 0.167% tax equates to 17 cents for every $100 spent in the Steel City. About $3.5...
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U.S. strikes targets near Red Sea strait
DUBAI – U.S. missiles struck targets across Iran, reaching as far as its Caspian coast, on July 24 after President Donald Trump vowed “major military punishment” for Tehran and its Houthi allies in Yemen for extending the war in the Middle East to a...
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‘As the museum evolved, so did its priorities’
Pueblo’s Leonardo da Vinci Museum of North America’s latest request for city half-cent sales tax money is down from $1.8 million to $885,000. The $885,000 incentive for “placemaking” would assist the museum with national marketing efforts, expanding...
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Aspen Acres wildfire remains 61% contained
The Aspen Acres Fire burning in Pueblo and Custer counties was largely unchanged from Tuesday to Wednesday, as the fire remained 61% contained at 101,546 acres. While fire danger has largely subsided for many areas, especially on the contained eastern...
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Aspen Acres Fire tops 101,000 acres
The Aspen Acres Fire grew by 790 acres from Monday to Tuesday due to weather and “near-critical fire conditions.” The blaze was most recently mapped at 101,546 acres and remained 61% contained as of Tuesday, according to the July 21 daily update from...
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Blaze 61% contained at more than 100,000 acres
The Aspen Acres Fire saw only slight growth over the weekend and was 61% contained at 100,756 acres as of the morning of July 20. The small army of firefighters and other personnel who have come to southern Colorado from all over the country to fight...
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Aspen Acres Fire damage assessments complete
With firefighting efforts on the Aspen Acres Fire continuing to pay dividends and the threat to many towns and communities subsiding, Pueblo and Custer counties are beginning to transition from response to recovery. “Over the past two and a half...
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UP AND RUNNING
Five years after construction began, the only dedicated steel rail mill in the United States is officially operational. The first stick of rail produced by Rocky Mountain Steel’s new long rail mill in Pueblo was recently delivered to Union Pacific...
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Trump revisits election security claims
President Donald Trump in a July 16 prime-time address sought to further sow distrust in U.S. elections, claiming broad vulnerabilities with voting systems and potential for interference from other nations. Trump specifically pointed to China,...
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The Slab basketball courts recognized for creativity
The Colorado Lottery recognizes lottery-funded projects from across the state each year for their creativity, economic and social impact on the community, and broader impact on the Centennial State. Out of hundreds of projects statewide, 18 were...
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6,400 Aspen Acres Fire evacuees return home
More than 6,400 people have been able to return home after being evacuated due to the Aspen Acres Fire, but about 3,000 others continued to wait as of Wednesday. At a July 14 community meeting, Pueblo County Sheriff David Lucero spoke about the...
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Aspen Acres Fire tops 99,000 acres
The Aspen Acres Fire topped 99,000 acres and remained 36% contained as of July 14. Oversight of firefighting operations is set to change hands on July 15, as Alaska Critical Incident Management Team 1, which has overseen the fight against Colorado’s...
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‘A new chapter for public safety’
The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office completed the transfer of 393 inmates into the new Pueblo County Jail at 3830 Medal of Honor Blvd. in a “carefully orchestrated” five-hour operation Saturday, two months after the official ribbon-cutting. The...
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Fire crews talk about devastation in Beulah
In portions of Beulah, some houses have been reduced to piles of ash and rubble. Others stand perfectly intact, seemingly untouched by the Aspen Acres Fire. “Why a home lasted, why a home didn’t, a lot of it is pure luck,” said Capt. Tom Laca of the...
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Fire among the most damaging
The Aspen Acres Fire had scorched more than 97,000 acres and 276 homes in Pueblo and Custer counties as of July 10, making it one of the largest and most destructive wildfires in Colorado history. The fire that began June 29 near the Aspen Acres...
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Trump fires members of key election commission
President Donald Trump has terminated two of the federal Election Assistance Commission’s three members, eliminating the panel’s ability to help local election officials prepare for the 2026 midterms. The two commissioners selected by congressional...
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Aspen Acres Fire containment drops
Firefighters lost some small containment on the Aspen Acres Fire overnight Thursday, seeing it drop from 15% to 14%, but kept the fire’s spread to the lowest acreage so far in the ongoing firefight. The fire grew by just 91 acres between the most...
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SPORTS, 1B
THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2026 | CHIEFTAIN.COM PART OF THE USA TODAY NETWORK
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SPORTS, 1B
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 2026 | CHIEFTAIN.COM PART OF THE USA TODAY NETWORK
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Area blaze seventh largest in CO history
The Aspen Acres Fire made a significant run to the northwest Sunday evening due to gusty winds from passing thunderstorms, forcing evacuations for several areas in Fremont County. As of the Chieftain’s press deadline on July 6, the ongoing wildfire...
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Aspen Acres Fire 13% contained
The Aspen Acres Fire was 13% contained on July 5, according to the incident management team overseeing firefighting operations. The fire had burned just under 87,000 acres and destroyed at least 212 structures as of the most recent updates from fire...
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Historic building ‘completely destroyed’
The Horseshoe Lodge — a site on the National Register of Historic Places built in the 1930s by the Works Progress Administration — and the Historic Fire Tower at the Pueblo Mountain Park in Beulah have been destroyed by the Aspen Acres Fire. In a...
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Territories have voice in DC but no vote
As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, millions of Americans who live outside the 50 states are excluded from full participation in its democracy. Roughly 3.6 million residents of U.S. territories – including Puerto Rico, Guam,...
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SPORTS, 2B
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2026 | CHIEFTAIN.COM PART OF THE USA TODAY NETWORK
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Aspen Acres Fire continues to rage
The Aspen Acres Fire continued to rage in Pueblo and Custer counties on July 1 after scorching upward of 35,000 acres and destroying more than 155 structures, including an unknown number of homes. No civilian injuries or deaths have been reported,...
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Aspen Acres Fire over 28,000 acres
Beulah and Rye remained under mandatory evacuation on June 30 as firefighters continued to battle the massive Aspen Acres Fire. As of 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday, the fire had burned 28,314 acres and was still 0% contained, according to the Pueblo County...
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Wildfire forces Beulah to evacuate
The entire town of Beulah in Pueblo County was evacuated on June 29 due to a large wildfire. The mandatory evacuation order was put in place due to the Aspen Acres Fire, which sparked in Custer County on Monday morning. The fire was estimated at...
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Your complete guide to America’s 250th birthday
Whether at intimate backyard barbecues with family and friends, community gatherings at local parks, or largescale fireworks shows packed with thousands of people, Pueblo is gearing up to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States. The Home...
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Davis Mortuary owners charged with 150 felonies
More than 10 months after 24 bodies in various stages of decomposition were found inside a concealed room in the private funeral home of former Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter, he and his co-owner of Davis Mortuary have been arrested. Brian and...
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Trump sees wins on immigration, guns
WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court handed President Donald Trump victories in two immigration cases June 25. In the divide between gun rights and gun violence, the justices struck down another state law, this one in Hawaii, aimed at curbing guns in public...
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Victims raise funds after 7 homes destroyed
Seven homes were destroyed and another four were damaged in the Applewood Fire in Colorado City on June 21, according to Rye Fire Protection District Chief Ross Gallegos. Rye Fire was originally dispatched just after 6:20 p.m. on Sunday on a report of...
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Cumberland Farms retiring the Loaf ‘N Jug name, logo
For more than 40 years, Loaf ‘N Jug convenience stores have been a southern Colorado staple, where generations of Puebloans have stopped to fill up their tanks, grab their morning coffee, snag a sweet treat or lottery ticket, and pick up a gallon of...
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REBUILDING LIVES
The Pueblo Shelter, formerly the Pueblo Rescue Mission, has recently seen tremendous success in securing housing placements for its residents under the leadership of SafeSide Recovery. During the May housing list application process, 11 of 12 shelter...
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Your guide to the Steel City Arkansas River Festival
Aunique festival celebrating Pueblo’s natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities in a day chock-full of family-friendly fun is set to return on Saturday, June 27. h The second annual Steel City Arkansas River Festival (SCARF) is taking place...
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Your guide to summer festivals in Pueblo
For Puebloans and tourists looking for live music, tasty food, and a festive atmosphere, Pueblo offers several can’tmiss opportunities to celebrate in the summer months. From a new taco festival launching this year and the NSRA Street Rod Nationals,...
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Art, pies, or potatoes, the Colorado State Fair wants to judge them all
Artists, artisans and crafters from across Colorado are invited to compete for “Best in Show” at the 2026 Colorado State Fair. The fair’s General Entry and Fine Arts competitions include a range of categories for both amateurs and professionals, fair...
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Next round of Iran peace talks on hold
Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire that was set to begin at 4 p.m. local time June 19 after escalating violence between Israel and Lebanon complicated President Donald Trump’s efforts to reach a final peace agreement with Iran. Still, the next...
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‘The difficult decision’
A Pueblo training center for aspiring U.S. Air Force pilots that was expected to partner with Pueblo Community College on a new degree program is set to permanently close in October. The closure of the CAE Pueblo Training Center will result in nearly...
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Affidavit: Fight over lost phone led to shooting
A confrontation between two men that escalated into a shotgun shooting and high-speed police chase began over a missing cellphone that the shooting suspect claimed was stolen from him by the victim, according to Pueblo police. Security footage,...
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