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• Senate panel OKs $604 billion defense bill

  July 31, 2012 12:29 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - A Senate panel has approved a $604 billion defense spending bill that reverses proposed Pentagon cuts in Air Force personnel and equipment. The Appropriations defense subcommittee approved the bill by voice vote Tuesday. The measure would provide $511 billion for the base budget and $93.3 billion for... more »

• New site to calculate potential student loan debt

  April 11, 2012 1:39 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - A new government website offers prospective college students a way to figure out how much they could owe after graduating from a particular school. The site comes from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and can be found at http://www.consumerfinance.gov/payingforcollege/costcomparison It's in the testing phase, but already includes... more »

• Drug-resistant TB blamed on Indian treatment flaws

  March 23, 2012 1:30 PM

  NEW DELHI (AP) - India's inadequate government-run tuberculosis treatment programs and a lack of regulation of the sale of drugs that fight it are responsible for the spiraling number of drug-resistant cases that are difficult to treat, health activists said Friday. India adds an estimated 99,000 cases of drug-resistant TB... more »

• County Commissioners to keep on praying Play Video

  January 17, 2012 8:15 PM

  El Paso County Commissioners say they have no plans to stop saying prayers before each meeting despite a decision Tuesday by the Supreme Court of the United States to reject an appeal from a North Carolina board of county commissioners who were found to have violated the Establishment Clause of... more »

• Some medical marijuana businesses told to pack up

  January 17, 2012 12:50 AM

  Late last week around 23 medical marijuana businesses all over the state received a letter from U.S. Attorney John Walsh. In it he says the businesses are located within 1000 feet of a school and have until February 27th to get out. Judith Negley is one of those business... more »

• State of State Address full text Play Video

  January 12, 2012 4:52 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Prepared text of Gov. John Hickenlooper's State of the State speech on Thursday: When people think of the West, it's easy to envision wagon trains, Buffalo Bill, the glory days of the Gold Rush. Cowboy hats come to mind . rocks . even beer . but let's... more »

• Flood of government data fuels rise of city apps

  November 26, 2011 2:09 PM

  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - When Ben Berkowitz wanted some graffiti on his street cleaned up, he called the city. They put him on hold. As he sat there, he found himself thinking that his neighbors had probably called in with the same complaint, but he had no way of knowing.... more »

• Greece talks under way in bid to avoid bankruptcy

  November 6, 2011 11:38 AM

  ATHENS, Greece (AP) - A Greek official says talks are under way on the formation of a temporary coalition government to ensure the country doesn't go bankrupt in the next few weeks. But the main opposition party says it's not part of the discussions. Government spokesman Elias Mossialos told state... more »

• Government involvement in church disputes

  October 5, 2011 6:47 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court will decide whether the government can get involved in a workplace dispute between a church and one of its employees. The court will hear arguments Wednesday from the Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School of Redford, Mich. Cheryl Perich got sick, then... more »

• Postal workers rally in Southern Colorado

  September 27, 2011 11:20 PM

  Thousands of postal workers all over the country rally to save their jobs. In Colorado Springs their slogan was "No Bailout, Just get the mail out". All of this comes as jobs are threatened and offices are closing with increased competition and more people using on line services. Last... more »

• Update: Postal workers rally at City Hall

  September 27, 2011 6:48 PM

  Postal workers and supporters are rallying to "Save America's Postal Service" in light of massive budget problems. It's happening right now all across the country including Colorado Springs at City Hall. With hundreds of post offices considered for closure, along with the springs processing facility, these people are rallying... more »

• President sends message to Congress to reach a deal

  July 30, 2011 10:43 AM

  In a weekly radio address President Barack Obama made reference to a ticking clock counting down to a Tuesday deadline proclaiming that the disagreements are not that great in urging Democratic and Republican lawmakers to work together in reaching a deal that would avoid a default in the US government... more »

• Army general tapped to lead NORAD, Northcom

  July 26, 2011 7:21 PM

  PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AP) - The Army general who was tasked to investigate whether Afghan detainees were mistreated has been nominated for promotion to a fourth star and chosen to lead the North American Aerospace Defense Command and the U.S. Northern Command. The Pentagon announced Lt. Gen. Charles... more »

• Audit: Carson nutrition center handled properly

  July 25, 2011 7:30 PM

  FORT CARSON, Colo. (AP) - A Defense Department audit says Fort Carson and the Army Corps of Engineers properly handled planning and reporting on an $11.5 million project to repair the post's Nutrition Care Division building. The Defense Department inspector general released a report Friday saying officials couldn't provide documentation... more »

• Boehner hopes to have outline of plan soon

  July 24, 2011 3:52 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - House Speaker John Boehner is working on a plan to prevent the first government default in U.S. history. He hopes to have at least a framework of a deal ready this afternoon. Boehner says if Democrats don't go along, Republicans will act alone. The government will... more »

• CO financial computer system has risk of failure

  July 11, 2011 7:06 PM

  DENVER (AP) - State officials say the computer system that is the backbone of Colorado's financial workings is outdated and could trigger a failure that would prevent critical governmental transactions. A report released Monday says the failure of the Colorado Financial Reporting System would paralyze the state's ability to process... more »

• Government shutdown in Minnesota enters second week

  July 11, 2011 11:20 AM

  ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - There are no new talks scheduled as Minnesota's government shutdown enters its second week. Political gridlock stemming from disagreements between Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton and Republican legislative leaders on how to deal with a $5 billion state budget deficit has idled 22,000 state employees, closed... more »

• Obama: We 'need to' get a debt deal in 10 days

  July 10, 2011 7:26 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama says he and Congress "need to" agree on a budget deal in 10 days in order to meet an Aug. 2 deadline to increase the nation's debt ceiling and avoid a potentially calamitous government default. Obama spoke as he and the eight top House... more »

• Council approves $2,200 mmj application fee

  June 28, 2011 8:18 PM

  The Colorado Springs City Council has approved a motion to charge applicants $2,200 for a medical marijuana business application. The fee will include a city background check in addition to the background check already done by the stare. Originally council was expected to vote on a large fee structure... more »

• Government warns of tax return theft

  June 1, 2011 6:02 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - Imagine filing your tax return and learning that someone else got your refund. Someone using your name and Social Security number. It's happening a lot more often these days. A government report finds that instances of taxpayer identity theft have increased nearly five-fold over the past... more »

• Chrysler plans to repay government loans Tuesday

  May 23, 2011 5:18 PM

  MACOMB TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) - Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne says his company will save $300 million in interest per year when it repays government loans on Tuesday. The company will repay roughly $7.5 billion in loans to the U.S. and Canadian governments. Chrysler is taking out new bank loans... more »

• Colorado Legislature limps toward finish line

  May 8, 2011 11:47 AM

  DENVER (AP) - Colorado's first divided Legislature in a decade is limping toward the finish line with plenty of topics to settle before the final gavels fall Wednesday. The biggest obstacle facing the Democratic Senate and Republican House is congressional redistricting, a process required every 10 years to adjust... more »

• Bondsmen outraged at alternative bond program

  May 4, 2011 6:35 PM

  A bill at the state capitol is on a fast track to putting our government into the bail bond business. Senate Bill 186 , which passed on Wednesday, is sponsored by state senator John Morse (D) Colorado Springs and would establish a state run alternative bond program. Morse says... more »

• HIV/AIDS homeless grants coming to Colorado

  May 3, 2011 5:12 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Colorado programs that help the homeless and those with HIV/AIDS have received nearly $2 million in federal grants. The U.S. Development of Housing and Urban Development announced Monday that Colorado programs will get $1.8 million. Denver-based Del Norte Neighborhood Development Corp. will get nearly $1.5 million... more »

• Another air controller naps; new schedules coming

  April 16, 2011 4:27 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The government is changing air traffic controllers' work schedules following another incident of a controller falling asleep on the job. The Federal Aviation Administration says it happened early Saturday morning at a radar facility in Miami that handles high altitude air traffic. A controller fell asleep... more »

• Colorado mom says she wrote email cited by Obama

  April 10, 2011 9:40 AM

  DENVER (AP) - A Colorado mom says she and her family were watching TV in their pajamas when she heard President Barack Obama read from an email she wrote to tell him how a government shutdown could spoil her son's school trip. Shalini Schane (SHAL'-uh-nee SHAYN) of Longmont said... more »

• Post Exchange would close if government shuts down

  April 8, 2011 7:26 PM

  COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) - The military says food and other services for troops in war zones won't be interrupted by a government shutdown, but commissaries at U.S. facilities, including Fort Carson, may close. Col. Robert McLaughlin, the Fort Carson garrison commander, said Friday that department-store-style Exchanges will remain... more »

• If Government shuts down, will troops be paid?

  April 5, 2011 5:05 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - A Pentagon spokesman says the Defense Department has not decided yet whether U.S. troops at war will be paid if the government shuts down this weekend due to the budget impasse. Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell says department leaders haven't figured out how pay would be... more »

• Possible scam targets Colorado non-profits, businesses

  April 5, 2011 11:44 AM

  The government is warning about a possible scam targeting non-profits and businesses in Colorado. The Colorado Secretary of State's office says "Corporate Controllers Unit" is sending out a confusing solicitation. The letter asks non-profits to send $225 to file government reports with the Secretary of State's office--which typically only... more »

• Marijuana taxes could help Pueblo alcohol treatment program

  April 1, 2011 1:45 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Marijuana taxes could save the day for an endangered drug and alcohol treatment program threatened by state budget cuts. A bill cleared for a House debate Friday sends $1 million worth of sales taxes collected from medical marijuana sales to the Circle Program at the Colorado... more »

• Families wait month or longer for food benefits

  March 31, 2011 6:03 PM

  People in Pueblo County who rely on food assistance from the government are frustrated. There's such a large backlog some are having to wait over a month for help--and this isn't a new problem. The government offers help with food for people who don't have a lot of money.... more »

• CU student resigns diversity post over writings

  March 19, 2011 4:06 PM

  BOULDER, Colo. (AP) - The University of Colorado Student Government diversity director has resigned after officials saw copies of his blog posts, including one in which he wrote "women are not as smart as men." Philosophy graduate student Matthew Cucchiaro says the post titled "Today's Stupid Human Beings: Women"... more »

• Libyan government begins to crack under protests

  February 21, 2011 6:40 PM

  CAIRO (AP) - There are signs of cracks in Moammar Gadhafi's regime after more than 40 years as Libya's ruler. Libya's own ambassadors at the United Nations are calling for him to step down. A pro-government website says the justice minister has resigned to protest the excessive use of... more »

• Conservation grants available

  February 15, 2011 7:39 PM

  The United States Department of Agriculture has $500,000 available in grants for proposed conservation projects in Colorado. Individual applications will be awarded through a statewide competitive grants process for improving conservation practices in Colorado. Applications will be accepted from eligible entities, including federally-recognized Indian Tribes, state and local governments,... more »

• What caused financial meltdown?

  January 27, 2011 6:54 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - When it comes to finding the cause of the financial meltdown, the answers break down along party lines. The six Democratic members of a panel appointed by Congress agree that government officials and Wall Street executives share the blame for ignoring the warning signs. But... more »

• Memorial issue to be taken off April ballot

  January 24, 2011 2:01 PM

  It seems a controversial ballot measure that would have made Memorial Health Systems a non-profit will not show up on this April's ballot. This morning a Mayor's Task Force agreed to ask city council to suspend plans to put the ballot measure to an April vote. One of the biggest... more »

• Boulder increasing immigrant outreach in 2011

  December 30, 2010 10:31 AM

  BOULDER, Colo. (AP) - The city of Boulder is expanding its efforts to educate immigrants about government, city services, and how to become a U.S. citizen. The city will increase its efforts in 2011 to reach immigrants in conjunction with a project from the National League of Cities. The... more »

• FCC moves ahead with net neutrality rules

  December 21, 2010 4:22 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - A divided Federal Communications Commission has approved new rules meant to prohibit broadband companies from interfering with Internet traffic flowing to their customers. The 3-2 vote Tuesday marks a major victory for FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, who has spent more than a year trying to craft... more »

• IRS steps up audits

  December 15, 2010 3:32 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The Internal Revenue Service is making it riskier to cheat on your taxes. The tax agency increased the number of returns it audited by nearly 11 percent this year. Statistics released Wednesday show that wealthy taxpayers were most likely to be targeted. In all, the IRS... more »

• Group aims to turn Falcon into a city

  December 13, 2010 12:13 AM

  There's a grass roots movement developing in Falcon. A group calling themselves Citizens for a Better Falcon is working towards a ballot question next November that would incorporate Falcon and make it a city. "Our goals are to really just provide an opportunity for the citizens of the Falcon area... more »

• Neighborhoods can keep street lights off

  December 4, 2010 11:48 PM

  Earlier this year, the City of Colorado Springs turned off many of the street lights around town. It became a symbol of the cities budget problems and enraged citizens. "I was very disappointed." says Colorado Springs resident Etta McLanhan, "I felt like they weren't taking into consideration the safety issues... more »

• Schools, government crack down on fake pot

  November 29, 2010 5:48 PM

  The Drug Enforcement Administration and local schools are cracking down on fake pot products such as "K2", "Mr. Smiley", "Spice" and "Chronic". They're made from synthetic marijuana and are marketed as incense. However, the DEA has temporarily banned these products, which means they can't be sold in stores and you... more »

• Citizens can now report problems using smart phones

  November 5, 2010 12:48 PM

  Citizens in Colorado Springs can now report various problem to city government using an iPhone ap. iPhone users simply download the free GORequest application from the iTunes stone, open the app, and select an issue to report. iPhone users can also take a picture of whatever it is they... more »

• Two-year bonds at record low rate

  October 26, 2010 1:47 PM

  NEW YORK (AP) - Investors are lending money to the government at a record low rate for two-year debt. The Treasury sold $35 billion in two-year notes on Tuesday at 0.40 percent, the lowest yield ever for an auction of two-year notes. Last month, the Treasury auctioned the notes... more »

• Citizens invited to E-town hall meeting

  October 25, 2010 4:05 PM

  The City of Colorado Springs will hold its annual public E-town hall meeting to discuss the 2011 General Fund budget Thursday from 7 - 9 p.m. Citizens may get involved in several ways: Attend in person at City Council Chambers, City Hall, 107 N. Nevada Ave. Watch... more »

• Bernanke: Fed wrestles with size of aid program

  October 15, 2010 8:24 AM

  Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke says the central bank is prepared to take steps to rejuvenate the economy through the purchase of Treasury bonds but is wrestling with how big the program should be. Bernanke also says the Fed could use its communications powers to prevent the United States... more »

• Lockheed Martin to sell EIG unit for $815M

  October 13, 2010 8:45 AM

  Lockheed Martin says it has agreed to sell its enterprise integration group to the private equity firm Veritas Capital for $815 million in cash. Lockheed Martin, which is based in Bethesda, Maryland, announced its plan to sell the group in June along with the Pacific Architects and Engineers unit... more »

• Colorado voters get another heavy-ballot year

  October 13, 2010 8:18 AM

  Colorado voters are seeing it again: Nine proposals on the November ballot that would transform state policy on everything from bail practices to limits on government borrowing. To help voters wade through the issues, the state has issued a 100-page-plus voter pamphlet. Early voting starts Monday. Colorado... more »

• Congressman Lamborn: Democrats went too far

  September 23, 2010 2:41 PM

  The GOP released a document today which they say they'll use a playbook if Americans return control of the House to them. "This is a pledge and Republicans are making this with one voice," said 5th District Rep. Doug Lamborn. The Pledge to American includes a promise to repeal... more »

• $1.3 trillion deficit to be second highest of all time

  September 13, 2010 2:21 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The federal government is on track to record the second-highest deficit of all time with one month left in the budget year. The Treasury Department says that through August, the deficit totaled $1.26 trillion. That's down 8.1 percent from the same period in 2009, when the... more »

• Contempt case to wrap up against Douglas Bruce

  September 7, 2010 8:19 AM

  The contempt-of-course case against Colorado Springs anti-tax activist Douglas Bruce is expected to wrap-up Tuesday. There's no word on how long Denver District Judge Brian Whitney will take to decide whether to find Douglas Bruce guilty of contempt. Government lawyers say the father of Colorado's Taxpayers Bill of... more »

• HP agrees to pay $55 million settlement

  August 30, 2010 7:09 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The Department of Justice says Hewlett-Packard has agreed to pay $55 million to settle claims it paid kickbacks to companies so that they would recommend its products to federal agencies. Hewlett-Packard Co. has already announced earlier this month it will take a charge of 2 cents... more »

• Douglas Bruce catches another break

  August 26, 2010 8:28 AM

  Colorado's best-known tax-basher has the government in fits again. Douglas Bruce has been given a second delay in the contempt-of-court charge against him. The Colorado Springs man was in court Wednesday to answer contempt charges after being accused of avoiding subpoenas in a lawsuit over three tax-cutting proposals on... more »

• Governor to slash state budget today

  August 23, 2010 8:41 AM

  It just keeps getting worse. Gov. Bill Ritter will announce another round of budget cuts on Monday as the state's fiscal emergency continues. The governor has the power to cut up to $75 million from this year's $18.2 billion budget because the state failed to meet a 2... more »

• Pentagon takes aim at China cyber threat

  August 19, 2010 3:38 PM

  The U.S. is warning about the Chinese military's use of civilian computer experts in clandestine cyber attacks repeatedly aimed at American companies and government agencies. The Pentagon says the People's Liberation Army is using "information warfare units" to develop viruses to attack enemy computer systems and networks. Those units... more »

• Worst unemployment report of the year released

  August 19, 2010 9:29 AM

  New applications for unemployment insurance reached the half-million mark last week for the first time since November, a sign that employers are likely cutting jobs again as the economy slows. The Labor Department said Thursday that initial claims for jobless benefits rose by 12,000 last week to 500,000, the... more »

• Scientists say oil still lurks under Gulf surface

  August 16, 2010 6:26 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - Georgia scientists say their analysis shows that most of that BP oil the government said was gone from the Gulf of Mexico is still there. The scientists say as much as 80 percent of the oil still lurks under the surface. The Georgia team said it... more »

• GM may sell stock to repay government debt

  August 13, 2010 2:03 PM

  DETROIT (AP) - A person familiar with the matter says General Motors Co. is likely to file paperwork next week that describes the plan to sell shares to the public. The person says the company planned to file on Friday but delayed the move because it made two major... more »

• Backers push for Strong Mayor in Colorado Springs

  August 3, 2010 3:15 PM

  Backers of a Strong Mayor form of government in Colorado Springs submitted signatures Tuesday to get the issue on the November ballot. The group needs 25,091 valid signatures to make the ballot. The petitions submitted have 36,305. If voters approve the Strong Mayor proposal the position of City... more »

• Pentagon looks at damage from Afghan War leaks

  July 26, 2010 12:39 PM

  The Defense Department is conducting a damage assessment on the leak of some 91,000 classified documents on the Afghanistan war. Pentagon spokesman Col. Dave Lapan told reporters Monday the review could take "days, if not weeks" because the military has yet to see all of the leaked reports. ... more »

• Gov't has reached no conclusions in Toyota case

  July 14, 2010 12:38 PM

  The government says it hasn't reached any conclusions about whether Toyota drivers may be to blame for their vehicles suddenly accelerating. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says Wednesday its engineers continue to investigate possible causes of sudden acceleration in Toyotas along with the National Academy of Sciences and... more »

• Federal deficit tops $1 trillion through June

  July 13, 2010 2:10 PM

  The federal deficit has topped $1 trillion with three months still to go in the current budget year, showing the continued impact of a deep recession on the government's finances. The Treasury Department says that through the first nine months of this budget year, the deficit totals $1 trillion,... more »

• Douglas Bruce: Officer sent disparaging e-mail

  July 8, 2010 11:48 AM

  Anti-tax advocate Douglas Bruce says a Colorado Springs police detective sent him a disparaging message from the city e-mail system. The e-mail asked, "Punch any reporters lately?" Bruce, a former state representative, kicked a news photographer on the floor of the state House in 2008. Detective Matthew Hulett... more »

• Govt investigating Mazda, BMW for steering loss

  July 2, 2010 10:43 AM

  The government is opening investigations into possible power steering problems in Mazda3 passenger cars and BMW Z4 sports cars. The investigations by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration involve more than 290,000 Mazda3s from the 2007-2009 model years and nearly 50,000 Z4s from the 2003-2005 model years. NHTSA say it... more »

• Mayor releases State of the City

  June 30, 2010 2:46 PM

  Mayor Lionel Rivera gave his annual State of the City address Wednesday afternoon at a Chamber of Commerce meeting. Rivera noted the tough year that was 2009, saying the city eliminated 266 jobs. He said the city had to cut services, but also developed partnerships with community organizations to... more »

• VP Biden says stimulus is working

  June 17, 2010 2:45 PM

  Vice President Joe Biden says the economic recovery act deserves credit for creating or saving upward of 2.8 million jobs so far, with thousands more projects coming soon in a busy summer of construction. At the White House Thursday, the vice president told reporters: "Folks, the act is working."... more »

• FDA concerned about too much medical radiation

  June 14, 2010 8:30 AM

  The Food and Drug Administration is taking a hard look at medical radiation because of evidence that Americans get too much of it from tests. The average American's dose has grown sixfold in the past few decades. Americans get the most medical radiation in the world, accounting for... more »

• FDA looks hard at DNA testing for hereditary diseases

  June 11, 2010 11:47 AM

  The Food and Drug Administration is issuing regulatory letters to five genetic test makers, the first sign that the government is cracking down on companies that claim to use DNA samples to predict inheritable diseases. The FDA letters notify each company that their tests are considered medical devices and... more »

• Douglas Bruce appeal shot down by Colorado court

  June 10, 2010 3:20 PM

  The Colorado Court of Appeals has rejected a claim by anti-tax crusader Douglas Bruce that Colorado Springs improperly rejected an initiative. The court said Thursday that the city had the right to make its own rules and also delivered a harsh rebuke for Bruce. The court said Bruce broke... more »