Good morning southern Colorado and here's what you need to know on your Wednesday morning.
If you'd like to read the full story, be sure to click on the story headline.
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Colorado Springs City Council unanimously approves police oversight committee
The second reading of an ordinance creating a citizen's accountability advisory committee to the Colorado Springs City Council passed unanimously Tuesday. The Law Enforcement Transparency and Accountability Committee is now officially coming to Colorado Springs. Councilors said they have gotten over 800 applications to become a member of this committee and they hope each councilmember will pick 10 applicants from their district by the end of July.
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Weather Alert: Strong to severe weather likely today
Strong to severe weather is very likely across southern Colorado, especially from the foothills east through the I-25 corridor and plains. The main storm threats today involve large hail, strong winds, flooding, and even an isolated tornado out east across the lower elevations.
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'We're running out of options': El Paso County health officials urge mask wearing as COVID-19 cases increase
Over time, since late June, the county has seen a steady increase in the positivity rate of the virus. Kelly said the county is seeking to stay at or below a 5% positivity rate, but over the last month the county is at a 7% rate. Dr. Leon Kelly pointed out businesses at risk of closing again are those that reopened through the county's variance requests. Kelly said "we're running out of options" and that mask wearing, washing your hands and practice social distancing is what can help turn current trends around.
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No more delays: What to know about the July 15 tax deadline
As the coronavirus pandemic took hold this spring, the federal government postponed the traditional April 15 filing deadline until July 15. The move provided some economic and logistical relief for taxpayers dealing with the disruptions and uncertainty brought on by lock downs, school closures, and shuttered businesses. Taxpayers must file or seek an extension by the new deadline or face a penalty. The IRS is expecting about 150 million returns from individuals and as of last count, it had received almost 142 million.
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Cheyenne Mountain Zoo to welcome 8-week-old Alaska moose today
The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is welcoming an 8-week-old Alaska moose today. The zoo posted an update early Wednesday morning of its team landing in Denver with the moose. Visitors may be able to see him today. Zoo officials said the moose was orphaned when it was 6 days old after its mother died in a "human-wildlife contact" in Anchorage, Alaska.
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