Good morning southern Colorado and here's what you need to know on your Tuesday morning.
If you'd like to read the full story, be sure to click on the story headline.
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2021 proposed budget for Colorado Springs shows increase due to CARES Act money
On the first Monday in October, the mayor of Colorado Springs is legally required to submit a balanced budget to City Council. For 2021, the proposed General Fund budget is $348.9 million. That's a 5.3% increase over the budget for 2020, meaning a $17.6 million difference.
The increase in the money is mainly because of re-budgeting $20 million from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The federal funding was received by El Paso County and had to be spent on expenses related to coronavirus. However, the city could also put it toward the police or fire department's payroll.
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Pueblo West High School students to begin hybrid learning following possible COVID-19 exposure
Pueblo West High School in District 70 delayed its return to in-person learning due to a possible COVID-19 exposure at the school. Students at the high school will return Tuesday, Oct. 6, following an investigation led by district officials Monday for the possible exposure last week. The district said three people are in quarantine out of precaution.
Pueblo West High School students will begin their hybrid schedules Tuesday with the district saying if there are possible exposures in the future, this could lead to more remote learning days.
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Warm again today with more smoke and haze from fires up north
The forecast today is very similar to yesterday, but with less fire danger. We'll see and smell smoke in the air once again today, most of that in the morning but smoke will stand out against the mountains in the afternoon when it becomes elevated. Temperatures will be well above average today with lighter winds.
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Proposition EE: Experts weigh in on impact of tobacco, vaping tax measure
Colorado voters will have a tough decision to make when it comes to one ballot measure. Proposition EE, which if approved in November, would hike taxes on tobacco products and levy the first-ever tax on vaping. Cigarette taxes would gradually increase over the next seven years from 84 cents per pack to $2.64. Vaping taxes would increase in line with other tobacco products.
Lawmakers created the measure to accomplish three things: backfill some of the budget cuts to K-12 education, provide additional tobacco cessation and prevention services, and fund universal free preschool.
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Trump exits hospital, enters White House without donning a mask
Though he has not completely recovered from the coronavirus, President Donald Trump left Walter Reed Medical Center Monday evening.
The president's helicopter Marine One touched down shortly before 7 p.m. in front of the White House. The president walked up the stairs to the White House, took off his mask, and stood alone for several moments before entering the White House. The president did not put his mask back on before entering the White House, despite aides and assistants clearly inside the White House.
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