Good morning southern Colorado and here's what you need to know on your Thursday morning.
If you'd like to read the full story, be sure to click on the story headline.
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CHSAA approves Gov. Jared Polis' variance for the fall sports season
Colorado High School Activities Association’s (CHSAA) Board of Directors has voted 12-3 to approve Gov. Jared Polis' variance for the fall sports season, which will include football, for those schools who wish to play now and not in the spring. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Safety sent a letter to CHSAA outlining the guidelines around how schools and communities can offer these sports in as safe a manner as possible. CDPHE released guidelines for organized sports to help clarify the standards required for a safe return to play for both high school and club sports alike.
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New state data shows COVID-19 hospitalizations plateauing, infection rate trending upward
Though the number of people infected with the novel coronavirus remains “relatively low” in Colorado, state health officials warned Wednesday we could see a surge in cases within the next two months if only 65% of the population continues to practice proper social distancing. The projection was part of new modeling data released by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and the Colorado School of Public Health, which also showed that while a surge in infections will also create a need for more hospital beds in the state, it is unlikely the number of infections will exceed hospital capacity.
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Thick smoke in some areas and haze throughout southern Colorado today
An air quality alert is in place for the northeastern Colorado plains and El Paso County until 9 a.m. Wildfire smoke has sunk to the surface overnight, bringing unhealthy air quality. This afternoon will still be hazy but the smoke should lift higher into the atmosphere. Temperatures today will be warm. We are starting cool with a light jacket needed early this morning. The afternoon will be 5-10 degrees above average, to the 80s in the plains and 70s in the mountains.
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Pueblo D70 Board of Education votes to bring students back for in-person learning
Students in Pueblo District 70 will return to their classrooms for in-person learning starting next week following a vote from the district's Board of Education Tuesday night. The board voted unanimously in July to have students begin the school year in completely remote learning with the plan to transition students into a hybrid, in-person learning model mid-September. Now, the district said most students will return to full, in-person learning with two high schools, Pueblo West High and Pueblo County High, following a hybrid model.
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Officer suicide is a serious problem, but prevention efforts are making a difference
September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Last year, a record number of law enforcement officers died by suicide. News5 learned progress is being made in the wake of those tragedies as law enforcement agencies focus on helping first responders with their mental health. For decades, officer suicides weren't tracked in this country or even talked about outside of law enforcement circles. Last year, at least 228 law enforcement officers took their own lives in the U.S. At least 12 of those were in Colorado.
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