Good Morning, Colorado, you’re listening to the Daily Sun-Up with the Colorado Sun. It’s Thursday August 19th.

 

Today - The debate over masking in schools has intensified as many kids return full time. And while school board meetings have become tense, everyone agrees that the argument doesn’t belong in the classroom.

 

But before we begin, let’s go back in time with some Colorado history adapted from historian Derek R Everett’s book “Colorado Day by Day”:

 

Today, we take you back to August 19th, 1887 when the town of Rocky Ford was incorporated in Otero County by George Swink. Previously settled in the early 1870s, Swink proved to be quite the farmer and by 1878, the watermelon harvest was such a success that the town celebrated with Watermelon Day which is now part of the oldest continuous fair in Colorado. You can attend the Watermelon Day Festival this year until August 22nd at the Rocky Ford Fairgrounds.

 

Now, our feature story.

 

The debate over mask mandates has intensified as schools return, many of which are going full time again for the first time in a year. While parents and educators have made local school board meetings extremely intense, there’s one thing many agree on: Keep the toxic debate out of the classroom. Colorado Sun education reporter Erica Breunlin reports on the intensity of the debate in school districts throughout Colorado and the unified goal to focus on students. She joins Sun reporter Tamara Chuang in an interview.

 

For the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado and how that’s impacting our schools and more, visit coloradosun.com





And Before we go, here are a few stories that you should know about today:

 

The U.S. Forest Service has canceled 15,000 reservations to hike to Hanging Lake because trails and bridges to the Instagram-friendly destination were wrecked by mudslides that also damaged Interstate 70 in Glenwood Canyon. The good news is that the travertine lake and the waterfall streaming into it are undamaged. But the forest service says it could be a year before the trails to the National Natural Landmark are safe to hike again. 

 

U.S. health officials citing evidence that the effectiveness of the coronavirus vaccine wanes over time now recommend all Americans get a booster shot to improve protection as the delta variant surges. They are calling for an extra dose eight months after people get their second shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. The FDA still must evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a third dose, which could be offered as soon as the week of September 20. People who received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine will also probably need extra shots. But the health officials said they are awaiting more data. 

 

A bipartisan team led by Mesa County treasurer Sheila Reiner has been tasked to manage the November election in the wake of an investigation of Republican County Clerk Tina Peters. The FBI has joined the probe of allegations that Peters helped someone post passwords to voting equipment and copies of the office’s elections hard drives online. Peters was removed from managing the election by Secretary of State Jana Griswold, who is a Democrat. The new management team includes state Rep. Janice Rich and Ouray County Clerk Michelle Nauer, both Republicans, and former Secretary of State Bernie Buescher, a Democrat.

 

For more information on all of these stories, visit our website, www.coloradosun.com. And don’t forget to tune in again tomorrow for a special holiday episode. Now, a quick message from our editor.

 

The Colorado Sun is non-partisan and completely independent. We're always dedicated to telling the in-depth stories we need today more than ever. And The Sun is supported by readers and listeners like you.

 

Right now, you can head to ColoradoSun.com and become a member. Starting at $5 per month for a basic membership and if you bump it up to $20 per month, you’ll get access to our exclusive politics and outdoors newsletters. Thanks for starting your morning with us and don’t forget to tune in again tomorrow.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good Morning, Colorado, you&rsquo;re listening to the Daily Sun-Up with the Colorado Sun. It&rsquo;s Thursday August 19th.
&nbsp;
Today - The debate over masking in schools has intensified as many kids return full time. And while school board meetings have become tense, everyone agrees that the argument doesn&rsquo;t belong in the classroom.
&nbsp;
But before we begin, let&rsquo;s go back in time with some Colorado history adapted from historian Derek R Everett&rsquo;s book &ldquo;Colorado Day by Day&rdquo;:
&nbsp;
Today, we take you back to August 19th, 1887 when the town of Rocky Ford was incorporated in Otero County by George Swink. Previously settled in the early 1870s, Swink proved to be quite the farmer and by 1878, the watermelon harvest was such a success that the town celebrated with Watermelon Day which is now part of the oldest continuous fair in Colorado. You can attend the Watermelon Day Festival this year until August 22nd at the Rocky Ford Fairgrounds.
&nbsp;
Now, our feature story.
&nbsp;
The debate over mask mandates has intensified as schools return, many of which are going full time again for the first time in a year. While parents and educators have made local school board meetings extremely intense, there&rsquo;s one thing many agree on: Keep the toxic debate out of the classroom. Colorado Sun education reporter Erica Breunlin reports on the intensity of the debate in school districts throughout Colorado and the unified goal to focus on students. She joins Sun reporter Tamara Chuang in an interview.
&nbsp;
For the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado and how that&rsquo;s impacting our schools and more, visit coloradosun.com
 
And Before we go, here are a few stories that you should know about today:
&nbsp;
The U.S. Forest Service has canceled 15,000 reservations to hike to Hanging Lake because trails and bridges to the Instagram-friendly destination were wrecked by mudslides that also damaged Interstate 70 in Glenwood Canyon. The good news is that the travertine lake and the waterfall streaming into it are undamaged. But the forest service says it could be a year before the trails to the National Natural Landmark are safe to hike again.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
U.S. health officials citing evidence that the effectiveness of the coronavirus vaccine wanes over time now recommend all Americans get a booster shot to improve protection as the delta variant surges. They are calling for an extra dose eight months after people get their second shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. The FDA still must evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a third dose, which could be offered as soon as the week of September 20. People who received the single-dose Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine will also probably need extra shots. But the health officials said they are awaiting more data.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
A bipartisan team led by Mesa County treasurer Sheila Reiner has been tasked to manage the November election in the wake of an investigation of Republican County Clerk Tina Peters. The FBI has joined the probe of allegations that Peters helped someone post passwords to voting equipment and copies of the office&rsquo;s elections hard drives online. Peters was removed from managing the election by Secretary of State Jana Griswold, who is a Democrat. The new management team includes state Rep. Janice Rich and Ouray County Clerk Michelle Nauer, both Republicans, and former Secretary of State Bernie Buescher, a Democrat.
&nbsp;
For more information on all of these stories, visit our website,<a href="http://www.coloradosun.com/"> www.coloradosun.com</a>. And don&rsquo;t forget to tune in again tomorrow for a special holiday episode. Now, a quick message from our editor.
&nbsp;
The Colorado Sun is non-partisan and completely independent. We're always dedicated to telling the in-depth stories we need today more than ever. And The Sun is supported by readers and listeners like you.
&nbsp;
Right now, you can head to ColoradoSun.com and become a member. Starting at $5 per month for a basic membership and if you bump it up to $20 per month, you&rsquo;ll get access to our exclusive politics and outdoors newsletters. Thanks for starting your morning with us and don&rsquo;t forget to tune in again tomorrow.See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

Welcome to The Colorado Sun's daily podcast, The Daily Sun-Up. Every day we’re sharing an in-depth look at one of our top stories, followed by a quick summary of important things happening in our state. For more visit us at https://coloradosun.com/.

The Daily Sun-Up

Welcome to The Colorado Sun's daily podcast, The Daily Sun-Up. Every day we’re sharing an in-depth look at one of our top stories, followed by a quick summary of important things happening in our state. For more visit us at https://coloradosun.com/.

Our intro music is by Matt Skellenger Group: https://mattskellenger.bandcamp.com/album/subspace-transmission 

Welcome to The Colorado Sun's daily podcast, The Daily Sun-Up. Every day we&rsquo;re sharing an in-depth look at one of our top stories, followed by a quick summary of important things happening in our state. For more visit us at <a href="https://coloradosun.com/">https://coloradosun.com/</a>.
Our intro music is by Matt Skellenger Group: <a href="https://mattskellenger.bandcamp.com/album/subspace-transmission">https://mattskellenger.bandcamp.com/album/subspace-transmission</a>&nbsp;