[ Local ]

• We say goodbye to Boulder Beat, one of the best local publications around, and wish their founder the best of luck going forward. Local media needs support now more than ever
• Mike Lynch steps down as Colorado GOP minority leader after surviving a no-confidence vote, but still being urged by colleagues that his time is up
• Erie sued over their town charter by Miguel Zuniga who claims his constitutional rights are being violated by the elected official’s terms ending dates
• The NAACP Boulder chapter calls for a review of the interim Chief of Police over his involvement in Elijah McClain’s death and subsequent mishandling of the case. Can the Police Oversight Panel finally live up to its name?
• Boulder homeless programs are set to run out of Covid-era funding as homelessness rises across the state and nation

[ National ]

• John Stewart returns to The Daily Show to help cover the 2024 Election cycle on Monday nights as a much-needed voice for democracy and common sense
• Nikki Haley loses to “None of these candidates” in a performative, rather than substantive, poll result in Nevada 
• Wayne LaPierre, long-time head of the NRA, resigns after years of allegations of tax fraud and misuse of donated funds
• Democrats win special House election to replace the ousted George Santos in New York
• Trump, Biden win all major primaries setting up a rematch for the oldest-ever duo of candidates, with many voters concerned about the ages of both
• Former coaches for the Patriots, Bill Belichick, and the Crimson Tide, Nick Saban, leave their long-time Championship winning teams. Both are considered the best ever at the NFL and College levels respectively.

[ International ]

• US retaliatory strikes in the Middle East against the Houthis, and other Iranian proxies prompt concerns of a widening war
• Concerns that Elon Musk’s Starlink system is being used by Russia again bring to the forefront the inherent danger of one man having so much power over things like national security communications
• 737 Max grounded after a window fell off mid-flight, luckily no one died. Investigations revealed missing bolts among other problems with the fleet
• U.N. rules on South Africa’s genocide accusations against Israel, ordering Israel to prevent genocide but not to stop the invasion in a toothless proclamation.  

By the Numbers

$83.3 million

Amount Trump ordered to pay E. Jean Carrol for comments he made denying her accusations against him

216,000

Jobs added in December, stronger than many predicted

4th

Broomfield County ranked in the top 5 healthiest places to live in the US

500+

Journalists let go from various organizations in January including the Los Angeles Times, Politico, and Sports Illustrated

81, 77

Ages of Biden, Trump, our two realistic choices for president

Small Talk

“I said, ‘Everybody’s gonna pay.’ They said, ‘Well, if we don’t pay, are you still going to protect us?’ I said, ‘Absolutely not.’ They couldn’t believe the answer. ‘No, I would not protect you,’ Trump recalled … In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want. You got to pay. You got to pay your bills” 

– Trump tells NATO members he would encourage a Russian attack over payment issues

“Let me tell you something about acting. I was doing the Showtime movie, Hot Ice with Anne Archer — never once touched my per diem. I’d go to craft service, got some raw veggies, bacon, cup of soup, baby, I had a stew goin’!” 

– The late Carl Weathers as a comedic version of himself on TV show Arrested Development

“The state has admitted a relationship existed. So what remains to be proven is the existence and extent of any financial benefit, again if there even was one. Because I think it’s possible that the facts alleged by the defendant could result in disqualification. I think an evidentiary hearing must occur to establish the record on those core allegations” 

– Judge in Trump case after discovering inappropriate relationship between DA, Prosecutor