Denver news in 5 minutes: What you need to know today, July 27

Transgender military ban, Rockies get a reliever, wait times in VA hospitals and more.

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Construction on the Coloradan behind Union Station, July 26, 2017. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

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Construction on the Coloradan behind Union Station. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Good morning. Thanks to anyone who came to our party last night. I hope you enjoyed the conversation, cold beer and Snarf’s. Hopefully, you got a picture with one of Kevin’s props at the photo booth. Shoutout to the cash register building mask.

“Did I just get fired … via Tweet?”

That’s what Staff Sgt. Patricia King asked on her Facebook page Wednesday shortly after President Donald Trump announced on Twitter that transgender people can no longer serve in the military. (DP)

Denver’s growing pains make their way into the South Platte

While many groups work separately to ease tensions caused by rapid development, a lack of affordable housing and rising drug use, a few small city departments must deal with these issues all at once — and each has inevitably seeped into the river. (Denverite)

The Rockies land a righty reliever

It was becoming apparent the Rockies needed some right-handed help in the bullpen. Wednesday, they completed a trade for Phillies veteran reliever Pat Neshek. Neshek has posted a 1.12 ERA in 40 1/3 innings so far this season. (Purple Row)

Denver plans to study if minority contractors get a fair shake

The city will hold four public hearings in October and review city contracts awarded during a four-year period for the study, according to the Office of Economic Development. (Denverite)

Wait times in Colorado VA facilities are among the worst in the nation

Front Range veterans have seen little improvement in the three years since a national scandal erupted over the problem. (DP)

Vance Joseph says he hopes to identify a starting QB before the Broncos’ third preseason game

The Broncos’ first-year coach fielded questions from the media Wednesday. Who’s going to win the starting job? When will it be decided? Do you agree that Paxton Lynch looks like a pirate? OK, I made the last one up. (Denverite)

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Denverite members have made the decision to financially support local journalism that matters to you. Ready to tell your networks why? Sharing our “About” page with your own personal comments could really help us out.