Hi there. Today's news roundup is pretty similar to our morning newsletter, but I've scattered in some bonus items under health and tech. Read on, readers.
Health:
Colorado has warned 75,000 pregnant women and children to start looking for private health insurance as federal funding for CHP+ is set to expire in January. (KUNC)
A mining company is fighting for the right to put 43 times more molybdenum pollution into Denver's water supply. Denver Water is not happy. Bruce Finley reports. (DP)
The rate of Colorado newborns addicted to opioids rose 83 percent from 2010 to 2015, alarming doctors and resulting in an unprecedented collaboration between hospitals, medical professionals and child-welfare departments. (DP)
Tech:
An Aurora startup is building an 86,000-square-foot mushroom production technology to make its protein substance. Kate Tracy reports. (BusinessDen)
Here's an interesting look inside School of Mines' space resources program. Space mining, people. (Wired)
The changing city:
Boosted by the property boom, the city’s 15 "improvement districts" plan to spend almost $19 million in 2018, an increase of about 20 percent compared to last year. Here's what these mini-governments are doing with all that money, and why you should care. (Denverite)
Amazon might release a short list of potential sites for HQ2 early next year. (DBJ)
MLK Jr. march trouble:
The annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Marade is still working to fill a $67,000 loss following Black Lives Matter protests that interrupted the event in 2016. Their efforts have been stymied further since their lead organizer, Vern Howard, was in a serious car accident last September; he’s had to relinquish some responsibilities as he recovers from brain injuries. (Denverite)
Harassment:
Democratic state Rep. Steve Lebsock, accused of sexual harassment, doubled down and resisted calls to resign. A former intern filed a formal complaint against state Sen. Jack Tate, a Republican. Legislative leaders will meet to discuss anti-harassment policy later this month. (9, KUNC)
Justice:
It’s been more than a decade since inmates in Denver jails were allowed to have in-person visits with friends and family. Instead, they use old video technology to maintain their connections. Now, the sheriff department is working on bringing in-person visits back. (Denverite)
Leisure activities:
Choose your pre-Christmas adventure: "The Nutcracker," "A Christmas Carol," "The Santaland Diaries," gingerbread house building, cookie decorating and more. Plus: non-Christmas fun. (Denverite)
The sister restaurant to the Highlands' Sushi Ronin opens in RiNo this Saturday. It's got a familiar dinner menu upstairs and a cheaper late-night menu in the basement. (Denverite)
The Block Distilling Co. plans to open its doors next month near where Shake Shack and Odell Brewing Co. are moving in, too. (Denverite)
And speaking of Odell — construction delays are pushing back the opening of the brewery's Denver taproom. (Denverite)
The team behind Little Man Ice Cream is taking its charm and sweets to Stapleton, opening The Constellation Ice Cream at Eastbridge Town Center next year. The plans include a giant airplane wing. (Denverite)
