The Mountain Minute: 5/15/2025

🎧 Mountain Minute – May 15, 2025
Executive raises during a budget crisis. A teen walks free after killing a young woman. And Colorado’s energy grid is on the brink. From schools to sanctions, here’s your sharp, unfiltered roundup from Team RMV.

Colorado News:
🔹 Denver Execs Get Massive Raises Amid Budget Shortfall – Denver City Council approved nearly $500,000 in salary hikes for department heads—some as high as 43%—while firefighters were denied a 1.5% raise. Critics call it tone-deaf financial mismanagement.
Read more: https://rockymountainvoice.com/2025/05/denver-approves-executive-pay-hikes-while-facing-budget-shortfall-and-reserve-drop/

🔹 SEL Under Fire – A new RMV op-ed exposes how social-emotional learning isn’t just about kindness—it’s embedding radical left ideology into classroom culture, from equity to gender theory.
Read more: https://rockymountainvoice.com/2025/05/mcwilliams-social-emotional-learning-teaches-empathy-but-through-whose-lens/

🔹 Boom or Blackout? – Former Mayor Michael Hancock warns Colorado is chasing green virtue over economic survival. With oil, gas, and nuclear energy blocked by red tape, Colorado is “sleepwalking toward scarcity”.
Read more: https://rockymountainvoice.com/2025/05/hancock-the-future-of-colorado-hangs-between-boom-and-blackout/

🔹 Probation for Undocumented Teen in Deadly Crash – A 15-year-old driving without a license and in the U.S. illegally killed 24-year-old Kaitlyn Weaver in Aurora—and was sentenced to probation. Her family says prosecutors reversed their “no plea deal” promise after new leadership took over.
Read more: https://rockymountainvoice.com/2025/05/teen-in-u-s-illegally-gets-probation-after-killing-colorado-woman-at-90-mph/

🔹 Lakewood School Psychologist Charged with Sex Crimes – James Chevrier, who worked at several Jeffco schools, was arrested for child sex assault and drug distribution. Police say more victims may come forward.
Read more: https://rockymountainvoice.com/2025/05/former-jeffco-high-school-employee-faces-sex-assault-drug-charges/

🔹 Polis Signs “Colorado Voting Rights Act” – Governor Polis approved new election laws that mirror the federal Voting Rights Act—adding protections based on race, gender identity, and sexual orientation, even if federal protections are weakened.
Read more: https://rockymountainvoice.com/2025/05/polis-signs-sweeping-election-bill-modeled-on-federal-law-gop-calls-it-unnecessary/

National News:
🔹 Judge Backs Trump’s Use of Alien Enemies Act – A federal judge ruled the Trump administration can deport Venezuelan nationals tied to the Tren de Aragua gang under the 18th-century Alien Enemies Act—with a required 21-day notice.
Read more: https://rockymountainvoice.com/2025/05/federal-judge-oks-use-of-alien-enemies-act-to-deport-venezuelans-gang-members/

🔹 DOJ Slashes Trans Grants, Funds Police Instead – Trump’s DOJ cut millions in grants for transgender and DEI programs, redirecting funds to fight violent crime and protect kids. The move is part of a sweeping rollback of woke spending.
Read more: https://rockymountainvoice.com/2025/05/trump-justice-department-cuts-transgender-grants-will-use-money-to-fund-law-enforcement/

🔹 More Sanctions on Iran After Failed Talks – After a fourth round of nuclear talks, the U.S. hit Iran with sweeping sanctions targeting oil-smuggling front companies. Officials say the regime continues to fund terror and weapons proliferation.
Read more: https://rockymountainvoice.com/2025/05/trump-imposes-more-sanctions-on-iran-after-4th-round-of-nuclear-talks/

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