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Tom Hesse

@tomhesse

Western Slope producer for Colorado Matters

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11.09.2023
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Latest posts by Tom Hesse @tomhesse

Clapping my flippers together and honking like a harbor seal when a Super Bowl ad for a condiment or gambling app featuring two celebrities unexpectedly reveals a third celebrity as its punchline. Bouncing a ball around on my snout. My wife has to throw me a herring to get me to calm down.

06.02.2026 18:24 πŸ‘ 5845 πŸ” 808 πŸ’¬ 62 πŸ“Œ 19
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Weak Weed and Red Tape: Marijuana Research Is Slow Going More than half of the states have legalized medical marijuana, but researchers say they are still limited in their efforts to test its health benefits.

www.chronicle.com/article/weak...

18.12.2025 20:59 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

BREAKING: A federal magistrate denied Tina Peters' request for habeas corpus relief Monday, citing lack of jurisdiction. www.gjsentinel.com/breaking/tin...

08.12.2025 22:20 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Nicole Foy ProPublica is an independent, non-profit newsroom that produces investigative journalism in the public interest.

Hey folks πŸ‘‹ I'm the reporter who revealed immigration agents detained 170+ citizens this year

My fellowship w/ProPublica has been incredible, but it wraps January. I'm looking for my next gig. Please reach out to share leads & opportunities! nicolemfoy@gmail.com
www.propublica.org/people/nicol...

08.12.2025 21:02 πŸ‘ 3396 πŸ” 1090 πŸ’¬ 28 πŸ“Œ 11
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Judge rules ICE agents must follow the law in suit brought by GJ detainees A federal judge ruled Tuesday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Colorado are required to make a probable cause determination on whether someone is a flight risk before

A judge has ruled that ICE agents must determine whether someone is a flight risk before arresting them without a warrant, which is required by law but not how ICE has been operating of late, according to a lawsuit brought by two people detained in Grand Junction. www.gjsentinel.com/news/western...

25.11.2025 22:04 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

9YO citizen caught in Idaho FBI raid describes officers breaking car window to detain his father β€œI felt scared because they were pointing the guns at me. When they broke the window, I had to jump to my mom’s feet. I had glass in my mouth, and I quickly spit it away."
www.ktvb.com/article/news...

28.10.2025 23:38 πŸ‘ 344 πŸ” 203 πŸ’¬ 11 πŸ“Œ 5
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'If you can keep it.' A new series about unprecedented politics and policy | Colorado Public Radio Benjamin Franklin said, β€œA Republic, if you can keep it.” He was asked – after the constitutional convention – if we were to become a republic or a monarchy? We borrowed from Franklin to name a new se...

"If You Can Keep It" is a new series from Colorado Matters that scrutinizes and contextualizes today's extraordinary politics & policy. Already we're learning extraordinary events have precursors. DU's Seth Masket is our guide. The title references Benjamin Franklin's words.

Give it a listen:

23.10.2025 22:51 πŸ‘ 30 πŸ” 8 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Sen. Hickenlooper bemoans cuts to the Dept. of Energy. I asked about his vote to confirm Trump's energy secretary.

"I am deeply, deeply disappointed in Chris Wright. I've known him for a long time, and I don't know how to say it any better. I'm deeply disappointed," the Colorado Democrat tells me.

15.10.2025 20:57 πŸ‘ 24 πŸ” 8 πŸ’¬ 6 πŸ“Œ 6
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Survey: Have you been impacted by the shutdown? We want to know how the government shutdown is impacting you as a federal worker or recipient of federal services.

Are you affected directly by the government shutdown? CPR News wants to hear from you.

If you're a federal worker or contractor or someone who relies on a gov't function, please fill out our survey:

06.10.2025 20:50 πŸ‘ 6 πŸ” 8 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Y’all, this is the creator of our extremely popular Colorado Postcards, Gillian Coldsnow!

We’re asking for your contribution to CPR, so you can stay connected to your community.

And you might win a trip to Italy!

Give at cpr.org

10.05.2025 18:52 πŸ‘ 31 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 3 πŸ“Œ 0
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Sweepstakes Enter to win: A one-of-a-kind Italian getaway Step into a world of history, flavor and romance with a trip for two to Italy. Explore Rome’s iconic

Weren't chosen pope? Still wanna go to Italy? Give to CPR and you're automatically entered to win an Italian getaway!

09.05.2025 18:48 πŸ‘ 30 πŸ” 5 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

What would have to happen for you to travel to another city to watch the NFL Draft as a fan?

20.04.2025 12:47 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Is the US primed to house its petroleum reserve in Douglas County self-storage units? No. But there’s a story.

I awoke to pleas to investigate how a Colorado self-storage company landed a contract to manage the US' vast strategic petroleum reserve.

It didn't.

@tomhesse.bsky.social picks up the story from here:

04.04.2025 19:52 πŸ‘ 28 πŸ” 8 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
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Michael Bennet, CO's senior senator, expresses "deep anger" at his own party and, when it comes to pushing back against the Trump Administration says, "We have no business giving up."

We also discuss Ukraine... and that group chat.

Read/listen: www.cpr.org/2025/03/26/i...

by @tomhesse.bsky.social

26.03.2025 20:41 πŸ‘ 30 πŸ” 7 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 2
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A Colorado HIV expert fears funding cuts will undo years of progress Dr. Lisa Abougi has worked on HIV/AIDS programs in Kenya as well as at Children’s Hospital Colorado.

β€œThis was done with so much chaos and confusion and, really, cruelty.”

A pediatric HIV/AIDS doc who works in Colorado and Kenya discusses the US’ about-face in the global fight against the virus.

She worries, too, about domestic investment.

via @tomhesse.bsky.social

26.03.2025 13:50 πŸ‘ 32 πŸ” 11 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 1

Neato!

I've learned I'm getting the Dennis Gallagher Community Trailblazer Award for "journalistic integrity, thoughtful and honest interviews, clear-eyed exploration of relevant intercultural topics and an engaging authentic persona.”

Thanks to Denver Center for Intercultural Scholars Foundation.

24.03.2025 20:14 πŸ‘ 129 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 12 πŸ“Œ 3
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Interview: Colorado’s Ken Salazar on trade with Mexico, border security, cartels, and what he calls the Gulf Speaking with Colorado Matters, Salazar addressed a number of topics, including the impact proposed tariffs will have on Colorado, fighting against the Mexican cartels to keep drugs out of the U.S., a...

"My view is that people in the United States and Mexico have to understand the border much better than we do, and the people of both countries have to understand the history of our relationship much better than we do."

21.03.2025 14:39 πŸ‘ 18 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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He’s been Colorado attorney general, US senator and Interior sec’t. But Ken Salazar tells me ambassador to Mexico was his toughest assignment.

Now that he’s back, we'll discuss trade, immigration and a more humane border Friday on a special Colorado Matters.

Oh and he calls it The Gulf of Mexico.

19.03.2025 23:03 πŸ‘ 82 πŸ” 12 πŸ’¬ 5 πŸ“Œ 1
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Hello from Colorado Springs where this sign on Nevada Av. is giving me life!

I’ll host Colorado Matters from KRCC tomorrow β€” a conversation about Pueblo’s progress on violent crime… and your maaaaany spring gardening questions ANSWERED!

18.03.2025 16:24 πŸ‘ 73 πŸ” 6 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0
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US Rep. Jeff Hurd, of Grand Junction, tells me he likes a lot of what he sees from DOGE-- especially cuts to DEI programs. Meanwhile, Hurd can't say how many federal workers have lost or left their jobs in his district, but there are some he wishes hadn't.

Airs in full Friday on Colorado Matters.

27.02.2025 18:07 πŸ‘ 128 πŸ” 37 πŸ’¬ 22 πŸ“Œ 9
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Sweepstakes Escape to Paradise: Win A Luxury Getaway to Santa Teresa Experience An Unforgettable 4-Night Retreat in Costa Rica’s Beach Haven Trade the ordinary

Independent journalism is indispensable. I welcome your support during our membership campaign, which begins today. You’ll also be entered to win a trip to Costa Rica!

19.02.2025 15:37 πŸ‘ 29 πŸ” 6 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 2

Are you a federal worker who’s been laid off? Would you care to share your story? We can discuss anonymity. I know prior to β€œthe fork in the road,” many were afraid to speak.

DMs welcome. Email rwarner at cpr dot org and Signal ryebread.22

15.02.2025 22:13 πŸ‘ 93 πŸ” 39 πŸ’¬ 5 πŸ“Œ 0
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Denver Nuggets Extend League's Longest Winning Streak in Style - DNVR Sports The Denver Nuggets extended the league's longest win streak with a dominant team-win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

Jalen Pickett fought hard to claw his way into Malone’s trust.

After a brutal start to his career, he embraced the grind and put the work in.

It began with a little help from his veteran β€” Jamal Murray:

thednvr.com/denver-nugge...

11.02.2025 20:54 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Neighborly or nuisance? Western Colorado church’s unhoused solution lands them a court date The Montrose United Methodist Church began receiving citations after allowing camping on their property.

In Montrose, a homelessness solution lands a church a court date-- just as the state considers a "Yes In God's Backyard" bill.

via @tomhesse.bsky.social

31.01.2025 21:51 πŸ‘ 33 πŸ” 11 πŸ’¬ 3 πŸ“Œ 1

Are you a federal worker in Colorado-- just learning about Trump's resignation offer? Perhaps his return-to-facilities or DEI directives affect you. If you'd care to speak with Colorado Matters about where your head's at, send me a DM or email ColoradoMatters at cpr dot org.

28.01.2025 23:47 πŸ‘ 79 πŸ” 29 πŸ’¬ 7 πŸ“Œ 0
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β€œI’m attracted to beautiful places and a lot of times, they happen to be places that've been ignored. When I get to town, I always say, β€˜Take me to your pigeons and your pensioners,’ and I find the beautiful buildings."

RIP preservationist & developer Dana Crawford, seen here in Trinidad in March.

24.01.2025 21:16 πŸ‘ 89 πŸ” 7 πŸ’¬ 3 πŸ“Œ 0
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Interview: Setting his agenda for 2025, Polis lays out strategies to stand up to hail and to Trump in 2025 State of the State In a conversation after his State of the State address, the governor details strategies for the coming year.

Gov. Polis sees land-owning school districts and churches as key to easing Colorado’s housing crunch.

Me: There are obstacles in their way to build housing?

Polis: There's obstacles to everything in our state, Ryan.

In-depth on housing, immigration, and public safety:

10.01.2025 15:17 πŸ‘ 27 πŸ” 7 πŸ’¬ 5 πŸ“Œ 2
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Please enjoy these vintage images of Grand Junction β€” courtesy Patrick Flynn and the Boring Postcards Facebook group. (circa 1963)

07.01.2025 22:02 πŸ‘ 39 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 3 πŸ“Œ 1

Explaining that era of online media to new writers and journalists is wild. People made decent money working out of a decadent major-city office but only for about 10 months.

22.02.2024 16:59 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Hooray!

18.01.2024 22:29 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0