MANY MINDS IN AN ARMY OF ONE: JOSIE THOMPSON FIKE
Western Skies is running a series of reflections by veterans of the Iraq war (and their family members). Today is the fifth and final installment, in which we hear from Josie Thompson Fike, the mother of Army Reservist Dylan. Dylan and his father also share their perspectives. [LISTEN] [TRANSCRIPT]
EXPANDED CONTENT–> This series originally aired on Making Contact, a weekly radio program produced by the National Radio Project.

RISING PRICE OF TEXTBOOKS
As college students are heading back to school, many are frustrated by the high cost of textbooks. Rising book prices even prompted a recent Congressional investigation. Stephen Raher visits the Colorado College Bookstore to find out more. [LISTEN] [TRANSCRIPT]
EXPANDED CONTENT–> The General Accounting Office’s recent report on textbook prices is available online.

POUDRE LEARNING CENTER
Brian Larson reports on a new kind of outdoor classroom in Northern Colorado. [LISTEN] [TRANSCRIPT]

AL SHARPTON COMES TO TOWN
Democrats from across the state came to Colorado Springs last weekend to meet, greet, and strategize. Stephen Raher reports on the keynote address delivered by former presidential candidate and outspoken Bush critic Rev. Al Sharpton. [LISTEN] [TRANSCRIPT]

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
A trio of stories on developing alternative energy projects in Colorado. First, KUNC’s Jim Beers talks to Bob Baun, editor of the Northern Colorado Business Journal, about a new “alternative energy cluster” up north. Stephen Raher has the story of a proposed ethanol plant in Yuma County. And Eric Whitney has details on the Colorado Farm Bureau’s new interest in renewables. [LISTEN] [TRANSCRIPT]

COMMENTARY: CHANGES AFOOT AT THE FINE ARTS CENTER
Commentator Caroline Vulgamore is a docent at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. She says the recent changes at the FAC have been well received, but she wonders if the city will be up for more. [LISTEN] [TRANSCRIPT]

MANY MINDS IN AN ARMY OF ONE: DAN AND ALEA
Western Skies is running a series of reflections by veterans of the Iraq war (and their family members). Today is the fourth installment, in which we hear from Dan, a Soldier in Iraq, and his wife Alea. [LISTEN] [TRANSCRIPT]
EXPANDED CONTENT–> This series originally aired on Making Contact, a weekly radio program produced by the National Radio Project.

JOEL HEFLEY INTERVIEW
Stephen Raher interviews Congressman Joel Hefley, the ten term incumbent representative of Colorado’s Fifth Congressional District. Hefley is home for Congress’s August recess and talks about the military, the war, and his experiences on the House ethics committee. [LISTEN] [TRANSCRIPT]

PRIVATE PRISON WOES
Eric Whitney talks to policy analyst Judy Greene about the systemic problems with Colorado’s private prisons. [LISTEN] [TRANSCRIPT]
EXPANDED CONTENT–> Many of the private prisons’ inadequacies came to light in this June report by State Auditor Joanne Hill.

PRISON LAWSUIT
Maeve Conran reports on a lawsuit recently filed by eighty-six current and former prisoners who say they were subject to numerous cruelties after last year’s riot at the Crowley County Correctional Facility. [LISTEN] [TRANSCRIPT]

SOUTHERN UTES ON THE RUNNING UTES
The NCAA recently decided to “limit the use of Native American mascots, nicknames and imagery” in playoff games. Producers from KSUT and KUTE (in Ignacio) asked Southern Utes what they think of the decision, and its impact on the University of Utah Running Utes. [LISTEN] [TRANSCRIPT]

MANY MINDS IN AN ARMY OF ONE: ELIZABETH VASQUEZ
Western Skies is running a series of reflections by veterans of the Iraq war (and their family members). Today is the third installment, in which we hear from Elizabeth Vasquez, an Iraq veteran and mother of a Soldier currently deployed in the Middle East. [LISTEN] [TRANSCRIPT]
EXPANDED CONTENT–> This series originally aired on Making Contact, a weekly radio program produced by the National Radio Project.

HELPING CORRECTIONS OFFICERS
Lydia Reynolds has details on a new national organization in Fremont County. Desert Waters Correctional Outreach provides confidential counseling for corrections officers who need assistance coping with the stress that comes from working in prison. [LISTEN] [TRANSCRIPT]
EXPANDED CONTENT–> Desert Waters Correctional Outreach is online at www.DesertWaters.com.

PIKES PEAK MARATHON
Anita Miller reports on the band of brave souls who participated in this year’s Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon. [LISTEN] [TRANSCRIPT]

NEWSCAST
Stephen Raher reports on two developments in Pueblo - a possible casino and talk of the city buying the electic system. Also, local Air Force reservists are called to duty in Iraq and an investigation of rumors about flying prairie dogs in Lincoln County. [LISTEN] [TRANSCRIPT]