Editorial: The secretary of state from Exxon
ExxonMobil, the world’s largest oil company not controlled by a nation-state, holds drilling rights to more territory in Russia than in the rest of the world combined – 63.7 million acres, according to the Wall Street Journal. But Exxon has been frustrated recently in its efforts to exploit those rights by U.S. sanctions imposed on Russia for invading and occupying Ukraine.
After those sanctions were imposed, Russia embarked upon a heightened campaign of cyber attacks and disinformation designed to influence the outcome of the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Our nation’s intelligence community concluded Russia’s aim was to sow seeds of doubt in America about the integrity of our electoral process, damage the candidacy of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and aid the campaign of Donald Trump.
So when Trump won the presidency and nominated Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson to be secretary of state, it raised obvious questions about whether Russia had, in fact, succeeded beyond its wildest dreams in altering the course of American foreign policy.
US intelligence report suggests Iranian regime is not at risk of imminent collapse
Washington Examiner Staff, Washington Examiner
washington.examiner.staff.washington.examiner@gazetteedit.wpenginepowered.com
Updated 25 minutes ago
Recent U.S. intelligence reports have assessed that after nearly two weeks of Operation Epic Fury, Iran’s government leadership is not in danger of imminent collapse. The evaluation comes after 12 days of regular military strikes by United States and Israeli...
Colorado committee recommends rejecting alcohol, marijuana tax hike to fund mental health care
Marissa Ventrelli
marissa.ventrelli@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 1 hour ago
In a rare move, Colorado’s Capital Development Committee unanimously recommended that another legislative committee reject a bill asking voters to approve higher excise taxes on alcohol and marijuana to fund a new mental health hospital in Aurora. Sponsored by Rep....
Colorado Supreme Court lifts curtain on decision-making at legal event
Michael Karlik
michael.karlik@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 2 hours ago
Members of the Colorado Supreme Court sat down with lawyers on Wednesday to answer questions about behind-the-scenes topics, including what happens immediately after an appeal is argued, why they might intervene in an ongoing case, and the consequence of a...
Senate, House leaders propose bill to cut outdated Colorado regulations and expand agency oversight
Marissa Ventrelli
marissa.ventrelli@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 2 hours ago
A bipartisan group of Colorado’s top legislative leaders is pushing a bill that would require periodic reviews of state regulations and expand lawmakers’ ability to scrutinize agency programs during oversight hearings. Senate Bill 137, sponsored by Senate President James Coleman,...
House Republicans split over SAVE America Act pressure campaign
David Sivak, Washington Examiner
david.sivak.washington.examiner@gazetteedit.wpenginepowered.com
Updated 5 hours ago
House Republicans are torn over how difficult to make life for the Senate as a band of rebels pressures Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) to pass a national voter ID bill. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has cautioned House conservatives that...
Republican Jeff Crank, Democrat Jessica Killin qualify by petition for Colorado’s 5th CD primary
Ernest Luning
ernest.luning@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 5 hours ago
Republican U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank and Jessica Killin, one of the Democrats challenging the first-term incumbent, have both qualified for the primary ballot in Colorado’s 5th Congressional District after turning in a sufficient number of petition signatures, state election officials...
High winds force closures of I-25 and I-70, overturned semi-trucks, flight delays, power outages
Dan Boniface
dan.boniface@denvergazette.com
Updated 8 minutes ago
High winds, warm temperatures and dry conditions have meteorologists sounding the alarm across much of Colorado on Thursday. Here’s what you need to know. Red Flag Warning issued The National Weather Service in Boulder has issued a Red Flag Warning...
This winter was Colorado’s warmest on record
Matt Kyle
matt.kyle@denvergazette.com
Updated 3 hours ago
Colorado just had its warmest winter on record, while the Denver metro area had its second-warmest, according to meteorologists and National Weather Service data. Data show the average temperature between December and February was 33.6 degrees, nearly 2 degrees warmer...
Colorado auditor finds serious issues with labor agency’s unemployment insurance accounting
Marianne Goodland
marianne.goodland@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 5 hours ago
Colorado’s state auditors found serious issues with the accounting practices of the unemployment insurance division of the Department of Labor and Employment, concluding the agency underestimated and overestimated figures to the tune of billions of dollars. The auditors labeled the...
Colorado’s newest federal judge speaks about techniques for advancing cases
Michael Karlik
michael.karlik@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 21 hours ago
U.S. Magistrate Judge Cyrus Y. Chung described on Wednesday the various tactics he employs to resolve court cases, summing up his role with a laxative-based metaphor. “Someone told a group of us federal magistrate judges that magistrate judges are the...