GJ Sentinel Daily REWiND Podcast

This week, we examine ICE detention statistics in Mesa County last year, and detainees’ primary country of origin, criminal histories and the need for legal ways for foreign workers to be here, given our country’s labor needs; an angry MAGA reaction to a photo published to Gov. Polis’ social media account of him and Lauren Boebert at the Rockies’ opening day game; a Colorado Appeals Court judgment ordering Tina Peters’ resentencing, and the argument that a defendant’s sentence can’t be imposed based on their personal belief, revelations that a carrier for the Montrose Daily Press is suspected of drug trafficking, and how our readers feel about the prospects of a future dominated by AI. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we discuss the surprise results of the Republican caucus, which voted overwhelmingly in favor of Mesa County Treasurer candidate Greg Haitz, leaving veteran politico Rose Pugliese off the ballot, the use of Flock cameras by local law enforcement, the assurances they will not be used to collaborate with ICE and other agencies, and the dangers that bad actors could hack into the data and use it for devious purposes, the possible ramifications of the SCOTUS ruling against Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy, and what traffic violations our readers observe most on local roadways. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, explore the ramifications of two big, groundbreaking trials in which Meta and Google were found liable for violating consumer protection laws in New Mexico and knowingly creating a product harmful to youth through its addictive algorithms, Trump’s backpedaling on his repudiation of Congressman Jeff Hurd after offering MAGA former congressional hopeful Hope Scheppelman a possible position within the administration, and which Main St. restaurant would readers send visitors to the area to for dinner.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we examine the public health board cutting ties with former public health director Xavier Crockett after questionable spending during his tenure and the double standard applied to his predecessor, Jeff Kuhr; how to spend 36 hours in the Grand Valley, as explored in a NYT article; gubernatorial candidate Michael Bennet’s tour to connect with young people and their perspectives on the accessibility of the American dream; the forces behind the country’s housing crisis; and review how our readers feel about Daylight Savings Time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode, we examine the possibility of Jared Polis caving to President Trump’s demands to pardon Tina Peters following a social media post signalling his possible capitulation; the bizarre case of a former neurosurgeon accused of sexual assault who decided not to go down without a fight when cornered in Vero Beach, Florida; the unexpectedly viral post by the GJPD featuring a young cop perceived by female viewers as a “thirst trap”; and review the results of last week’s poll asking readers what should be done with the tariff money deemed by the Supreme Court to have been collected illegally. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we look at the potential effect of Trump’s endorsement of Jeff Hurd’s primary challenger, Hope Scheppelman, on the eventual outcome of the 3rd Congressional District’s U.S. House race; debate the pros and cons of potential legislation decriminalizing prostitution in the Centennial State; the benefits of thoughtful deliberation in politics; and explore options for mitigating the impacts of the Citizens United decision and the flood of money into the electoral process. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we reflect on a Trump video post that depicted the Obamas as apes and the blowback from readers upset by The Sentinel’s republishing the controversial screen grab; discuss the Club 20 foundation’s agreement with Purdue University to help raise funds for research on the true cost per kilowatt hour and environmental impact of different methods of electricity production; confront the controversy over the county’s seeming sweetheart rental deal with Faith Heights church after the purchase of their building; and look at how readers felt about D51’s unexcused abasence policy pre-empting athletes from competiton. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this edition, we discuss the fallout from GJHS student-athletes whose participation in an “ICE-OUT” walkout, which resulted in an unexcused absence, precluded their ability to compete the following day; potential backlash against local law enforcement due to questionable ICE tactics; progress on plans to update Stocker Stadium and its impact on access to the Lincoln Park Barn; Tri-State Generation's pushback on a Trump admin "emergency" order to keep their coal-fired station operational; and readers' thoughts on whether or not a national firearms ban at public protests would be advisable in the wake of the death of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we lament the latest development in the ongoing Tina Peters saga, in which she claims to have been accosted by a fellow inmate, a questionable assertion based on surveillance video of the scuffle; a new restaurant coming to downtown by the owners of Palisade’s popular “Peche” restaurant; discuss whether or not justice was served in the case of John Taylor, who pleaded to a lesser charge in the shooting deaths of two men after originally pleading not guilty to second-degree murder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we look at the surprise guilty plea in the case of a security guard who shot and killed two men on North Ave. in 2024, the bizarre case of a head and hands found in a freezer on private property that’s one in a string of high-profile cases from around the Grand Valley, state legislators wrestling with strained budgets as the 2026 session begins, and, it’s back to the future for the Museums of Western Colorado as they contemplate consolidating their many entities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our usual local focus takes a bit of a detour in light of a very busy national newscycle as we reflect on ramifications of the Venezuelan military operation and the Seaton family’s legacy of promoting press freedom in South America; the Trump administration’s recent freeze on federal funding for child welfare programs in Colorado and other blue states as well as denial of FEMA funds for areas ravaged by last summer’s wildfires and veto of a funding bill for a crucial Arkansas Valley water pipeline, seen by many as retribution for Tina Peters’ imprisonment; and a look at Spirit Engineering’s rollout of the SE-1 airplane developed and manufactured right here in Grand Junction. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we examine the controversy over the Mesa County Commissioners’ most recent appointees to the library board known for espousing conservative views, overlooking the applications of current board members with a good record of service, CMU’s latest proposal for building a team facility at Stocker Stadium after outcry over an initial proposal that included removing the Lincoln Park Barn, and Rep. Jeff Hurd’s refusal to caucus with Democrats on a discharge petition to bring an ACA tax credit extension to a vote after drafting legislation that would have extended them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is banning the sale of nonstick cookware containing PFAS another example of government overreach? Will winter make a return appearance? Should singles put up Christmas trees? Are induction stoves the electromagnetic wave of the future? Is high school athletic travel over two passes to the Front Range worth the risk? How did previous generations survive free-range and lap belt car rides? How are local residents faring during an identifiable loneliness epidemic? Editorial Page Editor Andy Smith and Audience Engagement Director Gretchen Reist debate the biggest topics of the day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we look back on the tenure of the outgoing public health director Xavier Crockett, who took over an agency in upheaval and brought stability to an environment in flux; discuss a shocking murder case that unfolded in an otherwise sleepy Fruita community; debate the merits of continued coverage of the ongoing Tina Peters saga; and talk about our favorite Thanksgiving sides. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we look at the recent cyberattacks impacting both Family Health West and a critical Sentinel vendor, evaluate the effectiveness of the recent “F.U.” ad promoting CMU, and the addition of Stella’s schnitzel-adjacent Iowa pork tenderloin to the local restaurant scene. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we look at the recent cyberattacks impacting both Family Health West and a critical Sentinel vendor, evaluate the effectiveness of the recent “F.U.” ad promoting CMU, and the addition of Stella’s schnitzel-adjacent Iowa pork tenderloin to the local restaurant scene. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy and Gretchen praise the organizers and protestors from last week’s No Kings Rally for keeping things peaceful and achieving a street fair vibe that caught the attention of well-known historian Heather Cox Richardson, discuss the Editorial Board’s recent school board endorsements and the reasons behind them, recount a recent visit to GJHS to advise their newspaper and yearbook staff, and look at how our readers view some of today's most pressing issues according to the results of our recent online polls. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our first Daily REWiND LIVE! features renowned ransomware negotiator and author Kurtis Minder, who sheds light on the most dangerous corners of the dark web, where corporate and personal data is offered up to willing buyers at a cost of hundreds of millions of dollars to the U.S. economy. He also explains the rise of cyber scams and sextortion, and how AI is reshaping the landscape. Minder, a Grand Junction resident, has been touring the U.S. promoting his first book, Cyber Recon: My Life in Cyber Espionage and Ransomware Negotiation. An audience Q&A follows the interview. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we examine the controversy surrounding a statue installed in the heart of downtown Fruita, whose nakedness caused quite a stir, look at the state of upcoming school board elections and a candidate forum hosted by Restore the Balance unattended by the three incumbents, and review how readers voted in last week's poll regarding the state's mail-in voting and its connection to the relocation of Space Command HQ out of Colorado Springs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we debate whether or not Colorado is best situated to lead the charge in regulating artificial intelligence, whether the federal judge in Tina Peters' habeas corpus case should consider granting her release during her appeals process as a way to avoid potential "harsh measures" threatened by Donald Trump, the quick reversion to Cracker Barrel's original logo after backlash, which regional grocery chains we'd most like to see expand nationwide, and how our poll respondents feel about flying in light of increasing cases of out-of-control passengers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we discuss a flight en route to L.A. that was diverted due to a belligerent, intoxicated passenger, the potential statewide benefits of the Sundance Film Festival’s imminent move to Boulder, recent movie filming in Grand Junction, a spate of Western Slope fires and their connection to climate change and forest management, the uncovering of a private lake as a probable source of a problematic zebra mussel infestation, and how restaurant health inspection outcomes might change one's dining habits. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An examination of the Mesa County Commissioners' decision to face off against Colorado AG Phil Weiser and Gov. Polis over the enforcement of a statute that prohibits local cops from cooperating with ICE, the Governor calling a special session to address big budget shortfalls due to the passage of the "Big, Beautiful Bill" and how TABOR complicates the process, and the still uncertain future of the 4th and 5th Street configuration. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Andy and Gretchen opine on the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office’s handling of the investigation into deputies’ role in the detention of a Utah student in early June; discuss the role of the health department in combating food-borne illness through restaurant inspections and their own fears of potlucks and buffets; and examine the disappointing closure this summer of the Las Colonias zipline after years of delays and construction complications. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's edition of our award-winning podcast, we examine the extreme weather patterns contributing to devastating wildfires across the Western Slope, the specifics of a lawsuit filed by the Colorado AG against a Mesa County Sheriff's deputy involved in the ICE detention of a Utah student, the losing appeal by a former deputy district attorney who was convicted of misleading officials, and the possibility of uncovering Jeffrey Epstein's illicit activities with minors by following the money.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This special edition of The Daily Rewind features Nurse-Family Partnership Nurse Home Visitor Brooke Sorenson and NFP mom Artesia Cyrus discussing the real-world benefits of a program designed to help first-time mothers navigate the critical, formative first years of their baby's life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we discuss the county falling victim to a phishing scam that led to a 6-figure revenue loss; the surprising sentence of a former postal worker caught up in an election ballot scheme; and a public lands provision in the budget reconciliation bill subjecting milions of acres across the country to potential sale that was axed by the Senate parliamentarian. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we explore the ICE detention of a Utah student with legal status whose information was shared on a Signal chat intended for drug interdiction efforts that somehow ended up with immigration officials in violation of state law, the Grand Junction "No Kings" protest rally, which garnered nationwide media coverage for its surprising crowd size, and the felony charges being brought against the former Principal of Clifton Elementary in an alleged theft case that doesn't quite add up. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Health and Wellness Reporter Jace DiCola shares the details of an award recognizing his suicide and mental health coverage along with the possible repercussions of a measles exposure at a local truck stop, and Jay, Andy, and Gretchen explore the potential for nuclear energy to satisfy increasing electricity demands and the difficulty in changing public perception of its safety. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Hurd Mentality - This week, we look at Rep. Jeff Hurd’s support for Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” and his rationale for doing so, the dissolution of the Mesa County Behavioral Health Department following the termination of its founding director and an uncertain funding future, and examine Elon Musk’s transformation once he entered the political realm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S 4, Ep 18: “Street Smarts”. Changing attitudes on the Fourth and Fifth Street configuration reversion prompt an examination of unhappy residents north of Grand Ave., and whether the Council should have moved forward with Phase II rather than scrapping the project altogether, a look at the meaning of “Restore the Balance,” and the mission of the organization, and how the Monument Trail is making a valley trail system that routinely “eats Jay’s lunch” much more accessible. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we focus on the financial impacts of federal tariffs on local manufacturing and the unlikelihood of reshoring factories, increasing attempts by those who’ve made the headlines to scrub their names from the digital record, and the possible evolution of phone policies in public education. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we turn the conversation to trans athletes in the wake of three D51 board members signing on to a letter to CHSSA to demand a ban on trans participation in girls’ sports; discuss prospects for Mind Springs under a new operator and the potential for a hospital taxing district to help support a future acute mental treatment facility; and a look back at the life and local impact of former Sentinel Publisher Ken Johnson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we explore possible reasons for an uptick in D51 expulsions, many due to assaults and weapon possession, and chronic absenteeism after yesterday’s arrest of a GJHS student who had a knife at school and was openly making threats; the ironic coincidence of controversy over the public health director in Montrose County following Janet Rowland’s recent move to the area; the history behind “Sewemup Mesa;” and priorities of incoming council members. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of our award-winning show, we look at recent City Council election results as evidence that the months-long hue and cry over changes to 4th and 5th streets downtown motivated residents to vote for a change in direction; how Kathleen Sgamma's past remarks led President Trump to pull her nomination to lead the BLM at the eleventh hour; and the possibility of the afterlife as "The Long Island Medium" Theresa Caputo prepares to take the stage at the Asteria Theatre. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Run of the Mills" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Soft Soper" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we examine the CMU Board and President John Marshall's decision to allow a campus club to host a white supremacist speaker; the city's now-defunct attempt at enforcing 10-hour parking enforcement downtown; preserving dignity with Toilet Equity; and a new brewpub on tap for the former Edgewater Brewery building. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A discussion of the Trump admin's Department of Justice reportedly "reviewing" Tina Peters' prosecution - including the possibility that Governor Polis is being pressured to issue a pardon or risk federal funding. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode, we discuss the recent announcement that GJEP's largest recruitment to date will bring nearly 900 good-paying jobs to the region; the impending closure of West Springs Hospital; tensions within D51 schools due to an unclarified ICE policy and allegedly illegal practices involving this year's school closures; and results of our poll on whether or not Tina Peters - who used her bully pulpit to spread election disinformation - should be released from prison while her case goes through the appeals process. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.