🚨 Acquitted officer in Elijah McClain case returns to work

🚨 Nathan Woodyard Returns to Work — with Backpay

Nathan Woodyard, one of the Aurora police officers indicted in the 2019 death of Elijah McClain, was acquitted of all charges earlier this month. Now, he will be returning to the Aurora police force and receiving $212,546 in backpay for his time on suspension. [Denver Post 🔒]

• Catch up: Two more Aurora police officers involved in the incident stood trial this month. One was found guilty of lesser charges, the other was acquitted. [CPR]
• Happening now: A criminal trial for the two paramedics who responded to the scene the night McClain died is currently underway. [CPR]

📰 ‘News Desserts’ on the Rise

Axios Denver reports that local news outlets across the state are on a rapid decline, creating vast swaths of areas that are “void of trustworthy and nonpartisan news.” Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism reports that Colorado has lost 32 local papers since 2005. [Axios Denver]

• Support local journalism: Psst — Hi. We are local journalism. Help us do what we do by signing up to become a member of City Cast Denver for as little as $8 a month!

🍷 Will Local Liquor Stores Last?

Since March of this year, Colorado’s big box grocery stores, like Walmart and King Soopers, have been allowed to sell wine, meaning many of the people who used to support local mom-and-pop liquor shops are now picking up their wine as part of their regular grocery store run. The change has many wondering: How much longer can small independent alcohol retailers survive? [City Cast Denver 🎧]

🪩 Emo Night | Thursday | 8 p.m.-Close

Dust off your white belt and skinny jeans for a throwback night with DJs spinning Taking Back Sunday, Panic! At The Disco, My Chemical Romance, and more from the emo canon. [Speer; $17]

👛 Penny Admission at MCA Denver | Saturday | 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Colorado residents can enjoy the museum’s many exhibitions all day for just one cent! [Union Station; 1 cent]

🌟 Native American Christmas Bazaar | Saturday | 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Shop handmade jewelry, beadwork, and art from local Native artisans at this holiday market, also serving up mutton stew, Indian tacos, and frybread. [University Hills; Free]

Will the Holidays Save Local Liquor Stores? Plus, 7 Pounds of Ramen

Last year, Colorado voters decided grocery stores could sell wine — so how are local mom-and-pop shops holding up since the legislation went into effect? The City Cast Denver crew digs into those details, plus other food news from across the metro.