🍔 1 dead, 27 sick from local E. coli outbreak

🍔 Local E. Coli Outbreak at McDonald’s

Yesterday afternoon, health officials confirmed 28 Coloradans have been infected — and one person has died — from a “fast-moving” outbreak of E. coli that is believed to be linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers. The item has been temporarily removed from all Colorado menus. [Denver Post 🔒]

💰 The Mayor Makes His Case for Raising Taxes

Mayor Mike Johnston is celebrating hitting his goal of getting 2,000 unhoused people into shelter before the end of the year. He’s also banking on voters passing ballot measure 2R next month, which would implement a new sales tax to help fund his affordable housing plans. But in a city where cost of living is already a top concern, does he really think voters will approve a tax increase? We asked Mayor Mike himself. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

👀 Beware Election Misinformation

Kevin Vick, the president of the state’s largest teachers union, is denouncing a “deceptive” text message that went out to Colorado voters over the weekend implying that he supports upcoming ballot measure Amendment 80 (the constitutional right to school choice). Vick, who has been a vocal opponent of the measure, says the unidentified sender took audio clips of him out of context to mislead recipients. [CO Sun]

• Political fact-checking: Get our tips on verifying your sources, plus info on how, when, and where to vote in Denver. [Hey Denver]

Hey loyal readers and listeners. We love to hear from you! Got a question about something going on in the city? A spicy take on a trending topic? Commentary on a recent podcast episode or newsletter? We want to hear it 💌 Here’s the latest from the inbox:

🥖 Denver’s Best Gluten-Free Bakeries

Readers and listeners are still talking about Denver’s best baked goods, following our Best Bakeries episode on the City Cast Denver podcast last month. So here’s a little something for the gluten-free bread-lovers out there.

• Raych D. recommends: “Rivers and Roads for the best gluten-free bakery and breakfast. And for those wanting to bake at home, check out anything from Loopy Wisk. She has a great gluten-free cookbook, as well as a new cookbook coming out that makes any recipe allergen-friendly!”
• Lauren S. suggests: “WoodGrain Bagel (gf homemade bagels), River and Roads (all GF goodies), and Rheinlander Bakery (my all-time favorite place in metro Denver). Of course if we're talking gluten-free, it's also worth mentioning the fully GF Holidaily Brewing out of Golden (with a tap room in Denver at Denver Tech Center, too).”

👋 Jessica’s Ghost Walking Tour at Denver Terrors

Listener Peggy co-signed on our recent recommendation to check out the Denver Terrors Walking Ghost Tour with tour guide Jessica. Way to go, Jessica!

• “I was listening to your episode on outdoorsy stuff to do in October, when Justine Sandoval mentioned a walking ghost tour that she had done, and said that her guide, Jessica, had done a great job. Jessica’s a friend of mine. I also recommend Jessica as a tour guide; she's terrific!”

🍗 Deep-Fried Turkeys

Listener Peter wrote in asking where to find a deep-fried turkey this Thanksgiving.

• Jenny in University Park recommends GoldBelly.com for “real real deep-fried turkey from the South from Louisiana. It comes to your house, you put it in the fridge, and you only have to cook this thing for one hour. It's perfection. And you don't even have to get up at the crack of dawn to make it.”