👀 Were city layoffs retaliatory?

💼 Inside the City’s First Layoffs in 15 Years

The mayor announced on Monday that 171 city workers are being laid off — but who? When? And how will the cuts affect city services? City Councilmember At-Large Sarah Parady joins the City Cast Denver podcast to break down what’s happening and what it means for all Denverites. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

• The blowback begins: Two noteworthy layoffs include Scott Gilmore, an executive with the parks department and the husband of Councilmember Stacie Gilmore; and Jessica Calderon, the senior director of the Mayor's Office of Social Equity & Innovation, who is also in the midst of an ongoing lawsuit against the mayor’s office. Both ex-employees believe their layoffs were retaliatory measures for speaking out against the Johnston administration. Or, as Stacie Gilmore said, “because of his sassy loudmouthed wife, he got let go.” [Denverite]

📺 Could Denver Lose Kyle Clark?

Nexstar Media Group, the parent company for Denver’s Fox affiliate KDVR, is purchasing Tegna, the parent company of 9News, in a $6.2 billion sale. What this will mean for the station’s reporters — including fan-faves like Kyle Clark and Jeremy Jojola — is not yet clear. [Westword]

🚔 Tren de Aragua Leaders Arrested in Denver Drug, Gun Bust

A months-long investigation has culminated in the arrest of 30 people on gun and drug trafficking charges. Officials believe eight of the suspects are members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua — and three of those eight are thought to be high-ranking leaders of the gang. [Denver Post 🔒]

🦠 Officials Warn of Measles Exposure at DIA

People at Denver International Airport on Aug. 12 may have been exposed to the measles, public health officials warn. An out-of-state traveler that passed through the airport’s C concourse has since tested positive for the highly contagious virus. So far this year, Colorado has counted 21 confirmed cases of the measles — an exponential increase compared to the state's usual average of 0-2 cases per year. [CPR]

• Take a closer look: Check out the state’s 2025 measles dashboard.