Comment on 706 homes destroyed in 2 months and still erupting

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — A Coloradan is among three mountain climbers from the U. S. and Canada missing after they failed to return from a planned ascent of New Zealand’s highest peak, Aoraki, authorities said Tuesday. The Americans — Kurt Blair, 56, from Colorado and Carlos Romero, 50, of California — are certified alpine guides, according to the website of the American Mountain Guides Association.

Nik Bonitto warned people that he could play in coverage. Denver’s edge rusher played safety during his senior season at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. And even though his experience at defensive back was minimal, Bonitto was certain he could cover if called upon. An opportunity to showcase those skills came about in the second quarter against the Browns on Monday night. Browns quarterback Jameis Winston thought he had a wide-open Jordan Akins for a check-down throw in the flat.

WASHINGTON — Kash Patel has been well-known for years within Donald Trump’s orbit as a loyal supporter who shares the president-elect’s skepticism of the FBI and intelligence community. But he’s receiving fresh attention, from the public and from Congress, now that Trump has picked him to lead the FBI. As he braces for a bruising and likely protracted Senate confirmation fight, Patel can expect scrutiny not only over his professed fealty to Trump but also for his belief — revealed over the last year in interviews and his own book — that the century-old FBI should be radically overhauled. Here’s a look at some of what he’s proposed for the nation’s premier federal law enforcement agency.

Jerry Jeudy is a boo-liever in Broncos Country again. “I loved it,” the Cleveland Browns’ WR1 and 2020 Broncos first-round draft pick said late Monday of the catcalls from Denver fans while his old team pulled out a wacky, wild 41-32 win. “They only boo you when they know that something’s gonna happen, and there’s something great in you.” He was great, wasn’t he?

Although meteorological winter started on Saturday, this week in Denver may feel more like fall, according to the National Weather Service. Dry, sunny skies are forecast for Tuesday through the weekend, when the next snow is expected to fall in Denver. Denver will see temperature highs in the mid-50s and low-60s throughout the week, with the warmest weather arriving Tuesday and Saturday afternoon, NWS forecasters said. Tuesday’s temperatures are forecast to peak around 60 degrees in the city, according to forecasters.

HOUSTON — Houston’s Azeez Al-Shaair was suspended by the NFL without pay for three games Tuesday for repeated violations of player safety rules following his hit to the head of Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence, which led to a concussion. Al-Shaair’s punishment was announced by NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan.