Washington Diary

Colorado lawmakers are set to introduce a pair of bills in the next legislative session that would bar municipal courts from imposing more severe sentences than state courts for the same crimes, as well as limit city courts from criminalizing missed hearings.  The first bill, sponsored by Rep. Javier Mabrey, a Denver Democrat, seeks to address disparities in sentences between state courts and their lower-level municipal counterparts. Legislative reforms in 2021 significantly reduced maximum penalties for a host of low-level, nonviolent crimes in Colorado’s state courts.

A metro Denver nonprofit that supports survivors of sexual assault is partnering with local bars and restaurants to train their staffs on how to recognize sex crimes when they occur in their establishments, and how to intervene and even prevent them. “We know there’s a correlation between alcohol and sexual violence,” said Kaity Gray, director of community education at The Blue Bench.

Associated Press American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide Tuesday due to a technical issue just as the Christmas travel season kicks into high gear. American flights were cleared to fly by federal regulators about one hour after a national ground stop order was issued by federal regulators. Just before 7 a.m. Eastern time, the Federal Aviation Administration ordered all American Airlines flights grounded in the U.

Dear Eric: My father passed from cancer in 2020. He and my mother were married for 53 years. One year later, my only sibling died suddenly from a massive heart attack. So, it’s just my mother and I left. We have never had a good relationship. Very tense, lots of jealousy (her, not me). Both my parents were very close to my children growing up.

Today is Tuesday, Dec. 24, the 359th day of 2024. There are seven days left in the year. This is Christmas Eve. Today in history: On Dec. 24, 1992, President George H. W. Bush pardoned former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger and five others in the Iran-Contra scandal. Also on this date: In 1814, the United States and Britain signed the Treaty of Ghent, which ended the War of 1812 following ratification by both the British Parliament and the U.

Moon Alert: Caution! Avoid shopping or making important decisions after 5:30 a.m. EST today (2:30 a.m. PST). The Moon is in Libra. Happy Birthday for Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024: You are sensitive, responsible and compassionate. You respect the past and what it has to offer. This year has been a time of recognition and acknowledgement.