GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) – A judge in Grand Junction is expected to decide today whether a man awaiting a new trial in the shooting death of his wife will be allowed a chance to get out of jail. Michael Blagg was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison for killing Jennifer Blagg in 2001. His conviction was thrown out last year after the judge determined a juror lied when she said she had never experienced domestic violence.
DENVER (AP) – Recreational pot sold in Colorado must be tested for pesticides and contaminants such as mold and mildew. Oddly, the requirement doesn’t apply to medical marijuana sold to people with debilitating conditions – but a bill up for its first test in the state Senate today would change that. State regulators have asked lawmakers to update the regulations so that testing is required of medical pot.
WASHINGTON (AP) – Members of Congress are criticizing the VA for firing a whistleblower who warned of cost overruns at the Denver veterans hospital but taking no action against higher-ranking executives. Members of the House committee today cited a Denver Post report that a VA employee warned in 2011 that the hospital would cost more than official estimates. The employee was fired in 2012 for allegedly disobeying a supervisor.
IGNACIO, Colo. (AP) – Deputies in southwestern Colorado say a shooting suspect who killed himself after being pulled over by police knew the man he’s accused of killing. The La Plata County Sheriff’s Office says Joel Ferguson fatally shot Jake Bramwell at Bramwell’s home in an Ignacio RV park yesterday. About 15 minutes after the shooting was reported, Ferguson was stopped by an officer, got out of his truck and shot himself in the head.