Colorado Matters Colorado Public Radio

Stubborn heat will be with us for a while. Today, our regular chat about weather and climate with Denver7's Mike Nelson and why the Front Range is so prone to heat and smog. Then, a prominent Black political organizer on how women are rallying around Kamala Harris. Plus, a player talks about rebuilding Team USA's 3X3 Men's Basketball just in time for the Olympics. Also, why some books and authors are more likely to be banned. And Marble welcomes rock sculptors.

Bianka Emerson says President Joe Biden's decision to not seek a second term and endorsing vice president Kamala Harris to replace him, has energized a moribund Democratic campaign. Emerson, president of Colorado Black Women for Political Action, participated in a recent conference call that featured more than 40,000 women and raised more than $1 million. Emerson spoke of the challenges Harris -- and Black women as a whole -- are facing in the upcoming election.

In our regular climate and weather chat, Denver7 Chief Meteorologist Mike Nelson explains why the Front Range especially is prone to heat and smog. Plus, important lessons about storm spotting from the blockbuster, "Twisters."

In Colorado and across the nation, emergency departments at pediatric hospitals are overflowing with kids who need intensive mental health treatment. We talk with Children's Hospital Colorado's Mental Health in Chief, Dr. Ron-Li Liaw. Then, perspectives on living with Alzheimer's with Rebecca Chopp. Plus, a program to find homes for wild mustangs. The growing popularity of flag football. And centenarian Nancy Tipton of Centennial!

Nancy Tipton says all her life, she's been blessed. The 101-year-old great-grandmother lives at Holly Creek in Centennial. As a young woman, she worked as a codebreaker and at the Pentagon, before moving to Colorado where she worked as a columnist for the Denver Post.

In Colorado and across the nation, emergency departments at pediatric hospitals are overflowing with kids who need intensive mental health treatment. Many of these young people are essentially boarding at hospitals because there aren't enough other treatment options.