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Houston cut its homeless population by 63% in a decade. What can the new Denver mayor do in four years?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:59 GMT

The Greater Houston area managed to do something no other major American metro did in the last decade when it reduced its homeless population by 63%.The Texas metro’s success since 2012 has made it a national model, so much so that delegations from other cities, including Denver, have traveled there. They’ve learned how Houston marshaled wide community buy-in and expansive resources to pull off such a feat.Now Denver city officials hope to follow important parts of Houston’s playbook as they pursue new Mayor Mike Johnston’s big campaign aspiration — a pledge to end street homelessness in the city in the next four years.Work to create Houston’s local homeless response system, “The Way Home Continuum of Care,” wasn’t easy, quick or even complete, its civic leaders told The Denver Post. The system required significant coordination, community engagement and funding to implement a single vision for a “housing-first approach̶...

Kiszla: The sun in Broncos Country no longer rises and sets for the pleasure of quarterback Russell Wilson

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:59 GMT

Always upbeat, proudly Christian and often iffy throwing the football, Broncos Country hadn’t seen a quarterback quite like Russell Wilson since Tim Tebow.Except Tebow took Denver to the playoffs in 2011, then promptly got run out of our dusty old cow town.Well, Wilson isn’t going anywhere except back to the huddle, despite his 4-11 record, 11 interceptions and uninspiring 36.7 QBR during a dismal debut at the helm of the Broncos offense last season.Do you harbor concerns Wilson might be washed up at age 34, a year before that $245 million contract extension kicks in? Me, too.But what, Wilson worry?“My confidence doesn’t waver much,’’ Wilson said, as the Broncos got up to speed on the offense being installed by new coach Sean Payton during training camp.Wilson’s confidence might never waver. Our faith in him, however, has been shaken. Going into his second season in Denver, he’s still four victories behind what Tebow produced during his brief stint with the Broncos.While I’m not cer...

How “borderline obsessive” Broncos coach Sean Payton plans to use a hardwired confidence in himself to win big. Again.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:59 GMT

Denver Broncos Head Coach Sean Payton coaches from the sidelines during the team’s first preseason game at State Farm Stadium on August 11, 2023, in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)Shock rippled through Roy Banks as the oblong ball wobbled on the ground toward infamy.The Who had cleared the Hard Rock Stadium turf in Miami moments before, and the football world settled in for the second half of Super Bowl XLIV. The New Orleans Saints, trailing 10-6 and kicking off to Indianapolis, needed a defensive stop.Then, suddenly, they didn’t.In perhaps the most audacious call of his career, New Orleans coach Sean Payton dialed up a surprise onside kick. The Saints recovered.Five Drew Brees completions and 58 yards later, they took their first lead of the night. By the end of that February 2010 evening, they hoisted the Lombardi Trophy.The decision stunned Banks, a star wide receiver at Eastern Illinois in the mid-1980s, but not for the same reason as so many othe...

Denver Post sports staff predictions for 2023 NFL season

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:59 GMT

The Denver Post’s staff predictions for the 2023 season:Mark Kiszla, columnistBroncos record: 10-7 (Playoffs? Yes, playoffs.)AFC West order: 1. Kansas City; 2. Broncos; 3. L.A. Chargers; 4. Las VegasBroncos first win: Week 1, vs. Las VegasRecord at bye (Week 9): 5-3Javonte Williams rush yards/TDs: 915/8Samaje Perine rush yards/TDs: 602/7Russell Wilson pass yards/TDs: 3,751/28Broncos leading receiver (yards): Jerry Jeudy, 1,089Broncos receiving TD leader (total): Courtland Sutton, 8Courtland Sutton TDs: 8Offensive points ranking: 10Defensive points ranking: 8Total sacks: 44Total takeaways: 29Frank Clark + Randy Gregory games played: 24Frank Clark + Randy Gregory sacks: 17.5Justin Simmons interceptions: 5Alex Singleton tackles: 131NFL MVP: Cincinnati QB Joe BurrowCoach of the Year: Mike McDaniel, MiamiOffensive Player of the Year: Cincinnati QB Joe BurrowDPOY: San Francisco DE Nick BosaOffensive ROY: Las Vegas TE Michael MayerDefensive ROY: Houston LB Will Anderson Jr.Disappoint...

Keeler: When he sees Pat Surtain II, Broncos legend Louis Wright sees himself. Only better. “If we had to rank every corner on their first 2 years, he’s No. 1.”

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:59 GMT

You ask Louis Wright if he looks at Pat Surtain II, whisking to daylight, and sees shades of himself, four decades earlier. He laughs. Different game. Different time. Different knees.“He is No. 1,” Wright, Denver’s OG shutdown cornerback, said of Surtain’s rank among corners in Broncos history.“The only thing he hasn’t done (is), he hasn’t done it over a consistent number of years. But if we had to rank everybody (in Denver lore) on their first two years, he’s No. 1. No doubt about it.”Great corners change game plans. Legendary corners change games. At 23, Surtain has already locked down the former. And to Wright’s eyes, the kid’s closing in on the latter with 4.4 speed.“Everything I would say and teach, (Surtain) already does,” said Louis, an “Orange Crush” icon who anchored the Broncos’ secondary from 1975- to ’86, and is arguably the greatest defensive back not to own one of Canton’s gold jackets.“I’m serious. You’re (talking) straight backpedals and (cuts), (and) he’...

Rideshare drivers, cleaners and airport workers march for better benefits, conditions ahead of Labor Day

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:59 GMT

Hundreds marched in the Boston Common this Labor Day weekend, including commercial building cleaners, airport workers and rideshare drivers marching under the banner “We Make Massachusetts Move.”“Labor Day isn’t just to go away for the weekend,” said At-Large City Councilor Erin Murphy. “It’s to show up here with the workers who keep our city moving.”Both union 32BJ-SEIU and non-union workers marched together for better benefits and working conditions. Each of the transportation worker groups is fighting for their rights. The union contract for janitors expires on Nov. 15, the airport workers are asking Massport to improve working conditions at Logan Airport, and rideshare drivers are pushing for legislation which allows them to form a union.“Boston is a union city and must stay that way,” Boston City Council President Ed Flynn said. “To live in Boston, you need to make a decent salary, and many workers can’t do it, but a union is a cle...

Investigation underway after fatal shooting in Dorchester

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:59 GMT

Police are investigating an overnight shooting Saturday night that killed a man in Dorchester.The shooting happened near Michigan and Old Roads near the Franklin Park Zoo. Police taped off a part of the intersection for their investigation overnight.No further information was immediately available.This is a developing story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest updates.

Pope gives ‘noble’ Chinese people a shoutout at Mass in Mongolia in bid to warm ties

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:59 GMT

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (AP) — Pope Francis sent a special greeting to China’s “noble” people on Sunday, giving them a special shout-out at the end of a Mass celebrated in neighboring Mongolia during the first-ever papal visit that was largely overshadowed by Beijing and its crackdown on religious minorities.Francis brought up to the altar the retired and current bishops of Hong Kong, Cardinal John Hon Tong and Cardinal-elect Stephen Chow, clasped their hands and told the crowd that included many mainland Chinese pilgrims that he wished them all well.“I want to take advantage of their presence to send a warm greeting to the noble Chinese people,” Francis said. “To all the (Chinese) people I wish the best and to always go forward, always progress.”“I ask Chinese Catholics to be good Christians and good citizens,” he added, to cheers from the crowd in the Steppe Arena, in the capital, Ulaanbaatar.It was the first and only time that Francis has publicly mentioned China during his four-da...

3 men shot, 1 critical in South Austin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:59 GMT

CHICAGO -- Three men are injured after a shooting in South Austin Saturday night, police said. According to police, officers responded to a call of shots fired near the 5100 block of West Madison Street around 11:31 p.m. and found three men with gunshot wounds.A 26-year-old man sustained a gunshot wound to the right leg and self-transported to a hospital in good condition. Man opens fire on driver after being hit by car in Garfield Park Another 25-year-old man sustained a gunshot wound to the back and self-transported to a hospital in good condition. A 47-year-old man is in critical condition after he sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the left and right side of the body. He was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition. There is currently no one in custody and police are investigating the incident.

Cash, connections, and conflicts of interest precede Paxton impeachment trial

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:59 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — As state senators prepare to decide the fate of Texas' top law enforcement official, many of them face a recent history of political activity tying them to the defendant as GOP mega-donors work behind the scenes to tilt the scales.PAC PressureIn June, campaign finance records revealed the pro-Paxton "Defend Texas Liberty" political action committee donated $3 million to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who will preside over the impeachment trial.The donation immediately prompted condemnation from some senators and observers concerned about the influence of money in the quasi-judicial process."All of the support that we've ever given to elected officials after a session has been because they fought hard to deliver conservative policy results for Texans," conservative activist and PAC leader Luke Macias said, framing the donation as a retroactive appreciation for the Senate's conservative record rather than a push for favorable Paxton treatment.Jonathan Stickland, the PAC's pr...