Tuesday, August 18, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1975, crews began constructing the second bore of the Eisenhower Tunnel.

Before you pour the coffee, go take a look at your thermostat. Do you know why it’s set to that number, or did you pick it years ago and never touch it again? You’re not alone. A federal energy survey found that only 12% of American households program their thermostats to match their actual schedules. Everyone else runs one flat number all day on the single biggest expense in their power bill. There’s a specific setting, a certain number of degrees for a certain number of hours, that unlocks real savings with no new equipment. Ayla has the numbers on today’s podcast. Tune in here!

Later today, watch for a message from our partner Fisher Investments on 13 common retirement investing mistakes that could quietly cost you over time, and how to spot them before they derail your long-term plans.

We’re always interested in products that take an everyday task and simply make it easier. That’s what caught our attention about today’s sponsor, the Sonic Glow Brush. If you’ve ever wished brushing your teeth was quicker without sacrificing a thorough clean, this is worth a look.

Trump Appeals Voter Data Dismissal

The Trump administration on Monday appealed a federal judge’s dismissal of its lawsuit seeking Colorado’s unredacted voter rolls from Secretary of State Jena Griswold.

Judge Philip Brimmer dismissed the case with prejudice earlier this month, ruling the Justice Department had no valid purpose for the records and no legal entitlement to them.

The DOJ sued Colorado in December for a list including full names, dates of birth, addresses, and identification numbers. The DOJ has sued 30 states in all.

The dismissal marked the department’s 20th consecutive loss on the issue. Attorney General Todd Blanche has signaled a possible Supreme Court appeal.

Floods Kill 1, Close Schools

An 80-year-old man, identified as Henry R. Humphreys, was swept to his death Sunday when heavy rain fell on the Aspen Acres burn scar near Beulah.

Beulah fire crews attempted to rescue the man near the intersection of Colorado 78 and Central Avenue. His body was found in a creek about 2 miles downstream.

In Aurora, severe flooding prompted Cherry Creek Schools to close Highline Community Elementary and Overland High on Monday, pushing the first day for many students to Tuesday or Wednesday.

Statewide, the rain barely dented the drought, with Denver’s reservoirs only 73% full against a seasonal average of 95%.

CU Scientist Triples Insect Species Estimate

A team including CU Boulder entomologist Robert Colwell now estimates 14 million to 20 million insect species worldwide, roughly triple the long-accepted figure of 6 million.

Researchers leaned on four decades of sampling in a Costa Rican conservation area, using DNA barcoding and statistics to count parasitic wasps as a proxy for overall diversity.

Colwell, who chased butterflies as a boy in Bailey, said tiny wasps and flies, not beetles, make up the bulk of the number.

Only about a million species have been named, and with more than 40 percent of known insects threatened with extinction, many may vanish before anyone describes them.

Flying together with our sponsor

A Smarter Way to Brush in Just 30 Seconds

Most of us spend two minutes brushing our teeth twice a day. The Sonic Glow Brush takes a different approach. Its soft, U-shaped mouthpiece surrounds your teeth and uses sonic vibrations to clean them all at once, delivering a full brushing routine in as little as 30 seconds.

It’s easy to see why so many people are making the switch. Whether you’re trying to get out the door faster in the morning, simplify your evening routine, or just want an easier way to stay consistent, this brush offers a refreshing alternative to a traditional toothbrush. It also features multiple cleaning modes, built-in blue light whitening technology, and a rechargeable battery that’s perfect for home or travel.

If you’re looking for a smarter, faster way to brush, see how the Sonic Glow Brush works here.

➤ Denver Public Schools students are returning to class under the district’s new bell-to-bell ban on cellphones, smartwatches, and other personal devices during the school day. (More)

➤ Also in Denver, the city’s firefighters union is suing the state and national unions over a $388,936.93 bill for dues it says it doesn’t owe after voting to disaffiliate. (More)

➤ CU Boulder is welcoming nearly 9,000 incoming students this month, including 7,500 first-years moving into 24 residence halls, with fall classes starting Thursday. (More)

➤ Windsor: A 15-year-old died while swimming in Rock Bridge Lake on Saturday. Windsor Charter Academy, where he attended school, said grief counselors will be available on campus. (More)

➤ Clear Creek County: Police called off a high-speed chase on Interstate 70 due to the suspect driving too dangerously. (More)

➤ Lakewood: Police arrested a man in connection to the death of his wife, a Jeffco Public Schools teacher. (More)

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➤ Colorado football coach Deion Sanders has been subpoenaed to testify at his son Shilo’s bankruptcy trial, which begins the same week the Buffaloes open the season against Georgia Tech. Sanders could file a motion to quash the subpoena. (More)

➤ Smoky Hill High School in Aurora is in a trademark dispute with the NHL over a buffalo head logo the school has used since 2001 that resembles the Buffalo Sabres’ retro “Goathead” design. The school has stopped selling merchandise with the logo while the two sides negotiate. (More)

➤ The Denver Nuggets will open their preseason October 4 against the Utah Jazz at the CU Events Center in Boulder—the first time Denver has played at the college venue since 2015. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | WNBA | Tennis

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Upgrade Your Kitchen with Tivano. The Tivano Cutting Board features a non-porous TitaniumShield™ surface designed to resist odors, stains, and bacteria while staying gentle on your knives. It’s microplastic-free, waterproof, durable, and dishwasher-safe, making everyday meal prep cleaner and easier. Upgrade to Tivano today >>

➤ Alterra Mountain Company, the Denver-based owner of the Ikon Pass, laid off an undisclosed number of corporate, resort, and remote workers as it restructures and searches for a new CEO. (More)

➤ A Boulder County landowner turned down $15,000 a year from Pivot Energy to host a commercial battery system, balking at a lease that could have run 40 years. (More)

➤ Montrose Regional Health earned an overall A grade on the 2026 Lown Hospitals Index for Social Responsibility, ranking No. 1 in Colorado and 30th nationally for pay equity. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Quiet Nights Start with SleepZee. SleepZee is a customizable anti-snoring mouthpiece designed to gently reposition your jaw and support better airflow while you sleep. Its moldable, compact design offers a personalized fit without complicated equipment—helping reduce snoring for more peaceful nights for you and your partner. Try SleepZee today >>

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A Small Upgrade You’ll Use Every Day

Some products promise to change your life. Others simply make your daily routine a little better. We think this falls into the second category. If you’re going to brush your teeth every day anyway, it makes sense to see if there’s a faster, easier way to do it.

Learn more about the Sonic Glow Brush and see if it’s right for you today.

➤ Junct’n Square Pizza’s new owners spent six months restoring the stained glass window that has greeted Grand Junction customers since the deep-dish shop opened in 1977. (More)

➤ A Denver woman needs about $1.3 million to turn an 1893 house on Lincoln Street into the South Denver Historic Museum, chronicling a town Denver absorbed in 1894. (More)

➤ Colorado lawmakers formally recognized Boulder County’s 1928 Road of Remembrance, and local groups are now hunting for descendants of the 1,500 World War I veterans it honors. (More)

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➤ What’s the Best Breakfast Food in 2026? Oatmeal, eggs, cereal, coffee…The best breakfast choice may not be what you think and how you prepare it could make all the difference. A leading cardiologist reveals his surprising breakfast recommendation, plus one simple morning change that may help support a healthy metabolism and your weight-management goals. See the Full List of Breakfast Recommendations >> “

The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes. Clicking the links will take you directly to these stories:

➤ Student behavior is getting worse, and teachers are pointing the finger at parents, a new survey says. (Hear Details)

➤ Cuba’s power grid collapsed for the third time this month, leaving millions in the dark again. (Hear Episode)

➤ Gen Z is ditching the bar for the gym, and the numbers are striking. (Listen Now)