TGIF Blogcast: Aurora's "Liberty" statue; Cop/Comic Vinnie Montez

Today's Guests

Michael Benisty is the artist who created the truly spectacular 58-foot tall "Liberty" statue that's now at its new home in Aurora after debuting at Burning Man.

MICHAEL BENISTY

Aurora unveils mirrored 'Liberty' statue - Axios Denver

Art program installs sculpture "Liberty" in Colorado city neighborhood

58-foot-tall 'Liberty' statue stands at Aurora Highlands | Aurora | denvergazette.com

About — MICHAEL BENISTY

(Photos credit: Michael Benisty)

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Vinnie Montez is the Public Information Officer for the Boulder County Sheriff's Office...and a really funny comedian who you can see from time to time at Comedy Works. In fact, he'll be a headliner in July. There's also a new documentary out about Vinnie: "Vinnie-isms: The Story of the Cop Comedian" that's out on Amazon Prime.

Vinnie Montez Comedy

Vinnie-isms | LIGHTNING DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT

 Vinnie-isms: The Story of the Cop Comedian (2025) - IMDb

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Other Stuff

I hope this is true...because this bill SUCKS. It's absolutely unacceptable that the GOP pass a bill with so many tax giveaways to specific narrow groups (groups that tend to pay rather little in income tax already) that it seems like a Democrat bill. GOP rebel mutiny threatens to derail Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ before key committee hurdle

But "leadership" will try to keep this dumpster fire of a bill moving along: Semafor Principals: War on words | Semafor

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Offered without comment: Pope Leo XIV's New Trading Card is the Best Non-Sports Topps Now Card

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I wish them lots of luck.

Stanley Hotel in Estes Park sells to public-private partnership (may require subscription)

Stanley Hotel sold in $400 million deal with plans to expand | Business | denvergazette.com

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Obviously this sounds very bad. I wonder what the rest of the story is and if it still seems bad after knowing it: Teen who hit, killed woman with car given plea deal | Aurora | denvergazette.com

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Thanks to listener Dennis for sending this. I’ve had the same experience at King Soopers more frequently in the past year or so and they always tell me it’s due to not having enough people to keep up.

I do wonder why there aren’t digital price tags for everything that can be controlled from a central location.

Consumer Reports: King Soopers is over-charging an average of 18% on some items

Kroger Stores Overcharging Shoppers on Sale Items, CR Finds - Consumer Reports

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Do what you need to do in order to have a reliable and reasonably happy workforce: Meat processor Cargill builds workforce housing in Fort Morgan in 10 months - The Colorado Sun

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This story broke yesterday but I didn't talk about it on the show: Walmart to Raise Prices Because of Tariffs | National Review

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Are psychopaths better looking?

Dark Triad | Psychology Today

Psychopaths Are More Attractive, Study Warns - Newsweek

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I love this: I owe the libertarians an apology - by Noah Smith

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I don't love this: Up to 20 pilots near Denver airport lose contact with air traffic control Monday

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I rarely think about it so I guess I don’t hate it. But I have driven a couple of vehicles where it didn't work very well and that was definitely annoying. I do think critics are right to be annoyed that if you turn it off, it resets back to on the next time you start the car.

EPA's Zeldin vows to combat start-stop vehicle tech 'everyone hates' | Fox Business

EPA Proposes Rollback of 'Hated' Feature in New Cars - Newsweek

EPA Chief Wants to Eliminate Common New Car Feature: "Everyone Hates It"

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Two fire stories:

Don't spontaneously combust. Poudre Fire Authority warns residents after spontaneous combustion fire

Wait, a hot tub fire? Off-duty firefighter jumps into action, helps save Centennial home from fire

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I like sharks but I’ll say no thanks to this: Athlete swims around Martha's Vineyard to educate public on sharks ahead of 'Jaws' anniversary | AP News

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Today's Video

One of the best interviews, not just sports interviews, ever, is a great way to take you into the weekend