Happy Monday! For once, I actually mean that, because this particular Monday means we’re only about 36 hours away from being finally, truly, utterly finished with this seemingly endless election. Even an embarrassing loss to the Raiders can’t dim that bulb.
IMPORTANT PSA: if you want it to count tomorrow. If you haven’t done so yet, you need to drop them off at one of your county’s ballot drop-off locations before 7 p.m. tomorrow (, courtesy Roundup co-pilot Joe Murphy). If you still haven’t filled your ballot out and you have some questions, for explainers on every amendment, a strategy guide to figure out and our profiles of candidates and races.
Now, because we can’t just hibernate and fast forward to about 9:30 p.m. tomorrow, let’s get to the news.
The Rundown
+ Today’s Weather: “No dark clouds are looming in Denver despite a very tumultuous presidential campaign. .” (see, even the weather report can’t help but talk about it)
+ Today’s Editorial: “”
The fake news epidemic comes to Denver (but it’s been here all along)
The headline was shocking and straight out of a political thriller. An FBI agent involved in investigating Hillary Clinton’s emails murdered his wife, set his house on fire and killed himself. As soon as it hit Facebook, it caught fire, earning 100 shares per minute with comments like “Someone needs to stop her!” and “Another hit job for Hillary!” .
The completely fabricated story was attributed to the “Denver Guardian,” a half-built fake news site that was registered in July and lists its address as a parking lot on East Colfax, but the 453,152 people (at last count) who have shared the story likely didn’t even click the story to read it. All they needed .
This is just a single drop in the bucket of fly-by-night fake news circulating on Facebook, but real news sources are trying, desperately, to stem the tide, .
But, , it’s not easy to be a media company in 2016, and once the election traffic and money stops flowing, some of the biggest and best gatherers of information will likely see huge cuts to their newsrooms, .
I’m rambling a little, but this is an extremely important issue in general and to me personally. So just do me a favor: Have some critical thinking before you hit “share” on Facebook and encourage your friends to do the same.
All sound and fury, signifying nothing
Remember the blockbuster announcement that the FBI was reopening Hillary Clinton’s email investigation? The one that stoked the flames of conspiracy (see above) and suddenly boosted Donald Trump’s chances in a way that he hasn’t seen in months? .
+ Meanwhile, , with just about every agreeing that Hillary Clinton is in the lead, .
+ And just to make sure their candidate doesn’t make the news for the wrong reasons, from the real Donald Trump.
+ The Washington Post says (and we agree) . And according to 25 political observers, .
By The Numbers
3rd
That’s where the mighty Denver Broncos rank in the AFC West . Nicki Jhabvala has , Cameron Wolfe (no relation), and the report cards are .
+ You can try to salvage some joy by .
This is even more important than ever: (and get a year of the digital Washington Post) for $1 per week. There is literally no better deal on the internet.
Quick Hits
+ .
+ .
+ and my Albanian doppelganger Shkëlzen Gashi kicked what is as the Colorado Rapids toppled the favored LA Galaxy and head to the Western Conference finals.
+ GMO seeds are sustaining Colorado’s sugar beet farms, .
+ The Rockies continued their trend of alliteratively named managers .
+ A plan to turn a high-end spa near Vail into a high-end drug rehab center (think $65,000 per month) .
+ Dale Earnhardt Jr. .
+ If you can manage to imagine a future beyond Election Day, I’ve got some bad news: The Colorado River is likely not going to be able to support the 35 million people it provides water for .
+ The unemployment rate for construction workers is ridiculously low, which sounds like a good thing, but .
+ .
+ , but the cause of death is still unknown.
+ An earthquake rocked a central Oklahoma oil town last night .
What We’re Reading
+ When you voted (and you did vote, right?), did you pay much attention to the way the ballot was designed? Unless you’re a particular kind of nerd, you don’t tend to notice these things. Luckily, the particular nerds over at how bad ballots can change the course of history (*cough* Gore v. Bush *cough*) why they all look different and why that’s not likely to change, no matter how many designers try to solve it.
+ There are very few things as terrifying as a mid-air breakdown on a flight. Luckily they’re pretty rare. Unless you fly Allegiant, , according to a Tampa Bay Times investigation.
+ If you, like me, are fascinated by the extreme drama that can develop in very specific communities online, settle in and prepare to go down a rabbit hole with me: “.”
+ “” is a very solid headline.
“Q: What always comes at the end of Thanksgiving?
A: The ‘G’”
+ There are very few things better in the world than (except maybe ), and , so start training your little ones so they can entertain everyone at Thanksgiving.
Song of the Day
Song: ““
Artist: Baby Huey & The Baby Sitters
Sounds like: I heard this song on the drive in today for the first time ever, but it somehow sounds like it would be playing over the credits of a movie about this ridiculous election.
Head over to our , or, if you don’t have a Spotify account, .
Hat Tips & Corrections
Remember, if you see something that doesn’t look right or just have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at elubbers@denverpost.com or .