KOAA NBC5 Colorado Springs

Five years after the 2021 collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida, victims' families remain frustrated with inconclusive investigations and unanswered questions. The National Institute of Standards and Technology attributed the collapse to structural failures in the parking garage and pool deck connectors, while local engineer Allyn Kilsheimer criticized the delayed timeline and incomplete findings, citing his terminated independent investigation.

The Denver Broncos will hold a half-price ticket sale starting at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, offering limited 2026 regular season tickets at $23.00 each with a four-ticket household limit. Tickets are non-refundable, non-transferable, and delivered digitally for entry to non-premium gates.

Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots are rising to $630 million and $800 million, respectively, due to no winners in recent draws. The Powerball expansion to the UK, effective via an agreement between the Multi-State Lottery Association and Allwyn UK, allows UK players to contribute to the Powerball jackpot with $2 tickets.

A 26-year-old motorcyclist, Denzel Uylett, died after crashing on I-25 in Colorado Springs on July 17. The crash occurred when he missed a curve, struck the median, and crossed into southbound lanes between Cimarron Street and Tejon Street. Speed is under investigation, and this marks the 34th traffic death in the city this year.

Andrew and Tristan Tate, social media influencers, are fighting extradition to the United Kingdom where they face rape and sex trafficking charges. Their attorneys will meet with Miami federal prosecutors to set legal proceedings, while the brothers deny wrongdoing and claim the case is politically motivated.

One in five Americans are using personal savings to pay for groceries, according to a study by the Urban Institute. Rising grocery prices in April, driven by higher fuel costs linked to the Iran conflict, weather impacts, and trade policies, have prompted cost-cutting strategies like 'backwards shopping.' Additionally, 35% of consumers paid for groceries with credit cards in 2025, and nearly 10% used Buy Now, Pay Later services, with one-third missing payments.

Sen. Mitch McConnell remains in a rehabilitation facility and has not been medically cleared to return to work. He was hospitalized in June after a fall at his Kentucky home and subsequent pneumonia. His doctor noted his childhood polio continues to affect his mobility, and he expressed disappointment about missing the Fancy Farm Picnic but looks forward to resuming Senate duties.

Rural Virginians are mobilizing to prevent the closure of 13 at-risk hospitals, including VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital in South Hill, as a state report and national analysis highlight a growing rural healthcare crisis. Community members emphasize transportation challenges and the critical role of local hospitals for emergency and routine care.

Federal wildlife authorities are investigating a video showing a person kicking a protected sea lion at La Jolla Cove in San Diego. The incident is under review by NOAA Fisheries' Office of Law Enforcement, with the video depicting the individual following and kicking the sea lion as it attempts to escape.

Genevieve became a Category 5 hurricane in the East Pacific with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph, but it is not expected to make landfall. The storm is moving northwest parallel to Mexico's coast, generating swells affecting southwestern Mexico and Baja California. Hurricane Fausto weakened to a Category 1 storm near Hawaii, with forecasts predicting further downgrading.

Southern and eastern Colorado experienced record-breaking heat, with Pueblo and Colorado Springs setting new high temperature records. Heat advisories remain in effect for multiple regions today, while scattered thunderstorms are expected in the mountains and plains.

The U.S. paused strikes on Iran after nearly two weeks of nightly attacks, following concerns from Vice President JD Vance and Gen. Dan Caine about escalation and munitions stockpiles. President Trump shared AI-generated images depicting U.S. attacks on Iranian targets, while Iran's foreign minister accused Ukraine's Zelenskyy of attacking an Iranian vessel, which Zelenskyy partially acknowledged, citing military actions in the Caspian Sea.

Popes Valley Drive on the northwest side of Colorado Springs was closed after heavy rainfall damaged the road, causing asphalt chunks to wash into a nearby creek bed. The northbound lanes near I-25 Frontage Road and the Popes Bluffs Neighborhood are shut down with no reopening timeline provided.

Ranchers in the U.S. Rockies are increasingly hauling water for livestock due to a record-low snowpack in the Upper Colorado River Basin, exacerbated by human-caused climate change. Producers like Scott Snyder and Mark Ragsdale face rising costs and stress as they adapt to drought conditions, reduced herds, and unreliable water sources.

Evacuation orders have been issued for an area west of Sedalia in Douglas County, Colorado, due to the Penley Fire, which threatens about a dozen structures. The fire, currently around 3 acres, has drawn over 100 firefighters from 10 agencies, with no injuries or structural losses reported.

Dazbog Coffee Company faces increased costs from tariffs on packaging materials, despite coffee beans being exempt. The Trump Administration announced new 10-12.5% tariffs targeting 99.4% of U.S. imports, aiming to penalize forced labor practices. Experts note supply chain disruptions in manufacturing, automotive, electronics, and consumer goods sectors.

Mina Guli, a water advocate and ultra runner, is running 2,000 miles along the Colorado River over 100 days to raise awareness about its severe drought and ecological crisis. The river, critical to 40 million people and a $1.4 trillion economy, faces historic low water levels in reservoirs like Lake Powell and Lake Mead, with 95% of its basin in drought.

Prices for school supplies and lunch staples have surged by 8% and 11% respectively since 2025, driven by factors like the Iran war and President Donald Trump's tariffs. Groundwork Collaborative and The Century Foundation, using NielsenIQ data, found significant cost increases for items like lunchboxes and paper, with families projected to spend $4,000 annually on supplies and lunches.

French President Emmanuel Macron held a crisis meeting addressing uncontrolled wildfires that have displaced over 250,000 people in southwest France. The largest blaze near Bordeaux showed signs of slowing, while firefighting efforts continued amid forecasts of a heat wave. Spain also faced unprecedented wildfires, with 76,000 evacuated and 30,000 confined to homes.

Danielle Levine's wall oven repeatedly malfunctioned after three years, prompting her to research customer reviews and warranties. Angie Hicks of Angi advises consumers to check reviews for recurring issues and carefully evaluate manufacturer warranties before purchasing appliances.