Laura Palmisano
Laura joined KVNF in 2014. She was the news director for two years and now works as a freelance reporter covering Colorado's Western Slope. Before moving to Colorado, Laura worked as a reporter for Arizona Public Media, a public radio and television station in Tucson. She's also worked at public radio station KJZZ and public television station KAET Arizona PBS in Phoenix. Her work has aired on NPR, the BBC, Marketplace, Harvest Public Media, and on stations across the Rocky Mountain Community Radio network. Laura is an award-winning journalist with work recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists, Colorado Broadcasters Association, and RTDNA. In 2015, she was a fellow for the Institute for Justice & Journalism. Her fellowship project, a three-part series on the Karen refugee community in Delta, Colorado, received a regional Edward R. Murrow Award. Laura also has experience as a radio host, producer, writer, production assistant, videographer, and video editor. She graduated summa cum laude from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University.
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Ice climbing is technical, cold and can be dangerous. That doesn't hold disabled climbers back.
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The sport of ice climbing is growing in popularity with festivals and competitions happening in communities around the United States. By its nature, the sport hasn't always been accessible to everyone, but that is changing.
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Marisela Ballesteros is the first Cora Indian and Indigenous person elected to the Gunnison City Council. She successfully ran unopposed for a seat on the Gunnison City Council last year and was sworn into office last month to serve a four-year term. She was also elected mayor pro tem by her fellow council members. Ballesteros says it's estimated Cora Indians, an indigenous group from Mexico, make up at least one-fourth of Gunnison's Spanish speaking population.
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The Colorado Avalanche Information Center has been in operation for a half century. For fifty years it has provided avalanche information and education, and issues weather forecasts for 21 locations across Colorado twice a day.
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At last, the only town in the most remote county in the lower 48 states is getting high-speed fiber internet. Work is underway to connect the tiny town of Lake City in southwestern Colorado.
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In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, we'll hear the final interview in our series with Western Slope Latinés. Today, we hear from Nelly Garcia Olmos. She's the executive director of La Plaza in Palisade, an organization that supports migrant and immigrant communities in Mesa County. Garcia Olmos speaks to KVNF's Laura Palmisano about being a first generation Latiné in the United States, challenges she faced when learning to navigate life in a new country, and her work with La Plaza.
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In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, we'll hear several interviews with Western Slope Latinés. Today, we hear from Tracy Gallegos. He's the Director of Access, Opportunity, and Family Partnerships for the Mesa County Valley School District 51. Gallegos speaks to KVNF's Laura Palmisano about his family's history in the Southwest, growing up in Delta County, and how his Chicano upbringing has influenced his career path in education and school administration.
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In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, we continue our interview series with Western Slope Latinés. Today, we hear from Marisela Ballesteros Celestino. She is a first generation Latiné and Cora Indian. She's also the assistant director for Project Hope, Gunnison's resource center for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human traffiking. Ballesteros Celestino speaks to KVNF's Laura Palmisano about growing up in the Gunnison Valley, staying connected to her indigenous heritage, and her work as an advocate.
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Spanning hundreds of miles, the Colorado Trail runs from Denver to Durango. The tiny mountain town of Lake City is one of the last resupply stops in southwest Colorado. In town, there is a community effort to welcome hikers which includes a free shuttle, snacks, and even a hiker dinner.
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Mary Nettleton is the best listener in tiny Lake City, Colorado. After her 25th year as a reading tutor she says being blind isn't a handicap, it actually helps kids open up to her.