Good morning, Grand Junction.

Mesa County Department of Human Services offers a fall adoption training series to guide families through the adoption process and post-permanency resources.

Sessions run 6-8 p.m. on Sept. 10, Sept. 24, and Oct. 8 at Conference Room 1060 with virtual options available.

AAA warns that record Labor Day travel and preventable car troubles like dead batteries and flat tires may cause delays for drivers across Grand Junction, with officials advising a full vehicle check and route review since gas prices are not falling as usual.

Drivers heading out for Labor Day weekend will face record-breaking gas prices as Colorado averages $4.26 per gallon against a national average of $4.14.

The highest price tops the former record of $3.82 from Sept. 3, 2012.

On Wednesday, Sept. 2, Colorado Mesa University and Mesa County Valley School District 51 expanded their partnership to allow high school instructors to become CMU adjunct faculty, giving them pay and benefits (such as rec center memberships and professional development) while helping students earn college credit.

The Colorado Department of Education released frameworks for District 51 that show gains at 14 schools, with Central High reaching its top performance level for the first time since 2013.

District Superintendent Dr. Brian Hill said targeted classroom efforts drove these improvements — with a goal to have 90% of schools at that level by 2030.

City Council repealed large tree protection on Sept.

2 after a contentious 4–3 vote (developers argued the policy hindered housing while staff and forestry board members warned it risked the tree canopy). New voluntary measures may be considered in the coming months.

Grand Junction police advised college students to take safety precautions when using dating apps as classes resume, warning that romance scammers could use fake photos to lure victims.

Officials stressed meeting in public spaces & telling someone trusted before in-person meetings.

U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse and Gov. Jared Polis sent a letter Thursday, Sept.

3, urging federal officials to end helicopter roundups of wild horses in Colorado and postpone an upcoming roundup in the Sand Wash Basin. They said low-flying helicopters stress the animals & may be ineffective.