Jaleesa Irizarry

Denver

@9News storyteller. Previous: @kens5, @wzzm13, @nbc15_madison & @blackhillsFOX. @Suffolk_U alum. CT native. #RepBX Instagram: @JaleesaReports

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Articles

Air Force Academy grad among plaintiffs in lawsuit over transgender military ban

2 days ago | 9news.com | Jaleesa Irizarry

AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — A recent graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy is suing the federal government over a Department of Defense policy barring transgender individuals from serving in the military. The guidance is in response to an executive order issued by President Donald Trump. Hunter Marquez, 22, is one of about 30 plaintiffs named in a federal lawsuit challenging the military's transgender service member ban.
Jewish deli owner reopens after Pearl Street Mall incident

4 days ago | 9news.com | Jaleesa Irizarry

BOULDER, Colo. — Businesses at Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall reopened Monday, just one day after a violent incident shook the community. Among those reopening was Lindsey's Deli, a shop owned by Jewish Boulder resident Lindsay Shaw. She says she is determined not to let fear silence her business or her voice. "Being a Jewish woman, I’ve just watched so much terror in the Jewish community for my entire life," Shaw said.
Leaked proposal aims to cut LGBTQ+ 988 suicide hotline

1 week ago | 9news.com | Jaleesa Irizarry

COLORADO, USA — A federal suicide prevention lifeline tailored to LGBTQ+ youth is at risk of being eliminated, according to a leaked budget proposal obtained by NPR and The Washington Post. The plan, reportedly from the Trump administration, proposes ending funding for the specialized LGBTQ+ extension of the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Westminster Police ask for public's help in solving Bowlero parking lot assault

1 week ago | 9news.com | Jaleesa Irizarry

WESTMINSTER, Colo. — Westminster Police are asking for the public’s help in solving an assault that left a man severely injured. Police said the assault happened sometime between the late evening of May 19 and early morning of May 20 near the parking lot of the Bowlero bowling alley at the Westminster Promenade. Michael Marquez, 34, was found by his girlfriend inside their apartment in the early morning hours of May 20, bloodied and disoriented.
Coloradans brace for federal bill’s potential cuts to Medicaid and transgender care

1 week ago | 9news.com | Jaleesa Irizarry

DENVER — As the U.S. Senate prepares to consider what President Donald Trump has called a “big beautiful bill,” Colorado health and advocacy organizations are warning of its potential consequences for the state’s most vulnerable residents. The multi-trillion-dollar tax cut and spending proposal, recently passed by the U.S. House, would make sweeping changes to federal programs including Medicaid.
Family identifies 27-year-old killed in I-25 hit-and-run

2 weeks ago | 9news.com | Jaleesa Irizarry

DENVER — The family of a 27-year-old man is pleading for answers after he was killed in a hit-and-run crash early Sunday morning on Interstate 25 in Denver. Family members identified the victim as Christopher Tafoya. He was found dead on his birthday. His body was discovered along southbound I-25 at West 23rd Avenue around 4:01 a.m., according to Denver Police. The driver involved in the crash left the scene and has not been identified.
Colorado Springs researcher sues NIH after LGBTQ study defunded

2 weeks ago | 9news.com | Jaleesa Irizarry

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo — Sixteen researchers, including a University of Colorado Colorado Springs professor, are suing the National Institutes of Health (NIH), claiming the agency unlawfully terminated their research grants in response to an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump. The scientists, all of whom study LGBTQ issues, argue the grant cancellations are discriminatory and unconstitutional.
Parasol Patrol sees record demand as founders face personal setbacks

2 weeks ago | 9news.com | Jaleesa Irizarry

DENVER — A Colorado organization that shields children from protesters at LGBTQ-friendly events is experiencing a record surge in requests for assistance, just as its co-founders face significant personal challenges ahead of a busy Pride Month. Eli Bazan and Pasha Ripley founded the nonprofit Parasol Patrol to escort families and children safely into inclusive events in the face of rising LGBTQ protests.
Statue honoring McCartney sparks LGBTQ backlash

3 weeks ago | 9news.com | Jaleesa Irizarry

BOULDER, Colo. — A prominent LGBTQ advocacy group is urging the University of Colorado Boulder to cancel plans to memorialize the late Coach Bill McCartney, citing his history of anti-gay rhetoric and activism. Last month, CU Boulder announced it would honor McCartney, the university’s all-time winningest football coach, with a bronze statue outside Folsom Field.
Investigators waiting for 'key evidence' to solve Glendale homicide

3 weeks ago | 9news.com | Jaleesa Irizarry

GLENDALE, Colo. — One year after Clarinda Blackburn was found dead in a Glendale apartment, her family continues to seek answers and justice, voicing growing frustration with what they say is a lack of progress in the homicide investigation. Blackburn, a resident of the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming, was visiting the Denver area when her body was discovered on May 14, 2024. Glendale Police said she suffered blunt force injuries and her death was ruled a homicide. No arrests have been made.