Megan Cloherty

Colorado Springs

Investigative Reporter at KOAA-TV (Pueblo, CO)

Articles

Three police officers shot, suspect killed in shootout near Pueblo neighborhood

1 month ago | denver7.com | James Gavato |Megan Cloherty

PUEBLO, Colo. — A suspect was killed and three police officers were wounded during a shooting near a Pueblo neighborhood Tuesday evening. The incident happened near the intersection of West Mesa Avenue and Cedar Street near Bessemer Park. According to Bianca Hicks, the public information officer for the Pueblo Police Department, officers were dispatched to a shots fired call with an injured officer around 7:12 p.m. When additional officers arrived, they were shot at by a suspect and returned fire.
Officer-involved shooting in Pueblo draws heavy police response

1 month ago | koaa.com | Megan Cloherty

A shooting involving an officer is drawing dozens of police cars downtown, a police spokeswoman said. It's unclear how many officers are involved and if anyone is hurt. There are also multiple streets closing around the incident area at West Mesa Avenue and Cedar Street, one block north of Bessemer Park. Roads will likely remain closed for hours as investigators collect evidence and preserve the scene. This is a breaking situation and News 5 will update this story as we get more information.
CBI: Hundreds got discounted gas, two Walsenburg city employees fired

1 month ago | koaa.com | Megan Cloherty

WALSENBURG — Two city employees are fired after the mayor tells News5 CBI investigators found there is evidence the employees rigged the billing system and paid partially, or not at all, for natural gas service. Mayor Gary Vezzani confirms the director of the Walsenburg Natural Gas Department, and a city clerk were fired for cause. The CBI informed city leaders that they found the director had not paid for gas at his house for years. The amount of time was not immediately available.
The 10 most stolen cars in Colorado as the crime decreases statewide, locally

1 month ago | koaa.com | Megan Cloherty

Auto theft increased in Colorado By 144 percent between 2011 to 2020, however law enforcement says thanks to specific changes, they're seeing the instances of crime fall both locally and statewide. Colorado Springs Police say that the drop has been incremental, providing data that shows there were 831 fewer cars stolen in 2024 than in 2021. The Springs and Pueblo see the third and fourth most stolen vehicles statewide behind Denver and Aurora, according to Colorado State Police.
New Colorado tax credit for families joins five others

2 months ago | koaa.com | Megan Cloherty

COLORADO — The new Colorado Family Affordability Tax Credit (FATC) is meant to help families by offering a refundable credit for parents with children under 16. Parents can receive up to $3200 for kids under six and up to $2400 for each child between six and 16 years old. You don't need to earn income to get a FATC, but a tax return must be filed. Single filers could not make more than $85,000 in 2024 and joint filers can make up to $95,000 to be eligible for the credit.
Faulty meters, high fees: What's behind Walsenburg's water issues

2 months ago | koaa.com | Megan Cloherty

WALSENBURG — People in Walsenburg say their water bills are a mess. As News 5 first reported, the city is under investigation by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for potential financial crimes. People are at their wit’s end after four years of inaccurate utility bills and increasing fees. Now, we've learned why some citizens have seen monthly water bills in the thousands of dollars. The small city of Walsenburg, 90 minutes south of Colorado Springs, is in the red.
Transgender Coloradans react to Trump's executive order on sex

Jan 23, 2025 | koaa.com | Megan Cloherty

The transgender community in Southern Colorado is reacting after President Trump signed an executive order Monday proclaiming the federal government acknowledges two sexes, male and female. Senior White House officials call this part of the president’s wider “restoring sanity plan."We spoke with two people who identify as transgender about how they feel in light of this order and reached out to multiple providers in our region who offer programs and safe spaces to transgender adults and youth.
Inspectors find dozens of violations at Taylor Farms facility in Colorado Springs

Jan 13, 2025 | gazette.com | Megan Cloherty |Megan Cloherty KOAA

Food and Drug Administration inspectors found dozens of violations at the McDonald's supplier in Colorado Springs linked to the outbreak of E. coli last fall. The FDA found the tainted slivered onions from Taylor Farms led to one death and more than 100 infections for people who ate the McDonald's Quarter Pounder. Through a Freedom of Information request, Gazette news partner KOAA got the inspection records from late October through mid-November of 2024.
Inspectors find dozens of violations at Taylor Farms in Colorado Springs

Jan 10, 2025 | koaa.com | Megan Cloherty |James Gavato

COLORADO SPRINGS — Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspectors found dozens of violations at the McDonald's supplier in Colorado Springs linked to the outbreak of E. coli last fall. Covering Colorado The FDA found the tainted slivered onions from Taylor Farms led to one death and more than 100 infections for people who ate the McDonald's Quarter Pounder. Through a Freedom of Information request, News5 got the inspection records from late October through mid-November of 2024.
El Paso County to pay $1.8M to family of man who died in jail

Dec 3, 2024 | koaa.com | Megan Cloherty

El Paso County and its sheriff's office will pay part of a more than $1,875 million settlement to the family of a Colorado Springs man who died in jail. Daniel Murray, 37, passed away in his cell on July 4, 2022 after attorneys say the medical team at the jail failed to treat him for symptoms of severe alcohol withdrawal.