Free Speech

There are hundreds of independent bookstores across the region and many are more than just a place to buy books. These shops often serve as gathering places and community hubs. Increasingly, these bookstores have been defenders of literary freedom. In Carbondale, on Colorado’s Western Slope, White River Books opened its doors in 2022. Since then, owner Izzy Stringham has worked to stock her shelves with a wide range of voices and stories. KDNK spoke with Stringham about the value of literacy, lived stories, and the freedom to read.

The Garfield County Library District and its Board of Trustees have been under fire for three years. What began with complaints about Japanese Manga books at the Silt Branch evolved into the Garfield County Commissioners taking control of the trustee appointment process in 2024. Normal trustee meetings have since turned into yelling matches worthy of the Jerry Springer Show. Megan Webber has been covering the meetings for The Sopris Sun since January. Here she talks to KDNK's Amy Hadden Marsh about the meetings and the new trustees.

The White House has issued a statement criticizing an email the University of Idaho sent to employees last week.

In September, Facebook exempted politician's content from community standards. KDNK's Lucas Turner spoke with LaShawn Warren from the Leadership…

Free speech advocate, longtime civil liberties attorney, and award-winning author Marjorie Heins talks about her new book Ironies and Complications of…