In case you missed it | Colorado Springs' 2022 in review: Growth continues — but challenged by tragedies, ongoing megadrought

PLUS | Studio 54-inspired discotheque opens in downtown Colorado Springs, Sheriff Bill Elder reflects on eight years as El Paso County's top lawman and more. Springs PM Update Good evening. Today is Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022. Catch up on everything going on in Colorado in 5 minutes. [Colorado Springs' 2022 in review: Growth continues — but challenged by tragedies, ongoing megadrought]( The year 2022 was one of change as Colorado Springs-area residents navigated a "new normal" for the third consecutive year amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a booming housing market that began to cool as the Federal Reserve drove up interest rates to fight rising inflation, a general election that saw both new and familiar faces stepping into office, and unprecedented homicides and fentanyl-related deaths. [Read More]( [Benedict XVI, reluctant pope who chose to retire, dies at 95]( He was the reluctant pope, a shy bookworm who preferred solitary walks in the Alps and Mozart piano concertos to the public glare and majesty of Vatican pageantry. When Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger became Pope Benedict XVI and was thrust into the footsteps of his beloved and charismatic predecessor, he said he felt a guillotine had come down on him. [Read More]( [World War II veteran celebrates 100th birthday in Colorado Springs]( A member of America’s “Greatest Generation” celebrated his 100th birthday in Colorado Springs on Friday. Scores of family members, friends, and admirers gathered at the Phantom Canyon Brewing Co. to wish Robert Brakley, a World War II veteran, a happy centennial. [Read More]( [Studio 54-inspired discotheque opens in downtown Colorado Springs]( Marie Richard wanted to give the ladies a reason to put their high heels on. So when the downtown space that last housed Epiphany, a Latin-American fusion restaurant and club that closed in June, came available, she grabbed it up. Prior to Epiphany, the space housed Thirsty Parrot and 32 Bleu. [Read More]( [At Home: Lessons learned in another year of renovation, part 2]( As we wrap up the year, one where in the last half alone we moved my daughter and her husband into their new home, fended off mosquitoes, sent houseguests to charm school and renovated my kitchen, I want to share with you a handful of lessons learned along the way. Last week, I shared highlights from the first half of 2022. Here are my top takeaways from the past six months: [Read More]( [This column was written by artificial intelligence | Vince Bzdek]( Today’s column is a first: a Q&A with a non-human. You may have heard about ChatGPT, which is taking the tech world by storm right now and giving anyone who wants to try it a taste of how artificial intelligence is already shaping our future lives. ChatGPT is an internet bot that can answer your questions in full sentences, write an essay for you, compose a song, do 3-D animation, write computer code, even write a newspaper column, as you’ll see below. [Read More]( [Sheriff Bill Elder reflects on eight years as El Paso County's top lawman]( Eight years after he was first elected to office, El Paso County Sheriff Bill Elder is hanging up his hat as the county's top law enforcement official. It's a transition he's embracing, he said. [Read More]( Get access to all our content! Support local journalism and [subscribe here]([.]( Already subscribed? [Log in.]( Manage your email preferences or unsubscribe [here.]( 30 East Pikes Peak Avenue, Suite 100 Colorado Springs, CO 80903