Morning headlines from DenverPost.com

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Today's Front Page News

Xcel requests electric-rate hike of $142 million by year's end
Xcel Energy, which serves 1.4 million Colorado residents, filed for a $142 million increase in electricity rates Tuesday, a move that would raise the average residential bill by up to $4 a month.  

• Fracking-disclosure rule deemed worthless amid trade-secrets loophole
• Denver teen testifies more than one cop involved in attack
• RTD board delays pivotal vote
• In funeral mix-up, man cremated and buried in another's grave
• U.S. Postal Service parceling its work to fewer carriers

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Today's Local Politics

Democrat Miklosi could benefit from new congressional map as he looks to unseat Coffman
When Joe Miklosi took a cliched phrase and made it the slogan of his campaign for Colorado's 6th Congressional District, he didn't care if it might come across as trite or even slightly cheesy.  

• Colorado to feel the pain of funding cuts after debt panel fails

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Today's Business

Xcel requests electric-rate hike of $142 million by year's end
Xcel Energy, which serves 1.4 million Colorado residents, filed for a $142 million increase in electricity rates Tuesday, a move that would raise the average residential bill by up to $4 a month.  

• RTD board delays pivotal vote
• With millions to spend, Excellere Partners likes look of Colorado
• Slower summer growth may lead to better autumn for economy
• Colorado sees largest monthly job gain in 4 years; unemployment rate drops to 8.1%
• HUD grant to aid development around three metro rail stops

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Today's Sports Headlines

Sound familiar? Former Denver Nuggets guard J.R. Smith is tough to coach in China
Turns out George Karl isn't the only coach J.R. Smith can infuriate. Smith's stint in the Chinese Basketball Association isn't going much better than his roller-coaster career with the Nuggets.  

• Avs' Semyon Varlamov prepares for company
• Krieger: Waiving goodbye to Orton now may mean seeing him soon
• Kyle Orton era in Denver ends when Broncos waive veteran quarterback
• Teamwork of baseball owners, players maintain labor peace
• Colorado State men's basketball team defeats Manhattan 91-86 in overtime

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Today's Entertainment

Upheaval's artistic legacy: MCA Denver mounts a fascinating look at the counterculture's lasting impact
Experimentation, upheaval and idealism reigned in the 1960s and '70s, an extraordinary era of extremes in American history — one that seems very distant in some ways yet undeniably still influences contemporary life in others.  

• Ostrow: Deborah Sherman out in Channel 9 "personnel issue"

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Today's Style

Letters a link to home: Afghan GI, Sgt. Kennedy James, thanks students for project
Sgt. Kennedy James, natty and handsome in clean, pressed camo fatigues, surveyed the class of fifth- and sixth-grade students gazing back at him, wondering how to tell them what their letters mean to him and fellow soldiers.  

• RSVP: Clamoring for the Still debut gala

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Today's Opinion

Editorial: An apparent conflict of interest in Logan County
The increasing share of Logan County business that has gone to an electronics store owned by a county commissioner raises troubling questions about a conflict of interest.  

• Editorial: Learning from listeria outbreak
• Carroll: A blessing in disguise
• Parker: Career advice for candidates
• Guest Commentary: Saying grace or saving face?
• Guest Commentary: Colorado's failing grade