Bente Birkeland has covered Colorado politics and government since spring of 2006. She loves the variety and challenge of the state capitol beat and talking to people from all walks of life. Bente's work has aired on NPR's Morning Edition and All Things Considered, American PublicMedia'sMarketplace, and she was a contributor for WNYC's The Next Big Thing. She has won numerous local and national awards, including best beat reporting from the Association of Capitol Reporters and Editors. Bente grew up in Minnesota and England, and loves skiing, hiking, and is an aspiring cello player. She lives in Lakewood with her husband.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken released a report that's highly critical of the way Israel is carrying out its war in Gaza — but it doesn't say Israel has broken the rules for using U.S. weapons.
In the race to be the Republican nominee for governor of West Virginia, the candidates are battling over culture war issues — like who takes the toughest stand against transgender rights.
The Netflix movie Unfrosted tells a made-up version of Pop-Tarts' origin story. It hasn't been received favorably, including by NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour hosts.