Here's what to know about Denver's street sweeping schedule
Spring has sprung. And that can only mean one thing in Denver: Street sweeping season is upon us.
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Mekialaya White is a weekday 4 p.m. news anchor and award-winning journalist for CBS News Colorado.
She is a proud Coloradan and couldn't ask for a better place to call home. She's thrilled and honored to share your stories daily in the gorgeous state she grew up in; it has always been her dream.
Mekialaya worked her way up the ranks to her current role at CBS News Colorado. After several months as a part-time overnight writer and producer, she began reporting on-air at CBS News Colorado in January of 2019. In July 2021, she was promoted to weekend morning anchor. Then, in September of 2022, she took on her most recent role, anchoring First at 4 Monday - Friday.
She got her start in TV at the University of Northern Colorado's student-run station, Bear News. She double majored in journalism and communications, minored in English. Mekialaya is grateful that her news career has immersed her in a variety of cultures. She has produced, reported, and anchored news in Wichita, Kansas; Cincinnati, Ohio; and her hometown of Colorado Springs. Along the way, she's earned a variety of storytelling awards, including from the Kansas Association of Broadcasters for feature and weather coverage.
She's extensively covered major breaking events like the Marshall Fire, and Boulder and Planned Parenthood shootings; been in the thick of Kansas tornado coverage; and waited in anticipation for results of several Presidential elections. The most important stories she gets to tell are those that share inspiration and empower action. Weekly, she works closely with Colorado nonprofit Raise the Future to highlight Wednesday's Child youths in stories and help them find family permanency. (In addition, she serves on Raise the Future's board of directors.) She also features hyper-local Colorado restaurants in Your Local Dish to help them gain visibility and is dedicated to saving you money as Your Making Ends Meet Reporter.
Mekialaya actively volunteers and emcees events, as she has a big heart to serve. During Black History Month in 2022, Mekialaya was selected by the publication Denver Urban Spectrum as one of the city's "African Americans Who Make a Difference." In 2023, Mekialaya was presented with the University of Northern Colorado Alumni Award presented annually to five UNC graduates in recognition for career achievements and a commitment of service to the university.
When she's not busy working or being in the community, she LOVES to adventure (Ouray and Telluride are her absolute favorite parts of our state), enjoy time with her husband, pup, family, and friends. She also won't hesitate to throw down in the kitchen. All recipes welcomed! Pass 'em along, along with your story ideas.
You can catch her anchoring every weekday, 4-5 p.m. She also often reports for evening shows.
Just The Facts
Position: News Anchor and Reporter Year hired: 2019 Alma Mater: University of Northern Colorado Why I am journalist: To empower and serve others; it's a true honor. Dream interview: Oprah! Undoubtedly. Role model: My mama and dad; they're the most selfless, incredible people and I don't know what I would do without them. (Fun fact: They're also 20+ year Air Force veterans.) Dream job: My current one! Job you would never attempt: Mathematician, too right brained. Favorite musician: So many, but my go-to's are R&B, hip hop, and alternative rock. Hidden talent: I speak conversational French. Hometown: Colorado Springs Hobbies: Experiencing new things. Hiking, photography, learning, reading, COOKING. Favorite food: I'm always trying something new with Your Local Dish! I have an adventurous palate, I've learned. I'll never turn down sushi or Mexican food. Number of siblings: One younger brother Number of pets: One pup. My husband and I have a chocolate Goldendoodle named Gia! She is a joy, and we are 100% THOSE dog parents. She has her own Instagram page. Favorite sports team: Nuggets! Favorite author: Gillian Flynn Favorite vacation spot: Thus far, definitely Tulum, Mexico What one word best describes CBS News Colorado: Teamwork Least favorite household chore: Honestly, I know it's strange, but I actually love cleaning. Tidiness is huge for me. Favorite noise: The people I love laughing together. It's the best! Favorite word: Saunter Least favorite words: I don't have one! What keeps you in Colorado? Everyone I love. My family and friends. What's the biggest risk you've taken? Moving across the country to the Midwest solo and not knowing a soul for previous journalism jobs. Who would play you in a movie? I've always wanted to make a movie cameo as a journalist. A girl can dream, right?
Spring has sprung. And that can only mean one thing in Denver: Street sweeping season is upon us.
Every year, for the entire month of April, leaders work to highlight the importance of strengthening families and protecting Colorado's children.
Colorado is currently experiencing a critical need for blood donations. Type O blood is particularly in demand, the blood type of nearly half the U.S. population.
All eyes were on an 11-year-old boy as he got his heart's wish. Devarjaye "DJ" Daniel is a cancer warrior on a mission to be sworn in by hundreds of law enforcement agencies from around the country.
One participating restaurant in Denver's first-ever Black Restaurant Week is TK's Surf & Turf Kitchen in Aurora, cooking up its specialties for the occasion.
A 22-year veteran of the real estate industry recounted her firsthand experience as rents continue to climb in Colorado.
In Colorado, nearly 940,000 workers do not have access to a retirement savings plan at work. That's more than 40% of our private-sector workforce.
It is Equal Pay Day and the message across the United States is simple: Women deserve equal pay for equal work.
Following the closures of three Denver Public Schools and recent shooting death outside East High School, Dr. Alex Marrero is addressing questions from concerned parents, students and families in an exclusive interview with CBS News Colorado anchor, Mekialaya White.
In the United States, data shows more than 11,000,000 women are living with uterine fibroids. There's no specific cause for them, and medical professionals say much more research needs to be done.
Tax season is upon us, and experts are urging you to be aware of the possibility of a smaller refund. One spoke to CBS News Colorado about how to do the best you can with whatever refund you might get.
Denver Restaurant Week is officially upon us! It's a favorite destination for foodies, putting the spotlight on the city's food scene through hundreds of local restaurants.
Cystic fibrosis is a crippling disease, and anybody of any ethnicity can get it. But for Black people and people of color, it often gets overlooked or misdiagnosed.
CBS News Colorado First Alert Meteorologist Lauren Whitney gave us a behind-the-scenes peek at her daily work routine and recounted how perseverance got her to where she is now.
All eyes will be on Boulder in just a couple of short weeks. The Boulder International Film Festival brings films and filmmakers from around the world to our state, and it all started 19 years ago with a bond between two sisters.