The fourteen University of Colorado students currently studying abroad in Japan are safe, the university confirms (Denver Business Journal). But although the massive earthquake, tsunami, and major aftershocks have long passed, the country is still reeling from the disaster, contending with a death toll that could exceed 10,000 and radiation emanating from damaged nuclear power plants. Colorado’s Charles Pribyl, a college professor living east of Tokyo, paints a picture of the damage (9News). In addition to radiation concerns, reactor problems have left many without electricity, he says, adding that many are drinking bottled water. “Right now, all of the convenience stores are closed because they ran out [of] food…. And the gas station I usually go to is closed because they are out of gas.”

For those reasons and others, U.S. officials have issued a warning advising against travel to Japan (Denver Business Journal). Meanwhile, the nuclear situation is “bad timing” for Don Banner, who is trying to convince Pueblo County’s commissioners to build a nuclear plant southeast of the city (Chieftain).