WPR NewsRoom

Laramie, WY (2011-10-25) If you said that the Wyoming Cowboys basketball team has struggled in recent years, that would be a bit of an understatement. After back to back 10 win and 21 loss seasons, a change was needed. So, Wyoming went to its past and hired Larry Shyatt. Practice is underway and despite losing his top scorer from a year ago, Shyatt believes he can build a winner.

Enzi leads efforts to overhaul No Child Left Behind

Wyoming (2011-10-24) Last night the U.S. Senate Education committee sent to the full Senate a major revision of the education law called No Child Left Behind. Wyoming Senator Mike Enzi has for years been at the forefront of the effort to overhaul the federal law. The Wyoming Republican has worked closely with Iowa Democrat, Senator Tom Harkin, to find common ground on ways to improve it. Elizabeth Wynne Johnson gives us a snapshot of the work that went into reforming the legislation this week.

Officials stop hunters to track wildlife diseases and populations

Wyoming (2011-10-24) If you've been driving around on the weekends, chances are you've seen signs by the side of the road telling all hunters to stop. The signs are pointing out check stations, where officials from the Department of Game and Fish look at hunters' licenses and examine the game they've killed. Wyoming Public Radio's Willow Belden visited a check station near Centennial in southeastern Wyoming and reports that the hunters are being stopped mostly to collect scientific data.

Tribal officials fear uranium contamination could be causing cancer clusters on Wind River Reservation

Wyoming (2011-10-24) Last year, the Department of Energy released well monitoring data from the Wind River Reservation. What they found was that uranium levels in a number of their wells had spiked up to 100 times the legal limit.

Online farmers market provides supplemental market for local products

Wyoming (2011-10-24) As cold weather sends farmers markets into hibernation, there's one that's picking back up after a summer lull. The Triple Crown Commodities Cooperative serves four counties in Southeastern Wyoming without needing a city block to set up in. This farmers market allows farmers to sell local products to customers online. Wyoming Public Radio's Rebecca Martinez has more

Sen. Enzi and Senate Committee send NCLB bill to the full Senate

Washington D-C (2011-10-21) Senator Mike Enzi has for years been at the forefront of the effort to overhaul No Child Left Behind. Even in his own state, criticism of the federal education law continues. The Wyoming Republican has worked closely with Iowa Democrat, Senator Tom Harkin, to find common ground on ways to improve it. The Senate education committee passed the bill onto the full Senate, but those efforts will continue to be a work in progress.

Committee seeks to develop a better way to assess and improve education.

Wyoming (2011-10-10) During the last legislative session, lawmakers complained that they weren't getting a good enough performance from students from the billion and a half dollars they were paying for education. After initially zeroing in on such things as teacher tenure, they eventually agreed on a broader approach and developed what's called the Education accountability advisory committee.

Wyoming hunters can, and should, target abundant elk this fall.

Wyoming (2011-10-10) It's hunting season for just about every type of game animal at the moment So we talked with Bill Rudd at the Game and Fish Department, to find out what hunters can expect this fall. He tells Willow Belden that the forecast is pretty good - with a few exceptions.

A Shofar and a Prayer: Wyoming Jews celebrate Yom Kippur

Wyoming (2011-10-10) The Jewish high holy days began last Wednesday with Rosh Hashannah (ROHsh HASH-uh-NAH) - the Jewish New Year And after 10 days of personal repentance, congregations gather this weekend for Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. It's easy to get in the spirit in places with larger Jewish populations, but things are a little different in the Cowboy state. Wyoming Public Radio's Rebecca Martinez has more.

Wind energy could make Wyoming a national power.

Wyoming (2011-10-10) Per capita consumption of electricity in the United States is on the rise, as is interest throughout the west in affordable renewable energy. But without a powerful network of up-to-date electric transmission lines, developers have struggled to transport Wyoming's abundant wind energy beyond the state borders. Now the state leads the nation in the number of major transmission projects in the works. As Wyoming Public Radio's Kathryn Flagg reports, the construction of these lines is moving ahead

A second-wave gold rush seizes Wyoming.

Wyoming (2011-10-10) Prices for gold are higher than they have been in decades. It's inspired companies to explore for deposits in Wyoming's old mines and scout in new territory. At the same time, gold prospectors still make their way to the mountains with pans and shovels, hoping to strike it rich, even if they just end up with rich scenery and camaraderie. Irina Zhorov reports.

Many think Wyoming's new fracking regulations don't go far enough.

Wyoming (2011-09-30) Both Congress and the Environmental Protection Agency are looking at ways to better regulate what is called hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking. It involves using a pressurized mix of water, sand and chemicals to release oil or gas into a well. Today we are going to have two stories on this topic. Recently Wyoming enhanced its regulations concerning fracking. Yet critics complain that there is still too much leeway for companies to do as they please.

Residents of Pavillion want answers to what caused their water contamination.

Wyoming (2011-09-30) A few years ago, residents of the town of Pavillion began complaining of health problems that they blamed on water contamination. Many in the town wondered if local oil and gas development, as well as hydraulic fracturing - was to blame. Recently residents went looking for answers. The subject was touched on during a recent Hydraulic Fracturing conference and Wyoming Public Radio's Tristan Ahtone brings us this update.

Communities address landfill problems.

Wyoming (2011-09-30) In order to keep up with federal water quality standards, localities around Wyoming are choosing to line their landfills with an expensive protective layer, or ship their waste to ones that do. Years after surrounding states got started, Wyoming is setting up a de facto system of regional landfills and 100-mile garbage routes. Wyoming Public Radio's Rebecca Martinez has more.

Medicaid fraud rampant in Wyoming.

Wyoming (2011-09-30) Type in Medicaid fraud on your favorite internet search engine and you will find hundreds of stories related to the crime. Medicaid is health insurance provided to those who cannot afford to pay for health care. It's paid for by both the state and federal government. While there are occasional recipients that will bilk the system, in Wyoming it's typically providers who are the guilty parties. Wyoming Public Radio's Bob Beck reports that this fraud can lead to unfortunate consequences.

Despite the end of Don't Ask Don't Tell gays, anti gay bias may still exist in the military.

Wyoming (2011-09-30) Last week marked the end of Don't Ask Don't Tell, which means gays and lesbians can now serve openly in the military. Members of the L-G-B-T community here in Wyoming are applauding the repeal of the policy. But they say entrenched biases - both in the military, and in the general public - may make it hard for gay service members to feel comfortable coming out. And they still feel there's a long way to go before they'll be accepted as equals here in this state.

Wyoming is watching debate over federal transportation funding.

Wyoming (2011-09-21) Governor Matt Mead says Wyoming will have a difficult time maintaining highways without more federal aid.Congress is debating highway funding right now with dramatically different ideas about how much money should go to state transportation projects. Patrick Terpstra is following developments from Washington.

Wyoming is pushing Prostate Cancer awareness.

Wyoming (2011-09-21) While other Cancer's get more publicity, Wyoming Department of Health officials say that Prostate Cancer is very common in the state. But thanks to early detection and treatment, most of those diagnosed survive. But the health officials say it should not be taken likely. Wyoming Public Radio's Bob Beck has more.

Internet speeds and access have always been a problem in Wyoming, but some are trying to fix that.

Wyoming (2011-09-21) According to a report from speed-matters-dot-org, the state ranks 49th in the nation in terms of internet speeds and the report adds that 65 percent of Wyoming households have internet speeds below minimum national standards. Wyoming Public Radio's Tristan Ahtone reports that those issues have hampered economic growth in the state, but things may be changing.

A new Prairie Dog management program has stirred reaction.

Wyoming (2011-09-21) Prairie dogs are stirring strong emotions among local residents and conservationists in the Thunder Basin National Grassland. Ranchers consider them pests, but environmentalists see prairie dogs as a crucial species in the grasslands ecosystem. As the Forest Service rolls out new tactics for managing the prairie dog population in the area, some residents are reacting with passion. Wyoming Public Radio's Kathryn Flagg has the story.