WPR NewsRoom

A look at Wyoming's health insurance marketplace

Wyoming (2009-11-16) In the debate over how to improve the nation's health care system, one idea that comes up frequently is increasing competition among health insurance companies. Wyoming Public Radio's Renny MacKay reports on the level of competition in this state and whether more options for consumers would really improve health care.

Bark beetle epidemic may affect mobility in forests

Wyoming (2009-11-16) This week we learned that the U.S. Forest Service is diverting funds away from certain national forests... and toward forests hit hardest by the bark beetle epidemic. That led to the closure of campgrounds in the Shoshone National Forest, whose budget has been reduced by about 2 million dollars.

State Democrats speaks on budget

Wyoming (2009-11-16) In recent weeks we have heard the opinions and goals of the Governor and some Republican legislative leaders as they look to begin work on the state budget. Today, State Senator Mike Massie, the lone Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee joins Bob Beck. Massie is also a member of the education committee and for that reason brings an interesting perspective to the debate over how to fund education in the future.

Integration struggle for Native Americans

Wyoming (2009-11-16) One issue that is interesting in Native American culture is how Native Americans judge those with mixed blood. Karleen Wolfe is half white and half Native American. Her daughter Sydney is only a quarter Sioux and Chippewa. Both struggle to fit in with their Native American friends and family in different ways. In this report on how Native Americans judge the mixed blood among them, Jesse Jacobson explores how a mother and daughter have learned to overcome prejudice and embrace their heritage.

What concerns Wyoming women

Wyoming (2009-11-16) The Wyoming Council for Women's issues released a report this morning that looks at the top concerns expressed by women in the state. The last study was conducted five years ago, when 800 women were contacted by the Wyoming Survey and Analysis Center. Carma Corra with the Council says that five years ago health care, child care and employment were the top issues. In 2009 that has not changed. But Corra told Bob Beck some new concerns also made the list.

Artists during a recession

Wyoming (2009-11-16) Most local arts organizations face funding challenges no matter the economic environment. And in a downturn - affordable space becomes more important than ever. KUNC's Grace Hood reports on one effort, in Northern Colorado, to give performance arts groups a place to call home.

A tight job market in Casper

Wyoming (2009-11-16) Wyoming's unemployment rate has more than doubled in the past year and the number of people losing jobs in the state is growing by the day. Although the downturn in the economy has impacted a number of businesses, those hardest hit worked in the energy industry, construction and service industry. Over 20 years ago the city Casper saw massive layoffs following the downturn of the oil industry.Wyoming Public Radio's Bob Beck reports .

Other communities share Casper's pain

Wyoming (2009-11-16) The job market is tough only in Casper. Other places in the state are in a similar spot. Gillette is on that list. And perhaps more surprising - Evanston. State employment officials say the downturn in the energy industry is hurting workers there, too. The Workforce services manager for the Evanston and Kemmerer offices is David Bassett he spoke with Bob Beck

Unemployment in Sweetwater County

Wyoming (2009-11-09) Local officials say hiring is starting to come back, little by little. In the meantime there may be some positive aspects to the economic slowdown. On a recent visit Wyoming Public Radio's Renny MacKay found former roughnecks using the downturn as a time to get new skills, and an economic development office that's pushing for improvements ahead of the next boom.

One transmission line's ups and downs

Wyoming (2009-11-09) The Obama Administration says it wants to see 25 percent of the country's electricity coming from renewable sources by 2025. But to boost renewable energy's share of total energy consumption we have to figure out how to move it from here to there. For the most part, the places in the country that are the best sources of wind and solar energy aren't close to the places that use the most electricity. Wyoming Public Radio's Molly Messick reports

The Laramie downtown clinic s director, Lorna Johnson and her medical director Doctor Lars Petersen, talk to WPR's Bob Beck

Wyoming (2009-11-09) The Laramie downtown clinic was started ten years ago to help the low income, uninsured population in Laramie. They serve about 4-thousand people. Lorna Johnson is the director and says most of their clients do work sometimes multiple jobs .but they either cannot get or afford insurance. Johnson and her medical director Doctor Lars Petersen have agreed to join us to provide their perspective on the health care legislation being debated in Washington. They speak with Bob Beck.

Michelle A. Worden, a professional counselor in Laramie, helps civilians talk to vets about the wars

Wyoming (2009-11-09) Hundreds of veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan... are now back in Wyoming and trying to reintegrate into their communities. An event in Laramie on Veteran's Day next week is aimed at helping civilians talk to vets about the wars. Michelle A. Worden is a professional counselor in Laramie, and organized the event. She tells Addie Goss that as a community, we need to do better at listening.

Wyoming considers reducing funding for education

Wyoming (2009-11-09) Last year, as they saw state revenues began to decline, a small group of legislators started discussing the possibility of reducing funding for education. Now as state revenue forecasters confirm that Wyoming could be in for tighter financial times, there is speculation that the reduction push will pick up. Wyoming Public Radio's Bob Beck reports.

One Laramie resident commemorates the 20th anniversary of the Berlin Wall coming down

Wyoming (2009-11-09) The world this month commemorates the 20th anniversary of the Berlin Wall coming down... and with it, the end of the Cold War. One Laramie resident has pieces of the wall to help him remember that day. Addie Goss reports.

Prescription drug abuse is a growing concern across the state

Wyoming (2009-11-09) The Wyoming Department of Corrections says prescription drug abuse has been a growing concern across the state. It's gotten to the point where the department is now training local law enforcement agencies on what to look for and how to combat this problem. Alan Rossler is overseeing that training for the department and he tells Bob Beck that something needs to be done.

Graduates of the therapeutic community program in Casper talk to WPR's Addie Goss

Wyoming (2009-11-09) Last week Addie Goss reported on a program in Casper for drug addicts in prison. The therapeutic community program, or TC, is designed for men nearing the end of their sentences. They live together for a year, meet in small groups, and try to address the underlying reasons they use drugs. This week we hear from three graduates of the program.

Enzi on Health Care

Wyoming (2009-11-02) Wyoming U-S Senator Mike Enzi has been working on health care reform for several years. Enzi was working closely with the late Senator Ted Kennedy to craft bi-partisan legislation. They achieved many reforms over the years. But Enzi is no fan of a public option, preferring to give people tax credits and vouchers to pay for health care instead. Wyoming Public Radio's Bob Beck talks to Senator Enzi about how he views the reform efforts as the Senate heads towards debate.

H1N1 Update

Wyoming (2009-11-02) This week Wyoming health officials said that a large amount of H1N1 or swine flu vaccine will soon arrive in the state. It should be enough to let everyone in Wyoming get a flu shot. But only half of parents nationwide say they plan to get their kids vaccinated. Many say they're worried about vaccine side-effects. Julie Grant reports that some government policies may have inadvertently made people concerned about vaccine safety.

I-80 Toll update

Wyoming (2009-11-02) In our state, especially in southern Wyoming, many people are worried about the idea to make part of interstate 80 a toll road. The argument is that Wyoming takes money away from other highways to fix our interstates, especially 80. Senator Michael Von Flatern has worked hard on this issue as the co-chairman of the legislature's transportation committee. He tells Wyoming Public Radio's Bob Beck what he is up to.

Casper Drug Treatment for Inmates

Wyoming (2009-11-02) Each year, about a hundred male drug addicts in Wyoming are moved from prison to a locked facility west of Casper. They spend about 12 months there toward the end of their prison sentence, living alongside other addicts, and looking hard at why they used drugs.This model is called a therapeutic community, or T-C. Wyoming Public Radio's Addie Goss reports on life inside T-C's walls, and life once these men get out.