January 2015
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In November, the nation was gripped by events in Ferguson and Brooklyn. Looking for a local voice, WPR aired a feature that included a poem by Keenen Montgomery. Keenan moved to Laramie from Minnesota to study English and play football at UW. His poem “My Black Experience” recounts anecdotes about race, living in Laramie, and what these experiences mean in the larger context of American race relations. The post generated over 18,000 combined views and unique pageviews: Keenan Montgomery Reflects On The Experience Of A Young Black Man In Wyoming
As part of the American Graduate – Let’s Make It Happen! Initiative, WPR’s education reporter Aaron Shrank filed a series about Fort Washakie High School on the Wind River Indian Reservation. He followed several students eager to graduate high school and recounted their struggles and achievements. Funded in part by Wyoming individuals and foundations in partnership with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, this project takes a close look at education in Wyoming, and how it impacts graduation rates: Fort Washakie Stories Part I: A School In Transition
The I Love WPR initiative has grown to include testimonials from our federal legislators, community leaders, listeners, listeners, supporters, as well as close to 20 proclamations from Wyoming cities and towns. This grassroots project collects testimonials from Wyomingites who articulate WPR’s value to the state. Earlier in the fall, I Love WPR was cited by NPR as a “best practices” example of grassroots community involvement with public radio. In November, the I Love WPR project was selected for a live presentation at the public radio general managers’ conference in Las Vegas.
The $5 Million Statewide Infrastructure Project is on target! The core switch has been installed, and buildings have been ordered and are being constructed off site. The new satellite upgrade equipment arrived in December, followed by a team of national engineers who provided installation and training services over several days. Locations to receive immediate attention are Laramie/Cheyenne and Rock Springs, though much of the satellite upgrade equipment will benefit the entire state network. This multi-year project depends on Wyoming state support, and when completed, will benefit all listeners in Wyoming.
Energy and the new Congress: WYOMING AND THE EPA - Wyoming’s long history of conflict with the EPA and what is at stake with the administration’s attempt to clean up coal-fired power plants: INSIDE ENERGY: Wyoming's Governor Attacks Power Plant Regs... Again
In the regionally aired series How to Define a Boom, Stephanie Joyce looked at the factors that create booms and their consequences: The Boom: Short Term Gain, Long Term Pain
All through November and December, WPR announcers tackled the new studio automation system that now allows us to track our on-air activity and provide affidavits for a variety of broadcast operations. There’s no simulator experience for these functions, so announcers learn to operate it live, on-air. There’s nothing more frustrating to an announce than learning a new software program before a statewide audience. Even Bob Beck managed to take us off the air for a Morning Edition segment!
Internationally acclaimed author and radio personality David Sedaris delighted listeners in Laramie on October 31. But David wasn’t the only attraction -- he had friendly competition from dozens of attendees who donned their best in Halloween costumes and vied for the “Best Halloween Costume” award. David moved on to a spectacular presentation to our audiences in Jackson.