Shaken By Student Suicides, University Of Wyoming Works Towards Prevention
The University of Wyoming campus is rattled. Two first-year students there died by suicide in a span of just 8 days. Wyoming has had the highest suicide rate in the country in recent years. For young people, the rate here is twice the national average. Still, it’s not a subject that’s widely discussed—or understood. But, as Wyoming Public Radio’s Aaron Schrank reports, these tragic deaths have the community thinking and talking more about how to look out for the well being of others.
“I Spent Three Months On A Waiting List:” Title 25 Problems On Display At Wyoming State Hospital
Janell Hanson and her son Adrien live in a sunny house just steps away from the historic Ivinson Mansion in Laramie. Their house is gorgeous--it’s actually older than the mansion. But on the day WPR visited, the beautiful oak front door was marred by a hole in its stained glass panel, temporarily sealed with duct tape. The subject came up near the end of the interview. Adrien confessed the damage happened after a fight with his mother. But, he explained, he had meant to shut the door with care. “The air pressure outside blew the door shut,” he said.
Wyoming Delegation Struggles To Fund Highways
With federal highway funding once again facing uncertainty, Wyoming officials have already had to postpone transportation projects. Matt Laslo reports from Washington on how Wyoming’s all Republican delegation is trying to do to shore up the program.
New Chairman Of Wyoming GOP Hopes To Bring Party Together
The new Chairman of the Wyoming Republican Party is Matt Micheli. Micheli is the son of former state gubernatorial candidate and legislator Ron Micheli. He takes over the job following some infighting within the party that included concerns over legislative action surrounding former State Superintendent of Public Instruction Cindy Hill. Micheli not only wants to help settle things down between the moderate and conservative wings of the party, he also hopes to continue to get more young people involved in party politics. Micheli is in his 30’s and he hopes his presence will help.
Coal Country Worries About Series Of Regulations
Over two decades ago, Wyoming surpassed Kentucky as the country’s number one coal producing state and has kept that title ever since. The steady and sharp increase in demand for the state’s comparably cleaner coal wasn’t due to obvious factors, like market forces or labor costs. It was brought on largely by federal environmental regulations. And now a series of new regulations are changing the industry even more….Inside Energy’s Leigh Paterson reports.
After Food Freedom Act Passes, Raw Milk Controversy Lingers
Wyoming lawmakers may not have agreed on much this legislative session but there is one issue they did vote together on: de-regulating the state's locally produced foods. The new Food Freedom Act now allows consumers to buy processed produce, poultry, eggs and unpasteurized milk direct from the cook or farmer, something that was illegal just a few months ago. And it's that last item—raw milk—that's
April Is Sexual Assault Awareness Month
April is sexual assault awareness month, and here in Wyoming a new law now offers stricter protections for victims. Becca Fisher is the Executive Director of Laramie’s SAFE project – a crisis center for victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault. She talked with Wyoming Public Radio’s Caroline Ballard about the progress and challenges still facing sexual assault awareness in the state.
Author Andrew Solomon To Speak At UW
Next week award winning author Andrew Solomon will speak at the University of Wyoming about his book "Far From the Tree" where he presents stories from parents who have raised children in a variety of circumstances. Some are gay, some have schizophrenia, some are dwarfs, some have autism, others are profound. Solomon interviewed these parents and others about the challenges of raising these children and how love prevails. He says diversity unites us all. Solomon says writing the book also helped him become a better parent.
Teens Learn Art of Design, Retooling Library Space
Staying globally competitive by teaching future generations of workers how to innovate is a national concern. At Jackson Hole High School, a new program is teaching students the skills they will need to be innovators by assigning them real problems to solve.
