A listing of today's stories:
Officials use grizzly bears to address bear-human conflicts.
The grizzly bear population in Yellowstone has tripled since it was placed on the endangered species list in the mid 1970’s. Last summer marked an all-time high for human-bear conflicts there. But in a strange twist, many of those problem bears are now helping people to not lure bears into temptation. Wyoming Public Radio’s Tristan Ahtone explains.
The Feds look at vacant government properties.
Some say that the U-S government is wasting billions of tax dollars sitting on vacant federal properties across the country, and Wyoming is home to hundreds of these buildings - some of them tucked deep in the woods. From Washington, Patrick Terpstra explains how Congress may try to shed the federal fat.
Sheridan is using a pilot project to address suicide.
In Sheridan County, a group is trying to shine a light on suicide without normalizing it. Vanessa Hastings is the Suicide Prevention coordinator for the county. Next month they will host a walk to support those who have considered suicide, or for people who have been affected by it. But more importantly they are involved in a two-year pilot program trying to reduce suicide attempts. She joins Bob Beck.
A Wyoming ranch finds a niche in rescuing animals used in laboratory testing.
Hartville, Wyoming is home to a one of a kind facility known as the Kindness Ranch. It is a rescue shelter for animals that have been used in Laboratory testing and the animals come from across the United States. Mike Stabler runs the ranch and tells me that the relatively new facility was actually planned a decade ago. He speaks with Bob Beck.
A local historian remembers the Heart Mountain Internment camp.
Last week, we reported on the grand opening of the Heart Mountain Interpretive Learning Center, the second of these camps to open up as a commemorative museum and learning center. This week, Irina Zhorov talked to a local about his recollections of the camp.
UW students celebrate Ramadan.
There are only a few days left in the month of Ramadan, during which observant Muslims around the world fast during daylight hours. In predominantly Muslim countries, the daily pace slows down a bit to accommodate the faithful. But in Laramie, members of the University of Wyoming’s Muslim Student Association began their first week of classes on empty stomachs. At night, they get together after sunset to break the fast. Wyoming Public Radio’s Rebecca Martinez joined some of them.
The University of Wyoming football team prepares for the start of the season.
On September third, the University of Wyoming football team opens the season against Weber State. The biggest question mark for the Cowboys this season will be how they will do with Freshman Quarterback Brett Smith. Robert Gagliardi is the editor of Wyo Sports and has covered the Cowboys professionally for 18 years. He joins Bob Beck.
Jackson tries to make itself a destination point for Art.
Several years ago there was a concerted effort to make Jackson Hole more of an Arts destination. The community had organizations like Dancer’s workshop, the National Museum of Wildlife Art and The Grand Teton Music Festival, but some envisioned a more coordinated effort like they have in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Using the opening of the Jackson Hole Center for the Arts as a catalyst…some in the town are seeing their dreams realized.
Wyoming beer is the focus of a statewide competition.
The Steinley Cup beer festival has become an end-of summer milestone for Wyoming microbrewers and their fans. Microbrewing has been legal in Wyoming for less than 20 years, but the Steinley Cup festival draws hundreds of fans from around the state and beyond to taste their homemade specialties: The draw is what brewers say helps keep them in business. Wyoming Public Radio’s Rebecca Martinez has more.
