Ousted Washakie Public Health Officer: "It Was Political"
The pandemic has made the position of county public health officer more than just a part-time job: it has become political. So far, two officers in Wyoming have been removed from their positions and one has resigned. Wyoming Public Radio's Kamila Kudelska spoke with Washakie County's public officer, who did the work for ten years until he was removed by the commission this past fall. Dr. Ed Zimmerman said before the pandemic, the position was relatively easy.
In The COVID Economy, Women Suffer More Job Losses Than Men
The country's pandemic-induced recession and subsequent job losses have been hard on women. The December job numbers were especially brutal. Wyoming Public Radio's Maggie Mullen reports.
Nevada's Vast Stores Of Lithium Could Fuel The Energy Transition. But At What Cost?
Lithium ion technology is paving the way toward a renewable energy future and our region is home to the only lithium mine in the country with more on the way. Wyoming officials have been kicking the tires on lithium for some time. But, the technology has had its share of safety issues. The Mountain West News Bureau's Noah Glick reports on the future of lithium ion and explores potentially greener, safer alternatives moving forward.
Famous Rock Springs Killing Is Reexamined In A New Book
In 1978, one of Wyoming's most infamous killings took place in Rock Springs. Rock Springs Director of Safety Ed Cantrell shot his deputy Michael Rosa, who was in the backseat of a car. Cantrell said he shot Rosa in self-defense, while others suggested that Cantrell was trying to keep Rosa from testifying about local corruption he had witnessed.
Cantrell hired Wyoming Attorney Gerry Spence and was acquitted of first-degree murder in Pinedale. Award-winning investigative journalist Rone Tempest has written about the incident in his new book, The Last Western. He sets the stage by describing Rock Springs at the time.
University Of Wyoming Researchers Are Changing Climate Models From The Air
Wildfire research has become increasingly important in recent years as climate change has caused fires to become more common and more intense. But wildfire smoke could be having a bigger effect on the climate than previously thought. Wyoming Public Radio's Ivy Engel spoke to Shane Murphy, a University of Wyoming researcher who studied the smoke from inside the plumes.
Steamboat Geyser Has Reawakened, But It's Still Keeping Secrets
Yellowstone National Park is home to the tallest geyser in the world: Steamboat. But scientists don't know why Steamboat geyser erupts when it does or why it spews so much water. In a new study, researchers at the University of California Berkeley explore the answers to these questions. Wyoming Public Radio's science intern Ashley Piccone has more.
Runner Gives Human Perspective To Mule Deer Migration
In 2018, a Wyoming research scientist ran 92 miles in just three days. His goal? Highlight the challenges of the seasonal migration for mule deer; a well-known species in Wyoming, but also one that's been in decline. A movie called 92 Miles is set to come out in the next few months about his journey. Wyoming Public Radio's Cooper McKim spoke with Wyoming Migration Initiative research scientist and runner Pat Rodgers on the importance of his trek.
"Let Hope Rise:" Anonymous Baker Surprises Town With More Than Bread
Baking bread might have become a big pandemic hobby, but in Sheridan, an anonymous person has taken it to another level. A mysterious person who goes by the Instagram handle the Loaf Project is dropping off fresh loaves of bread at strangers' doors who could use a little pick me up. Wyoming Public Radio's Catherine Wheeler has more.
