UW President Has Been Thrust Into Budget Cutting Mode
Wyoming President Laurie Nichols started her job on a Monday, the Monday after the Friday when Governor Matt Mead told the UW trustees that they must whack an additional $35 million from the University budget. The state’s fiscal downturn has led to a $41 million cut from the UW budget.
Needless to say it’s been a stressful time. They’ve decided not to fund several positions, they convinced some people to retire early, and they are battling with professors in an effort to get them to teach more which would free up even more money. Nichols tells Wyoming Public Radio’s Bob Beck that they still have $15 million to cut and now the cuts could come from programs and personnel, which will be very difficult.
Clean Or Contaminated? Residents Fear Tainted Water Post Fracking
There’s growing evidence that activities related to hydraulic fracturing can contaminate water supplies. A controversial draft report last year from the Environmental Protection Agency said the contamination was not widespread or systemic --- yet for a number of households whose water has been tainted, and for many more who fear it is tainted, the struggle for clean water can sap energy and take years. Maryam Jameel from the Center for Public Integrity tells us about families in Pennsylvania desperate for answers.
Demand Charges Mean Big Changes For Electricity Bills
Across the country, power companies are rushing to keep pace with a changing energy landscape. Many operate on outdated business models that never accounted for people producing their own electricity or clean energy mandates. That’s prompted Arizona’s largest utility to pursue a new way of charging its customers -- one that no other utility has done before. Will Stone of KJZZ in Phoenix reports for Inside Energy.
Wyoming's New Poet Laureate, Eugene Gagliano
On Tuesday, Governor Matt Mead named Eugene Gagliano the 8th poet laureate of Wyoming. Gagliano is a retired elementary school teacher and is known for his collaborative and entertaining presentations for schools and libraries across the state. Wyoming Public Radio’s Maggie Mullen spoke with him about the honor.
Using Horse Traditions To Reduce Teen Suicide On Wind River Reservation
In recent years, the rates of teen suicide on many Indian reservations has skyrocketed, making it the second leading cause of death among Native youths. But as Wyoming Public Radio’s Melodie Edwards reports, a new program on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming is taking a novel approach to preventing teen suicide ...they’re putting kids on horseback.
Researchers Study The Success Of The Snowy Range Moose Herd
Most moose herds in Wyoming are in decline, but the Snowy Range Moose herd appears to be an exception. After a moose re-introduction in northern Colorado, they started showing up in the Snowy Range Mountains west of Laramie in the 1980s.
They’re commonly spotted throughout southeast Wyoming, but there is little data concerning their exact numbers. Now a joint research project by the University of Wyoming and Wyoming Game and Fish is trying to change that.
Jackson Start-Up Provides Comfort To Cancer Patients, Jobs To Wyoming Women
When someone gets really sick, it can be difficult to know what to do for them - should you bring flowers? Food? A card? Jackson resident Kathleen Neiley is providing an answer with a new business: Full Circle Quilts creates custom, group funded t-shirt quilts for cancer patients. She told Wyoming Public Radio’s Caroline Ballard the idea came from her own experiences.
Do You Think Your Vote Matters?
The question comes up every election year, does my vote count? The answer sometimes depends on what race or issue you are voting on. Wyoming is a very Republican state, so if you are not part of the GOP it’s possible that your vote might mean very little, especially in the Presidential race. But even if you are Republican, Wyoming has a mere three electoral votes. Wyoming Public Radio intern Liam Niemeyer met up with Wyoming voters in Laramie recently and asked…does your vote count?