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March 20th, 2015

Bob Beck

Governor Mead Says The Legislative Session Had Some Disappointments

A few weeks ago the Wyoming legislative session came to a close and Governor Matt Mead admitted that he had a number of concerns. The biggest was the failure of the legislature to pass Medicaid Expansion. The governor tells us that he knew it would be a tough sell, but it was tougher than he thought.

"They Just Dropped Him Off At A Homeless Shelter:" Title 25 Falls Short In Follow Up Care

In the first two parts of our Title 25series we told you about how people detained and treated against their will in a mental health crisis were often unable to get quick access to a psychiatric facility. For those who go through the process once that’s deeply frustrating; for those patients who cycle through again and again its devastating. And there are a lot of those patients: at the Wyoming State Hospital about one in four will be back more than once this year. Many mental health advocates in the state say there is one major reason for that: a lack of followup care. 

The Politics Of School Accountability

Five years ago the Wyoming legislature embarked on its latest attempt at reforming education in the state. Lawmakers said Wyoming was spending a lot  of money on education and students were underperforming. After rejecting drastic changes such as getting rid of teacher tenure, the legislature settled on coming up with a way to score school districts, schools, teacher leaders, and teachers themselves.

Underground Innovation: Oil Companies Try To Get More Out Of Less

With oil prices now at a six year low, oil companies have been idling hundreds of drilling rigs. For the wells that remain active, the key is getting more out of less...which is tricky because when you drill for oil, only around 5 percent of what’s underground is actually recovered. That’s according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Inside Energy’s Leigh Paterson reports on how these days - with prices so low -  producers are using technology to chase oil thousands of feet below the earth’s surface. 

Drilling Is Loud, But Are Wyoming Officials Listening?

When it comes to oil and gas drilling in urban and suburban areas, the question is often ‘how close is too close?’ That’s been the major point of contention in Wyoming, where the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission is currently considering a rule to increase the setback distance between oil and gas wells and houses from 350 to 500 feet. Many homeowners would like it to be even further. Distance is only one part of the issue though, as Brad Brooks would attest.

What You Need To Know About Wyoming's Plan To End Homelessness

Wyoming officials have released the state’s first comprehensive plan to combat homelessness. Titled  “A Home for Everyone,” it lays out the state’s strategy for the next decade. It has been in the works for the last year and half. Wyoming Public Radio’s Miles Bryan sat down with Wyoming homeless services coordinator Brenda Lyttle to talk about the plan.

Fort Washakie Stories Part III: 'I'm Going To Make It'

Fort Washakie High School is on track to graduate more students than ever this year. It still won’t be a big number, but getting a high school degree is a big deal for students at this small school on the Wind River Indian Reservation. Some are making college plans. Others are just crossing their fingers hoping to get through the rest of the school year. 

Author C.J. Box Reads From The Brand New Joe Pickett Novel, "Endangered"

On Tuesday, March 10, Wyoming author C.J. Box released the fifteenth installment of his Joe Pickett series.  In Endangered, Pickett is investigating the slaughter of a flock of sage grouse when he receives the call that his daughter has been beaten almost to death. Pickett sets out to find who did it and bring him to justice.

Bob Beck retired from Wyoming Public Media after serving as News Director of Wyoming Public Radio for 34 years. During his time as News Director WPR has won over 100 national, regional and state news awards.
Email: lpaterson@insideenergy.org; leighpaterson@rmpbs.org