economy

A Pew Research analysis of census data shows that growth in U.S. households during the last decade slowed to its lowest pace in history.

A select committee is looking to make it easier for cryptocurrency miners to set up shop in Wyoming. Crypto-mining is the process of gaining cryptocurrencies by solving equations with the use of high-powered computers. Energy and Natural Resources reporter Cooper McKim speaks with Chris Rothfuss, chairman of the Select Committee on Blockchain, Financial Technology and Digital Innovation Technology, on why the state is so interested in getting their business.

A new contest is calling on Wyoming's youth to imagine life in Wyoming nine years in the future. Anyone born on Jan. 1, 2001, or after, and whose primary address is a Wyoming zip code, can enter to win cash prizes up to $700.

Wyoming has entered the world of sports betting. Earlier this month the Wyoming Gaming Commission kicked off online betting in the state, while the Wind River Casino in Riverton became the state's only facility where people can bet in person due to its tribal affiliation.

By just about any measure, Laramie, Wyoming is experiencing a housing crisis. There aren't enough homes available, the homes that are available are too expensive, and rental prices are high. As Wyoming Public Radio's Jeff Victor reports, all of this hurts the local economy.

The Wyoming Business Council says some of the incentives the state can offer to businesses are fine, while others could be improved.

As the nation opened up this summer, people hit the road, with many visiting national parks. The surge of travelers is reflected in the visitation numbers at Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park.

The U.S. Energy and Employment Jobs report came out Tuesday, showing an overall decline in energy jobs around the nation.

This week the University of Wyoming (UW) announced some big plans. After already reducing $42 million, the university had to cut another $13 million. Those cuts will involve the loss of roughly 75 jobs. Along with that, UW announced it's consolidating a number of departments, and shifting science and math programs from the College of Arts and Sciences to the Colleges of Engineering and Agriculture.

The headline this week is that American CryptoFed was the first legally recognized Decentralized Autonomous Organization in Wyoming and the nation. Earlier this year the Wyoming Legislature passed a law which offers legal protections to DAO’s with the hopes that it would trigger blockchain businesses in the state. Marion Orr is the CEO of American CryptoFed which is part of the digital currency effort. She joins us to explain all this and what they are hoping to accomplish.