We’re celebrating a huge milestone—100 episodes of Eye on the Issues! 

For this special edition, host Mike Garofalo sits down with our very own President and CEO, Mandy Ludtke, for an inside look at the Wyoming Liberty Group’s work and vision for the future.

Since launching Eye on the Issues in 2023, we’ve covered everything from school choice and government transparency to energy policy and campaign finance. In this episode, Mandy reflects on how far we’ve come as an organization and why our conversations have struck such a chord in Wyoming and beyond. She also shares insight on one of the biggest debates shaping our state today—nuclear energy.

At Wyoming Liberty Group, our work focuses on asking the tough questions, providing citizens and lawmakers with facts, and ensuring Wyoming’s future decisions are guided by transparency, accountability, and free-market principles.

This 100th episode is more than a milestone—it’s proof that Wyoming Liberty Group is thriving, growing, and working every day to protect the Wyoming way of life. We’re excited for the next 100 episodes and invite you to be part of this journey.

Please stay connected with us at wyliberty.org. You can sign up for our newsletter at the bottom of the homepage, call us at 307-632-7020, or email us at [email protected]. And if you believe in keeping Wyoming free and independent, we invite you to become a member or supporter today.

Together, we can make a lasting impact!

In this special episode, Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder joins us to talk about the biggest issues facing education in our state. From major court battles over school funding and education choice to the state’s push for stronger career and technical training, Superintendent Degenfelder shares her perspective on where Wyoming is excelling and where more work is needed. She discusses the launch of TeacherCon 25, efforts to bring patriotism and civics education back into classrooms, and the push to expand parental involvement in K–12 education. We also cover the legal fight over Wyoming’s new Education Savings Account program, the federal role in education policy, and how the state can better prepare students for both college and workforce pathways.

In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we sit down with Jenny Schucker—founder of Academy of the Winds, a Montessori school in Lander—to unpack the fallout from the recent judicial halt on Wyoming’s Education Savings Accounts (ESAs). Jenny shares how the ESA freeze has impacted her school’s enrollment and budget, and more importantly, the families left in limbo just weeks before the new school year begins.

She discusses the legal challenges behind the ESA program, including the Wyoming Education Association’s arguments and the constitutional debate over school funding. Jenny also highlights the public response, the emotional toll on low-income families who were counting on these scholarships, and the grassroots efforts now underway to keep school doors open.

Whether you're a parent, educator, or policymaker, this is a must-listen conversation about the real-world impact of policy decisions and the growing demand for educational alternatives in Wyoming.

In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we speak with Diane D’Arrigo of the Nuclear Information and Resource Service (NIRS). This organization has worked with communities and policymakers on nuclear waste issues since the late 1970s.

This conversation explores how radioactive waste is generated through nuclear power, the types of materials it leaves behind, and how these materials interact with the human body and the environment. Diane also discusses the process of fuel reprocessing, the history of storage proposals, such as Yucca Mountain, and the regulatory framework for transporting spent nuclear fuel.

This interview is part of our ongoing effort to explore the whole landscape of nuclear energy policy—past, present, and proposed—especially as it relates to emerging developments in Wyoming.

In this episode of Eye on the Issues, recorded in mid-May, we sat down with Anna Erickson, a professor of nuclear and radiological engineering at Georgia Tech. As someone who teaches and supports nuclear energy, Prof. Erickson offers an informed perspective—but even she raises concerns about how nuclear projects are being handled, particularly regarding community trust and transparency.

Her message is clear: local voices must be heard before projects move forward. Consent-based siting isn’t just a best practice—it’s a necessity. When developers or government officials skip that step, they risk public backlash, legal delays, and broken trust.

That warning couldn’t be more relevant in Wyoming today. In Barr Nunn, residents are raising objections to a proposed Radiant facility, yet their concerns are seemingly being brushed aside. Meanwhile, across the state, nuclear development continues to gain speed with very little public engagement, according to many.

Prof. Erickson also points out that the Kemmerer Natrium reactor is just a “drop in the bucket.” As the nation braces for a surge in power demand—driven largely by AI and data centers—Wyoming could see these kinds of projects multiply. Without a clear, transparent, and community-first approach, this trend could overwhelm local communities and sideline Wyoming residents in decisions that will shape their lives for generations.

If even a nuclear engineering professor is warning that this process is moving fast and without adequate safeguards, it’s time to ask hard questions—and insist that Wyoming put people before politics and profit.

In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we sit down with Mary Olson, founder of the Gender and Radiation Impact Project. With decades of experience in nuclear policy and radiation research, Mary offers a practical look at how radiation exposure affects the human body—and why understanding those risks is more important than ever as nuclear energy and waste storage debates continue. From routine reactor emissions to the long-term dangers of spent nuclear fuel, she  explains why radiation isn't just a distant problem, but a real factor in cancer, infertility, and other health concerns happening today. She also shares her personal story of accidental exposure and what she believes communities like Wyoming should consider before agreeing to store nuclear waste.

In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we sit down with Dr. Allison Macfarlane, former Chair of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and Director of the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs at the University of British Columbia.

With decades of experience in nuclear oversight, Dr. Macfarlane brings a measured, practical perspective to the fast-moving conversations surrounding nuclear energy. While many discussions today are filled with excitement—and at times, hype—around small modular reactors and next-generation designs, Dr. Macfarlane offers a grounded view on what’s proven, what remains uncertain, and what communities like Wyoming should realistically consider.

During her time leading the NRC from 2012 to 2014, including in the wake of the Fukushima disaster and during new reactor construction in Georgia, Dr. Macfarlane saw firsthand both the promises and the challenges of nuclear development. 

In this interview, she discusses:

* The economic and technical unknowns surrounding small modular reactors (SMRs)
* The complex realities of nuclear waste from emerging reactor designs, including those proposed for Wyoming
* Why keeping existing reactors running is vital, but nuclear is unlikely to deliver fast solutions for climate change
* How countries like Finland, Sweden, and Canada are outpacing the U.S. in responsible spent fuel management
* Her no-nonsense take on separating industry aspirations from scientific facts

Beyong the headlines and industry hype - hear from a former NRC Chair on what's real, what's unknown, and what comes next.

As Wyoming considers its role in the future of nuclear energy—including proposals around spent nuclear fuel storage—it’s essential to examine how other countries have approached the same challenge.

In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we welcome Johan Swahn, former director of Sweden’s NGO Office for Nuclear Waste Review and longtime advisor on nuclear transparency and safety. With decades of experience reviewing the science, regulation, and engineering behind Sweden’s nuclear waste program, Johan offers a grounded look at how Sweden and Finland have approached permanent repository development, the science behind copper canisters, and the complexity of planning for 100,000-year containment.

Johan also discusses the public trust dynamics in Scandinavia, the role of environmental watchdogs in technical review processes, and why some of the choices made decades ago are still being debated today.

At Wyoming Liberty Group, our role is to inform, clarify, and support good public policy decisions. We believe it’s vital for Wyoming citizens and lawmakers to have access to complete, honest information—especially when the issues are as long-lasting and complex as nuclear waste. This interview is part of our effort to bring global lessons into Wyoming’s local conversation.

Spent nuclear fuel from reactors is just one part of the nuclear fuel cycle—but what happens at the front end of the cycle? In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we look at uranium milling, a process that can leave enormous amounts of radioactive waste behind. 

Our guest, Jeri Fry, co-founder of Colorado Citizens Against Toxic Waste, walks us through the history of uranium processing at the Cotter Uranium Mill in Cañon City, Colorado, now a "Superfund site". She details how uranium tailings, radioactive waste, and toxic chemicals were left exposed to the environment for decades—leading to groundwater contamination, livestock deaths, and long-term health concerns for local residents.

Jeri also discusses:
- The Cold War uranium rush and how Cotter Corporation became a uranium milling hub  
-  The lack of early regulation that allowed massive environmental contamination  
-  The 42-year-long cleanup battle, why it's stalled, and the role of the EPA and Colorado regulators  
-  The broader implications for states like Wyoming, where policymakers are considering storing spent nuclear fuel  

This conversation serves as a cautionary tale about what happens when industry outpaces regulation and why Wyoming lawmakers and communities should ask tough questions about nuclear waste storage before making commitments.

Shortly before the halfway point of the 2025 Wyoming legislative session, we caught up with Representative Rachel Rodriguez-Williams (HD 50) for a session update. As Chairman of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, Rep. Rodriguez-Williams shared insights on how the session unfolded, highlighting key legislative victories and ongoing debates. With a conservative majority in the House, bills that previously faced roadblocks are gaining momentum, making this a pivotal session for Wyoming.  

In this episode, we discuss:  

- The Five and Dime Plan's key bills on election integrity, banning DEI, stopping ESG investing, immigration accountability, and property tax relief.  

- The status of property tax relief efforts and the People's Initiative to provide a 50% exemption.
  
- Election integrity bills requiring proof of residency and citizenship for voting.  

- The debate over HB 16 on nuclear waste storage in Wyoming.  

- Rep. Rodriguez-Williams sponsored bills, including protections for pregnancy resource centers, banning DEI in state government, and ensuring fair competition in women's sports.  

With hundreds of bills introduced this session, a lot is happening. Check WyLiberty's homepage for a list of intriguing bills and their current status. 

For the complete list of 2025 bills, please visit wyoleg.gov.