Open Spaces

On this episode, the show as the state is dealing with a record number of tourists, businesses are having trouble finding enough employees to stay open. And some think it's because people aren't applying for jobs while they have unemployment benefits. The vaccination rate in Wyoming has slowed down, even as hospitalizations rise. And we will talk to the co-chairwoman of a legislative committee that is continuing a long-term look at Wyoming's Juvenile Justice system. Those stories and more.

On this episode, we will get a lowdown on the upcoming fire season and State Representative Dan Zwonitzer explains why lawmakers are considering changing how primary elections are conducted. School districts are thinking about their future budgets after the legislature left some frustrated. A local business has had a lot of success enhancing Wyoming’s wool market. Those stories and more.

On this episode, this week the Albany County Sheriff's Officer who killed an unarmed man in 2018 has resigned. The sheriff says the incident has led to changes. The University of Wyoming sheep program is transforming their wool into a new product, and they're using blockchain. A major wind project has been proposed for Albany County and it's the subject of our latest "I Respectfully Disagree" series. Those stories and more.

On this episode, we will be joined by Congresswoman Liz Cheney who will discuss her plans to reform the Republican Party. A group home for people with severe mental illnesses has closed because of state budget cuts. Wyoming prepares to pay out as much as $180 million in rental assistance across the state. Those stories and more.

On this episode, Wyoming's Republicans are reacting to Liz Cheney's removal from House Republican leadership. Lots more wind development has been moving into the state. And that's led to a lot of conflict in communities. And we will speak with the Department of Health official about Medicaid expansion and whether the state could develop its own plan. Those stories and more.

On this episode, vaccine hesitancy is high in Wyoming and Natrona County. That has meant a huge surplus in shots. Wyoming State Superintendent Jillian Balow is pushing back on a federal proposal that seeks to include more diverse sources and perspectives in history and civics classes. And we remember the famous artist Neltjie. Those stories and more.

On this episode, we will look at how COVID-19 impacted Wyoming over the last year. Many say that health orders went too far and harmed many businesses, but others say the state health officer helped the state. COVID-19 has brought public health employees into the spotlight, and they are getting burned out by the amount of work and verbal abuse. Nonprofits across Wyoming have been impacted by COVID-19. Now it's time for them to move forward. Those stories and more.

On this episode, Wyoming has invested a lot of time trying to find ways to save the coal industry. Many years ago that let to the state embracing a technology called carbon capture. Wyoming Public Radio's Cooper McKim has developed a podcast looking at the effort. We will bring you one of those episodes and learn why former Governor Dave Freudenthal latched onto the idea many years ago. Also we remember a Wyoming father of five who died of COVID-19.

On this episode, the Wyoming Legislature faces an interesting future following a session that saw $430 million in budget cuts. We will also review legislative activities impacting education and local government. The wide open spaces of the west used to be viewed as a stronghold for butterflies. But new research calls that role into question. Snow may still be falling in certain parts of the Mountain West, but there's one sure sign that the seasons have changed: the spring bird migration. Those stories and more.

On this episode, Catherine Wheeler will join Bob Beck to discuss the happenings from the Wyoming legislative session. Cuts to arts teachers has some in Cody concerned. In Wyoming, agriculture is a way of life. But climate change is threatening one of its most important resources. Those stories and more.