Open Spaces

Today on the show, the newsroom is celebrating our successful fund drive with some of our favorite stories from this year so far. The FBI started a new initiative to gather more data about cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous people in Wyoming. We’ll hear from the Senate reading clerk about his job, and his voice. And Wyoming leads the nation in self-employed businesses. We hear from some. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, recent allegations of wolf abuse in the southwest part of the state have drawn attention from around the world. A massive operation by animal rescue groups has given 10 West Bank dogs a new life in Wyoming. Eastern Shoshone educator Ivan Posey has announced a run for House District 33, which includes part of the Wind River Reservation. And one Wyoming town is struggling financially to keep its recreation center afloat. Those stories and more.

On today's show, we check in with both political parties on how they are hoping to get young voters more involved. We’ll hear from the Senate reading clerk about his job reading all of the bills in the Wyoming Legislature and his voice. We learn about a group of Black musicians that left a lasting musical influence on Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show. And our podcast, "The Modern West," is out with a new season. This time, it's focusing on stories from Wyoming Public Radio reporters. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, we hear the final recording of Wyoming Public Media’s and WyoFile’s podcast that keeps track of the Wyoming legislative session: the "Cheyenne Roundup." A special guest helped moderate the discussion - you may recognize him from previous episodes of Open Spaces.

Today on the show, we follow along as a Shoshone elder teaches a younger tribal member the Shoshone language. White supremacist trolls have been interrupting the Laramie City Council with hateful, antisemitic comments. And, the University of Wyoming Symphony Orchestra traveled to Europe for the first time in 17 years. We get to go along too. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, the University of Wyoming mourned and remembered three UW swimmers that were killed in a car crash at the end of February. Casper is home to Wyoming’s only remaining procedural abortion clinic. Its existence is threatened by a bill passed during this year’s legislative session. Brick-and-mortar Wyoming Food Freedom stores are helping producers expand their market throughout the state. Plus, we hear from the Superintendent of Yellowstone on ways the park is trying to improve employee housing. Those stories and more.

This week, we reach beyond our studios and bring you interviews from Wyoming PBS' "Wyoming Chronicle." A young park ranger came to Wyoming and established the state’s chapter of Women Who Hike. And an energy efficient house designed by University of Wyoming students won second place in the annual Global Solar Decathlon. Join us for those stories.

Today on the show, two-thirds into the Budget Session, we look at why some lawmakers and advocates are frustrated with how it started. One bill that didn’t get killed early on would ban most forms of gender-affirming care for minors. Some say the negative impacts could ripple through Wyoming’s youth. And Colorado has released its first set of wolves. But a few actually migrated down a while ago. And the opinion there is more complicated than you’d think. Plus, we hear from author Craig Johnson. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, a national group that casts doubt on climate science was allowed to speak at the state capitol during the legislative budget session, and leadership wasn’t impressed. The FBI has a new initiative to gather more data about cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous people in Wyoming. And, a filmmaker is taking it upon herself to shoot her movie in Wyoming even after the legislature has decided not to create a film incentive in the state. Those stories and more.

This week, we reach beyond our studios and bring you interviews from Wyoming PBS' "Wyoming Chronicle." We check in with an author who wrote a book about the history of Wyoming and its role in the American West. It partially focuses on Jim Bridger. And a Wyomingite has a unique talent. Jack Mease creates miniature versions of familiar, but much larger, objects.

Today on the show, WyoFile and Wyoming Public Radio political reporters preview the upcoming legislative budget session. Maybe you’ve noticed your electricity bills going up. Well, state lawmakers are trying to address that in some bills they’ve drafted. When it comes to the Colorado River, there’s not enough water to go around. But a historic piece of water ownership is about to change hands, and you can see it right off the side of the highway. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, this spring, shed antler hunting is going to look a bit different. Wyomingites will be the only ones allowed to hunt for the first week. Members of a comedy group in Jackson find community – and laughter – in the world of improv. And Wyoming Public Radio is taking part in an initiative to improve our reporting and help people be better informed about voting. We'll learn more about the project. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, a new federal energy forecast predicts 2024 could be a landmark year for energy transition. An Eastern Shoshone MD/PhD student is the star of a short documentary film that’s been nominated for the Sundance Film Festival. And Wyoming’s Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog race is coming up. One team traveled across an ocean to be here. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, former New Jersey governor Chris Christie dropped out of the Republican presidential race and took a jab at Wyoming senator John Barrasso on the way. We’ll hear how Wyoming’s U.S. delegation responded. A new book takes a look at some history in our state that really hasn’t been told before. And, Gillette recently wrapped up what will become a yearly competition of creative ingenuity and business innovation in Northeast Wyoming. Those stories and more.

Each year, Wyoming Public Radio’s newsroom produces countless stories for this show, helping to paint a picture of the state of Wyoming each week. Today our journalists look back into 2023’s Open Spaces vault of stories and choose their favorite. We get to hear why. From reporting on ticks to backcountry fishing and place-based education. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, Wyoming’s only avalanche center, based in Jackson, is trying to bring together snow observations from community members in the eastern half of the state. This past year, Make-A-Wish Wyoming granted a pretty unique wish. And we’ll hear some holiday traditions from a few of our listeners. Those stories and more.

This week we reach beyond our studios and bring you interviews from Wyoming PBS’ "Wyoming Chronicle." This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. We hear from the current director. And, Aaron Mulkey is a famous ice climber who has been pushing boundaries in the South Fork Canyon near Cody. Join us for those stories.

Today on the show, the University of Wyoming's head football coach is retiring after 10 seasons. Craig Bohl brought consistency and toughness to the program and delivered some huge wins. We’ll have more on Craig Bohl’s legacy. Wyoming has the most people who take their own life per capita in the country. Getting help for mental health problems is not easy for firearms owners. Driving an electric vehicle requires battery chargers, kind of like gas stations, and Wyoming is a bit of a desert for the chargers. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, an alleged child assault in a Cody elementary school has parents saying the safety systems that are set up aren't working. Wyoming Rocky Mountain Power customers will see their bills go up again in January. But state officials are still figuring out just how much is fair. The Municipality Equality Index scores cities on how well they serve LGBTQ+ residents. Some of those cities are using their scorecard as a blueprint for progress. And a conversation with Wyoming Representative Harriet Hageman about her reflections from nearly a year in Congress. Those stories and more.

This week, we reach beyond our studios and bring you interviews from Wyoming PBS' Wyoming Chronicle. At one point, the Wyoming Cowboys were an NCAA Division One baseball team. And Jeff Houston was one of the best players they had. He came to Laramie from Arizona. Fossil fuels are an important industry for the state. But as the nation is trying to move away from relying on oil, the state says it's important to diversify. An interview with a historian on the history of oil in Wyoming from 2010.

Today on the show, we’ll talk with a Palestinian student at the University of Wyoming who lives in dread of phone calls bearing bad news about his family from the war in Israel. Plus we check in with a University of Wyoming Ukrainian student who has ramped up her advocacy here in the States. Money from federal spending packages like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is hitting the ground in Wyoming. And some people are noticing. But is this enough to make a political difference in the red rural West? Those stories and more.

Today on the show we hear the first of many stories that we’ve compiled from last summer when the nonprofit Storycorps hosted an oral history project in Cheyenne with veterans. We’ll hear a mom and daughter remembering their family member Scott, who was a veteran. We visit Lander, where a new center for veterans wants to provide a space for community and connection. And we switch gears to an award-winning podcast that discusses hard, intimate topics. It recently featured Wyoming’s speaker of the house and his wife – Albert and Sue Sommers. The host speaks to us about why she wanted to talk to them. Those stories and more, coming up on Open Spaces from Wyoming Public Radio News.

Today on the show, a companion film to Ken Burns' "The American Bison" series follows the return of bison to Indigenous land. Mike Rowe, of Discovery Channel’s "Dirty Jobs" fame, recently spoke at Casper College about the importance of trade jobs. Farmers and ranchers face a lot of outside pressure, from the high price of hay to the allure of early retirement. Why some cattle producers are choosing to keep their lands working. Plus, we learn more about the new season of our podcast "The Modern West." Those stories and more.

This week we reach beyond our studios and bring you interviews from Wyoming PBS’ "Wyoming Chronicle." Almost everyone in the state has a story of hitting wildlife while driving or a really near miss. How some in the state are working to make that less common. And, back in 2011, Palestinian-American poet Naomi Shihab Nye came to Wyoming. We revisit that interview as a new conflict in the region flares up.

Today on the show, the Endangered Species Act became law 50 years ago. Since then, hundreds of species have been put under its protection. Wyoming and the West are home to many of them. We’re taking time this week to tell the stories of a few of the fish, insects, and mammals that call the state home. We’ll learn about a tiny fish that only lives in a thousand-foot stretch of stream in Western Wyoming and nowhere else. A small toad that was thought to be extinct is now making a comeback thanks to partnerships between conservationists and landowners. Grizzly bears are expanding outside of the ecosystems set aside for them and some communities are preparing for their arrival. Those stories and more.

The bison, also known as the American buffalo, is an iconic animal of the West. But its path has been a fraught one. We’re going to take a look back at reintroducing bison in Wyoming. We look at why the bison quarantine program started. We go back to when we attended the first bison release on the Wind River Reservation - a long time goal for both the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes. We look at what the current management of the bison looks like now and its plan for the future. And we’ll wrap up with an exclusive interview with filmmaker Ken Burns on his most recent documentary, "The American Buffalo." Those stories and more.

On today’s show, we remember Mathew Shepard - a gay University of Wyoming student murdered 25 years ago this month. His death impacted Laramie, Wyoming, and the nation, symbolizing the oppression and violence faced by gay and other marginalized Americans. We’re going to do things a little differently by playing stories from Wyoming Public Radio’s 10th and 20th anniversary coverage and new reporting from this year, including checking in on the impact this coverage had on an AP reporter, 20 years later, the autopsy was released and we spoke to the coroner, and we go around the UW campus to see if college students think Laramie has changed. We also speak with Judy Shepard, who is Mathew’s mother. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, we go to a public meeting in Big Piney where the Bureau of Land Management discusses its draft plan for managing federal land in southwest Wyoming. And there’s a lot of misinformation. We will hear about the state of internet in Wyoming, and the conversation it's sparked around large federal projects. An educational event on the Wind River Reservation connected local high schoolers with their Native roots. And anglers across the West love to fish in high alpine lakes. But how those trout got there is anything but natural. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, many people who hunt and fish are using new technology to connect with private landowners. In Teton County, a new nonprofit will offer low-cost legal help to the growing immigrant community. And, the feds announced more than 10 million dollars of funding for sagebrush ecosystem conservation across the West. How will the money be used on the Wind River Reservation? Those stories and more.

This week, we reach beyond our studios and bring you interviews from Wyoming PBS’ Wyoming Chronicle. The United States Constitution was signed in Philadelphia in September 1987. 234 years later, we visit Sheridan High School to hear the students in the We The People program. And, a building known as "Old Stoney" in Sundance was destined to be demolished. But then the community came together to save it.

Today on the show, Wyoming ranchers, lawmakers and conservationists met to discuss the future of the state’s water. Ukrainian refugees are calling Jackson home while they wait for the war to end. But, for some, leaving their country meant growing their families. Earlier this month, a legend in Wyoming sports history passed away. We spoke to those who remember Paul Roach. And, we head to Sheridan to visit the new Northern Cheyenne Medicinal Garden. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, we hear about a group of women who climbed Wyoming’s second-highest peak to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the mountain’s first known female ascent. And about cyclists and hikers from across the world who are following the Continental Divide to an old gold mining town in Wyoming. The University of Wyoming Cowboys football team kicks off their season this week. And there’s a lot of optimism in Laramie about this year. And, a new documentary focuses on how Wyoming can try to reduce suicides. Those stories and more.

This week, we reach beyond our studios and bring you interviews from Wyoming PBS’ Wyoming Chronicle. If you’re a fan of Wyoming football or basketball you’ll recognize the voices of these two... We’ll hear from the University of Wyoming’s sports broadcasters Dave Walsh and Kevin McKinney. Plus we learn about a woman-run and invested Language AI company located in Cheyenne.

Today on the show, finding an immigration lawyer is difficult for Wyomingites looking to gain citizenship. But a new program from UW’s civil legal services clinic is trying to help solve that problem. Electric long-haul semi trucks are hitting the road. But there are still barriers to replacing diesel rigs. We visited a truck stop in the state. The Dubois Museum is helping community members get outside and learn about the surrounding area. And, we’ll hear how animal shelters in the state are dealing with the tough economy. Those Stories and more.

Today on the show, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency recently visited the Cowboy State. We’ll hear a conversation about why he came and what he did. The Laramie City Council recently approved the creation of a police advisory board but not everyone is happy with it. The Campbell County Library Board fired its longtime library director..shocking librarians in the state. And, unless Congress takes action, in less than two months, federal wildland firefighters could see a substantial pay cut. Those stories and more.

This week, we reach beyond our studios and bring you interviews from Wyoming PBS’ Wyoming Chronicle. We learn how employers can help and support their employees with disabilities. And the Frontier Auto Museum in Gillette has some pretty interesting memorabilia.

Today on the show, we’ll hear about a new program the Riverton Police Department is proposing to address issues around crime and policing there. And we’ll hear how Wyoming is revising its areas of protection for sage grouse in hopes the feds will adopt the plan. Plus, we’ll visit an Indigenous chef in her kitchen to learn what she’s cooking. Those stories and more.

Today on the show the federal government is spending billions on infrastructure projects, including ecosystem restoration. A look at what those dollars are buying for one Wyoming project. Wyoming is taking its first try at how to manage elk feedgrounds going forward. A draft plan was recently released. The Colorado River’s biggest water user is under a lot of pressure to cut back on demand. It’s a group of farmers in Southern California, and they have an idea of how to use less. And we meet plein air landscape artist Tony Foster who has an exhibit in Cody of the Green River. Join us for those stories and more on Open Spaces from Wyoming Public Radio News.

Today on the show, farm and ranch lands across the West are facing many threats. Now, the federal government is pushing to preserve more agricultural open spaces. Wyoming is exploring renewable energy projects as a way to continue being a top energy producing state. A new act is dramatically expanding the health benefits for veterans exposed to Agent Orange, burn pits, and other toxic substances. And a recent study focuses on the early spread of horses throughout Indigenous communities in the West. It challenges long-held ideas and also highlights the importance of decolonizing science. Those stories and more.

This week, we asked our reporters to look back on the year so far and submit their favorite stories. We learn about cowboys in Italy that have a unique connection to American cowboys. We make a stop at one of the hardest endurance adventure races in the Lower 48. And, we hear from a UW professor on how ChatGPT may affect the college experience. Those stories and more.

This week, we reach beyond our studios and bring you interviews from Wyoming PBS’ "Wyoming Chronicle." On this week’s show, we meet a Wyoming native who helped build the James Webb Space Telescope. He says his uncle intrigued him at a young age. And we hear the historical portrayal of a largely forgotten outlaw, Tom O’Day, through the voice of Ray Maple.

June is Alzheimer's Awareness Month so we speak to one organization on how they work with the community. We observe a mass shooting training in Powell to better prepare separate departments to communicate and work with each other. It’s been one year since Yellowstone flooded. Researchers tell us about what we can learn for our flood safety in our own communities. And pickleball is booming in the Mountain West. How communities are responding to the sport’s rapid growth. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, uranium mining may be ramping up across the West as the U.S. looks to transition more of its energy production away from fossil fuels. A look at how more mining could impact our region including how the nuclear plant announced in Kemmerer is affecting the town. And you may have been seeing more land acknowledgments at public events. That’s when someone recites a list of the Indigenous people of the area. But what do Native leaders and historians really think of these? And we join runners in Casper for the 20th anniversary of its marathon. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, we reach beyond our studios and bring you interviews from Wyoming PBS’ "Wyoming Chronicle." On this week’s show, we go behind the scenes of the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra with music director Christopher Dragon.And back in 2019, Wyoming doctors were trying to get telehealth integrated in the state.

Today on the show, a grizzly bear was mistakenly killed near Cody earlier this month. Are black bear hunters educated well enough? As the Colorado River shrinks, one of its largest reservoirs is at a record low. Before Lake Powell gets a big springtime boost, dropping water has revealed an otherworldly landscape. And, a mining company may have found the largest known deposit of rare earth minerals in North America in Southeast Wyoming. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, it's the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, a landmark and sometimes controversial law in the world of wildlife conservation. Extreme weather events are affecting birds’ migration patterns, so University of Wyoming researchers recently began using a tracking device that is light enough to attach to small songbirds. And we learn about cowboys in Italy that have a unique connection to American cowboys. And Jackson Hole now has a local TV station devoted to the Spanish-speaking community. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, we reach beyond our studios and bring you interviews from Wyoming PBS’ Wyoming Chronicle. On this week’s show, we meet a photo outfitter who goes out to the backcountry with photographers looking for wildlife. And we hear a conversation with the current State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Today on the show, Yellowstone’s east entrance is now open and the superintendent is hoping for a normal year. Teton County continues to grapple with funding new housing efforts – and local advocates are working to help people with disabilities. A University of Wyoming researcher is using his knowledge of tardigrades to make vaccines more resilient to temperature. And we chat with our general manager on how Wyoming Public Media is funded. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, one of the main utilities in Wyoming is proposing an increase in rates because of unforeseen costs largely due to extreme weather. Plans to track spending for visitors and participants at this year’s National High School Finals Rodeo have caused some concern. But officials say people shouldn’t be worried. And ground breaking research from the University of Wyoming has found that Indigenous people were using horses earlier than previously thought. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, we reach beyond our studios and bring you interviews from Wyoming PBS’ Wyoming Chronicle. On this week’s show, we meet Wyoming’s Chief Justice Kate Fox. She says she didn’t have a plan for her future when she was young. And then we go to a ranch in Clearmont where the world companion stock dog lives - a border collie named Quirt.

Today on the show, Wyoming communities were recently hit with false active shooter reports. And even though the threats are fake, the consequences from them are real. Due to the harsh winter, Southwest Wyoming is seeing unprecedented deaths of mule deer and antelope. People can count them from the sides of roads. The Colorado River is under a lot of stress. That’s caused a lot of tension among the people who decide how it’s shared. But a new project is trying to change those attitudes, starting with the region’s youngest water users. And a conversation with a celebrated Wyoming woman artist. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, we check in with two leaders of the legislature on how they felt it went. Because the legislature didn’t expand Medicaid, some say Wyoming’s rural hospitals are in trouble. Plus, Wyoming is the latest state to ban transgender girls from playing on female sports teams. The Cowboy State’s beauty has inspired many musicians. But the vastness can also present challenges. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, we reach beyond our studios and bring you interviews from Wyoming PBS’ show "Wyoming Chronicle." On this week’s show, we meet some Wyoming school resource officers - law enforcement officers working in schools. Then we turn to the University of Wyoming’s rare earth element research program, which is seeing whether its production could be economically beneficial to the state.

Today on the show, abortions were illegal in the state for a few days early this week, but they are legal once more. Some say the battle is far from over. Due to a teacher resignation earlier this school year, students at Newcastle High School have had to adapt to virtual learning for math classes. The University of Wyoming has graduates across the world. And sometimes, that connection helps others get their start. And we’ll hear from the host of the new season of Wyoming Public Media’s podcast HumaNature. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, how, with Lake Powell at record lows, the federal government is paying farmers not to irrigate. We’ll also tag along on one of the hardest endurance races in the lower 48. We’ll also hear how the city of Boulder is considering giving tribes some land as reparations for the Sand Creek Massacre. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, we reach beyond our studios and bring you interviews from Wyoming PBS’ show "Wyoming Chronicle." A group of people came together about 20 years ago in Rock Springs and founded a community theater group dedicated to producing plays that normally wouldn’t be seen in Wyoming. And we go down to Laramie, where we learn how the town was able to receive the “Great American Main Street” award last year.

Today on the show, we have come to the end of the Wyoming 67th legislative session. Three of our reporters bring us a recap. We check in with the Wyoming federal delegation including newly sworn-in congresswoman Harriet Hageman. We’ll hear how Wyomingites feel about the future of energy and how that plays into their everyday values. And Colorado state parks are increasing accessibility with technology. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, we hear from former Democratic Wyoming governor Dave Freudenthal. His book looks at the history of the state’s economy. We visit Rock Springs, which is expecting a lot of job growth. One community college is training students to fill that need. Plus, we hear about the newest podcast by Serial Productions based on a cold murder case in Laramie. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, three of our reporters spent time in Cheyenne this week covering the legislature. We’ll hear about how lawmakers are tackling energy - they’re looking at both renewables and more traditional fossil fuels. Mental health advocates believe another bill going through the legislature will be vital to help the suicide rate in the state. And anti-abortion lawmakers worried a bill could help the other side, but an amendment changed that. Plus - we hear about the newest season of the modern west podcast. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, the legislature is considering some bills that are turning off healthcare providers from coming and practicing in Wyoming. In January, communities nationwide try to count their homeless population. The number is on the rise in Gillette. Plus we speak to a Northern Arapaho singer/songwriter about his new music video. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, the second week of the legislative session has ended. If passed, a bill may soon protect a little-known archeological site in eastern Wyoming. Plus, policymakers are considering a bill they hope will stall the anticipated decline of coal. And it's been some 80 years since Japanese Americans were forced into internment camps throughout our region…one is set to be restored by the National Park Service. Join us for these stories and more.

Today on the show, the Wyoming 67th legislative session has begun. We spoke with a few of the leader policymakers. Across the west, bighorn sheep are at risk of catching pneumonia. Wyoming researchers are trying to understand why different herds react differently. And the federal government has been looking for solutions to the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people, but progress has been slow. Those stories and more.

Today, we’re looking back at our stories from 2022. The newsroom picked a couple of our favorites. We’ll hear about how two hospitals in the state cut pregnancy services this year. A team at the University of Wyoming is trying to help return cultural artifacts in museums to their rightful owners. And we look into how rising temperatures can affect the livestock industry. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, we have a special holiday themed Open Spaces! A nationwide program connects kids and cops to help foster a good relationship between the two. If you write a letter to Santa Claus, it's sometimes hard to know if and when he receives them. One program in Southwest Wyoming makes sure you get a personalized response. And we'll hear from you all - about your favorite holiday traditions. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, with no hate crime or nondiscrimination laws at the state level, towns across Wyoming, like Casper, are taking it upon themselves to draft legislation. About thirty percent of Jackson's population is Latino - many of whom come from Tlaxcala, Mexico. The Mexican government is opening an office in Jackson to help these immigrants get passports and visas. And a group convened by Governor Mark Gordon released its final report after being tasked to come up with ways to improve Wyoming's education system. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, one tribe in our region is restoring the site of one of the bloodiest massacres of Native Americans in U.S. history. A long time voice heard at University of Wyoming athletics events has stepped away from the microphone. And a new podcast is focusing on wolves to educate the public about the role of wildlife on the landscape. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, a challenge to Wyoming's abortion ban is now headed to the state's supreme court. We head to the one clinic that provides medical abortions in the state. Some precious metals dealers have seen a recent uptick in people interested in alternative currencies as inflation has risen. We'll hear an interview with Aziz Abu Sarah. He recently came to Wyoming to talk about his life work - helping people across the globe understand each other and let go of hate. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, we'll float down the Snake River with the Wyoming Game and Fish, trying to get a better understanding of cutthroat trout. Wyoming's new congresswoman Harriett Hageman speaks to us about her plans for her new position. And we tag along for two different contests…. we'll taste test tap water in our region, and visit a mustache competition in Casper. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, we take a look at the increased number of challengers that are on the local ballots for the upcoming election. And ask Wyomingites what they're worried about in the state. And resident hunters in the Mountain West often have a favorite piece of public land to hunt. For some, though, it seems to be getting a bit crowded. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, we hear from Republican candidate for State Superintendent Megen Degenfelder. Elk hunting season is already in full swing this year, however, the Game and Fish Department says warmer weather is making it harder to fill tags. Plus we get into the Halloween spirit and learn more about ghost tours. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, in celebration of the 150th anniversary of Yellowstone National Park, we have a special show today. We’ll hear about how the park is dealing with infrastructure impacts from a record flood this year and how the park is hoping to continue its relationship with tribal nations. We’ll also hear a little bit about the creation of the national park - the upsides and the downsides.

Today on the show, hay prices are at an all time high, mostly because of inflation, and it's costing farmers more than ever to produce hay. We take a look at how Wyoming's economy is faring since COVID-19. And we'll hear how the Wyoming Department of Health is prioritizing behavioral health care. Those stories and more.

I'm Bob Beck. I'll be wrapping up my career in a couple of weeks and folks asked me to bring you a few stories from my time here at the station. We'll remember a crash that killed 8 cross country runners. Also a look back at the Matthew Shepard murder. But I'll also bring you stories about a Choir Director turned weightlifter, bullfighters, and the kindness ranch. Join me as I bring you some stories from my past.

Today on the show, a conflict over public lands access in Wyoming and why four hunters are being charged in federal court for trespassing without stepping foot on private land. The author of a book of essays notes that Wyoming people can be part of the solution. The Wyoming State Fair is holding up better than some of its counterparts in other parts of the country. Plus Wyoming's nuclear future. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, we'll hear about how more and more livestock are suffering and dying from heat stress as the climate heats up. The Northern Arapaho are asking the state to create a law that helps protect Indigenous children involved in custody proceedings. And we'll hear about a new book that looks at our relationship with public lands and wild horses. Those stories and more...

Today on the show, we will review efforts to remove election powers from the Secretary of State's office following the election of Chuck Gray. Wyoming is a top producer in the fossil fuel industry. Congress is pushing the state to take a harder look at how the industry impacts climate change. And food banks across the region are facing shortages. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, A playwright reading based on the life of a Wyoming man who openly crossdressed will tour the Cowboy state. Recreational trails - like for hiking or biking - are all over the state…but some are better than others. One community is beginning to refurbish its old trails. A look at an affordable housing development at the Teton County fairgrounds. Those stories and more.

Today on the show An Arapaho headdress is in a London museum, and a young Indigenous law student is helping bring it back. A new University of Wyoming poll confirms that things don't look good for Liz Cheney. Western communities are trying to crack down on human-bear conflicts, but that's a tall task. And a look at the Wyoming Cowboys football team. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, the latest look at the primary race for Liz Cheney's at-large House seat. The states that rely on the Colorado River are under pressure to make huge cuts in water use or face a federal crackdown. In Colorado, providers are seeing a sharp rise in demand from out-of-state patients, including some from Wyoming. Those stories and more.

In this episode, Wyoming's abortion ban was put on hold this week the same day it was supposed to go into effect. Wyoming Congresswoman Liz Cheney knows her re-election is an uphill battle. A program that helps new moms on the Wind River Reservation just lost funding. And a debate over controlling mosquitoes. Those stories and more.

In this episode, we will speak to state superintendent Brian Schroeder about his election campaign and what he thinks about consolidating school districts. Voters tell us what keeps them up at night. And Wyoming has one of the oldest drum and bugle corps in the nation. Plus a discussion about Wild Horses. These stories and more.

In this episode, we will hear from Republican candidate for the U-S House of Representatives Harriet Hageman who will discuss a number of issues including the climate. While abortion is still legal since Wyoming's trigger law hasn't gone into effect just yet, abortion rights supporters are worried about the vague wording of exceptions. And we'll hear about how our region can be in a drought, but still experience historical flooding, like in Yellowstone. Those stories and more.

In this episode, following the announcement that Roe Vs. Wade was overturned…some were delighted and others were not. We'll hear from some of them. A critical Northern Arapaho food program struggles with rising prices. Governor Mark Gordon joins us on the program to talk about some other issues facing the state and we will discuss the forest fire season. Those stories and more.

On this episode, Wyoming is holding its first oil and gas lease sale next week. They typically happen quarterly, but this is the first sale to take place since Biden took office. And neither environmental groups nor industry are happy. Group facilities like nursing homes and prisons had a hard time keeping COVID-19 out of their halls, leading to illness and death. But as it turns out, many state psychiatric facilities report having better luck containing the virus. And we will speak with two Republican candidates for Governor James Scott Quick and Rex Rammell. Those stories and more.

Today on the show thousands of people attended Former President Donald Trump's rally in Casper. Attendees want more of Trump's influence in the GOP. We'll hear how a water shortage in Rawlins could be foreshadowing what's to come in many Western communities. New grant funding climate change research at the University of Wyoming will help state residents deal with drought and other effects. Plus a conversation with the Democratic candidate for State Superintendent Sergio Maldonado. Those stories and more...

On this episode, a health clinic in Casper that plans to offer family planning services, including abortions, was set on fire this week. The Wind River Reservation is looking at implementing a dog ordinance to handle a growing health crisis. And, we'll hear about water shortages in Carbon County. In March, some residents were without water for seven days. Those stories and more.

On this episode, two Wyoming hospitals shut down their labor and child delivery services. Now expecting mothers may have to drive an hour or more to deliver their child. Some Wyoming ranchers say the system is broken. Governor Gordon announced a Missing and Murdered Indigenous Person Taskforce in 2019. When Indigenous people go missing there are lots of questions as to why. Those stories and more.

The George Igawa Orchestra might be the best band that you've never heard of. They formed during World War II at the Heart Mountain Concentration Camp for Americans of Japanese ancestry. During the time, they were likely the only swing band in the state. About 70 years later, a photograph of this band inspired Julian Saporiti, a historian and musician, to begin the No-No Boy Project. Saporiti uses music to share how the history of Japanese internment and his own history intersect in Wyoming.

On this episode, the US's shift to individualized COVID management is reopening a divide between those with insurance and those without. Antler hunting season opened Sunday in much of the western and southern parts of the state. It proved trickier than in past years. After its establishment in December, the Sheridan Chess Association holds its first tournament with participants from across the country and internationally. Those stories and a discussion about a trespassing case that garnered a lot of attention.

On this episode, as gas prices and inflation continue to rise, Wyoming businesses try to limit the damage. Wyoming Secretary of State Ed Buchanan joins us to discuss whether Wyoming's elections are safe and secure. And a new book talks about birth in the late 1800s and what settler women felt about Wyoming's rural landscape. Those stories and more.

On this episode, a debate over the types of books in certain sections of the Campbell County library has convinced two board members not to seek another term. Legislators this year responded to a loophole in Wyoming's stalking law. More people are looking to make the switch to electric cars. But is it a viable option in Wyoming? Those stories and more.

On this episode, we will look at how lawmakers addressed a long-standing issue in the state. There's a proposal to try and find a solution to the problem of rural teachers who leave their jobs quickly. Rural Western communities are facing a housing crunch, just like cities and resort towns. But experts say it's not too late to turn things around. Those stories and more.

On this episode, the Wyoming Legislature passed a bill this session that hopes to increase oversight and transparency of the Wyoming Military Department…but will it actually make a difference? Wyoming continues to see diminishing numbers of COVID-19 cases. I will speak with State Health Officer Dr. Alexia Harrist. The small town of Clearmont is looking to save itself through options such as a byway. Those stories and more.

On this episode, Ukraine receives support from the University of Wyoming community, as Ukrainians there come to terms with the war back home. The Wyoming legislature wraps up and outside of a handful of issues, it went well. Author and bear expert Doug Peacock talks about his new book. It includes some of his greatest life adventures. Those stories and more.

In this episode, the issue of abortion has been prominent in the legislature this year And some are worried the attention to a service of reproductive health will hurt women's access to healthcare. We'll also hear about the lack of affordable housing in Pinedale. And we'll talk to Governor Mark Gordon about a number of issues including the legislative session. Those stories and more.

On this episode, the campaign for Medicaid expansion is gaining steam, although it’s still having trouble in the legislature. Plus a preview of the upcoming state budget debate. We’ll hear about the latest wild horse roundup in Wyoming – some people find it controversial, but many residents in southwest Wyoming say it’s a necessity. And we will look at population growth in Sheridan. Those stories and more.

On this episode, the Wyoming Legislature begins its work next week and a proposal to change the Wyoming Primary Election process could get some interest. COVID surges are impacting staff at some of the state's smallest hospitals. Mask restrictions on the Wind River Reservation are helping student-athletes stay in school. Those stories and a visit with the Meeteetse Chocolatier.

On this episode, we will talk with Wyoming Congresswoman Liz Cheney about the January 6th committee. We will also discuss efforts to reform Wyoming's education system including the latest step—public input. Fentanyl overdose deaths are increasing nationwide. Test strips could help people test drugs and avoid fentanyl, but those are illegal in many states. And we will hear from a neuroscientist about his latest book, in which he comes out as a drug user.

On this episode, children are less at risk from COVID, but low vaccination rates and the omicron surge could put more in the hospital. We'll hear about a case in western Wyoming that's pitted private property rights against a rural lifestyle. Eastern Shoshone elders are creating a dictionary to pass down to younger tribal members. Those stories and more.