Douglas residents react to Chesapeake Energy gas leak
This week, there was an explosion at an oil rig near Douglas. Natural gas spewed from the well, and about 50 people were evacuated from their homes. Wyoming Public Radio’s Willow Belden visited Douglas shortly after the accident and put together this montage of residents’ reactions.
Barrasso defends position against environmental regulation
U-S Senator from Wyoming John Barrasso has been very critical of the Obama administration because of its position on such things as new air standards as it applies to the coal industry… and a number of other EPA-led provisions that, he says, will just kill jobs. Senator Barrasso joins Bob Beck from the cloak room just outside of the U-S Senate.
Cody looks to summer tourism season, braces for rising gas prices
Analysts are making conflicting predictions about where gas prices will go this summer. Some are forecasting record highs, while others say prices at the pump have already peaked. Businesses in Wyoming’s service industry hope for the latter, as they depend on an injection of tourism dollars each summer. Wyoming Public Radio’s Rebecca Martinez spoke with several businesses near Yellowstone about what might happen if gas prices climb with the temperature.
Ag research exhibit opens at Territorial Prison
The historic Territorial Prison in Laramie is opening a new exhibit this weekend, which focuses on the era after the facility served as a prison – when the University of Wyoming used it for agriculture research. Willow Belden spoke with Deborah Amend, the superintendent of the prison, before the opening to hear about the history of the site, and the important studies that were done there while it was used for ag. She says the prison was built 140 years ago, as a federal territorial prison … but things changed in 1809, when Wyoming became a state.
Job prospects brighten for college grads
Seniors at the University of Wyoming will be graduating next week, and while the job market is still tight around the country, prospects for finding employment have improved significantly this year. Wyoming Public Radio’s Willow Belden Reports.
Workforce Services Director says a wide range of jobs open in Wyoming
The Wyoming Department of Workforce Services has been hosting a number of job fairs across the state presumably because there are jobs to be had. Joan Evans is the Department Director, she tells Bob Beck there are jobs for just about every type of worker, but it might require job training or relocation.
Data centers meant to diversity state economy
Wyoming has long been thought of as a state that focuses on energy, tourism and in some circles ranching. But the state has been trying to also make itself a player in technology. It started in earnest a few years back that the National Center for Atmospheric Research or NCAR was coming to Wyoming. The latest push has centered around Data Centers. Wyoming is offering sales tax incentives and grant money to try and attract them to the state. Wyoming Public Radio’s Bob Beck reports that many believe they could be an important piece in diversifying the economy.
Mountain West Voices
Clay Scott from the University of Montana rejoins the program with his occasional segment called Mountain West Voices.
