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June 30th, 2017

By United_States_Capitol_-_west_front.jpg: Architect of the Capitolderivative work: O.J. - United_States_Capitol_-_west_front.jpg, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17800708

Listen to the full show here.

Wyoming Republican Senators Join Push To Pass Trumpcare

Wyoming’s two U.S. Senators have been at the center of their party’s effort to overhaul the nation’s health care system, and they’re still optimistic they can pass a bill when they return to Washington after their July Fourth recess. Some have been critical of their work. Correspondent Matt Laslo reports that they are convinced that they will pass a bill that will improve the current health care law.   

A New Coal Mine May Open in Wyoming, But Not For Electricity

The U.S. is getting less and less electricity from coal, but in Wyoming, a new coal mine COULD be opening up. The company behind it has a plan to use the coal, not for electricity, but to turn it into products. Wyoming Public Radio’s Cooper McKim reports on the proposed Brook Mine project. 

Wyoming Actress Brings Film Project Home In Time For 10-year High School Reunion

A Wyoming woman who set out to become an actress is coming home this summer for her 10-year high school reunion. And unlike most of her classmates, she is bringing a movie crew to start production on a feature film in which she is playing the lead. Correspondent Leslie Stratmoen has more.

Author Explores How Trails Shape Our World

As summer gets into full swing in Wyoming, many people will be getting outside and hitting the state’s trails. In his new book On Trails, author Robert Moor explores why animals and humans make trails in the first place and what they end up meaning to us. He joined Caroline Ballard and said he got the idea to write a book after hiking the Appalachian Trail.

Climbers Ignore Native Americans' Request At Devils Tower

Throughout the month of June, the National Park Service asks visitors to refrain from climbing Devils Tower to respect American Indian ceremonies. However, the closure is voluntary and the number of climbers in June has been steadily rising in recent years. Wyoming Public Radio’s Maggie Mullen has more. 

With Traffic Booming, Jackson Still Trying To Fill Buses

Recently, Teton County asked voters to weigh in on several projects that would have been funded through the local sales tax. Out of ten proposals, they approved six. But all three of the projects linked to the Southern Teton Area Rapid Transit System, or START, failed at the ballot box. As Wyoming Public Radio’s Alanna Elder reports, the county is wondering how the bus system can serve people better and become more popular.

Outgoing UW Vice President Prepares For A New Venture

University of Wyoming Vice President of Research and Economic Development Bill Gern is stepping down soon.  Gern is credited with pushing to increase the amount of research dollars UW receives as well as working with outside groups to improve economic development in the state.  He sat down with me to discuss those efforts.

Humans Thrive At High Altitudes Earlier Than Suspected

A summer hike up to a 13,000-foot alpine meadow can be exhilarating. But what if you decided to stay up there . . . for the rest of your life. The lack of oxygen, frigid temperatures and sparse vegetation would make it tough. Archaeologists know hunter gatherers traversed highland areas thousands of years ago, but presumed they also had to spend time in lowland areas in order to survive. But now that idea is being challenged by a team of researchers at the University of Wyoming who’ve made a rare discovery. Wyoming Public Radio’s Tennessee Watson reports.

Wyoming's Premier Punk Rock Band Continues To Shred

For almost 20 years the Wyoming based punk rock band Teenage Bottlerocket has grown in popularity.  Formed by Laramie natives Ray and Brandon Carlisle, and later joined by Kody Templeman and Miguel Chen, the band gained an international following. In fact, a group of Japanese musicians has recorded a tribute album to honor the band and one of their songs even appeared on an NBA broadcast this season. The band is set to release a new album and a couple of extra songs this month, Wyoming Public Radio’s Bob Beck spoke with lead singers Ray Carlisle and Kody Templeman to discuss the album and the band’s legacy.

Bob Beck retired from Wyoming Public Media after serving as News Director of Wyoming Public Radio for 34 years. During his time as News Director WPR has won over 100 national, regional and state news awards.
Before Wyoming, Cooper McKim has reported for NPR stations in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and South Carolina. He's reported breaking news segments and features for several national NPR news programs. Cooper is the host of the limited podcast series Carbon Valley. Cooper studied Environmental Policy and Music. He's an avid jazz piano player, backpacker, and podcast listener.
Maggie Mullen is Wyoming Public Radio's regional reporter with the Mountain West News Bureau. Her work has aired on NPR, Marketplace, Science Friday, and Here and Now. She was awarded a 2019 regional Edward R. Murrow Award for her story on the Black 14.
Based on Capitol Hill, Matt Laslo is a reporter who has been covering campaigns and every aspect of federal policy since 2006. While he has filed stories for NPR and more than 40 of its affiliates, he has also written for Rolling Stone, The Atlantic, Campaigns and Elections Magazine, The Daily Beast, The Chattanooga Times Free Press, The Guardian, The Omaha World-Herald, VICE News and Washingtonian Magazine.
Tennessee -- despite what the name might make you think -- was born and raised in the Northeast. She most recently called Vermont home. For the last 15 years she's been making radio -- as a youth radio educator, documentary producer, and now reporter. Her work has aired on Reveal, The Heart, LatinoUSA, Across Women's Lives from PRI, and American RadioWorks. One of her ongoing creative projects is co-producing Wage/Working (a jukebox-based oral history project about workers and income inequality). When she's not reporting, Tennessee likes to go on exploratory running adventures with her mutt Murray.