By Bob Beck

By Bob Beck

Cheyenne, Wy –
Wyoming lawmakers are still hoping to establish high speed rail in the state. They have hired a consultant who is working with the state of Colorado to develop rail from Denver to Casper. Consultant Dave Simpson believes that the effort to build passenger rail service from Cheyenne to Fort Collins is moving forward. But he says the route from Cheyenne to Casper will be more of a challenge.

By Elsa Partan

Laramie, Wyo. – An industry analyst says investment in the natural gas industry is slowing as the economy weakens. But Wyoming may have an advantage over other Rocky Mountain states in a down market.

There's a basic economic issue in the natural gas industry nationwide, according to Pete Stark with IHS in Denver. The company provides analysis and information to the oil and gas industry. He says gas producers are becoming more cautious.

By Elsa Partan

Laramie, Wyo. – A legislative committee is meeting this week to discuss the state's next move regarding wolves.

After the gray wolf was taken off the endangered species list this year, a federal judge in Montana put the species back on the list in response to a lawsuit. The judge said Wyoming's plan for managing wolves didn't do enough to protect them. Joint wildlife committee co-chair Bruce Burns says now Wyoming has to decide whether to change the plan, file its own lawsuit, or do something else.

By Elsa Partan

Laramie, WY – There are too many unnecessary cesarean section operations performed in the U-S and Wyoming is part of that trend.

By Addie Goss

Laramie, WY – The University of Wyoming recently moved one step closer to extending health benefits to employees' domestic partners. UW Associate Provost Nicole Ballenger says the University hired a consulting group to look at the issue.

By Peter O'Dowd

Laramie, Wyo. – US House hopefuls sparred over the role of labor unions last night. Republican Cynthia Lummis criticized her Democratic opponent Gary Trauner for his stance on so-called card-check legislation. It would ban secret ballots during company votes.

"Why should the union organizer be able to pass a law that says you have to sign that ballot in front of me because I don't trust you?" Lummis said. "That's one of the most anti-American proposals I can ever think of."

Rawlins, Wy – The state Industrial Siting Council has been informed that construction on a proposed coal-to-liquids plant near Medicine Bow will be delayed for nearly a year until 2010.
Tom Schroeder of the ISC told the Carbon County Commission that
DKRW officials informed him that the plant is likely to break
ground in January 2010 instead of April 2009 as planned.
Plans for the $2 billion plant have not been canceled, he said.
The proposed plant would use clean-coal technology to convert

By Bob Beck

U-S House candidates Gary Trauner and Cynthia Lummis held a debate

Wyoming – Sunday, October 12, 2008 in Laramie U-S House candidates Gary Trauner and Cynthia Lummis held a debate moderated by Wyoming Public Radio's Bob Beck. The candidates debated for an hour on issues ranging from the economy to winter use. The debate was sponsored by the Wyoming Restaurant and Lodging Association and recorded by Wyoming Public Radio.