By Peter O'Dowd

Laramie, WY – Casper College administrator Bill Landen is Wyoming's newest state senator, and he says his political philosophies are in line with the man he replaced--US Senator John Barrasso.
The Natrona County Commission chose Landen yesterday over 12 other hopefuls to represent Senate District 27. Landen, who is a Republican, says his top priority in office will be making sure cities and counties have steady revenue streams to make up for the loss of sales tax revenue.

Laramie, WY – People with Down syndrome are often isolated in Wyoming, but there are ways to draw them into the community. And that's the goal of a charity event in Laramie called the Buddy Walk. Terry Cooper is a director of Ark Regional Services, which helps support people with developmental disabilities. She says Wyoming families with a child with Down Syndrome often have a "make-it-on-our-own" attitude. "But man, when they can get together, and we bring in experts from around the state, and they get to talk to one another, they are just loving this," she said.

By Elsa Heidorn

Laramie, WY – About 45 fires are burning across the West right now, and some scientists think they may be an early sign of climate change. Ecologist Steve Jackson at the University of Wyoming says wildfires have been burning hotter and earlier in recent years. "This really could be human-caused climate change knocking on the door and tell us that it's here," he said. "And it could be a few years or even decades before we can really tease out all the causes," he added.

Casper, Wy – There are two new members of the Natrona County legislative delegation. The County Commission picked Casper College administrator Bill Landen to fill the state Senate seat that was opened up when former state Senator John Barrasso was appointed to the U.S. Senate. Landen is 51 years old and a Republican. He is associate vice president for student services and athletics director at Casper
College. In the House, the commission chose Casper real estate agent Mary

By Bob Beck

Laramie, WY – Casper is the latest site for a follow-up meeting on how the state can improve its workforce.

The meeting will be the 5th follow-up since the Governor's summit on workforce issues discussed a variety of possible solutions to the problems employers are having in finding workers.

Jeremiah Rieman from the Department of Workforce Services says while some regions have specific issues they want to focus on, most are centering on one thing: housing.

Laramie, Wy – Healthcare has a strong economic impact on Wyoming. Nebraska Researcher Keith Mueller told the Wyoming Health care commission that health care makes up over ten percent of the states' income and that in 2003 Wyoming hospitals lost over 100- million dollars from patients who received care from hospitals out of state. Mueller says health care is an important economic issue that communities should take an interest in. " I would not build a health care system for that purpose (in Wyoming) you build a health care system for health care needs.

Laramie, Wy –

By Peter O'Dowd

Laramie, WY – Powell residents are one click closer to lightening-fast internet access. City Administrator Zane Logan says Powell is about a week away from securing the investors needed to bring a 5-and-a-half-million dollar fiber-optic network to the city.

He says construction will start a few weeks after the papers are signed, and homeowners could be downloading massive files in seconds by the end of the year.

Wyoming – For a long time, Powell Valley Healthcare has had success retaining doctors. As CEO Rod Barton tells Wyoming Public Radio, that has now changed.

Wyoming – An Oregon program tries to bring qualified mental health specialists to state. Andrew Bartholomew of KLCC reports.