Laramie, Wy – A study looking at how the University of Wyoming can get more high school graduates into college suggests some key emphasis. Researcher Andy Hansen told U-W Trustees that getting students eligible for college is key but he believes it can happen. Hansen says throwing money at the problem won't help but he thinks the Hathaway scholarship which rewards student performance will help. But Hansen says two other things must occur...a challenging curriculum and getting students thinking out college in middle school.

By Wyoming Today

Thursday, November 10th, 2005

Wyoming –

Topic: Renny Mackay reports on a proposed change to how money is distributed throughout state government.

Topic: Aaron Alpern reports on the Wildlife Trust Fund.

Topic: Bob Beck speaks with Jim DiPeso with Republicans for Environmental Protection about energy costs.

Wheatland, Wy – A proposed swap of Public Land in the Medicine Bow National Forest near Wheatland in exchange for some private land in the Devils Canyon area of the Big Horn Mountains has some Southeast Wyoming residents concerned. The issue will be discussed at a public meeting Thursday night. Laramie Recreationist Dennis Horning says the swap would result in the loss of some popular outdoor access areas.

Rock Springs, Wyoming –
Sweetwater county voters said no to building a new methamphetamine addiction treatment facility. The proposed 10-million dollar, 100-bed rehab center would have brought patients together under one roof and allowed them to live where they are treated. Currently the county rents 50 apartments for addicts and then brings them in for treatment. But they have a waiting list of more than 40. Southwest counseling services director Linda Aker (acre) says this option is hardly meeting the need.

Jackson, Wy – Reckless skiers and snowboarders beware.
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is seeking to make its slopes safer in
the wake of five accidental deaths over the past two winters at the
resort.
Under the formal system of penalties, unsafe skiers or
snowboarders could lose their pass for up to two weeks for a first
violation, while two violations in a three-year span will result in
an automatic one-year loss of lift privileges. The repercussions
for reckless skiing are particularly harsh for repeat offenders,

Laramie, Wy – The Parks and Recreation Department in Cheyenne is proposing a 33 million dollar recreation center. Amenities at the center include five gyms, pools, a running track, and arts and crafts facilities. The Director of Recreation, Tom Bogan, says they will present this proposal to the city council Wednesday night. He says it is important because Cheyenne is the last sizeable city in Wyoming to have a rec center.

By Wyoming Today

Wednesday, November 9th, 2005

Wyoming –

Topic: Bob Beck speaks with Bob Meyer, Director of St. Josephs Home in Torrington about a price cut on youth homes and residential facilities across the state.

Topic: Kristin Espeland speaks with Linda Acker, Director of the Southwest Counseling Center about a 10 million dollar methamphetamine Rehab Facility.

Topic: Renny Mackay speaks with Charlie Hardy about Hugo Chavez from Venezuela.

Laramie, Wy – The tax on cigarettes in Wyoming is well below the national average. But, that could change during the next legislative session.
Nationwide the average cigarette tax is 92 cents a pack. Right now smokers in this state pay 60 cents. The legislature's health committee is mulling over a 40 cent increase. Representative John Hastert a member of the committee says the hope is to stop kids from starting to smoke. And cigarettes are a gateway drug, meaning people that use them often move on to more serious and hazardous drugs.

By Wyoming Today

Tuesday, November 8th, 2005

Wyoming – Topic: Kristin Espeland remembers the Holocaust.
Topic: Kristin Espeland speaks with Jeanne Abrams with the Rocky Mountain Jewish Historical Society.
Topic: Life in Iraq.

Gillette, Wy – The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission was set to discuss removing the grizzly bear from the endangered species list today (Monday) at its meeting in Gillette. But the federal government still hasn't released the proposal to delist the grizzly. John Emmerich is the Assistant Wildlife Division Chief for Wyoming the Game and Fish Department. He says they are anxiously awaiting action from Washington.