Open Spaces

Today on the show, some conservatives in our region say efforts to hand over parcels of federal land to states aren't enough. They want to see most federal land go to states. A new study says the abortion pill mifepristone is more dangerous than previously known. Wyoming lawmakers shared the study on social media, but how do we know if it's true? And, over half of Wyoming's school districts have now adopted a four day school week. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, a new survey shows the vast majority of Wyomingites believe climate change is happening. We'll spend a day with the Albany County Outdoor School – a program that brings local fourth graders into their public lands. And we hear a tribute to a Northern Arapaho elder who was fluent in the language. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, two conservative women started with similar beliefs about abortion. Then they got pregnant, and their beliefs shifted. We hear from a non-profit that tracks federal election spending. They found Wyoming's D.C. hopefuls get almost all of their campaign funding from out of state. And we'll join a conversation exploring some of our misguided stereotypes about rural America. Those stories and more...

Today on the show, a researcher and her team mapped more than 150 miles of fence near Cody. When Diana Foster Greene first started studying women who received - and were denied - abortions in the mid-2000s, there wasn't much research on this. And, there's a relatively small active Jewish community in the state. While one rabbi says he's seen antisemitism rise since the October 7, 2023, attacks in Israel, he says he still feels welcomed here. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, in honor of a successful fund drive, we are showcasing our award-winning work. Every February, WPR submits stories from the past year for award consideration. We are still waiting to hear the results from 2024. So we wanted to share the stories that won awards in 2023:It was a big year for energy in the state. Including a groundbreaking for a huge wind energy project outside of Rawlins. A forum tried to address stigmas that are stopping firearms owners from seeking mental health resources. We'll also hear about two of WPR's Modern West podcast seasons. Those stories and more...

Today on the show, Gov. Mark Gordon reflects on this year's legislative session. Lawmakers were set to pick the topics they would spend the next few months hearing about from the public and stakeholders. But that didn't happen. Now what? And a UW dean was removed from his position. We'll dig into the backstory. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, healthcare providers with the Veterans Administration (VA) are worried that upcoming return-to-office orders might violate standards of patient privacy. A freshman legislator personally experienced mental health problems. We check in on how this impacted his lawmaking in the landscape. And, if you've been jonesing for some fresh Modern West episodes, you're in luck. We have a preview of the new season. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, we're going to take a break from the breaking news cycle. Instead, we'll hear one of the final interviews given by longtime Wyoming US Senator Al Simpson, who died in Cody on March 14th. Jim Raymond and Jim Jones are co-hosts of the podcast JimJam. The podcast focuses on the transition from work life to retired life. Back in December, they went to the home of Al and Anne Simpson. They spent a day interviewing both of them. We will listen to the full conversation with Al.

Today on the show, former U.S. Senator Al Simpson passed away in Cody at the age of 92. We will hear about his legacy. But first, the Wyoming general legislative session has ended. We'll dive into two bans on where transgender people can go in the state. Both were recently signed into law by Gov. Mark Gordon. Wyoming just defunded a program that aimed to put more water on the landscape. And the debate over grizzly bears in our region may be more about humans than about the animals. Those stories and more on Open Spaces.

A lot has been going on in the state since our last episode and we have you covered. It's been a year since a rural ranching community in Sublette County was cast into the international spotlight over one man's treatment of a wolf. Federal funding freezes and layoffs have had real impacts on our state. We hear from two people who were fired from the research arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Some of those who have lost their jobs are also losing their housing. And, the 68th Wyoming Legislature has gaveled out. Cheyenne Roundup fills us in on the end.

This week on Open Spaces, Wyoming Public Radio asked our listeners to share with us how they're impacted by the latest orders by the Trump administration. Messages streamed in. We'll hear from a few of those. It's been three years since the war in Ukraine started. We check in with a Laramie pediatrician who has gone to the country three times. Paleontologists discovered the fossils of the oldest known dinosaur in North America outside of Dubois. It's also the first dino to be named in Shoshone. And we'll have an update on the legislature with the Cheyenne Roundup. Those stories and more.

Today on Open Spaces, the Wyoming Legislature has passed the halfway point in its 40-day general session. We're taking this Open Spaces to focus on some big themes, like how some bills may end up affecting how Wyoming residents and businesses handle taxes. There are a lot of bills that will potentially affect K-12 school education. We talk to three stakeholders, including a teacher. And one bill could have Wyomng join 19 other states in calling for a rare convention proposing amendments to the U.S. Constitution. They specifically want to limit federal powers, but some think the event could go awry. Those stories and more.

This week on Open Spaces, Wyoming lawmakers might roll back a sales tax on electricity, which would save us money but could cripple small towns. That's a revenue they depend on to the tune of tens of millions of dollars. Grizzly bears are still considered threatened in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, but scientists say the population has recovered. A new exhibition offers an intimate look into the lives of creative ranching women at the turn of the 20th Century. And, of course, we'll have our weekly check-in on the Wyoming Legislature with the Cheyenne Roundup. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, we'll hear about a bill that seeks to “make carbon dioxide great again." It would stop a lot of Wyoming's climate change mitigation efforts, but that doesn't mean an emissions free for all. Big movie theater chains may be closing their doors across the country. But, in some small towns in our region, theaters are still vibrant community hubs. And, we hear some tips on keeping your brain healthy and reducing the risk of developing Alzheimer's. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, a little lake north of Pinedale has long been treasured by locals for fishing. But this fall, something happened... it turned red. There's going to be an influx of new faces at the Wyoming Capitol this month after a slate of newcomers beat out incumbents in recent elections. And we have the story of how a group of Green River High School students wrote a proclamation to make January 5th Nellie Tayloe Ross Day. Those stories and more.Editor's note: This audio has been updated to correct a misstatement.

Welcome to our year-in-review of Open Spaces. Today we have a batch of stories our reporters picked as their top news items of last year. We'll hear how wildfire managers anticipated a busy summer after a flurry of spring burns got the season started early. We'll revisit the early days of a program that aims to work with Native families to address grief and intergenerational trauma. And we'll dive back into the mysterious illness that left dozens of cows nearly unrecognizable. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, we'll hear from county firefighters reflecting this past year's massive wildfires, and about some food sovereignty projects on the Wind River Reservation. We'll tag along with a long time Sublette county local for a very unique kind of Christmas tree hunt…Those stories and more on Open Spaces.

Today on the show, tourism in the Cody area hasn't kept up with other Yellowstone gateway towns. We'll hear how the town is changing up its marketing strategy to reflect that. Employers in the Cowboy State are getting creative with how they house workers. And for some, that means trucking in homes from factories. And, Miss Wyoming talks about the importance of sports and more open conversations about mental health. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, more than a decade ago, Wyoming Republicans backed a change to the state constitution, which gave people the right to make their own healthcare decisions. It was meant to signal disapproval of the Affordable Care Act. That amendment was just used to strike down two near-total abortion bans in the state. Climate change, the energy transition, and affording everyday life are all big topics on our minds. How that all might be affected in Wyoming with Donald Trump as our next president. And we hear about bringing the more-than-a-hundred-year-old remains of an Eastern Shoshone boy back to the Wind River Reservation from an East Coast boarding school. Those stories and more.

Anthrax, UW Football, fighting climate change, and more...

Today on the show, as we gear up for the general election, we dive into how ballots get counted and how elections get certified. In an effort to lower their carbon footprints, people in our region are building homes out of straw bales. Students took a trip to a creek outside of Cheyenne with ties to a 19th Century treaty. Plus, we hear about how Grizzly 399 was managed differently than other bears. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, all of your questions about voting in the upcoming election answered. Plus a look at contested Wyoming house races in the general. On the Wind River Reservation, one tribal member is leading a program to help people coming back from prison stay out. And, a photographer talks about what motivates him to go to the front lines of some of the largest fires. Those stories and more.

Today on Open Spaces, we're bringing back some of the biggest storylines of the summer to thank you, our listeners, for keeping us on the air and making this kind of place-based, informative storytelling possible. Gillette welcomed over 55 thousand people for a week-long event. And we'll bring you behind the scenes of one of the biggest fires in Wyoming this summer. Those stories and more.

Today on Open Spaces, it's been a busy wildfire season. We'll hear how fire departments are coping with fewer volunteers. A non-profit that fills in the gaps for the largest national forest in Wyoming, is preparing to play a bigger role going forward. Last winter, the corporation that owns the Pinedale Roundup laid off all its employees except one. Then, major news hit. And the Road to Cheyenne series is back to prepare Wyomingites for the general election. Those stories and more.

Today on Open Spaces, a summer camp lives out Wyoming's vision for attracting young people to the state's outdoor industry – even if camp chores include moving 90-pound hay bales. We hear from Cherokee painter DG House about how the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem inspires her art. Furry friends on RESERVATIONS are feeling the heat from CLIMATE CHANGE. And highlights of a bike race from Logan Utah, to Jackson Hole. Lo to Ja. Lotoja. Get it?Those stories and more on Open Spaces.

Today on the show, the latest draft for how to manage millions of acres of federal lands in southwest Wyoming attempts compromise but there is still a chance for litigation. It's been a pretty big year for wildfires in Wyoming. The state fire management officer says working with partners has been key. We hear from students at the University of Wyoming about changes happening on campus, like the possibility of carrying concealed weapons. And we check in with retiring State Senator Affie Ellis. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, the Primary elections are almost over. We are going to take this Open Spaces to digest and analyze what happened. We chat with representatives of three voting blocks in the Wyoming legislature. Wyoming's current speaker of the house will be out of politics for now after two sessions in the leadership position. He lost his bid for a senate seat. This comes after a particularly divisive campaign cycle. And we turn away from politics to hear about how artificial intelligence is making its way into journalism - and a small-town newsroom in Wyoming is ground zero. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, a tribal bison manager in Wyoming says Yellowstone's new plan to manage the animals is a good compromise. Three Fremont County schools are growing their libraries with new collections of Native books. These days, all eyes are on rural voters, especially since both presidential candidates picked running mates with rural roots. And, the primary is right around the corner - we look into recent complaints about tests for voting equipment. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, how do we balance safety with the desire to leave no trace? That's the question that's been consuming the rock climbing community in wilderness areas. Some Wyoming voters have received mail about the upcoming election that contains wrong or misleading information. And we check in on the southeast section of the state for the latest edition of our primary election series - The Road To Cheyenne. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, we sent some of our reporters to hear how Wyomingites felt about the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. Summer heat is impacting river ecosystems and the fishing guides that rely on them. And we continue taking a closer look at the primaries, this time Wyoming's lone congressional Those stories and more on Open Spaces.

Today on the show, Gov. Mark Gordon is the latest guest on a show where the interview happens over a meal – and he finished his whole plate. A silent trend is affecting Wyoming's economy: the steady decline of childcare providers. And some of the state's rules could be making it worse. Spanish-speaking communities are vital in many Mountain West towns — and so is their need to access services and express themselves at public events. And our special series looking at the upcoming primary, The Road to Cheyenne. Those stories and more.

This week, we reach beyond our studios and bring you interviews from Wyoming PBS' "Wyoming Chronicle." Brian Nesvik has been the Wyoming Game and Fish director since 2019. After about 30 years in the department, he's announced his retirement. We catch up with him as he reflects on his career. And we stay in the Game and Fish department, as we learn about a success story. Undesirable fish were found in a lake in Saratoga but local and federal officials came in to save the population.

Today on the show, Campbell County is part of a national program aimed at strengthening and growing opportunities in local economies shaped by coal industries. The Eastern Shoshone Tribe debuted a new arbor at their annual powwow in Fort Washakie. We're back with our primary election series - the Road To Cheyenne. We're taking a look at state House and Senate races in the northwest part of the state and we'll hear from some voters. And an interview with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Those stories and more.

June 19 marked the 70th anniversary since former Wyoming Gov. and U.S. Sen.Lester Hunt died by suicide in his office in Washington, D.C. Hunt's political career peaked amid McCarthyism and he himself was targeted politically by McCarthy's cronies. For many years, details of the political pressures exerted over Hunt were underreported or hidden. Our panelists, including historians, a current state lawmaker and a mental health expert, consider Hunt's life and legacy, and the throughlines between his lifetime and today.

Today on the show, with Teton Pass out of commission, we check in with businesses and commuters. We visit Kemmerer, where a highly anticipated nuclear power project just broke ground. And we kick off the primary election season with a new series - "The Road To Cheyenne." Every Open Spaces until the primaries, we will keep you updated with what you need to know. Today, the big picture. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, fire managers are anticipating a busy summer after a flurry of spring burns got the season started early. A new program aims to work with Native families to address grief and intergenerational trauma. India's new consul general for our region met with state officials this week to talk clean energy, tourism and trade. And, a conversation with Governor Mark Gordon about working through disagreement. Those stories and more.

This week, we reach beyond our studios and bring you interviews from Wyoming PBS' "Wyoming Chronicle." Robin Sessions Cooley has had a long career in state government. She was most recently the director of the Department of Workforce Services. Now she's trying her hand at being a Wyoming District Court Judge. She says her law degree really helped in her most recent job. And we hear from Miss Wyoming USA, Beck Bridger. She's also a sergeant in the US Army.

Today on the show, the first-ever Sportsperson Conservation Forum tackled some of the biggest issues in the field this week. A Wyoming woman whose son was killed for being gay has won the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her advocacy work. A handful of recent federal rule changes target coal. And while the industry has been declining for a while now, Wyoming still heavily relies on it. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, We'll hear from best selling author CJ Box. He writes stories about wildlife and hunting culture in Wyoming and has thoughts on the recent wolf incident in Sublette County. Wyomingites need solutions for affordable rental housing, and fast. Cheap housing is growing scarce. Preserving posters printed more than 100 years ago can be a challenge, and a new exhibition looks at how to ensure the preservation of Buffalo Bill-era posters. Those stories and more.

This week, we reach beyond our studios and bring you interviews from Wyoming PBS' "Wyoming Chronicle." It's an election year and there are a couple of new rules. The Secretary of State talks in detail on the new rules and the reasoning behind them. And a vertical farm operation has put roots down in the state and is focused on how to make sure there's a production method in the world's back pocket for a future where agricultural production is less stable and more expensive.

Today on the show, a conservative student group at the University of Wyoming has become a significant presence in campus politics. Almost a third of families with single moms live in poverty in the state and one organization is helping to change that. And we learn about how a couple decides to buy a record shop in Cheyenne – despite competition from national chains and a tough environment for small shops. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, Wyoming is the only state to feed elk every year depending on snowpack. A newly finalized plan gets the ball rolling for reimagining what that might look like going forward. A federal agency wants to revoke management of lands on the Wind River Reservation. Muddy Ridge could go to the BLM, or to the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone tribes. We take a ride on a snow plow in Grand Teton National Park during one of the biggest storms of the season and hear about one leader's efforts to prioritize his crew's mental health. Plus - we learn about how Wyoming judges are dealing with a rise of threats. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, the newsroom is celebrating our successful fund drive with some of our favorite stories from this year so far. The FBI started a new initiative to gather more data about cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous people in Wyoming. We'll hear from the Senate reading clerk about his job, and his voice. And Wyoming leads the nation in self-employed businesses. We hear from some. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, recent allegations of wolf abuse in the southwest part of the state have drawn attention from around the world. A massive operation by animal rescue groups has given 10 West Bank dogs a new life in Wyoming. Eastern Shoshone educator Ivan Posey has announced a run for House District 33, which includes part of the Wind River Reservation. And one Wyoming town is struggling financially to keep its recreation center afloat. Those stories and more.

On today's show, we check in with both political parties on how they are hoping to get young voters more involved. Have you ever wondered who is behind the voice that reads all the bills in the Wyoming Legislature? We'll hear from the Senate reading clerk about his job, and his voice.We learn about a group of Black musicians that left a lasting musical influence on Buffalo Bill's Wild West show. And our podcast, Modern West, is out with a new season --- this time focusing on stories from Wyoming Public Radio reporters. Those stories and more.

Today on the show, we hear the final recording of Wyoming Public Media's and WyoFile's podcast that keeps track of the Wyoming legislative session: the "Cheyenne Roundup." A special guest helped moderate the discussion - you may recognize him from previous episodes of Open Spaces.

Today on the show, we follow along as a Shoshone elder teaches a younger tribal member the Shoshone language. White supremacist trolls have been interrupting the Laramie City Council with hateful, antisemitic comments. And, the University of Wyoming Symphony Orchestra traveled to Europe for the first time in 17 years. We get to go along too. Those stories and more.