Welcome to the Laramie Reporter’s “In Other News” segment, a biweekly rundown of the top news stories from Laramie and Albany County as reported by local, state and national media. Subscribe to our newsletter to get this rundown in your inbox every other week.
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Albany County hosted its 2022 primary elections, deciding party nominations for the general election while narrowing the field of city council candidates. The Laramie Reporter highlighted election night results, took a look at the astounding amount of money spent in the primary races for Albany County Sheriff, and considered what the city council might look like following the general election.
Reading status: Open access
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The University of Wyoming began its 2022 fall semester. The Laramie Boomerang reports incoming students took part in orientation activities meant to educate them about bystander intervention and mental health. Final student enrollment figures aren’t available yet, but UW enrollment has decreased each of the past two years. UW will also consider moving to a block rate for tuition at a UW Board of Trustees meeting next month. That would mean full-time students pay one set rate based on an assumed 15-credit-hour semester, rather than the current per-credit-hour rate. The trustees could also vote to raise tuition.
Reading status: Laramie Boomerang paywall
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The Rail Tie Wind Project has entered a pre-construction phase. The project has been a topic of discussion and debate in Albany County for years. The planned 26,000-acre wind farm would vastly increase renewable energy production in the county and increase tax revenue, but opponents raised concerns about viewsheds, property values and impacts to local raptor populations. Rail Tie has won county, state and federal approval and is now seeking a power purchase agreement.
Reading status: Open access
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Laramie’s rental regulations were ruled unconstitutional in their present form. Bell Leasing, which owns more than 60 rental units, launched a lawsuit against the city’s Rental Housing Code in January. The rental housing code outlines basic health and safety standards for rental units; Bell Leasing argued the code was illegal and violated a landlord’s constitutional rights. Albany County District Court Judge Tori Kricken ruled that the city of Laramie does indeed have the right to pass rental regulations, but that the specific regulations, as written, are “unconstitutionally vague.” Specifically, they failed to dictate whether a landlord found violating the rental housing code would be subject to civil or criminal penalties.
Reading status: Open access
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The city of Laramie has requested almost $6 million from the state’s American Rescue Plan funding to improve water infrastructure. Wyoming set aside $50 million of its ARPA funding for water and wastewater projects. That $50 million will be doled out to communities across Wyoming through a grant program that cities and counties must apply for. If awarded the grant money, Laramie would upsize some water pipes, protect wellheads and revamp the city’s Water Master Plan.
Reading status: Open access
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On August 13, Laramie received 2.75 inches of rain in less than an hour, according to the National Weather Service. The Laramie Boomerang reports most of that rain was concentrated in the center of town and caused flash flooding. A lightning strike at City Hall interrupted the city government’s phone and internet service; the storm caused $5,000 to $6,000-worth of damage to the city’s mosquito control equipment, according to the city manager.
Reading status: Laramie Boomerang paywall