In Other News ...
The top news stories from Laramie and Albany County as of April 20, 2021.
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 regional media. Subscribe to my newsletter to get this list in your inbox every other Tuesday.
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The community turned up to support the Ramen for Robbie fundraiser this weekend, the Laramie Boomerang reports. Devine Eats and its army of volunteers served up ramen bowls to raise money for Robbie’s House, a new “Clubhouse International-modeled organization to support individuals living with mental illness in Albany County.” The organization and fundraiser were named for Robbie Ramirez, a young man killed in November 2018 by Albany County Deputy Derek Colling. Colling had been hired by the Albany County Sheriff’s Office despite his involvement in other fatal shootings and the incident which lost him his previous job: beating a videographer who was legally filming him. Ramirez’s death inspired a widespread desire for local and state police reform and the formation of local accountability and transparency organizations.
Reading status:Laramie Boomerang paywall
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The Laramie City Council approved the creation of a police-community relations working group. While this could be the first step to the creation of a civilian oversight board for the Laramie Police Department, that result is not set in stone and would be a long way off, should it even come to pass. The working group will serve in an advisory role to the Laramie City Council, which has spent several full meetings devoted solely to the issue of police oversight, including two meetings entirely focused on the make-up of the ad-hoc working group. The contentious issue is unlikely to get any less contentious, as both advocates and opponents are well organized and vocal. At least 600 residents have signed a petition arguing that the Laramie Police Department needs no additional oversight.
Reading status: Open access
https://laramiereporter.substack.com/p/laramie-establishes-ad-hoc-committee
https://laramiereporter.substack.com/p/hundreds-of-laramie-residents-sign
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Anti-Asian racism is alive and well in rural places such as Wyoming, though it looks different from anti-Black racism, Wyoming Public Radio reports in a thorough, lengthy dive into the issue. Acts of racism, from microaggressions to outright violence, have accelerated in recent years — a trend researchers attribute in part to the former president’s incendiary rhetoric (“Kung Flu,” “China Virus,” etc.). Asians and Asian-Americans in rural places might be shielded by the fact that they are simply fewer than in large cities, and therefore might appear less of a threat to White residents. But that reality can bring with it a sense of isolation, and the xenophobia is still present. The public radio feature, for example, highlights a University of Wyoming professor walking to work and hearing someone shout “China Virus!” in their direction.
Reading status: Open access
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There’s more to the birth of a mule deer that meets the eye, a UW study finds and the Casper Star-Tribune reports. Migration patterns play a role in determining when pregnant does give birth, overturning earlier beliefs that does give birth at a specific time of year.
Reading status: Casper Star-Tribune paywall
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Laramie Photographer Rose Curtis documents historic, humorous and notable signs in southeast Wyoming. Curtis told WyoFile she aims to capture more of Wyoming after the pandemic when travel is easier and safer. She collects her photos on Instagram under the hashtag #wyomingsignageseries.
Reading status: Open access
https://www.wyofile.com/signage-of-the-times/
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