In Other News ...
The top news stories from Laramie and Albany County as of October 19, 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 national media. Subscribe to our newsletter to get this rundown in your inbox every other week.
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The Albany County School Board extended the district’s mask mandate to mid-November during its meeting last week. The extension came after some tense days, in which the high school was placed on lockdown and a father-daughter duo launched a national campaign against the district’s mask requirements. The Smiths have raised more than $136,000 after appearances with Sen. Anthony Bouchard (SD-06), Fox News and Steve Bannon. Following those high-profile appearances, local elected officials and law enforcement received so much “vitriol” from across the country that both the Superintendent and the Laramie City Council made statements denouncing the response.
Reading status: Open access
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The University of Wyoming also extended its mask policy, while launching a series of required educational videos for its campus community. The videos are hosted by UW experts, highlight the science behind the pandemic and urge everyone to wear masks and get vaccinated.
Reading status: Open access
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The Mullen Fire of 2020 brought a mix of ecological effects. WyoFile reports that scientists are hopeful about the future of the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, which lost 176,000 acres to Wyoming’s largest blaze in recent history. While some areas are scarred, raising the possibility of further damage from invasive plant species and erosion, there is significant regrowth in much of the burn area. Local elk, deer and bighorn sheep also seem to be doing fine.
Reading status: Open access
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Rep. Cathy Connolly (HD-13) spoke with Wyoming Public Radio’s Bob Beck about a number of issues facing the State Legislature. It will be a busy few months for state lawmakers — between redistricting, an upcoming anti-vaccine mandate special session, and the regularly scheduled budget session. Connolly spoke about the need to expand Medicaid, reassess the juvenile justice system, and fight to keep or reinstate slashed programs. “We have made cuts over the past year that have gone beneath the bone,” Connolly said.
Reading/listening status: Open access
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UW administrators have nearly arrived at final recommendations for a campus-wide reorganization and more than $13 million in cuts. The Casper Star-Tribune reports UW Provost Kevin Carman will present those final recommendations to the board in November. They include college consolidations, cutting degree programs and firing more than 70 employees. The recommendations have been through a whopping 16 committees so far, including those helmed by college deans.
Reading status: Casper Star-Tribune paywall
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Student leadership from UW is getting involved with a number of pressing and hot-button issues facing students living in Laramie. ASUW President Hunter Swilling and Executive Allison Brown addressed the Laramie City Council during a work session last week. They highlighted the rampant food insecurity faced by students (some 37 to 45 percent of the student body sometimes doesn’t have enough to eat), widespread support for UW’s mask policy (more than 70 percent of students approve), and the frequent problems students have with local landlords (hundreds shared negative experiences in a large student survey, while 800 signaled support for a citywide Landlord and Tenant Rights Document).
Reading status: Open access
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Laramie recognized Indigenous Peoples Day for the first time this October. Wyoming Public Media reports the recognition comes in the form of a proclamation crafted in partnership with Native American research and student groups. Indigenous Peoples Day has gained steam as an alternative for Columbus Day, amid growing awareness of Christopher Columbus’ horrendous behavior. While his arrival on the American continent ushered in an era of disease and colonial violence, Columbus and his men personally murdered, tortured, brutalized, raped and enslaved countless native inhabitants.
Reading status: Open access
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Skaters are again enjoying the Laramie Skatepark, now that a large two-month expansion has been finished. The Laramie Boomerang reports the expansion added new skateable environment, while better separating beginner and advanced areas. Laramie’s skater community lost one of its own in 2018, when Robbie Ramirez was killed by then-Albany County Sheriff’s Deputy Derek Colling. Ramirez’s ashes are mixed into the cement.
Reading status: Laramie Boomerang paywall