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Wyoming summer camp tackles "brain drain" with nature

Oct 4, 2024
A kids camp in the Rockies lives out Wyoming’s vision for teaching the next generation of outdoor leaders and conservationists.
Campers tromp around by the beaver pond they are helping restore. Outdoor conservation is a key point for the camp, as its founders hope these kids will learn how to take care of Wyoming’s vast public lands.
Caitlin Tan/Wyoming Public Radio

When daycares close in rural areas, sometimes an entire town is left without options

Aug 22, 2024
In Wyoming alone, 285 daycares have shuttered in the past 15 years, and there were only about 850 to begin with. One town has a fresh idea to help bring a child care option back to their community.
In Wyoming, 285 daycares have shuttered in the past 15 years, and there were only about 850 to begin with. 
Nimito/Getty Images

Bill Gates’ nuclear project breaks ground, marking a new chapter for a struggling Wyoming coal town

Jun 20, 2024
Construction began on the first-of-its-kind nuclear power plant. So far, a coal town in southwest Wyoming is seeing a boost.
Multibillionaire Bill Gates speaks to a crowd at his nuclear company’s groundbreaking near Kemmerer, Wyoming.
Caitlin Tan/Wyoming Public Media

In a boom town gone bust, a recreation center becomes a burden

May 6, 2024
When times were good, Hanna, Wyoming, built a giant rec center for coal workers. Now with just 700 residents, the town can't afford upkeep.
The Hanna Recreation Center’s pool had to be drained last year. 
Will Walkey/WPR

Beyond farmers markets: New stores in Wyoming expand the reach of local foods

Apr 24, 2024
The Wyoming Food Freedom Act lets producers sell foods without licenses as long as the consumer is informed about the source of the product.
Lander rancher Anna Smedts with her two pigs on her farm outside of town.
Hannah Habermann/Wyoming Public Media

Skijoring brings cowboys and skiers to Western towns, but warm weather leaves the sport in flux

Mar 7, 2024
Many small towns across the Rocky Mountain West depend on the sport for an economic boost during an otherwise slow winter, but this year it's been tricky with unseasonably warm temperatures.
A cowboy and his horse pull a skier off a jump on the Pinedale skijoring course. The fastest time wins.
Caitlin Tan/Wyoming Public Radio

For a Wyoming family, opening a distillery was about facing "uncertain financial times" head on

Dec 26, 2023
"There was a romantic ideal about being in control of your own destiny," says Backwards Distilling co-founder Amber Pollock.
Amber Pollock behind the bar at the distillery's tasting room in Casper, Wyoming.
Courtesy Pollock

For public good, not for profit.

Cyclists and hikers bring life back to an old gold mining town in Wyoming

Sep 18, 2023
A growing number of adventurers are traveling the Continental Divide each summer, bringing a much-needed boost to one community.
Cyclists sit at the wooden bar in the Atlantic City Mercantile. It is an old saloon that was originally built for gold miners, but now sees mostly hikers and cyclists.
Caitlin Tan/Wyoming Public Media

Wyoming, long known as a top coal producing state, makes a big move into wind energy

Jul 31, 2023
A new power line project will transfer Wyoming wind to supply parts of the Southwest with electricity. Wyoming’s focus on renewable energy is a shift from its history with fossil fuels.
Wyoming’s Republican Governor Mark Gordon attended the ground breaking ceremony. Despite the state’s fossil fuel history, he said this project is needed to address climate change.
Caitlin Tan/Wyoming Public Media

Despite a recent rough stretch for crypto, Wyoming still wants its business

Apr 7, 2023
Wyoming is continuing its efforts to bring cryptocurrency into the mainstream, but some are questioning whether that’s a good idea.
Caitlin Long, CEO of Custodia Bank, said that crypto has helped Wyoming diversify its economy.
Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images