UW in the News

February 10, 2020

State, national and international media frequently feature the University of Wyoming and members of its community in stories. Here is a summary of some of the recent coverage:

The Los Angeles Times interviewed UW economist Rob Godby for a story focusing on mines that are still operating despite the downturn in the coal industry. Godby says Wyoming facilities, built relatively recently, have access to the Powder River Basin’s cheaper coal, meaning companies can continue to operate them for relatively less expense.

Led by solar and wind, renewable generation could produce as much as 21.6 percent of the nation’s electricity by 2021, beating out coal at 20.8 percent, according to new projections published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) interviewed Godby, who said he is not surprised by the latest forecast.

The CS-T also interviewed Godby for an article that focused on the Powder River Basin’s coal production, which fell nearly 14 percent last quarter compared to the same period the year before. Those were the lowest production totals for the region in more than two decades. U.S. News & World Report published a similar article.

UW is among Great Value’s annual list of “America’s 50 Most Underrated Colleges.” The website, which bills itself in helping students “get the most bang for their buck,” cited UW’s low costs and generous financial aid opportunities.

We The People reported that U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Lisa Murkowski introduced a bill calling for strengthening the enforcement of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. Shepard was a UW student murdered 20 years ago. The new bill would clarify the law’s language related to the motives of people charged with hate crimes.

UW management and marketing Professor Mark Peterson says Wyoming residents support energy policies that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to The CS-T. Peterson developed a survey that will be presented to the state’s Public Service Commission about Wyomingites’ energy preferences.

Wind River Radio Network listed area UW students beginning the transition from student to professional. UW’s release noted that UW College of Education students start their 16-week student-teaching experience this semester. The Powell Tribune and SweetwaterNOW also published UW’s release listing their respective county students.

UW researchers and their colleagues had their study cited in a Money Magazine article regarding how citizens can still make additional money even though they are not homeowners. Any money renters have left over, instead of paying a mortgage, can be used as an investment in stocks and bonds, according to the study.

KGWN TV highlighted the 17 nonformal foreign language classes offered through UW’s World Language and Culture Program, created by UW doctoral student Dilnoza Khasilova.

Matt Kauffman, from the Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at UW, will discuss his mule deer migration research later this month at Lovell’s Bighorn Canyon Visitor Center, reported The Billings Gazette.

Sheridan Media published UW’s release noting that a new client that is searching for solutions to ending human trafficking in Wyoming and nationwide is housed in UW’s Wyoming Technology Business Center (WTBC). The Alliance for Freedom, Restoration and Justice has been in business for nearly a year at the WTBC.

Science Loves Art, a new UW program, will bring science to life via art that reaches throughout the state, according to an article on Hits 106’s website. UW’s release noted that the program is part of the five-year, $20 million grant from EPSCoR (Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research).

The Laramie Boomerang previewed the UW Department of Theatre and Dance’s opening spring production of “Eurydice.” The production will be staged this week.

UW law Professor Sam Kalen commented in Wyoming Public Radio’s piece on the Trump administration’s look at removing environmental review requirements from public land-use plans.

The Gillette News Record noted that UW is researching a prototype of a ceramic turbine blade that will increase gas turbine engine efficiency with 3D-printed parts. The turbine blade, which will have built-in cooling channels, is part of a $1 million grant.

UW and other American institutions have reached out to help in organizing the first Global Conference on Environment and Sustainability in Kathmandu this fall, according to Nepal’s My Republica.

Honolulu Civil Beat, an investigative news website, interviewed UW Extension Educator Caitlin Youngquist for a story on how plastic is getting into Hawaii’s soil. Youngquist said plastic pollution is a growing issue for the composting industry.

UW’s Engineers Without Borders student group completed a series of projects for The Cottage, which accepts clothing donations at St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Laramie. UW club members helped redesign the thrift store to make it more inviting and to make use of available space, reported The Boomerang.