Governor Mark Gordon has signed an executive order to allow motor carriers hauling hay in Wyoming to operate outside of regular operating hours and carry larger loads. Oversize loads of baled livestock feed qualifying for a permit may now operate two hours before sunrise and two hours after sunset with a valid permit. The permit also authorizes oversize baled livestock feed loads up to 12 feet in width or 15 feet in height.
The five-year grant will provide the UW Wellness Center with $125,000 per year to support mental health first aid (MHFA) training at UW and in the Laramie community. The focus of the $625,000 grant is to provide mental health awareness and de-escalation training and establish connections with mental health organizations for referrals for appropriate services.
During its September 16 business meeting, the Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded over $24 million in contracts for seven Wyoming Department of Transportation construction projects.
The Bureau of Land Management Rawlins Field Office, in partnership with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Conservation Fund, is inviting the public to participate in a virtual public meeting for a proposed Southeast Wyoming Land Exchange. The meeting is to inform the public about the possibility of creating a 38,000-acre block of state and BLM administered lands that would be open for outdoor recreation opportunities.
Fees will be waived on National Public Lands Day, Saturday, September 25th. Fees will also be waived in honor of Veterans Day, Thursday, November 11th.
Governor Gordon has called approximately 95 Soldiers and Airmen to State Active Duty orders, assigned to hospital locations at 24 different sites within 17 Wyoming cities.
Blockchain technology is Wyoming’s future in data security. The committee on Blockchain Financial Technology and Digital Innovation Technology had a meeting in Laramie Tuesday. “We need to bring it to the states, so that we can bring it into Wyoming. Not only be on the front line but be able to benefit from what that brings to us, “said R.J. Kost, Senator for District 19.
Wyoming weather is interesting in the sense that within a weekend, we can go from record breaking heat to below freezing temperatures. With the strong cold front coming in over the weekend, temperatures took a big tumble today. Temperatures were over 10 degrees lower than what we typically see this time of year for highs and lows will be a similar story for overnight. Warnings for tonight are different from the ones we have seen lately. There are frost advisories in effect for much of the eastern side of the state and freeze warning for the central and southern regions near the mountain ranges, so be sure to cover up any of those delicate plants.
"The American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds are one-time infusions that can help build a stronger, more resilient Wyoming, and they should be treated as such. We have an opportunity to use these dollars to shape the future of our state, and it’s important to maximize the opportunity before us. I have outlined an approach to help Wyoming survive the initial impacts of COVID and identify what can be done to better drive to a future where all of Wyoming can thrive – this is my Survive, Drive, Thrive plan."
Critical Race Theory has come under fire as a touchstone for racial equality in recent months. Although it’s not taught in most schools, some historical race issues are taught in some schools. Raising the question of whether the history and civics taught in most schools are diverse or inclusive enough?
The number of first-time students from Wyoming attending the University of Wyoming has grown by 11.5 percent this fall, driving an overall 3.7 percent increase in UW’s first-time headcount.
Today ended up being a bit cooler than what was originally predicted. This is due to the fact that the cold front stuck around for a bit longer and had more strength than the models originally predicted. If you aren’t ready for the fall just yet, don’t worry. This weekend will be back to the warmer temperatures we have been seeing for much of the week. Although, when there is typically warm and clear weather, we get a lot of smoke. Not to worry as strong winds from the west will help clear out much of it most likely prompting those air quality warnings to expire.
Masks will continue to be required inside most University of Wyoming buildings where 6-foot social distancing isn’t possible, following action by the UW Board of Trustees.
The Wyoming Department of Transportation wants to remind residents and travelers about the offerings under the Wyoming Travel Authorization Program (W-TAP) ahead of the 2021-2022 winter season.
Input from internal and external stakeholders has resulted in some likely adjustments to the University of Wyoming’s proposal for academic restructuring and reductions. While the university’s administration is moving forward with a recommendation for reconfiguration of some academic colleges, along with discontinuance, reorganization, reduction and consolidation of some departments, the initial proposal to discontinue some departments has been dropped.
At Old Faithful early Thursday morning, September 16, park rangers provided initial care to a 19-year-old woman from Rhode Island with second and third-degree burns to 5% of her body.
Other than the abnormally high heat today, it was a relatively nice day outside. A couple of clouds rolled in and the breeze helped to keep it feeling a little cooler. The haze is back in the forecast as it is still starting to come in from the west. Based on the forecast data, it looks to continue that trend tomorrow as well. Luckily, we aren’t seeing the whole state covered in air quality alerts like we saw last week. Lots of fire weather watches and warnings right now due to the dry conditions, gusty winds, and high heat.
Today, Wyoming is petitioning to de-enlist the Grizzly Bear off the endangered species roster.“Wyoming again is leading. We’ve led on the sage grouse, we’ve led on migration corridors, we’re leading on the Grizzly Bear and we’re leading on the Wolf . Wyoming knows how to do it and I think the Federal Government should respect that, ” said Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon.
The Equality State started the celebration of Latin culture last weekend with the Hispanic Festival and that was just the beginning. September 15th marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month. This mid-month celebration commemorates the Independence Day of several Latin American countries.
Plague is a bacterial infection that can be deadly to humans and other mammals, including pets, if not treated promptly with antibiotics. This disease can be transmitted to humans from sick animals or by fleas coming from infected animals; in this case, the person had contact with sick pet cats.
The university of Wyoming’s World Language and Cultural Program is offering 18 free sessions via Zoom this Fall. The founder, Dilnoza Khasilova, a UW graduate who earned her doctoral degree in literacy studies, and is a current Global Engagement Fellow in UW’s Global Engagement Office, said that these sessions are not like your typical classes, but rather a community.
”I thank the Legislature and the people of Wyoming for the trust they have put in me,” Governor Gordon said. “Wyoming is a conservative state with a constitution designed to constrain the actions of government, so special sessions are meant to be very rare. They cost taxpayer money, so they should never be frivolous. That is why legislative leadership and I will work together to ensure any potential special session held to respond to vaccine mandates will be focused, effective, and efficient.”
“The One Shot Antelope Hunt has been a cherished Wyoming tradition for generations,” Governor Mark Gordon said. “It is a special year for the One Shot. I’m looking forward to spending time in the great outdoors with friends who appreciate our hunting legacy.”
Blockchain technology is the future; according to U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis, Wyoming is setting itself up to be a leader of this kind of tech in the future. Blockchain technology acts as an internet ledger, securing digital information, medical records, legal documents, wills, and is unhackable.
Billed as the largest single-day volunteer effort for America’s public lands, the day highlights the importance of public lands nationally and in Wyoming, as well as acknowledging the multiple uses of public lands. Volunteers are needed to assist with four events near Laramie on that day with varying levels of experience and labor.
The University of Wyoming has received a second round of funding from the National Endowment for Humanities to support newspaper digitization work. The Wyoming State Library will also see some of that funding.
Usually, there’s little that can be done when disaster strikes, but sometimes being prepared ahead of time can minimize the harm. September is National Preparedness Month, and there are many things that can be done to prepare ahead of time -- especially with fire season up on.
Governor Mark Gordon responded to last week’s criticism of Wyoming’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program when Congressman James Clyburn stated the state was underspending the federal funds distributed through the ARPA.
Driskill’s Civics Transparency Act is currently in draft form with the Legislative Service Office. Driskill said his bill gives “parents the tools to know what is being taught in their children’s classrooms and prevents the indoctrination found in the critical race theory curriculum that has been pushed by the far-left and has found its way into some classrooms.”
”His unwarranted shot places blame for that problem squarely on the shoulders of Wyoming and five other states,” Governor Gordon said. The Governor emphasizes that Wyoming has a strong rental assistance program and is meeting the needs of its people.
On Friday, Representative Liz Cheney was in Jackson to honor the fallen Wyoming Marine Rylee McCollum’s homecoming with his family. Cheney later spoke of her plans for 9/11 and the state of Afghanistan.
This week, an announcement came about changing the Federal language and requirements in the National Emergency Rental Assistance Program. The ERAP program started in April of 2020. A program like this never existed in Wyoming until the pandemic. It has faced challenges along the way, as it has been re-managed and tweaked after its first initiation when the need for supplementary income to avoid mass homelessness became real.
"... I have asked the Attorney General to stand prepared to take all actions to oppose this administration’s unconstitutional overreach of executive power. It has no place in America. Not now, and not ever," Gordon wrote.
The public engagement and planning process is continuing, as the Governor’s Strike Team prepares recommendations on how best to utilize state funds awarded under the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARP).
Weather in Wyoming is expected to break a record in this coming week, like it broke a record at the same time last year, just not in the same way. Currently, Wyoming has been experiencing some pretty hot temperatures for this month.
Wyoming is always full of great hunting opportunities and this fall is no different. It’s a great excuse to explore that outdoors and bring home some healthy meat back home.
Six airmen from the 153rd Airlift Wing in the Wyoming Air National guard have volunteered to support the Operation Allies Refuge. Three of those airmen will be supporting efforts at joint base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey. The other three will be assigned to Andrews Joint Base in Maryland.
