By Wyoming Today

Wyoming –

Topic: Problems with domestic violence continues to grow in the state.

Topic: Bob Beck speaks with mystery author Jon Horton about his new book.

By Bob Beck

Cheyenne – Governor Dave Freudenthal is proposing a three and a half billion dollar budget. It will focus on funding a number of so-called on time programs that range from road maintance to community impacts from energy development. Wyoming Public Radio's Bob Beck reports that a pair of Republican lawmakers expects some areas of the budget to get considerable debate.

Monday, October 31st 2005

Wyoming –

Topic: Study by an economist for the state of Wyoming that looked into oil and gas production and the relationship between prices and employment in Wyoming; Guest: Sherry Win, author and Tom Calliger, Manager of research planning of the State Department of Employment.

Topic: Heat and eat bill; Guest: State Representative Ann Robinson.

Laramie, Wy – The Director of the Wyoming office of the Bureau of Land Management says they are looking to mitigate impacts to wildlife and air as gas development grows in western Wyoming. Bob Bennett says they are working with industry officials to use technology that will reduce emissions. He says the B-L-M is also working with the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality to try and respond to potential air quality problems. As for wildlife Bennett says they are concerned about impacts development is having on migration corridors.

Cheyenne, Wy – The Governor is releasing his budget Thursday and one of his proposals would put a significant amount of new money into the budget for school construction. Dave Freudenthal says the money is needed as the state continues to meet the mandate to improve school buildings. Freudenthal notes that this will mean the state has spent about a billion dollars since 1999 on school construction. The Governor also is recommending some solutions to rising construction costs, such as encouraging districts to build more then one school at the same time.

Gillette, WY – Despite some inroads in the past year, Gillette area businesses are still in desperate need of skilled workers. That's according to Ruth Benson, the Marketing Director for the Campbell County Economic Development Corporation. She says ad campaigns and job fairs have attracted some out-of-state workers. But Benson says the workforce shortage remains a major concern and she thinks it is hindering economic growth. Benson can point to a specific company that wanted to move to Gillette, but decided against it because of the lack of skilled workers.

Cheyenne, WY – Governor Dave Freudenthal has proposed the creation of a number of new state positions to monitor oil and gas development. The Governor is asking the legislature for $6 Million. That would fund nearly 50 new positions, spread across several state agencies, to both monitor and address the effects of energy development. Freudenthal says the Department of Environmental Quality would receive 41 of the new positions. He says the goal is both maximize development and address its costs.

Cheyenne, WY – The state of Wyoming will not seek a judge's order for the Northern Arapaho Tribe to enter new negotiations over a gambling compact. Attorney General Pat Crank filed papers in court Tuesday saying the state recognizes that the U-S Department of Interior has authority over gambling on the tribal lands. Crank noted that Governor Freudenthal has asked the Interior Secretary to look at requiring the tribe to pay the state $900,000. That's the amount the tribe had offered to pay in a compact proposal rejected by the state a few years ago.

By Wyoming Today

Wednesday, November 30th, 2005

Wyoming –

Topic: Bob Beck speaks with the Director of the Wyoming office of the Bureau of Land Management, Bob Bennett about impacts of gas development in western Wyoming to wildlife and air.

Topic: Renny Mackay speaks with Sarah Groin from the Equality State Policy center about several issues she would like the legislature to consider this year.

By Wyoming Today

Tuesday, November 29th, 2005

Wyoming –

Topic: Aaron Alpern reports on the northwestern employer Hawkins and Powers and the 50 jobs that are in question.

Topic: bob Beck speaks with Susan Innis, Green Power Marketing Director for Western Resource Advocates about renewable energy.