UW in the News

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:

Bryan Shuman, a UW Wyoming Excellence Chair in Geology and Geophysics, is among authors of a new report that details global warming’s impact on Yellowstone National Park. The changes have begun to fundamentally alter its famed ecosystem and threaten everything from its forests to Old Faithful geyser, according to articles published by The Guardian, World Economic Forum, Yale Environment 360, the United States Geological Survey, EcoWatch, The Billings Gazette, Smart Water Magazine and The Gillette News Record. The Washington Post, Australian Times and OutThere Colorado also reported that the study reveals that climate change will mean less snow for Yellowstone National Park.

The Jackson Hole News & Guide reported that the annual Harlow Summer Seminars program kicked off last week with Shuman discussing key findings from the Greater Yellowstone Climate Assessment.

Mining & Quarry World quoted UW economist Rob Godby for an article about a Utah coal-fired power plant that is facing closure in 2042. The article focused on energy regulators who say the West’s power grid is not ready for the state to shut down coal-fired power plants.

UW leaders plan to announce up to $17.5 million in additional budget cuts next month, which follows a $16.5 million reduction earlier in the spring semester. Additional cuts are expected to result in a pronounced constriction of UW’s programming, WyoFile reported.

ABC News cited a past UW study on how much damage grasshoppers can cause to the environment and to the economy. Swarms of grasshoppers are expected this summer because of drought conditions.

A UW study was used in a Runner’s World article that focused on how counting steps can have some surprising benefits for overall health. UW researchers noted that there are around 2,000 steps in a mile for the average walker.

Earth.com, The Rocket Miner and >The Florida News Times published UW’s release noting that research from Lisa Barrett and Sarah Benson-Amram, in UW’s Animal Behavior and Cognition Lab, shows that just as humans have their own individual personalities, elephants also have personalities. Additionally, an elephant’s personality may play an important role in how well the elephant can solve new problems. The Journal of Comparative Psychology first published the study.

Researchers, led by UW biologist Matt Kauffman, have launched a global initiative that will leverage maps in conservation efforts around the world. The Good Men Project noted that the maps would benefit migrating herds of wildlife, specifically ungulates.

Laramie Live and Hits 106 published UW’s release noting that the university is planning a number of in-person activities to welcome first-time and transfer students as it prepares for a traditional fall 2021 semester. First-year students living in the residence halls will move in Aug. 19.

UW law Professor Michael Duff was quoted in a Payday Report that focused on New York Times union members who may have good reason to worry about financial transparency and union democracy. Duff also was interviewed by Law360 for an article, titled “Teamsters Pick Tough Fight With Amazon Union Plan.”

Gasworld, The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) and SweetwaterNOW noted that UW economics Professor Chuck Mason is joining colleagues from the University of Texas-Austin for a major study of economic and political barriers related to carbon capture, use and storage.

UW recently recognized the exceptional scholarship and teaching of four UW professors by naming them Wyoming Excellence Chairs. Wyoming News Now published UW’s release.

Wyoming Public Radio published parts of UW’s release noting that the Microbial Ecology Collaborative Startup Launchpad selected FrostyFlake and LifeGlass as its two winners and awarded the startups a share of a $25,000 seed fund.

UW’s IMPACT 307 is among sponsors of the first WYO BIO Innovation Summit, which will take place later this summer. Wyoming News Now reported that the summit is designed to provide opportunities to highlight entrepreneurs and introduce them to resources, including possible investors.

KGAB Radio published UW’s release noting that the university will move to a new COVID-19 testing program beginning the week of July 5. Each week, 3 percent of UW’s active employees, students enrolled in in-person classes and those living on campus will be randomly selected to be tested.

Jim Pru, a UW professor and the Rochelle Chair in the Department of Animal Science, is researching how hormones play an important role in mammalian reproduction. Wyoming Public Media spoke with Pru on his research.

The Wyoming Tribune Eagle reported that UW’s Snowy Range Summer Theatre will present in-person productions this summer.

UW psychology Professor Narina Nuñez spoke before a legislative committee about juveniles who are often fined for status offenses in Wyoming, according to The CS-T. Experts say the method does not work.

The CS-T noted that Northern Arapaho elder Crawford White Eagle Sr. recently was posthumously awarded an honorary doctoral degree during UW’s spring graduation ceremony. Western Ag Reporter also noted that Jim Magagna, the longtime executive vice president of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, received UW’s highest honor.

In a Wyoming Livestock Roundup article, Derek Scasta, a rangeland specialist with UW Extension, said this year’s early fire activity is due to the hot weather and relatively low humidity.

Environmental News Network published a Yale Environment 360 article in which UW Associate Professor Ellen Currano discussed how climate change has changed plant life throughout the world.

Wyoming Business Report noted that UW personnel helped the Sheridan County Conservation District (SCCD) build a historical profile of the Acme Power Plant site, including the history of the town of Acme. The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality is helping the SCCD clean up the hazardous power plant site.

UW alumna Caitlin Long was interviewed by Slate for a piece, titled “Wyoming Wants to Be the Crypto Capital of the U.S.”

The Wyoming Tribune Eagle published UW’s release featuring College of Agriculture and Natural Resources students Elizabeth Martinez and Michael Edwards, who have successfully secured jobs in their respective fields after graduating just a few weeks ago.