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:

UW economists’ published study, titled “The Benefits and Costs of Using Social Distancing to Flatten the Curve for COVID-19,” was cited in a New York Times piece, “On the Economics of Not Dying.” UW economists are Linda Thunstrom, David Finnoff, Stephen Newbold, Jason Shogren and graduate student Madison Ashworth.

The Hill cited a study by UW economists, led by Thunstrom, in an article, titled “COVID-19 reveals how economists sometimes forget economics.”

The Guardian quoted UW law Professor Michael Duff and others for an article that focused on New York’s health care executives who are receiving immunity for their negligence during the coronavirus pandemic. Critics say the state’s liability shield is linked to higher nursing home death rates during the crisis. Jacobin Magazine published a similar article. Duff also was quoted in South Africa Financial News for a related article on the pandemic involving workers at a McDonald’s restaurant.

Duff also was interviewed by The Atlantic discussing how employees can be fired for getting COVID-19. Duff said a successful workers’ compensation claim rests on showing that you caught the coronavirus at work -- but it is something that can be nearly impossible to prove.

The Wyoming Tribune Eagle featured UW graduate Christoph Geisler, who has a patent-pending probiotic supplement called Krystalase that contains microbes specifically engineered to address the root cause of gout.

The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) reported that a number of UW students living off campus have tested positive for coronavirus. The number of positive cases that have been reported has doubled Albany County’s numbers. Oil City News published UW’s official release on the announcement.

UW law Associate Professor Melissa Alexander told Cowboy State Daily that Wyoming business owners can require customers to wear protective facemasks before entering their respective establishments.

BBC World Report included an interview with UW economist Rob Godby, who discussed how Wyoming’s coal industry faces a big challenge to recover. The segment focused on how the coronavirus has further stalled President Trump’s pledge to revive coal mining in the U.S.

Godby spoke with Cowboy State Daily for an article focusing on how construction and infrastructure projects can help boost the state’s faltering economy.

Godby also was interviewed by The Gillette News Record commenting on the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s report indicating that Americans consumed more energy from renewable sources combined than coal in 2019.

The CS-T reported that five finalists were selected for the Wind River Startup competition to pitch their business ideas. UW entities were among the sponsors of the competition, along with the Wind River Indian Reservation tribes.

UW’s release announcing that the College of Education was ranked first in the nation by Study.com on its list of the “50 Best Colleges for Education Majors” was published by Sheridan Media.

Hits 106 published UW’s release announcing that the university will allow outdoor gatherings of up to 250 people on campus after June 1, in accordance with new state rules.

UW Extension offices will soon begin opening on a county-by-county basis as restrictions ease and individual county health protocols are followed, according to The Wyoming Tribune Eagle.

Oil City News published UW’s release announcing that the university is offering a number of short online summer courses to help assist Wyoming residents impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

UW’s Chris Henry, from Laramie, was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District Men’s Track and Field/Cross Country first team, according to WyoSports. He will now be considered for national academic honors.

Sports Illustrated interviewed Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss on a number of topics, including her late father, Jerry, who was born in Kemmerer and graduated from UW at age 19.