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 climate and geophysics professor, discussed with the Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) forest fires, including the Mullen fire, which is one of the largest in state history. Shuman says it will be hard to imagine a future where there will not be a high fire risk.

A Bloomberg article indicating that technology used to combat climate change could boost the ailing U.S. coal industry has provoked disagreements between Wyoming and Rocky Mountain Power. The company wants to move away from coal in favor of wind and solar energy. UW economist Rob Godby was interviewed for the article.

The Washington Times published an Associated Press article focusing on a coal mining company that has not secured federal leases for two Powder River Basin mines it bought and reopened almost a year ago. Godby was quoted in the original article.

Godby also commented on a CS-T article on a federal court’s decision that would uphold the Federal Trade Commission’s decision to block a proposed joint venture by two leading coal firms. The decision could have widespread implications for coal production in the Powder River Basin. WyoFile published a related article with Godby’s comments.

Coal Age noted that the UW School of Energy Resources’ Center for Economic Geology Research and the Enhanced Oil Recovery Institute are among partners in a study to show the potential of carbon capture at Wyoming coal-fired power plants.

Forbes interviewed UW sociology Professor Malcolm Holmes for an article, titled “From Breonna Taylor To Philando Castile: There Seems To Be No End To The Wrestling Tension Between Law Enforcement And The Black Community.” Holmes has researched and written extensively about police brutality.

UW is among four regional universities to be awarded a $48.2 million U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contract to establish a network of 35 stations to monitor snowpack and soil moisture throughout the plains areas of the Upper Missouri River Basin, reported Capital Journal. UW’s share of the contract is $8 million over five years. The project will be led by Professor Ginger Paige.

Michael Cheadle, a UW associate professor, served as a geologist on a German research vessel that explored part of the seafloor of the Indian Ocean, according to a UW release published by GeoStratSys. Researchers discovered a large volcano on the ocean floor.

The CS-T published an article remembering the contributions of famed UW archaeologist George Frison, who died last month.

UW’s American Heritage Center received a $180,000 federal CARES Act grant -- awarded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services -- for the annual Wyoming History Day competition for students. Oil City News and Wyo4News published UW’s release on the announcement.

The Powell Tribune published UW’s release on the UW Art Museum’s “Conversations Beyond the Walls: A Virtual Symposium” that focuses on the history of Japanese American people incarcerated in Wyoming and other locations during World War II.

UW’s King Air research plane will be used in Stony Brook University’s federally funded scientific research expeditions that will measure air pollution in the Stony Brook, N.Y., metropolitan area. The National Science Foundation also noted that part of the research would take place in the Arctic.

Wyoming Public Radio (WPR) reported that UW researchers have created a computer model that can identify animals in images taken by camera traps. WPR also carried another UW research piece on how scientists are helping ranchers improve production and save money.

UW’s David Bodily received the Wyoming Nurses Association’s Inspiring Our Future Nurses Award given to a nursing instructor who has been a positive influence on the future nurses of Wyoming. Oil City News published UW’s announcement.

The UW Symphony Orchestra opened the fall season with a virtual program last week. K2 Radio published UW’s release on the announcement.

The Cody Enterprise used a column by Erin Stoesz, the Wyoming State Science Fair director and an assistant lecturer in UW’s Science and Math Teaching Center, to highlight local students’ participation in the state science fair.

UW Libraries added historical newspapers from the state to the Chronicling America database as part of the Wyoming Digital Newspaper Project. Oil City News and Cap City News published UW’s release.

Sheridan Media noted that UW Professor David Fay received a $2.7 million National Institutes of Health grant to continue his research on the discovery that certain genes implicated in cancer, genetic diseases and birth defects can serve to direct complex transportation superhighways inside cells.

UW’s success -- through its plan of when to bring students on campus for in-classroom instruction and vigorous testing and wearing of face masks -- shows taking the coronavirus pandemic seriously offers a path forward, according to a CS-T editorial.

WPR noted that the UW College of Law’s Defender Aid Clinic has started a new podcast that dives into the racial disparities in the United States criminal justice system.

With the popularity of former UW quarterback Josh Allen, Wyoming is becoming Buffalo Bills country. According to The Buffalo News, the Bills have replaced the Denver Broncos as the Cowboy State’s favorite NFL team.