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:

A new study led by Robert Kelly, UW professor emeritus of archaeology, reveals significant fluctuations in the Indigenous population of North America before European contact, using radiocarbon data from the past 2,000 years. Science was among media outlets publishing Kelly’s work that first appeared in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Archaeology Magazine, Indian Defence Review and The Powell Tribune published Kelly’s research findings.

In an article that first appeared in The New York Times, UW economist Rob Godby discussed the state of coal production in the U.S. and said what happens in Wyoming coal country can have ripple effects across the nation. DNYUZ republished The Times article, titled “Why Coal Has Been So Hard to Quit in the U.S.”

ESPN was among national media outlets reporting that former UW Cowboys standout quarterback Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player for his outstanding season. Also announcing the award were The Wyoming Tribune Eagle, 7220 Sports, Cowboy State Daily, County 17, Oil City News and many other Wyoming media outlets.

A UW media release, touting Allen’s underdog story and the university where individual successes are embraced, aired during the weekend’s Super Bowl game. On YouTube, the video has received more than 63,000 views through the weekend. Sports Illustrated published two separate articles on UW’s ad. Yardbarker, Essentially Sports, the New 96.1, a Western New York radio, and Motorcycle Sports were among national media outlets noting UW’s ad.

New maps titled “Ungulate Migrations of the Western United States, Volume 5,” by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and state and tribal partners, were released last week. The latest reports feature migration and seasonal range maps for mule deer, elk and pronghorn in eight Western states and the Navajo Nation. Matt Kauffman, a wildlife biologist with the USGS who administers the Corridor Mapping Team based at UW, was quoted in a Northwest Sportsman Magazine article about the maps.

A new exhibit -- by guest curator Cameilla Okpodu, a UW professor of botany -- recently opened at the Wyoming State Museum in Cheyenne in celebration of Black History Month, according to Wyoming News Now.

WyoToday Media and County 10 published UW’s release announcing that the university has received a major gift of $500,000 from the estate of the late William “Bill” Kruggel -- a distinguished alumnus and former faculty member of UW -- to support Wind River Indian Reservation high school graduates in any discipline.

Rob Ziegler, a UW Extension Educator, was among beef experts who was quoted in a Western Ag Report article that focused on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service cattle inventory report. The reports indicate all cattle and calves totaled 86.7 million head across the nation, which is 1 percent below January 2024 totals.

Sheridan Media published UW’s release announcing that the American Heritage Center is hosting “Through the Lens: The Life & Legacy of Richard Throssel,” an exhibition featuring photographs from the AHC’s collection that was developed by the Western Heritage Center in Billings, Mont.

UW Extension has released a new, user-friendly resource to help gardeners, landowners and agricultural producers identify effective weed control options. Western Ag Reporter published UW’s release noting that the guide offers treatment suggestions for specific Wyoming state-designated noxious weeds.

The Cheyenne Post published another UW release noting that UW Extension’s Sheep Task Force is hosting a series of virtual webinars on predator management. The three-part webinar series is free and open to the public.

The Wyoming Tribune Eagle published a UW release noting that the College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources will facilitate a Ranch Management and Agricultural Leadership seminar next month in Evanston about managing energy development opportunities as a Wyoming producer.