45+ min ago (1142+ words) The story of a Casper high school senior's effort to start a Turning Point USA Club America chapter has inspired a young Florida filmmaker. He says her story is one of "common sense values" that needs to be told. The next potential scene in the real-life story of the Natrona County High School senior who started the school's Turning Point USA Club America chapter may have to include a credit to ChatGPT. That's because a young filmmaker in Florida used the AI software'to'hunt for the right subject for a'short film project'he wants to pursue. Aidan Fridman, 19, founder of the production company Idea2Result, said his idea centered on someone who wanted to start a Turning Point USA Chapter and got rejected. "The idea was to have it be a boy, not a girl," Fridman said. "And then I actually had a conversation…...

4+ hour, 34+ min ago (1312+ words) The novel agricultural research of a University of Wyoming senior could help NASA pioneer the future of space farming. Growing food in space is a critical component of prolonged exploration of the solar system and beyond. Drea Hineman, a senior at the University of Wyoming, grew up gardening with her grandfather in Gillette. Now, her novel agricultural research could help revolutionize gardening in space." Hineman is a research fellow with the Wyoming NASA Space Grant Consortium, which sponsors education and research that can support long-term space missions. Her research is solving one of the most critical problems with "space farming."" "Space farming sounds crazy, but it's really important to understand plant behavior in reduced gravity," Hineman told Cowboy State Daily. "NASA is focused on staying in space for an extended period of time, and they want astronauts to have fresh…...

1+ day, 5+ hour ago (1566+ words) Wyoming's shortage of nursers could get worse if the federal government takes nurses off of its list of "professional" degrees. That would slash federal student loan assistance and could put the nurse practitioner program out of reach for students. Wyoming has an acute nursing care shortage even as it has more retirees than ever moving to the state. That's creating a service gap that University of Wyoming educators say could get worse under a federal proposal that would remove its nurse practitioner program from the list of degrees considered "professional." The Department of Education's designation is about more than just respect, Wyoming educators say. It's an internal designation that will determine how much federal loan money students are allowed to pursue." The Trump administration has billed that as a means of forcing universities to reduce program costs that it says…...

1+ day, 6+ hour ago (781+ words) Columnist Joan Barron writes, "While Cheyenne residents continue to debate whether the influx of gambling outlets is good or evil, no one is questioning the positive nature of another new project. It is a special gem " the Children's Museum of the Capital City." Columnist Joan Barron writes, ''The Museum showcases some of Wyoming's most unique features to create a one-of-a-kind experience you won't find anywhere else." CHEYENNE " While Cheyenne residents continue to debate whether the influx of gambling outlets is good or evil, no one is questioning the positive nature of another new project. It is a special gem "the Children's Museum of the Capital City. Opened last month at 1618 O'Neil in Cheyenne, the museum has been a long time coming this far, with multiple bumps and boulders in its path. It came about because of the persistence of a…...

2+ day, 4+ hour ago (1592+ words) A survey has sparked division in Evanston over whether the local school district should adopt a four-day school week. Some district leaders and parents don't like the idea, while supporters says it's not the job of public schools to babysit kids. An anonymous survey circulating around Evanston is striking a chord with local residents over the pros and cons of a'four-day school week, and whether Uinta County School District'No.'1'can or should move to that type of schedule. Ryan Thomas, superintendent for the Uinta County School District'No.'1, said he is aware of the survey, but told Cowboy State Daily that the school district has not been approached about it. "They would have to come with a lot of reasons of why that is advantageous to us," Thomas said.' Uinta County School District'No.'1 Board Chairman David Peterson said a'four-day school week…...

2+ day, 22+ hour ago (1472+ words) Leadership Wyoming recently celebrated its 25th anniversary in Laramie with a showing of about 500 graduates. The program is shaping the Cowboy State's next wave of pioneers. Leadership Wyoming has been'bringing Wyoming's professionals together'for a quarter-century. To celebrate, nearly half of the program's graduates gathered in Laramie'this month'for a night of hugs, laughs, and standing ovations.' It was standing room only at the Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center in Laramie for Leadership Wyoming's 25th Anniversary celebration. Nearly 500 graduates from the last 25 years, including at least one person from every class since 2001, mingled and greeted each other in the lobby.' Josh Fuller, Class of 2019 and a Leadership Wyoming board member, served as the evening's host. He didn't mince words when he declared the program as "the most important organization in the history of the State of Wyoming."' "Over 1,000 alumni have experienced the power of leadership,…...

1+ week, 3+ day ago (906+ words) Dean of UW's College of Business Scott Beaulier writes, "We cannot lean on tax policy and natural beauty alone to drive growth. Our workforce is thin, our economy under-diversified and our growth inconsistent." Wyoming may pride itself on having no income tax, but the latest CNBC ranking of the best states for business didn't place us near the top. Instead, we landed well below states with higher tax burdens but more diversified economies, stronger workforces and deeper innovation pipelines. That ranking is a reminder: Tax policy alone won't safeguard our future. If Wyoming is to thrive, we need more than fiscal advantages -- we need a strong University of Wyoming, and especially a thriving College of Business, at the center of our state's growth. Wyoming is at an inflection point. We remain one of the least diversified state economies in the…...

1+ week, 6+ day ago (1830+ words) Bill Schilling helped create Wyoming's Hathaway Scholarship, opening college doors for thousands statewide. His enduring impact is felt through the opportunities the scholarship has given Wyoming students over four decades. When Bob Schilling came back to Wyoming to accept his induction into the Wyoming Business Alliance Hall of Fame last week, there was one emotional moment that brought home the impact of his four'decades of work in the Cowboy State.' That moment happened when Schilling asked people in the audience to raise a hand if they had either been the recipient of a Hathaway Scholarship or knew someone who had. More than half of the room raised their hands.' Everyone looked around the room, including Schilling, taking it all in. "Isn't that amazing," Schilling said quietly. "Twenty'years ago, that wouldn't have happened, would it?" The visual was a testament to…...

1+ week, 6+ day ago (792+ words) Columnist Gail Symons writes: "The payoff for Leadership Wyoming does not surface in a single headline. It shows up in quieter ways, years later. When a decision crosses their desks, the alumni conjure memories of coal dust, hospital waiting rooms, tribal offices, and rural main streets." Forty strangers sat in a circle at the University of Wyoming in the fall of 2018, wondering what they'd signed up for. Nine months later, after coal pit tours and hospital visits, late night conversations and spontaneous songfests, one memorable night at Rock Springs' Wolf Den Bar, and countless miles across Wyoming highways, Leadership Wyoming's Class of 2019 had become the Wolfpack. Those forty people now carry Wyoming's whole map in their heads when they make decisions. Leadership Wyoming has spent 25 years inviting people into rooms like that one. Every year, about 40participants commit to a nine-month…...

2+ week, 3+ hour ago (1747+ words) When Cheyenne teacher Eric Crock told his students he'd have their back for life, he meant it. Decades later, students say they've never had anyone so supportive, genuine, or truly there for them -- for life. The scene opens like archive footage from a rock and roll documentary." It's 2002, and Cheyenne's McCormick Junior High School is hosting a talent show. The school buzzes with anticipation as Cross Town Rivals takes the stage." Dominic Syracuse, clad in black-and-white knee-high socks pulled over his pants, grips his guitar and prepares to make "a punk rock statement." Mike Morris stands ready at the microphone. They've practiced for weeks in their buddy's garage, and they have a plan: Syracuse will slide across the stage for a guitar solo while Morris launches himself toward the crowd. "We were just playing this cool punk rock, rock "n…...