Special Reports

WyoFile brings you in-depth coverage of complex issues that are critical to civic life in Wyoming. Our Special Reports shine a light on areas overlooked by other news outlets, focusing on facts, insight and divergent views on key matters.

Featured Thumbnail image for Eastern Shoshones to pay in-state tuition at Idaho colleges

Eastern Shoshones to pay in-state tuition at Idaho colleges

May 21, 2013

The new right to pay lower tuition at public universities is based on an 1863 treaty that shows tribal lands extending into Idaho.

Featured Thumbnail image for Federal grants help Native teacher aides become certified teachers

Federal grants help Native teacher aides become certified teachers

May 14, 2013

Wind River Tribal College and the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh train Natives to teach on the reservation.

Featured Thumbnail image for Citing exemption, DOE denies public records request

Citing exemption, DOE denies public records request

April 30, 2013

A Department of Energy laboratory has denied a WyoFile Freedom of Information Act request for more details on the suspended $9.9 million Two Elk federal …

Featured Thumbnail image for Two Elk Grant Suspended; Under review by U.S. Attorney

Two Elk Grant Suspended; Under review by U.S. Attorney

April 16, 2013

Feds suspended stimulus project for accounting irregularities. Contractors received ‘Stop Work Order, issued early in 2012.

Energy Thumbnail image for Two Elk coal-fired power plant granted another delay

Two Elk coal-fired power plant granted another delay

April 2, 2013

After 17 years, Two Elk officials say they will begin construction in January 2014, if markets ‘solidify.’

Featured Thumbnail image for Long-delayed DKRW coal conversion plant lacks financing

Long-delayed DKRW coal conversion plant lacks financing

March 31, 2013

Jason Lillegraven’s study of Carbon Basin geology has him convinced that DKRW’s project has too many faults.

Featured Thumbnail image for Locals say DKRW’s coal-to-gasoline plant needs more scrutiny

Locals say DKRW’s coal-to-gasoline plant needs more scrutiny

March 31, 2013

Jason Lillegraven’s study of Carbon Basin geology has him convinced that DKRW’s project has too many faults.

Featured Thumbnail image for March against racism supports Native man injured in altercation

March against racism supports Native man injured in altercation

March 26, 2013

The demonstration against dozens of small slights Natives experience off the reservation grew with outrage over the attack on Darryn Davis.

Energy Report Thumbnail image for Environmental groups ask Wyoming to revoke Two Elk coal-fired power plant permit

Environmental groups ask Wyoming to revoke Two Elk coal-fired power plant permit

March 21, 2013

Two environmental groups are asking Wyoming regulators to revoke a key permit for Two Elk Power Co.’s proposed “waste coal” power plant in northeast Wyoming …

Featured Thumbnail image for Juvenile justice without a juvenile jail

Juvenile justice without a juvenile jail

March 19, 2013

Closing Fremont County’s juvenile detention center means placing young offenders in neighboring counties and states while renewing the movement to keep kids out of jail.

Featured Thumbnail image for Dreamers seek driver’s licenses in Wyoming

Dreamers seek driver’s licenses in Wyoming

March 19, 2013

Some undocumented workers who came to Wyoming as kids can now legally work, but they need driver’s licenses.

Featured Thumbnail image for Reservation schools’ federal aid slashed in sequestration

Reservation schools’ federal aid slashed in sequestration

March 12, 2013

Districts fear cuts to Impact Aid could eliminate teacher aides, reading teachers, nurses and counselors not funded by state.

Featured Thumbnail image for Cheyenne’s focus on feds fails to solve reservation’s jurisdiction woes

Cheyenne’s focus on feds fails to solve reservation’s jurisdiction woes

February 19, 2013

Wind River Indian Reservation police struggle to curb drunk driving on the reservation because of lawmakers’ desire to keep the fed. government out of Wyoming.

Featured Thumbnail image for A Compounding Connection: Texas pharmacy leads Barrasso donors

A Compounding Connection: Texas pharmacy leads Barrasso donors

February 12, 2013

The pharmacy’s position at the top of Barrasso’s contributor list signifies his growing clout in national politics and what his next steps might be.

Featured Thumbnail image for Voting Rights Act suit helps unseat incumbent in Fremont County

Voting Rights Act suit helps unseat incumbent in Fremont County

November 13, 2012

A court order to replace at-large voting for county commissioners with district elections in Fremont County has shifted the balance of power on the commission.

Featured Thumbnail image for Getting Out the Native Vote: Reservation youth knock on doors

Getting Out the Native Vote: Reservation youth knock on doors

November 6, 2012

Inspired by a low turnout in 2010 and a perceived challenger to their political interests, young Native American activists have spent months encouraging people to …

Featured Thumbnail image for WyoFile partners with Wyoming Community Foundation

WyoFile partners with Wyoming Community Foundation

September 9, 2012

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation announced Wednesday (Sept. 5) that it has awarded the Wyoming Community Foundation a $62,000 grant to WyoFile.

Deadly Workplaces Thumbnail image for Wyoming takes courtesy approach to curbing workplace deaths

Wyoming takes courtesy approach to curbing workplace deaths

March 27, 2012

Wyoming’s overall strategy to curb workplace fatalities still lacks additional enforcement- and penalty-based proposals brought by worker advocates during recent legislative debate on the issue. …

Water & Power Thumbnail image for EPA delays Pavillion review for more groundwater testing

EPA delays Pavillion review for more groundwater testing

March 8, 2012

In a joint statement today Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone Tribes said “further sampling of the …

Featured Thumbnail image for As elders pass, Wind River Indian Reservation teachers turn to  technology to preserve Shoshone language

As elders pass, Wind River Indian Reservation teachers turn to technology to preserve Shoshone language

February 28, 2012

Few native Americans speak the Shoshone language today and, sadly, elders who do speak Shoshone are slipping away. But tech-savvy students in Fort Washakie are …