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Roughly 160 UW employees could lose their jobs if proposed budget passes, provost says
Wyoming Public Radio
A University of Wyoming provost estimates that around 160 employees at the state’s lone four-year public university could be laid off if the draft budget bill becomes law in its current form. That’s out of about 1,800 full-time faculty and staff across all colleges. In a Jan. 20 email to faculty, staff and students, UW President Ed Seidel said the $40 million reduction to the university’s block grant could mean a roughly 15.4% cut to each academic college, Wyoming Public Radio reports. Read the full story.
New town hall format both vexes, pleases Park County residents
Cody Enterprise
Two Park County legislators offered a different style of town hall, which drew some criticism from attendees. Instead of the typical open format, Reps. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams and Nina Webber, both Cody Republicans, met with people one-on-one at tables in a meeting room at the Cody Library. The structure produced meaningful and productive conversations that were civil and respectful, “even when we disagreed,” Rodriguez-Williams said. Critics called the structure inefficient, undemocratic and unrepresentative of the group’s wishes, the Cody Enterprise reports. Read the full story.
‘The Librarians’: Panelists discuss access to books in Wyoming
Wyoming Tribune Eagle
Panelists discussed the local impact of nationwide efforts to restrict access to books, following a documentary viewing at Laramie County Community College. Hosted by the college’s Ludden Library and the Laramie County Library System, the panel delved into book banning and parental rights, following a screening of “The Librarians,” a PBS Independent Lens documentary, the Wyoming Tribune Eagle reports. “We are privileged in this country to have the right to read,” panelist and former executive director of Campbell County Public Library Terri Lesley told the crowd. Read the full story.
Sheridan officials tout Wyoming Business Council successes in local projects
The Sheridan Press
Although a legislative panel wants to defund and dismantle the Wyoming Business Council, some Sheridan officials say it has benefited their community. During a Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce event, many in a room of businesspeople and stakeholders raised their hands when asked who had benefited directly from business council programming. Former Sheridan Mayor and state Sen. Dave Kinskey credited about 300 jobs at the High Tech Business Park to the business council’s support, the Sheridan Press reports. Read the full story.