The county commission appoints the board, whose serve three year terms. This is the first time since earlier this year that there has been a full board after resignations, term limits, and decisions against serving additional terms left several vacancies. The library continues to draw criticism from some in the community about books on sex education and LGBTQ issues aimed at children and teens.

Any new or future coal leases on federal land are now paused following a ruling by a federal judge late last week, and some say this decision likely will not change much for the industry, as coal has already been on the decline nationwide.

Open Spaces show rundown for August 12th, 2022

At a Ethete powwow this summer, the University of Wyoming Stealing Culture team was honored for their work getting Alyson White Eagle Sounding Sides to London to see Chief Yellowcalf's headdress. White Eagle Sounding Sides is one of Yellowcalf's descendants and the first Arapaho to see his headdress at the British Museum in London in one hundred years.

The state legislature allocated $25,000 of the budget to address high rates of suicides among first responders in the state. This money was taken by the Wyoming Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) and utilized to create the first ever First Responders Health and Wellness Conference that will take place August 22-24 in Casper. Wyoming Public Radio's Kamila Kudelska spoke with POST executive director Chris Walsh on why the conference is needed.

Climate change is causing the American West to experience what’s now being called a megadrought…the worst water shortage in 1,200 years. The Ogallala Aquifer is a huge underground water source supplying eight states where it may seem safely stored away. But as one ranching community in southeast Wyoming is finding out…that water is disappearing. Part of the problem is that water law hasn’t kept up with emerging science.

This week a new University of Wyoming poll conducted by the Wyoming Survey and Analysis center between July 25th and August 6th shows that Harriet Hageman holds a nearly 30 point lead over U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney in their battle for the Republican House primary election. University of Wyoming Political Scientist Jim King has analyzed the poll and tells Wyoming Public Radio’s Bob Beck what the numbers say and how some additional questions shed light on what voters think.

Those interested must sign up for one of 90 slots to attend the sale this Saturday, August 13, from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. Friends of the Natrona County Public Library has existed for around 50 years.

A Pew Research Center analysis found that one in six journalists are now part of a union, and more than twice that want to join one. However, it also found that smaller publications, like those in the rural Mountain West, are less likely to unionize. Of those with fewer than 10 people, only 4% have a union.

A federal program helps send nurses and social workers into the homes of thousands of lower-income or at-risk parents in the Mountain West to help before, during and after a birth. However, its funding is set to lapse at the end of next month. Advocates are asking for reauthorization, pointing to its proven track record of improving prenatal health and readiness for school.

The Cincinnati Zoo named the calf Fritz after receiving over 90,000 name suggestions from every U.S. state and more than 60 countries. He's the brother to a famous hippo who was born prematurely.

The elections had been hailed as step forward for Kenyan democracy, with politicians focused on economic issues rather than tribal mobilization. Across Nairobi, scenes of celebration mixed with anger.

Griner's attorney was quoted by Russian news agencies on Monday as saying the appeal was filed, but the grounds of the appeal were not immediately clear.

Some historically Black colleges and universities have seen increases in application and enrollment numbers after years of decline.