By Lisa S. Icenogle CASPER, Wyo. — The Casper College Athletics Department was recently honored during the NERD YMCA of Natrona County’s 11th annual Wall of Honor Celebration. Paxton Stoneking, who just finished his freshman year at the college as a member of the Casper College Men’s Soccer team, accepted the award on behalf of […]
Schools
Posted inEducation
UW Nursing School dean receives national advocacy award
By University of Wyoming LARAMIE, Wyo. — Sherrill Smith, dean of the University of Wyoming’s Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing, was recently named the recipient of the 2024 American Association of Colleges of Nursing Advocate of the Year Award. Smith, who began serving as dean and professor at the UW nursing school in the […]
Posted inSports
Local athletes shine on State Track and Field Championship’s final day
CASPER, Wyo. — Some of the top high school athletes in Wyoming took flight on Saturday, wrapping up the 2025 State Track and Field Championships. With a number of events already in the books at time of publication, local schools have seen some stellar success on the tournament’s final day. Among them is Natrona County […]
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As Wyoming gets rid of gun-free zones, schools wrestle with limited control
By Joseph Beaudet, Klark Byrd, Rachel Finch, Jasmine Hall, Hector Martinez, Braden Schiller and Ivy Secrest In Campbell County, a place where nearly 90% of voters are registered Republicans, public schools already allow workers to carry concealed guns on school property. Still, the district found itself busy this spring revising those rules ahead of a […]
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Stark named interim director of UW Ranch Management and Agricultural Leadership Program
By Brooke Ortel LARAMIE, Wyo. — The University of Wyoming College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources recently appointed Doug Stark interim director of its Ranch Management and Agricultural Leadership Program. The program, which was launched in 2022, is designed to address contemporary workforce needs articulated by Wyoming agribusinesses. “The RMAL Program was developed […]
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Casper College renames emergency fund for former employee Dutton
By Lisa S. Icenogle CASPER, Wyo. — The Casper College Cares Student Emergency Fund has been renamed the David Dutton Student Emergency Fund in memory of former Enterprise Software Administrator David Dutton. After his death on Dec. 12, Casper College Information Technology Department colleague Kathy Chong approached the Casper College Foundation about establishing an emergency […]
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How a Wyoming town agreed it needed a charter school, but ended up fiercely divided
by Katie Klingsporn, WyoFile ALPINE—Nothing stirred on this residential corner of spread-out homes, though the school bus was due in just 10 minutes. The sun had yet to peak over the hulking mountains east of town, and a lone robin chirruped across the cold blueish pre-dawn light. Six minutes later, at 6:51 a.m., a group of […]
Posted inLocal Schools
Public weighs in on proposed NCSD1 campus gun policy
CASPER, Wyo. — Natrona County School District 1 hosted a public forum Thursday to gather community input on its proposed policy for complying with the Wyoming Repeal Gun Free Zones Act, which permits authorized staff and volunteers to carry concealed firearms on school grounds following specific training and permitting requirements. The session saw mixed reactions […]
Posted inCourt
Federal court sets deadline in UW transgender sorority sister lawsuit
by Maggie Mullen, WyoFile A federal court has ordered six students who sued their University of Wyoming sorority for admitting a transgender woman to fish or cut bait because they have failed to take action on the pending case for nearly a year. In March 2023, the plaintiffs — Jaylyn Westenbroek, Hannah Holtmeier, Allison Coghan, Grace […]
Posted inSchools
NCSD1 trustees hear pleas for skilled trades investment
CASPER, Wyo. — Amid rumors of program cuts, the Natrona County School District 1 Board of Trustees faced a wave of public support for its Career and Technical Education programs and the Pathways Innovation Center during Tuesday’s meeting, with community members emphasizing the critical role of skilled trades in the local economy. While district officials […]
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NCSD1 trustees have 1st reading for sex-based facility use policy
CASPER, Wyo. — A new policy mandating the use of designated facilities based on biological sex was introduced by the Natrona County School District Board of Trustees on Tuesday. Following the dictates of a new state statute, the proposed “Exclusive Use Designated Facilities” policy outlines specific rules for restroom, changing room and sleeping area access […]
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NCSD1 board hears 1st reading of updated in-school cellphone use policy
CASPER, Wyo. — Natrona County School District 1 trustees introduced an updated policy concerning the use of personal cellphones and other technology by students and staff Tuesday. This policy, identified as Board Policy 5376 and titled “Student and Staff Use of Personal Cell Phones and Other Technology,” was presented for its first reading. The policy […]
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NCSD1 trustees approve $476K in projects, contracts, $1.27M maintenance plan
CASPER, Wyo. — On Tuesday, the Natrona County School District 1 Board of Trustees approved several contracts for facility projects, a resource contract and a list of major maintenance recommendations for the 2024–25 fiscal year. The board unanimously approved its consent agenda, which included recommendations for various bids and contracts. Among the items were contracts […]
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NCSD1 committee drafts concealed carry, campus firearm rules
CASPER, Wyo. — The Natrona County School District 1 Board Policy Committee finalized plans on Monday for training and qualifications related to firearms for employees and volunteers, moving forward with a new policy that aligns with a state law allowing concealed carry on school grounds. The proposed rule is a response to the Wyoming Repeal Gun […]
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NCSD1 committees, trustees to consider firearms, restroom use, cellphone use policies
CASPER, Wyo. — The Natrona County School District 1 Board of Trustees will meet today at the Central Services Facility to discuss various topics, including board policies on cellphone and restroom use. Before the trustees’ regular 6 p.m. session, the district’s Board Policy Committee will meet to discuss Board Policy 4020, “Firearms Policy (Concealed Carry): […]
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Annual Wyoming Reads celebration returns May 20
By The Nicolaysen Art Museum CASPER, Wyo. — The 27th annual Wyoming Reads celebration will take place at the Natrona County Library and Nicolaysen Art Museum on May 20. Natrona County first graders from public, private and home schools students. In conjunction with the Sue Jorgensen Library Foundation, the Natrona County School District, the Natrona […]
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Casper College to host 3rd annual Traditional Powwow on Saturday
By Lisa S. Icenogle CASPER, Wyo. — The Casper College Indigenous Student Alliance will host the third annual Casper College Traditional Powwow on May 10, at the Casper College soccer practice field. The event is free and open to the public. The powwow will run from noon to 5 p.m., with the grand entry scheduled […]
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Free 5K color run at Casper College set for Friday
By Lisa S. Icenogle CASPER, Wyo. — The Casper College Running Club will host a free 5K color run at Casper College on Friday, May 9, beginning at 6:30 p.m. According to Joseph Meeks, club sponsor and business instructor, runners can arrive at the Casper College Student Union and University of Wyoming at Casper building […]
Posted inArts
(PHOTOS) Wyoming high school artists share works at annual symposium
CASPER, Wyo. — Thousands of Wyoming art students showcased pieces Thursday at the annual Wyoming High School Art Symposium, hosted at the Ford Wyoming Center. Josh Dillinger, a Campbell County arts teacher and the president of the Wyoming Secondary Art Educators Association, said roughly 4,630 works are on display this year. “Almost every district has […]
Posted inEducation
UW receives $2M endowment to support economics faculty
LARAMIE, Wyo. — The University of Wyoming recently received a major gift from UW alumnus Paul Turner and wife Karleen, who have pledged $1 million to support faculty members in the Department of Economics in the College of Business. The gift will be matched by the state of Wyoming to $2 million to create the […]
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(PHOTOS) Winnie the Pooh wins Oil City’s Top Dog contest
CASPER, Wyo. — After dozens of nominations and thousands of votes, voters named local dog Winnie the Pooh as the top pooch in the area in the inaugural Oil City’s Top Dog contest. The contest was the brainchild of Fly Casper Alliance board chair Kaycee Witta, and served to fund scholarships for Casper College’s aviation […]
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Debra Swedberg named 2025 Casper College Alumni Association Commitment to Excellence winner
CASPER, Wyo. — Debra Swedberg is the 2025 Casper College Alumni Association’s Commitment to Excellence award winner. A Casper native, Swedberg received her Associate of Science degree in mathematics from Casper College in 1979. In January 1978, while a student, she was the secretary for the math department, where she typed tests for those faculty […]
Posted inSports
Casper College’s Parks steps down after 2 years at helm of basketball team
CASPER, Wyo. — After a strong two-year run as the head coach of the Casper College Men’s Basketball team, Tom Parks has announced that he will step down from the position effective Thursday, May 1. Parks noted that as much as he loved coaching, the stresses of being a head coach had taken their toll […]