Episode Details

It's time to take a look at what's happening around Wyoming, for Friday, August 16. I'm Wendy Corr, bringing you headlines from the Cowboy State Daily newsroom - brought to you by Outrider PAC. According to a new survey, 79% of Wyoming Voters support Freedom in Education. Learn more about Educational Savings Accounts in Wyoming at OutriderPAC.com

Coal continues to see its competitive edge slip in favor of alternative forms of energy, having lost the battle to supply a majority of America's electricity for the first time during key summer months where the sector has always been a dominant player.

With coal production from Wyoming's energy-rich Powder River Basin down 25% in the first half of 2024, it should come as no surprise that wind and solar nationwide generated more electricity than coal through the first seven months of the year, according to energy reporter Pat Maio.

"Every year, we're building more and more in turbines and solar farms and as and I quoted some statistics in the article that I wrote on it today, indicating, yeah, there's something like, I don't know, 2100 megawatts of power in the state of Wyoming now that are online for wind, and there's another 3000 plus that's under various stages of getting approved and built in various stages of 100 megawatts plus of solar energy that's going to be coming online in Wyoming."

The coal industry has stated that it expects some recovery in the second half of the year as utilities work down coal inventories stored next to power plants and contracts to replace supplies trickle in.

Read the full story HERE.

Wyoming officials are investigating brake failure as the likely cause of an RV rollover crash on Teton Pass in Wyoming that killed a 72-year-old Nevada woman Wednesday.

The RV did not explode, but the burst of debris from its half roll could have given bystanders the impression that it did, according to Cowboy State Daily's Clair McFarland.

"The RV was also going down a hill, and it tried to pass several vehicles, and the brakes gave out, and so then the driver pulled off the shoulder, trying to slow down those in the terrain, and the machine the RV jackknifed, and then it rolled onto its roof. And the way it was told to me, those just aren't made to sustain a roll. They're kind of flimsy."

Of five vehicle occupants, four were injured and one was killed. The deceased has been identified as 72-year-old Kathleen Savko of Nevada. She was sitting on a couch when the crash occurred.

Read the full story HERE.

A new wave of luxury homes appears poised to enter the Jackson Hole market. That's even as the luxury home market in Teton County, the nation's wealthiest, has shown a significant drop in both inventory and sales.

The two newest luxury homes are offered by The Jackson Home Company, according to business reporter Renee Jean. The company's latest Jackson Hole listings at $23 million and $24.5 million are the company's most expensive to date in Wyoming and the West.

"The luxury homes just keep getting bigger and ever more expensive. And these two luxury homes have hit the market at a time when the overall inventory is down by quite a bit. They got all kinds of bells and whistles, outdoor hot tubs, floor to ceiling, fireplaces, five to six bedrooms and square footage, well over 5000 square feet. One of them even has a living roof. Green grass grows on it. But hang on to your wallets if you're interested in this market, because an even bigger luxury home is