Episode Details

It's time to take a look at what's happening around Wyoming for Tuesday, September 16th. I'm Wendy Corr, bringing you headlines from the Cowboy State Daily newsroom… Brought to you by Wyoming Interventional and Vascular Associates. WIVA offers the best solution for treating tired, aching and swollen legs, at Wyoming's only IAC-accredited vein facility. With virtually no downtime and minimal risks, if you're ready for relief, see what WIVA can do for you. Schedule a consultation at Casper Medical Imaging dot net, forward slash WIVA.

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A Wyoming state legislator and at least one parent say it's inappropriate to allow a male custodian at a local elementary school to cross-dress on the job and be called by she/her pronouns.

House District 38 Rep. Jayme Lien of Casper lobbied the Natrona County School District board last week regarding this issue. Cowboy State Daily's Dale Killingbeck reports that Lien's stated purpose was to ask the school board what is happening with the staff member, and if they are willfully neglecting state law.

"The state rep in Casper, Jayme Lien, appeared at the school board last week voicing concern about a cross dressing custodian who, when kids started the new school year, asked students to call them by she/her pronouns and also dressed as a woman. And previously, this parent is saying her 10 year old knew him as a man. So on Facebook, there is a firestorm that has been created."

The parent's Facebook post about the issue drew 430 responses with many supporting her stand and others challenging her for calling out the custodian and raising the issue.

Read the full story HERE.

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Researchers have confirmed the presence of "kissing bugs" that carry a deadly disease in Wyoming.

Kissing bugs can carry a parasite that causes the Chagas disease, which leads to irreparable heart or digestive problems if the disease is not caught and treated early enough.

Cowboy State Daily's Renee Jean reports that while the Wyoming Department of Health has not yet seen any instances of Chagas in the state, kissing bugs have been confirmed in at least 32 states so far - including right here in Wyoming.

"Its symptoms are kind of similar to the flu, you know, or a cold, fever, aches, pains, we've all had that with various colds. Most people aren't thinking, Oh, maybe I should be thinking about Chagas… There are several species of this kissing bug… they're not going to try to feed on you while you're awake. They wait until you're asleep… The rest of you is probably covered up, right but your face is right there, and the lips are very blood, rich, thin skin, easy for them to get a nice meal. And so hence the name kissing bug."

The CDC says the parasitic disease is often fatal if not treated, and can linger in a body for years.

Read the full story HERE.

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The first day of fall isn't for another week, but the first signs of winter can already be seen covering the highest points of Wyoming.

Drivers making the Monday morning commute over Togwotee Pass were greeted by a flurry of light, wet snow near Wind River Lake. Cowboy State Daily's Andrew Rossi reports that shorter days and longer nights are contributing to snow-friendly conditions.

"Getting snow on Togwotee Pass or on the Beartooth highway, that's not unusual from mid September. I think the thing that stresses people out is, is this the trendsetter? Is this the change that's coming? And from what we're looking at, prob