I began my career in western Illinois reporting the “High School Minute” for my high school back in the late 70’s, ensuring everyone at Warren Senior High was aware of the lunch menu for the day, and breaking news about assemblies that would get us out of algebra for an hour. That launched a career that had me covering Ronald Reagan’s campaign at the age of 19, then off to Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Arizona, Nebraska, and ultimately Casper, Wyoming. My career has given me the opportunity to cover hundreds of politicians, celebrities and local residents to relay their stories to my listeners. Some include then-Illinois State Senator Barack Obama, and currently imprisoned Governors George Ryan and Rod Blagojevich. I’ve also had the pleasure of meeting non-politicians Bo Derek, Sally Field, Reese Witherspoon, Reba McEntire and others. Some other perks of working strange hours in radio include “media flights” with the U.S. Army Golden Knights, a jet-assisted takeoff in the Blue Angels C-130, and aerobatic flights in a T-34 Navy Trainer with the Lima-Lima Squadron. (As a private pilot, I take every opportunity to get in the air, although my stomach prefers straight-and-level flight over loops and barrel-rolls) I’m still waiting and begging for “the ride,” in any of the premier jet demonstration teams’ key aircraft, whether it’s the Blue Angels’ FA-18 Hornet, or the Air Force Thunderbirds’ F-16. Heck, I’d even fly with Canada’s Snowbirds if a back seat was available. Being a relative “newbie” to Wyoming, arriving in January of 2012, I look forward to exploring the region and taking advantage of the lakes, rivers and mountains.
Rich Denison
Budget Cuts Could Affect Wyoming Parks
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Large areas of Yellowstone, Yosemite and Glacier national parks could remain closed to summer traffic weeks later than usual, while visitor centers and campgrounds at several other national parks might have to close...
Gov. Mead To Act On State Budget
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Gov. Matt Mead intends to take action Thursday on the supplemental budget bill the state Legislature has approved.
Renny MacKay is spokesman for the governor. MacKay says Mead will take action on the budget bill before heading out of state for a meeting of the National Governors Association in Washington DC...
Wyoming Lawmakers Advance ‘Firearm Protection Act’
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A Wyoming legislative committee says the state should not issue criminal citations to federal officers who attempt to enforce a possible federal assault weapons ban.
The Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday endorsed an amendment to a bill that already has passed the House...
Mead Signs Higher Gas Tax Bill Into Law
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Gov. Matt Mead has signed a bill into law that will hike the state's fuel tax by a dime a gallon.
Mead has been pushing for a new source of funding for the Wyoming Department of Transportation since he took office two years ago...
[UPDATE] Cabin Where Former LAPD Cop Believed Holed Up Burned, Deputy Killed
UPDATE Wednesday, February 13, 2013
BIG BEAR LAKE, Calif. (AP) — An official briefed on the investigation tells The Associated Press that a wallet with a California driver's license with the name Christopher Dorner has been found in the rubble of a cabin...
Federal Grand Jury Indicts Suspect In Casper Online Threat
A 34-year-old Oklahoma City man has been indicted by a federal grand jury, after investigators say he made online threats against the city of Casper.
According to the FBI, on January 14th, Glenn Kirkham posted a threat on a popular online forum “4chan,” claiming Casper-area residents might be in danger...
Gov. Mead Expresses Concern Over Firearm Protection Act
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Gov. Matt Mead says he has concerns with a bill pending in the Wyoming Legislature that would seek to exempt the state from any new federal ban on assault weapons.
Mead, a Republican and former federal prosecutor, told reporters Tuesday that he's a gun owner himself and owns some of the firearms that could be banned...
Wyoming Lottery Bill Advances
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — The state House of Representatives has approved a bill that would allow Wyoming to offer a lottery.
The proposal passed on a 31-28 vote Monday. It now moves to the Senate for consideration.
The proposal allows the state to offer a state lottery or join a multi-state lottery, such as the Powerball...
Suspect Holding Child Hostage In Alabama Killed, Child Safe
MIDLAND CITY, Ala. (AP) — Officials say they stormed a bunker in Alabama to rescue a 5-year-old child being held hostage there after his abductor was seen with a gun.
Steve Richardson with the FBI's office in Mobile said at a news conference Monday afternoon that negotiations deteriorated and that 65-year-old Jimmy Lee Dykes had been seen with a gun...
Worland School Officials Reverse Course On Gay Student’s Photo
It appears a controversy over a yearbook photo of an openly gay student at Worland High School has been resolved. Eighteen-year-old Matt Jolley’s photo of the Senior holding a gay pride flag was initially rejected for publication in the yearbook, after school officials claimed it was “political...