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Hannity Has Mitt and Polsters Zogby and Rasmussen

Dave Chaffin — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:40:28 +0000

Hear Hannity 4-7PM Weekdays on AM650 KGAB and kgab.com

Catch Sean Hannity today and hear him talk with:J

5:05pm MST Governor Mitt Romney will discuss his reported slip in the Michigan polls where he is now trailing by a small margin to Gov. Rick Santorum. Additionally the Mass. Governor will talk about his campaigns strategy heading into tonight’s debate and how he would handle the rising cost of gas in America.

6:05pm MST John Zogby and Scott Rasmussen will be here to analyze nationwide polls, which indicate that none of the candidates are beating Obama by more than 3 to 4 points. According to both pollsters this debate could “make or break the candidates” in this extremely competitive race.

Center for Blind Proposed for Rock Springs [AUDIO]

Cheyenne News Staff — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:05:32 +0000

(Rakesh Ahuja, MD/Wikipedia)

A former businesswoman wants to build a training and rehabilitation center for the blind and visually impaired in Rock Springs. Doug Randall reports. Early childhood education is a key to student success, that’s according to Lesli Rotenberg, Senior Vice-President for children’s media for PBS. Click past the jump to listen to Wyoming Radio News.

Many Wyoming Households Not Ready For A Rainyday

Karen Snyder — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:27:10 +0000

Getty Images

About 21-percent of Wyoming households are not prepared to weather a storm financially if unexpected big bills pop up.

The nonprofit Corporation for Enterprise Development has issued a report showing that Wyomingites make about seven thousand dollars less per year than the average American worker, and carry an average credit card debt of 76-hundred dollars. Don Baylor with the Center for Public Policy Priorities says that’s a precarious situation.

“They’re essentially a job loss away from having zero assets.”

The report recommends a state tax credit for working families and state support for savings-match programs for low-income families.

Baylor says low college graduation rates play into the picture as well, because quality education equals expanded earnings and savings.

Who Will Win Big at This Year's Academy Awards? Let Your Voice Be Heard

Drew Weisholtz — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:53:13 +0000

The Academy Awards are slated for Sunday evening. While you can catch the live broadcast on ABC at 7 p.m. ET, there’s no reason you can’t get into the spirit of Hollywood’s biggest night now.

Here’s a look at this year’s nominees in the major categories. Let your voice be heard and tell us who you think will win!

‘Hugo’ leads the way with 11 nominations. Will it end the evening with the most wins? You tell us:

Paramount/DreamWorks/DreamWorks

Frazer Harrison/Kevin Winter/Kevin Winter, Getty Images

Kevin Winter/Carlos Alvarez/Frazer Harrison, Getty Images

Frazer Harrison/Jason Merritt/Jason Merritt, Getty Images

Jason Merritt/Frazer Harrison/Frazer Harrison, Getty Images

Gareth Cattermole/Valerie Macon/Jamie McCarthy, Getty Images

DreamWorks/DreamWorks/Blind Wink Productions

Lawmakers Considering Land Acquisition [AUDIO]

Doug Randall — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:35:17 +0000

Sen. Chris Rothfuss (D-Laramie)

A bill that would allow the state to begin negotiating and possibly acquire land east of Laramie to secure that city’s water supply will be heard in front of the Senate Minerals Committee today. Senator Chris Rothfuss (D-Laramie) says Senate File 93 is important to Laramie. Sheridan has been named the numb er one small town for cowboy charm by Western Horseman Magazine. Business Reporter Sharon Fain has details. Click past jump to listen to Wyoming Radio News.

From The Legislature [AUDIO]

Amy Richards — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:37:28 +0000

Wyoming State Legislature

The full Senate will take up the education accountability bill. Senate File 57 was reported out of the Senate Appropriations committe.

Lawmakers in both houses got their first glimpse of the budget bill Tuesday. Some want to keep it where it is and some lawmakers would like to see areas addressed like the shortfall in the Medicaid program. Click past the jump to listen to the Legislative Report.

Wind Turbine Construction Slows

Associated Press — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:32:26 +0000

Sean Gallup/Getty Images

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — The number of wind turbines completed in Wyoming is lagging the number of permits issued by state regulators to build them.

Todd Parfitt of the state’s Industrial Siting Division says financial concerns, tax uncertainty, legal and environmental issues such as sage grouse habitat, and transmission constraints have slowed construction.

The state has permitted 1,488 wind turbines since the first state-permitted wind farm got an OK in 1995. Of those, 825 have been built. Three-fourths of the existing turbines were built between 2008 and 2010.

So far, wind projects that haven’t been built appear to be on hold rather than abandoned.

New Webcams at Glendo and Boysen Parks [AUDIO]

Cheyenne News Staff — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:05:54 +0000

Glendo State Park (Courtesy Wyoming State Parks)

New webcams have been installed and are operational at Glendo and Boysen State Parks by the Wyoming Division of State Parks, Historic Sites and Trails. Cheyenne Mayor Rick Kaysen says he supports a proposal by Cheyenne Light, Fuel and Power to build a new generating station on Campstool Road within city limits. Click past the jump to listen to Wyoming Radio News.

Food Price Increase Decline Forecast [AUDIO]

Doug Randall — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:10:55 +0000

Thinkstock

The latest government report on inflation is predicting food price inflation to lag behind the general inflation rate over the next few years. The Wyoming Senate Labor, Health and Social Services Committee Monday endorsed a bill that would require coaches and trainers of organized non-school youth sports and activities to receive training on concussions. Amy Richards has a report. Click past jump to listen to Wyoming Radio News.

Tuesday's Morning Zone, Kouri, Kaysen and Politically Incorrect

Dave Chaffin — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 12:58:23 +0000

Mayor Kaysen

7:07AM MST: Law Enforcement columnist and long time friend of the show, Jim Kouri guests. He will be talking with host Dave Chaffin about his latest column on the potential for voter corruption and fraud.

7:37AM MST: Cheyenne Mayor Rick Kaysen is back for his monthly visit with Dave . He will talk about the news that the City may find it necessary to layoff more employees in the next fiscal year, the report that American Airlines is leaving Cheyenne on the first of April, he will update us on the Lion’s Park landscape Remediation plan, and the menu item as that have been chosen to be on the 6th Penny ballot in August.

8:37AM MST: Film Producer Beck Best, will be here to talk about her latest feature….”Politically Incorrect…The Movie that may just save Western Civilization

Voter Fraud: Research study suggests major election problems

Dave Chaffin — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 12:49:36 +0000

~~2/21/2012~~~By Jim Kouri, Law Enforcement Columnist ~~~(Guests today at 7:07AM MST on the Morning Zone)

In a typical system, election officials get information about a voter’s identity, eligibility, address, and contact information through a form completed at a public agency, such as a county election office or motor vehicles office, or through an unregulated third party voter registration group, such as a campaign or advocacy organization (ACORN, Project Vote). – The Pew Center

A major non-partisan research project suggests that the U.S. is fast approaching the status of Third-World Nation when it comes to the integrity of local and national elections.

“Our democratic process requires an effective system for maintaining accurate voter registration information. Voter registration lists are used to assign precincts, send sample ballots, provide polling place information, identify and verify voters at polling places, and determine how resources, such as paper ballots and voting machines, are deployed on Election Day” state Pew Center statisticians.

These systems are plagued with errors and inefficiencies that waste taxpayer dollars, undermine
voter confidence, and fuel partisan disputes over the integrity of our elections, according to Pew researchers.

Voter registration in the United States largely reflects its 19th-century origins and has not kept pace with advancing technology and a mobile society. States’ systems must be brought into the 21st century to be more accurate, cost-effective, and efficient, according to Pew Center statement.

Research commissioned by the Pew Center on the States highlights the extent of the challenge:

* Approximately 24 million—one of every eight—active voter registrations in the United States are no longer valid or are significantly inaccurate.

* More than 1.8 million deceased individuals are listed as active voters.

* Approximately 2.75 million people have active registrations in more than one state.

Meanwhile, researchers estimate at least 51 million eligible U.S. citizens are unregistered, or more than 24 percent of the eligible population.

The Pew study also found that the paper-based processes of most registration systems present several opportunities for error.

In a typical system, election officials get information about a voter’s identity, eligibility, address, and contact information through a form completed at a public agency, such as a county election office or motor vehicles office, or through an unregulated third party voter registration group, such as a campaign or advocacy organization (ACORN, Project Vote).

These are sent to election offices, where the data often are manually entered and names are added to the voter list. A voter must supply any change to that information, such as a new address, name, or party affiliation, which is usually manually entered and processed by election officials.

The study also identified:

* Approximately 12.7 million records nationwide that appear to be out of date and no longer reflect the voter’s
current information.

* More than 1.8 million records for people who are no longer living, but have active registrations on voter rolls.

* About 12 million records with incorrect addresses, indicating that either the voters have moved, or that errors in the information on file make it unlikely the Postal Service can reach them.

Illegal alien voters

A study released by the conservative think-tank the Heritage Foundation provides proof that illegal aliens and immigrants with green cards are committing rampant voter fraud in the United States.

Reports of ineligible persons registering to vote have raised concerns about state processes for verifying voter registration lists. States usually base voter eligibility on the voter’s age, US citizenship, mental competence, and felon status.

Although individual states run elections, Congress has authority to affect the administration of the elections. The Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) had set a deadline for states to have a statewide voter registration list and list verification procedures, according to Heritage analysts.

For example, the methods used in seven selected states to verify voter eligibility and ensure accuracy of voter registration lists were varied and include relying on registrant self attestation, return mailings, and checking against lists of felony convictions or deceased individuals. Some states, for instance, failed to do any more than ask on their application forms if the registrant was a US citizen. The applicant will merely check off the “Yes” box, but there is no action taken to verify the authenticity of that answer.

“The voter registration officials simply take the word of the registrant with no follow-up,” said conservative political strategist Michael Baker.

“Some states that require some backup documentation merely ask for a utility bill or a driver’s license — neither of which prove citizenship. In other words, legal or illegal aliens can easily register to vote in local and national elections,” warns Baker.

Mountain Goats Gaining Foothold in Yellowstone Area [AUDIO]

Cheyenne News Staff — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:05:42 +0000

Mountain Goat (Courtesy of U.S.F.W.S)

Biologists say non-native mountain goats have gained a foothold in parts of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and could threaten native bighorn sheep. Doug Randall reports. U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials say they plan to investigate whether inhalable caffeine, is safe for consumers and if its manufacturer was right to brand it as a dietary supplement. Click past the jump to listen to Wyoming Radio News.

From the Legislature [AUDIO]

Amy Richards — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:05:38 +0000

By Amy Richards

After a lengthy debate Senate File SF 25 the open records bill, passed Committee of the Whole in the Senate. It must pass two more readings before moving on to the House.

Lawmakers will get their first look at the state’s $3.2 billion dollar proposed budget Tuesday. Leadership has scheduled two days fo general file on the budget. Click past the jump to listen to the Legislative Report.

Weekend Box Office – 'Safe House' Proves Dangerous to the Competition

Shauna Wright — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 21:58:29 +0000

Universal Pictures

The Denzel Washington/Ryan Reynolds thriller ‘Safe House’ kept movie-goers on the edge of their seats this holiday weekend, earning $28.4 million to land at the top of the charts in its second week of release.

‘The Vow’ took in $26.6 million for the runner-up spot, barely squeaking past ‘Journey 2: The Mysterious Island,’ which sold $26.4 million in tickets for third.

Rounding out the top five? Nicolas Cage’s ‘Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance’ and the Reese Witherspoon rom-com ‘This Means War,’ which netted $25.7 million and $20.4 million, respectively.

Here’s a list of the top 10 movies at the box office Friday through Monday with estimated grosses, along with how much each movie has made since its release:

1. ‘Safe House’ – $28.4 million, $82.6 million total
2. ‘The Vow’ – $26.6 million, $88.5 million total
3. ‘Journey 2: The Mysterious Island’ – $26.4 million, $59.5 million total
4. ‘Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance’ – $25.7 million, new release
5. ‘This Means War’ – $20.4 million, $22 million total
6. ‘Star Wars: Episode I – Phantom Menace’ – $10.1 million, $36 million total
7. ‘Chronicle’ – $9.2 million, $52.6 million total
8. ‘The Secret World Of Arrietty’ – $8.1 million, new release
9. ‘The Woman in Black’ – $7.9 million, $46.5 million total
10. ‘The Grey’ – $3.7 million, $48.6 million total

[Box Office Mojo]

Is the Economy Getting Better? – Survey of the Day

Jeremy Taylor — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:40:53 +0000

Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

Over the last few months, there has been some data that suggests the sluggish economy could be improving. Mainly, the unemployment rate, which has dropped to 8.3 percent after reaching a 26-year high of 10 percent in late 2009. However, according to a new survey from Poll Postion, the public is split on whether America is entering into a period of economic recovery.

Thirty-eight percent of the 1,242 registered voters polled said the economy is improving while another 38 percent said it was still deteriorating. Twenty-two percent believe the economy is staying the same.

What political party the respondent belongs to seemed to have a big influence on their economic views. Sixty-eight percent of democrats believe the economy is getting better, whereas 53 percent of republicans think it continues to get worse. Political independents surveyed tended to agree with the republicans.

[Poll Position]

UW Professor Appointed to Global Warming Task Force [AUDIO]

Amy Richards — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:00:59 +0000

U.W. Associate Professor Sarah Strauss (Courtesy of U.W.)

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department and the Conservation Fund say a land conservation agreement will secure key wildlife habitat of the Fish Creek Flying W. Ranches near Big Piney. Doug Randall reports. University of Wyoming Associate Professor of Anthropology Sarah Strauss has been appointed to the American Anthropological association’s new nine-member task force on global climate change. Click past the jump to listen to Wyoming Radio News.

Lummis Votes Against Tax Holiday Extension [AUDIO]

Doug Randall — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 16:00:52 +0000

Rep. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.)

US Rep. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) voted against legislation to extend the payroll tax holiday Friday. The legislation passed the house 293-132 and was also approved by the US Senate. Wyoming’s first legal distillery says it’s first batch of bourbon whiskey will be ready to drink in December. Business Reporter Sharon Fain has details. Click past jump to listen to Wyoming Radio News.

From The Legislature [AUDIO]

Amy Richards — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 16:10:11 +0000

: Wyoming Capitol (Amy Richards/TSM)

By Amy RichardsA bill that would have called for a Constitutional Amendment to change the Superintendent of Public Instruction from an elected position to an appointed position failed introduction in the House Friday.

The House passed HB 32, the redistricting bill on third and final reading Friday. The bill now moves on to the Senate. Click pas the jump to listen to the Legislative Report.

Wyoming Crop Values Up 30 Percent in 2011 [AUDIO]

Cheyenne News Staff — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 00:05:56 +0000

A federal appeals court has rejected Wyoming’s request for it to reconsider a decision upholding a 2001 rule barring development on millions of acres of roadless areas in national forests. Doug Randall reports. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says the value of all Wyoming crops is up 30 percent in 2011. Click past the jump to listen to Wyoming Radio News.

Welfare Drug Testing Debate

Associated Press — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 23:36:51 +0000

Ron Wurzer, Getty Images

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming lawmakers are considering requiring some welfare recipients to undergo drug tests.

The bill is set to get its first hearing in Cheyenne on Friday.

House Bill 82 would require people applying for certain welfare programs to pass a drug test. Anyone testing positive for drugs would be ineligible for benefits.

It’s sponsored by Rep. David Miller, a Republican form Riverton, and others.

Colorado lawmakers are considering a similar proposal.

Last year, about three dozen states debated making drug screenings a requirement for receiving government aid. A handful passed laws, including Florida, where the regulation is being challenged.