Tom Kocal joined Townsquare Media as the LaramieLive.com Multimedia Reporter in February 2019 after a 40-year career in the newspaper business. After selling the Lanark, Carroll County, Illinois newspaper business in 2013, Tom was one of the founders of Carroll County’s only online news source. “Change is the one constant” is a mantra that motivated Tom to set out on a new adventure after his wife of 45 years passed away in early 2018. After a road trip in the summer of 2018, the lure of the west called, and Tom moved to Laramie in September 2018. “I’ve seen the newspaper and printing industries change tremendously in 40 years,” Tom said. “We started out with Ben Franklin-era hand-set type, Linotypes, and lead type printed on a hand-fed printing press, to producing news and photos for online readers that can be posted from my smart phone in my truck. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t teach old dogs new tricks!” Tom has two older children and 2 grandchildren. His interests include his fiancé, Julie, and her grandchildren; gardening, preserving, cooking and eating the vegetables they grow; and bicycling while enjoying the scenery and to stay in shape. Tom enjoys being an active member of the Laramie community, reporting for LaramieLive.com on the events that Laramie has to offer and meeting more unique personalities that make this community a very special place.
Thomas Kocal
Wyonics Poised to Change the Face of the Wyoming Coal Industry
The Laramie-based company has developed a method of extracting Rare Earth Elements from coal in an energy and environmentally sustainable process
Body of Missing Cheyenne Man Found in Medicine Bow Forest
On Sunday, April 21, deputies with the Albany County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a report of a dead body located near Blair Wallis Road in the Medicine Bow National Forest between Laramie and Cheyenne.
Outstanding Laramie Youth Earn Wyoming Congressional Award
Eleven Laramie students were recognized for earning bronze, silver and gold Wyoming Congressional Awards.
Wyoming Board of Education to Reconsider Draft Computer Science Standards
Wyoming State Board of Education will hold a full-day meeting in Riverton beginning at 8 a.m. on Thursday, April 25, at the Fremont County School District #25 board room located at 121 North 25th St. The SBE will first convene as the State Board of Vocational Education to hear an update from the Wyoming Department of Education and vote on the State Perkins V Transition Plan.
Laramie Man Charged With Felony Possession of a Controlled Substance
A Laramie man was arrested on two charges Wednesday, April 10
Reminder: Application Deadline for CWD Group Membership is Friday
Wyoming Game and Fish Department is addressing increased concerns about Chronic Wasting Disease through a new public working group and is asking for membership applications - deadline Friday, April 5.
Make Your Reservations Now To LOL With Dave Barry
Acclaimed humorist and award-winning author Dave Barry will speak at the University of Wyoming on Thursday, April 18.
You’re invited: Game and Fish Conservation Stamp Art Show
The public is invited to attend the 36th annual Wyoming Game and Fish Conservation Stamp Art Show at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 29. This family-friendly event will be held in Cheyenne at the Game and Fish Headquarters, 5400 Bishop Blvd.
Wyoming Highway Patrol Commissions 11 New Troopers
The Wyoming Highway Patrol recently commissioned 11 Cadets to the rank of Trooper upon the completion of their intensive training academy
Gerharter is Wyoming’s 2018 Wildlife Officer of the Year
Grant Gerharter, south Cody game warden, was named the 2018 Wildlife Officer of the Year for Wyoming