Wyoming News Briefs | State | wyomingnewsnow.tv

State will soon offer savings accounts for homeschooled kids

SUNDANCE (WNE) — Homeschooled and private school students will soon be eligible for education savings accounts to help pay for their education.

The Wyoming Education Savings Act (ESA) was signed into law earlier this year, and the Wyoming Department of Education is currently seeking comments on the proposed rules that will govern the program.

ESA funding of $6000 will be available each year for students who are enrolled in private and home schools.

To qualify, the child must also be a Wyoming resident, age four or above (pre-K to grade 12) and with a household income below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines, which is currently around $46,800 for a family of four.

Parents will also need to make sure that the student receives instruction in core subjects and takes annual proficiency tests.

Students will receive the money as a deposit in their ESA account, to be used for educational purposes. Expenditures can include tutoring services, extracurricular activities at a traditional public or charter school, text books, educational technology, school uniforms, fees for summer or after-school education programs and costs for college admission tests.

Students cannot be enrolled in a public school while receiving an ESA but can use their funds to purchase services from participating school districts.

The ESA program was established through House Enrolled Act 53 with the stated intent of providing families with greater flexibility in educational choices for their children.

The proposed rules concern the nuts and bolts of ESA accounts, from how a family should provide proof of income eligibility to application deadlines. To view and comment on the proposed rules, visit https://edu.wyoming.gov/ wde-seeks-public-comment-on-education-savings-account-program-rules/ or send your comments by mail to Wyoming Department of Education1, 22 West 25th Street, Cheyenne, WY 82002 before December 11. Applications for ESAs for the next school year will open on January 1.

This story was published on October 31, 2024.

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Half of Laramie County voters cast general election ballots early

CHEYENNE (WNE) — Half of Laramie County’s 39,373 registered voters have already cast their general election ballots, according to Laramie County Clerk Debra Lee.

Lee said figures released at the close of voting on Wednesday show 14,373 voters have voted early in person and another 5,156 have returned their absentee mail ballots since the Oct. 8 start of Wyoming’s early-absentee voting period.

Laramie County has seen a record number of early voters in this year’s election.

“We continue to receive requests for absentee ballots, although it will be difficult for those requesting a ballot this late to receive them in time to mark them and get them back by the legal deadline. We strongly recommend voters return absentee mail ballots directly to our office or use the county’s ballot drop box to ensure we receive them in time to be counted,” Lee said.

To date, the clerk’s office has received more than 5,000 mail ballots and fewer than 1,000 are outstanding.

On Election Day, Nov. 5, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters are not required to vote in a specific location, but can choose from among seven vote centers in the county.

This story was published on November 1, 2024.

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Queen of the Tetons' documentary free online

JACKSON (WNE) — In the wake of the death of Grizzly 399 on Oct. 22, Jackson Wild and filmmakers are offering a special virtual screening of the full, 90-minute documentary about the world-famous bear today through Tuesday.

“399: Queen of the Tetons” debuted on May 8, 2024, on PBS. It has also been screened at the Center for the Arts in Jackson and at other Western theaters.

There are two versions of the film. One, a 50-minute version, is available on PBS Nature’s YouTube channel. The filmmakers do not yet have distribution rights to the longer, 90-minute version of the film.

The fact that it is streaming free, online and in full for five days is relatively rare.

“The filmmaking team and Jackson Wild are honored to share ‘399: Queen of the Tetons’ as a tribute to her life and legacy,” Jackson Wild’s invitation says.

To stream the full version of the film, visit TinyURL.com/queen399full.

“Not only was she a grizzly bear, but she was a very visible grizzly bear,” said Bridger-Teton National Forest Botanist Trevor Bloom. “For a lot of people, she was probably the first grizzly bear they ever saw. And over the course of her life, she might have influenced thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of people to think differently about grizzly bears and endangered species and wildlife coexistence. ”

The 50-minute version can be found on TinyURL.com/queen399.

This story was published on November 1, 2024.

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UW celebrates record-breaking 10th annual Giving Day

LARAMIE (WNE) — The University of Wyoming’s 10th annual Giving Day set records with 11,202 donors who gave more than $4.1 million, making it the most successful Giving Day in the university’s history.

The proceeds from the fundraising event supports the university’s student programs, faculty, research and resources.

Since its inception, UW Giving Day has grown exponentially.

The 2024 total of $4,175,132 represents significant increases from 2023’s results of 8,978 donors and $3,605,192 raised and 2022’s totals of 6,296 donors and $4,107,408 raised, according to a news release.

A key driver of Giving Day’s success was the more than $1.4 million from matching funds and challenges, which provided donors the opportunity to multiply their impact.

Notably, the UW Foundation contributed $360,000 in matching funds, while the UW Board of Trustees added $250,000 — helping to maximize gifts for student success.

The McMurry Foundation also provided a $100,000 surprise match.

This year had a significant increase in student-run campaigns, with the number growing to 117, up from 72 in 2023. These campaigns collectively raised $453,881 in 2024, marking a nearly 20% increase compared to the $380,606 raised in 2023.

“This year’s Giving Day highlights the extraordinary commitment of the entire University of Wyoming community,” UW President Ed Seidel said in the release. “Every gift, large and small, plays a vital role in empowering our students and advancing our mission.”

This story was published on November 1, 2024.

Originally published on wyomingnews.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.

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