Eye on the Issues

In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we sit down with Curtis Schube, Executive Director of the Council to Modernize Governance and co-author of a groundbreaking report from the National Center for Energy Analytics. His work takes a deep dive into an overlooked but increasingly urgent question: What happens when wind and solar facilities reach the end of their lifespan—and who pays for it?

Curtis walks us through a state-b...

We’re celebrating a huge milestone—100 episodes of Eye on the Issues! 

For this special edition, host Mike Garofalo sits down with our very own President and CEO, Mandy Ludtke, for an inside look at the Wyoming Liberty Group’s work and vision for the future.

Since launching Eye on the Issues in 2023, we’ve covered everything from school choice and government transparency to energy policy and campaign finance. In t...

In this special episode, Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder joins us to talk about the biggest issues facing education in our state. From major court battles over school funding and education choice to the state’s push for stronger career and technical training, Superintendent Degenfelder shares her perspective on where Wyoming is excelling and where more work is needed. She discusses the launch of Teach...

In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we sit down with Jenny Schucker—founder of Academy of the Winds, a Montessori school in Lander—to unpack the fallout from the recent judicial halt on Wyoming’s Education Savings Accounts (ESAs). Jenny shares how the ESA freeze has impacted her school’s enrollment and budget, and more importantly, the families left in limbo just weeks before the new school year begins.

She discusses the...

In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we speak with Diane D’Arrigo of the Nuclear Information and Resource Service (NIRS). This organization has worked with communities and policymakers on nuclear waste issues since the late 1970s.

This conversation explores how radioactive waste is generated through nuclear power, the types of materials it leaves behind, and how these materials interact with the human body and the environ...

In this episode of Eye on the Issues, recorded in mid-May, we sat down with Anna Erickson, a professor of nuclear and radiological engineering at Georgia Tech. As someone who teaches and supports nuclear energy, Prof. Erickson offers an informed perspective—but even she raises concerns about how nuclear projects are being handled, particularly regarding community trust and transparency.

Her message is clear: local voices m...

In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we sit down with Mary Olson, founder of the Gender and Radiation Impact Project. With decades of experience in nuclear policy and radiation research, Mary offers a practical look at how radiation exposure affects the human body—and why understanding those risks is more important than ever as nuclear energy and waste storage debates continue. From routine reactor emissions to the long-term dange...

In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we sit down with Dr. Allison Macfarlane, former Chair of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and Director of the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs at the University of British Columbia.

With decades of experience in nuclear oversight, Dr. Macfarlane brings a measured, practical perspective to the fast-moving conversations surrounding nuclear energy. While many discuss...

As Wyoming considers its role in the future of nuclear energy—including proposals around spent nuclear fuel storage—it’s essential to examine how other countries have approached the same challenge.

In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we welcome Johan Swahn, former director of Sweden’s NGO Office for Nuclear Waste Review and longtime advisor on nuclear transparency and safety. With decades of experience reviewing the scie...

Spent nuclear fuel from reactors is just one part of the nuclear fuel cycle—but what happens at the front end of the cycle? In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we look at uranium milling, a process that can leave enormous amounts of radioactive waste behind. 

Our guest, Jeri Fry, co-founder of Colorado Citizens Against Toxic Waste, walks us through the history of uranium processing at the Cotter Uranium Mill in Cañon Cit...

Shortly before the halfway point of the 2025 Wyoming legislative session, we caught up with Representative Rachel Rodriguez-Williams (HD 50) for a session update. As Chairman of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, Rep. Rodriguez-Williams shared insights on how the session unfolded, highlighting key legislative victories and ongoing debates. With a conservative majority in the House, bills that previously faced roadblocks are gaining moment...

In this compelling episode of Eye on the Issues, we delve into the urgent and unavoidable dangers of nuclear waste storage with Gary Headrick, founder of San Clemente Green. As Wyoming contemplates opening its doors to become a repository for nuclear waste, this conversation is a stark warning about the industry’s long-standing failures and unresolved issues.

Gary shares his firsthand experience with the decommissioning of...

In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we speak with Mary Beth Brangan, a longtime advocate and expert in the nuclear debate, about the dangers of nuclear waste storage and what she thinks Wyoming citizens and lawmakers should know before moving forward with any proposals. Mary Beth is the director and producer of "San Onofre Syndrome: Nuclear Power’s Legacy," a documentary that examines the troubling history of the San On...

Over the last several days, we've received calls and emails from people around Wyoming and beyond—citizens and lawmakers alike—who want a deeper understanding of nuclear power risks and, most importantly, what is spent nuclear fuel and what it has to do with small modular reactor manufacturing in regards to SF186. With projects like TerraPower in Kemmerer and our state's potential new SMR manufacturing industry, these que...

In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we sit down with Representative Martha Lawley of House District 27 to explore the critical legislative issues facing Wyoming as the state prepares for its next session. Representative Lawley, who also serves as Vice Chair of the House Education Committee and is a member of the Minerals, Business, and Economic Development Committee, shares her thoughtful and principled approach to problem-solvin...

In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we sit down with Wyoming Representative Jeremy Haroldson of House District 4 to discuss key legislative priorities and his vision for Wyoming's future. Recorded prior to the November 5, 2024, election, this interview offers a snapshot of the pressing issues facing the state and Representative Haroldson’s plans to address them as the legislative session approaches.

Representative Haroldson s...

In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we sit down with Wyoming State Senator Jim Anderson, representing District 28, to discuss critical legislative topics ahead of the upcoming session. Senator Anderson shares insights on his 12 years of service, his motivations for public office, and the challenges facing Wyoming.

We dive into Senator Anderson's proposed legislation to address the growing problem of squatters in Wyoming. Lear...

In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we explore the complexities of nuclear energy and nuclear waste storage with M.V. Ramana, Professor at the University of British Columbia and author of Nuclear is Not the Solution: The Folly of Atomic Power in the Age of Climate Change.

Professor Ramana shares his insights on the risks and benefits of nuclear energy, the challenges of safely managing nuclear waste, and the economic realities of ...

In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we sit down with Eli Bebout, a former Wyoming legislator with nearly three decades of public service, including time as Speaker of the House and Senate President. Eli reflects on his career, his passion for Wyoming, and the current pressing issues facing the state.

Our conversation dives into Wyoming's potential role in storing used nuclear fuel rods and the broader implications f...