Branding Iron

05/09/2026

A year of activism, controversy, and community resilience. 🏛️⚖️

The 2025-2026 school year in Laramie was marked by powerful displays of political engagement—from the "No Kings" and "Anti-ICE" protests to the formation of new debate clubs dedicated to civil discourse. 📢

However, it was also a year that challenged our community with incidents of hate speech and insensitive displays on campus. In response, we saw students, ASUW, and multicultural organizations come together to launch "The Tolerance Project," proving that when our values are tested, the Laramie community stands united against hate. 🤝✨

As we wrap up the year, we’re looking back at how these events shaped our campus. How do you feel the political climate at UW has changed this year? How can we continue to foster civil discussion while protecting all members of our community?

Let’s keep the conversation constructive and respectful in the comments. 👇
Read the full political year-in-review:
🔗 https://www.uwbrandingiron.com/?p=44753

05/08/2026

What a year to be a Poke! 🤠🎓 As we wrap up the 2025-2026 school year, we’re looking back at everything that made this year unforgettable.

From the historic retirement of Josh Allen’s jersey 🏈 to a dominant 28-0 Border War victory, and the transition to a new era of leadership under Brigadier General Reeves—it’s been a wild ride. We even survived some of the craziest Wyoming weather on record! ☀️❄️

Here at the Branding Iron, we’ve been proud to bring you over 300 stories across 53 papers this year. None of it would be possible without our incredible team and, most importantly, our readers.

What was your favorite memory of the 2025-26 school year? Was it the game-day energy, a specific class, or just hanging out in the Union? Let’s reminisce in the comments! 👇

Read the full year-end recap:
🔗 https://www.uwbrandingiron.com/?p=44751

We are wrapping up the 2025-2026 school year! This is the Branding Iron’s penultimate paper for the year! Dr. Ed Sidel serves his last year as President of the University of Wyoming and will be rep…

05/06/2026

The Cowgirls are reloading! 🏀🤠
After a challenging 10-20 season, Coach Heather Ezell and her staff have been hard at work reconstructing the roster for the 2026-27 campaign. While we’re saying goodbye to some legendary seniors, the future is looking bright with some key returns and exciting new additions!
The Big Returns:
✨ Jane Rumpf: Our All-Freshman selection is back after a breakout conference season!
✨ Payton Muma: Ready for an expanded role in her senior year.
✨ Kati Ollilainen: Returning to the court after missing last season with an injury.
Plus, the Cowgirls have added six new transfers from across the country, including NJCAA All-American Jersey Berg and high-scoring forward Hayley Johnson! 📈
It’s going to be a season of growth and "unproven talent" coming into form. Cowgirl fans, who are you most excited to see on the court next year? Let’s show our team some love in the comments! 👇
Read the full roster breakdown:
🔗 https://www.uwbrandingiron.com/?p=44747

(John Barker Photo) Wyoming head women’s basketball coach Heather Ezell had her hands full this offseason, reconstructing her roster, as the Cowgirls experienced a considerable amount of roster tur…

05/05/2026

"Academic integrity is a two-way street." 🏛️⚖️

In a scathing new opinion piece, our writer calls out what they describe as "plain hypocrisy" in the classroom: professors using AI to grade assignments and generate feedback while banning students from doing the same.

From the "dead classroom" theory to the lack of official guidelines for faculty AI use, the question is simple: If we pay for expertise and human connection, why are we interacting with bots? 🤖🛑

Our writer is calling for the UW administration, ASUW, and the Faculty Senate to mandate transparency. Should professors be required to disclose when they use AI? Is your intellectual property being used to train models without your consent?

We want to hear from you—students and faculty alike. Is AI use by instructors a helpful tool for efficiency, or is it a betrayal of the teacher-student relationship?

Let’s keep the conversation respectful in the comments. 👇
Read the full call to action:
🔗 https://www.uwbrandingiron.com/?p=44742

The Dead Classroom Is Not Something We Can Allow I am calling for the administration of this university, including the president’s office, ASUW, staff and faculty senate to hold discussions w…

05/02/2026

"Noah Kahan has a sound that no other person can recreate." 🎸✨

The wait is over! Noah Kahan’s fourth album, The Great Divide, is officially here, and it’s everything we hoped for. From the raw emotion of "Downfall" to the warm, banjo-driven sounds of "Porch Light," Kahan continues to explore the complicated feelings of home, identity, and the distances between us. 🏔️

UW student Averee Ratkovec says Kahan has "revived a part of the music industry" with this release. Whether you’ve been a fan since Stick Season or you’re just discovering his folk-rock magic, this album is a must-listen for your summer playlist. 🎧

What’s your favorite track on The Great Divide so far? Are you feeling the "End of August" vibes or is "Downfall" on repeat? Let’s talk music in the comments! 👇

Read our full review:
🔗 https://www.uwbrandingiron.com/?p=44736

New Album leans into Raw Growth & the Pull of Home Noah Kahan’s fourth album, The Great Divide, is both personal and musically diverse. Released on April 24, 2026, it follows the success of Sti…

05/01/2026

The Cowboy basketball roster is taking shape, and the word of the offseason is RETENTION. 🏀🤠

After years of roster overhauls, Coach Sundance Wicks is building for sustainable success. With key contributors like Nasir Meyer, Gavin Gores, Khaden Bennett, and Laramie’s own Neil Summers all returning to the 7220, the Pokes are bringing back a solid core for the first time in years!

But that’s not all—Coach Wicks has been busy in the transfer portal, adding talent from across the country and even some international flair from Italy and Germany.

"The number one priority for me is retention," says Wicks. "We don’t want to have to recruit a whole new roster every year."

Cowboy fans, how are you feeling about this roster? Who are you most excited to see back on the court next season? Let’s hear your predictions in the comments! 👇
Read the full roster breakdown:
🔗 https://www.uwbrandingiron.com/?p=44728

(Zach Agee Photo) For the past three years, continuity has been non-existent for Wyoming basketball. Complete roster overhauls has become the norm for the program, and head coach Sundance Wicks kne…

04/29/2026

Nothing beats a sold-out Saturday night at the Hansen Arena! 🤠🐎

The University of Wyoming Rodeo Team absolutely dominated the Laramie River Rendezvous this past weekend, with both the Cowboys and Cowgirls holding onto their #1 spots in the regional standings! 🏆

From Colton Farrow taking 1st in ba****ck to Traven Sharon winning the tie-down roping championship, our Pokes showed exactly why they’re the ones to beat. Plus, how about those new gold and brown bucking chutes? 🟤🟡

With the regional season wrapped up, the team is heading to the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper this June with major momentum.

Cowboy fans, were you in the stands this weekend? Drop a "Go Pokes!" or your favorite photo from the Rendezvous in the comments! 👇

Read the full results and highlights:
🔗 https://www.uwbrandingiron.com/?p=44724

Laramie River Rendezvous Sold Out Show The University of Wyoming Rodeo Team put on an impressive performance at the Laramie River Rendezvous, held April 24–26 at the Cliff and Martha Hansen Arena. …

04/28/2026

Planning to head home or travel for an internship this summer? 🚗✈️ You might want to check your budget again.

Rising fuel prices are hitting UW students' pockets hard. With gas averages climbing and domestic airfare up nearly 9% from last spring, many Pokes are having to rethink their summer travel plans. Whether you're driving home to Casper or flying to California, the "commuter struggle" is real.

"Even small increases in gas or airfare can make it harder to manage money," especially when you add in the cost of rent and groceries. 📉

How are you adjusting your summer plans? Are you carpooling, booking early, or looking for alternative routes? Share your travel-saving tips in the comments! 👇

Read the full report on how fuel prices are impacting campus:
🔗 https://www.uwbrandingiron.com/?p=44703

04/26/2026

Ready for a football throwback? 🏈🤠

It was a season of records, upsets, and pure magic—from Marcus Harris’s legendary catches to Josh Wallwork leading the nation in offense. But despite a 10-2 record and a top-25 ranking, the Cowboys were famously left out of a bowl game.

With the 1996 team recently inducted into the UW Athletic Hall of Fame, we’re looking back at the "quarter from hell" against CSU, the overtime heartbreaker against BYU, and the sting of a season that ended far too soon.

Cowboy fans, where were you during that historic run? Do you still feel the sting of that bowl snub? Share your favorite memories of the '96 team in the comments! 👇
Read the full retrospective:
🔗 https://www.uwbrandingiron.com/?p=44710

For Wyoming football, the historic 1996 season remains to be one of the most storied seasons in the program’s history. That team was even recently inducted into UW’s athletic Hall of Fame in 2026 f…

04/23/2026

"Are we paying for expertise, or just an AI-generated slideshow?" 🏛️💻
In a bold new opinion piece, we tackle a growing frustration on campus: the rise of "passive instruction." Despite rising tuition costs, many students report that professors lean too heavily on AI to build their curricula or use outdated video recordings from years ago—even in "in-person" classes.

From the engineering program to the humanities, the question remains: If professors are automating their teaching, what exactly are students paying for?

We want to hear from you. Have you experienced "passive instruction" in your classes? Do you think the use of AI by professors is a helpful tool or a sign of laziness? Let’s keep the conversation respectful but honest in the comments. 👇

Read the full take:
🔗 https://www.uwbrandingiron.com/?p=44686

Are Professors Getting Lazy? Universities across the country continue to increase tuition prices in the name of inflation, and despite the rising cost of tuition, there has been a disturbing trend …