David Madison
David Madison is an award-winning journalist and documentary producer based in Bozeman, Montana. He’s also reported for Wyoming PBS. He studied journalism at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and has worked at news outlets throughout Wyoming, Utah, Idaho and Montana.
Latest from David Madison

Idaho National Lab Wants To Keep Building Wyoming’s Nuclear Industry
The same laboratory that has supported Wyoming’s emerging micro nuclear reactor sector is now inviting more companies to submit proposals. The move comes as Wyoming continues to position itself as a hub for small nuclear reactor development.
David MadisonJune 22, 2025

Kemmerer Mayor Digs For Dinosaur Bones While Town Waits For Housing Boom
The mayor of Kemmerer — aka Fossil Town USA — is closely watching the local real estate market. He thinks the current housing stock meets today's needs but warned that won't last long. A housing explosion is expected as TerraPower makes Kemmerer a nuclear boom town.
David MadisonJune 21, 2025
Montana Owner Of Oldest Chinese Restaurant In America Considers Closing
You might think the oldest continuously operating Chinese restaurant in the U.S. would be in San Francisco or New York. Actually, it's in Butte, Montana. Jerry Tam is the owner of the Pekin Noodle Parlor and is the great, great grandson of the first owner.
David MadisonJune 21, 2025

Despite Opposition From Bar Nunn Residents, Natrona County OKs Nuclear Project
Natrona County commissioners got an earful from locals opposed to Radiant Nuclear’s planned project near Bar Nunn. Then they voted to support the company getting a $25 million grant from the Wyoming Business Council.
David MadisonJune 20, 2025

After Breaking All But One Fishing Rod, Wyoming Man Catches Record Tiger Trout
Shelby Holder of Kemmerer had already broken three of his four fly rods when he decided to go fishing early on June 6. He ended up landing the new Wyoming state record tiger trout, a nearly 15-pound fish.
David MadisonJune 20, 2025

Black Hills Energy Spending $540M To Connect North-South Wyoming Power Grids
A pair of large-scale Black Hills Energy projects will connect northern and southern Wyoming power grids while adding more natural gas generation. Together, they represent a $540 million outlay.
David MadisonJune 19, 2025

Despite Federal Cuts, Company Says Gillette Carbon Capture Project Not Dead
The Department of Energy scrapping a nearly $50 million grant supporting large-scale carbon capture technology in Gillette is a blow, but won’t kill the project, the company says. Work will continue with a push for private investment.
David MadisonJune 19, 2025

By The Way, Montana Is Exempt From Public Land Sales In Budget Bill
While many in Wyoming and other western states are worried about potential public land sales, our neighbors to the north aren't sharing those concerns. Montana's congressional delegation was able to exempt the state from any potential public land sell-offs.
David MadisonJune 18, 2025

Bar Nunn Residents Push Back On Storing Spent Nuclear Fuel From Microreactors
The central Wyoming town of Bar Nunn, and some state legislators, are divided about a plan for Radiant Nuclear to build its micronuclear plants here. That’s because the plan includes accepting and storing spent nuclear fuel from the company’s reactors.
David MadisonJune 16, 2025

Across Wyoming And Montana, Schools Serving More Bison In More Places
Across Wyoming and Montana, schools are serving more bison in more places. On reservations, it’s also closely tied to culture and better health.
David MadisonJune 16, 2025

WE Soda Downsizes Wyoming Trona Operation While Ramping Up Production
WE Soda, the world's largest producer of natural soda ash, confirmed this week it’s downsizing positions following a $1.43 billion acquisition of Genesis Alkali's two Wyoming mines.
David MadisonJune 12, 2025

Trump’s EPA To Roll Back Biden-Era Emission Rules On Coal-Fired Power Plants
The EPA is making good on one of President Donald Trump’s campaign promises, announcing Wednesday it's rolling back Biden-era emissions rules on U.S. power plants. Wyoming power providers are pleased with the move.
David MadisonJune 12, 2025

Wyoming Oil And Gas Lease Sale Nets $7.7M, ‘Peanuts’ Compared To Trump’s First Term
The reality of oil and gas leasing in Wyoming hasn’t yet caught up to the Trump administration’s pledge to “unleash American energy.” Tuesday’s sale took in $7.7 million, “peanuts” compared to the $173 million in the best year of Trump’s first term.
David MadisonJune 11, 2025

$245M At Stake For Wyoming In Tug-Of-War Over Controversial Rock Springs Plan
Years of heated public debate had oil companies squaring off with environmentalists over drilling rights on 3.6 million acres of Wyoming desert. As federal officials prepare to rewrite the controversial Rock Springs plan, $245 million is at stake.
David MadisonJune 10, 2025

Green Groups Fight To Save Biden-Era Plan To End Powder River Basin Coal Mining
A federal judge Friday allowed a coalition of tribal and green groups to fight to save a Biden-era rule that would end coal mining in the Powder River Basin by 2041. They’ve been allowed to help fight a lawsuit filed by Wyoming and Montana to reverse the rule.
David MadisonJune 10, 2025

Trump Administration Pushes For 5,000-Well Wyoming Oil And Gas Project
The Trump administration is pushing to move ahead with granting approvals for a 5,000-well oil and gas project in Converse County, Wyoming. A favorable Friday BLM report comes despite a previous court order halting permitting for the project.
David MadisonJune 09, 2025

Wyoming Filmmaker Building 47-Acre Studio In Montana, Will Produce First Film This Year
Sheridan resident Sean Patrick Higgins is building a 47-acre film studio in Missoula, Montana, with a schedule to produce its first film this year. Higgins said because there are no tax incentives in Wyoming, he moved his film production operations to Montana.
David MadisonJune 07, 2025

Trump Administration OKs Expansion Of Montana Mine That Exports Coal To Asia
The Trump administration has approved an expansion of Montana's Bull Mountains underground coal mine, reinforcing its emergency energy directives to fast-track fossil fuels. Opponents say the move is an “end-run” of environmental safeguards.
David MadisonJune 07, 2025

Will Senate Republicans Add Sale Of Federal Land Into Big Beautiful Bill?
Hundreds of BLM parcels across Wyoming could be available to buy if Republican senators add the sale of public lands to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. "The federal government doesn't need to perpetually own every piece of land,” Sen. Cynthia Lummis says.
David MadisonJune 06, 2025

Wyoming Uranium Boom Drives $76 Million Merger as Industry Grows
Optimism around Wyoming uranium continues to drive investment in the state, with a $76 million merger announced Thursday highlighting the state's re-emergence as a uranium exploration hotspot.
David MadisonJune 05, 2025

Natural Gas Bills For Residential Customers In Northern Wyoming Could Go Up 15%
Montana-Dakota Utilities, the utility serving Sheridan, Powell and other Wyoming cities, is asking for a rate increase on natural gas. Residential customers could see an increase of 15% while while large commercial users face just a 3.87% increase.
David MadisonJune 04, 2025
