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
Tonight’s the Night for the Downtown Laramie Farmers Market
LARAMIE -- The Downtown Laramie Farmers Market is set for tonight, Friday, Aug. 2 and runs every Friday thru Sept. 27 from 3 to 7 p.m.
Jessica Brauer is the communications coordinator for the Laramie Main Street Alliance, hosts of the downtown market, held at the parking lot north of Depot Park on S...
‘Stuff the Bus’ School Supply Donation Drive Held Saturday
Saturday, Aug. 3 at Walmart E. Grand Ave., Salvation Army, Albany Co. School Dist.#1, and Interfaith Good Sam "Stuff the Bus," for school supply donations.
Hightower Convicted in the 2018 Death of Laramie’s Vidal Madera
Tonya Hightower was convicted by an Albany Co. jury Wednesday of aggravated homicide by vehicle for the 2018 death of 57-year-old Vidal Madera of Laramie.
RR Teachers Bring Fresh Ideas and ‘Spark’ to Their Classrooms
Two teachers at Rock River were 2 of only 30 teachers nationwide selected to participate at a STEM Teacher Academy in Houston, Texas, bringing new ideas to class.
Public Input Sought on Wyoming Air Ambulance Medicaid Waiver
Residents are invited by the WY Dept. of Health to offer their thoughts and perspectives on a proposed Medicaid waiver plan for Wyoming Air Ambulance Service.
Laramie Chamber Business Alliance Activities for August and More
Melissa Ross, marketing and membership director of the Laramie Chamber Business Alliance, updates the community for the Chamber’s August activities.
ACCWA Want County Commission to ‘Say No’ to Tumbleweed Express
Re-opening this gas station means that 33,000 gallons of fuel will be constantly sitting right on top of our drinking water aquifer.
Dawn of the Space Age Features Sputnik to the Man on the Moon
Dawn of the Space Age is set for Tuesday, July 30, from 7 to 8 p.m. at the University of Wyoming’s Harry C. Vaughn Planetarium, 1000 E. Ivinson Ave. in Laramie.
Laser Red Hot Chili Peppers at the UW Planetarium Saturday Night
It’s a brand-new show for 2019! Rock out with the Laser Red Hot Chili Peppers under the planetarium dome with psychedelic visuals bumping with the music.
Constellations As You’ve Never Seen Them Before at UW Planetarium
Constellations Across Cultures Program, Friday, July 26, from 8 to 9 p.m. at the UW Harry C. Vaughn Planetarium, 1000 E. Ivinson Ave. in Laramie.