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Today’s edition · Thurs., Nov. 5

WE Soda will cut more than 350 Sweetwater County jobs

Plus, Merri Cordova is the URA's October Volunteer of the Month and the council passed an e-bike ordinance

The Good Day Rock Springs team2 stories14 sources4 min read

Local EconomyTop story

WE Soda will cut more than 350 jobs as it moves its Green River mine to solution mining

WE Soda's Wyoming workforce would shrink from more than 850 to about 500

Sources: WyomingNews.com, Wyo4News

View as table
Value
Today (more than 850)850
In two years (about 500)500

WE Soda announced Wednesday that it will move its mine near Green River from dry ore underground mining to . The company will cut more than 350 positions over two years, taking its Wyoming workforce from more than 850 roles to about 500.

WE Soda blames low-cost Chinese soda ash exports. CEO Alasdair Warren said, "Every export ton that comes from Wyoming today loses money."

  • Workforce cut: more than 41%
  • Production: down by more than 1.5 million metric tons a year
  • Sales focus: U.S., Canada and Mexico, plus specialty customers worldwide
  • Union: talks began Wednesday; formal legal notices issued

The job cuts would come in stages through 2028

  1. 2025WE Soda buys Genesis Alkali's and Granger operations in a $1.4 billion deal.
  2. Nov. 2026WE Soda announces the move to and the workforce cuts.
  3. Q1 2027Workforce reductions begin.
  4. 2028Reductions continue in stages through the year.

Sources: Cowboy State Daily, WyomingNews.com, Wyo4News

President Marshal Cummings said the union's executive board met with the company at 7 a.m., 90 minutes before the announcement. He called the news "almost like a sucker punch," and his next focus is bargaining over severance.

Asked

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Asked

What would help you most as WE Soda's changes roll out?

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Community

Merri Cordova is Rock Springs' October Volunteer of the Month

If you've been to a show at The Broadway Theater, you may know Merri Cordova. The Rock Springs Main Street/Urban Renewal Agency named her its October Volunteer of the Month. She volunteers at the theater weekly, setting up staging, working concessions and cleaning up after big shows.

“Merri brings an extraordinary amount of heart, enthusiasm, and reliability to Downtown Rock Springs.”

Danielle Wilson

Cordova's schooling runs from Rock Springs High to the law enforcement academy

  1. 1999Graduates from Rock Springs High School.
  2. 2004Earns a bachelor's degree in International Business from Westminster College.
  3. 2005Trains in public safety communications at the Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy.

Sources: Wyo4News, WyomingNews.com

She also frequently cooks homemade meals to keep the crew and volunteers fed during long event runs.

  • Home: downtown Rock Springs, where she grew up
  • Regular at: Downtown Farmers Market, International Days, Blues & Brews
  • Fundraises for her sister's PEO Chapter BC

Cordova has volunteered and worked in several roles

WhereRole
The Broadway TheaterWeekly volunteer
Rock Springs Police DepartmentPast role
City Parks & RecreationPast role
Red Horse OilPast role
Vaughn's Plumbing & Heating Co.Manages Accounting and HR

Sources: Wyo4News, WyomingNews.com

News Notes

E-bikes

The Rock Springs City Council passed Ordinance No. 2026-11 on its final reading Tuesday, Nov. 3. It amends Chapter 72 to cover definitions, riding locations, safety operation and penalties for electric bicycles and electric scooters. WyomingNews.com

Haunted House

Nearly 500 people attended Western Wyoming College's second annual Halloween Haunted House on Saturday, Oct. 31, about 100 more than last year. The event raised $2,037.96 for Western's Student Storehouse. Wyo4News

Western's Haunted House drew nearly 500 people

Nearly 500
people attended the Haunted House
$2,037.96
raised for Western's Student Storehouse
About 100
more guests than last year

Source: Wyo4News

Local leaders

Rock Springs Mayor Max Mickelson, Green River Mayor Pete Rust and Sweetwater County Commission Chairman Keaton West pledged immediate support for affected families and long-term economic resilience after WE Soda's announcement. Their statement said, "These are not simply numbers on an employment report." WyomingNews.com

SEDC

The Sweetwater Economic Development Coalition said it stands ready to support community partners and help connect affected WE Soda employees with new opportunities. WyomingNews.com

Aviation

Rock Springs High School's aviation program named Riley Hunzie its first quarter Maverick Award recipient for 2026–2027. Each recipient earns a Discovery Flight. WyomingNews.com

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Around Wyoming

Statehouse

Gov. Mark Gordon and Gov.-elect Eric Barlow issued a joint statement on Nov. 4 about WE Soda's transition and expected workforce reductions over the next two years. WyomingNews.com

Food drive

Smith's stores across Wyoming are hosting community food drives from Nov. 1–15 with Food Bank of Wyoming. Each store is paired with a local Hunger Relief Partner, and all food collected there goes to that partner. Wyo4News

Smith's Wyoming stores collect food Nov. 1–15

Smith's community food drives, with Food Bank of Wyoming

November 2026

  • Smith's food drive days

Source: Wyo4News

View as table
Days
Smith's food drive daysNov. 1–15

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Community

Warning: This newsletter may brighten your day

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We hope you’re enjoying what we deliver to your inbox: a feel-good snapshot of what’s happening around town. No doomscrolling, no dry headlines — just real stories, uplifting news, and local happenings that bring our community together.

But here’s the thing: creating meaningful, high-quality local content takes time, heart, and resources. That’s where you come in.

Over the next few days, we’re organizing a fundraising campaign to boost our daily, hyperlocal newsletters, and we’d love your support with a recurring monthly gift. Think of it like buying us a cup of coffee every month. You'll help keep our content free and continue growing a positive local space we can all be proud of. Prefer a one-time gift? That's great, too — every dollar is a high five to our small team and a boost to local news.

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Asked

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Asked

Do you plan to give to a Smith's food drive by Nov. 15?

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Today’s puzzles

A new puzzle in each one every morning, played right here.

All 13 games

Quoted

The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.

— Sylvia Plath

Things to Do

Things to Do

Rock Springs, WY

Thursday, Nov. 5

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Jobs

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The Buy

The Wrap

Ready to relive the 90s? Matthew and Gunnar Nelson, the Nelson Twins, bring Nelson's Acoustic to the Broadway Theater on Saturday, Nov. 7, with chart-toppers like "(Can't Live Without Your) Love and Affection." Hum along if you must. We won't tell.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Rock Springs Council passes final e-bike and scooter rules

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Every source in this edition14 links · 5 outlets
  1. The Weather Channelweather.com
  2. Cowboy State Dailycowboystatedaily.com
  3. WyomingNews.comwyomingnews.com
  4. Wyo4Newswyo4news.com
  5. Wyo4Newswyo4news.com
  6. WyomingNews.comwyomingnews.com
  7. WyomingNews.comwyomingnews.com
  8. Wyo4Newswyo4news.com
  9. WyomingNews.comwyomingnews.com
  10. WyomingNews.comwyomingnews.com
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  13. Wyo4Newswyo4news.com
  14. Rock Springs events calendargooddayrocksprings.com

Past issues

  1. Wed., Nov. 4Rock Springs Council passes final e-bike and scooter rules
  2. Tues., Nov. 3Riley Hunzie wins Rock Springs High's aviation Maverick Award
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Good Day Rock Springsto me · Thurs., Nov. 56:00 a.m.

WE Soda will cut more than 350 Sweetwater County jobs

Plus, Merri Cordova is the URA's October Volunteer of the Month and the council passed an e-bike ordinance

The TLDR

  1. WE Soda will cut more than 350 jobs by 2028
  2. Merri Cordova is October's URA Volunteer of the Month
  3. Council passes e-bike and e-scooter rules
Read this edition

More stories this week

From Good Day Rock Springs’ other editions

All the news
City CouncilRock Springs City Council passes its e-bike and scooter ordinance on a unanimous voteIf you ride an e-bike or scooter around town, the rules are final. The council passed Ordinance 2026-11 unanimously Tuesday, Nov. 3, on its third and final reading. It creates Chapter 72, "Recreational Vehicles," in the city code, with operating guidelines, traffic rules and operator responsibilities.Wednesday’s editionRead SchoolsRiley Hunzie earns the first Maverick Award of the year from Rock Springs High's aviation programIf you know a young pilot in the making, here's one to cheer for. Rock Springs High School's Aviation Program named Riley Hunzie the Quarter 1 Maverick Award recipient for the 2026–2027 school year, according to a Nov. 2 press release from Sweetwater County School District No. 1.Tuesday’s editionRead

Around Rock Springs

From Wyoming Public Media, Wyo4News and 2 more newsrooms, gathered by 6AM News, 6AM City’s local news service.

More local news

  1. Wyoming Public Media1 hour ago

    Wyoming could lose about $4M due to laid off Trona miners

    That’s in addition to at least $1 million loss of revenue for Sweetwater County schools and other public institutions, according to its treasurer.

  2. Wyo4News3 hours ago

    Mack & Co wins November’s Golden Broom Award

    November 5th, 2026 — Wyo4News Downtown Rock Springs has awarded its November Golden Broom Award to Mack & Co., located at 204 Elk Street. The monthly honor highlights local businesses that take extra care to keep their storefronts clean, inviting, and well-maintained for visitors and shoppers. Mack & Co. earned this month’s recognition through

  3. Wyo4News3 hours ago

    RSHS senior launches Project Hope to support those struggling with mental health

    November 3, 2026 – Wyo4News A Rock Springs High School senior is turning her personal experiences with mental health struggles into a project designed to provide comfort, support and hope to others facing some of life’s most difficult moments. Addison Searle, a senior involved in the Health Occupations Career Academy and both indoor and outdoor

  4. Wyo4News3 hours ago

    Quarter 1 Honor Roll announced for Black Butte High School

    November 5, 2026 – Wyo4News Sweetwater County School District #1 has released its Quarter 1 Honor Roll lists for Black Butte High School. Congratulations to all for your hard work, dedication, and academic accomplishments during the first quarter of the 2026–2027 school year!

  5. Your Wyoming Link4 hours ago

    WE Soda announces plans to cut 350 jobs in Sweetwater County

    WE Soda, a major trona mining and soda ash production company, announced plans to eliminate approximately 350 jobs in Sweetwater County.

  6. Cowboy State Daily5 hours ago

    Rock Springs Housing Authority Closes Waiting Lists With Hundreds Still Needing Help

    With 408 applicants waiting for housing vouchers and 158 waiting for one-bedroom public-housing units, the Rock Springs Housing Authority is closing both waiting lists Dec. 1. "We don't have the ability to help 408 people,” said the agency’s director.