Hey, Answer Girl -

I noticed that when a president signs a bill into law, he uses several different pens. When did this tradition start and how much do these pens cost the taxpayer?

- RJ in Casper

Presidents usually use about 10 pens to sign a single bill into law, simply for the keepsake factor. The pens are then distributed to sponsors and co-sponsors of the bill, as well as the bill's most staunch advocates.

Obama's first pens in office were Cross Townsend black lacquer rolling ball pens, but no word on what kind the president has used of late. If I'm ever elected, I promise to go with standard black Bic.

The cost of this practice would vary widely depending on what kind of pens were used, exactly how many pens were used, and how many bills were signed into law during any given year. Rest assured, it's probably the least of the taxpayers' worries.

No one knows exactly who started this tradition, but no president was more fond of pens than President Harry S. Truman, who had a habit of passing out pens that said "I swiped this from Harry S. Truman." And Lyndon B. Johnson definitely used multiple pens to sign the Voting Rights Act of 1965, one of which he gave to Vice President Hubert Humphrey.

Hey, Answer Girl -

Could you please give a run-down of all the Casper radio stations? It seems some have changed their format and new stations have been added.

- Mary

Radio stations - especially those not particularly well-established - do tend to change call signs or music styles once in a while.

Here's a list of radio stations out of Casper, according to the Federal Communications Commission Web site:

FM: 90.3 - Christian contemporary; 91.3 - public radio; 94.5 - oldies; 95.5 - country; 96.7 - adult contemporary; 102.5 - hot AC; 103.7 - country; 104.7 - top 40; 106.9 - classic rock.

AM: 1030 - news/talk; 1230 - nostalgia; 1400 - news/talk.

A list of stations from elsewhere in Wyoming, which may be available for listening in Casper or surrounding areas, depending on strength of signal:

FM: 88.1 - college; 88.9 - public radio; 89.5 - variety; 89.7 - religious; 91.9 - religious; 92.1 - country; 92.5 - country; 92.7 - oldies; 92.9 - country; 93.1 - classic rock; 93.3 - country; 93.7 - country; 93.9 - country; 94.9 - classic rock; 95.1 - top 40; 95.3 - adult contemporary; 96.1 - classic rock; 96.5 - country; 96.9 - hot AC; 97.5 - classic rock; 97.7 - school radio; 97.9 - adult contemporary; 98.3 - hot AC; 98.7 - country; 99.1 - hot AC, adult contemporary; 99.3 - country; 99.5 - religious; 100.1 - hot AC; 100.3 - country; 100.7 - country; 101.1 - country; 101.7 - country; 103.9 - classic rock; 104.1 - classic rock; 104.5 - classic rock; 105.1 - religious; 105.3 - country, religious; 106.9 - classic rock; 107.3 - hot AC; 107.9 - classic rock.

AM: 830 - religious; 930 - oldies; 950 - oldies; 1030 - news/talk; 1140 - country; 1210 - country; 1240 - country, oldies; 1260 - country; 1270 - country; 1330 - country; 1340 - country, oldies 1360 - oldies; 1410 - nostalgia; 1450 - oldies, news/talk; 1470 - oldies; 1490 - adult contemporary.

Happy listening/frequency surfing!

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Answer Girl tackles questions about Casper, the universe and everything else. Submit your questions by e-mail to megan.lee@trib.com, or call Megan Lee at (307) 266-0616. Write to Answer Girl, Box 80, Casper, 82602. Visit the AnswerLabs Blog Place at tribtown.trib.com/groups/AnswerLabs_Blog_Place.