G&F planning mule deer capture-collar
This effort is part of a new statewide mule deer monitoring program designed to ramp up the Game and Fish Department’s efforts to help Wyoming’s struggling mule deer populations. ... more
Counting the homeless in Wyoming
To find out more about the count and how you might help, contact Karla McClaren at [email protected] or Susan Carr at [email protected] More information can be found at the Wyoming Homeless Collaborative’s web page at https://wyomingwhc.org.... more
Veterans state-park use free Nov. 11
Veterans eligible for the free entrance are defined as persons who served in active military, naval or air service and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. This does not include active-duty military personnel.... more
Public confidence high in state election integrity
“Five out of six Democrats, 83 percent, report being very confident in election administration, compared to 64 percent of independents and 56 percent of Republicans,” King says. “Nonetheless, when the two highest levels of confidence are combined, the partisan differences disappear, with 98 percent of Democrats, 95 percent of Republicans and 92 percent of independents reporting being very confident or somewhat confident in the administration of elections in Wyoming.”... more
BLM seeks public comment on Wyoming Department of Transportation temporary housing proposal in Teton County
The BLM Pinedale Field Office is seeking public comment concerning a proposal submitted by Wyoming Department of Transportation to utilize a parcel of BLM managed lands for temporary worker housing in support of an ongoing highway project in Teton County, Wyoming.... more
Teton Pass drivers may see delays for drilling investigation
Crews are hoping to conclude work by Nov. 22. ... more
Elk reduction program begins Saturday, November 5
The need for the program is determined annually and is based on the status of the Jackson Elk Herd, including estimated herd size and composition and the number of elk on supplemental feed on the National Elk Refuge. A total of 475 permits are authorized for the 2022 program.... more
Pile burning begins soon on BTNF
Big Piney Ranger District -Monument Ridge, 120 acres treated -Various other locations, 10 acres treated Pinedale Ranger District -Skyline Wildland Urban Interface, 60 acres treated -Various other locations, 10 acres treated ... more
Biden-Harris Administration announces $203,000 from EPA’s Clean School Bus Program for the Teton School District in Jackson
The grant will help the school district an electric-powered clean school bus that will accelerate the transition to zero emissions vehicles and produce cleaner air in and around area schools and communities. ... more
Nearly all entrances and roads in Yellowstone National Park will be closed Nov. 1
The park annually closes roads at this time of year to prepare them for the winter season and snowmobile and snowcoach travel, which will begin Dec. 15. The last day for visitors to drive most roads will be Monday, Oct. 31. ... more
Wyoming Transportation Commission to meet October 20
The purpose of the meeting is to address and vote upon, when appropriate, the topics noted on the attached meeting agenda.... more
Firm has big plans for air capture
Being the first means the state and the companies will confront plenty of other, smaller firsts along the way. Like how the facility will be taxed. What, exactly, the permitting process will entail, both above-ground and below. And where to secure the low-carbon power it will require. ... more
State Bar declined to investigate complaint against Hageman
“As a licensed attorney in the State of Wyoming, I believe it is incumbent upon your agency to investigate Ms. Hageman who appears to advocate and support the coup that former President Trump attempted on January 6, 2021,” Hoggatt wrote in the complaint. “If a Wyoming attorney supports the overthrow of our democracy, how can she maintain her license to practice law?”... more
Earthquake kits to be delivered to western Wyoming schools
The kits contain supplies for a three-day preparedness kit. Food, water, a crank radio, first aid supplies and other items are contained in the kit. Three days is the suggested timeline for planning; although officials recommend that families be two weeks ready. Educational and awareness materials are also included in the kit.... more
Daniels Scholarship Program applications now open
Daniels Scholars receive $5,000 to $25,000 annually, depending on financial need.... more
Allred named interim secretary of state
Halverson received 55 votes, Miller received 52, and Allred received 43 during Saturday’s meeting. ... more
Trustees approve UW reorganization, no layoffs
A major restructuring of academic programs at the University of Wyoming earned approval from the school’s board of trustees this week, but without layoffs and the deep budget cuts that were originally anticipated.... more
Cheyenne resident wins NPR’s ‘Sunday Puzzle’
Twenty-five years of listening to NPR’s “Sunday Puzzle” prepared Marion Yoder for the phone call of a lifetime. ... more
Powell family shares a love of classic cars
The Cole family has a love of classic cars, pickups and motorcycles that now spans a generation.... more
Teton commissioners stay the course on mask mandate
Activists opposed to the county’s mask mandate are continuing to wage a campaign of public comment and protest, aimed at having county commissioners lift the face covering requirement in Jackson Hole.... more
Feds to reconsider two elk feedgrounds following CWD discoveries
Following recent discoveries of Chronic Wasting Disease in feedground-supported elk herds, the U.S. Forest Service will conduct a detailed environmental review that could decide the fate of two Wyoming winter feeding operations.... more
Group asks for Jackson building moratorium
Eyes throughout the town of Jackson and beyond were focused on the Jackson Town Council on Monday as councilors heard from the public and discussed the idea of an emergency moratorium on building permits, as well as other options to solve the town’s housing crisis.... more
New path proposed for Sinks Canyon ‘via ferrata’
A much-debated man-made climbing route soon might be installed in Sinks Canyon State Park, but on a different cliff with no peregrine falcons.... more
Prosecutor’s office barred from manslaughter proceeding
After being barred from a recent hearing involving a man awaiting sentencing for manslaughter and other charges, the Laramie County district attorney has asked a district court judge to reconsider her actions.... more
Cody hospital vaccine mandate policy on hold
The West Park Hospital District board is taking a week to address some of the concerns raised by a series of impassioned speakers and board members before voting to approve a mandatory vaccine policy.... more
Campbell County Commissioners vote against using CARES dollars for vaccination campaign
Campbell County Commissioners voted against using federal dollars for an educational campaign about the COVID-19 vaccine, with one commissioner worried that the campaign would be veering into the territory of vaccine mandates.... more
Woman killed, multiple buildings lost in Clark nighttime blaze
A fire erupted on Monday night in Clark, claiming the life of one resident — along with two homes — as it rapidly burned across 300 acres near Line Creek. ... more
Power plant at risk of premature retirement
Unit 2 of the Jim Bridger Power Plant is six weeks from violating federal air quality regulations, putting the plant at risk of premature retirement, Gov. Mark Gordon revealed Monday.... more
Ski closures recommended in saga to protect Teton bighorns
The decline of a rare, isolated bighorn sheep herd, high on the scoured granite slopes of the Teton Range has long been a flashpoint in the perpetual balancing act between western wildlife and outdoor recreation.... more
Water agency seeks $281 million for dams, domestic supply, other projects
In what could be one of the biggest requests to the Legislature in years, state water development officials are eyeing $281 million or more to fund agricultural irrigation works, dams, reservoirs, domestic water projects and other programs.... more
Ratepayer liability for coal carbon capture limited to 2%
Public utilities that add carbon capture technology to coal-fired power plants in Wyoming may increase rates by a maximum 2 percent to cover the cost, according to rule revisions the Wyoming Public Service Commission adopted Friday.... more
Wyoming GOP votes to rebuke lawmakers
Wyoming Republican Party leaders on Saturday decided not to rebuke a Park County official who wrote an obscene email to state Sen. Tara Nethercott.... more
Chronic wasting disease makes more inroads into elk feeding region
Chronic wasting disease has been detected in elk that dwell along the southwestern flank of the Wind River Range in an area where 80 percent or so of the animals congregate each winter on densely-packed feedgrounds.... more
TerraPower chooses Kemmerer for nuclear reactor
TerraPower, Bill Gates’ nuclear power company, announced Tuesday that it has chosen Kemmerer as its preferred site for a planned nuclear reactor.... more
Prosecutors to seek life sentence in 2020 crime spree
Park County prosecutors say they will seek a life sentence for a man accused of being at the center of a 2020 crime spree. ... more
Barrasso says caution needed in Medicaid expansion debate
U.S. Sen. John Barrasso thinks Wyoming should decide against expanding Medicaid.... more
Wyoming GOP votes to withdraw Cheney recognition
Wyoming Republican leaders voted this weekend to no longer recognize Rep. Liz Cheney as a member of their party.... more
Gordon unveils proposed $2.3 billion budget
Gov. Mark Gordon proposed a balanced general fund budget of nearly $2.3 billion for the 2023-24 biennium Monday that will be considered by the Wyoming Legislature during the 2022 budget session.... more
Fossil fuels boost revenue outlook, but add more budget volatility
Wyoming’s revenue outlook has improved by $845 million on rebounding markets for coal, oil and natural gas just as lawmakers prepare for the upcoming budget session in February. But there’s a dose of bad news in the state’s revenue analysis.... more
School board told of more teen violence amid pandemic
There has been an “extreme increase” in violence among Fremont County youth as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Riverton school board heard last month.... more
Religious exemption may be only out for some unvaccinated Campbell County Health employees
The Campbell County Health COVID-19 vaccine policy implemented this week will pose the decision to the organization’s 1,100 or so employees to either get vaccinated, file for a religious or medical exemption or lose their jobs.... more
How Congress’ massive infrastructure bill will impact Wyoming and its residents
Congress recently passed a $1.2 trillion infrastructure package, and experts say the measure could help remedy longstanding issues in Wyoming.... more
Wyoming sees highest inflation increase since early 2000s
The Wyoming Economic Analysis Division recently reported that through the second quarter of this year, the state experienced the highest rise in the average annual inflation rate on all items since the 2008 recession.... more
Grizzly 399 and family pass through Jackson
When Cache Creek Drive resident Ann Smith got word after dark Tuesday night that Grizzly 399 and her string of cubs were traveling down the streets of Jackson, she immediately went to see for herself.... more
UW delays bulk of reorganization until 2023
After pushback from stakeholders on and off campus, the University of Wyoming’s administrators have opted to delay for more than a year much of their plan to reorganize the university.... more
Short-term Wyoming coal outlook good, says mine official
The question of what the future of coal in Campbell County will entail long-term, remains unanswered. But in the near future, Powder River Basin coal is projecting to do well.... more
Committee approves bill to collect juvenile crime data
The Wyoming Legislature’s Joint Judiciary Interim Committee on Thursday voted to sponsor a draft bill lawmakers hope will compel the state to finally collect juvenile justice data.... more
Grizzly deaths approach record, high population cited
Grizzly bears are dying at a record pace in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, but wildlife officials say that’s a sign of a population that has reached its carrying capacity.... more
Volunteer hunters reduce Grand Teton exotic goat herd
Ninety miles hiked, five mountain goats seen, four nonnative goats killed, meat from two billy goats recovered.... more
Blockchain community to be established near Clark
A 40-acre parcel west of Clark will be the new home to a blockchain community.... more
Public notice petition dismissed
A judge Wednesday dismissed a petition to overturn a pair of ordinances exempting Mills and Bar Nunn from state statutes requiring public notices to be published in a newspaper. ... more
ACLU demands Wyoming, Teton County halt forced sobriety program
The ACLU of Wyoming is threatening to sue the state for its use of the 24/7 Sobriety Program on people who have been arrested but not convicted.... more
Johnson County officials fear school, hospital staffs will quit due to vax mandate
Johnson County Healthcare Center is preparing for an impending COVID-19 vaccination mandate for its employees after the Biden administration announced its rules for health care facilities and large companies.... more
Laramie County DA responds to second State Bar charge
In her response to the Wyoming State Bar’s second formal charge against her, Laramie County District Attorney Leigh Anne Manlove denied allegations that she made false claims or excuses about her office’s inability to access evidence.... more
A retired UW professor’s epic quest to find a boulder
On Aug. 13, 1842, Charles Preuss — the cartographer on John Fremont’s mapping expedition of the Oregon Trail from the Missouri River to the Continental Divide — set up his materials deep in the Rocky Mountains and sketched the scene before him. ... more
BLM pulls 264 parcels from oil and gas lease sale over grouse concerns
Wyoming will see a federal oil and gas lease sale in early 2022 due to a federal court ruling that ended the Biden administration’s 2021 moratorium. But the size of the lease sale will be much smaller than industry, and state leaders, hoped for.... more
Power station workers protest vaccine mandate
Somewhere around 85 protesters peacefully gathered at Basin Electric Laramie River Station near gate No. 1 last Friday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., where they called out to cars driving by and held up the multiple signs that were created voicing their displeasure.... more
Sheridan school officials oppose bill removing local control
Sheridan County School District 2 administrators strongly oppose proposed legislation that would move monitoring kindergarten through third-grade curriculum from local control to a statewide level, and those administrators expressed such opposition with local legislators Monday.... more
Special session costs exceed $233K
The daily rate of the recently completed special legislative session cost taxpayers about $8,000 more than originally projected, the Legislative Service Office told the Star-Tribune this week.... more
Tracking grizzly 399 now easier
The way Hilary Cooley sees it, Grizzly 399 and her four cubs are now better positioned to stay alive and out of trouble until they den up for the winter.... more
Wyoming School Boards Association keeps distance from national letter to president
The Wyoming School Boards Association is upset about a recent letter sent from its national organization to U.S. President Joe Biden, Riverton school board chairman Carl Manning said.... more
Lummis, Western senators renew push for state management of grizzlies
A group of Republican senators from Wyoming, Idaho and Montana are calling on Democratic leaders to take “immediate” action on a bill that would return management of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem’s grizzly bears to state governments. ... more
Campbell County hospital staff takes brunt of relentless inpatient wave
The most obvious and norm-altering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic may already have passed for many people in Campbell County. Looking around the community, life may seem ordinary once again.... more
Patient surge hits Cheyenne hospital
An increase in people seeking care for a variety of illnesses strained Cheyenne Regional Medical Center staff last week.... more
Into thin air: The twists and turns of a 20-year disappearance
Some young cops believe they can solve every case.... more
Gaming reg fix weighed during special session, but vote failed
An attempt to tighten Wyoming’s loosened gambling regulations during the special legislative session failed last week when the House opted not to introduce a corrective bill. ... more
Biggest U.S. coal plant will halve production
The biggest coal-fired power plant in the country gets all of its coal from Wyoming. A second of its four units is now slated for retirement, halving total capacity before the end of the decade. ... more
Divided commissioners support ‘via ferrata’ plan for Sinks Canyon
On a split vote, the Fremont County Commission has endorsed a letter of support for further Sinks Canyon via ferrata planning. ... more
Student arrested for mask violation sues state, schools
A Laramie High School student who was arrested for trespassing after refusing to comply with the school’s mask mandate is suing the governor, public health officials and six local school districts in an effort to overturn executive and public health orders related to COVID-19.... more
Special session bill supports mandate legal challenge
The only bill to come out of the Wyoming Legislature’s weeklong special session will not be as far-reaching as some expected, but it will define the state’s legal battle against the federal vaccine mandate, if enacted as law.... more
Jackson's Biggest Rockstar t-shirt will benefit Global Down Syndrome Foundation
Kickstart my heart, why don’t you?... more
To Henry, it’s more than horsing around
Nestled near a now-dry fork of the Cheyenne River some 40 miles and northwest of Douglas sits 88 Ranch, a 100,000-acre mix of private and leased public lands. The ranch spans the foothills of the Bighorns and the high scrub desert of the Wyoming plains. ... more
One bill emerges from special session
One bill dedicated to fighting the federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate emerged Wednesday evening as the Wyoming Legislature ended a seven-day special session. ... more
Campbell County commissioners' meeting had extra security; board accused of violating open meetings law
Six officers were assigned to the commission chambers Tuesday for the Campbell County Commission's regular meeting after the county sheriff had been asked to provide extra security.... more
Feds seek tighter methane rules
After an Obama-era methane rule was repealed by the Trump administration, reinstated in court and then struck down for good last October, the federal government is once again tightening methane regulations. ... more
Gillette, Campbell County plan for post-coal economy
Gillette and Campbell County appear to be bursting with economic activity despite a series of coal company bankruptcies, mine layoffs and a forecast for more of the same. ... more
Wyoming climate data holds ominous clues about life, economy
Extreme temperatures broke records in June, setting the stage for an unusually hot, dry and smoky summer. Conditions were severe enough to inspire many Wyoming residents to take stock of what appear to be changing climate patterns in the state. ... more
Wyoming residents observe a changing climate and quality of life
We talk a lot about the weather in Wyoming because, like it does in any place occupied by humans, it unites us. Talking about a changing climate in Wyoming, however, can be more difficult. ... more
Torrington school board lifts mask mandate
The Goshen County School District Board voted to rescind the mask mandate in the district on Oct. 28. ... more
Judge orders release of Glenrock police chief report
State District Court Judge Thomas Rumpke ruled Friday partially in favor of the Glenrock Independent Publisher Matt Adelman’s lawsuit against the Town of Glenrock to release the majority of the Stedellie Report. ... more
Senator’s Facebook post to ‘fix bayonets’ criticized
A Facebook post made Friday by a Campbell County legislator calls into question where the line is between figurative and literal language amid a politically polarized national and state climate.... more
Legislator drops plans for censure of colleague
A Gillette lawmaker no longer plans to seek the censure of Rep. Steve Harshman, who was caught on camera last week cursing a colleague. ... more
Bar brings new charge against Laramie Co. DA
The Wyoming State Bar in mid-October filed a second formal charge against Laramie County District Attorney Leigh Anne Manlove, claiming that false statements and excuses about her office not being able to access crime lab results have impeded the administration of justice in the county.... more
Proposed bill would stabilize pension plan
The Wyoming Legislature’s Appropriations Committee reached a milestone in a months-long conversation last week as it approved a bill draft addressing the state’s quickly depleting Fire A pension plan.... more
Kanye era comes to end in Cody
The Kanye West experience is coming to an end in Cody. Whether it was good or bad for the town, most Cody residents can likely agree it was a memorable presence.... more
Pot petition signatures ‘on track’ for February deadline
Petitions are circulating throughout the Cowboy State in support of two ballot initiatives proposing reshaped marijuana legislation in Wyoming. Just over a month into the signature-gathering process, the initiatives are “on track” to potentially make it on the November 2022 ballot.... more
Anti-vaccine mandate bills get first Senate OK
As the Wyoming Legislature’s special session resumed Monday, lawmakers focused on revising the two remaining bills designed to push back on vaccine mandates. But regardless of where they sat on the issue, many lawmakers seemed frustrated with the legislative product.... more
Business council funding for tribes still confounds lawmakers
State lawmakers continued to express confusion this month about tribal eligibility for economic development programs in Wyoming.... more
Campbell County GOP executive committee calls out state GOP for 'misogynistic actions'
The executive committee of the Campbell County Republican Party Central Committee is concerned that the Wyoming GOP is intentionally trying to keep women out of politics.... more
Crypto mining pioneer moves headquarters to Cheyenne
In a state well known for its mining industry, one West Coast startup is ushering in a whole new wave of miners as Wyoming continues to lead the nation in digital asset technologies.... more
Wyoming revenue estimate continues to improve
Buoyed by unexpectedly high oil and gas prices, revenue collected by Wyoming during the 2021 fiscal year far outstripped earlier estimates. ... more
Study: CWD will hurt feedground numbers, hunting
New research predicts that both elk numbers and hunting opportunity will decline in northwest Wyoming as a result of Chronic Wasting Disease infection in elk that winter mostly on the National Elk Refuge near Jackson.... more
Story House Inc. promising 435 film industry jobs in Sheridan
A new business aims to bring the film industry to Sheridan.... more
No criminal charges to be filed against Campbell County library staff
The Weston County Attorney’s Office will not pursue charges against members of the Campbell County Public Library after reviewing the relevant case law and the books alleged to violate the law.... more
Vaccine mandate bills continue their advance in Wyo. Legislature's special session
Three major bills fighting back against the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate advanced to third reading Thursday, a final step before they can move to the opposite chamber. ... more
Axe throwing league brings unique sport to town
In small, circular motions, the man polished his blade razor-sharp with a small whetstone before pulling the remainder of his arsenal from a hard plastic carrying case.... more
A Jackson Hole survey for winter ticks
Troy Koser was inspecting the remnants of a “tick ball” that clung to a blade of grass.... more
Artist changes the Frannie landscape with new art installations
An area artist going by the pseudonym Greg Wymoing — no, that’s not a typo — wants you to think. And smile.... more
Faculty urges UW to slow reorganization plans
The University of Wyoming’s Faculty Senate voted Monday to ask UW’s administrators to postpone a proposed reorganization that would move several programs from the College of Arts and Sciences to other colleges on campus.... more
School districts examine end of ‘snow days’
The days of Johnson County students building snowmen with their friends or drinking hot chocolate on the couch during a snow day may soon be coming to an end.... more
Campbell library board votes to keep contested book in teen section
The Campbell County Public Library Board voted Monday to keep “This Book Is Gay” in the teen section.... more
COVID vaccine compromise measure gains support in House
A bill forcing both sides of the vaccine mandate issue to make compromises is gaining momentum in Wyoming’s House of Representatives.... more
Senate agrees to review one COVID bill
Day 2 of the Legislature's special session was a short one for members of the Wyoming Senate, who passed two bills Wednesday morning before adjourning.... more
City of Douglas revises public documents fee schedule
The Douglas City Council has revised a 2015 resolution charging residents for public documents to provide many of them for little or no cost.... more
Program applauded by law enforcement, opposed by ACLU
Between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. Monday morning, 26 people filed through Sheridan law enforcement offices to blow into a plastic tube. They returned Monday night. And they will return every 12 hours until their case is decided.... more
State might use ARP money to clean illegal dumps on Wind River Indian Reservation
State officials want to use federal American Rescue Plan funding to help clean up illegal dump sites on the Wind River Indian Reservation. ... more
Legislature advances 10 bills to start Wyoming special session
The special session called to push back against the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate was supported Tuesday morning by both chambers of the Wyoming Legislature, which together advanced 10 bills for committee review.... more
North Platte fishery showing resilience after Mullen Fire
A year after last fall’s Mullen Fire, fisheries within the burn area appear healthy, Wyoming Game and Fish Department biologists report.... more
Teton County lawmakers consider special session on vaccine mandates a 'waste of time’
When Wyoming legislators convene today, they are expected to discuss a flurry of vaccine-related bills that Jackson’s representatives say are a waste of time and energy.... more
Committee cuts $60.1 million from recommended education cost adjustment
The Wyoming Legislature’s Joint Appropriations Committee voted Monday to reduce the recommended external cost adjustment for K-12 education by $60.1 million.... more
‘Good medicine:’ Buffalo delivered to home on the reservation
On a clear October morning on the Wind River Indian Reservation, Eastern Shoshone tribal member Jason Baldes stood in front of a semi trailer parked on an expanse of patchy dirt surrounded by agricultural lands, snow-crusted outcroppings and pale blue sky. ... more
Dems, GOP in pitched battle over special COVID legislative session
Wyoming lawmakers are deeply divided along party lines over the need for, and structure of, a forthcoming special legislative session called to fight proposed federal COVID-19 vaccination and/or testing rules.... more
As closure nears, miners grapple with next steps
With four weeks left before Wyoming’s last underground coal mine shutters, the employee transition is well underway. ... more
Out-of-state contributions boost Cheney campaign
An unprecedented amount of out-of-state money is pouring into Rep. Liz Cheney’s reelection effort, as she campaigns in one of the nation’s highest-profile congressional races. ... more
Critical race theory won’t be taught in Carbon County
The Carbon County School District No. 2 Board of Education has passed a resolution that prevents the critical race theory concept from being taught in the district’s seven schools.... more
Businesses to state lawmakers: No more mandates
“No more regulations or mandates on Cheyenne businesses” was the clear message from the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce on Friday as state legislators gear up for a special session this week to discuss ways to fight federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates. ... more
Wyoming sugar beet harvest strong despite delays
Despite losing about 300 acres of sugar beets in the spring, Wyoming Sugar’s 2021 crop should push 32 tons per acre and finish above 19 percent in sugar content.... more
Ongoing testing program tracks UW COVID-19 spread
University of Wyoming students and faculty may experience a new kind of pop quiz this fall semester. A random 3-percent sample of on-campus UW students and employees is being tested each week for COVID-19 as part of the university’s COVID-19 response. ... more
COVID-19 hospitalizations hit all-time high
Wyoming hospitals treated 249 COVID-19 patients on Thursday — the most at any point during the pandemic. At the height of last year’s surge in November, 247 people were hospitalized with the virus, while active cases neared 12,000 — roughly 2 percent of the state. ... more
Commitment to conservation leads volunteers to extreme locations in effort to save trout
An effort that’s saved hundreds of thousands of fish from local canals began with a fisherman with a big heart accompanying a ditch rider on the Cody Canal.... more
Sholly grapples with record Yellowstone visitation
Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Cam Sholly has every square foot of pavement mapped out in the 2.2 million acre Park. He’s scrutinizing the 1,750 acres of pavement in the hope of finding answers to the rising traffic congestion.... more
Ambushed hunter kept his composure after grizzly mauling
Jeremy Dickson is known for his calm demeanor. Wife Carmen says he’s even analytical in his thought processes. Even after being mauled by a grizzly bear.... more
Former Air Force pilot becomes oldest to paraglide
Fred Miles doesn’t speak much, but he can hum his way around a melody, and the one coming out of his mouth this past summer as he looked down from the top of the Bridger Gondola at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort was “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” by John Denver.... more
Simpson remembers Powell as patriot
Former U.S. Sen. Al Simpson has many fond memories of the late U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, but none more prominent than the way he heard Democrat Robert Byrd, a 51-year senator from West Virginia, speak of Powell after he heard him give a speech.... more
Residents angry over end of public comments at commission meetings
The Campbell County Commission has suspended public comment at their meetings until further notice, but that didn’t keep people from speaking up and speaking out against the commissioners Tuesday.... more
Wyoming still most hesitant state for vaccination
Wyoming remains the most vaccine hesitant state in the nation, according to the latest numbers from U.S. Census Bureau polling. Wyoming children ages 12 to 17 now fall into that category as well.... more
Wyoming aims to expand sports betting by end of year
The first month of legalized sports betting in Wyoming wrapped up only a few weeks ago, but the state’s gaming commission is already anticipating expansion in the near future.... more
Scientists optimistic about Mullen Fire recovery
Late in the summer of 2020, as hunting seasons ramped up and the world reeled from the COVID pandemic, a fire ignited in southeast Wyoming’s Snowy Range. ... more
Oil and gas industry continues to show signs of recovery in Wyoming
Wyoming’s oil and gas industry continues to show signs of recovery from the 2020 pandemic shockwave that drove the price of oil below $0 per barrel, spurred layoffs and stalled production.... more
Land swap would create 38,000-acre public block in SE Wyo
An Albany County land exchange proposed by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management would consolidate a 38,000-acre block of public land around the Mule Creek Ranch 50 miles southeast of Casper.... more
Cheney v. Trump: House race raising, spending at record clip
Hailed as the marquee event of the 2022 midterm elections, the campaign of incumbent U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyoming, versus a field of challengers is already on track to be by far the most expensive in state history.... more
Evanston school district asks parents’ help to end TikTok pranks
Uinta County School District No. 1 has asked for parental help in putting a stop to students attempting to pull off school pranks modeled after challenges circulating on the social media app TikTok. ... more
Oil prices may increase as Converse County rig count jumps to 10
Is $80-plus a barrel the new normal for oil prices in the country right now? How about $100 per barrel by mid-2022? ... more
Poll: Medicaid expansion popular
A new poll commissioned by four nonprofits shows significant support for Medicaid Expansion in Wyoming, a government health insurance assistance program for those who can’t afford insurance and aren’t offered it by their employer. ... more
Campbell County Commission not allowing public comment on library issues
The Campbell County Commission will no longer be taking public comment relating to the Campbell County Public Library.... more
COVID spikes in state prisons
Cases of COVID-19 at Wyoming prison facilities have spiked to their highest total since the start of the pandemic. ... more
Tribes shorted on federal funds due to joint-powers structure
The Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes have missed out on multiple federal funding opportunities because of the cooperative government structure imposed upon them by the federal government, state and tribal officials said this month. ... more
Teton areas eyed as off-limits to help bighorn sheep population
An interagency collective of biologists is recommending that 21,233 acres of high-quality winter habitat in the Teton Range be made off limits to humans to help an imperiled, declining herd of bighorn sheep stage a comeback.... more
Barrasso: ‘I’m pro-vaccine and anti-mandate’
While some Wyomingites and Republican officials have been hesitant to endorse the COVID-19 vaccines, U.S. Sen. John Barrasso has no such qualms.... more
Wyoming gambling overgrown, says tribal leader
Wyoming’s gambling is overgrown, according to Northern Arapaho Business Council Chairman Jordan Dresser. ... more
Man who killed friend sentenced to prison
A Gillette man who shot and killed his friend in 2020 will serve three to 10 years in prison.... more
Legislature to hold special session on mandate
The Wyoming State Legislature has voted to hold a special session to combat federal vaccine mandates, but another obstacle remains. ... more
Changes in state economy affect education system
As the economic landscape of Wyoming changes, so does one of the most equitable education systems in the country.... more
Laramie woman sets up Free Little Pet Pantry
Angel seemed excited as she sniffed at the now-familiar converted kitchen hutch filled with pet food, treat, toys and other items.... more
County jails are unintended fallback for people with mental illness
Dennis Gross is sitting in the Teton County Jail, where nearly everyone involved in his case agrees he shouldn’t be.... more
Facebook group offers place to recollect and share Casper’s history
When Roy Barnes left Casper at age 16, he didn’t look back. ... more
Lawmakers advance $25M cost-of-living hike for teachers
Wyoming teachers and staff may see an annual cost-of-living adjustment as lawmakers advanced a $25 million hike that would start in 2022. But it’s unclear how far that might go toward bringing salaries in line with a national average that has outpaced the state in recent years.... more
EPA backs Bighorn Forest’s plan for aerial herbicide spraying
Aerial spraying of chemicals — including one banned in Europe — to kill sagebrush and invasive plants appears to be “the most-reasonable option” for the Bighorn National Forest to meet range and habitat goals, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says.... more
Groups seek to elevate young voices on Wyoming’s future
Several groups are encouraging young Wyoming residents to get more involved in local and state civic matters, and endeavoring to involve more youth in shaping the state’s future.... more
Federal jury convicts three in NuTech securities fraud
A federal jury in Cheyenne returned guilty verdicts against three men related to a stock fraud involving NuTech Energy Resources Inc., a company that claimed to operate coalbed-methane wells in Wyoming.... more
UW unveils latest restructuring recommendations
University of Wyoming administrators have published the latest recommendations for restructuring the state’s sole public four-year university, amended with input from faculty and college deans.... more
Crook County treasurer resigns
A civil trial that was to consider the removal of Mary Kuhl from her position as Crook County Treasurer will no longer be necessary because her letter of resignation was accepted by the county commissioners on Friday, Oct. 8.... more
Committee approves bill giving tribes access to grants
Lawmakers advanced a bill draft Friday that would make Wyoming Business Council grants as accessible to local tribes as they are to other governments.... more
Health officials encourage flu vaccination
Following an unusually quiet 2020-21 flu season, a Wyoming Department of Health official says the need for flu shots remains important to help protect Wyoming residents from influenza as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.... more
Legislators prepare bills fighting vaccine mandate
Some Wyoming lawmakers are already working on bills for the impending special session aimed at fighting the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate for all companies with over 100 employees.... more
‘Defiant Five’ win temporary freedom in wild horse roundup
Their manes and tails flying in the air, the wild horses trot, canter and gallop ahead of the buzzing, weaving helicopter.... more
Petito strangled weeks before body was found, officials say
Hundreds of thousands of people watched live and millions reacted as Teton County Coroner Dr. Brent Blue announced in a video press conference Tuesday that Gabrielle “Gabby” Petito, 22, died by strangulation.... more
Lawsuit alleges abuse of grade school student on bus
Facing claims that its bus driver and superintendent did not react properly to sexual abuse on a school bus, Fremont County School District 14 is being sued in federal court.... more
Wyoming hospitals report critical staffing shortages
Four Wyoming hospitals have recently utilized crisis standards of care, and more than half a dozen have sought information on those standards from the state health department, though no hospital was actively in crisis care as of Tuesday afternoon, health department spokesperson Kim Deti said via email.... more
Legislators recommend $72 million adjustment to schools
The Wyoming Legislature’s Joint Education Interim Committee voted Monday to recommend adding an external cost adjustment worth more than $72 million to the state’s next K-12 education budget.... more
West puts ‘West Ranch’ up for sale
Kanye West’s ranch is now for sale, symbolizing the likely final page in the hip-hop and fashion mogul’s saga in Cody.... more
Park County GOP declines to discipline member over email
Leaders of the Park County Republican Party have decided not to take action against a precinct committeeman for a vulgar email he sent to a state lawmaker last month.... more
Trooper chief says shooting is evidence of challenges for officers
The fatal exchange of gunfire between a Lander man and a state trooper on Sinks Canyon Road in June is just one among many signs of increasingly challenging times for law enforcement, according to a state police leader.... more
Cheney campaign sees second-highest fundraising quarter
Rep. Liz Cheney’s House reelection campaign enjoyed its second-biggest fundraising quarter ever this summer, a Cheney aide told the Star-Tribune. The donations came on the heels of Cheney’s all-time fundraising record, which occurred one quarter earlier.... more
Congress considers new fees on hardrock mining
The federal reconciliation debate is plodding backward, and hardrock mining royalties are back on the bargaining table.... more
Man sues Cheyenne police over DUI testing
A Cheyenne man is suing three Cheyenne police officers in federal court for allegedly violating his civil rights, after a municipal court judge ruled that one of the officers lied to a judge about the man’s refusal to take a blood alcohol level test.... more
12-year-old Powell farmer is youngest crop insurance holder
It’s been a busy year for Tag Thompson. He bought his first tractor, using money he earned from selling his steers. He farmed his first field, signing a contract with Briess Malt & Ingredients for his 10 acres of barley. He also paid off a loan that had helped finance the purchase of his first two cows while continuing to raise cattle through his own company. ... more
Independent film very much alive in Cheyenne
It may not seem like there’s an independent film scene in Cheyenne, but there is – you just have to look for it.... more
Sheridan boy gets time on ‘jumbotron’
Kasen Kaeding is a typical 7-year-old boy with an abiding love of golf, football, hibachi steakhouses and “SpongeBob SquarePants.”... more
More information needed on missing, murdered Indigenous people, leaders say
Recent data suggests Indigenous people continue to make up a disproportionate amount of Wyoming’s homicides and missing persons cases, but tribal members say even the best numbers are not telling the full story.... more
Standoff over mask requirement forces lockdown of school
Laramie High School was locked down for about 90 minutes Thursday morning during a showdown of wills between school administration and a 16-year-old junior who was arrested and removed from the school in handcuffs.... more
Vaccine mandate spurs hospital staffing worries
Crook County Medical Services District is starting to see difficulties with staffing on the horizon. CEO Micki Lyons last week shared her concerns over the impending federal vaccine mandate with the board of trustees.... more
Sheridan school board rejects call for resignations over masks
The Sheridan County School District 2 Board of Trustees responded to calls for board members to either voluntarily resign or be recalled, with board members unanimously approving a motion at their regular meeting Monday to reject petitions filed by a concerned group of citizens.... more
Commissioners continue to field library comments
For the past three months, Campbell County commissioners have gotten used to fielding public comments at their meetings regarding the Campbell County Public Library.... more
Mine reclamation at risk with coal fee lapse
Entangled in the congressional infrastructure debate, Wyoming’s biggest source of mine cleanup funding expired last week, raising questions about the future of reclamation.... more
DCI makes missing persons site easier to use
The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation now has an easier-to-find list of the state's missing persons.... more
Wild horse advocates cry foul on enormous roundup, removal
Federal contract wranglers plan to round up 4,300 wild horses in southwest Wyoming — permanently removing about 70 percent of them — starting Thursday in an undertaking that culminates years of conflicts among land and wildlife managers, ranchers and horse advocates.... more
State to help coal communities compete for economic diversification funds
The Wyoming Energy Authority and Wyoming Business Council have joined forces to help coal communities compete for federal stimulus dollars aimed at diversifying their economies. ... more
Wyoming may seek grizzly delisting on its own
The state of Wyoming is prepared to petition for the authority to manage grizzly bears on its own, without support from neighboring states in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.... more
School board rejects contract for company with ties to superintendent
A contract to hire an education consulting company connected to then Cody superintendent Peg Monteith was pulled from a Cody School Board agenda in early June after board members received information revealing the personal relationship.... more
Committee examines possible business tax
Trying to make Wyoming less reliant on mineral wealth, legislators are considering a new tax for businesses in the state.... more
Special prosecutor picked to look into library allegations
A special prosecutor has been appointed to investigate whether criminal charges should be brought against the Campbell County Public Library for allegedly spreading obscene materials.... more
Man charged in Cheyenne woman’s murder ruled unfit for trial
Another delay has occurred in the prosecution of a former Cody man accused of first degree murder as he was recently determined still mentally unfit to stand trial.... more
No regrets for teacher fired over mask requirement
Amanda Smith probably won’t be returning to her classroom at Henry A. Coffeen Elementary School, not after Sheridan County School District 2 terminated her for refusing to comply with the district’s mask requirement.... more
Uncertainty surrounds first lease sale since December
Scoping is over for the first oil and gas lease sale since December.... more
Gold, copper mine could mean millions for state
A plan for a potential gold and copper mine near Cheyenne is steadily progressing, with a company putting forth vast community outreach efforts in recent months for a project that could bring hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars to Wyoming.... more
Tribes, enviros pan Wyo wolf kill policy in ESA petitions
Several conservation organizations and numerous Native American tribes are citing Wyoming’s wolf predator zone — the roughly 85 percent of the state where wolves can be killed at any time by any means — as evidence of the need for renewed federal protection of the gray wolf.... more
Gillette library reviews book challenges during ‘Banned Book Week’
During a week designed to focus on books being challenged for being inappropriate, the staff at the Campbell County Public Library were spending some of their time responding to more than a dozen forms challenging books in the library’s collection.... more
Tourism boom fuels increase in taxable sales
After declines in five consecutive quarters, total taxable sales in the state expanded 12.1 percent in the second quarter of 2021 compared with 2020, largely due to the record-breaking boom in tourism at Wyoming’s national parks, according to a year-by-year comparison recently released by the Wyoming Department of Revenue.... more
Game and Fish tracking deer, pronghorn disease
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department announced earlier this month that it’s tracking outbreaks of epizootic hemorrhagic disease in white-tailed deer and pronghorn in eastern Wyoming.... more
Rodeo queen wants to bring attention to missing and murdered Indigenous people
Shayla Conner was only a teenager when her cousin Hanna Harris went missing. Nine days later, authorities found Harris’ body on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation rodeo grounds in Montana.... more
Laramie man leaves house, everything in it to local hospice
Jerry Bucher led a fascinating life.... more
Since 2013, Summer of Hope program has resulted in 21 adoptions in Gillette
If you ask Allison Carsrud when, back in 2013, she knew her family would adopt a 7-year-old boy from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, she’ll tell you it was instantaneous.... more
Rude comments led to end of Jackson mask complaint site
At first, submissions to the Teton County Health Department’s COVID-19 complaint form were helpful. On Sept. 1, for example, an anonymous tipster wrote that Cultivate Cafe didn’t have public signage announcing the county’s mask mandate, according to records obtained by the Jackson Hole Daily.... more
State says tribes not eligible for Business Council money
Wyoming’s Attorney General says local tribal entities are not eligible for grants and loans through the Wyoming Business Council Business Ready Community Program, WBC staff told the Wyoming Legislature’s Select Committee on Tribal Relations last month.... more
Campbell school vaccine incentive program criticized
Members of the public, including some teachers, came to tell the Campbell County School District’s board of trustees that they were not happy with the decision to offer district employees a $300 incentive for getting the COVID-19 vaccination.... more
Committee rejects proposed energy tax structure
Sen. Cale Case on Thursday proposed a new energy tax structure that would be shared across all electricity producers. But a motion to have a bill drafted for the plan failed by a vote of 4–9 in the Joint Revenue Committee.... more
Missing and murdered Indigenous people issue continues to plague Wyoming
With all the national coverage of her disappearance and the discovery of her body in Wyoming, the name of Gabby Petito is familiar to most.... more
Crook County treasurer objects to new charges
County Treasurer Mary Kuhl has objected to new charges filed against her in the civil case that seeks her removal from office, complaining in a response filed with District Court that it’s unfair to add new information so close to the date of her trial. ... more
Determining the need for affordable housing in Saratoga
Is there a need for affordable housing in Saratoga?... more
Interest in parasitic medicine for cattle on the rise; health officials urge caution
In one year, the number of calls to the regional poison control center doubled from the five previous years on complications related to ivermectin.... more
Rep. Sommers: Game and Fish won’t let 400 Dell Creek elk starve
A Sublette County legislator is confident Game and Fish Department personnel “will work their butt(s) off” to ensure some 400 elk that depend on the Dell Creek Feedground don’t starve this winter. Rep. Albert Sommers, R-Pinedale, made his comments after U.S. District Judge Nancy Freudenthal ruled the wildlife agency has no permit to operate the feedground.... more
Ranchers face difficult choices after brutally hot, dry summer
Prolonged drought conditions, intensified by record-breaking heat, have prompted Wyoming cattle ranchers to either buy supplemental feed at higher-than-normal prices or cull their herds.... more
Wyoming loggers fear extinction as federal forest policy evolves
The Pearson family is as much of a fixture in this corner of Crook County as Devils Tower. ... more
‘Nightmare’ elk hunt turns heads on the levee
If Bob Geringer had another shot, he says he wouldn’t have pulled the trigger.... more
Campbell County Commissioner says county should stop funding the library
A Campbell County Commissioner said he does not believe the Campbell County Public Library should receive funding from the county.... more
Converse County hospital battles nursing, employee shortages and surge in COVID-19 cases
A longtime Memorial Hospital of Converse County nurse known for not ever complaining looked wearily at CEO Matt Dammeyer as he checked in with her Friday. ... more
Park County GOP official apologizes for letter, won’t resign
A Park County Republican Party official who sent an obscene message to a state lawmaker about vaccine mandates has apologized for language he used. However, the Powell resident says he will not resign his position within the party — pushing back against calls from the state’s legislative leaders to step down — and has doubled down on his criticism of state Sen. Tara Nethercott. ... more
Gillette hospital sends mandate protest to Biden
In addition to airing out the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming federal vaccine mandates expected to affect Campbell County Health employees next month, hospital trustees decided to send a formal response to the man in charge himself.... more
BLM to round up half of Wyoming’s wild horses
The Bureau of Land Management will round up most wild horses in five herd management areas in southwestern Wyoming, beginning as soon as Oct. 7, the agency said Friday.... more
After dry summer, ag producers likely need extra feed for winter
After a second hot, dry summer in a row, Wyoming’s cattle producers are concerned about heading into winter without enough feed.... more
More Wyoming residents eligible for boosters
A wider swath of Wyomingites is now eligible for Pfizer COVID-19 booster shots after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention authorized the additional inoculations.... more
Prosecutors express concern about State Bar charge against D.A. Manlove
A group composed of the state’s county and district attorneys has raised concerns about the Wyoming State Bar’s formal charge against Laramie County District Attorney Leigh Anne Manlove. ... more
To vaccinate or staff? Gillette hospital board fields public concerns over vaccine mandates
People came out in droves this week to lament the impending federal vaccine mandates that are expected to affect Campbell County Health employees next month and may lead to a significant loss of staff.... more
COVID survivor asks community to vaccinate
The symptoms for Kristi and Andy Gabriel came on at the same time. From the beginning, Kristi had it worse.... more
Groups frustrated with BLM management of horses
When it comes to wild horses and burros, their advocates and opponents mostly agree on one thing: neither is satisfied with the BLM’s management of the species.... more
Problems persist with illegal killing of Greater Yellowstone wolves
The way Lane Bunner tells it, the wolf was chasing his Jack Russell terrier, had closed to within 40 yards or so, and he had to make a split-second decision.... more
Wyoming’s crypto sector’s fate up to federal regulators
After years of laying groundwork, the future of Wyoming’s cryptocurrency banking industry now lies in the hands of federal regulators, officials with Wyoming U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis’ office told lawmakers Tuesday.... more
Low enrollment sinks UW’s projected revenue by $2.3 million
Small freshman classes the past two years, and a wait-and-see approach to attendance during the pandemic, have pushed enrollment at the University of Wyoming down 6.3 percent from the fall of 2019.... more
Legislative committee considering bill to limit non-compete agreements in Wyoming
Legislators have voted to delay until their next meeting a bill that, if passed, would void all future non-compete clauses in the Wyoming marketplace.... more
First rulings issued in Wyoming Gun Owners suit
A court issued two rulings in the case of a prominent gun rights group versus some of Wyoming’s top elected officials.... more
Federal court issues arrest warrant for Laundrie
The U.S. District Court of Wyoming issued a federal arrest warrant Wednesday for Brian Christopher Laundrie, the boyfriend of Gabrielle “Gabby” Petito, whose body was found this past weekend near Grand Teton National Park, according to the FBI.... more
Protesters urge noncompliance with COVID vaccine mandates
Dozens of residents gathered in Cody on Saturday to rally against the mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations proposed by President Joe Biden’s administration.... more
Governor suspends Crook County treasurer
Meanwhile, an amended version of the verified petition for her removal has been filed by the Attorney General’s Office. ... more
On anniversary of Antelope’s death, community expresses mixed opinions of groups using him as figurehead
Two of the late Anderson Antelope’s immediate family members have opposed using him as a social justice figurehead.... more
Legislative leaders ask Bray to step down
Tory Bray, a precinct committeeman for the Park County GOP has resigned his position as secretary for the Park County Republican Men’s club after he was asked to, but still remains a committeeman.... more
Strong, expensive Sam Adams brew can be sold in Wyoming
Good news for Wyoming beer drinkers.... more
Plan would use poison to restore Yellowstone cutthroat trout
Wyoming has launched a long-range plan to restore Yellowstone cutthroat trout to the Bighorn Basin and make parts of five watersheds the sensitive species’ exclusive domain.... more
Anti-vaxxers commandeer committee meeting to protest mandates
A group of activists that included healthcare workers commandeered a meeting of the Wyoming Legislature’s Joint Committee on Labor, Health and Social Services Thursday to demand legislative action against COVID-19 vaccination requirements at medical facilities around the state.... more
Petito’s death ruled homicide
The search for Brian Laundrie continues three days after his partner Gabrielle “Gabby” Petito was found dead near the Grand Teton National Park boundary at the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area.... more
Layoffs from Bridger mine closure not surprise
When the Bridger Underground Coal Mine shuts down in November, 92 workers will lose their current jobs, down from the 94 reported by the mine’s owner earlier this month.... more
National Guard deployed to help hospitals with surge
Amid a surge in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 across the state, Gov. Mark Gordon announced Tuesday that he had activated members of the Wyoming National Guard to assist with mostly non-medical tasks at hospitals in the state.... more
Trial delayed in fatal abuse case
A trial has been delayed for a Cody man and woman who stand accused of fatally abusing a 2-year-old child earlier this year.... more
State works to address unemployment insurance increase
When it comes to recent changes in unemployment insurance taxes, the numbers are staggering and, for many small businesses, unsustainable.... more
Park County GOP official lashes out at legislator in email
A Republican official in Park County told Sen. Tara Nethercott in an email that if he was as “despicable a person as you, I would kill myself.”... more
Investigators focus on cause of Petito death
An autopsy was scheduled Tuesday for the remains found Sunday in a dispersed camping area bordering Grand Teton National Park that match the description of Gabrielle “Gabby” Petito — a 5-foot-5-inch, blond-haired, blue-eyed adventure blogger who hadn’t been seen or heard from since late August.... more
Man survives and recovers after rescue from truck fire
The last thing Shane Fortner remembers is driving by the last big hill before entering Gillette.... more
Neighbors, history buffs want to save Swinging Bridge
At first Jason Dewey said that “more than half” of the reason he bought a property and built a home along a four-lane highway — five, if you count the turn lane in the middle of Highway 89 — was the view of Swinging Bridge just to the east.... more
Laramie businessman sees new potential in antiques
It’s the larger-than-life wide eyes and goofy grin that first get your attention.... more
UW readies to comply with Biden mandates despite Gordon’s opposition
Just minutes before Gov. Mark Gordon on Wednesday unveiled a “two-pronged plan” to combat a federal mandate for large employers to either vaccinate or regularly test all workers for COVID-19, University of Wyoming trustees directed administrators to budget for compliance with the directive. ... more
Trooper acted properly in shooting, report says
A Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper who was shot by and returned fire on a Lander man on Sinks Canyon Road in June acted within the law, according to a Friday statement by Fremont County Attorney Patrick LeBrun.... more
Bill to allow ‘tourism improvement districts’ moves ahead
During a Joint Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions Committee meeting in Sheridan earlier this month, legislators agreed to forward a piece of legislation authorizing the creation of tourism improvement districts.... more
Vaccine mandates questioned
Several health care workers and a handful of non-medical personnel spoke against vaccine mandates at a Thursday legislative committee hearing in Casper.... more
School nurse resigns over quarantine rules
Kay Dersham says she no longer wants to put her nursing license or her ethics on the line after the recent decision made by the Laramie County School District 2 Board of Trustees.... more
Balow cites student’s notes in backing anti-critical race theory bill
Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow is backing proposed legislation to deter public schools from teaching aspects of critical race theory, citing one student’s notes as evidence of the threat to the state’s education.... more
Remains of kayaker missing since 1995 recovered
he bones of a 24-year-old Pennsylvania man who drowned while kayaking the Hoback River 26 years ago have been found in Palisades Reservoir and confirmed to be those of the missing man.... more
Balow, Racines among first women to participate in One-Shot Hunt
Seven women — two of whom have strong Fremont County ties — have made history as the first women selected to compete in the One-Shot Antelope Hunt, which began Wednesday and runs through Saturday. ... more
Pneumonic plague case found in Wyoming
A rare case of the potentially deadly pneumonic plague was recently detected in a northern Fremont County resident.... more
Wyoming to ask for delisting of grizzlies
Wyoming will petition the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to remove federal protections from grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, Gov. Mark Gordon said Thursday.... more
Lawmakers mull adding judges to alleviate court backlog ‘crisis’
Wyoming may expand its district court system to address case backlogs and staffing shortages in several counties around the state.... more
Crook County Treasurer responds to charges
Crook County Treasurer Mary Kuhl has responded to the verified petition filed against her by Wyoming Attorney General Bridget Hill, which seeks to suspend her from office.... more
Feds consider relisting wolf as endangered species
Responding to concerns from environmental groups, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said Wednesday that it will study whether gray wolves in Wyoming and elsewhere in the West should be relisted as a threatened or endangered species.... more
Campbell County School District to offer $300 incentive for staff to get COVID-19 vaccine
The Campbell County School District will offer a one-time $300 incentive for district employees who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.... more
State plots 2-front vaccine mandate fight; Gordon plans legal action, possible special session
Gov. Mark Gordon is planning to combat President Joe Biden’s vaccine mandate through legal action from the state attorney general and a special legislative session, he announced Wednesday.... more
Researchers look for clues as toxic blooms plague Wyo waters
It can look like green paint spilled on the surface of a lake. Or like cottage cheese. Or grass clippings. ... more
Game and Fish now requires CWD sampling from some hunters
For the first time ever, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department is requiring some hunters to collect samples from deer they kill to help monitor the spread of fatal, incurable chronic wasting disease.... more
Bucking statewide trend, Teton County GOP still accepts Liz Cheney as a Republican
Teton County’s GOP will continue to recognize U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney as a Republican.... more
Sheridan school board approves termination of staffer for not wearing mask
At least one Sheridan County School District 2 staff member has been officially terminated for not wearing a mask to work.... more
WEA president responds to new transparency bill aimed at critical race theory
Grady Hutcherson, president of the Wyoming Education Association, has mixed feelings on the Civics Transparency Act, a bill recently introduced by state Sens. Ogden Driskill, R-Devils Tower, and Dan Dockstader, R-Afton, to address concerns about critical race theory being taught in Wyoming K-12 classrooms.... more
Tourism bounces back as nation looks to travel
Sales and use tax collections for Wyoming’s hospitality and leisure sectors experienced significant growth this summer compared to last year, state reports show.... more
Hate crime draft bills voted down
Two draft bills addressing bias motivated crimes, or hate crimes, failed to be sponsored Tuesday by the Wyoming Legislature’s Joint Judiciary Interim Committee.... more
Pro Pot Push: Petitions for medical marijuana and decriminalization initiatives now circulating
A small group of people gathered at Dalbey Memorial Park Saturday evening in what may be the start of a more large-scale movement toward less restrictive marijuana laws throughout Wyoming.... more
Judge: No choice but to release suspect in eye-gouging
New insight has emerged regarding the June release of an accused eye-gouger from the Wyoming State Hospital. The elderly victim of the suspect’s attack on Thanksgiving Day died two weeks later.... more
Gordon, lawmakers talk about fighting vaccine mandate
Gov. Mark Gordon is working with Wyoming legislative leaders and the state’s attorney general to explore what options are available to fight back against President Joe Biden’s vaccine mandate for companies that employ over 100 workers, a Gordon spokesman said Monday.... more
Balow leads fight against critical race theory in Wyoming
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow showed her full support Friday morning for legislation designed to fight back against critical race theory in state schools.... more
Pressure builds for candidates to drop from House race
Pressure is building for challengers of U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyoming, to drop out of the race following former President Donald Trump’s Thursday endorsement of new entrant and former Republican National Committee member Harriet Hageman.... more
Bouchard meme suggests Fauci execution
Wyoming Sen. Anthony Bouchard, R-Cheyenne, posted a meme on his congressional campaign’s Facebook page accusing White House Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci of lying and suggesting that Fauci should be executed.... more
Flood of complaints prompts removal of Teton Co. mask violation page
An online form that people could use to report possible violations of Teton County’s mask order was taken down this week after people trolled the form.... more
Fremont County central to redistricting talks
State lawmakers are considering several proposals to alter the makeup of the Wyoming Legislature, with Fremont County central to the discussion.... more
Wildfires burning higher, study says
Western wildfires are spreading farther. They’re burning hotter. And now they’re climbing higher.... more
Laramie students protest Albany Co. mask mandate
Cheering back as a chorus of honking horns sounded support, about two dozen Laramie High School students protested Friday afternoon at the southwest corner of Boulder Drive and Grand Avenue.... more
Cheney calls Hageman entry into race ‘tragic opportunism’
U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., called former Republican ally Harriet Hageman’s challenge for her seat “tragic opportunism” in a Friday morning call with Wyoming media.... more
Company woos WyoTech students with jaunt on private jet
Those weren’t rock stars or major social media influencers you may have seen boarding a private jet at the Laramie Regional Airport on the morning of Sept. 1.... more
Police officers looking for supportive communities moving to Casper
After the nation erupted in months of protests following George Floyd’s death last year, Andrew Lincowski knew he wanted to go back into law enforcement. ... more
Lawmakers advance runoff election legislation
Wyoming lawmakers advanced a proposal Thursday to shift the state’s elections to a runoff system. Conservative activists favor runoffs as a way to avoid the type of vote-splitting they believe has helped elevate more moderate candidates in Republican primaries.... more
Illegal political robocalls rankle Wyoming voters
In the wee hours of Aug. 30, phones across Wyoming began ringing.... more
Wyo sage grouse counts fall again, marking a 5-year trend
Wyoming’s 2021 count of male greater sage grouse declined 13 percent compared to 2020, extending the downward trend of the troubled bird’s key population indicator to five years.... more
Gordon says state ready to challenge vaccine mandate
Wyoming is prepared to challenge a federal vaccine mandate in court, Gov. Mark Gordon declared in a statement Thursday.... more
Laramie school trustees adopt mask mandate after heated meeting
Another week, another school board meeting, another extension of the mask mandate in local schools. ... more
Trump endorsement in hand, Hageman announces House bid
Cheyenne attorney Harriet Hageman announced her candidacy Thursday for Wyoming’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, launching her bid to oust current Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo.... more
Central Wyoming College mask mandate reinstated
A mask mandate was reinstated Wednesday at Central Wyoming College to guard against the spread of COVID-19.... more
Sources say Trump will endorse Hageman against Cheney
Hageman, a former Cheney ally and a 2018 Republican candidate for governor in Wyoming, did not respond to numerous requests for comment, nor has she formally announced her candidacy.... more
Marine’s body to be returned to Jackson Friday
The body of Lance Cpl. Rylee McCollum, the local U.S. Marine who was killed in Afghanistan on Aug. 26, is scheduled to return to Jackson on Friday around 4 p.m.... more
Laramie school mask debate boils over
An unruly and disruptive group of local residents nearly derailed Wednesday’s Albany County School District Board of Education meeting minutes into it. ... more
Cheyenne school trustees adopt mask mandate
The Laramie County School District 1 Board of Trustees voted unanimously Wednesday night to require students and faculty to wear masks indoors to slow the spread of COVID-19.... more
The ‘Cowboy Catholics’ and federal funds
In 2015, tiny Wyoming Catholic College made a big splash on the national education front by refusing to participate in federal student-aid programs, claiming that accepting federal money would impinge on the school’s academic and religious freedoms.... more
Bighorn Forest plan for weeds, sagebrush sparks battle
Conservationists are criticizing a plan by the Bighorn National Forest to use aerial spraying to kill mountain big sagebrush and larkspur, native plants the critics say shouldn’t be destroyed to improve grazing for domestic stock.... more
Fraud case rocks Lander, Catholic College
Many were impressed with his fresh ideas and unbridled enthusiasm about the future of the ambitious young college, as well as his vision of the business potential of his new hometown.... more
Tourists change the way they use of Grand Teton Park
Zach Kariya and Cailey Baker were quite certain of the number of hikers they’d passed since the last checkpoint on their way down from an eight-hour hike to Amphitheater Lake and Garnet Canyon.... more
New community college trustees gather info
Chairman Robert Palmer said that while the board has not taken action on appointing a district president yet, he hopes it reaches a consensus on who to hire in the next 30 to 60 days.... more
More Wyoming residents seek vaccination
Nearly 8,800 people in Wyoming received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine within the last two weeks. That’s the highest amount statewide since this spring, when the shots first became available to the general public.... more
Mask mandate approved for Torrington schools
The Goshen County School District approved a motion for K-12 mask mandates during a special meeting.... more
Protest and passion mount around via ferrata proposal
Protest and passion continue to mount around a proposal to build a via ferrata in Sinks Canyon State Park, dividing the central Wyoming outdoor recreation community.... more
No plans for inquest into 2019 shooting, coroner says
Fremont County’s new coroner says he has no plans to initiate an inquest into the fatal 2019 shooting of Anderson Antelope by a Riverton police officer.... more
Sheridan residents rally against mask requirements
More than 120 people packed the council chambers and adjacent hallway last week at Sheridan City Hall to organize and oppose mask requirements being adopted by local school districts.... more
Woman works to establish missing persons database
In 2019, Desirée Tinoco started a Facebook group after hearing about two men missing in Wyoming, whose cases weren’t getting much coverage.... more
COVID-19 infections, controversy disrupt first days of school
Less than two weeks after opening their doors, school officials around Wyoming are finding that hygiene protocols and mask and vaccine recommendations may not be enough to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks and keep students in classrooms.... more
Afghanistan becomes flashpoint in race to oust Cheney
U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyoming, has an extensive foreign policy record.... more
Dayton mayor relieved of duties
In a special meeting Thursday, the Dayton Town Council voted 4-1 to relieve Mayor Norm Anderson of many responsibilities, essentially reducing him to figurehead status.... more
Legal sports betting goes live in Wyoming
Gambling sports fans in Wyoming are no longer required to bet through sketchy offshore websites to win, or lose, a quick buck.... more
Attempts to remove Cheney from conference continue
Far-right House members continue to push to oust Rep. Liz Cheney from the Republican Conference following her appointment Thursday as vice chairwoman of the Jan. 6 Select Committee.... more
Health officials fight ‘two pandemics’ amid COVID misinformation
When COVID-19 began to take over public consciousness in the U.S. around March 2020, public health departments set to work, tasked with providing the best information, resources and preventative care possible at the time to their communities.... more
Gillette teens interview authors for Library of Congress
What did two Gillette teenage girls share in common with Washington, D.C., man, born in 1983, who happens to be a best-selling author of young adult books and has sold more than 6 million copies since 2014?... more
COVID patient raises money for CNA’s shoes
Bob Vines went to the emergency room at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center on July 17 with COVID-19.... more
Group works to save heritage of primitive weapons
For most of his life, Ned Dunn has been shooting black powder muzzleloader weapons. The Powell resident loves everything about the guns first developed in the 16th century, from pouring his own musket balls to the smell of the powder burning. Dunn is trying to preserve the traditions of the Wyoming mountain man, but, as he puts it, he’s running out of time.... more
Water board votes against big wells in troubled Ogallala Aquifer
The state engineer should not authorize eight high-capacity groundwater wells in the diminishing High Plains Aquifer east of Cheyenne, a Laramie County board recommended with a 4-1 vote Tuesday.... more
Teton commissioners extend mask mandate to Dec. 31
The Teton County Board of County Commissioners voted 3-2 Thursday morning to extend Teton District Health Officer Dr. Travis Riddell’s mask mandate through the end of 2021.... more
Officials say oil rebounding, but work with feds needed
A year after its prices dropped below zero, oil seems to be on the rebound, but a lot of work remains to be done under the Biden administration.... more
Nearly one-third of WMC patients in for COVID
Nearly 30 percent of patients at Wyoming’s largest hospital are being treated for COVID-19. The majority of them are under 65 years old.... more
Bill changing absentee ballot counting rules gets committee nod
At least one bill related to elections will be introduced by committee during Wyoming’s 2022 legislative session, while the fate of two other proposed bills is murky.... more
Hundreds of Laramie County School District No. 1 students quarantined
Less than two weeks after the start of the new school year in Laramie County School District No.1, there have been 466 quarantines mandated on students and faculty. ... more
In Sheridan: Families withdraw students, teachers suspended following school district vote to require masks
The decision by Sheridan County School District No. 2 to require masks not only has some residents upset but withdrawing their children from district schools and has reportedly led to the suspension of at least two teachers who chose to defy the policy change.... more
Moorcroft woman arrested for child abuse, aggravated assault
A Moorcroft woman has been arrested on 16 separate counts of child abuse as well as one of aggravated assault and battery.... more
Albany County school board gets an earful on mask mandates
Wednesday’s special meeting of the Albany County School District 1 Board of Education to listen to public input on a potential extended mask mandate for students and employees soon found a rhythm reminiscent of a State of the Union address. ... more
Governor: No mask mandate ahead
Gov. Mark Gordon stressed Wednesday that he will not be issuing a statewide or K-12 mask mandate like he did last year, even as schools opened and COVID cases surged across Wyoming. ... more
Rylee McCollum: A Jackson kid, a lifelong Marine
And, according to his father, Jim McCollum, Rylee loved competition and overcoming obstacles.... more
Pine Bluffs school board member: ‘I think they’re prepared to have sick kids’
In response to nearly 10 percent of students in Laramie County School District 2 being quarantined after the first week of school, as well as nine staff members, the district's Board of Trustees held a special meeting Monday night that lasted more than three hours.... more
PacifiCorp holds course to exit Wyoming coal
Wyoming’s largest utility, Rocky Mountain Power, will decommission its entire coal-fired power fleet in the state by 2039 while continuing to add wind, solar and battery storage to its six-state operating system, according to preliminary details of its 2021 Integrated Resource Plan.... more
Wiggins Construction customers complain of shoddy and incomplete work
In the spring, Wiggins Construction LLC began aggressively pushing a new promotion, offering a free AR-15 rifle with the purchase of a new roof. The campaign generated a lot of praise and controversy on social media and elsewhere, and it received local and national media coverage.... more
Former Jackson police lieutenant claims wrongful termination, sues town for $1 million
A former Jackson Police Department lieutenant who was at the center of a controversy last year because of what many viewed as an offensive Facebook post is suing the town of Jackson for $1 million, claiming he was “wrongfully and forcefully” terminated by the town without being afforded constitutional due process.... more
Group marches in Sheridan, reminds citizens to stay abreast of election law changes
In light of continued allegations of voter fraud during the 2020 election, the Wyoming Legislature, like many state governments, is rethinking some of its election statutes.... more
Oil and gas lease sales set to resume next year
The Biden administration on Tuesday set an end date for its pause on federal oil and gas leasing. The first onshore lease sale since December will be held by early 2022.... more
'In a blink:' Gillette reflects on 20 years in Afghanistan erased
When Jonathan Decker first stepped foot in Afghanistan in 2013, the status of the War on Terror was in a malaise between the purpose it began with and the debacle it is in now.... more
COVID hospitalizations continue to rise
The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Wyoming rose to 195 on Monday — the most since Dec. 10. ... more
Cheyenne man pleads not guilty to first-degree murder, child abuse charges
In his first appearance in Laramie County District Court, a man accused of killing a local 2-year-old and putting his body in a dumpster pleaded not guilty to 11 felonies Monday afternoon.... more
Oversight panel debates harm of sage grouse hunting
Wyoming should adopt a species-specific permit system for sage grouse hunting to better account for the fall take, a university professor recently told a state panel.... more
‘Mock inquest’ held to review man’s 2019 death
A mock theater inquest into the 2019 killing of Anderson Antelope by a Riverton police officer took place without incident this month despite concerns about safety expressed beforehand by members of the community.... more
Former Jackson student among Marines killed in Afghanistan
A former Jackson student was one of the 170 people and 13 U.S. Marines killed in Afghanistan after a suicide bomber attacked Hamid Karzai International Airport Aug. 26.... more
Barrasso criticizes Biden on economy, immigration, Afghanistan
U.S. Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., had a late start to the August Congressional recess, but is making up for lost time by crisscrossing Wyoming and listening to the public’s concerns about the economy, immigration and Afghanistan.... more
Cheyenne COVID cases spike after first week of school
As of Friday afternoon, just five days into the new school year, there were more than 170 active coronavirus cases and exposures in Laramie County School District 1 schools.... more
Artist leads students in painting huge mural
Standing two steps up on an 8-foot ladder, face-to-face with white paint strokes beginning to form the head of a buffalo, Hannah Mooney stood where she stood for the better part of the summer, focused and facing the wall turned canvas turned mural on the front of the AVA Community Art Center.... more
Rafting guides rescue dog from hole near Shoshone River
When Cody resident Nick Hummel went down to the bank of the Shoshone River on Aug. 17, he saw a scrappy, 10-pound dog he never expected to see again.... more
Swift fox populations growing in Wyoming
Wyoming swift foxes also seem to even be expanding beyond their historic range into higher-elevation areas like Big Piney and Pinedale.... more
Officials face growing pressure to audit Wyo elections
Wyoming officials are facing mounting pressure to audit the 2020 election from pro-Trump activists asserting, without evidence, that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from the former president through widespread voter fraud.... more
Teton County puts mask mandate back in place
As of 4 p.m. Thursday, all Teton County residents, workers, and visitors are required to wear face coverings in public indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status.... more
Judge reduces fines for those who get vaccinated
A Natrona County judge is offering a unique form of community service to help people pay off court fines — getting a COVID-19 vaccination.... more
Supreme Court refuses to limit scope of Manlove charge
The petition, filed by Attorney General Bridget Hill on July 29, said complaints related to an alleged violation by Manlove of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, as well as accusations that the district attorney created and fostered a toxic work environment within her office, fell outside the jurisdiction of the State Bar’s Board of Professional Responsibility.... more
Man accused of gouging out woman’s eye freed
The man accused of gouging out a woman’s eye on Thanksgiving Day at Lander SageWest Health Care has been released from the Wyoming State Hospital, back into the community under the care of his wife.... more
State seeks removal of Crook County treasurer
On the instruction of Governor Mark Gordon, the Wyoming Attorney General’s Office has filed a civil case with District Court that could see County Treasurer Mary Kuhl removed from office.... more
Campbell County LGBTQ complaints shift to school board
School trustees were the latest of local public boards to hear complaints about LGBTQ issues Tuesday night.... more
Unvaccinated staff in Wyoming prisons leads to rise in cases
Coronavirus cases are again on the rise in Wyoming prisons thanks largely to unvaccinated employees, the Department of Corrections says.... more
Wyo preps for less water as drought creeps up Colorado River
As federal water managers declared the first-ever official Colorado River water shortage last week, a top official said he’s confident Wyoming will responsibly implement its plans to store and divert even more flows from the troubled waterway.... more
A tale of two taxes
Voters in Campbell and Johnson Counties weighed in last week on an issue that has long divided voters in Wyoming: whether to tax themselves for government services.... more
School official: Some kids ‘absolutely’ will contract COVID-19
Gov. Mark Gordon’s office, elected school boards and an apparent majority of the Wyoming public have decided that’s an acceptable risk.... more
Teton County ready to implement mask mandate
Teton District Health Officer Dr. Travis Riddell is planning to issue a countywide mask mandate effective Thursday.... more
No single reason for hospitality employee shortage
By Labor Day and the official end of the summer tourism season, the Best Western Sheridan Center may be fully staffed.... more
Rocky Mountain Power completes wind power initiative
Rocky Mountain Power has officially completed its Energy Vision 2020 initiative.... more
Standardized test results normal through pandemic
Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow described the 2020-21 state assessment results as “overwhelmingly normal” Tuesday, despite a school year that was anything but.... more
Former Jackson resident recovers $6M in ‘unclaimed propery’
A former Jackson resident has recovered the largest sum of unclaimed property ever possessed by the Wyoming State Treasurer’s Office.... more
Judge rules against stalking claim
Two outspoken local residents sparred head-to-head in Park County Circuit Court on Monday over alleged stalking activity.... more
Campbell Co. officials bemoan lack of state guidance
Campbell County officials are disappointed that there seems to be no guidance from the state level as far as what’s next for Wyoming.... more
Laramie schools adopt mask mandate
When classes begin again for the Albany County School District on Thursday, students in kindergarten through eighth grade will have to be masked up for in-person learning at county public schools.... more
Invasive weed continues to spread
Tom Durst noticed the weed years ago in a place called Walleye Bay in Pathfinder Reservoir. It was green and leafy and made it hard for him to fish for the walleye the bay was named after.... more
Legislators begin redistricting process
To protect the honored “one person, one vote” rule, the number of people within each voting district in any given state should generally be the same as in any other.... more
Gillette residents: move — don’t remove — controversial library books
Campbell County commissioners listened to another round of public comment on the library controversy at their meeting Tuesday. There were a few new faces, as well as some familiar ones.... more
State vaccination rates rising
More Wyomingites received a first COVID-19 vaccine dose in the last two weeks than in any two-week period since mid-May, state figures show.... more
Forest Service cabins provide rural getaway
The Sheep Mountain Fire Outlook has one set of bunk beds and one vault toilet. There is no running water, indoor plumbing or electricity.... more
With 50 years behind them, Lewis and Clark Expeditions is still paddling
James Peck and Karen Youngblood had fantasies of a celebratory summer paying homage to the 50th anniversary of Lewis & Clark River Expeditions, a business the married couple has jointly run for the past 28 years.... more
Cheyenne city attorney asks AG office to prosecute abuse case
Cheyenne’s city attorney has filed a petition asking the Laramie County District Court to request that the Wyoming Attorney General’s office investigate, and potentially prosecute, a case declined by Laramie County District Attorney Leigh Anne Manlove.... more
State hospitals feel staffing strain; 5 Wyoming facilities report critical shortage over the last 4 days
By the time Wyoming hit its COVID-19 hospitalization peak last November, nearly 250 people were being treated for the virus statewide. The physicians who were caring for them were largely working without days off, filling in for colleagues who had either tested positive or been exposed to the virus themselves. ... more
Crook County treasurer returns to work
Despite deciding that the charges against Crook County Treasurer Mary Kuhl merit binding her case over to District Court, Judge Wendy Bartlett of the Circuit Court of the 6th Judicial District determined on Thursday that Kuhl should be allowed to return to the office.... more
Grizzly bear deaths on the rise in 2021
It’s been a tough year for grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.... more
Cheyenne man pleads no contest to voluntary manslaughter, other felonies
A man accused of shooting two people, killing one of them, pleaded no contest Wednesday to voluntary manslaughter and several other felony charges in Laramie County District Court. ... more
'I can't wait': Supporters react to college district passing
On Tuesday night, the long-awaited fate of Gillette College was decided.... more
Vaccine incentive programs to launch
Albany County and the city of Laramie are partnering with other local organizations to boost the area’s COVID-19 vaccination rate, and they’ve put their money where their mouths are. ... more
In Yellowstone, Haaland recognizes threats to park, ecosystem
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland has a responsibility to work with Yellowstone National Park’s ecosystem neighbors to resolve vexing cross-boundary conservation problems like climate change, wildfire, crushing visitation and wildlife that “don’t see borders,” she said Friday.... more
Aging dam above Douglas called ‘catastrophic’ threat
A pair of engineering firms contracted by the state warn that cracks in the 112-year-old concrete LaPrele dam, along with deterioration in its geologic foundation, could result in catastrophic failure. ... more
Multi-billion dollar Natrium nuclear project inches forward
A progress report to members of the Joint Committee on Minerals, Business & Economic Development in Laramie Thursday offered mostly good news to proponents of building a first-of-its-kind nuclear reactor in Wyoming.... more
Sacrifices, scars and service
Military veterans carry a lot of scars, said Scott Ratliff, a member of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe who served in Vietnam, and there’s no magical balm to fix them. ... more
Wyo. board tours state-owned land in Jackson Hole, hears from its guardians
Wyoming State Treasurer Curt Meier stood in the sagebrush near the east edge of Grand Teton National Park overlooking the Tetons, his feet planted on some of the most valuable land possessed by his state.... more
COVID boosters advised for vulnerable
The Wyoming Department of Health is following guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in promoting an additional COVID-19 booster shot to certain populations at an increased risk amid the rise of the more contagious and likely more dangerous delta variant. ... more
Gillette college district passes in special election with 70% of vote
Gillette College will become its own community college district.... more
Interior secretary pledges support for national parks
While some dignitaries drop into Yellowstone National Park by helicopter, new Secretary of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland wound up being escorted by bison on her drive in, experiencing the park in the same way as most tourists.... more
Lawmaker looks to layer on AIS penalties
A Cheyenne lawmaker is drawing up new penalties to safeguard in-state waters from record-breaking numbers of watercraft easing down Wyoming boat ramps.... more
Cheyenne man gets life in prison for killing 2, injuring 2 others
A man accused of killing two people, injuring two teenage boys and shooting at another man was sentenced to life in prison Monday afternoon in Laramie County District Court.... more
Gordon: No COVID mandates
Gov. Mark Gordon made clear Monday afternoon that his office would not be enacting any sweeping virus mitigation policies, deferring instead to the federal government and local officials.... more
Crypto industry laments failure of Lummis-backed amendment
Wyoming’s cryptocurrency sector is concerned for its future after a Sen. Cynthia Lummis-backed amendment to new tax reporting requirements failed to be attached to a sweeping $1 trillion infrastructure package the Senate passed earlier this week.... more
More than 1 million visit Yellowstone in July
For the first time in its 149-year history, Yellowstone National Park has surpassed the threshold of a million visitors in a month.... more
Interior secretary visits Fremont Co., tribes
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland visited Fremont County on Thursday to meet tribal and state leaders. ... more
Campbell library board tells people to follow procedure
If people have a problem with certain books in the Campbell County Public Library, they need to go through the proper channels to challenge those books.... more
Energy Authority unveils strategy
Wyoming plans to chart its path to net-zero emissions with an all-of-the-above approach. ... more
Rancher survives after being struck by lightning
Jack Corson was moving heifers when the lightning struck.... more
Laramie crossword builder’s work appears across country
The New York Times’ crossword puzzle is a cultural fixture and a daily habit for millions of Americans, with completion of the week’s hardest edition, published on Saturdays, a sign of crossword puzzle mastery. ... more
Man builds giant guitar for public display
Laid out across the large floor space inside of the Area 59 workshop — and taking up a lot of it — was about 22 feet of giant guitar.... more
Wyo drilling rig count triples during Biden leasing pause
The number of rotary rigs drilling for oil and gas in Wyoming tripled since President Joe Biden announced a pause on leasing federal minerals for development more than five months ago.... more
Clearmont school board to vote on CRT
Members of the Sheridan County School District 3 Board of Trustees took another step forward in voicing their opposition to Critical Race Theory, or CRT, being taught in local classrooms.... more
Census shows Wyo population up 2.3%
America’s least populated state is growing, though much slower than most of the nation.... more
Delegation unanimously opposes infrastructure bills
Wyoming’s congressional delegation is unanimously opposed to both infrastructure bills advancing through Congress, citing costs and the inclusion of what they deemed “far-left” policies in the two packages that total over $4.5 trillion if passed.... more
UW to require face masks until Sept. 20
Face masks will be required indoors until at least Sept. 20 at the University of Wyoming.... more
Wyoming revenue outlook improves, state leaders still cautious
Wyoming’s current revenue is well ahead of where economists predicted it would be earlier this year, but that positive development could be temporary.... more
State Bar opposes limit to Manlove review
The Wyoming State Bar’s Board of Professional Responsibility has rejected the claim by the Wyoming Attorney General’s office that allegations involving personnel in its formal charge against Laramie County District Attorney Leigh Anne Manlove fall outside the board’s jurisdiction.... more
Climate change, wildfires cause bird die-offs
Only time will tell the full effects of severe droughts and large wildfires plaguing 2020 and 2021. But the impact for one species has been immediate.... more
Masks will be optional for most Wyo students as schools reopen
School districts across the state are taking a wait-and-see approach to updating COVID-19 safety guidelines and protocols as students and staff prepare to return to classrooms amid a surge in infections of the Delta variant in Wyoming.... more
Wyo’s economic recovery lags behind nation
Wyoming’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic has been slower than most other states, according to state and federal data, with numerous indicators hinting the state’s economy may not reach its pre-pandemic strength by the time the Legislature meets this winter.... more
Near Togwotee Pass, Continental Divide Trail gets a reroute
Some 550 miles of the Continental Divide Trail — the iconic thru-hiking route that rides the spine of the Rocky Mountains from Canada to Mexico — unfurl across Wyoming. The trail passes through Yellowstone National Park, skips over wind-scoured ridges of the Wind River Range and traverses sagebrush seas in the southern reaches of the state. ... more
Game and Fish asks public to help solve elk, CWD, feed ground puzzle
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department last week wrapped up a six-town tour aimed at launching stakeholder groups to generate “new ideas for management” of Wyoming’s 22 elk feedgrounds, where chronic wasting disease threatens some 14,000 elk.... more
Grizzy 399, cubs move south again
As five grizzly bears swam, wrestled and bounded across her manicured lawn along the Snake River, Brooke Combs shrieked and literally jumped with joy.... more
Fremont GOP joins in rescinding Cheney recognition
The Fremont County Republican Party has joined Carbon and Park counties in voting to rescind recognition of Rep. Liz Cheney as a member of the GOP, according to a resolution obtained by the Star-Tribune.... more
Judge rules for Cheyenne officer in lawsuit
A U.S. District Court judge has dismissed a lawsuit against a Cheyenne Police officer that alleged unlawful seizure and excessive force.... more
COVID outdoor visits keep game wardens busy
On the lakes, rivers, in the woods, parks and the desert, business has been brisk. People are rediscovering the great outdoors, one of the positive developments from health officials’ recommendations to be socially distant amid the COVID-19 pandemic. ... more
Two county GOP parties rescind recognition of Cheney as rep
Republicans in two Wyoming counties have voted to rescind recognition of Rep. Liz Cheney as a member of their party.... more
Fire season, pandemic travel contribute to fuel shortage
For 18 months, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted global supply chains, affecting everything from toilet paper to gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel.... more
Wyo Dems retool strategy for 2022
The 2020 elections weren’t fruitful for Wyoming Democrats.... more
Committee looks to solve absentee, truancy woes
“Disconnects” among the school absenteeism and truancy laws in the state are being addressed in a bill being drafted by Wyoming’s Joint Education Committee. ... more
Enzi’s funeral celebration of faith, family, friends, fishing
It never ceases to amaze just how quiet a large group of people can be. More impressive still is when they stop talking suddenly, as if a switch got flipped and turned them off.... more
Letter details frustration with Laramie Co. DA
A five-page letter sent by the Cheyenne Police Department’s Detective Bureau commander to Laramie County District Attorney Leigh Anne Manlove details his frustration with Manlove’s office after she reportedly declined to charge a suspect in a sexual abuse of a minor case.... more
Impact of Wyoming abortion brief unclear
Gov. Mark Gordon announced last month that Wyoming joined more than 20 other states in filing an amicus brief before the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing that states should be left to regulate elective abortions.... more
Young pianist’s skill takes him to state performance
Becky Smylie can’t remember which company’s commercial it was. She racks her brain, pillaging through the blurred memories of the past 13 years to no avail.... more
Jackson renters booted from homes in boom market
It’s a seller’s market, and property owners are cashing out of Jackson Hole at unprecedented rates. For renters, that rapid turnover often means a terminated lease and uncertain future in a state where tenants have limited rights and few options for legal recourse.... more
Solar arrays not as popular as wind farms in Wyoming
Wind farms have been popping up all over Wyoming. Solar arrays, for the most part, haven’t.... more
Officials reexamine guidelines, decline mandates as Delta variant spreads
Circumstances have changed with the COVID-19 Delta variant’s incursion into Wyoming, health experts say, prompting officials to issue new recommendations and many to ask whether more needs to be done to increase the state’s vaccination rate and slow the virus’ spread. ... more
Election audit bill fails
Wyoming lawmakers rejected a proposal Wednesday by State Rep. Chuck Gray, R-Casper, to give the Wyoming Legislature the power to audit elections.... more
Wyoming’s fish are in hot water; anglers can help
In the last 60 days, temperatures in portions of northern and southwestern Wyoming have run up to 8 degrees above normal. And that isn’t just highs. ... more
Wyoming unprepared to grab federal coal community lifeline, experts say
Wyoming stands to receive millions in federal stimulus dollars aimed at helping coal- and energy-reliant communities survive industry downturns and diversify their economies. The state, however, is currently unprepared to capitalize on the opportunity, stakeholders say.... more
Report says oil and gas moratorium effect minimal
The Biden administration’s pause on federal drilling leases alarmed the oil and gas industry. But a new report argues that its economic impacts will be negligible — even for Wyoming.... more
Jackson Republican fundraiser prompts protest
At 73, Jorge Colon had never been to a protest.... more
Grizzly 399 back in the southern valley, this time in peak summer
A beloved 25-year-old grizzly bear raising four cubs is once again outside her usual Grand Teton National Park home range and has been on the go through subdivisions and ranchland.... more
Wyoming's congressional delegation, Sen. Mitch McConnell to attend Enzi's funeral
Wyoming’s congressional delegation of U.S. Sens. John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis and U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney, as well as Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, of Kentucky, are expected to attend former senator and Gillette mayor Michael B. Enzi’s funeral services, which begin at 1 p.m. Friday.... more
Supreme Court upholds Wapiti man’s murder conviction
Citing the “overwhelming” evidence against him, the Wyoming Supreme Court has upheld a Wapiti man’s years-old murder conviction. ... more
Wyoming’s COVID hospitalizations continue to climb as Delta variant takes hold
Wyoming hospitals are treating as many COVID-19 patients now as they were in early January, which experts say is a concerning trend as a more contagious and likely more dangerous variant of the virus circulates through the state.... more
Greene, other Trump supporters to fundraise in Jackson
Some of former President Trump’s most ardent allies — U.S. House Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Jim Jordan and former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows — will be in Jackson Hole to fundraise Thursday for some of the House GOP’s most conservative politicians.... more
Pronghorn population, hunting tags down due to habitat, climate woes
Fewer archers and shooters will pursue pronghorn in the forthcoming hunting season after snowstorms and drought prompted Wyoming Game and Fish Department to significantly reduce the number of licenses it issued this year.... more
Stumbles, stakeholder displeasure led to revenue chief’s ouster
A series of high-profile stumbles and the resulting displeasure of key interest groups led to the forced resignation last month of long-serving Wyoming Department of Revenue Director Dan Noble.... more
UW eyes federal relief funds to ease reorganization
In the wake of drastic budget cuts and significant restructuring plans, the University of Wyoming’s trustees hope American Recovery Plan Act funds can provide a lifeline for certain programs.... more
PAC backing Cheney challenger Gray funded solely by his father
State Rep. Chuck Gray’s father is the sole funder of a secretive political action committee that is boosting Gray’s bid to oust U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney in next year’s Republican primary.... more
Sheridan council says proposed tobacco ordinance not ready
An ordinance requested by Sheridan County School District 2 that would have significantly increased the fines for underage tobacco use in the city of Sheridan, died on first reading in a 4-3 vote Monday night.... more
State’s renewable energy capacity grows
Last year, renewable energy development broke records in Wyoming — and nationwide. ... more
School board meeting over COVID stopped after disruption
The Laramie County School District 1 Board of Trustees shut down public comment early Monday night after a resident began yelling at trustees and refused to give up the mic when his allotted public comment period was over.... more
Constitutionality of new sobriety law questioned
A new program intended to promote public safety and reduce incarceration rates is coming under fire for potentially violating the constitutional rights of people ordered to participate in it.... more
It takes a village to combat Crater Ridge Fire
Thirty miles northeast of Lovell off U.S Highway 14, a makeshift town of trailers and yurts appears out of nowhere.... more
2021 finally brings short uptick for thermal coal
Given the choice of what to hear first, good news or bad news, Powder River Basin coal producers and the thousands of people who work the mines are used to asking for the good news —only to be told there is none.... more
Experts split on whether state has hate crime law
Wyoming is widely regarded as one of the last states without a hate crime law, but that assertion is not as straightforward as one might think.... more
We’ve been here before: Wyoming nuclear project echoes of past
When state officials unveiled in June that a nuclear demonstration project is slated for Wyoming, they touted it as an advanced technology. But critics of the Natrium project say we’ve been here before — with the same technology and the same assurances made — only to see hopes dashed and massive public investments go to waste.... more
Testimony to JAC: In-state meat industry growing but has more to do
Wyoming’s meat processing industry is growing, a development Central Wyoming College is watching closely. ... more
AG filing seeks to limit scope of Manlove charge
A Thursday court filing by the Wyoming Attorney General’s office seeks to prohibit the Wyoming State Bar’s Board of Professional Responsibility from considering or adjudicating certain allegations set out in its recent formal charge against Laramie County District Attorney Leigh Anne Manlove.... more
Wyoming leads on variant testing
As COVID-19 variants emerge globally, Wyoming is by a wide margin leading the nation in work to identify those mutations.... more
Campbell County couple training pack animals for hunting
Who in the world wants to go on a mountain excursion with a bunch of pack goats? Chances are you do, but you just might not know it yet. The father-and-son team of Shawn and Zach Dorr want to change that.... more
Six years after coin shop murders, police and family hope for closure
No suspects have ever been arrested or publicly identified by law enforcement, and the investigation remains open. ... more
Supaman to the rescue
By the time hip-hop artist Christian Takes Gun Parrish, a.k.a. Supaman, took the stage Friday, he had already danced his way into the hearts of visitors at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West while sharing his messages of hope.... more
Guides allege mismanagement of Snake River
Snake River Angler owner Will Dornan says there’s never been anything like the current level of interest in hiring a fly-fishing guide to take a day’s float in Jackson Hole.... more
No charges to be filed in election fraud allegations
The special prosecutor appointed to investigate whether or not criminal charges should be filed in the case of alleged illegal voting at the Uinta County Republican Party leadership elections in March has declined to prosecute. ... more
Health officer recommends mask use inside
State Health Officer Dr. Alexia Harrist is recommending vaccinated residents in areas with moderate to high COVID-19 transmission wear face masks in indoor public settings, she told the Star-Tribune on Thursday.... more
Wyo charge against ‘Dating Game Killer’ dismissed
A first-degree murder charge filed against Rodney Alcala, a man known as the Dating Game Killer, will be dropped in Sweetwater County following his death.... more
A perfect storm: contractors struggle to adapt to a host of issues
Local contractors are facing an unheard of set of circumstances: volatile prices, increased transportation costs, material shortages and a rapid rise in new construction.... more
Deer Creek 2 wildfire grows to 3,000 acres
A 3,000-acre wildfire is burning across three Wyoming counties with little containment as of Wednesday afternoon.... more
Crook County treasurer arrested
Crook County Treasurer Mary Kuhl was arrested on Friday on criminal charges related to her conduct as an elected official.... more
Campbell County library board receives both support and calls for resignation
The latest chapter in the Campbell County Public Library controversy may have been the most heated one yet.... more
Education committee prefers ‘incremental’ steps to K-12 funding crisis
Lawmakers last week, bolstered by an improving revenue forecast, said they continue to favor spending cuts and tapping Wyoming’s “rainy day fund” to temporarily address an estimated $270 million education-funding deficit. Forecasters had previously predicted a $300 million deficit.... more
Wyo looks to store, divert more water as Lake Powell dries up
As Lake Powell dropped to its lowest-ever level Friday — a decline that has forced dam tenders to unexpectedly release 125,000 acre-feet of water from Flaming Gorge Reservoir — Wyoming stood behind five projects that could divert tens of thousands more acre-feet from waterways in the troubled Colorado River Basin.... more
Proposed ordinance would raise fee for underage vaping on school grounds
Next week, Sheridan City Council will proceed with the first reading of an ordinance increasing the financial penalty for juveniles vaping tobacco on school grounds.... more
Microbes in Yellowstone pools add new branch to the tree of life
It’s not often that scientists get to discover a new form of life, but a team of researchers from the University of Texas at Austin have recently found not just one new species, but a whole group of novel organisms, some of which can be found in Jackson Hole’s backyard.... more
Public notice exemptions spark legal challenge
A judge will decide whether recent ordinances passed in Bar Nunn and Mills exempting the municipalities from publishing certain public notices in the newspaper are valid, after a petition was filed in Natrona County District Court this week. ... more
Colleagues remember Mike Enzi as passionate leader, family man
Former U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., sent his longtime colleague Max D’Onofrio an email last month that got lost in a folder somewhere. By the time D’Onofrio discovered it, he realized he’d never get to respond. ... more
Enzi dies after bicycle accident
Former U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi died late Monday after being seriously injured in a bicycle accident in Gillette on Friday.... more
Rancher’s request rejected by G&F
A Crandall rancher had his more than $120,000 request in reimbursement for cattle losses caused by grizzly bears and wolves in 2020 mostly rejected by the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission on July 15.... more
Jackson’s water use spikes as drought deepens
Teton County is falling further into a severe drought, but the tourism-charged community is simultaneously using more water than ever.... more
Hydrogen projects get funding
All three hydrogen projects chosen as grant finalists by the Wyoming Energy Authority two weeks ago have been awarded full funding, the agency said Friday.... more
Enzi hospitalized after bicycle accident
Former U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi is hospitalized after a Friday bicycle accident.... more
State focusing remaining CARES dollars on business tax relief
Wyoming’s plans for more than $1 billion in federal recovery funds related to the COVID-19 pandemic took on more definition Monday with an emphasis on tax relief for businesses.... more
Company proposes state’s largest solar farm near Riverton
A Wyoming-based public company plans to build a 640-acre solar farm east of Riverton.... more
Delta variant now dominant COVID strain in Wyoming
The highly contagious Delta variant of the novel coronavirus is now the dominant strain in Wyoming, according to the state health department. ... more
Half of Wyoming inmates vaccinated
Last week, when three positive COVID-19 cases were detected at the Wyoming Honor Farm near Riverton, Justin Albertson started getting worried. ... more
Bridger-Teton Forest becomes home for hundreds
A soupy mix of beans, rice and quinoa down the hatch, Erica Robertson prepared to get cozy last Thursday evening at one of her favorite places to call home: Curtis Canyon.... more
Couple turning school bus into home
With the whir of power tools bouncing off the neighboring peaks, a Wapiti couple is transforming a school bus from transportation for kids into the recreational vehicle of their dreams.... more
Gillette residents share passion through YouTube
Magic can happen on a lake. If that weren’t true, not nearly as many people would try their luck casting lines and hooks about trying to catch elusive fish that would prefer not to be caught.... more
Bill to mandate ‘equality’ curriculum, thwart critical race theory, fails
Wyoming should clarify and impose its own instruction standards regarding “equality and equal rights” rather than anticipate federal mandates to teach critical race theory, according to Sen. Charles Scott, R-Casper.... more
Family of woman attacked in hospital files lawsuit
The daughters of a woman who died about two weeks after her eye was gouged out last year, reportedly by another patient at SageWest Health Care in Lander, have sued the hospital.... more
After wearing bracelet for 30 years, Sheridan woman attends Krogman services
For Sheridan resident Donna Roberts, it’s a simple story. It’s also one that has impacted her life and that she’s literally worn on her wrist, on and off, for 30 years.... more
Man faces life in prison after Green River shootout
A man the Green River Police Department alleges started a shootout with officers July 6 is facing nine felony charges that could lead to a lifetime in prison. ... more
Jackson nonprofit looks for place to put free house
Land is hard to come by in Jackson, but if you’ve got some, Esther Judge Lennox will drop a free house on your lot.... more
Delta variant poses threat to businesses navigating already tricky summer
Last summer, businesses across Jackson sporadically put up signs: “Closed due to COVID-19 exposure.” Even if staff members weren’t sick, they were quarantined because of their proximity to the coronavirus.... more
Community debate over library performer continues
The cancellation of a transgender magician’s performance at the library last week has started a spirited debate within the community, and that continued Tuesday at the Campbell County Commission's regular meeting.... more
Gordon issues rule to increase fuel supply
Gov. Mark Gordon issued an executive order on Tuesday that allows the Wyoming Department of Transportation to deliver additional gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel through Aug. 20.... more
Laramie County DA Manlove denies misconduct in response
In her formal response to a charge made by the Wyoming State Bar alleging “incompetence and lack of professionalism,” Laramie County District Attorney Leigh Anne Manlove rejected that any behavior described by special bar counsel was improper based on professional conduct rules, asking for the charge to be dismissed.... more
Hula hoop dispute elicits Sheridan City Council, law enforcement attention
Sheridan City Council and local law enforcement are looking into an instance in which a longtime Sheridan resident was denied access to a free public event last week.... more
Falcons, a via ferrata and the clash of recreation v. conservation
It’s not yet 9 a.m., but the sun shines hot on a July morning near the mouth of Sinks Canyon State Park in central Wyoming. With a spotting scope trained on the cliff across the canyon, Bob Oakleaf sits on a grassy knoll amid whining grasshoppers.... more
Grizzlies on treadmills: Research illuminates bear, human run-ins
Years ago, after lugging a heavy backpack about a dozen miles over Ishawooa Pass in northwest Wyoming, I dropped into a place called the Thorofare.... more
Laramie County COVID hospitalizations reach “concerning” level before CFD
With the city’s largest event right around the corner, Laramie County still accounts for the vast majority of delta variant COVID19 cases in Wyoming – accounting for 74 percent of the state’s delta cases last week, Cheyenne-Laramie County Health Director Kathy Emmons said during Tuesday’s Board of Health meeting.... more
Trump to meet with House candidates; former president will make endorsement ‘in the next few months’
Former president Donald Trump signaled Tuesday that he is making significant moves in his effort to unseat Rep. Liz Cheney. ... more
Ranchers demand more money for grizzly-killed stock, again
Wyoming Game and Fish commissioners backed agency staff last week and approved compensation for trophy game damage to stock that amounted to $388,696 less than two ranchers claimed.... more
Man caught with very large amount of meth near Cody
A recent transplant to the Cody area is facing multiple felony charges after he was allegedly caught with some $20,000 worth of methamphetamine last week, plus heroin and marijuana.... more
Church of pastor critical of magic show vandalized
Sometime overnight Thursday, July 15, Central Baptist Church was vandalized.... more
Virtual education grows by 300%
Before the coronavirus pandemic reached Wyoming in March 2020, just over 1,000 students statewide were enrolled in a virtual education program. ... more
Jackson sees more than 50,000 visitors a day
It’s midsummer in Jackson Hole and bumper-to-bumper traffic on Broadway, Snow King Avenue and Highway 22 has felt worse than ever before.... more
Wyoming elementary students well below nationwide PE averages
Most elementary-aged students in Wyoming receive less physical education than kids in other states — roughly two times per week, well below the national average of 2.5 times per week — according to the first-ever statewide survey of its kind.... more
Gordon responds to drought conditions
Gov. Mark Gordon is convening a Colorado River Working Group that will meet regularly to discuss important Colorado River matters and monitor potential impacts to Wyoming, according to a news release from his office Friday.... more
Changes in Hathaway Scholarship open for comment
The state-sponsored Hathaway Scholarship for college-bound high school students received another update this legislative session, but the public will get to weigh in on how the new rules are written.... more
How national parks use social media to track down miscreants
Sandwiched between staff promotion and visitation tips, Yellowstone National Park’s Instagram page has a screenshot from a video taken by park visitor Darcie Addington.... more
Sheridan’s Little Free Libraries: Service about more than sharing books
Little Free Libraries are popping up all around Sheridan and here, just like around the world, the phenomenon is about more than sharing books.... more
Riverton woman key voice for missing and murdered Indigenous persons
At all hours of the day, Nicole Wagon gets calls, texts, emails and Facebook messages.... more
Spare a pair? Couple paying for adoption with shoes
Mikelle Schmit stared at the pile of transparent plastic bags that has only grown taller and wider since May. She inhaled the humid garage air and exhaled relief that she still has more than a month to meet her goal.... more
Grand Teton experiments with ‘augmented reality’
Moose don’t predictably appear in the height of summer along the most bustling trails in all of Grand Teton National Park.... more
Wyoming near bottom in ranking of child health
Although Wyoming ranks fourth in the nation for economic well-being, the state ranks 17th in the nation for child well-being and overall health. The two, Wyoming Community Foundation Chief Operating Officer Samin Dadelahi believes the health of children should rank more closely to economic well-being.... more
Wyoming coal production falls by 21% in 2020
Coal production in Wyoming plummeted 21 percent in 2020 as the U.S. saw its lowest yield since 1965, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported Wednesday.... more
Magician, others react to threats, canceled show in Campbell County libraries
Magician and comedienne Mikayla Oz and library staff were threatened and harassed to the point where the performances were called off as a safety concern.... more
Hydrogen project finalists chosen
Three proposed hydrogen pilot projects have been chosen as finalists for grant funding by the Wyoming Energy Authority, pending approval from the state Energy Resources Council.... more
Groups impress value of vaccinating employees
As COVID-19 case numbers rise in Laramie County and across the state, bolstered by a variant that made up more than half of cases last week, the Cheyenne-Laramie County Health Department is offering to send staff to local businesses to vaccinate employees.... more
Healthcare center struggles to hire primary care physicians
Health care facilities nationwide are experiencing a shortage of primary care physicians, and Johnson County Healthcare Center is no exception.... more
Lack of standards invites politics into Wyo civics classes, critics say
One afternoon this spring, educators around Wyoming logged onto Zoom for a voluntary lesson on 20th Century U.S. history featuring a “live presentation from an esteemed scholar expert.”... more
Fewer ‘recapture’ districts spell trouble for school funding
For the first time in decades, Campbell County will not send excess revenue to the state’s School Foundation Program, the primary statewide school fund. ... more
Commissioners reject coroner nominees, candidate says vetting process ‘disgrace’
After receiving a list of three candidates for the Fremont County Coroner mid-term replacement, the Fremont County Commission chose Tuesday not to select a new coroner from the nominees submitted. ... more
Albany commissioners approve wind project
The Albany County Board of Commissioners voted 3-0 Tuesday night to approve ConnectGen’s application for a wind energy conversion systems permit for the Rail Tie Wind Project.... more
UW proposes 75 layoffs, program changes
The University of Wyoming on Tuesday proposed sweeping changes at the institution, including budget cuts that would lay off 75 positions — some tenured, a reorganization of a slew of academic departments, and the formation of a school of computing — among other additions.... more
Judge orders author to ‘write’ wrong after Yellowstone misbehavior
You might call it making the punishment fit the crime. A federal judge has sentenced a former Yellowstone National Park safari guide, blogger and author to put his respect for national parks in writing.... more
Yellowstone National Park attendance increases over holiday
Fewer people entered Yellowstone National Park through the East Gate over the Independence Day holiday, but local leaders say it continues to be a strong year for tourism in Park County.... more
Gore slams spying allegations
Susan Gore, a wealthy conservative donor and founder of the Wyoming Liberty Group, broke her silence Monday regarding accusations she funded a political spying operation, stating the allegations amounted to “disinformation.”... more
Take Back Our Republic launches new Wyoming chapter
Changing the political system isn’t easy, but if anyone can try, it’s people who know the system from the inside out.... more
Jackson Lake poised for steep drawdown
When longtime Signal Mountain Marina manager Bill Wood returned to his administrative cabin overlooking Jackson Lake after taking last weekend off, he could immediately tell the water had changed noticeably in just 48 hours.... more
Biden administration slated to pick new Wyoming judge
Nancy Freudenthal, U.S. District Judge for the District of Wyoming, announced in June she will be assuming senior status, a phase of semi-retirement that will likely bring the judge to the final chapter of a lengthy and distinguished career in Wyoming.... more
First-of-its-kind approach to coal reclamation bonding in the works
Wyoming lawmakers are considering a new option for coal mine reclamation bonding that could reduce risk for the state in the event of insolvency. Both environmental and industry advocates have identified advantages to the proposal, which could also help the financially troubled industry. ... more
Campbell library under fire for ‘Rainbow Book Month’ posting
The Campbell County Public Library is under fire after a post on the library’s Facebook page promoting its LGBTQ collection, and among the suggestions of dealing with it is censoring books.... more
Former coroner alleges Health Department changed death certificates
Former Fremont County Coroner Mark Stratmoen has alleged that the Wyoming Department of Health has changed and issued inaccurate death certificates in the last several months.... more
CLIMB celebrates 35 years of helping single moms
Over the last 35 years, thousands of single moms gained skills to improve their own lives and the lives of their children with the help of Climb Wyoming.... more
Cheyenne youth wins national poetry championship
Jayden Roccaforte has been asked too many times in his life “What are you?” to actually keep count. ... more
Fisheries experts urge caution as temperatures rise
The Encampment River in southeast Wyoming usually runs about 900 cubic feet per second at the end of June. This year it was at 125 cfs and dropping.... more
Woman plans surprise wedding for fiance
For four months, Clarice Grekoff kept an important secret from her fiancé.... more
Idaho officials ask Teton County to pay for impact study
Elected officials trying to guard against runaway growth in Teton Valley would like to see their Jackson Hole counterparts pay more attention to the effects of proposals to expand terrain and build out the base area at Grand Targhee Resort.... more
Rancher found after being pinned under ATV for nearly two days
Frank Reynolds considers himself fortunate because not all search and rescue efforts have happy endings.... more
Former college CFO accused in $15 million fraud
A lawsuit filed in federal court in late June alleges that Paul McCown, the former chief financial officer at Wyoming Catholic College, defrauded an investment firm out of $15 million. ... more
New task force dives into hunting controversies
Wyoming legislators, government leaders and citizens from across the state were picked for the panel among many applicants, being chosen jointly by the governor and legislative and Game and Fish leaders. ... more
Hay prices causing issues for stockgrowers
Consistently worsening drought and skyrocketing hay prices in Wyoming are causing issues for livestock owners’ pocketbooks and their ability to sustain full herds.... more
COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations up in Laramie County
COVID19 case numbers in Laramie County are troubling, as they mirror the spread seen last October ahead of the worst peak in November and December, according to Cheyenne-Laramie County Health Department Director Kathy Emmons.... more
Taxable sales fall in first quarter
Despite skyrocketing fuel demand driving oil and gas prices to highs not seen since 2014, Wyoming’s energy sector continues to chart a slow recovery from its pandemic lows.... more
Grizzly conflicts central to new Upper Green River grazing debate
Bridger-Teton National Forest is weighing 3,256 comment letters, many of which oppose a plan to allow cattle to graze new areas in grizzly country near the Upper Green River.... more
Psychedelics dealer shelters in Burning Man-style tent, awaits Wyoming Supreme Court appeal
On a grassy field south of Victor, semifamous LSD chemist Casey Hardison is camped out under a makeshift birch tree tent with his partner, Victoria Clemente.... more
Effort on at all levels to transform Powder River Basin into nation's Carbon Valley
Going carb-free may be the diet du jour for people looking to drop a few pounds, but when it comes to re-imagining the Powder River Basin’s coal-dependent economy, many believe in carbon-loading.... more
Officials: Pandemic isn’t over
Wyoming has all the tools it needs to put the pandemic in the rearview mirror, health officials say. But residents here aren’t taking advantage of those resources.... more
Campaign data illustrates Gore’s growing influence in Wyo politics
When Susan Gore arrived in Wyoming more than two decades ago, the heir to the Gore-Tex fortune was a minor player in the state’s politics.... more
Residents of Glenrock hope it’s chosen as nuclear reactor site
Some communities would balk at the idea of a company building an experimental power source on the edge of town. Glenrock is not one of them.... more
Mussel-infected boat intercepted in Yellowstone
For Sue Mills, it was simultaneously concerning and reassuring for her staff to find a quagga mussel attached to a boat that was about to hit the water in Yellowstone National Park.... more
Visits swell at national parks; tourism increases as pandemic subsides
If you visited one of Wyoming’s national parks recently, you’re hardly alone.... more
Lawsuit with Clark teen centers continues
A class-action lawsuit filed by about 25 class action members and four listed plaintiffs against Clark troubled teen centers Trinity Teen Solutions and Triangle Cross Ranch has received pushback from these entities in federal court.... more
Wyoming GOP official asked congressmen for help ousting Cheney
Breaking with the longstanding norm of intraparty candidate neutrality, a Wyoming Republican Party official asked members of Congress for help vetting potential challengers to U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney in next year’s Republican primary.... more
Sweeping redesign of state’s mental health services policy underway
House Bill 38-Community behavioral health-priority populations passed during the 2021 legislative session, requires the Wyoming Department of Health to reconsider the state-funded mental health and substance abuse system. ... more
Documentary details repatriation of Northern Arapaho boys
What does it mean for a Native American tribe to bring home ancestral remains that have been buried in a faraway cemetery for more than a century?... more
State could have more flexibility with COVID funds
The reduction in revenue Wyoming has experienced over the past year may allow the state to use federal COVID-19 relief money more freely. ... more
Tribal leaders eye mascot ban, tuition discount
Maine became the first state to ban Native American mascots in 2019. Colorado has followed suit and six other states are considering similar legislation.... more
Archaeology dig near Tie Siding yields extensive artifacts
The southern Laramie Valley has served as a travel corridor for as long as humans have been crossing the plains, from Native American routes to the Cherokee Trail, Overland Stage Route, Union Pacific Railroad, Lincoln Highway and Interstate 80.... more
Teton County ranked 13th healthiest in nation
There are 3,143 counties and county equivalents (parishes, independent cities and the like) in the United States.... more
Inspired by media teacher, three friends headed to film school
Four years ago, Garrett Deary had no idea what kind of career he wanted to pursue. As a freshman at South High School, Deary decided to take a TV/Media class because he’d heard it could be an easy A. ... more
Wedding season rebounds in 2021 after COVID-19 upended ceremonies in 2020
The big day was originally supposed to be in May 2020. Tiffany Schatz and Luke Ely got engaged in August 2019, and nine months seemed more than enough time to plan a wedding.... more
Years-long restoration launches to keep 'Pink House' from fading into Grand Teton National Park history
When Kate Birmingham looks at the cracked stucco, fading pink exterior walls of one of Mormon Row’s trademark relic residences, it’s easy for her to imagine the home’s history.... more
Is LGBTQ Pride political? Schools struggle with the answer
The final days of the 2020-21 academic year for most Wyoming schools landed in June when, in addition to graduation and other end-of-year celebrations, many Wyoming students celebrated Pride Month.... more
Snake River at historic low levels
Although the substantial flows in view from the Highway 22 bridge suggest otherwise, the Snake River’s water year is looking increasingly, exceedingly grim.... more
Group works to redesign behavioral health system
A bill approved this spring created a “seismic shift” in the way the state’s behavioral health system functions, according to Wyoming Department of Health Chief Data Analyst Franz Fuchs.... more
Pelosi picks Cheney to serve on Jan. 6 committee
Rep. Liz Cheney will serve on the select committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announced in a Thursday press conference.... more
Sublette County’s long, bumpy road to build its first hospital
Ten days after delivering a baby girl by cesarean section in April 2019, Sublette County resident Ashli Tatro was home nursing her newborn around midnight when she suddenly knew something was wrong. ... more
Group says BLM whistleblower enduring ‘torture of the damned’
A group representing a federal environmental specialist blasted the Bureau of Land Management last week after the agency filed new termination papers against him.... more
Mule deer study raises red flags
There are still six months remaining in the three-year study to better understand why the population of the Upper Powder River mule deer herd is in decline, but already biologists have identified concerning trends.... more
Power company confident it can meet demand
Rocky Mountain Power is confident it can handle the heat.... more
Pharmacies worried for future without change in rules
Craig Jones, the owner of Basin Pharmacy and part-owner of Greybull Drug, and his daughter, Camilla Hancock, a doctor of pharmacy at Basin Pharmacy, have spent the last several months warning residents of the threat posed by PBMs, as they are known.... more
Douglas looks to change controversial document fees
The Douglas City Council last week informally instructed its attorney, Mike Armstrong, to start crafting changes to its controversial public records policy, which currently mandates that the public and press be charged for printed or emailed copies of city documents.... more
Will Wyoming voters override politicians to legalize marijuana?
Thirty years ago, Kemmerer native Madonna Long’s life changed forever.... more
Cheyenne man charged with murder in toddler’s death
Wyatt Dean Lamb, a suspect in the death of 2-year-old Athian Rivera, has been charged with the toddler’s murder, the Laramie County District Attorney’s office announced late Monday afternoon. ... more
Uinta County treasurer explains problematic issues with new mineral tax legislation
A bill passed by the Wyoming Legislature during the 2021 session is causing some confusion and consternation among county treasurers and entities dependent on county mill levies. ... more
Converse County valuation plummets $620 million
Converse County’s assessed valuation took a major hit this year, and while local officials are concerned, they remain hopeful things will start to turn around. ... more
Officials to NRA: Move to Wyoming; group yet to respond to letter from Gordon, secretary of state
Gov. Mark Gordon and Secretary of State Ed Buchanan have invited the National Rifle Association to relocate from Virginia to Wyoming, they said in a joint letter released Tuesday. ... more
Conservation effort protects cutthroat trout in Soldier Creek
Surrounded by a tall steel jack fence, laborers planted more than 1,100 cut and pre-rooted willows on the banks of Soldier Creek in the Bighorn Mountains last week.... more
Riverton man sentenced to 20-25 years for killing his friend last year
Mario Mills was sentenced on Wednesday to 20-25 years in prison for second-degree murder.... more
State scores highly for children’s well-being
The economic and family well-being of Wyoming’s children are among the best in the nation, according to a new report. But while the state excels in some categories, our youth are among the least healthy in the U.S. ... more
Supreme Court won't hear coal port lawsuit
Gov. Mark Gordon calls a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to not take up a lawsuit challenging Washington state's denial of a coal export terminal "extremely frustrating."... more
Secretive PAC with Trump ties backing Gray in 2022 primaries
A secretive political action committee with distant ties to former President Donald Trump appears to be supporting state Rep. Chuck Gray, R-Casper, in the race to defeat U.S. Congresswoman Liz Cheney in next year’s Republican primary.... more
Stun and dismay follow political espionage revelations
Wealthy conservative donor Susan Gore was a key financier of a years-long effort to spy on Wyoming Democrats and Republicans, an article published Friday by the New York Times revealed, shining a light on the lengths to which the Gore-Tex heiress and Wyoming Liberty Group founder has gone to influence the state’s politics.... more
Man killed, trooper wounded in shootout near Lander
An exchange of gunfire Friday afternoon during a traffic stop left the driver of the stopped vehicle mortally shot and a Highway Patrol trooper wounded.... more
Former Pavillion clerk charged again with stealing from town
Originally charged with stealing more than $34,000 from the Town of Pavillion, the municipality’s former clerk was charged again last week, after more unexplained expenditures were discovered. ... more
Drought forces ranchers into tough, desperate decisions
A cloud of dust kicked up as Cass Hurley shuffled down a small hill in the middle of the 320-acre ranch she and her husband operate off North Heptner Road in Rozet. It’s not far beyond where the county stops maintaining the road.... more
Tribes take ownership of reservation oil field
After decades of leasing Circle Ridge Field, the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho have taken full ownership of the oil and gas field on the Wind River Reservation.... more
Towns exempt selves from public notice rules
Two Natrona County municipalities passed ordinances in recent months exempting themselves from publishing public notices in newspapers, council filings show.... more
Legislators say they were targeted by infiltration operation
Two Wyoming lawmakers and a former state representative say they were targeted as part of an undercover operation performed by conservative operatives to infiltrate political campaigns and progressive groups during the 2020 election cycle.... more
Sale of Jackson Hole Twin Cinema marks 'end of an era’
It was December 1996, just before Christmas, and projectionist Doug Hagen had just started playing “The Preacher’s Wife” at the Jackson Hole Twin Cinema.... more
In sickness and in health: woman remarries dying ex-husband
Patty Edwards had spent her morning like most days that month: thinking longingly about her ex-husband. But this January day, something was different. ... more
Rock Band Camp wows crowd after just a week of practice together
Hayden Young’s first performance in a rock band was Friday night.... more
Researchers hunt for clues behind decline of Wyo’s largest turtle
Up close, the spiny softshell turtle looks a little like a leather pancake, but few people get that kind of glimpse.... more
Who is the Florida man trying to defeat Liz Cheney?
A Florida resident who has become an odd player in the campaign to replace Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney says controversial statements he made in the past, like those related to the QAnon conspiracy theory, were part of an effort to discredit a liberal media that was poised against him.... more
Feds to stock cows in lieu of sheep
The Bridger-Teton National Forest is making moves to allow cattle to graze four eastern Gros Ventre Range allotments that were cleared of domestic sheep because of the threat they posed to wild bighorn sheep.... more
Recent Wyoming data illustrates vaccine success
To date, there has been one COVID-19 related death of a fully vaccinated Wyoming resident, according to the health department.... more
Campfire restrictions coming in northwest Wyo
Discussions are ramping up about prohibiting campfires outside campgrounds as the wildfire danger continues to climb in northwest Wyoming.... more
Montana man arrested, accused of starting Robertson Draw Fire
A Bridger, Montana, man was arrested Wednesday on allegations that he started the 28,600-acre Robertson Draw Fire while off-trail on his motorcycle. ... more
Thousands descend on Sheridan for motorcycle convention
As more than 3,000 members of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association descend on Sheridan this week, it’s still something of a shock for Rachel Webb.... more
Highly contagious COVID variant found in Wyoming
The highly contagious delta variant of the novel coronavirus has been identified in Wyoming, according to state data.... more
UW faculty stretched thin after latest budget cuts
The University of Wyoming will enter the 2022 fiscal year with a wide array of new financial constraints after the school’s board of trustees finalized roughly $16.5 million in reduced spending on June 16.... more
Problem grizzly or problem people? A Togwotee Pass standoff
A two-week effort to haze a popular mother grizzly bear and her cubs away from Highway 26/287 over Togwotee Pass where they have been attracting hundreds of gawkers is showing results, a top federal wildlife official said Monday.... more
Reviving the Red Desert’s ancient stories
Sitting in the verdant shade of an aspen grove on Steamboat Mountain — which rises out of the Red Desert in southern Wyoming — Jason Baldes talks about buffalo.... more
Experts: Wyo juvenile justice lacks adequate data, consistency
Reform advocates last week pushed the Wyoming Legislature to reduce the county-by-county inconsistencies, and fill the outcome-tracking holes that have long plagued the state’s juvenile justice system.... more
Low statewide vaccination raise concerns of future COVID-19 spikes
Despite the best efforts of public health officials, Wyoming still ranks 48th among states for the percentage of adults who have received at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccine and 47th for those who are fully vaccinated.... more
Budget cuts to impact community mental health centers, hospital
Despite a record-high need for mental health and substance abuse services, the Wyoming Department of Health, which provides support for community mental health centers across the state, faces a $7.5 million budget reduction, effective July 1.... more
Cercy accuser files lawsuit
The woman who accused former Casper businessman Tony Cercy of sexually assaulting her in 2017 filed a federal lawsuit against him Tuesday alleging assault and battery. ... more
Gov. Gordon signs Juneteenth holiday bill
Wyoming has recognized Juneteenth as a holiday since the state legislature passed a bill in 2003.... more
Robertson Draw Fire slows after nearing 30K acres
The Robertson Draw Fire north of Clark expanded to 29,474 acres as of Sunday night with 45-percent containment reported. Sunday morning marked the first time since the fire started that any containment had been reported.... more
Weaver murder trial date still uncertain
It's still up in the air whether the trial of a man accused of fatally shooting two adults and injuring two children will go forward in August.... more
State officials share job cut details
Almost a year ago, Gov. Mark Gordon announced that hundreds of state jobs would be eliminated as part of sweeping budget cuts. Only a fraction of the cuts resulted in layoffs — most of the positions were vacant. ... more
Redistricting ramps up. Here’s what to expect
Wyoming lawmakers have begun the lengthy and involved process of redrawing legislative district maps for the next decade.... more
Legislators study early count of absentee votes
State legislators plan to consider allowing county clerks in Wyoming to process absentee ballots before election day. ... more
Campbell Co. valuation down by one-fifth in one year
Campbell County’s assessed valuation has dropped to a level not seen since the mid-2000s.... more
Report says transition for coal workers possible
As jobs in the coal industry dwindle, the central question persists: Where will its workers go?... more
Permitting work for new wind project to begin
The permitting process for the proposed Rock Creek Wind Project is set to begin this summer, and if all goes according to plan, construction on the 590-megawatt project could start as soon as 2023.... more
54 years MIA, Worland veteran’s remains coming home
It has been over 50 years since Worland native and Vietnam veteran Alva R. Krogman, better known as Ray, disappeared over Laos, and in about a month, he will return to Worland for his final resting place. ... more
Jackson businesses turn to unconventional means to tackle housing, staff shortages
When May hit, Hannah Pollat started to throw in the towel.... more
Toy library offers new toys bi-weekly for young children
So many good things rose from the devastation of the COVID pandemic: fiscal resilience, societal reflection and several new businesses, including the used-toys lending service The Nest Toy Library.... more
Mission to hug cops in all 50 states brings 11-year-old to Cheyenne
There were more hugs than usual June 11 at the Wyoming State Capitol.... more
Judge prevents drilling-site work, citing threats to sage grouse
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management “failed to take a hard look at the direct and indirect impacts to greater sage-grouse,” Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Ronald Bush of Idaho wrote in a June 9 ruling. He sent the leases back to the BLM for additional scrutiny.... more
Working group formed to look into fire pension plan
Time is of the essence for the plan, which serves 266 pensioners and their beneficiaries, including 25 Sheridan residents. If nothing changes, the fund will be exhausted sometime in 2026.... more
Six new wind farms planned for Wyoming
If built, the 19 wind, solar, battery storage and transmission proposals that made PacifiCorp’s shortlist would span four states with a collective capacity of 3,200 megawatts.... more
Big gatherings, low vaccination blamed for Laramie Co. COVID spike
A recent rise in COVID-19 cases in Laramie County can be traced back to a few large gatherings and still-too-low vaccination rates, said Kathy Emmons, executive director of the Cheyenne-Laramie County Health Department.... more
UW Board of Trustees consider a $260 million bond for campus construction
The University of Wyoming Board of Trustees met early Wednesday morning to discuss a resolution that authorizes the issuance of $260 million in bonds for the construction of new housing and parking facilities on campus. ... more
Active fires challenge area agencies
Amid high winds and triple-digit temperatures, wildland fires have exploded in northern Wyoming and southern Montana. ... more
Judge’s ruling spurs optimism
Wyoming’s energy industry reacted with cautious optimism Wednesday to a court ruling blocking the Biden administration’s freeze on new oil and gas leasing on federal lands. ... more
State bar charge filed against Laramie County DA
A formal charge against Laramie County District Attorney Leigh Anne Manlove was filed Friday with the Wyoming State Bar’s Board of Personal Responsibility, detailing what it called “incompetence and lack of professionalism.”... more
Laramie County ranching families fear loss of springs, creeks, way of life
Tim Rutledge says he’s already seen the damage large water wells can do to the Donahue Spring, a sweetwater fount that bubbles to the surface a short stroll from the front door of his ranch home.... more
School districts’ uses of federal relief funds worry lawmakers
Some lawmakers are worried that school districts are using federal pandemic-relief and recovery funds to add new positions and purchase equipment that might add to ongoing costs for the state.... more
Supreme Court: Lying officer’s name stays in hemp-case record
The Wyoming Supreme Court last week rejected a motion by the Attorney General’s Office to remove from the record the identity of a law enforcement officer whom the court found lied during testimony against Albin hemp farmers.... more
Barrasso critique of BLM nominee said to politicize bureaucratic post
Wyoming’s senior U.S. Sen. John Barrasso offered harsh criticism of President Joe Biden’s nominee to run the Bureau of Land Management last week, underscoring what experts describe as an increasing politicization of the typically bureaucratic role.... more
Campbell County commissioner suggests dissolving cemetery district to help fund college
Campbell County voters will decide Aug. 17 whether they want Gillette College to become its own community college district. If approved, a board of seven trustees, who will be elected in that special election, will get to set a tax to help fund the district.... more
Gordon strategizes use of ARP funds
Gov. Mark Gordon and the Wyoming Legislature are playing the long game when it comes to American Rescue Plan relief funding, mapping out a three-pronged plan that is centered around serving future generations of Wyomingites. ... more
Hate crime bills draw support; state lawmakers vote to draft legislation after emotional testimony
The debate over hate crimes legislation included a critical question: Does Wyoming already have a law on the books? The answer depends on whom you ask. ... more
UW event to explore anti-racist education
The University of Wyoming Black Studies Center will hold a virtual symposium July 2 called “What to the Slave’s Children is the Fourth of July?” focused on anti-racist education and the national debate around teaching critical race theory in American schools. ... more
Liz Cheney: ‘I don’ t feel any real downside ’ to losing chair position
Despite her House record, the vote that couldn’t be forgiven by some was the “yes” on Jan. 13 to impeach Trump for “incitement of insurrection” tied to his role in the Jan. 6 overrun of the U.S. Capitol. ... more
Legislature revives tourism improvement district discussions
The Wyoming Legislature’s Joint Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions committee may provide an additional source of funding for the state’s tourism industry.... more
Lawmakers mull major election changes
Wyoming lawmakers are weighing a significant overhaul of the state’s elections.... more
Expert: Reactor will be safe; Nuclear proposal incorporates molten sodium technology
After the recent announcement that Wyoming would be getting a nuclear power plant, many Wyomingites had a similar question. Is it safe?... more
Creating a more resilient landscape; Officials outline objectives of fire management plan
Officials from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and the city of Cheyenne spoke favorably Wednesday about a 15-year forest management plan that covers much of southeastern Wyoming.... more
CDC awards state $38M; Money is to be used to bridge pandemic health disparities
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention awarded Wyoming $38.3 million to address health disparities in the state’s pandemic response.... more
Pot advocates introduce ballot initiatives
A number of cannabis advocates and members of the Libertarian Party made history Friday as they submitted two marijuana-related ballot initiatives, kicking off a campaign that will last until next November. ... more
Improved conditions may not replenish hay supply
While last summer's drought conditions created difficulty for many Johnson County hay producers — cutting the crop for some to as little as one-third of the normal yield — hay conditions are so far improved. Continued spells of hot temperatures, though, could mark a return to difficult conditions.... more
Bill would limit vaccine mandates
A bill that forbids employers from requiring staff to show proof of vaccination in most cases gained near-unanimous support from a Wyoming legislative committee Thursday. ... more
Officials predict “fairly significant” fire season
Still, officials expressed confidence about having the resources to effectively fight this season’s wildfires. ... more
Documentary focuses on runner following deer migration route
A documentary combining outdoor adventure and mule deer migration is now available for viewing online.... more
Gillette residents help reunite lost dog with Nebraska owner
Losing a pet can leave a hopeless feeling. It brings about a surge of adrenaline in those first few moments of searching, which turns to a dull ache as the hours stretch into days.... more
Group encourages use of lead-free ammo, tackle
A new Wyoming hunting group wants to prove the value of switching ammo and tackle to local sportsmen and women. They know success won’t come easy, but the journey will be worth it if they can keep poison off your plate.... more
Legislators clash over election bill pledge
An interim meeting of the Joint Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Committee became the unexpected venue for a discussion of ethics on Monday.... more
Mental evaluation ordered for Torrington murder suspect
A case against a former Park County resident accused of murdering a Torrington woman has been put on hold, after questions were raised about his competency.... more
Confession rejected as evidence in murder trial
A woman’s murder confession will not be allowed in evidence because she was not granted an attorney during her police interview after requesting one. ... more
Groups pursue pot initiatives for election
The state and national Libertarian Party as well as Wyoming community leaders will deliver two marijuana ballot initiatives to the Wyoming secretary of state Friday.... more
Budget casualties: Mental health and substance abuse services
After 15 years serving adults living with severe mental illness and homelessness, a supervised group home in Campbell County has closed its doors because of state-level budget reductions. ... more
Barrasso bill would protect 14% of study areas as wilderness
U.S. Sen. John Barrasso’s proposed legislation to protect 20,381 acres of wilderness in four Wyoming counties disappoints conservationists who say its official designation of about 14 percent of eligible areas it addresses is flawed.... more
Autonomous buses debut in Yellowstone
Even in the twilight years of life, Walt McMahon isn’t one to eschew a technological innovation when he sees one.... more
Converse Co. officials weigh possibility of nuke plant
It’s a good question, and one that no one has a definitive public answer for – yet.... more
Wyoming youth vaccination rate trails nation
Wyoming youth have at least one thing in common with their parents; they are among the least vaccinated groups in the nation.... more
Supreme Court allows tribal law enforcement to search non-tribal members
The United States Supreme Court has ruled that tribal law enforcement officers can search non-tribal offenders on public roadways that pass through Indian reservations.... more
JBS Foods cyber attack highlights need for more local processing capacity
JBS controls 25 percent of the meat processing in the U.S. so a prolonged shutdown can have far-reaching impacts on producers. ... more
Strengthening stockgrowers: Lummis speaks at WSGA conference in Sheridan
Farming has long played a key role in Wyoming’s history, and it remains one of the driving forces of the state’s economy and culture.... more
Voting changes gain support
A state legislative committee voted Monday to pursue two bills that would significantly change the way Wyoming’s statewide elections are run as soon as next year.... more
Nuclear announcement expands state's reputation as energy capitol of the nation
A prototype nuclear facility promises to bolster Wyoming’s status as the nation’s leader in energy production even as the state’s once-dominant thermal coal mines continue a prolonged meltdown.... more
Grassroots and global players: The crowded campaign to oust Cheney
In a Cheyenne strip-mall banquet hall, Scott Presler — a nationally recognized conservative activist and Donald Trump loyalist best known for organizing post-protest community cleanups in liberal cities — whipped up the crowd.... more
Inside the campaign-finance ‘end run’ that earned GOP an FEC fine
The Wyoming Republican Party secretly supported a 2016 Trump campaign “end run” around donation limitations without securing requisite authorization, according to a former official involved in the matter. ... more
Life sentence issued in boy’s murder
Christopher James Nielsen has been sentenced to life in prison without parole on first-degree murder charges for the death of a 5-year-old boy in his care.... more
Schools begin planning to spend COVID relief money
Wyoming school districts have begun receiving much-needed federal pandemic relief dollars, and are planning how to spend promised dollars not yet received.... more
Special legislative session plans canceled
In an unexpected turn, there will not be a special legislative session in mid-July, Gov. Mark Gordon and statehouse leaders announced in a joint statement Friday. ... more
Laramie rancher sues over COVID recovery program
Leisl Carpenter, a sixth-generation rancher and owner of the Flying Heart Ranch in the Big Laramie Valley, has filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration, claiming the $4 billion American Rescue Plan Section 1005, which targets “socially disadvantaged” farmers and ranchers, violates equal protection laws under the U.S. Constitution and blatantly discriminates against white farmers and ranchers.... more
Upper Wind River tributaries proposed for instream flow rights
Wyoming fisheries managers are taking steps to ensure that water remains in a handful of Wind River tributaries that provide crucial habitat for the watershed’s struggling native Yellowstone cutthroat trout.... more
Gillette officials excited about nuclear power plant
Gillette's potential as a site for a new nuclear power plant excites local officials.... more
Gun rights group sues state officials
Wyoming Gun Owners filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday against Wyoming Secretary of State Ed Buchanan and Attorney General Bridget Hill claiming that Wyoming’s electioneering communications law is unconstitutionally vague under the First Amendment.... more
Albany County sheriff’s officer resigns
A short, straight-forward news release from the Albany County Sheriff ’s Office early Thursday morning came as a welcome sigh of relief for many members of the Laramie community. ... more
Treasurer seeks delay in monthly ad valorem payments
Newly passed legislation appears to be causing headaches for county treasurers throughout Wyoming before it has even taken effect. ... more
Hotels, motels short of workers
For owner Brenda O’Shea, a good summer at A Western Rose Motel requires a certain factor no matter how many customers she gets: employees.... more
Wyoming towns eager to host nuclear plant
Four Wyoming communities are in the running to play host to a new nuclear reactor coming to the state.... more
Albany commissioners take up wind project
After five hours of sometimes heated testimony regarding the proposed Rail Tie Wind Project, the Albany County Board of Commissioners closed the public hearing Tuesday night without making a decision. ... more
Demo nuclear plant to be built in Wyoming
Wyoming will become the site of a novel nuclear energy plant in a move announced Wednesday by Gov. Mark Gordon that could diversify the state’s economy and put the nation on a path toward a carbon-free electricity grid by 2035.... more
Wyoming’s own Tyrannosaurus: Lee Rex may be the first specimen of its kind to stay in state
The first T. rex skeleton found in Wyoming lives in the British Museum, about 4,500 miles from its original habitat.... more
Artist turns recycled pallets into a whimsical sculpture in Jackson Hole
Where once there were pebbles, now sits an enormous troll.... more
Graduating senior reconnects with police officer present at her birth after almost 18 years
Rachel Rasse and Dan Stroup had met once before, but don’t know each other. Not really.... more
Wyoming holding course despite lagging vaccination rate
Wyoming’s Covid-19 vaccination rate remains among the lowest in the nation, yet the state has declined to set quantifiable goals, offer incentives or otherwise modify its approach to address the underperformance. ... more
Barrasso bill aims to resolve in-limbo wilderness study areas
A statewide effort to reach a consensus about what to do with Wyoming’s wilderness study areas is being revived legislatively more than two years after it ended with an outcome that left many conservationists disgruntled.... more
Casper police shooting facts still in dispute
The city of Casper is trying to end a years-long lawsuit over a police shooting that killed a man walking down 15th Street in 2018. ... more
Laramie County School District sued over public meetings access
A group of Laramie County residents, including a state lawmaker from Cheyenne, is suing Laramie County School District 1, its Board of Trustees, the superintendent and assistant superintendent for allegedly holding school board meetings that were not compliant with state public meetings law.... more
Wyoming’s infrastructure wishlist
Wyoming, like the rest of the country, has an infrastructure problem.... more
No zebra mussels detected in Wyoming waters
Although a highly invasive and harmful mussel was unexpectedly found in aquarium decorations at Wyoming pet stores earlier this year, wildlife officials say they have not yet detected the zebra mussels in state waters.... more
State board considers name change for the ‘Squaw Teats’
Although Park County commissioners want a pair of local buttes to continue to be known as “Squaw Teats,” a state board may not. ... more
Influencers get a legislative hand on federal lands filming
New legislation spearheaded by U.S. Sen. John Barrasso proposes to do away with permit fees for small film crews and social media influencers shooting video on most federal land.... more
Judge sides with Game and Fish, limits grizzly-killed livestock award
A judge decided Monday to reduce by $205,483 an arbitration panel’s award to a Hot Springs County rancher for cattle lost to grizzly bears.... more
Outdoor onslaught: Officials brace for huge summer crowds
Campsites, trailhead parking spots and outdoor reservations in Wyoming will likely be harder than ever to snag this summer as public land managers expect an even larger flood of visitation than 2020’s. ... more
Man accused in eye gouging moved to State Hospital
Rose was hospitalized for psychiatric issues in SageWest Health Care in Lander on Thanksgiving Day 2020, when, according to hospital staff, he rushed out of his own room, into an elderly woman’s room, and gouged out the woman’s eye.... more
Unemployment rate rises slightly
Wyoming’s unemployment rate rose slightly from 5.3 percent to 5.4 percent in April, according to new numbers by the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services.... more
Construction companies deal with low material supply
Excalibur Construction used to order its building materials on a per-house basis. This year, they’re ordering per semi-truck.... more
Jackson startup brings wearable technology to beef industry
In Melissa Brandao’s vision, every cow in Wyoming will soon sport a new high-tech earring, transferring real-time data via Bluetooth on the animal’s location and biometrics.... more
Cam-Plex prepares for international ‘Camporee’
Of all the multi-million dollar facilities at Cam-plex, ones costing about $600 have generated the most interest recently.... more
Man saves friend who had COVID-19
Ray Maple found his friend John Treese lying naked on the floor nearly unresponsive.... more
Powell company makes history with sage grouse hatching
Locked away in a small, isolated room in the back of a shop at Diamond Wings Upland Game Birds, a sleep-deprived Karl Bear watched history being made.... more
Jackson fireworks become flashpoint in ongoing funding debate
Town Councilor Jonathan Schechter caused a stir in the last week after he sent a snappy email to the Teton Board of Realtors, saying he wouldn’t support giving it $12,000 in town and county funds.... more
Committee revives controversial gun bill in surprise vote
The Joint Agriculture Committee Tuesday revived a controversial gun rights bill on a split-second, unannounced vote moments before the committee adjourned in a move lambasted by critics for its lack of transparency.... more
UW athletes learn about brand building
With name, image and likeness legislation becoming more prevalent around the country, the University of Wyoming has teamed up with one of its own to start preparing its student-athletes accordingly.... more
Woman avoids prison in $400K embezzlement
Moments after pleading guilty to nearly half a million dollars in thefts, Laura Burleson was sentenced Wednesday morning to probation, with a suspended prison term of five and-a-half to seven years. ... more
Wyoming just got $500M from Biden’s rescue plan. Now what?
Wyoming received the first $500 million installment of its billion-dollar share of American Rescue Plan funds last week, setting the stage for a July special legislative session dedicated to appropriating the money.... more
Video bloggers involved in some commercial ventures now able to film in national parks without prior approval
A federal judge recently found the permit and fee requirements for filming video on National Park Service properties are unconstitutional.... more
Feds weigh in against coal port
Wyoming’s lawsuit over a blocked coal export terminal is moot because the company behind the proposal is bankrupt and won’t be building the project, the federal government argued in a new filing to the U.S. Supreme Court.... more
"Gotcha" exercise creates internet stir
Two self-proclaimed “First Amendment auditors” came to Sundance last week on a mission to “prove” that local law enforcement goes beyond its remit and encroaches upon citizens’ right to freedom of speech.... more
Wyo Business Council recruit pays $5.6M federal fraud settlement
Wyoming Business Council recruit Tungsten Heavy Powder — a California defense contractor with Laramie-based manufacturing — has agreed to pay the federal government $5.6 million to settle fraud allegations from the Department of Justice.... more
Officials struggle with drone harassment of bears
Policing places where wildlife and humans overlap has always been a challenge, and documents show drones adding to the increasingly tense situation on Togwotee Pass. Now law enforcement is cracking down on crowds.... more
Stores, shooters still dealing with ammo shortage
Despite reports that gun and ammunition manufacturers are back to running at or near full capacity, shelves at local sporting goods stores often remain bare.... more
UW plans return to full capacity for football games
If everything goes according to plan, Wyoming will play its home football games inside a full War Memorial Stadium this fall.... more
COVID hospitalizations highest since January
The state had 58 virus-related hospitalizations Monday, far less than the highest point of 247 in late November.... more
Suit against new tribal counsel adds allegations
Originally accused of defamation and interference with livelihood, which are civil complaints, the Northern Arapaho Tribe’s attorney now is being sued on claims of racketeering and fraud. ... more
Judge rules in favor of commissioners, denies motion to delay enactment of horse racing resolution
Because 307 Horse Racing has an exclusive contract with Cam-plex to conduct live horse racing through 2025, that means that if nothing changes, Wyoming Downs and the Horse Palace must remain closed to off-track betting for the next five years.... more
Bouchard will remain in U.S. House race
Bouchard scoffed at the idea that he might drop out.... more
Group complains about gifts to Game and Fish
A cease and desist letter was sent Friday by one of the former commissioners in the group’s sights.... more
Jail drug smuggling operation involved deoderant, greeting cards
A drug-smuggling conspiracy involving deodorant and greeting cards was discovered last month, when jail staff found opiates glued in the stacked back paper of a card.... more
Committee examines fuel tax again
A fuel tax increase is again being considered by the Wyoming Legislature’s Joint Transportation, Highways and Military Affairs Committee to address the Wyoming Department of Transportation’s structural funding deficit.... more
Statewide public health orders reach expected final phase
The Wyoming Department of Health on Friday announced the likely final phase for statewide public health orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the immediate removal of one of the two remaining orders.... more
Bouchard announces he impregnated, married girl as teen
U.S. House candidate Anthony Bouchard had a relationship with and impregnated a 14-year-old girl when he was 18, he told the Casper Star-Tribune late Thursday, hours after he disclosed the relationship in a Facebook Live video to his supporters.... more
Eastern Wyoming College student survives horrific accident
On Saturday, March 6, Samantha Hill was headed to her parents’ house in Colorado for the weekend. However, instead of seeing her family in Colorado, they would be coming to see her in Nebraska after a life-changing accident. ... more
Rental car shortage grinds gears in Teton County
At the R Lazy S Ranch, the dude ranch sitting just below the quieter, southern entrance to Grand Teton National Park, people pay an all-inclusive weekly rate for food, lodging, horseback riding and on-ranch fishing: about $2,000 per person, on the lower end.... more
Craftsmanship shines for first graduates of gunsmithing class
Douglas Macdonald, 66, took great pride in showing off the craftsmanship of his rifles to the people who visited his table. One of them was a rifle he designed using a dark, smooth slab of English walnut wood.... more
Gillette man officially becomes U.S. citizen after long delay due to COVID-19
Just after 4 p.m. May 7, 2021, Valerie Bahige realized a dream.... more
What does Bitcoin’s bust mean for Wyo’s cryptocurrency sector?
Cryptocurrency values plunged over the past week, with Bitcoin — the most prominent digital currency — losing roughly one-third of its value in a single month.... more
Saratoga housing shortage prompts affordable housing discussion
As houses seemingly fly off the market and rentals are non-existent in the Platte Valley, the topic of affordable housing appears to be ever more prevalent. ... more
Woman argues she was too drunk to confess to killing husband
Debate over just how drunk BenniLee Strock was during her police interview the night of Christmas Eve filled hours of court Tuesday morning. ... more
Medicaid expansion would create almost 2,000 jobs, study says
Expanding Medicaid could create nearly 2,000 Wyoming jobs and grow the state’s overall economic output by $1.5 billion in five years, according to a new report published Thursday.... more
Barrasso, Lummis criticize Jan. 6 commission
Cheney, who lost her GOP leadership position last week due to her ongoing criticisms of former President Donald Trump’s rhetoric, was among those who backed the commission.... more
Getting clean: Addiction medicine program sees success in Sheridan County
He tried everything to get clean. Chris Evans attended in-patient substance abuse treatment 11 times. ... more
Man pleads not guilty to 31 counts of aggravated child abuse
A Gillette man has pleaded not guilty to 31 counts of aggravated child abuse.... more
Report: 25 percent of state residents skeptical of COVID
A new national survey aims to answer not just whether people will accept a COVID-19 vaccine, but why they might not. ... more
Wyoming high court censures Cheyenne lawyer, former assistant DA
The case, which charged four people with multiple felonies related to allegedly growing marijuana on their hemp farm, was later dismissed.... more
Report: Coal’s decline hits Powder River Basin mines differently
Powder River Basin mines that supply lower-heating-value coals — including several operated by newcomers Eagle Specialty Materials and Navajo Transitional Energy Co. — might be at greater risk of closing sooner, according to a new report.... more
Forest Service moves to weaken bighorn protections in Wyo Range
The Bridger-Teton National Forest is proposing to allow domestic sheep “restocking” by amending its management plan. It is seeking input by June 7 on issues it should address.... more
Wyoming GOP resoundingly re-elects leadership
Sitting Vice Chairman Dave Holland and Secretary-elect Donna Rice also ran unopposed for their positions.... more
Parks could see busiest summer ever
Grand Teton National Park’s new superintendent felt the inflection point come the last week of April.... more
Companies plan 63 new wells in Converse County
Three major players in the oil industry have confirmed they are planning to drill 63 wells (cumulatively) in Converse County in 2021. ... more
Gillette College campaign heats up
In opposition of the new district is the Anti Tax Coalition, headed by rancher Jacob Dalby.... more
Sheridan businesswoman to challenge Cheney
It’s only been a week since the last candidate for Wyoming’s U.S. House seat announced their campaign, and Rep. Liz Cheney has even more challengers in her upcoming race. ... more
Lawmakers discuss funding fix for emergency communications system
With money expected to run out by next summer for the state’s emergency communications system, known as WyoLink, lawmakers discussed potential ways to fund the radio system during a committee meeting Tuesday.... more
County ambulance prospects keep an eye on Medicaid expansion in state
Prospective ambulance contractors for Fremont County might be waiting to see if Wyoming adopts Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act. Expansion could make ambulance service attractive financially for an ambulance provider. ... more
After six months, Cheyenne Police Department civilian review board members have gained insight, seek improvements
Roughly six months ago, the Cheyenne Police Department took the relatively uncommon step of not only forming a board that would review instances where officers used force, but adding three civilian members to it.... more
Wrongful arrest case may head to jury
The case of a man who says he was wrongfully arrested when Casper police came to his work looking for another man may be heading to a jury, recent court filings suggest.... more
Nominations welcome for Woman Entrepreneur Award
The Wyoming Council for Women is seeking nominations for outstanding female entrepreneurs across the state for recognition of the annual Women Entrepreneur Award.... more
Medicaid expansion revived despite flood of misinformation
If adopted by the full Legislature, the bill would take advantage of $120 million in new funding over the next two years from the Biden Administration to establish the program, and provide insurance to an estimated 24,000 individuals in Wyoming who lack it.... more
Restoring the ancients; native Wyo fish reclaim some waters
Wyoming’s Powder, Bighorn and North Platte rivers serve as headwaters of the Missouri River. ... more
Cheney’s ouster mirrors battles within Wyoming’s GOP
Many of those in Wyoming loyal to Trump, including her opponents in the 2022 election, reveled in her removal and touted their ongoing support of the former president, who is now considered by many to be the de facto leader of the Republican Party. ... more
Campbell commissioners sued over horse racing
The injunction asked the 6th Judicial District Court to scratch the resolution out of the gate.... more
Wind River tribes look at legalizing marijuana
Meanwhile the Northern Arapaho Tribe voted last weekend in favor of decriminalizing marijuana.... more
Barrasso encouraged after infrastructure bill meeting
Biden’s proposal, which was unveiled at the end of March, calls for an upgrade to 20,000 miles of highways, roads and main streets nationwide, as well as the reconstruction of the 10 most economically significant bridges in the country and 10,000 smaller bridges in poor condition.... more
Students excel on Mars and at sea; Gilman’s art classes are far beyond art
This year, the Powell High School senior art class did some double duty because, after COVID-19 closed school after spring break last year, there was still a project to complete. ... more
Scientists strive to map global migrations before they’re gone
Matt Kauffman was at an Italian conference and talking over coffee with fellow ecologists when he got to thinking that the challenges facing Wyoming’s migratory deer, elk and pronghorn are shared by wildlife around the world.... more
Stimulation technology helps Overman fight Parkinson's
While he has both good and bad days, the treatment has allowed him to live a little more normally again. ... more
State GOP backs local party as Williams and others deny they voted illegally
A response has been filed in the civil suit claiming the March leadership elections of the Uinta County Republican Party were conducted illegally. ... more
Supreme Court: Traffic stop unlawful
The Wyoming Supreme Court reversed the conviction of a Campbell County man who was arrested for methamphetamine and child endangerment after a traffic stop he said was unlawfully extended past its initial purpose, according to a decision last week. ... more
Proposed land exchange raises questions of access, value, process
The Columbus Peak Ranch, LLC land exchange proposes trading 628.35 acres of privately-owned land located east of Dayton for 560 acres of state trust land located northwest of Dayton.... more
Cheney will continue to 'fight for the truth,' says GOP can be fixed
About 24 hours removed from being voted out as the GOP conference chair, the No. 3 leadership position in the U.S. House, the Wyoming Republican said she remains a believer in her party and that a deep divide caused by Trump can be fixed.... more
LCCC study: Wyo residents can afford more taxes
Wyoming residents can afford to pay more in taxes, an analysis by the Laramie County Community College’s Center for Business and Economic Analysis argues, citing the state’s already-low tax burden and relatively inexpensive cost of living.... more
Big Horn commissioners collect input on Second Amendment proclamation
More than 120 county residents packed the Weed & Pest building outside of Greybull to voice concerns about federal government overreach. ... more
Tolerance key to grizzly conservation, state says
Education is the top priority in Wyoming’s $55 million, decades-long battle to recover and conserve grizzly bears. ... more
Campbell schools won’t ‘recapture’ for first time in decades
Both Sublette school districts among those recaptured.... more
Tribunal recommends disbarment for former prosecutor
The tribunal has recommended Becket Hinckley’s disbarment, but the Wyoming Supreme Court will have the final decision.... more
Cheney supporters, critics offer reaction to ouster
Cheney, who has served as Wyoming’s sole House representative since 2017, voted to impeach Trump in mid-January for his role in inciting the Jan. 6 insurrection on the U.S. Capitol, stating at the time that there has “never been a greater betrayal” by a U.S. president than the actions taken by the former president.... more
Lawsuit over health orders dismissed
Judge Edelman ruled that petitioners lacked standing in the case because there is no direct connection between the health orders and any alleged injuries plaintiffs may have suffered, among other reasons.... more
Legislature to guarantee remote meeting access through 2021
The policy, which only impacts the 2021 interim, also allows lawmakers to participate in meetings remotely without being docked pay.... more
Groups want federal budget to allow sage grouse assessment
Any rider “blocks FWS from carrying out its basic responsibilities under the ESA,” the groups wrote in a two-page letter dated May 4.... more
FEC fines Wyoming GOP $52,000
In March, the Wyoming Republican Party paid the FEC $52,000 for an unspecified campaign finance violation, according to campaign finance records.... more
Wolf numbers about flat in Wyoming range
State legislatures in Montana and Idaho have recently earned headlines for going over wildlife managers’ heads and adopting policies that require wolf populations be cut by as much as 90 percent.... more
Camping area closed by dam concerns
The park sits below the 111-year-old dam, which has known structural integrity issues.... more
Ramoco mine could be open by fall, CEO says
After years of permitting review and promised timelines that have come and gone, Ramaco Carbon CEO Randall Atkins said Wyoming's first new coal mine in more than four decades could be operational as early as this fall.... more
Committee revives Medicaid expansion
The 9-5 vote promises the proposal will have committee sponsorship during the special session planned for July or a budget session in February, depending on when legislative leaders choose to act on the bill.... more
Former Buffalo Bill Center employee sues museum
A former employee of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West has filed suit against the museum in U.S. Federal Court.... more
Couple pleads not guilty to murder in child’s death
The couple is charged in connection with the April 4 death of Williams’ daughter, Paisleigh Williams. ... more
Former Gillette resident returns to challenge Cheney
Denton Knapp, a 1983 CCHS grad who served for 30 years in the U.S. Army, has announced that he will challenge Republican Rep. Liz Cheney.... more
Former prosecutor admits negligence
The Wyoming Supreme Court, in a 2017 decision reversing Black’s case, also said there was “no question” that there was prosecutorial misconduct during Black’s trial.... more
Riverton superintendent pleads not guilty to DUI
Flanagan was taken into custody briefly on Saturday, April 22.... more
Forest eyes revision to allow domestic sheep to graze
Jonathan Ratner wasn’t pleased to read a public notice that the Bridger-Teton National Forest is looking to change how it protects wild bighorn sheep from catastrophic diseases spread by domestic sheep.... more
Federal grants add momentum to Wyo carbon capture movement
The funding did not arrive in Wyoming unprompted.... more
Sage grouse hunters shot about 7,600 birds in 2019
Earlier this year the agency said sage grouse hunters in 2020 voluntarily deposited 2,156 wings — the agency asks for one from each grouse killed — in collection barrels set out during the season.... more
National group eyeing Buchanan as Cheney replacement
Club for Growth did not respond to an email requesting comment, nor did Buchanan’s office. Cheney’s office declined to comment.... more
Legislature’s remote meeting option will continue into interim
The pre-approved locations are limited to more populous areas of the state, however, and fail to cover some more rural areas of Wyoming. ... more
Young grizzly cast off, finds trouble, hauled north
It’s well known that grizzly bears that grow up roadside in Grand Teton National Park tend to habituate to being around people.... more
Darin Smith announces run against Liz Cheney for U.S. House seat
Standing in front of the Wyoming Capitol, Smith said he’s “sick and tired of politics as usual.”... more
Gordon prohibits vaccine passports
Gov. Mark Gordon signed a directive Friday prohibiting state entities from requiring “vaccine passports.”... more
UP Energy purchases Pinedale Energy Partners
One less operator and over a dozen fewer jobs exist on the Pinedale Anticline now than this time last month. ... more
Closed rest stops to reopen
Nine Wyoming rest stops that were closed last year due to budget cuts will reopen later this month, Gov. Mark Gordon’s office announced Thursday.... more
Construction resumes on wind project that has generated national attention
Construction on the Chokecherry and Sierra Madre Wind Energy Project in Carbon County started again for the season on April 12, and the project has generated its fair share of national attention in recent months.... more
Former St. Jude CEO turns private collection of military vehicles into sprawling museum in Dubois
In 2010, Dan Starks got a patriotic idea.... more
Powell’s drive-in debut: The American Dream Drive-In was Wyoming’s first — and is its last — outdoor movie theater
Pokey Heny always gets opening night jitters. ... more
Gillette students modify books for students in Guatemala
Heidi DeStefano, now an educational author after more than a decade as a kindergarten and first grade reading recovery specialist with the Campbell County School District, took a vacation with her husband to Guatemala.... more
B-T Forest eyes revision to allow domestic sheep to graze
Jonathan Ratner wasn’t pleased to read a public notice that the Bridger-Teton National Forest is looking to change how it protects wild bighorn sheep from catastrophic diseases spread by domestic sheep.... more
Park Co. declared ’Second Amendment Preservation County’
The elected officials said they were passing the resolution “to defend the rights and liberties of the citizens of Park County.” ... more
National PAC sought challengers to Cheney
Club For Growth’s presence in the state is a signal that the race may not be limited to the current candidates facing Cheney, state Sen. Anthony Bouchard, R-Cheyenne, and state Rep. Chuck Gray, R-Casper.... more
Physicians ask Cheyene schools to keep mask mandate
A group of local health care providers is asking Wyoming’s largest school district to keep its mask mandate in place through the end of the year.... more
Federal policy could undermine Wyo cattle ID legislation
The policy may erode a recent victory by Wyoming’s ranching industry that earned them more autonomy over tracking their animals, and industry groups are watching developments closely. ... more
After hunters kill 874 sage grouse hens, Wyo’s hunt questioned
Hunters shot at least 874 greater sage grouse hens in Wyoming last year, prompting a state grouse team member to question the wisdom of allowing a hunt of the imperiled species.... more
Drought monitor: 95% of state abnormally dry or worse
Ninety-five percent of Wyoming is abnormally dry or worse, according to a nationwide drought monitor map released Thursday.... more
Jackson, Teton County agree to spend money on housing
The final go-ahead will come when town and county budgets are approved in June.... more
Anti-semitic, threatening email sent to UW staffer
An anti-Semitic and potentially life-threatening email was received by an University of Wyoming employee at 8:32 a.m., Thursday, April 29.... more
Lawsuit filed over death of DOT employee
Shirley Samuelson died in August when a street sweeper she had just parked on Highway 22 in Teton County rolled downhill and ran her over. She was 62.... more
Balow rejects ‘critical race theory’ teaching
Wyoming’s education chief has joined a vocal faction of Republican lawmakers across the country in expressing distaste for teaching public school children about how racism has shaped American society since the country’s founding.... more
Housing director wants to spend $13 million on housing 'crisis'
April Norton, director of the Jackson/Teton County Housing Department, wants to spend $13 million to build homes and expand housing programs in the upcoming fiscal year.... more
Cheney, Trump at odds again
Monday saw three public exchanges between Cheney and the former president.... more
ITC in Gillette chosen for $52M CO2 capture project
Gov. Mark Gordon announced Friday afternoon that the ITC, attached to the Dry Fork Station coal-fired power plant about 10 miles north of Gillette, will host one of two large U.S. Department of Energy CO2 capture research projects.... more
The speciality string
National forest looks to traditional transportation in backcountry work.... more
Analysis: Four Wyoming takeaways from new census numbers
As the Mountain West experienced a population boom over the last decade, Wyoming’s growth lagged, according to U.S. Census numbers released this week, with the Equality State among the slowest-growing states in the country. ... more
Management Council weighs change that could limit public access
The Wyoming Legislature’s Management Council, which sets priorities for the body, is weighing a policy change that would give committee chairs the authority to decide whether the public can participate in their meetings remotely. ... more
‘Love it and leave:’ The choices facing Wyoming’s youth
In the fall of 2017, then Hot Springs High School senior Stormy Cox wrote of her home state: “In my heart I would love to stay in Wyoming … The majority of my family lives in Wyoming. It’s hard to leave all of them behind and be on my own. If I could stay in Wyoming and still pursue my dreams I would.”... more
Portraits of Wyo youth: Six visions of a future in the state
Wyoming stands at the crossroads of a permanently shrinking coal industry and a historic budget crisis as its dominant conservative politics move further to the right on several issues.... more
Q&A: Locked up kids and government transparency in Wyoming
From now until the 2022 legislative session, the Joint Judiciary Committee will study the state’s handling of kids who run into legal trouble with an eye toward improving Wyoming’s juvenile justice system. ... more
Former legislator arrested in trafficking sting, pleads not guilty
A former Wyoming legislator from Green River entered not guilty pleas to misdemeanor charges of solicitation of prostitution and interference with a peace officer Friday afternoon.... more
Man convicted in mother-in-law’s death murder
A jury on Friday convicted a Casper man of murdering his mother-in-law in 2019.... more
Gordon plans to avoid cuts in next state budget
Gov. Mark Gordon’s office will develop the bulk of the next state budget without cuts thanks to improved revenue projections released last week, an official said Friday.... more
Democratic leaders say session lacked vision
Senate Minority Leader Chris Rothfuss and House Minority Leader Cathy Connolly, both D-Laramie, held a Facebook Live forum Thursday night to discuss the general session, which concluded in early April.... more
Wyoming, Idaho among bottom five for first COVID shots
Wyoming and Idaho boast two of the lowest rates of residents who have received their first shots of a COVID-19 vaccine.... more
New Makerspace opens in Sublette
Pinedale Wyrkshop, a new Makerspace based in Pinedale, opened its doors this week to anyone seeking access to best-in-class tech tools so they can take their creative projects to the next level.... more
Lummis brings Wyoming's K-12 budget issue to Senate
U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis recently invited Wyoming State Sen. Affie Ellis, R-Cheyenne, to Washington, D.C., so she could testify about the importance of the energy sector to Wyoming’s schools before the Banking Committee hearing on April 20.... more
Gillette family burns COVID in effigy
A 23-foot body made of chicken wire and cloth hung outside the Daly Ranch.... more
Gordon, Barrasso blast BLM for lack of 2Q sale
Gov. Gordon and Sen. Barrasso both addressed the lack of the Bureau of Land Management's lack of a second-quarter lease sale.... more
Wyoming joins new lawsuit against Biden administration
Gov. Mark Gordon announced on April 22 that Wyoming has joined yet another lawsuit against the Biden administration – this one focusing on President Biden’s executive action taken to seek cutting greenhouse gases.... more
Wyoming energy sector testifies in D.C.
The Cowboy State’s vital energy sector made its case known on Capital Hill last week as Sen. John Barrasso invited some of the state’s energy experts to testify in front the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, of which Barrasso is a ranking member, before the senator himself made his own impassioned statements.... more
Taylor wins at welding competition
A Big Piney native gave the Eastern Wyoming College chapter of SkillsUSA a huge boost during the Welding Fabrication Competition held in Casper earlier this month.... more
Meeks, B3 competes for $50K prize
Big Piney native Perri Meeks and his B3 co-founder Brayton Sanders of Evanston are one of nine University of Wyoming student-led teams that competed for the John. P. Ellbogen $50K Entrepreneurship Competition on April 23-24.... more
Active COVID cases dipped in county
As the Sublette COVID-19 Response Group dissolves having fulfilled its purpose as directed by the county commissioners, COVID-19 updates will solely be conducted by Public Health going forward.... more
School district presents preliminary budget
Budget season is around the corner – a busy time for school district business offices. The Sublette County School District No. 9 Board of Trustees got a preliminary look at next year's figures from Amy Anschutz, the district's chief financial officer, at the April 20 regular meeting.... more
BPHS duo chosen for Girls State
Autumn Wright and Britney Jones were both chosen for their outstanding achievements within their school and community to represent Big Piney during the 79th annual session.... more
Sublette COVID-19 Response Group diverted to Public Health
As daily active COVID-19 cases once again flatten throughout the county, the Sublette County Board of Commissioners addressed numerous items that were implemented a year ago to combat the incoming pandemic at its meeting on April 20 inside the Pinedale Library’s Lovatt Room.... more
Game and Fish proposing antelope license reductions
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is proposing to reduce antelope license quotas for the 2021 hunting season.... more
PAPO's annual planning materials are online only
The Bureau of Land Management Pinedale Field Office will not hold a physical meeting in 2021 for the Pinedale Anticline Project Area wildlife, air, water and operator planning sessions.... more
CFD shatters 2-day ticket sales record
Cheyenne Frontier Days set a two-day cumulative sales record with 104,619 tickets sold across all events for this summer’s festivities.... more
Study shows mule deer migration habits
A recent study led by the University of Wyoming showed a multitude of factors shaped the timing of birth in mule deer. ... more
UW reduces restrictions for summer semester
UW announced last month its fall semester would be at full capacity.... more
Sublette unemployment rate decreased in March
Seasonally adjusted unemployment numbers in Wyoming remained steady while Sublette County’s unemployment rate fell in March from the previous month.... more
Health orders extended as Sublette's COVID cases rise
The two remaining statewide health orders in Wyoming have been extended to the end of the month while Sublette County’s surge in active COVID-19 cases continues.... more
State emerges from session with no long-term budget, ed solutions
The Wyoming Legislature entered the 2021 legislative session with a lofty agenda to cut education spending, stall revenue declines and guide a Wyoming economy battered by COVID-19 to a sustainable future.... more
April Students of the Month recognized
The Sublette County School District No. 9 recognized four Students of the Month for April.... more
Bennett, Day to represent Big Piney at Boys State
Duo from Big Piney chosen for annual Boys State Session.... more
County P&Z to hear numerous business plans
Family business – both new and expanding – are behind several of the applications to be reviewed by the Sublette County Planning & Zoning Commission on Thursday, April 22.... more
Library to host pronghorn picnic this week for Earth Day
Earth Day is the perfect time to take a good look around and see where the outside world and our wildlife need extra attention.... more
BLM to conduct prescribed burn outside LaBarge
The latest burns are part of a multi-year project.... more
DEQ gets request for work on North Cottonwood Creek
The temporary increase in turbidity is associated with proposed stream restoration.... more
Frontier Days goes with all-country lineup
The day after announcing this summer’s event will take place at full capacity and without masks, Cheyenne Frontier Days announced the 2021 Frontier Nights entertainment lineup.... more
County awarded $60k in WCF grants
The Wyoming Community Foundation awarded the Sublette Local Advisory Board $60,067 to causes that serve the residents of Sublette County.... more
Lawmakers weighing study of public lands transfers
On the final Friday of the 2021 Legislative Session, members of the Joint Agriculture Committee met to map out goals for the coming months.... more
Gordon optimistic, disappointed in last Legislative Session
Gordon made statements and answered questions shortly after the 66th Wyoming State Legislative Session came to a close.... more
Vaccine registration available as Sublette COVID cases rise
There are 18 active cases of COVID-19 in Sublette County with individuals isolating in Big Piney, Bondurant, Boulder, Daniel and Pinedale, Public Health Nurse Manager Janna Lee said in an update on April 9.... more
How the Wyoming Senate killed Medicaid expansion, again
The Wyoming Senate Committee on Labor, Health and Social Services voted March 31 to kill a House-sponsored effort at Medicaid expansion.... more
Examiner's interview with Sen. John Barrasso
After speaking to students at Pinedale Elementary School on March 29, Sen. John Barrasso took time to answer a few of the Examiner’s questions. Here is a transcribed version of that conversation.... more
Construction to cause delays near Daniel
Project to include US 189 and Wyoming Highway 354 near Daniel.... more
County P&Z approves firearms service as home business
The Sublette County Planning and Zoning Commission did not hear an anticipated zoning-change request to develop a rural retreat near the Hoback Rim at its March 18 meeting.... more
P&Z commission puzzles over road standards
Unanswered questions lead group to table for next meeting.... more
Significantly more deaths in Wyoming last year
According to records kept by the Vital Statistics Services, a subsidiary of the Wyoming Department of Health, there were significantly more deaths in 2020 along with fewer recorded births, marriages and divorces.... more
Sublette takes hit in latest economic summary report
The quarterly report highlights the state’s economic condition based upon multiple factors.... more
Just the facts to be allowed in Rammell trial
The judge strongly advised the gubernatorial candidate to consider hiring an attorney.... more
Four from Sublette chosen for UW Trustees' Scholars Award
Hibbert, Jones, Jean and Noble all chosen.... more
RHCD tables recommendation on management partner
A motion to table a management recommendation by the SCRHCD passed, 4-1.... more
UW returning to 'traditional' atmosphere for fall semester
The university determined to make the announcement now, as opposed to June, after the latest university board of trustees meeting.... more
Big Piney, Marbleton election filings close
It’s shaping up to be an interesting Election Day for both Big Piney and Marbleton with a couple of challengers filing by the two towns’ respective deadlines last week.... more
Residents warned about IRS and Social Security scam calls
The Sublette County Sheriff’s Office has recently received multiple calls about IRS and Social Security scam calls.... more
First bear sightings bring awareness tips
Yellowstone officials just spotted their first grizzly bears of 2021.... more
Runaway teen found safe
The Pinedale teenager who was reported missing and considered an endangered runaway while visiting Mesa, Arizona, with his family last week has been found safe.... more
Rock Hounds club prepares for annual gem conventions
The Sublette County Rock Hound Club’s (SCRH) first meeting of 2021 was Saturday, March 13, at the Sublette County Fairgrounds with 41 members attending.... more
Wyoming's longest-serving elk feeder pitches for wildlife
There’s a simple formula to the day’s start for John Fandek, the longest-serving feeder on Wyoming Game and Fish’s 22 winter elk feedgrounds.... more
County gets grant for Teton Pass planning
A federal program intended to improve access to public lands has granted $300,000 to study transportation, access points and wildlife-vehicle collisions on Teton Pass.... more
COVID spread slows, vaccines open to those 18 and older
Registration remains available online.... more
Historical county divisions in Wyoming
When Wyoming Territory was formed in 1868, there were no major towns and the majority of citizens lived along the very new transcontinental railroad across the south.... more
DOI plans fossil fuel forum for March 25
The Department of the Interior just announced a virtual forum set for Thursday, March 25, as part of its “comprehensive review of the federal oil and gas program called for in Executive Order 14008.”... more
Big Piney students place at Wyoming State Science Fair
Students were interviewed virtually through a secure portal system from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. that day.... more
Historic snowstorm brings Wyoming to standstill
Southeastern Wyoming was at a standstill Monday in the aftermath of a record-breaking storm that left 30 inches of snow on Cheyenne.... more
Fishing for the Fight chosen as donation recipient
Fishing for the Fight has been named the 2021 Smiles for Life campaign local recipient by Pinedale Dental.... more
Historic avalanche season tests volunteer responders
It’s a deafening hush that surrounds the backcountry... more
Roberts joins G&F Commission
Roberts had applied years ago for the position and is happy to be on the commission.... more
Suspect in toddler death held without bond
Wyatt Dean Lamb, a suspect in the death of 2-year-old Athian Rivera, appeared March 4 in Laramie County District Court in relation to a domestic violence incident from February 2020.... more
Lawsuit seeks to halt health orders
A lawsuit against Park County’s public health officer and the governor seeks to immediately stop all current state COVID-19 health order restrictions.... more
Bousman applauds new program for direct aid to counties
The National Association of Counties applauded the inclusion of a new program to provide additional direct aid to public lands counties as part of the American Rescue Plan Act.... more
Political boundaries before Wyoming
Sublette County encompasses mostly the Upper Green River Valley and the Upper Hoback River. ... more
Addi Cunningham wins with her Peace Poster
Big Piney Middle School seventh-grader Addi Cunningham recently won the local Peace Poster Contest sponsored by the Pinedale Lions Club.... more
21.4 pounder wins 2021 Derby
Calm conditions and good fishing welcomed participants in the 2021 Big Fish Winter Derby at Fremont Lake over the weekend.... more
Gov. Gordon to remove statewide mask requirement
Gov. Mark Gordon announced this morning that Wyoming will remove its statewide mask requiremtn and allow bars, restaurants, theaters and gyms to resume normal operations starting Tuesday, March 16.... more
COVID vaccine registration opens further
Registration for COVID-19 vaccinations has opened into Phase 1C in Sublette County.... more
The naming of Sublette County
In March of 1824, a group of 11 young men crossed South Pass entering the Green River Valley.... more
Disney family's Jackson Hole property subject of legal battle
Trustees for two grandchildren of Walt Disney have taken the first steps leading to development on Fall Creek Road property that is the object of a legal battle.... more
Wyoming's senators vote against Biden energy pick
Sen. John Barrasso cast a vote against President Joe Biden’s pick for energy secretary Thursday over concerns former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s leadership would “crush” Wyoming’s economy built on fossil fuels.... more
Sublette natives among Gordon's latest appointments
Gov. Gordon’s selections included three nominees and appointees with Sublette County roots.... more
Gordon rolls back more health restrictions
Health restrictions at personal-care services completely eliminated.... more
Biden administration stops half-million-acre Wyoming oil and gas sale
President Joe Biden’s Jan. 27 order to pause oil and gas leasing on federal lands hit Wyoming as the BLM postponed the auction of 383 parcels covering almost half a million acres.... more
Students of the Month honored
Gentri Greene, Maggie Allmon, Kenneth Demers and Reba Penfield all recognized.... more
New insights gleaned from Wardell Bison Trap study
Artifacts make up a central displace at the Green River Valley Museum in Big Piney.... more
Health Department warns against vaccine scams
The Wyoming Department of Health is asking residents to be vigilant about scammers promising expedited access to a COVID-19 vaccine in exchange for personal information over the phone.... more
Sublette uneasy about district consolidation bill
House Bill 0077 would reduce Wyoming's unified school districts to no more than 24 within the state – effectively making each county its own district for the majority of the state.... more
Mitchell honored for 20 years of commitment
She received an engraved crystal timepiece for her service.... more
Lease moratorium labeled as 'crushing', 'illegal' and 'necessary'
Wyoming reacts to pause on new oil and gas leasing made by Biden administration.... more
Delegation drafts different energy protection bills
Sens. Barrasso and Lummis, Rep. Cheney all bring legislation to the table for Wyoming amid energy lease moratorium.... more
SCSD9 posts state's fourth-best graduation rate
Dept. of Education anticipates budget crippling after seventh-straight year of graduation growth.... more
Wyoming leaders criticize pause to federal oil leasing
The order came as one of the Biden Administration's first acts.... more
Fan club ushers grizzly 399 plus 4 on trek toward den
People flock to see grizzly 399 before hibernation.... more
Judge stalls Wyo’s repayment of $47 million in oil lease revenue
Wyoming can first appeal Judge Ronald Bush’s decision to vacate the auctions.... more