Senator Barrasso of Wyoming Blocks Democratic Effort to Implement Weapons Ban
A recent legislative attempt to reinstate a ban on military-style weapons and introduce universal background checks in the United States was met with firm opposition and ultimately blocked by Republican senators. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer sought unanimous consent for the bill, which aimed to prohibit the sale and production of over 200 types of military-style rifles, including the AR-15-style rifle. This move was part of a broader response to the ongoing crisis of gun violence in America, highlighted by numerous high-profile mass shootings.
Read full storyAgriculture Powers Wyoming Economy: $2.5B Impact in 2021
The University of Wyoming's Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics has published a significant report detailing the substantial economic contribution of agriculture to Wyoming's economy in 2021. According to the report, agriculture-related activities generated $2.526 billion, encompassing direct farm-gate sales from 11 agricultural industries, business-to-business purchases, and household spending.
Read full storyWyoming Deputy Accused of Assaulting 8-yo With Disabilities
In a lawsuit filed against Deputy Benjamin Jacquot and the Laramie County Sheriff’s Department, the parents of an 8-year-old boy with ADHD, identified as J.D., allege that their son was forcefully tackled and injured by Jacquot at Freedom Elementary School in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The incident, which occurred on February 15, 2022, reportedly involved Jacquot grabbing J.D. by the arm, wrestling him into a conference room, and pinning him facedown, resulting in multiple bleeding facial injuries. This action was taken despite J.D. not being a threat, having no weapons, not committing a crime, and not being under arrest. The complaint also claims that Jacquot knew about J.D.'s disability and that his body camera footage was partially deleted following the incident.
Read full story$12.3M Boost for Wyoming Law Enforcement, Victim Support
The U.S. Department of Justice, through its Office of Justice Programs, has allocated a substantial grant of $12,273,612 to Wyoming. This funding, announced by U.S. Attorney Nick Vassallo, is intended to bolster law enforcement efforts and victim support services across the state. The grants will support a variety of initiatives (see chart below), from the Albany County Community Courts Initiative to the University of Wyoming's research on domestic-related homicides and policing practices. The Wyoming Attorney General’s Office receives the most significant portion, with funds dedicated to victim assistance, compensation, and internet crimes against children. Additionally, the Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault is allocated funds for multiple programs aimed at combating violence and supporting victims. These grants underscore the federal government's commitment to combating violent crime and supporting victims, ensuring they have access to safety, support, and justice in their communities.
Read full storyWyoming's Coal Shift: Job Losses and Transitions
The Black Butte Coal Company in Sweetwater County, Wyoming, recently announced the layoff of 19 employees, approximately 15% of its workforce. This reduction is primarily attributed to two key factors: the Biden administration's energy policies and a decline in coal demand. Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon, U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis, and other state leaders have criticized the federal administration for its role in these layoffs, citing regulatory hurdles and a shift towards renewable energy sources.
Read full storyUWYO Explores Carbon Capture: $11.2M Study
The University of Wyoming is set to embark on an ambitious project aimed at exploring the potential for carbon dioxide (CO2) storage in deep geological formations in the south-central region of Wyoming. This initiative, bolstered by a substantial federal grant of up to $11.2 million, represents a significant step in the field of carbon capture and storage (CCS) research.
Read full storySnowy Thanksgiving in Wyoming: Prepare Now!
Wyoming is bracing for a significant winter storm this Thanksgiving, with forecasts predicting heavy snowfall from midday Thursday extending into Saturday morning. The storm is expected to affect major interstates including I-90, I-80, and I-25. The northern parts of the state will experience the onset of the storm early Thursday, progressing southward by nightfall. Travelers should prepare for challenging conditions including heavy snow, slick roads, and reduced visibility due to blowing snow and potential black ice.
Read full storyFremont County DUI Task Force: Keeping Roads Safe This Thanksgiving
The Fremont County DUI Task Force in Wyoming is launching a concerted campaign to curb impaired driving, with increased patrols scheduled from November 22 through November 26. The task force, an alliance that includes the Wyoming Highway Patrol, Fremont County Sheriff's Office, and local police departments from Lander, Riverton, Shoshoni, Dubois, and the BIA Wind River, is taking a stand to ensure that the roads remain safe during this period.
Read full storyDisease in Yellowstone: Chronic Wasting Disease
Yellowstone National Park's recent discovery of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a mule deer buck within its bounds marks a concerning milestone. The infected mule deer, part of a population dynamics study and equipped with a GPS collar by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD), was found near Yellowstone Lake. With no known cure or vaccine, CWD poses a significant threat to deer, elk, and moose populations, characterized by neurological degeneration leading to death. Similar to mad cow disease, CWD is spread through direct contact or via infectious environmental particles. Despite no known cases of transmission to humans, authorities advise against consuming meat from infected animals.
Read full storyLower Natural Gas Costs for Wyoming This Winter
As the chill of winter sets in, Black Hills Energy underscores the impact of our energy habits and offers guidance to ensure efficient usage. The utility updates its Gas Cost Rate quarterly to mirror market prices, with the 2023-24 winter rate substantially lower than the previous year, thanks to robust production and storage levels.
Read full storyWyoming Rare Earths Plant Approved: A Game Changer?
Celebrations are in order for the town of Upton, Wyoming, as the U.S. Department of Energy's positive environmental assessment brings them one step closer to realizing a groundbreaking rare earth elements (REE) demonstration plant. This facility, equipped with a novel extraction method, is expected to be a linchpin in the diversification of the global rare earth supply chain, traditionally dominated by China.
Read full storyTax Reform Deadlock in Wyoming
The Joint Revenue Committee's deadlock on the property tax reform bill reflects a deep divide within Wyoming's legislative body and its constituents. Even with robust advocacy from some of the state's staunchest fiscal conservatives, the proposed legislation, which sought to base property taxation on fair market value rather than assessed valuation, stalled amidst concerns about its broader implications.
Read full storyRaid on Rock Springs Massage Parlor Uncovers Sex Trafficking
The Sweetwater County authorities conducted a raid on an Asian massage parlor located at 617 Broadway St. Suite E in Rock Springs on a Tuesday afternoon. This action was a result of a prolonged investigation into human trafficking, particularly sex trafficking, that has been underway for several months. The Sheriff's Office spokesperson, Jason Mower, revealed that suspicions arose earlier in the year about sexual acts being performed at the establishment. The massage parlor, known as Asian Massage, could not provide immediate comments following the raid.
Read full storyLaw Enforcement Accountability on the Table in Wyoming
The Joint Judiciary Committee of Wyoming has moved forward with a bill that would empower the state's agency in charge of certifying peace officers to directly access personnel files during misconduct investigations. Personnel files hold critical information, including past use-of-force incidents and other behavioral records, which are essential for the Wyoming Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission (POST) to effectively oversee law enforcement personnel.
Read full storyCount the Kicks: Reducing Wyoming Stillbirths
The Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) is actively engaged in an initiative to educate expectant parents on the importance of monitoring their baby’s movements, a practice that has been linked to the potential prevention of stillbirths. This initiative is particularly significant given the concerning statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which indicate that approximately 1 in every 162 pregnancies in Wyoming results in stillbirth. This tragic outcome affects over 21,000 families nationwide annually. Stillbirth is typically defined as the loss of a baby at or beyond 20 weeks of gestation.
Read full storyGas Prices Drop in Wyoming
In Wyoming, gasoline prices have experienced a notable decline, dropping by 11.3 cents per gallon over the past week, with the average price now at $3.37 per gallon. This data, sourced from GasBuddy's extensive survey of 494 stations in the state, reflects a significant decrease not only in recent days but also in comparison to previous months and years. Current prices are 30.4 cents lower than they were a month ago and 18.7 cents lower than this time last year.
Read full storyGreen River's Intergalactic Spaceport: A Whimsical Landmark in Wyoming
What started as a playful gesture in a local City Council meeting in Green River, Wyoming, has evolved into a unique and humorous chapter in the town's history. The Greater Green River Intergalactic Spaceport, initially a light-hearted proposal, now stands as an official spaceport, albeit more symbolic than functional, welcoming hypothetical extraterrestrial visitors to Earth.
Read full storyLaPrele Dam: An Aging Giant
The LaPrele Dam in Converse County, originally designed for a 50-year lifespan, has remarkably surpassed expectations, standing for 114 years. However, its age is showing through cracks and structural issues, prompting urgent considerations for its replacement.
Read full storyRandall Atkins' Wyoming Mine: Multibillion-Dollar Transformation
In 2011, Randall Atkins, a former Wall Street financier, made a bold move by purchasing a mine near Sheridan, Wyoming, without personally inspecting it, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. Initially, Atkins' vision for the mine was straightforward – to extract coal for sale to power plants, a plan covered by the Casper Star-Tribune.
Read full story"Big Al," Wyoming's Celebrated Dinosaur, Undergoes Further Scientific Examination
Wyoming's prehistoric superstar, "Big Al," an Allosaurus whose remains have lain dormant for 150 million years, is once again the subject of scientific fascination. Despite its long-standing status as an inanimate fossil, Big Al continues to divulge intimate details of its existence during the Jurassic period.
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