Latest Wyoming news

VIRUS OUTBREAK-WYOMING

Certain Wyoming places could reopen under new health orders

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming will begin modifying health orders intended to contain the coronavirus so that certain businesses can potentially begin reopening in the weeks ahead. Orders closing schools and businesses ranging from bars and dine-in restaurants to nail salons have been in place since March 19. Gov. Mark Gordon announced Thursday the state will begin issuing new, modified orders next week that will remain in effect through May 15. Local officials may request more or less restrictive variances depending on local conditions. Gordon says restaurants, barbershops, cosmetologists and gyms could be among the first businesses to reopen.

COAL MINE LAYOFFS

Western US coal miners laid off amid drop in electricity use

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Three hundred miners and other workers are being laid off as the struggling western U.S. coal industry contends with diminished electricity use during the coronavirus pandemic. Navajo Transitional Energy Company says 73 workers at the Spring Creek mine in southeastern Montana and 57 at the Antelope mine in northeastern Wyoming are losing their jobs. St. Louis-based Peabody Energy meanwhile announced Thursday it is laying off 170 at Wyoming’s largest coal mine, North Antelope Rochelle. Both companies cited economic conditions and declining coal demand. NTEC, a Navajo Nation company, acquired its two mines from Gillette-based Cloud Peak Energy in a 2019 bankruptcy sale.

AP-US-TRUMP-NUCLEAR-

Trump panel: Boost US uranium mines as strategic interest

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Trump administration panel is urging government intervention to rescue America’s nuclear-fuel industries in a tough global marketplace. A task force appointed by President Donald Trump supported his proposed $1.5 billion taxpayer bailout for U.S.-mined uranium, and called Thursday for making it easier to mine on public lands, among other changes. The Trump task force says the moves are necessary to save U.S. nuclear industrial base “from the brink of collapse.” Opponents call the proposal an industry bailout. 

WYOMING-REMAINS FOUND

Police: Digging workers find human bones in Cheyenne yard

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Police say workers found human bones while digging in a back yard in Wyoming’s capital city. Investigators don’t suspect foul play. They learned the home in downtown Cheyenne was built on a burial site dating to the 1870s. The workers discovered the bones during sewer work Tuesday. Police referred the case to the local coroner and state anthropologist.

WOLF POPULATION

Experts report wolf population is stable in Wyoming

JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) — The wolf population in Wyoming has reached about 300 animals, around the same number of wolves wildlife managers aimed to have before hunting was prohibited between 2014 and 2017. The Jackson Hole News & Guide reported that the Wyoming Game and Fish Department regained authority over the population after monitoring hunting seasons. Department wolf biologist Ken Mills says an annual report estimated that there are 311 wolves in Wyoming. Department officials say 175 wolves are under its jurisdiction. Officials say department regulations have helped reduce livestock conflicts, which have subsequently decreased the amount of money reimbursed to cattlemen and decreased the number of wolves killed in retaliation.