Latest Wyoming news

VIRUS OUTBREAK-WYOMING

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Some Wyoming school districts are deciding to remain closed for the rest of the school year. The Casper Star-Tribune reports that Natrona County on Monday joined a handful of other districts in deciding against reopening amid the coronavirus pandemic. Others include Albany and Campbell counties, and the Green River-based Sweetwater County district. Wyoming’s 48 school districts have been closed for more than a month in an effort to slow the spread of the virus. They are scheduled to remain that way until at least Thursday, pending any new directives. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Wyoming increased by 19 on Monday to 389

YELLOWSTONE CONCESSIONAIRE

CODY, Wyo. (AP) — Yellowstone National Park’s largest concessionaire has announced it will not begin operations until June 15 because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Cody Enterprise reported Xanterra Travel Collection says lodging and service operations will be limited when the company reopens in the park, which is currently closed to the public. Xanterra operates nine hotels and more than 830 buildings and 30 food service facilities and tour operations. Xanterra media representative Rick Hoeninghausen says initial lodging operations in the park will be limited to cabins with private bathrooms. Food services, gift shops, tours and activities also will be limited.

FRONTIER DAYS-SECURITY FUNDING

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Cheyenne city officials say the amount Cheyenne Frontier Days will pay for police officers at the city’s largest event has been resolved after months of debate. The Wyoming Tribune Eagle reported that the City Council approved a resolution Monday outlining Frontier Days would eventually pay the city more than half the cost of security for the next five years, offsetting added law enforcement burdens caused by its event. Frontier Days is an outdoor rodeo and western festival that draws about 200,000 people each year. Security costs about $100,000 for the event. 

EXCHANGE-ONLINE JUSTICE

JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming’s Teton County Courthouse has been locked since March 24, the day before community spread of COVID-19 was confirmed in the county. Health guidelines have forced all levels of U.S. courts to move their business online, which is a challenge for the justice system that depends on in-person proceedings and paper filings. The new online model has challenges, but it’s allowing the wheels of justice to continue turning. Judge Timothy Day says it’s more important than ever during this crisis that people have confidence the justice system is still working.

LAWSUIT DISMISSED-DEPUTIES

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit against two Wyoming sheriff’s deputies who interrogated a woman about her sexual history and preferences after she reported a sexual assault. The Casper Star-Tribune reported a judge ruled the woman’s allegation of a civil rights violation was all but impossible to pursue. The judge ruled the doctrine of qualified immunity for government officials requires the lawsuit to show the deputies violated equal protection rights by treating her differently than a straight woman or a man. The plaintiff is a lesbian. The judge ruled the lawsuit failed to provide sufficient evidence.