Latest Wyoming News

VIRUS OUTBREAK-REPRESENTATIVE DEATH

Wyoming state lawmaker had COVID-19 when he died, son says

GILLETTE, Wyo. (AP) — The son of a Wyoming state representative who opposed COVID-19 public restrictions says his father was positive for the coronavirus when he died. The Gillette News Record reports Roy Edwards, 66, died Nov. 2 at Wyoming Medical Center in Casper after being hospitalized for more than a week with an undisclosed illness. Mitch Edwards says his father was initially told he had a sinus inflammation and did not need to be tested for COVID-19. Edwards continued to oppose public restrictions resulting from the pandemic during his recent campaign to retain his House seat. He was reelected the day after he died.

CARBON CAPTURE PROJECT

Wyoming carbon capture project advances to next stage

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Researchers in Wyoming say a carbon capture project intended to permanently store millions of tons of carbon dioxide underground has advanced into phase three last month. The Casper Star-Tribune reported that University of Wyoming scientists and industry professionals working on the Carbon Storage Assurance Facility Enterprise project launched in 2016 with an 18-month investigation into the geology near Gillette. Officials say researchers first looked into the feasibility of permanently storing carbon dioxide fluids in storage sites deep down in rock formations. The team then drilled a test well in the area. The third phase of the project includes finalizing data analysis and obtaining permits and environmental clearances to construct.

AP-US-GRAY-WOLVES-ENDANGERED

Groups fight to keep gray wolf protections for most of US

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Wildlife advocates and environmental groups are challenging the removal of federal protections for gray wolves across most of the U.S. Two coalitions of groups have filed notice that they plan to sue the U.S. Interior Department in federal court unless protections are restored. The Trump administration last week ended longstanding federal safeguards for gray wolves in the Lower 48 states. That put states and tribes in charge of overseeing the predators and opens the door to more hunting. Gray wolves have recovered from near extinction in parts of the country but remain absent from much of their historical range. Colorado wildlife officials plan to reintroduce wolves in coming years.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-WYOMING

Wyoming health officials report 646 new coronavirus cases

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming health officials are reporting 646 new coronavirus cases Sunday. That’s the second-highest single-day total of the pandemic in the state, which reported 966 new cases on Friday. The Casper Star-Tribune reports that at least 114 people have died of the coronavirus in the state and that more than 14,690 people have tested positive. The new totals come amid a rapid surge in the numbers of cases in Wyoming and throughout much of the U.S. Gov. Mark Gordon has said he is not considering implementing a statewide face mask order but has urged residents to wear masks.   

ELECTION 2020-TRUMP-WYOMING

Top Wyoming Republicans dodge question about Trump remarks

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming’s new U.S. senator-elect, Cynthia Lummis, and top Wyoming officials refuse to say if they agree with President Donald Trump’s baseless claim that Democrats are trying to steal the presidential election. The Republicans dodged the question from The Associated Press. Spokespeople for Lummis, Sen. Mike Enzi, Sen. John Barrasso and Rep. Liz Cheney say all legal ballots should be counted, a position at odds with recent Trump Twitter posts to “STOP THE COUNT!” Gov. Mark Gordon also dodged the question about Trump’s unsubstantiated claim about Democrats stealing the election. Spokesman Michael Pearlman pointed to a previous Gordon statement saying a resolution would take time.

STATE LAND-WIND PROJECT

Wyoming denies renewable energy company’s wind farm lease

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming regulators have voted to deny a renewable energy company a lease to build a wind farm on state land. The decision on Thursday by the State Land Board came after citizens expressed concern that the development would ruin scenic views in the area. The Texas-based renewable energy developer ConnectGen had applied to lease 7.5 square miles of state land to construct part of its 500 megawatt Rail Tie wind project. Amanda MacDonald, the project manager of the wind farm, says the state would have received $480,000 a year for leasing the land to the company.