Latest Wyoming news

President Donald Trump says states should “seriously consider” reopening their public schools before the end of the academic year, even though dozens already have said it would be unsafe for students to return until the summer or fall. Only a few have publicly considered earlier openings, including Montana, which says school districts can resume classroom instruction on May 7. Trump’s suggestion in a call Monday with governors drew criticism from some education officials who say a quick return would bring major risk and little reward. None of the governors on the call responded to the suggestion.

EXCHANGE-VIRUS OUTBREAK-TRIBES

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — The tribes on Wyoming’s Wind River Reservation are having to deal with the coronavirus pandemic on top of a severe housing crisis. The Casper Star-Tribune reports that 23 new cases have been confirmed in Fremont County in the last two days, and the portion of Wyoming coronavirus patients who are American Indian has risen to 16 percent. Many tribal members are more susceptible to the virus due to higher rates of preexisting health conditions. Tribes also face the challenge of containing the illness amid the lack of housing and overcrowded conditions.

RESERVOIR DEATH

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming authorities say a man died while scuba diving in a reservoir. The Natrona County Sheriff’s Office says the possible drowning happened Sunday morning at Alcova Reservoir west of Casper. The Casper Star-Tribune reports people on the scene attempted to provide first aid while medics responded. He was flown by helicopter to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Authorities have not identified the man other than to say he was part of a group of trained divers. An investigation is underway.

AP-WY-VIRUS OUTBREAK-WYOMING

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — State legislative leaders met by teleconference to prepare for a special session to address Wyoming’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Legislature’s Management Council did not vote on the two pieces of legislation, which touch on everything from hospital funding to low-income housing. Instead, legislators prepared the bills for a final vote at their next meeting May 1. The first bill would set up a relief fund for a preliminary, partial distribution of the $1.25 billion Wyoming has received through the federal coronavirus relief bill. Part of the second bill would expand the state’s workers’ compensation program to allow employees to make claims if they get COVID-19. 

VIRUS OUTBREAK-WYOMING

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming has received 50,000 protective face masks from the Taiwanese government to protect health care workers and others from the coronavirus. Gov. Mark Gordon says in a Facebook post Wyoming will distribute the masks soon to where they are needed most. The U.S. government has provided far fewer masks, gloves and other protective items than Wyoming has requested and in some cases has diverted requested supplies for use elsewhere in the U.S. The Casper Star-Tribune reports Taiwan has maintained a close relationship with Wyoming in recent years. Wyoming opened a trade office in Taipei in 2018.

COAL MINE LAYOFFS

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.