Future Wyoming grizzly bear hunts — a near certainty if federal authorities approve the state’s petition to again remove the animals’ Endangered Species Act protections — would likely target more than triple the number of bruins than previously proposed hunts, according to a state analysis.

Governor Mark Gordon’s Health Task Force has done great work to make recommendations on strengthening Wyoming’s healthcare workforce and examining ways to improve access for the state’s residents. The Governor is now focused on implementing some of those recommendations and addressing the state’s mental health crisis, while continuing to collaborate with private sector partners.

In accordance with congressional direction in the Inflation Reduction Act, the Bureau of Land Management Wyoming State Office today opened a 30-day public scoping period to receive public input on 47 oil and gas parcels totaling 46,327.60 acres that may be included in an upcoming lease sale.

The 2023 Wyoming Legislature passed several bills that will make changes to Wyoming Game and Fish Department laws and regulations. The following is a summary of the notable Game and Fish-related bills that passed, how they will impact the public and the next steps for implementation. Game and Fish will continue to provide updates as these changes move through the regulation process.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is offering trainings for members of the public to become certified Wyoming aquatic invasive species (AIS) inspectors. These trainings provide the skills necessary to inspect personally-owned and other watercraft.

Before the Laramie Foster Closet started its Cody’s Closet program, providing in-house items like shoes, socks and underwear at local schools, school staff would often purchase necessary items themselves for students in need.

When a new law stripped Wyoming voters of the ability to change party affiliation on Election Day earlier this month, Secretary of State Chuck Gray called it a “pivotal moment for election integrity.”

Toward the end of each hard winter, Wyoming Game and Fish Department gets the word out about dead animals: Mule deer falling over from starvation or pronghorn caught in fences or hit by vehicles.

Governor Mark Gordon exercised his line item veto authority on select portions of Senate File 151/SEA No. 90 - Wyoming prescription drug transparency act before signing it today. He noted it has important policy changes related to rural, independent pharmacists, a critical component of healthcare in Wyoming. He vetoed portions of the bill that could have significant impacts on prescription costs for Wyoming consumers. The Governor acknowledged the importance of rural independent pharmacies and the burdens placed on those small businesses, which are often left to manage operations with insufficient reimbursements and increasing compliance costs for accountability.

WASHINGTON, March 17, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small today announced that USDA is making $31 million in grants available to help farmers and ranchers access new and better markets by adding more value to their products.

The company looking to build a 195-foot cell tower in Wapiti has filed suit against the Park County commissioners, asserting they were wrong to block the project last month.

“The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance” will be featured on Monday, March 27 at 6:00 p.m. in the Jimmy Stewart American West Dinner & Movie series; the movie brings Jimmy Stewart and John Wayne together for the first time. In the film questions arise when Senator Stoddard attends the funeral of a local man named Tom Doniphon in a small Western town. Flashing back, we learn Doniphon saved Stoddard when he was roughed up by a crew of outlaws terrorizing the town. A light meal will be available; library programs are free and open to the public.

LUSK - First person to give their report was Fred Thomas with the Road and Bridge Dept. He said that everything is pretty much open except for Kaultenhauser and Quigley although they have part of Quigley open for traffic. Alvie is back to work as of Wednesday so Fred laid off the temporary help, Cassidy Bruegger until such time as they need him. At this time he is "on call" until an opening shows up or until the budget shows they can hire another person.

Court 2.15

The first Family Fun Night was held in the LEMS commons with chili and cinnamon rolls when you needed a break. The theme of the night was A Minute to Win It and some of the games took the entire minute.

Governor Mark Gordon and the Wyoming Department of Agriculture are urging Wyoming’s livestock producers to take actions to prepare for upcoming winter weather. Preparing for the storm and caring for livestock during the storm is critical. However, these actions should only be taken if they can be accomplished safely.

The Niobrara County Commissioners regular meeting held on Jan. 3 followed the standard order. Head of Road and Bridge Fred Thomas reports that Road and Bridge is handling things well and have gotten most roads cleared in the county.

As the Niobrara County School Board worked their way through their agenda the issue of legislative support and funding of education was a recurring theme at Monday nights meeting.

Josh from Benchmark came with the sealed, dated bids for the gravel. There were four bids and the first one was Timerline Services, Inc. for $272,970.80. The next bid was from Pine Bluffs Gravel and Excavating for a bid of $249,688.92. The third bid was from Rocky Mountain Sand and Gravel, LLC for $364,270.00 and the last bid was from Ramshorn Construction for a total of $502,460.00 for base A, and $ 495,263.00 for base B. Josh then went to figure out the totals and make sure they were accurate and then typed a recommendation of award based on his findings. The low bid was Pine Bluffs Gravel and Excavating.

First grade letters to Santa