Last week, the U.S. House passed H.R. 2042: the Ratepayer Protection Act. This legislation would suspend enforcement of the EPA’s rule to force the closure of coal-fired power plants until the resolution of the numerous legal challenges to the rule. The bill would also allow state governors to opt out of the rule should the governor determine the rule would have a significant adverse effect on electricity ratepayers or the reliability of the state’s power grid.

“The EPA’s plan is one only the rich can afford, increasing the cost of each kilowatt hour and making our energy mix less reliable,” said Western Caucus Chairman Lummis (R-Wyo.). “This plan might help the President feel morally superior when he is talking about global warming in Paris, but at home people and our economy will suffer. The supposed global warming benefits of this plan are miniscule and its legal validity is questionable at best. At a bare minimum, we need to ensure states have the legal backing to say no to a broken plan that hurts their citizens with higher energy costs and a less reliable grid.”

(Casper, Wyo.) – It is expected to be hot and sunny today with a high of 95 and a low of 64. Tomorrow through is expected to have hot temperatures with rain and thunderstorms returning and then clearing and turning sunny and clear on Friday.

For a detailed look at the weather, visit here. 

(Casper, Wyo.)- Fort Caspar Museum continues its free summer lecture series with “John Colter: Superhero” on Wednesday, July 1st at 6:30 pm.

Join Dr. Barbara Mueller, professor of anthropology at Casper College, as she will critically examine the myths, the possible routes, and the stories of this famous mountain man. Colter, who is said to be the first “mountain man,” accompanied the Louis and Clark Expedition but is most famous for being the first person of European descent to view Yellowstone.

The next lecture in the series will be on Wednesday, July 8th with Jolene Allpin who will reveal some lesser known aspects of the Mormon pioneers. She will link the histories of the Willie and martin Handcart Companies, the Fort Kearney South Pass Survey Company, and the Utah War Expedition.

The free Summer Lecture Series is held on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 pm, from June 3rd to July 22nd. Each presentation will focus on a different “Impression on Wyoming,” from past to present and from east to west.

These free programs are funded in part by the Fort Caspar Museum Association and the Wyoming Humanities Council.

For more information, contact the Museum at 307-235-8462 or check the Fort Caspar Museum website, www.fortcasparwyoming.com.

Fort Caspar Museum is located at 4001 Fort Caspar Road.

-Fort Caspar Museum-

(Casper, Wyo.) -Maybe you were out sunbathing at the lake or catching some walleye, whatever you did we have your covered with what you missed over the weekend:

Lander, WY – For the second consecutive summer, professors from Wyoming Catholic College will be traveling throughout the state as part of the College’s “Liberty Lecture Series.” The lectures will focus on fundamental principles of our American Government and current trends in political thought. This year, the theme of the series is the first amendment of the United States’ Bill of Rights. Lectures will be held in Cheyenne, Casper, Jackson and Lander during the months of June, July, and August. The lectures themselves will not be associated with a particular political party or agenda, but geared towards providing an academic analysis of topics and principles. They are free and open to the public, and all are invited.

Dr. Kevin Roberts

On June 29^th, the lecturer will be Wyoming Catholic College president and American historian, Kevin Roberts, whose lecture is titled, “Rebuilding ‘the Wall of Separation’: The Future of Religious Liberty in America.” The lecture will discuss last week’s decision by the Supreme Court to redefine marriage along with other threats to religious liberty. Dr. Roberts’ lecture will be held in the Sun Room at the Casper Petroleum Club. Refreshments will be served.

On July 14^th, the lecturer will be Wyoming native (and Wyoming Catholic College professor) Kyle Washut whose lecture is titled “Speaking as Friends: Freedom of Association as the Peak of the First Amendment and the Foundation of Civil Society.” And on August 13^th, Wyoming Catholic College Humanities professor John Freeh will deliver a lecture titled, “‘Speak what we feel not what we ought to say’: Free Speech in Western Literature.” The July and August lectures will be held in the Crawford Room at the Natrona County Library.

“We’ve come a long way since John Adams wrote in 1812, ‘Nothing is more dreaded than the national government meddling with religion,’” said Dr. Kevin Roberts, “From the HHS Mandate to social engineering on marriage, the federal government has intruded upon the natural rights of its citizens. Will this situation worsen? How should citizens respond? This talk uses the lessons of the past to chart a path for the future.”

Follow the Liberty Lecture Series on facebook to stay current with upcoming dates and topics.

(Casper, Wyo.) – District Court Judge Daniel Forgey denied Clint Webb’s defense motion that there was a violation of his right to a speedy trial, according to Wyoming Criminal rule 48 and the US and Wyoming Constitution.

“Not a sufficient record to conclude a constitutional violation of speedy trial has been made,” said Judge Forgey.

The defense stated that there was prejudice, based on his inability to make family contact, alienation from the media, medical attention based on anxiety he feels while incarcerated and an inability to afford legal counsel for divorce proceedings with custody issues.

“This case, factually, is no different than the day it occurred,” said assistant District Attorney Dan Itzen. “There is no prejudice in this case.”

The court also left a motion for witness statements and perception as a “granted and denied” based on the merits of the possible line of questioning. Allowing counsel the ability to address it during trial.

Defense counsel cited witness statements as the reason for the motion. Some statements in the affidavit offered their perception as to Webb’s intent and motive for the allegations. Which counsel felt would be inadmissible in court.

Webb’s five-day trial is set for later this month, July 27.

Click here to read more about this case.

(Casper, Wyo.)- Three year old Hudson Dailey splashing in the water in front of City Hall to stay cool this hot morning.

Show us how you are staying cool with our #beattheheat gallery to be published later this week!

Submit your  photos at the Share News icon on our homepage.

(Casper, Wyo.) – Here is the weekend recap of law enforcement activity from around Natrona County. All those cited or arrested are presumed innocent until convicted in a court of law. Charges filed are subject to change following official filling from Natrona County District Attorney’s Office.

Casper Police Department

Arrests:

Male Juvenile Offender, Casper, possession of meth w/intent to deliver, under the influence of controlled substance, shoplifting.

Christopher L Bridge, Mills, public intoxication.

Samuel Brown, NCIC hit.

Gilbert Bustos, Cheyenne, DWUS.

Gelion Calderon, Casper, public intoxication.

Doreen A Campbell, Casper, two failure to appears.

Mathew I Fogle, Utah, failure to appear/failure to comply.

Steffi S Frenzel, Casper, domestic battery.

Marcus D Grayson, Washington, interference.

Nicole L Haines, Casper, District Court Bench Warrant.

Joshua P Haworth, Casper, failure to appear, failure to comply.

Benjamin J Hine, Casper, suspended/revoked DL.

Dalas E Ihde, Casper, failure to comply.

Curtis A Jenkins Jr., Casper, DWUI.

On Sunday June 28th at approximately 12:15 am Casper Police Department was dispatched to the area of E. 10th Street and S. Wisconsin for a report of an unconscious male in the vehicle. The reporting party advised officers they attempted to wake the male but were not able to.

Upon arrival officers observed a male, later identified as Curtis A Jenkins sitting in the driver seat of his vehicle which was stopped in the middle of the street with its hazard lights on. Reports indicate that Jenkins appeared to be sleeping and was slumped over the center console of the vehicle. Officers also observed a half full can of “Pabst Blue Ribbon” 12 oz can in the center console. Officers went on to wake Jenkins and he began to speak with officers.

Upon initial contact with Jenkins, officers could smell a strong odor of alcoholic beverage emitting from Jenkins person. Reports show that officers asked Jenkins how he got to the current location and he advised them that he drove the vehicle to the location. Jenkins added that he had not been drinking and was very tired. Officers questioned Jenkins about where he had been and reports indicate that he continued to give confusing answers to officers.

After adminstering field sobriety tests and taking a blood sample, Jenkins was arrested and charged with DWUI and transported to Natrona County Detention Center.

Matthew A Jenkins, Casper, DWUI, no insurance.

Michael J Johnson, Casper, public intoxication.

Officers observed a male “passed out” in a recliner on the southwest side of the Topper Motel on Saturday at approximately 4:32pm, then he got up and began stumbling down the alley adjacent to the motel, according to the report. Officers believed the man, identified as Johnston, to be lost as he approached a female watering her lawn as she quickly proceeded into her residence, according to the report. When officers spoke with the man, they could smell a strong odor of alcohol coming from his person, according to the report. He told officers that he had not consumed any alcohol, but when he submitted to a portable breath test, it resulted in a .24 percent blood alcohol level, according to the report. Officers located a bottle of vodka on his person that had been partially consumed. He was arrested for public intoxication.

Andra W Jones, Natrona County, failure to appear.

Rocky N Kirk, Casper, failure to comply.

Zachoray L Lucero, Casper, failure to comply.

Samantha M Marinez, New Mexico, failure to appear.

Michael J Nelson, Arizona, public intoxication.

Leea K Pervoich, Casper, public intoxication/shoplifting.

Paula D Pino, Cheyenne, under the influence of a controlled substance.

Joseph D Polzer, Casper, domestic battery, strangulation of household member.

David L Smith Jr., two failure to appears.

Anthony R Stanford, Rawlins, failure to comply.

Steven J Stice, Mills, shoplifting.

Darrell Two Crow, Casper, public intoxication, shoplifting.

Anthony J Venegoni, Casper, hold for probation and parole.

Total Arrests Reported: 34

Calls:

Casper Police Department responded to 429 calls over the weekend including: eight assaults, three curfew violations, eight disturbances, ten drugs, fourteen family fights, six fights, six frauds, six hit and runs, nine public intoxication, ten shoplifting, and eight fireworks calls.

Natrona County Sheriff’s Office

Arrests:

Janelle R Green, serve jail time.

Stephen J Dyer, hold for probation/parole.

Raechel M Holmes, failure to comply.

Emerson L Horn, possession of controlled substance, under the influence of controlled substance.

Dana K Watson, DWUI.

Brenton A Morgan, DWUI.

Total Inmates Reported: 267

Calls:

Natrona County Sheriff’s Office responded to 137 calls including one fireworks complaint, three assaults, three disturbances, one search and rescue along US 20-26, and two fights and one plane crash at Natrona County International Airport.

Evansville Police Department

Dick L Fancher, public intoxication.

Wyoming Highway  Patrol

Joel R Schaat, DWUI, open container.

Rick A Walsh, DWUI.

Mills Police Department

Shawnee R Walter, domestic battery.

Jason J Lyons, domestic battery.

Steven J Stice, shoplifting, failure to comply.

Michael W Haworth Jr., failure to comply.

(Casper, Wyo.) – Nettie Padilla turned 100 years of age on April 3, 2015 in Casper. Two months following she passed away peacefully on June 25, 2015. She was a resident of Garden Squares Assisted Living for the past six years and had also lived in Shirley Basin, Medicine Bow and Fort Collins, CO. Her long life was devoted to her family and enjoyed many hobbies like sewing, quilting, crocheting just to name a few. She grew up in San Luis, CO with her seven siblings and parents. View more of this obituary, here.

Rex Lavern Martin was born April 28,1946 and passed away on June 27,2015. He is survived by his mother Billie Ann Martin Schauer,2 sisters Cherie Mills and Billie Jean Nania Lyday and a son Jason Pepper Martin of Phoenix AZ. Rex was an attorney in Arizona. View more of this obituary, here.

Funeral services for Vera Louise Cooper, 92, of Casper, WY will be held at 10:00 AM, on Monday, July 6, 2015 at the Anglican Church of the Resurrection, with Fr. Thomas Johnson officiating. Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 5, 2015 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Bustard’s Funeral Home.  Vera passed away June 26, 2015 in Casper, WY. A full obituary will be posted at a later date.

(Casper, Wyo.) – Shining in the Wyoming Medical Center Glow Run/Walk has nothing to do with quick feet. All racers need is as many glow sticks as they can wear, carry or stick to their clothes.

This year’s race is July 11. On the fence about signing up? Scroll through the photos below to see all the fun we’ve had the last two years.

The Glow Run is one of the many great community events celebrating the Cameco Cowboy Tough Expedition Race, a 300- to 400-mile point-to-point adventure race from Buffalo to Casper. For more on other community events available in Casper, click here.

Each entrant gets a glow-in-the-dark T-shirt, a glow stick, and access to a post-run movie under the stars and popcorn. At the pre-race dance party, we’ll hand out awards for whoever catches our eye.  Make sure you are the brightest, have most creative use of glow sticks, or best costume, and you may get a prize flying your way.

If you go:

• What: Wyoming Medical Center Glow Run
• When: Check-in begins at 6:30 July 11, race begins at dusk and movie screening begins at 9:30 p.m.
• Where: Crossroads Park in Casper
• Race registration: The 1-mile fun run is $25 or register a fun-run team for $20 each person through June 26. The 5K is $35 for individuals or $30 each to register a team. Cost goes up $5 for each race on June 27. Click here to register now.

– Provided by Wyoming Medical Center an Oil City Community Partner

Click the images below to view last years Glow Run.

(Natrona County, Wyo.) – According to an incident report filed with the Natrona County Sheriff’s Office, the single-engine Cessna lost power shortly after take-off causing the airplane to free-fall when the Natrona County International Airport.

Single-engine Cessna crash location.

Peter Wold, the pilot of the aircraft, told deputies on scene that the plane was functioning as expected before and after take off, but when the aircraft climbed near 100 feet, the engine cut out where they landed near the west perimeter fence.

The two passengers in the aircraft were immediately taken to the Wyoming Medical Center after they were found outside of airplane, coherent and mobile, according to the report.

The investigation is still on-going by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.

Monday, 6.29

2p – 3p: Kids’ Concerts with Andy Mason @ The Natrona County Public Library, Songs and fun await you at the Natrona County Public Library! Musician Andy Mason will hold a special concert for tweens only, grades 4-6, Monday.

4pm – 5pm: eCommerce 101 @ The Natrona County Public Library, Come learn about major eCommerce websites such as Amazon, Craigslist, eBay, Target.com, Walmart.com, iTunes and much more. We will also discuss eCommerce Safety topics including scams, online credit card use and credit card alternatives.

6:30pm – 7:30pm: Hero Book Discussion Series: “The Boys in the Boat” @ The Natrona County Public Library, A Hero Book Discussion on “The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics” by Daniel Brown.

Tuesday, 6.30
2p -3p: Duct Tape for Teens @ The Natrona County Public Library, Teens (grades 7-12) are welcome to join us for an afternoon of duct tape creations! Come make a wallet, phone case, flower, or anything else you can think up – all with duct tape. This free craft event will be held Tuesday, June 30 at 2 p.m. in the Teen Zone. All supplies will be provided. Please call 577-READ (7323) ext 101 for more information.

5pm – 8pm: Live Music @ The Art of Coffee, The performer is Sharp 5 For more information please call 307-234-BEAN.

6:30 – 7:30: Teen Book Club @ Natrona County Public Library, The group is open to teens in grades 9-12. Participants receive a free drink, courtesy of the Friends of the Library. To participate, pick up a copy of this month’s book in the Teen Zone at the Natrona County Public Library. The Teen Book Club meets monthly and new members are always welcome. Please call 577-READ (7323) ext 101 for more information.

Wednesday, 7.1
10am – 11am: Wednesday Writers: Be the Hero of Your Own Story, Write Your Memoir @ Natrona County Library, Would you like to leave a legacy by sharing your memories with the world? Based on the Summer Reading theme, come learn more about being the hero of your own story. Practice writing, share your work and receive constructive feedback from fellow writers on Wednesday, July 1 at 10 a.m. at the Natrona County Public Library. For more information, call 577-READ (7323) ext. 2 or visit www.natronacountylibrary.org.

1pm & 3pm: Kids’ Concerts with Andy Mason @ Natrona County Library, hese free family programs are part of the “Every Hero Has a Story” Summer Reading program happening at all branches of the Natrona County Public Library now through August 31.  Signups are open at any time throughout the summer. Call 577-READ (7323) ext. 122 or visit www.natronacountylibrary.org for more information.

6pm – 10pm: In This Moment @ Casper Events Center, 36 Crazy Fists, The Defiled, First Decree
The show will be open to all ages and will be General Admission. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. with the show starting at 7:00 p.m.

6:30 – 7:30: Fort Caspar Museum Lecture on John Colter @ Fort Casper Museum

7pm – 8:30pm: Stepping Stones to Recovery @ 1st Methodist Church (Room 12), For those who live or have lived with the problem of alcoholism understand as perhaps few others can.

Thursday, 7.2
10am – 11am: Tumblr @ Natrona County Public Library, Tumblr is a cross between a social networking site (like Facebook and Twitter) and a microblog, allowing you to post short snippets of text.

4pm – 5pm: Save One @ Lifeline Connections of Wyoming, A group for anyone affected by emotional issues due to abortion.

July First Thursday Art Walk

4pm -8pm: First Thursday Art Walk, offering a new way for art appreciation that marries with food, drinks and socializing. Check out any of these locations in the map to the right, to see an assortment of artwork by local talents. Check back later this week for a preview post featuring a local artist.

6:30pm – 7:30pm: Committed Couples @ Lifeline Connections of Wyoming, God’s plan for marriage. Learn how to connect spiritually and grow closer to each other. For couples who are married or planning marriage.

6:30pm – 7:30pm: Understanding Depression @ Lifeline Connections of Wyoming, Overcoming despair through Christ. A Healing Place staff Member will co-lead this group.

7:30pm – 9pm: 12 Step Study Group @ 328 1/2 East A Street Casper, WY. We who live or have lived with the problem of alcoholism understand as perhaps few others can.

7:30pm – 9pm: Concerts In The Park – 4th of July Program, Bassoon Quartet @ Washington Park.

Friday, 7.3
12pm – 1:30pm: K.I.S.S. @ 12-24 Club, We who live or have lived with the problem of alcoholism understand as perhaps few others can.

1:30pm – 8pm: NIC Fest

7:30pm – 10pm:  Date Night Dancing @ HeartOfDance Productions,  Cost $7.00 a person or $5.00 with college ID. Pay at the door. Come with a partner, with friends, or as a single. Each week learn and practice something new! 1st fridays are latin nights, 2nd Country, 3rd Swing, and 4th Ballroom. Refreshments will be served but please note that this is a non alcoholic establishment.

If you have an event you would like to submit, visit us here. 

(Wyoming)- “Moral of the story, don’t slop your dripper when you go to the fall!”-Jerry  Bell Cowboy Poet

Cowboy musician and Cowboy poet, Jerry Bell has kept the American Cowboy alive in Wyoming by entertaining visitors and sharing the ‘Forever West’ theme of our state.

Cowboy Poet Jerry Bell

He was recently in Casper for the Pony Express Celebration and he kept everybody’s feet tapping and faces chuckling at the trails center earlier this month.

Mr. Bell has lived in Wyoming for many years and done many things, yet the the old- time Cowboy’s true passion has been playing music and telling jokes.

He has being playing music since he was sixteen, he has recently taken his musical career to the next level.

“I love writing and creating my own western music. It’s still fun for me and I love seeing people smile,” said Bell.

With his famous cowboy poetry and catchy lyrics, Bell has traveled the Cowboy state entertaining visitors around the fire at Dude Ranches.

Bell was named the President of the Western Music Association, Wyoming Chapter five years ago and is excited about the future of western music in Wyoming.

“There are a lot of great western  musicians around our state, and I always have fun playing with them. It is still amazing to me to see what others come up with, and the stories that they tell. I try to make my music fun and focus on the humor versus dwelling on the negatives,” commented Bell.

His next big performance will be at the Wyoming State Fair in Douglas in August, but mentioned that he is always leaving his home in Riverton and traveling the state playing music.

“The big show is going to be the Western Music Association’s 2nd Annual Casper Cowboy Poetry and Music Gathering at the Casper Petroleum Club on September 5th,” said Bell, “This is the one that brings the biggest crowd and some of the best Cowboy poets in our state.”

Currently, Bell works for the Wyoming State Trails out of Lander updating and and improving ATV trails, yet in his younger years he ran around with grizzly bears around Dubois, and was a snowmobile guide through Togwattee Pass.

Look for Mr. Jerry  Bell coming to your town this Summer and be ready for an all out laugh at his rendition of Cinderella in Pig Latin, Rindeceller and her Three Ugly Blisters.

Listen to Jerry Bell below:

Wyoming has a new gizzard shad record thanks to the efforts of 15-year-old Torrington area angler Dawson Reifschneider. He caught his record fish out of the North Platte River near Torrington on June 25.

Reifschneider had been fishing the North Platte River the past several days for catfish and walleye and had caught a number of fish when the new record shad took his jig and crawler offering. He had never caught a gizzard shad before, but his fishing partner Logan Harris recognized the fish and said it was a big one and he should get it weighed. After weighing the fish on a scale at home, he went to the local supermarket where it was weighed on an official scale and confirmed as a new state record.

Reifschneider’s fish weighed in at 2.74 pounds, easily besting the previous record caught out of Glendo Reservoir in 2013 by nearly one tenth of a pound.  Reifschneider’s fish was 19.25 inches long with a girth of 12 inches. The previous record was 18 inches in length with a 13-inch girth.

Gizzard shad are prolific spawners, and when small, serve as an excellent forage fish. Adult fish have been stocked in Glendo and Grayrocks reservoirs and their resulting spawn provides an excellent food source for walleye.

The world record gizzard shad weighed 4 lbs. 12 oz. and was caught in 2006 out of Lake Oahe in South Dakota.

To qualify for a new fish record, anglers need to get the fish weighed on a certified scale and have it verified by the Game and Fish Department. A listing of state record fish is on the Game and Fish website wgfd.wyo.gov.

(Casper, Wyo.) – The Bureau of Land Management Casper Field Office hosted the Mills Chapter of the Boys and Girls Club of Central Wyoming for an Environmental Education Day.  This is the eighth year that Casper BLM has hosted this event.

The program for the Boys and Girls Club was held along the North Platte River at the Buffaloberry Campground along Trappers Route on June 17.

Staff specialists, volunteers, and approximately 50 kids spent the day learning about the North Platte River and wildlife ecology.  There was also a special presentation by Patrick Walker, an Archeologist on Native American tools and flint knapping.  They learned that Native Americans used antlers and horns as tools and were an important component of their culture, often traded to neighboring tribes.

The kids were then able to participate in a shed antler hunt, finding antler sheds from deer, elk and antelope horn sheaths.  Afterwards, the kids learned where these big game species live, what they eat and how to identify the headgear sported by each.   The kids were excited to learn that they would be able to take their prized antler home at the end of the day.

“It’s important to get kids outside and give them an opportunity to learn what nature has to offer,” noted Jim Wright, Wildlife Biologist.  “Encourage curiosity…it’s what science is all about.  Every scientist out there, all they are is a big kid at heart. They’re just satisfying their curiosity.  I want these kids to leave here today with a positive experience and realize that nature is interesting and fun.”

The kids ended the day by planting over 500 trees and shrubs along the river.  They learned that trees can improve water quality, keep streams cool for trout, prevent stream bank erosion and improve wildlife habitat for big game and birds alike.

Several of the kids had planted trees during past year’s events, Wright noted.  “It means a lot that they remembered they were here and wanted to check on their trees. These are their trees and I tell them they must take care of them and they do.”

This event is about giving ownership of precious natural resources to the next generation. “We let them know that these are their lands, and it’s their responsibility to care for them while recreating. The BLM may manage the land, but it belongs to them and the rest of our citizens,” Wright said.

-Provided by the High Plains District BLM-

(Casper, Wyo.) – Earlier this month, the Casper Police Department joined Nextdoor, a social media outlet that promotes community engagement from micro-networks, networks or neighborhoods that create a platform for interaction with neighbors.

“Casper, similar to other places across the nation, we have had a bit of a falling off from the traditional neighborhood watch program,” said Sgt. Joe Nickerson. “Unfortunately, with social media in general, we have lost some of that face-to-face personal contact with our neighbors.”

Because of the amount of people on social media and using those platforms, the crime prevention office thought to use a similar platform to bolster the neighborhood watch program digitally.

“We thought it would be a great idea to try here in Casper,” said Sgt. Nickerson. “We are the first law enforcement agency in the state to sign up and it has grown since then. We think it is going to be a good service.”

The ideal conditions for the platform, is to sign up and then meet with neighbors to create that neighborhood involvement, then being able to use that platform to ask neighbors for favors such as feeding animals or borrowing baking ingredients, said Sgt. Nickerson.

For the Police Department, it will help target notifications to neighborhoods that have seen an increase in reports for auto burglaries or property damage, targeting any updates to that neighborhood. The department could then message the neighborhood and advise them of a suspect or to remind them to lock their doors due to the increased theft activity.

“I am hoping that the people that sign up for Nextdoor are really concerned about safety and bettering their neighborhoods,” said Sgt. Nickerson. “Help us stay in the loop with the community, what the community needs and what we need to help the community be safer.”

Governor Matt Mead announced today the State of Wyoming has joined in a lawsuit filed against the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Army Corps of Engineers over the agencies’ Waters of the United States rule. Governor Mead has opposed this rule since it was first proposed and he will help lead a coalition of twelve states in litigation against the final rule. The final rule was published in the Federal Register today.

“I am disappointed at the lack of consideration shown to the states throughout this process,” said Governor Mead. “When I saw the original draft of the rule it was so flawed, I asked the agencies to withdraw it. Nonetheless, the agencies, without addressing significant concerns raised by Wyoming and other states, charged ahead.”

The Clean Water Act recognizes states as having primary responsibility for land and water within their boundaries. The coalition which filed the Complaint today includes the States of North Dakota, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, South Dakota, and Wyoming. The New Mexico Environment Department and New Mexico State Engineer are also parties.

“This rule expands the reach of federal agencies to lands and waters beyond the bounds set by Congress,” said Mead. “It is wrong for Wyoming, for every state and for the United States, and it is unlawful.”

A copy of the Complaint is available on the Governor’s website.

–Provided by Gov. Matt Mead’s Office

(Casper, Wyo.) –  Today will be mostly partly sunny with highs near 94. There is a chance of isolated thunderstorms after 1:00 p.m. Some storms could produce hail and strong winds as high as 22 mph. This weather pattern will continue into the evening.

Find your local forecast here.

Here’s a look at the weather around the state.

(Wyoming) – Where is the best place to make a living in the US of A?

A recent report from Forbes.com named Texas as the number one place to make a living in America.

Where is our great Equality State you ask? Wyoming landed the number three spot, which should have been number one, but we appreciate the recognition.

Rival ‘Greenies’ in Colorado secured the number seven spot and Hawaii was named the number one worst state to make a living.

Click the to see other States.

This Community Snap comes from Kelly Halpin who spent a gorgeous Monday on Jackson Lake with Bree Buckley catching speed boat waves. #jacksonhole #wyoming