Morning News Update

Casper Police have released the details of a note left behind from a man they say is responsible for a double-murder suicide that happened on Nov. 30th. Students attending Wyoming's seven community colleges will be paying more in tuition next year.

With help from the Wyoming Department of Epidemiology and state health officials, the Casper/Natrona County Public Health Department is continuing its investigation into an early December norovirus outbreak in Casper.

The Wyoming Supreme Court is upholding permits issued by the state and Converse County for construction of two wind farms in the Laramie Range. A seizure of more than 200 cats over the weekend is straining the resources of Casper's Metro Animal Control and Welfare Agency.

Natrona County School District's Director of Student Services responds to the school shootings in Connecticut. Wyoming lawmakers have finished their first week of hearings on Gov. Matt Mead's proposed budget.

Officials with the Casper-Natrona County Public Health Department says they've now fielded 188 reports of norovirus-like symptoms from Casper-area residents. A Montana man charged with kidnapping and sexually assaulting an 11-year old girl from Cody is set for arraignment in district court later this month.

Casper City Council members prefaced any discussions Tuesday of approving a downtown strategic plan with comments meant to allay fears that it represents a vision set in stone. An interim legislative committee is recommending stripping the state school supt. and the Education Dept. of some of its authority and transferring it to the state Board of Education.

Officials with the Casper/Natrona County Public Health Department says they're investigating a report of food poisoning at an area restaurant. A Jackson lawmaker is sponsering a bill that would make it nearly impossible to sue search and rescue volunteers individually in Wyoming.

Gov. Matt Mead is telling state lawmakers that if they won't approve a 10-cent a gallon fuel tax hike to help pay for state highways they should dip into revenues from state energy production to help cover the tab. Casper Police have released a description of the suspect involved in an armed robbery at Kmart earlier this month.

A Natrona County woman is denying her role in a drunk driving crash that resulted in several injuries. Wyoming Sens. Mike Enzi and John Barrasso say a Russian trade and human rights bill that has cleared Congress will benefit Wyoming products.

Gov. Matt Mead says it's clear that Wyoming would take a big financial hit if Congress fails to reach a deficit-reduction agreement to avert the end-of-year "fiscal cliff." The Natrona County Health Department ran of out adult flu shots this week and the department director says they won't be ordering any more.