News Briefs

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Environmental groups are asking a judge in Cheyenne to expand the scope of a lawsuit they've filed against the U.S. Forest Service over coal mining in northeast Wyoming. The groups are asking that their lawsuit over plans to mine 400 million tons of coal from the Thunder Basin National Grassland be expanded to include a separate proposal to mine another tract also located nex

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming's effort to make its public school students better prepared for college and careers may take longer than originally hoped. Members of the Wyoming Board of Education told a panel of lawmakers yesterday that districts and the state lack the ability to meet the established timeline to implement the state's new education reform law...

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming state Forester Bill Crapser says this year's wildfires have consumed all the money the state had set aside for fire suppression for the entire two-year budget period. Wyoming's share of fighting wildfires this season will total an estimated $42 million...

RIVERTON, Wyo. (AP) — A 47-year-old Riverton man who acknowledged having sexual contact with and strangling a teenage girl has been sentenced. The Riverton Ranger reports George William Lucas was sentenced Thursday to 40 years to life in prison for second-degree attempted murder...

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A top Wyoming lawmaker says he believes the state should opt out of expanding its Medicaid program, a key component of the federal health care overhaul. Joint Appropriations Committee Co-Chairman Phil Nicholas of Laramie says Wyoming is likely to get stuck with the extra costs if it agrees to expand the low-income health program despite federal promises to pay most of the tab

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Voter turnout was down in Wyoming this year compared to the election four years ago. Wyoming Elections Director Peggy Nighswonger says unofficial turnout was 57 percent of eligible voters, down from about 65 percent in the 2008 and 2004 elections...

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — The state elections office says voter turnout appears to be high and there were a few voting problems in Wyoming. Deputy Secretary of State Pat Arp says county clerks are reporting high turnout across the state. Official turnout won't be known until all counties report their complete results...

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Members of the Junior ROTC program at Natrona County High School are doing their part to restore areas scorched by a wildfire that destroyed 37 homes and cabins on Casper Mountain. The students — a group of 10 joined by two commanding officers — worked at a site on the southern slope of the mountain, planting ponderosa seedlings and building erosion barriers...

POWELL, Wyo. (AP) — A search warrant affidavit says a Montana man charged with kidnapping and sexually assaulting an 11-year-old Cody girl confessed to the crime. Jesse P. Speer is being held on a $2 million bond on charges of kidnapping, aggravated assault and using a gun in the commission of a felony...

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Sinclair police are investigating a report of damage to valves at the Sinclair Oil Corp. refinery near Rawlins. Company spokesman Clint Ensign tells the Casper Star-Tribune the damage was an intentional act and could've eventually caused a compressor unit to shut down...