Wyoming News Briefs

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. Paige Fenton Hughes says it may take about two years longer than originally planned.

TEA, S.D. (AP) — A spokeswoman for the South Dakota Attorney General's Office says an investigation into two former Tea police officers, including former Chief Brian Ketterhagen, is not related to a lawsuit in Wyoming. Ketterhagen is one of three officers being sued by a Wyoming man wrongfully convicted of murder. The lawsuit claims Ketterhagen, as captain of the Sublette County Sheriff's Office, withheld evidence in the case of Troy Willoughby.

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — An explosion has destroyed a building east of Casper. The Casper Star-Tribune reports a propane tank exploded yesterday evening. There are no immediate reports of injuries.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — An increase in domestic oil and gas production has been accompanied by a surge in petroleum engineering majors at the University of Wyoming. Petroleum engineering enrollment at UW this fall is 219 students. That's up more than 50 percent from last year and by far the most students since UW revived its petroleum engineering major in 2006.