Wyoming News Briefs

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Relatives of a 5-year-old girl killed in a collision at Hogadon Ski Area are suing the ski patrol and city of Casper. The lawsuit filed Friday alleges the ski patrol and city failed to protect the girl from an intoxicated person on a snowboard. The Associated Press reports 23-year-old Craig Shirley collided with Kelli Johnson and her young daughter, Elise on Christmas Eve in 2010. Shirley and Elise were killed.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi says the deal to avert the fiscal cliff wasn't perfect, but it will at least provide stability to families, investors and small businesses by locking in tax rates. Enzi joined fellow Wyoming Republican John Barrasso in approving the measure. Rep. Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming voted against the deal late Tuesday.

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Former Gov. Dave Freudenthal says he has no interest in becoming the next president of the University of Wyoming. Freudenthal tells the Associated Press university trustees and others have asked him if he'd like to succeed President Tom Buchanan, who plans to retire next summer. He says he's busier than he'd like to be and this will be his last semester of teaching at UW.

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A Montana judge has blocked the state from shutting down gray wolf hunting and trapping near Yellowstone National Park. Yesterday's restraining order from Judge Nels Swandal allows hunting and trapping to resume in areas north of the park. State officials halted the practice last month after the deaths of several wolves collared by park scientists for research.