Wyoming News Briefs

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming House Speaker-elect Tom Lubnau says crafting a supplemental state budget will be the "overriding concern" as lawmakers open the 2013 session tomorrow. The Gillette Republican says, "With the decrease in income that the state has, there's not a lot of room for legislative initiative." State financial analysts are warning that Wyoming needs to brace for flat revenues for years to come given the slumping national demand for coal and increasing natural gas production in other states.

JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) — The town of Jackson spends more money per resident than any city in Wyoming. According to a state report, Jackson spent about $2,800 for each of its nearly 9,600 residents over the last fiscal year. The town spent $27.1 million from July 2011 to June 2012, excluding utilities. The next-closest big spender was Gillette, which spent roughly $2,700 per person.

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — The Bureau of Land Management will allow an extra 45 days of public comment on the expansion of a large drilling project in Wyoming's Red Desert. The Associated Press reports the public will have until March 6 to offer its opinion on the project, which if approved could add about 9,000 wells on just over 6,100 well pads.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Anglers will get a chance to go fishing for dollars next month on the Flaming Gorge Reservoir. Utah and Wyoming wildlife agencies will host the third annual "Burbot Bash," in which fishermen can win up to $10,000 by catching one of 25 tagged burbots. The event is meant to help clear the reservoir of the invasive species.