Wyoming News Briefs

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — The FBI is investigating an Oklahoma City man accused of making an online threat of violence against Casper, Wyo. The FBI says 34-year-old Glenn Allen Kirkham was arrested in the Oklahoma City area Monday. Casper police spokeswoman Sgt. Deahn (DEE'-ahn) Amend said the threat wasn't specific and was posted on 4chan.org, an online bulletin board that covers a range of topics. Callers from around the country and Canada alerted the department to the threat starting Monday.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming lawmakers are facing bills this session that would restrict access to abortion services. Meanwhile, a group is capitalizing on the legal victory it won against the state last year that allows it to display an anti-abortion poster in a tunnel leading to the state Capitol. The anti-abortion bills aren't set for a hearing until late in January. Abortion rights groups say they're gearing up for a fight and similar bills have been defeated in recent legislative sessions.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — The Wyoming Senate has restored some duties to the state schools superintendent as it advanced a bill revamping how the state Education Department is run. After approving several amendments, the Senate advanced Senate File 104 on Tuesday. The bill is scheduled for more floor debate on Wednesday. The proposal would remove the Wyoming superintendent of public instruction as head of the state Education Department and transfer the agency's administrative duties to a new director to be appointed by the governor.

JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) — Two Republican lawmakers are backing proposals to either allow gay marriage or same-sex civil unions in Wyoming. The Associated Press reported Tuesday that Reps. Keith Gingery and Ruth Ann Petroff of Jackson are supporting the proposals from Democratic Rep. Cathy Connolly of Laramie. One would allow gay marriage by changing the state's definition of marriage. Gay married couples would be treated like all other married couples. The other would create civil unions and allow same-sex couples to be treated as a spouse under all state rules and laws.