Wyoming News Briefs

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — The state Senate has passed a bill that would ban deadly weapons in Wyoming courtrooms. The measure will be sent back to the House to look over changes made by the Senate. The proposal makes having deadly weapons in courtrooms a misdemeanor on first offense. A second offense within five years would be a felony.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Fears that working people won't be able to afford a 10-cents-a-gallon fuel tax increase failed to keep the bill from clearing the Wyoming Legislature. Lawmakers yesterday sent the measure to Gov. Matt Mead, who has said he favors a tax hike. The increase would raise about $70 million a year, of which roughly two-thirds would go to the Wyoming Department of Transportation and one-third to local governments.

NEW YORK (AP) — Health officials say synthetic marijuana has been linked to kidney damage in some teens and young adults. Sixteen people who smoked synthetic marijuana were hospitalized with kidney problems last year in Wyoming and five other states. All recovered but five of them needed dialysis. The study is the first report of kidney problems linked to the drug.

LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming football coach Dave Christensen says he decided a month ago to become more active in the Cowboys' offense next season. On Wednesday he announced that he would be taking over the offense play-calling on game days. He tells the Laramie Boomerang his main reason for taking more of a hands-on approach with the offense is simply the love of coaching.