Wyoming News Briefs

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Gov. Matt Mead says Wyoming won't meet a January deadline under the federal health care reform law to specify whether the state intends to establish a health insurance exchange. Mead says Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius hasn't responded to a series of questions he submitted to her in mid-July about the health care law. The governor says Wyoming likely won't decide how to proceed until the Legislature meets early next year.

POWELL, Wyo. (AP) — Authorities say a former CEO charged with defrauding a Wyoming hospital of nearly $850,000 has disappeared three weeks before his trial was scheduled to start. Paul Cardwell is accused of billing Powell Valley Healthcare for recruiting work that was never done. His trial was set for Sept. 18. An arrest warrant has been issued.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Former Wyoming Gov. Mike Sullivan and former Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter will open bids in November for a vast ranch up for sale in southeast Wyoming. But, the woman who donated the Y Cross Ranch to the University of Wyoming Foundation and Colorado State University Research Foundation is threatening to sue over the sale. Her attorney says the foundations have violated the gift terms.

LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) — University of Wyoming President Tom Buchanan says he will retire next year. Buchanan announced in his annual state of the university address in Laramie yesterday he intends to step down at the end of next summer. Gov. Matt Mead says he appreciates Buchanan's work at the university and his leadership.