Wyoming News Briefs

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — A Casper man who was convicted of beating a woman with a hammer in 2009 has been sentenced to another three months in jail after testing positive for methamphetamine. The Casper Star-Tribune reports prosecutors petitioned to revoke Peter Potter's probation after he tested positive for the drug in late August. District Judge Catherine Wilking agreed Monday to go along with a joint recommendation by the prosecution and defense that called for a two- to two-and-a-half-year sentence, all suspended except 90 days in jail.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A district court judge has sided with Wyoming media interests, ruling circuit court hearings and records concerning sex crimes don't necessarily have to be closed to the public. District Judge Keith Kautz of Torrington ruled Friday in favor of the Wyoming Press Association, several Wyoming newspapers and The Associated Press. The media groups had challenged the closure of court proceedings for a man accused of kidnapping and sexually abusing a Glenrock girl this summer.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — The last two military C-130 transport planes that have been fighting wildfires around the West have gone home. Fires are dying down and the U.S. Forest Service says it no longer needs the planes, for now. This summer was a busy one for the specially equipped planes. All eight planes outfitted with the latest-generation Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System were called into action.

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming stands to lose up to $700 million over the next decade under a budget extension expected to win approval in Washington. Last week, the U.S. House passed the measure, which is aimed at avoiding a government shutdown when the current budget expires Sept. 30. At issue are taxes paid by coal producers for abandoned mines. Half goes to the federal government and half goes to states. A previous transportation bill capped payments to states at $15 million.