LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) — The commander of U.S. military operations in the Middle East is scheduled to speak this afternoon at the University of Wyoming. The university says Gen. James Mattis is expected to address topics related to the Middle East, including its history, the Arab uprisings and U.S. policy. Mattis took over as commander of the region in 2010.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Unemployment rates fell in August in nearly 90 percent of large U.S. metro areas, including in Cheyenne, mainly because more people gave up looking for work. The Labor Department said yesterday that unemployment rates dropped in 329 large cities, the most in four months. In Cheyenne, it dipped to 5.9 percent from 6.1 percent in July. The rate held steady at 4.9 percent in Casper.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Police are looking for a driver who hit a 12-year-old girl crossing the street in Cheyenne. The girl was struck yesterday morning and taken to Cheyenne Regional Medical Center. Her condition isn't clear. Police say witnesses saw a 1990s model black Dodge Dakota extended cab leaving the scene. The truck may have damage on the passenger side.

DENVER (AP) — A fund set up to help eliminate dead zones for wireless Internet service nationwide is awarding almost $23 million to serve three Wyoming counties. Union Telephone Co. will use the funding to improve service in Carbon, Fremont and Sweetwater counties. The company must complete their work within three years and make their networks available to other providers.

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