BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Environmentalists have filed a lawsuit seeking to derail efforts by the federal government to lease an estimated 2 billion tons of coal near two major Wyoming mines. The Sierra Club and Wild Earth Guardians say mining and burning coal from the federal leases in the Powder River Basin would release huge amounts of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, worsening climate change.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Pavillion Area Concerned Citizens chairman John Fenton says he's unhappy the EPA failed to keep residents fully apprised of a report suggesting a link between groundwater pollution in the area and hydraulic fracturing. An Associated Press investigation found that Wyoming officials persuaded the agency to delay releasing the report, giving the state time to try to debunk the finding.

LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) — A report being reviewed by the University of Wyoming Board of Trustees says athletic recruiting, student services, class sizes and scholarship money are some areas that could see reductions in funding if the state follows through on a threatened 8 percent budget cut. Falling energy revenues prompted Gov. Matt Mead to order state agencies to prepare for such cuts, which would translate to a loss of more than $15 million for UW.

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (AP) — The East Entrance to Yellowstone National Park opens to automobile traffic this morning. Crews at Yellowstone are still working to clear some roads that remain covered with snow. Springtime visitors to the park should be aware that weather conditions are unpredictable and often include snow and high winds.

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