By AP

Billings, MT – Ranchers are voicing concern about plans to relocate some Yellowstone Park bison to Indian reservations in Montana and Wyoming.

The ranchers are worried about the animals' history of carrying brucellosis, a disease that causes domestic cows to miscarry.

At issue is the relocation of more than 40 bison, kept under quarantine for three years as part of an experiment to keep alive at least some of the bison migrating from Yellowstone National Park.

By AP

Cheyenne, WY – Industry officials say 2008 was a good year for oil and gas in Wyoming thanks to strong prices earlier in the year and good production.

But it appears 2009 could see continued low prices for Wyoming oil and gas, which could mean less money for state coffers and more small energy firms closing their doors.

Don Likwartz of the Wyoming Oil and Gas Commission says 2008 will mark the eleventh consecutive year that natural gas production increased in the state.

By Addie Goss

Laramie, WY – A recent federal study found 4.5 million acres of federal land in Wyoming could be available for geothermal power.

Geothermal energy is generated from heat stored in the earth. It's gaining attention as a greener energy source because it releases essentially no greenhouse gases. The Department of Energy estimates geothermal could meet 10 percent of America's energy needs by mid-century.

By Peter O'Dowd

Laramie, Wyo. – Plummeting mortgage rates have caused a spike in business for some banks in Wyoming.

According to a weekly survey by Freddie Mac, rates have fallen more than 1-point-3 percent on a 30-year-fixed mortgage since October. Cheyenne State Bank President Dave Cook says the lower rates of 5.1 percent have made purchasing a home or refinancing more attractive.

By AP and wpr staff

Casper, Wyo. – Wyoming's snow pack is just below normal for this time of year, but a water supply specialist says the state has more snow than it did at this time last year.

Lee Hackleman is with Natural Resources Conservation Service. His office released a report Monday that shows snow pack statewide stands at 93 percent of average. It was 83 percent of average on the same day last year. Hackleman says the best snow pack is in the Northeast Corner of Wyoming.

By AP

Cheyenne, Wyo. – Gov. Dave Freudenthal is sending a wish list to president-elect Barack Obama.

Freudenthal wrote to Obama on Monday laying out more than $1 billion in state projects the governor wants to see funded under Obama's proposed economic stimulus package.

Freudenthal says it's important that Wyoming participate in the stimulus program because Wyoming is often slower entering recessions than the rest of the country but also slower to emerge from them.

By AP

Cody, Wyo. – A 45-year-old man died when he was hit by an avalanche while ice climbing about 40 miles southwest of Cody.

The victim was identified as Keith Spencer, of Laramie.

Authorities say Spencer was climbing Friday near the top of a 1,000-foot frozen waterfall when he was knocked off the ice by an avalanche and fell to his death.

A climbing companion who escaped the avalanche reported the incident. Park County Sheriff Scott Steward described the two climbers are
very experienced.

By AP

Cheyenne, WY – A draft bill would establish a procedure for judges to follow in ordering mentally ill people accused of serious crimes to take anti-psychotic drugs to make them competent to stand trial.

The Select Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is sponsoring a bill in the legislative session that starts Jan. 13. The State Hospital in Evanston requested the bill. Officials say the bill would make state law conform with the latest U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the issue.

By Peter O'Dowd

By Peter O'Dowd

Laramie, Wyo. – More than a foot of snow has fallen on parts of Western Wyoming since New Years Day. But National Weather Service Forecaster Kevin Lynott says relief is finally on its way.

"What's clear cut about it, it should end pretty abruptly sometime tonight or at the very latest Saturday morning. And then it looks like it will just be cold, and at the very least a few flurries in the high country."