Laramie, Wy – The Director of the Department of workforce services says Wyoming businesses need to think differently in order to get new employees. During the Governors summit on workforce solutions, companies were being told that they need to take new approaches in order to attract workers. Workforce Services Director Joan Evans says that includes addressing some social issues such as lack of housing and day care. She adds that some employees need to provide flexible work hours if they want employees.

By Elsa Partan

Laramie, WY – A study released by the federal government this week found that the percentage of obese children leveled off. But a state-wide survey on childhood obesity shows mixed results.

About 9.3 percent of Wyoming high school students are obese. That's far below the national average of 32 percent for all children.

By Elsa Partan

Laramie, WY – Casper's wastewater treatment plant is in danger of failing after heavy rains put pressure on an already worn-out system.

City workers saw a crack in one of the pumps in the last week. They say if the crack gets bigger, it could allow chlorinated but otherwise untreated sewage to leak into the North Platte River.

Peter Meyers is an analyst in the City Manager's Office. He says the city is asking Casper residents to reduce the amount of water they put down the drain in the next few days.

By Addie Goss

Laramie, WY – A University of Wyoming professor says late spring and summer are the most common time for people and animals to contract plague. That's the same disease that killed millions of people centuries ago, although it's rare today.

By Addie Goss

Laramie, WY – Snowmobile and cross-country ski trails could be giving coyotes access to Canada Lynx territory.

By AP

Cheyenne, Wyo. – Wyoming Democrats say the selection of two 18-year-olds as delegates to the party's national convention this summer is representative of an upswing in youth interest in politics.

It is an interest that both Democrats and Republicans hope will translate into votes for their candidates.

Wyoming Democrats held their party convention last weekend in Jackson. Wyoming Republicans hold their convention this weekend in Rock Springs.

By AP

Cheyenne, Wyo. – Cool, wet weather didn't deter Wyoming residents from Memorial Day ceremonies Monday.

Some 300 people, veterans and military personnel turned out for a ceremony at a Cheyenne cemetery under cloudy skies to hear speeches by Gov. Dave Freudenthal, U.S. Sen. John Barrasso and others.

Freudenthal said it is incumbent that everyone in the United States not forget the sacrifice those in uniform have made and continue to make to preserve their freedoms and rights.

By AP

Sheridan, Wyo. – Thirty-six years after leaving the state Legislature, John W. Patton, of Sheridan, wants to go back.

The 77-year-old Patton is a retired businessman who remains active in several civic organizations in Sheridan. He filed for the House District 29 seat being vacated by Rep. Jerry Iekel.

Both are Republicans.

Patton previously served four years in the House and six years in the Senate, leaving in 1972 when he made an unsuccessful bid for the Republican nomination for the U.S. House.

Kaycee, WY – The rising Powder River in Johnson County is forcing some residents of the small town of Kaycee to flee to higher ground.

Heavy rain this week has added to rivers and creeks already swollen with runoff from the mountain snow pack.

The Middle Fork of the Powder River runs through the south end of Kaycee, a town of about 250 people at the base of the Bighorn
Mountains.

The river has flooded the town's rodeo grounds and is threatening several homes. People are sandbagging to keep the river
out of the main part of Kaycee.

By Bob Beck

Laramie, WY – Albany county officials are getting a pat on the back for their response to Thursday's tornado in Laramie.

Governor Dave Freudenthal and others praised the emergency response of the county and for their recovery efforts. Laramie Police Commander Dale Stalder says it is rare to have such an emergency in the county but they try and stay prepared. He says they were able to set up a command center, schools were properly evacuated, and all their emergency plans worked.