Cheyenne, Wy –
With many using their home computer to shop during the holiday season state officials say the amount of money they lose in possible sales tax revenue is in the millions. Dan Noble oversees tax collections for the Wyoming Department of Revenue and he says state and local governments have seen a significant loss of close to 80 million dollars. Noble says they are working with other states to try and resolve the issue, but after several years nothing has been approved.

Laramie, Wy – Six conservation groups say they will
challenge the National Park Service's decision to continue allowing
snowmobiles in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks.
The groups say they will seek a court review of the decision. A
court review means a court would re-examine the case to ensure it
complies with the law. A court has to agree to the review.
The conservation organizations challenging the decision are the
Greater Yellowstone Coalition, National Parks Conservation

Rock Springs – Another Wyoming community has enacted
a smoking ordinance.
The Rock Springs City Council adopted a partial smoking ban in
public buildings, It is the fourth Wyoming community to enact some
type of smoking ban.
Bars, taverns and private clubs are exempt under the new Rock
Springs ordinance.
Meanwhile, neighboring Green River has given preliminary
approval to a similar ordinance and will hold a final vote next
month.
Both city councils have been working for several months on

Baghdad, Iraq – U.S. Sen. John Barrasso ate Thanksgiving
Day meals with Wyoming troops serving in Iraq.
He also filled them in on Wyoming news and delivered some much
sought-after beef jerky and other items.
Barrasso is traveling in Iraq with a small congressional
delegation and others. The group met with the top military
commander in Iraq and the U.S. ambassador and visited a prison.
There was some excitement when mortars struck the U.S.-protected
Green Zone in Baghdad during the time when the Senate delegation

By AP

Craig, CO – A Wyoming teenager is dead after a
one-vehicle rollover north of Craig, Colorado.

The State Patrol says 19-year-old Zachary Bennett of Baggs died from injuries sustained in the Wednesday night crash.

It happened just after 9 p.m. on Colorado Highway 13, some 35 miles north of Craig. Investigators say excessive speed and alcohol are believed to be factors in the crash.

By AP

Rapid City, SD – A South Dakota judge says exploratory
drilling for uranium can continue in southwest South Dakota near the Wyoming border.

Judge Jack Delaney's answer is to a challenge by Defenders of the Black Hills on a permit given to Powertech Uranium Corporation by the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural
Resources.

Powertech is in the process of drilling 155 test holes and has staked 165 mining claims 8 miles southeast of Edgemont, South Dakota.

By AP

Gillette, WY – United Airlines is planning to enter the
Gillette air service market.

A United spokesman confirmed the Chicago-based airlines would begin regional service next March on planes operated by its regional carrier Mesa Airlines.

Delta Airlines and its regional carrier, SkyWest, are also considering regional service between Gillette and Salt Lake City.

That means the number of airplane seats leaving Gillette could more than double to 310 by April.

By Addie Goss

Laramie, WY – The ski season has officially started in Wyoming - but not for everyone. Hogadon Ski Area in Casper is closed for Thanksgiving Weekend, citing warm winter temperatures. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and Snow King Resort in Jackson are also closed.

Grand Targhee Resort's opening date of Friday the 16th was postponed due to a lack of snow. But they did finally open on Wednesday, with a 41-inch base.

By Addie Goss

Laramie, WY – Yesterday U.S. Senator John Barrasso had three Thanksgiving dinners with Wyoming troops serving in Iraq.

Barrasso was traveling in Iraq with a small congressional delegation and others. The group met with Iraq's top military commander and the U.S. ambassador.

By AP

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator John Barrasso, R-Wyo., plans to spend Thanksgiving in Iraq, where he will meet with American troops and top military commanders.

Barrasso is joining a small congressional delegation led by Senators John McCain, R-Ariz., and Joseph Lieberman, I-Ct. Barrasso says the delegation plans to examine several areas of the country.

Barrasso says this is his first opportunity to see first-hand the job being done by the nation's military in Iraq.