By Peter O'Dowd

By CJ Baker

Laramie, WY – Wyoming's ongoing drought could actually result in better fishing this fall and winter. Erin Smith of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department in Lander says dry conditions and low water levels have stressed the state's fish. Drought has dried up habitat and brought higher temperatures to lakes and streams. But Smith says these tough living conditions can make for easier fishing.

Laramie, WY – A leader of a bison advocacy group has
been convicted of a misdemeanor, for obstructing a peace officer
while filming a bison hazing last spring.

Dan Brister is project director for the Buffalo Field Campaign.

He's been fined $585 and sentenced to six months probation. Brister
says he might appeal his conviction.

He was arrested last May, as the Montana Department of Livestock
was pushing 300 to 400 bison back into Yellowstone National Park.

Laramie, WY – Newly appointed Wyoming Senator John Barrasso has already raised more than $650,000 to get an early start on his election bid next year.

Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal appointed the Republican to replace Senator Craig Thomas, who died in early June. Barrasso must run for election in November 2008 to fill out Thomas's term.

By Peter O'Dowd

Wyoming – Roman Catholics and some other religions refuse to officially ordain women in their churches. The thinking is that women have always been excluded. But a Theology professor who is visiting the University of Wyoming this week says that is not the case. Santa Clara University professor Gary Macy is the author of a new book called the Hidden History of women's ordination.

Casper, Wy – Wyoming Representative Barbara Cubin has
missed almost half of all House votes this year. She says she's
been forced to stay away from the Capitol due to her husband's
illness, the recent death of her brother, and her own broken foot
last month.
Cubin says it's been an extraordinarily difficult year for her
family. She spoke to The Associated Press on Tuesday from the
Wyoming Medical Center in Casper.
Cubin's husband, Doctor Fritz Cubin, is scheduled to undergo

By Peter O'Dowd

Cheyenne, WY – A joint transportation committee has delayed action on a bill that would establish a toll road along Interstate 80. Lawmakers have been discussing the toll on commercial trucks to make up for dwindling federal dollars that maintain Wyoming highways. Senator Michael Von Flatern (flait-urn) is chairman of Senate Transportation Committee. He says the trucking industry would support the bill.

Laramie, WY – The Wyoming officer who shot an escaped killer from Utah is back on the beat after his bosses determined his actions were justified.

Cpl. Mike Picerno of the Sweetwater County sheriff's office was placed on paid leave after shooting Danny Gallegos at the end of a high-speed chase Sept. 29.

Sheriff Rich Haskell says Corporal Picerno and others had to take swift, effective action to stop the escaped prisoners who were armed and considered dangerous.

Laramie, WY – The Interior Department says it's doing all it can to account for billions of dollars, owed to American Indian landholders.

That's what a department official told a federal court today in Washington, DC, in legal arguments over the Indians' 11-year-old lawsuit against the government.

The suit claims the government has mismanaged more than 100 billion dollaras in oil, gas, timber and other royalties, held in trust from their lands dating back to 1887.