Wyoming News Briefs

University of Wyoming board accepts fee increase

CASPER (WNE) —The University of Wyoming Board of Trustees approved changes to the fee schedule for next school year. 

Most of the fee schedule increases are annual increases related to rising costs and inflation. However, there were also increases for student affairs and budget resolutions. 

Consolidated Student Services pays for the maintenance and upkeep of the union building. However, the fee schedule change request states that the current collected fee amount does not meet the increasing demand of maintenance and operational needs. The board in turn agreed to increase the fee by $20 in addition to the regularly scheduled 4% increase. 

Students also pay a fee to pay off the campus’s bond debt from 2012. Due to decreased enrollment, the current fee does not meet the college’s financial obligations, according to the document. The board accepted an increase of $20. 

Between these two changes, the college is expected to rake in over $900,000 more than this year. 

The only campus-wide fee to decrease was the student media fee. It was proposed to the committee to decrease the fee by 75%. Instead of the 75% decrease, the committee agreed to an 8.5% decrease based on the carry-over amount in the student media fund. This decrease was originally suggested by student media. 

On-campus housing will also see increases in both rent and utilities. The Landmark, River Village, Spanish Walk and Bison Run apartments will see a rent increase of up to 1% of their current rate. The board also approved the use of a pricing model that would increase the cost of new residence halls and decrease the cost of old ones.

Skier dies at Jackson Hole ski area

JACKSON (WNE) — A skier died Saturday after a fall Friday at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, officials said.

Kenneth Sait, 82, apparently fell Friday on the Sun Dog ski run, said Teton County Deputy Coroner Russ Nelson.

No other individuals were involved in the incident, the release said.

After being found unconscious at around 9:13 a.m., the man was taken by Jackson Hole Ski Patrol to St. John’s Health’s Urgent Care at Teton Village at 9:30 a.m., resort officials said in a release. He was later transported to St. John’s Health in Jackson, where he died at 7 a.m. Saturday, Nelson said.

The cause of death and Sait’s town of residence is still pending, Nelson said Sunday.

This is the first death at the resort this year following three skier deaths in 2024.

Bill could eliminate sales tax for firearms, archery implements

SHERIDAN (WNE) — A bill to eliminate the sales tax for firearms and archery implements is advancing in the Wyoming Senate.

Senate File 58, “Elimination of sales tax on firearms,” would do exactly as the bill title states: remove sales tax from the purchase of firearms. But after an amendment from Sen. Larry Hicks, R-Baggs, archery implements such as a bow, crossbow, arrows, arrow points, bolts and broadheads would also be included on the exemption.

The primary bill sponsor Sen. Jared Olsen, R-Cheyenne, said he feels owning a firearm for self-defense, hunting or sport is a fundamental right granted by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. As such, he said “we should make it as affordable as possible for the average Wyomingite.”

Wyoming would become the first state to eliminate sales tax on firearms purchases if the bill passes.

“I think Wyoming has an opportunity to hold itself out to be a very pro-Second Amendment state by eliminating the sales tax,” Olsen said.

Sen. Chris Rothfuss, D-Laramie, said many Wyomingites own guns and are not struggling to purchase them.

“I don’t feel like it’s a struggle we’re trying to resolve,” Rothfuss said.

The firearm exemption would fall under the economic incentive category for sales tax exemptions in Wyoming statute. It would be in the same category as aircraft repair; computer software; the sale of farm implements; the sale of equipment to build a new coal gasification or coal liquefaction facility; and the sale of newspapers.

Sen. Cale Case, R-Lander, was also critical of removing a sales tax.

LIEAP helps with winter heating emergencies

CHEYENNE (WNE) —Wyoming Low Income Energy Assistance Program provides critical assistance to eligible low-income families to help them cover heating emergencies like broken furnaces, empty fuel tanks and utility issues.

Additionally, if a family’s heating system is struggling or fuel is running low, LIEAP can help before it becomes critical.

Here’s how LIEAP’s no heat crisis assistance and prevention services can help:

• Broken heating systems: Homeowners experiencing a heating system failure like a broken furnace may qualify for repairs or replacements. Licensed HVAC technicians complete the work through the Weatherization Assistance Program.

• Empty propane tanks or low fuel supplies: Families running low or out of propane, wood pellets or other fuel types can request refills or special deliveries to avoid interruptions to their heating supply.

• Utility issues: Assistance is available for utility deposits and resolving disconnect/shutoff notices to restore or maintain service.

• Propane tank setup and fills: The program covers tank setup and fuel costs.

Apply for crisis assistance and prevention services at lieapwyo.org or call 1-800-246-4221. 

Applications that indicate a crisis — such as lost heat, insufficient fuel or impending disconnection — are expedited, ensuring that households receive timely support. Specific response times may vary based on the situation.

LIEAP’s crisis and prevention assistance is available until April 15 and may extend further if Wyoming faces severe weather conditions or rising fuel costs. LIEAP makes payments directly to utility companies and vendors.

Drug overdose reporting bill ‘is about saving lives’

SHERIDAN (WNE) — In 2022, there were 126 overdose deaths in Wyoming according to the Center for Disease Control.

Senate File 74, “Immunity for drug overdose reporting,” which would offer protections to Wyomingites who report or experience a drug overdose, could help reduce that number by about one in six. The bill is advancing in the Wyoming Senate. 

“We have an opportunity to stop one of them. That’s amazing,” Sen. Chris Rothfuss, D-Laramie, said. “There aren’t a lot of other things that we do in here where we have the potential to make that much of a difference.”

According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, Wyoming is currently one of ten states without a law granting immunity to someone who calls 911 for drug overdoses.

That protection would extend to all Wyomingites.

The bill exempts people whose overdose is called in by another person from prosecution for the first two incidents. The bill does not include a limit for someone calling to seek help for themselves or others.

Sen. John Kolb, R-Rock Springs, said the bill — which aims to help people — should also include a provision to explicitly provide the ability to seek treatment for people who overdose. He said he doesn’t want to enable people who continue to abuse drugs or opioids.

The Senate approved the bill on the first reading Friday with a voice vote. A roll call vote could occur as early as Tuesday on third reading.

Lawmakers speaking in favor of the bill from the Senate floor urged their colleagues’ support.

“This bill is about saving lives,” said Sen. Evie Brennan, R-Cheyenne.

Economic Analysis Division releases quarterly MACRO Report

CHEYENNE (WNE) — The number of jobs and oil and gas production in the state were all up at the end of 2024, but so were gas prices, according to the MACRO Report, a quarterly publication that provides an overview of Wyoming’s economy based on employment, energy, state revenues and other indicators.

Highlights from this quarter’s issue include the following: 

(1) Year-over-year total jobs in the state were up 1.1% (+3,200) in the month of November 2024.

(2) West Texas Intermediate oil prices in December 2024 averaged $70.12/barrel, $1.78 less than December 2023. Henry Hub natural gas prices averaged $3.02/MMBtu in December 2024, up $0.50 year-over-year.

(3) Oil (+11.6%) and natural gas (+5.2%) production have both increased calendar year-to-date through October (January-October 2024) compared to the same time period in 2023, while coal production has declined (-20.8%).

(4) Wyoming’s 2024 third-quarter real gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 1.9% at an annualized rate from the previous quarter. This increase was lower than the Rocky Mountain region (+3.5%) and the United States (+3.1%).

(5) Statewide sales and use tax collections through the first six months of fiscal year 2025 (July-December 2024) were 3.3% lower than they were in fiscal year 2024.

(6) Statewide severance tax collections (cash based) through the first six months of fiscal year 2025 are 9.6% lower than they were in fiscal year 2024.

See the December 2024 issue of the Wyoming MACRO Report at tinyurl.com/dec-24-macro.

Barrasso bill would support ranchers, livestock grazing

CHEYENNE (WNE) — John Barrasso, R-Wyo., on Thursday introduced the Resiliency for Ranching and Natural Conservation Health Act. This legislation would promote resilient and healthy rangelands and effective grazing management across the West, according to a news release from Barrasso’s office.

“Livestock grazing plays a critical role for Wyoming’s ranchers to maintain rangeland health and protect their livelihoods,” Barrasso said in the release. “All across America, we depend on our hardworking ranchers. The RANCH Act gives them the support they need to work through natural disasters and efficiently navigate permits and grazing rights. Our bill promotes robust rangeland for livestock, creates habitats for wildlife and makes life easier for Wyoming’s ranching communities.”

Cosponsors of this legislation include U.S. Sens. Cynthia Lummis. R-Wyo.; Mike Rounds, R-S.D.; Jim Risch, R-Idaho; and Tim Sheehy, R-Mont.

If passed into law, the RANCH Act would

• Allow temporary use of vacant grazing allotments during extreme events/disasters

• Extend the period of grazing permits/ leases for up to 20 years, when certain conditions are met

• Provide responsive and nimble management through the use of a categorical exclusion for renewal of certain grazing permits/leases and for certain actions during extreme events/disasters.

Torrington crimes drop in 2024

TORRINGTON (WNE) — Crime in Torrington was down in 2024, according to the Torrington Police Department.

Overall, the department recorded 232 incidents of crime last year, down from 271 in 2023 and 281 in 2022. 

Broken down by category, there were decreases—at least minor—in sex offenses, assaults, burglaries, thefts (including motor vehicle theft), vandalism, and drug offenses. 

This reduction aligns with the downward trend, particularly in violent crime, reported nationally by the FBI over the past few years. 

The only offenses that saw an increase were forgery and fraud. Fraud incidents went from six in 2023 to eleven in 2024. 

“One of the evolving threats to members of our community that I would like to underscore is the growing risk of scams,” said Torrington Chief of Police Matt Johnson, who said the increase in cases of fraud is primarily through telephone calls or the internet.  

“As we have become more dependent on technology, we are ever more susceptible to sophisticated criminals who have learned to manipulate people and technology to their advantage,” he said. “Unfortunately, many of the perpetrators who commit these crimes, do so from outside of the United States, where there is virtually no recourse for their actions.”

Johnson stressed the importance of prevention against fraud.

“We continue to implore members of our community to exercise the very highest levels of caution with their personal information and when they are contacted about financial or relationship concerns,” Johnson said. 

Hageman calls for U.S. Postal Service plan to be suspended

CHEYENNE (WNE) — U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyo., signed a letter to President Trump, led by Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Mich., calling on the president to suspend the U.S. Postal Service’s “Delivering for America” (DFA) plan, citing its harmful impact on rural and remote communities.

Hageman and her colleagues expressed serious concerns over how key elements of the plan have created significant delays and inefficiencies, particularly for rural Americans who rely heavily on USPS for essential services.

“USPS has a fundamental duty to serve all Americans, including and especially those in rural and remote areas,” Hageman said in a news release. “Unfortunately, the so-called ‘Delivering for America’ plan has resulted in substantial delays for U.S. citizens.” 

The DFA plan, introduced in 2021, was intended as a ten-year strategy to address USPS’s financial challenges and operational inefficiencies. 

However, the plan’s facility consolidations and the Regional Transportation Optimization (RTO) initiative will disproportionately affect rural communities, the release said. 

Centralizing smaller processing facilities into regional hubs has resulted in mail being carried longer distances, sometimes across state lines, before being delivered locally, significantly delaying mail delivery timelines.

Cody again named a ‘Top Western Town’ by True West magazine

POWELL (WNE) — For the second consecutive year, Cody has been named a “Top Western Town” by the editors of True West magazine. 

“I guess our roots are showing, but in a good way,” said Ryan Hauck, executive director of the Park County Travel Council. “We embrace our Western heritage and always do our best to remain faithful to our goal of authenticity.” 

Founded in 1896 by Colonel William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, the town has been a destination for many generations of travelers seeking a Western experience as well as those on their way to or from Yellowstone National Park. 

The Cody region is known for its rodeo, dude/guest ranches, fly fishing, museums (including the Smithsonian-affiliated Buffalo Bill Center of the West) and more. In recent years the region has become well-known for its recreational offerings with hiking, camping, rock climbing and horseback riding in warm weather and skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and ice climbing in winter. 

The Irma Hotel was also recognized as one of the “Best Who Slept Here” hotels for the second year in a row. The Irma was built in 1902 by Buffalo Bill Cody and named after his daughter. Historic rooms include those used by Annie Oakley, Calamity Jane, Frederic Remington and Cody himself.