Associated Press

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The economy remains strong in rural areas of 10 Midwest and Plains states because of the health of agricultural businesses there.

The overall economic index on the new monthly Rural Mainstreet survey rose to 58

Read More|Comment

MONTROSE, Colo. (AP) — Forest managers are asking for greater flexibility to deal with a bark beetle epidemic that has ravaged forests.

According to the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, witnesses told a congressional hearing on Monday that the epidemic poses a serious to local communities and firefighters

Read More|Comment

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A security assessment of the State Capitol building in Cheyenne questions the state’s ability to respond to or prevent a violent incident.

Specifically, the assessment advised that Wyoming should increase its security staffing levels if it wants to continue the Capitol’s open environment

Read More|Comment

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — The Wyoming Department of Health is calling attention to the aging of the state’s population and says residents should consider how to address that trend.

The 2010 census found that 12 percent of Wyoming’s population was 65 years old or older

Read More|Comment

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming’s state health officer is urging people who spend time around babies to get vaccinated against whooping cough.

The Wyoming Department of Health reports that Montana is experiencing local outbreaks of whooping cough

Read More|Comment

LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) — The University of Wyoming Board of Trustees is scheduled to hear a presentation on possible budget cuts for next year.

Falling energy revenues prompted Gov. Matt Mead to order state agencies to prepare for 8-percent budget cuts in the fiscal year that starts July 2013

Read More|Comment

ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo. (AP) — The body of a man missing in the Flaming Gorge Reservoir for 15 years may have been found.

Forty-three-year-old Richard Herren apparently fell into the reservoir while fishing with his wife and another man on May 4, 1997

Read More|Comment

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming legislators will consider further changes to state pension programs ahead of next year’s legislative session.

The Wyoming Tribune-Eagle reports (http://bit.ly/Jq5GKj) that the Legislature passed multiple laws this year that blocked cost-of-living adjustments for most retirees and modified benefits for new employees

Read More|Comment

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — The Wyoming Supreme Court has agreed to decide Secretary of State Max Maxfield’s lawsuit challenging term limits for statewide elected officials.

Chief Justice Marilyn S. Kite

Read More|Comment