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CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Roads are reopening after blowing snow closed routes across much of southern Wyoming. Interstate 80 and U.S. 287 in southern Wyoming reopened Friday afternoon. South of Rock Springs, Wyoming 430 reopened to local traffic but U.S. 191 remained closed. The National Weather Service has posted a blizzard warning for the Arlington area through Saturday morning. The Wyoming Department of Transportation warns of an “extreme blow-over risk” for tractor-trailers and other light, high-profile vehicles between Cheyenne and the Arlington area. The Weather Service says strong winds will continue in southeastern and central Wyoming through Saturday night. Gusts up to 75 mph could occur in some areas.
CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Members of the Wyoming congressional delegation in Washington have signed an amicus brief asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a case protecting the right to have an abortion without excessive restriction from the government. Casper Star-Tribune reported that the brief filed Thursday argues criteria for the 1973 abortion rights ruling in Roe v. Wade for what qualifies as an undue burden on abortion access are unworkable. State officials say the three Wyoming lawmakers have been consistent voters against abortion rights. Officials say the brief includes 39 Republican senators and 168 representatives, only two are Democrats.
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A conservative group and the American Civil Liberties Union both support a state lawmaker's plan to try again to repeal the death penalty in Wyoming. Republican Rep. Jared Olsen of Cheyenne said Thursday he will sponsor a death-penalty repeal bill during a legislative session that begins Feb. 10. Conservatives Concerned about the Death Penalty, a group with Montana roots that now has an office in Wyoming, also supports the effort. Lawmakers have introduced or drafted death-penalty repeal bills for several years. Last year, a repeal bill got far more support than usual, clearing the House and several committee votes before defeat in the Senate.
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — One of the largest coal-fired power plants in the western U.S. will close two of its four units within days as the Montana facility edges toward an eventual total shutdown. Talen Energy spokeswoman Taryne Williams said Thursday that Colstrip Units 1 and 2 will close by Jan. 5 or as soon as they run out of coal. The plant that started producing electricity in 1975 and employs about 300 people has become increasingly uneconomical amid competition from renewable energy and cheap natural gas. Williams says the company wants to avoid layoffs and employees for now will turn to decommissioning work that will last through mid-2020.
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