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SAGE GROUSE-LAND RULING
Judge vacates directive over energy lease public comments
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A judge in Idaho has overturned a federal directive to curtail environmental review and eliminate mandatory public comment periods concerning oil and gas leasing on some public lands. The Center for Biological Diversity says in a statement that the U.S. magistrate judge vacated five oil and gas leases in Nevada, Utah and Wyoming, ruling the federal Bureau of Land Management failed to allow the public participation required by law. The ruling Thursday was connected to a broader lawsuit challenging the Bureau of Land Management’s federal oil and gas leasing practices across 3,125 square miles of greater sage-grouse habitat.
AIR AMBULANCE-INSURER DEAL
Air ambulance provider, insurer agree to in-network contract
CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — An air ambulance company in Wyoming has agreed to an in-network contract with the largest insurer in the state amid concerns over the cost of emergency trips. The Casper Star-Tribune reported Wednesday that Air Methods reached the agreement last week with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming that would provide its members with its care services at discounted in-network rates. Company officials say the agreement aims to protect residents from balanced billing, when an insurer pays a certain amount for a medical service and leaves the remaining amount for the patient.
UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING-GORSUCH
US Supreme Court justice to speak at University of Wyoming
CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — U.S. Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch is scheduled to speak at the University of Wyoming law school in September. Gorsuch will be on campus Sept. 16-17 for the 100th anniversary of he law school. He will speak at an event about access to justice Sept. 17. The event will be open to the public but tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets for university students and employees are $10 and for the general public $25. The Casper Star-Tribune reports Gorsuch will speak at the law school's centennial gala the night of Sept. 17. Tickets to that event will be $175.
GRAVESIDE KILLINGS
Man held in Wyoming in California cemetery killings
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Authorities say a man wanted for killing three people in a Southern California cemetery has been arrested in Wyoming. Jose Luis Torres Garcia was taken into custody Thursday during a traffic stop in Cheyenne. The Riverside County Sheriff's Department in California has said Garcia acted alone and he knew the three victims. The three men were killed at the same time and found Feb. 17 at the Perris Valley Cemetery east of Los Angeles. Officials also said they discovered 15 pounds of marijuana in the vehicle when Garcia was stopped. It was not immediately clear if Garcia had an attorney who could speak on his behalf.
TRAIN SAFETY BILL
Wyoming House passes bill mandating freight train crew sizes
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — The Wyoming House of Representatives has advanced legislation to the Senate that would mandate crews of two persons or more on all class-one freight trains in the state. The Casper Star-Tribune reports the vote Thursday is considered a significant win for labor on a topic many consider to be a collective bargaining issue. The legislation would essentially take minimum sizes for train crews off the table as firms like BNSF and Union Pacific negotiate with rail workers. Democratic Rep. Stan Blake sponsored the measure that failed in past sessions, but experienced momentum this year with organized labor support.
GRAND TETON GOATS
Grand Teton: 36 mountain goats killed in helicopter shooting
JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) — Officials say sharpshooters killed 36 mountain goats from a helicopter in a contested effort to eradicate the nonnative animals from Grand Teton National Park. Park officials released the tally to the Jackson Hole News & Guide on Tuesday, four days after Interior Secretary David Bernhardt intervened to stop the shooting on the day it began. Park officials want to kill the park's population of 100 or so mountain goats, which compete with about 100 bighorn sheep for food and can spread disease to the native animals. Wyoming officials including Gov. Mark Gordon oppose the helicopter gunning, saying it causes the goat meat to go to waste.
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