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VIRUS OUTBREAK-WYOMING

Wyoming governor: Coronavirus risk to state still low

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon says there's no immediate cause for alarm but it's increasingly likely that the new coronavirus will appear in the state. So far, Wyoming has no reported cases. Gordon said at a news conference Tuesday the risk the disease in Wyoming remains low. Even so, he says the Wyoming Department of Health is preparing a response based on its existing plans for pandemic flu. Gordon says state officials are preparing to be able to test for the coronavirus at the Wyoming Public Health Laboratory. He says state officials will screen Wyoming National Guard troops for the virus upon return from overseas.

NEW COAL MINE

Permit application for new Wyoming coal mine clears hurdle

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming officials have determined that an application for a permit for the state's first major new coal mine in decades is technically complete. The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality's determination helps clear the way for Ramaco Carbon's proposed mine north of Sheridan. After a 60-day public comment period, department Director Todd Parfitt will decide whether to issue the permit for the surface mine. Ramaco seeks the coal to research turning coal into carbon-based products. The company first applied to mine in 2014. The Casper Star-Tribune reports local residents and a landowners' group still worry the mine would cause subsidence and groundwater problems.

SLEEPING GIANT SKI AREA

Foundation: Wyoming ski, recreational area to remain open

CODY, Wyo. (AP) — Yellowstone Recreations Foundation said in a statement that a Wyoming ski and recreational area will remain open after previously planning to suspend operations for the 2020-2021 season. The Cody Enterprise reported Monday that Sleeping Giant Ski Area had been scheduled to close over financial concerns after reopening in 2009. The mountain originally closed in 2004 because of similar monetary issues. No changes have been planned for the summer zipline business, which could also be affected if ski operations stop. Foundation officials say the mountain is committed to continuing operations, and is exploring its options to stay in business.

FIRE FUNDS-ARRESTS

Wyoming fire chief, wife, accused of foundation fund theft

GREEN RIVER, Wyo. (AP) — Authorities in southwest Wyoming have arrested a fire chief and his wife for allegedly embezzling funds. Green River Fire Chief Michael Nomis is charged with felony theft and wrongful appropriation of public property. Stephanie Nomis is charged with felony theft. Sweetwater County sheriff's officials said Monday their arrests followed an investigation into at least $125,000 missing from Green River Fire Department Foundation accounts. The accounts included three funded by local organizations and businesses for expenditures including equipment and victim services, and a “social fund” funded directly from the paychecks of the department's volunteer firefighters. The couple were jailed without bond and did not return messages seeking comment.

SUICIDE RATE

Wyoming suicide rate in 2018 was second-highest in nation

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — A new report says Wyoming had the second-highest suicide rate in the United States in 2018. The Casper Star-Tribune reported an American Association of Suicidology study released earlier this month found 25.4 out of every 100,000 Wyoming residents took their own lives in 2018. The figure fell from 2017 when Wyoming had more than 27 people per 100,000 people who died by suicide. Wyoming's age group with the highest rate of suicide was between 20 and 24 years old. The 2018 national suicide rate was 14.8 per 100,000 people. New Mexico had the highest rate with 25.6 that year.

ELECTION 2020-SENATE-WYOMING

Major GOP donor Friess decides against Wyoming US Senate run

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Republican mega-donor Foster Friess has decided not to run for an open U.S. Senate seat in Wyoming. Friess said Monday a Senate run would distract from his ongoing efforts to promote government spending transparency, school safety and other issues he feels are important. Friess is a 79-year-old investor and philanthropist from Jackson Hole who has donated millions to Republicans and conservative causes. He finished second in a six-way Republican gubernatorial primary in 2018. Former U.S. Rep. Cynthia Lummis so far is the only prominent Republican running to replace U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi, who plans to retire after four terms.