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VIRUS OUTBREAK-WYOMING
Wyoming approves countywide mask mandate for Teton County
JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming has approved a countywide mask mandate with some exceptions in Teton County during the coronavirus pandemic. The Jackson Hole News & Guide reported that State Health Officer Alexia Harrist signed the order Monday, hours after the Teton County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a resolution for the mandate. Her signature was required to make the order law. The mandate is in effect through July 31. People who have a physical or mental health reason to not wear masks are exempt under the order and do not need to provide documentation. The mandate is intended to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
CONGRESS-LIZ CHENEY
Conservatives lash out at Liz Cheney over Trump criticism
WASHINGTON (AP) — A small group of lawmakers has confronted House Republican Conference Chair Liz Cheney for what they said was disloyalty to President Donald Trump. According to people familiar with Tuesday's closed-door meeting, the lawmakers called out Cheney for her support of Dr. Anthony Fauci and for her support for a primary challenger to a fellow Republican lawmaker. One of the people familiar with the exchange says Cheney didn’t back down in the meeting and did not apologize for breaking with Trump. The confrontation comes as the president has struggled with a response to the coronavirus pandemic and Republicans in Congress have been somewhat split on his handling of the crisis.
WYOMING UNEMPLOYMENT
Virus restrictions eased, Wyoming unemployment fell in June
CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming’s unemployment rate fell in June as state officials lifted some public health orders for slowing spread of the coronavirus. June unemployment in Wyoming was 7.6%, down from 8.8% in May. The June rate was well below the nationwide figure of 11.1% and was third-lowest in the U.S. The Casper Star-Tribune reports Natrona County had Wyoming’s highest unemployment rate, 11%, while Albany County had the lowest, 4.5%. Teton County had the largest drop in unemployment. Park, Sheridan and Sublette counties also saw significant drops in unemployment. Some public-health orders regulating large gatherings remain in effect in Wyoming amid a resurgence of the virus.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-WYOMING
University of Wyoming drafts plan for fall COVID-19 closures
LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) — University of Wyoming officials have released a plan to respond to any surge in the coronavirus on campus after students return to campus in the fall. The plan includes options for targeted and short-term closures that would be less drastic than the months-long closure that happened after the coronavirus spread in the state last spring. The Laramie Boomerang reports the draft plan would call for the temporary closure of specific buildings or classrooms if as few as one person tests positive for the coronavirus or if people disregard requirements like wearing masks. The entire campus could be closed for up to two weeks if a wider outbreak happens.
COAL-CLIMATE CHANGE
States try again to block coal sales that Trump revived
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A coalition of states is renewing its push to stop the Trump administration from selling coal from public lands after a previous effort to halt the sales was dismissed by a federal judge. Democratic attorneys general from California, New York, New Mexico and Washington on Monday sued the administration over its coal program. They allege the administration acted illegally when it resumed coal sales that had been halted under Obama due to climate change and other concerns. Under Trump, the Department of Interior lifted a moratorium on federal coal sales and concluded they have limited environmental impacts.
BC-US-TRUMP-PUBLIC LANDS
Montana governor: Federal land agency boss acting illegally
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Montana Gov. Steve Bullock is suing the Trump administration to block the acting director of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management from continuing in the position unless he’s been confirmed by the Senate. Bullock said Monday that federal law prohibits William Perry Pendley from leading the agency while his nomination by President Donald Trump last month is pending. The bureau is a branch of the Interior Department that oversees nearly a quarter-billion public acres in the West. Administration officials called the lawsuit “nonsense” and say Pendley was never formally named acting director even though he was exercising that authority.
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