By AP

Cheyenne, Wyo. – The Wyoming House of Representatives has given preliminary approval to a bill that would make forgery of a drug prescription a felony.

House Speaker Colin Simpson is sponsoring the bill. The Cody Republican says he's heard from police that 10 people died from abuse of prescription drugs in three months last year.

Simpson says passing it would allow law enforcement agencies to charge people who forge prescriptions at an appropriate level.

By Bob Beck

Cheyenne, WY – The Wyoming Senate is debating a bill that would make it clear that someone who pleads guilty of misdemeanor domestic violence will lose their gun rights.

This comes after federal courts rejected a Wyoming law that tried to get around federal law. The state law would have allowed someone convicted of domestic violence to have their first conviction expunged, so they could regain their gun rights. Lander Senator Cale Case says this is a rare instance where a misdemeanor will cost you a constitutional right.

Laramie, Wyo. – A prominent voice for equality in Wyoming says history will remember President Barack Obama for unifying the country in troubled times, rather than as America's first black chief executive.

Harriett Elizabeth Byrd's 12-year career in the Wyoming Legislature began in 1980. For much of her time at the capitol, she fought for state recognition of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

Byrd is 82, and worked for the Obama campaign in Wyoming. She says she has been looking forward to the inauguration since he was elected in November.

By AP

Cheyenne, Wyo. – A House bill calls for setting a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison for a conviction of first-degree sexual assault against a minor.

The House Judiciary Committee voted to approve a bill that would increase the current penalty which can range from zero to 50 years in prison. The new bill would make it 15 to 50 years.

Republican Rep. Bryan Pedersen, of Cheyenne, presented the bill. He says it would fill a void in the state's statutes against sex offenders.

By Bob Beck

Cheyenne, Wyo. – Right now it is difficult to get a charter school started in Wyoming. The biggest hurdle is to get a local school board to agree with the concept. But the legislature is considering some bills that might make the process go more smoothly.

Cheyenne Representative Amy Edmonds is pleased that the House passed a bill that forces a school district and charter school proponents to work together on getting the school agreed upon before a legal timeline is imposed.

Wyoming – Newspapers have suffered through a terrible month. The Casper-Star Tribune slashed 15 jobs this week. Peter O'Dowd reports.

Wyoming – Wyoming is still the envy of many states when it comes to employment. But this state is not immune to the economic downturn. Joan Evans, the Director of the Department of Workforce Services, joins host Elsa Partan.

Wyoming – The Capitol can be a hectic place for first-time lawmakers. Bob Beck has the story.

Wyoming – Sadie Babits of the Environment report tells us that hunters have been using lead bullets for decades to kill game with little, if any, side effects. But new research finds that hunters may need to use more caution when choosing their bullets.

Wyoming – It's stalking awareness month, and Wyoming officials are asking people to pay attention. They say one in 12 women will be stalked in their lifetime. Bob Beck speaks with Safe Project Director Kelly Collini and Mike Ernst of the Laramie Police Department.