Laramie, WY – Newly appointed Wyoming Senator John Barrasso has already raised more than $650,000 to get an early start on his election bid next year.

Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal appointed the Republican to replace Senator Craig Thomas, who died in early June. Barrasso must run for election in November 2008 to fill out Thomas's term.

By Peter O'Dowd

Wyoming – Roman Catholics and some other religions refuse to officially ordain women in their churches. The thinking is that women have always been excluded. But a Theology professor who is visiting the University of Wyoming this week says that is not the case. Santa Clara University professor Gary Macy is the author of a new book called the Hidden History of women's ordination.

Casper, Wy – Wyoming Representative Barbara Cubin has
missed almost half of all House votes this year. She says she's
been forced to stay away from the Capitol due to her husband's
illness, the recent death of her brother, and her own broken foot
last month.
Cubin says it's been an extraordinarily difficult year for her
family. She spoke to The Associated Press on Tuesday from the
Wyoming Medical Center in Casper.
Cubin's husband, Doctor Fritz Cubin, is scheduled to undergo

By Peter O'Dowd

Cheyenne, WY – A joint transportation committee has delayed action on a bill that would establish a toll road along Interstate 80. Lawmakers have been discussing the toll on commercial trucks to make up for dwindling federal dollars that maintain Wyoming highways. Senator Michael Von Flatern (flait-urn) is chairman of Senate Transportation Committee. He says the trucking industry would support the bill.

Laramie, WY – The Wyoming officer who shot an escaped killer from Utah is back on the beat after his bosses determined his actions were justified.

Cpl. Mike Picerno of the Sweetwater County sheriff's office was placed on paid leave after shooting Danny Gallegos at the end of a high-speed chase Sept. 29.

Sheriff Rich Haskell says Corporal Picerno and others had to take swift, effective action to stop the escaped prisoners who were armed and considered dangerous.

Laramie, WY – The Interior Department says it's doing all it can to account for billions of dollars, owed to American Indian landholders.

That's what a department official told a federal court today in Washington, DC, in legal arguments over the Indians' 11-year-old lawsuit against the government.

The suit claims the government has mismanaged more than 100 billion dollaras in oil, gas, timber and other royalties, held in trust from their lands dating back to 1887.

By Rebecca Huntington

Jackson Hole, WY – Business leaders and policymakers say squabbling over which type of energy is best to combat climate change only delays action. At the climate summit in Jackson, experts say all available technologies will be needed to balance the world's increasing demand for energy against the risks of climate change. The President of GE Gasification, John Lavelle, says the wisest bet right now is to invest in as many different options as possible.

By Rebecca Huntington

Jackson Hole, WY – Business leaders predict dealing with climate change could mean big business for Wyoming. Attorney Kipp Coddington represents companies interested in carbon sequestration, that is, pumping carbon dioxide from burning coal underground, instead of venting it into the atmosphere. He says Wyoming has not only the right geology but also the right attitude to take advantage of the budding technology. Coddington spoke at the University of Wyoming's climate summit in Jackson.

Laramie, Wy – The lawyer for a University of Wyoming
student accused of violating school policy in a drinking incident
last month says UW officials are violating the student's
due-process rights.
UW officials last week announced that they were temporarily
suspending all activities at the Sigma Nu fraternity following
reports that students were dangerously intoxicated at an event
there.
Sara Axelson is vice president for student affairs at UW. She
said last week that the dean of students office there was holding