Casper, Wy – Both Congresswoman Barbara Cubin and her
Democratic Party opponent are criticizing an ad by an outside
organization that pokes fun at Cubin's confrontation with
Libertarian challenger Thomas Rankin.
The ad, titled "Slap," began airing Sunday and is scheduled to
run through Wednesday on television stations in Casper and
Cheyenne.
David Donnelly is director of Campaign Money Watch, part of a
nonpartisan group that is working to change campaign finance laws.

By Elsa Heidorn

Laramie, WY – Congresswoman Barbara Cubin says the American people deserve to know the specifics about some of the president's benchmarks. Those are signs of progress that the President expects the new Iraqi government to achieve. The president also said that the American people have limited patience when it comes to the continuing violence in Iraq. But Cubin says Wyoming residents have not run out of patience yet.

Cheyenne, Wy – A new poll shows Congresswoman Barbara
Cubin and Democrat Gary Trauner are about even in the race for
Wyoming's lone U-S House seat.
The poll in today's Wyoming Tribune-Eagle shows 44 percent of
likely voters would support Cubin. That's about three-and-a-half
points ahead of Trauner, who polled at just over 40 percent. The
rest were undecided or backed Libertarian Thomas Rankin or other
candidates.
That slim difference is within the margin of error, which means
the race could be tied.

Sundance, Wy – A compromise Eminent Domain measure was adopted by a joint legislative committee. The bill is a joint effort between some agriculture groups and members of the energy industry. But some landowner groups thinks the bill is too weak. One group that wants changes is the Powder River Basin Resource Council. Director John Vanvig says they want a bill with strong landowner protections, something he does not think this current bill provides. A Stock Growers Association official says they tried to compromise on a bill that has a good chance of passing the legislature.

Casper, Wy – While Senator Craig Thomas admits some changes are probably needed in how the country is fighting the war in Iraq his Democratic opponent says there is no question that change is needed. Dale Groutage agrees with Thomas that the U-S needs more support from other countries. But he says they need more Middle Eastern help. Groutage says the war is the biggest mess he has seen in most of his life but he says finding diplomatic solutions is better then just pulling troops out.

Laramie, WY – The state's efforts to help companies get a better price for natural gas from Wyoming will likely mean higher gas bills for Wyoming residents. Some Wyoming residents might end up paying 25 percent more for natural gas. But the chairman of the Wyoming Pipeline Authority, Mark Doelger, says the benefit from Wyoming's investments in gas pipelines is ten times larger than the cost of higher gas bills. The pipeline authority has had a hand in building gas pipelines to the Midwest. Companies can sell Wyoming gas at a higher price in the Midwest than they can get in the West.

Laramie, WY – The rate of home foreclosures is up nationwide, but the foreclosure rate in Wyoming is second-lowest in the nation. A study conducted by the Mortgage Bankers Association says Wyoming's energy boom is the reason for the low foreclosure rates. The group points out that home prices statewide are up. That means if people get into financial trouble in Wyoming, they can sell their homes quickly.

By Bob Beck

Laramie, WY – Calling the war a horrific problem, Wyoming US Senate candidate Dale Groutage wants the United States to come up with an entirely new plan in Iraq. He suggests getting Middle Eastern stakeholders to develop a new solution. But one thing the Democrat does not favor is a military withdrawal.

Casper, Wy – State lawmakers are looking at gradually
increasing coursework requirements for students to qualify for the
Hathaway Scholarship over the next several years.
Yesterday (Wednesday) the Legislature's Joint Education
Committee discussed minimal requirements that would go into effect
in 2008.
The requirements would then be increased through the Class of
2011.
Students currently don't have to take any particular classes to
get the scholarship. They only have to meet minimum A-C-T and

Laramie, Wy – A friend who's scaled peaks with renowned
rock climber Todd Skinner says Skinner sometimes used gear beyond
its life span, something that may have led to his death.
Skinner plunged to his death Monday in Yosemite National Park
while climbing an imposing rock face near Bridalveil Fall.
It will take authorities days -- possibly weeks -- to officially
determine why Skinner fell 500 feet to his death.
A witness says as Skinner lowered himself down the rock wall, a