Laramie, Wy – The City of Laramie is moving forward with its comprehensive plan. Planner Roger Martin says they want to hear from community members about issues facing Laramie. As they look to the future one constant issue they will likely wrestle with is housing. Martin says finding affordable housing is always an issue but housing issues can be broad especially if you are looking to grow the economy. "good communities are healthy communities and people that come to them want to be in healthier neighborhoods".

By Renny MacKay

Pinedale, Wy – Several environmental groups have filed an appeal with the U-S department of the interior asking that it halt additional winter-time drilling on the pinedale anticline. The Bureau of land management granted energy company Questar permission to add new wells and complete wells during the upcoming winter....activities environmental groups say could affect big game migration and habitat. Wyoming Outdoor Council's Bruce Pendery says the groups haven't opposed winter drilling before but the additional wells go too far.

Washington D-C – House Republicans have dropped a provision in
budget legislation that would've allowed the sale of public lands
for mining.
Western senators had criticized the provision, which would've
overturned a congressional ban that prevents mineral companies from
buying public land at cheap prices if the land contains mineral
deposits.
Republican Representative Jim Gibbons of Nevada is author of the
mining legislation. He revised the provision yesterday, in an
attempt to gain Western support.

Cheyenne, Wy – A plan to try and help hospitals get more doctors was opposed by most interest groups and defeated by a legislative committee. Gillette Representative Tom Lubnau says he was trying to set up a situation where doctors affiliated with Hospitals could get benefits such as damage caps on their medical malpractice insurance. Lubnau checked and found that the bill was constitutional. He wanted to entice some private providers to work with hospitals see some of their patients.But the bill met lots of opposition.

Laramie, Wy – A fund for victims of last summer's
tornado in Wright has grown to more than 400-thousand dollars.
Donations poured into town coffers following the August disaster that damaged about a third of the town's homes and killed two people.
Town officials formed the Wright Community Disaster Relief committee to disburse the donated money. About a third of money has been distributed so far.
In all, 80 people have been helped, with 30 more applications partially processed.

Laramie, Wy – The Colorado River states are trying to think outside the box when it comes to stretching a supply already stressed by population growth and ongoing drought.
Wyoming and six other states have sent a letter to Interior Secretary Gale Norton - outlining proposals for dealing with or averting shortages.
The focus is on three areas, including augmenting the river's flow.

Cheyenne, Wy – In an attempt to get tough on Child sex offenders the legislature's Judiciary Committee approved a bill that would give some offenders life without parole. It would apply to those convicted of two such offenses. Governor Dave Freudenthal spoke in support of the bill Monday. He says evidence shows these people cannot be rehabilitated.

Laramie, Wy – Grand Teton National Park and the John D-
Rockefeller, Junior, Memorial Parkway are scheduled to open for the winter season on December 21st.
Park officials say that snowmobiling will be allowed on the Continental Divide Snowmobile Trail and the Grassy Lake Road.
Snowmobiles will also be permitted on Jackson Lake, but only for anglers. All snowmobiles must comply with air-quality regulations.
The fee for snowmobiling will be 15-dollars for one day and 20-dollars for seven days.

Cheyenne, Wy – Members of the Joint Appropriations Committee heard details of the Governor's proposed state budget Monday. One major topic of interest concerned Governor Freudenthal's attempt to get 100 million dollars to communities feeling the impact of energy development.