CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) – Rep. Cynthia Lummis says the Obama administration’s moratorium on offshore oil drilling will have negative impacts on job creation, energy independence and Americans’ wallets.      The Wyoming Republican reacted to President Barack Obama’s announcement Thursday that he was extending a moratorium on new deep water drilling leases for six months and suspending exploratory drilling elsewhere.      Lummis says energy development must place paramount importance on human safety and environmental stewardship.      But she noted offshore drilling accounts for 30 percent of America’s oil and gas resources.      She says the country will not learn from the Gulf oil spill by succumbing to policy reactions that ensure America will become more dependent on foreign energy. … Read entire article »

GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (AP) – Grand Teton National Park is waiving its entrance fees for two weekends this summer.      Admission will be free June 5-6 and Aug. 14-15 as part of a nationwide initiative to encourage Americans to visit national parks and national refuges, get outdoors and engage in healthy activities.      Entrance fees also will be waived for National Public Lands Day on Sept. 25. … Read entire article »

     CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) – Crews with the Wyoming Department of Transportation are working to clear the highway over the Snowy Range in southern Wyoming.      Significant snows in May increased snowpack in the Snowy Range to above-average levels. WYDOT crews have been working double shifts to clear state highway 130 over the mountain range.      The highway is scheduled to open Saturday afternoon. But WYDOT officials warn that more snow is expected that could make the road impassable again. … Read entire article »

HELENA, Mont. (AP) – A judge has dismissed a cattle industry lawsuit seeking more stringent bison management around Yellowstone National Park, a move applauded by bison advocates who want more land for the animals.      The Montana Stockgrowers Association lawsuit had sought to force state officials to better restrict the movement of the bison, which the industry fears could spread the disease brucellosis to domestic cattle at summer grazing grounds near the park. At issue was the length of time and areas where bison are allowed to stay outside the park in late spring and early summer.      District Judge John Brown rejected the lawsuit Thursday, saying Stockgrowers do not have enforceable rights under the bison management plan.      The ruling allows state agents with the Department of Livestock to continue their work managing the bison, which migrate outside the national park into Montana. … Read entire article »

SHERIDAN, Wyo. (AP) – Sheridan Memorial Hospital trustees have approved a preliminary funding proposal to expand its Welch Cancer Center.      CEO Mike McCafferty estimates the project will cost between $6.5 million and $7.8 million but says he won’t have a more definite figure for at least a month.      Trustees this week approved a plan to use a mix of cash reserves, debt and fundraising from the Sheridan Memorial Hospital Foundation to fund the project. The hospital would fund half, and the board would direct the foundation to develop resources to fund the rest.      McCafferty says the cancer center would expand to 15,000 square feet from 9,000 square feet and offer more space for outpatient procedures.      —      Information from: The Sheridan Press, http://www.thesheridanpress.com/ … Read entire article »

CODY, Wyo. (AP) – Memorial Day is typically a time to remember those soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice. But it also can be a difficult time for veterans who have recently returned home from a deployment overseas.      Maj. Leon Chamberlain is behavioral-health science officer for the Wyoming Army National Guard 115th Fires Brigade.      He says the holiday is a good time to check in with soldiers and their families, and to try to make a meaningful connection with them. He says it’s a good to keep an eye our for signs of trouble, including isolation and substance abuse.      About 100 soldiers from the 115th Fires Brigade returned to communities across the Bighorn Basin in early April after almost a year away, including in Iraq.      —      Information from: Billings Gazette, http://www.billingsgazette.com … Read entire article »

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) – Rising water and road damage from heavy rain have closed part of Glendo State Park ahead of the busy Memorial Day weekend.      The Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources says Glendo Reservoir is at full capacity and rising. The reservoir level is expected to rise 2 feet over the weekend.      Park officials have closed the area north of Cottonwood Campground due to road damage and rising water. They say the access road north of the campground will become flooded if water levels rise as predicted.      Visitors to Glendo State Park are being urged to camp and park their vehicles well above the shoreline. … Read entire article »