CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) – A new Wyoming law that will allow citizens to carry concealed guns without a permit starts Friday, July 1.      While gun rights groups are thrilled, some in law enforcement and gun-control circles say they’re concerned about the prospect of untrained people packing iron under their coats in “the Cowboy State.”      Wyoming is joining Alaska, Arizona and Vermont as states that allow citizens the unfettered right to carry concealed guns. Guns still won’t be allowed into schools, bars or government buildings.      Supporters say the change recognizes citizens’ constitutional right to bear arms. But opponents including a leader of the Wyoming chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police say they’re concerned about people carrying concealed guns without any training requirements or background checks. … Read entire article »

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) – The National Weather Service has posted a flood advisory for central Park County in northwest Wyoming because of melting mountain snow.      The Weather Service says the North Fork of the Shoshone River exceeded flood stage early Thursday morning, causing some minor flooding from Pahaska (puh-HAS’-kuh) Tepee to the Buffalo Bill Reservoir.      The river has receded since, but is expected to rise to near flood stage again early Friday.      Flood warnings continue for parts of Sheridan, Big Horn and Uinta counties, Fremont County, Carbon County and Albany County.      However, rivers in Carbon and Albany counties on Friday are expected to start to slowly recede and eventually go back into their banks after weeks of being above flood stage. … Read entire article »

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) – State regulators are considering a proposal to allow live horse racing in Rock Springs later this year.      The Wyoming Pari-Mutuel Commission is taking up the issue during a meeting in Casper Thursday afternoon.      The Casper Star-Tribune reports that Wyoming Horse Racing LLC also wants to offer off-track betting at sites in Casper, Cheyenne, Rock Springs and Evanston.      Wyoming Downs is the state’s only horse track, but it didn’t run any races last year and hasn’t applied for any live races this year. … Read entire article »

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) – A new survey of Wyoming companies says the cost of health insurance is up an average of 10 percent this year.      The Mountain States Employers Council questioned 41 Wyoming employers for the survey. It found that employers are picking up more of the increased health care costs but that workers are also paying a larger share.      The increase far outpaced inflation but the Casper Star-Tribune reported Thursday that the hike is still less than those seen about 10 years ago. Increases in the region then were around 20 percent. … Read entire article »

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (AP) – A road washed out by high water is reopening through the Lamar Valley in Yellowstone National Park.      The washout happened June 24, closing the road between Tower Junction and the park’s Northeast Entrance near Soda Butte.      Park crews used heavy equipment to repair about 200 feet of road damaged by high water at the confluence of the Lamar River and Soda Butte Creek.      The repair job required nearly 100 loads of rock and dirt and wrapped up Wednesday. Crews also had to stabilize a smaller section of road damaged by high water. … Read entire article »

JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) – A nonprofit group that has been negotiating to take over operations at the Snow King ski resort in Jackson Hole has suspended those talks.      The group Friends of Snow King launched in December after Snow King management announced it would stop operating the ski area.      The Jackson Hole News & Guide reports Wednesday’s announcement caps more than six months of negotiations between the resort and nonprofit.      Snow King President Steve Sullivan says the resort changed the terms of a deal being negotiated. Manuel Lopez, Snow King’s managing partner, says he had problems with how the east side of the mountain would be operated under the proposal.      Lopez says he will operate the ski hill next winter and is “not closing the door” on a deal. … Read entire article »

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) – Gov. Matt Mead’s office says the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has commended Wyoming for maintaining the state’s commitment to conserving the sage grouse.      Earlier this month, Mead signed an executive order continuing Wyoming’s strategy of designated “core areas” of sage grouse habitat. The order makes only a few minor changes to the sage grouse policy implemented by his predecessor Gov. Dave Freudenthal.      The Fish and Wildlife Service announced last year that the greater sage grouse deserved protection under the Endangered Species Act but that other species are higher priorities to protect as threatened or endangered.      In a letter to Mead dated last Friday, Fish and Wildlife says Wyoming strategy could preclude the listing of sage grouse in the state. … Read entire article »