COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho (AP) – About 27 percent of young military veterans are unemployed, and governors of states were told they have a role to play in helping them find work.      Former Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson told the Western Governors’ Association on Wednesday that governors should urge their state’s business leaders to hire veterans. Nicholson told the meeting in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, that veterans make ideal employees.      Boise State football coach Chris Petersen opened the two-day meeting with a speech on building effective organizations. … Read entire article »

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) – Two more rabid skunks have been found in Laramie County, boosting this year’s total to seven and raising concerns about the disease spreading to pets in the area.      The Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory told animal control officials that rabies tests were positive this week on two skunks in the Cheyenne area. The Cheyenne Animal Shelter says it’s important for animals to be vaccinated for rabies.      Animal control officials are especially concerned because Cheyenne Frontier Days will start soon and many animals will be brought to town for the rodeo.      Rabies hadn’t been seen in Laramie County for decades before the skunks were found this year. It is transmitted through saliva and mucus and can be deadly to humans and other animals if left untreated. … Read entire article »

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) – A video formerly posted on YouTube showing men pushing large rocks off the top of the spillway at a Wyoming dam has sparked an investigation by federal authorities.      The amateur video was posted June 14.      It showed a group of people laughing while two men use jacks to maneuver two large boulders over the edge of the spillway at Pathfinder Reservoir. The footage shows one of the massive rocks shattering as it tumbles down a steep canyon wall. Afterward, the group tosses two jacks into the rushing water.      Pathfinder is about 50 miles southwest of Casper and is managed by the Bureau of Reclamation.      Bureau spokesman Tyler Johnson tells the Casper Star-Tribune that the agency is investigating. He declined to discuss whether any actions in the video were illegal. … Read entire article »

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) – The increasing threat of thunderstorms is looming over areas of Wyoming where rivers and streams are running high from the melting mountain snowpack.      The National Weather Service says heavy thunderstorms are possible Wednesday through Thursday.      Flood warnings continue for parts of Sheridan and Big Horn counties, Fremont County, Carbon County and Albany County. A flood watch is in effect for Uinta County.      The Wind, Green, Upper North Platte and Laramie rivers are among those run near or above flood stage.      While rivers and streams are running high, only minor flooding of mostly agriculture land is occurring. But any rain on top of the snowmelt could make the flooding worse. … Read entire article »

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) – A speech and debate coach at a Cheyenne high school is accused of having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old student.      The Wyoming Tribune Eagle reported Wednesday that 29-year-old Jeremiah Lindsay was arrested June 14 and has been charged with three counts of sexual abuse of a minor.      According to court documents, Lindsay’s wife told police that she had found text messages to the girl on his phone.      Lindsay is the assistant speech and debate coach at South High School.      He is being held in the Laramie County jail.      Laramie County School District 1 Superintendent Mark Stock says Lindsay is prohibited from having contact with students while the case proceeds through the courts. … Read entire article »

POWELL, Wyo. (AP) – A suspected sub-adult grizzly bear trying to get some horse feed caused the closure of a campground in northern Wyoming before leaving empty-handed.      Elk Fork campground in the Shoshone National Forest was closed for two days and part of a third day last week. The campground is west of Cody on the North Fork of the Shoshone River.      Shoshone Forest spokeswoman Susan Douglas says the bear caused minor damage to a horse trailer that contained feed but was unsuccessful in getting at the feed.      Douglas tells the Powell Tribune that there were no injuries to humans.      Wyoming Game and Fish Department personnel tried to trap the bruin but failed. The bear eventually left on its own, looking elsewhere no doubt for something to eat. … Read entire article »