CHEYENNE,Wyo.(AP) – Martha Hansen, the widow of formerWyoming Sen. Clifford Hansen and grandmother of Gov. Matt Mead, has died. She was 97.      Mead announced Hansen’s death, saying she died Thursday at the family ranch inJackson.      Mead says Hansen’s quiet grace was a defining attribute. He says she was unfailingly kind and gracious.      Clifford Hansen married the former Martha Close in the fall of 1934. The couple celebrated their 75th anniversary shortly before Clifford Hansen died in late 2009.      Rep. Cynthia Lummis and Sen. John Barrasso issued statements Tuesday praising Martha Hansen and expressing condolences to her family. … Read entire article »

ONTARIO,Ore.(AP) – The coach of anOregoncommunity college rodeo program has died of the injuries he suffered when he was bucked off his horse.      The Argus Observer reports (http://bit.ly/rcZZ3S ) Treasure ValleyCommunity Collegerodeo coach Sonny Hansen was injured when he was bucked from his horse earlier this week.      He was flown to anIdahohospital, where he was put on life support until his family arrived. He died early Thursday morning.      Community college spokeswoman Abby Lee says the 42-year-old Hansen did “a tremendous amount” for the college’s rodeo program, including organizing, running and scheduling events.      Hansen worked at the community college for 17 years. He lived in Ontariowith his wife, Jackie, twin sons and stepsons. … Read entire article »

LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) – TheWyomingdefensive line is making progress.      Cowboys coach Dave Christensen says the big guys in the trench have improved each game and are playing more physical.      The group has been a big reason why the Cowboys are off to a 3-1 start heading into this week’s bye.      UW’s defensive line has accounted for all 10 of the team’s sacks this season, 16 1/2 of the team’s 23 tackles for loss, and all three of the team’s blocked kicks.      Senior defensive tackle Gabe Knapton tells the Laramie Boomerang (http://bit.ly/qHV05T ) that he believes the line has played well so far and shows it can play with the likes ofNebraska. … Read entire article »

CASPER,Wyo.(AP) – More than half of the proposed uranium projects in theUnited Statesare inWyoming.      The Casper Star-Tribune (http://bit.ly/pAO48L) reported Thursday that 18 of the 28 uranium applications being considered by theU.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission are forWyomingprojects.      The projects are clustered in thePowderRiver Basin, the Gas Hills in centralWyomingat the Great Divide Basin in northeastern Wyoming.      This summer, the commission approved the Nichols Ranch project in thePowderRiver Basin. It will be operated by Uranerz Energy Corp. and will include recovery well sites and a processing facility. … Read entire article »

    CHEYENNE,Wyo.(AP) – Wyoming Secretary of State Max Maxfield says he’s planning a legal challenge to the state law that sets term limits for statewide elected officials.      Maxfield, who’s now serving his second term asWyomingsecretary of state, plans to announce the lawsuit Thursday at the state Capitol. He says he’s filing the suit as a private citizen.      The Wyoming Supreme Court ruled in 2004 that term limits for state legislators were unconstitutional. But the court ruling didn’t overturn term limits for statewide elected officials because none of them joined the case.      State law currently allows only two consecutive terms for governor, secretary of state and other statewide elected posts. … Read entire article »