RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) – The mountain pine beetle problem is worsening in theBlack HillsNational Forest.      U.S. Forest Service spokesman Frank Carroll tells theRapid City Journal (http://bit.ly/viIFVY ) that beetles have now damaged trees on more than 405,000 acres in the 1.2 million acre forest in southwestSouth Dakotaand northeastWyoming.      Carroll says the beetles that have killed millions of trees in the Mountain West in recent years are in “an explosive cycle.” Crews inCusterState Parkexpected to find about 15,000 infested trees during an annual survey but instead found 142,000.      Gov. Dennis Daugaard is working with the park and forestry experts to develop a plan to remove infested trees before new bugs hatch and spread next summer. … Read entire article »

MILESCITY, Mont. (AP) – State wildlife officials say a collared black male wolf was shot on private property after attacking sheep in southeasternMontana.      Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 7 spokesman Dwayne Andrews says the 2-year-old wolf was shot Sunday nearHammond.     Montanalaws allow people to kill a wolf in the act of threatening, attacking or killing livestock. The USDA Wildlife Services investigated and confirmed the wolf had killed one lamb and fatally injured another that had to be put down.      The wolf was originally collared nearJackson,Wyo., in 2010, about 300 miles from where it died.      On average in the northernRockies, wolves disperse about 60 miles, but dispersal distances of over 500 miles have been recorded. … Read entire article »

LARAMIE,Wyo.(AP) – Senior point guard JayDee Luster scored only 11 points in the three games during the Jim Thorpe Classic at Laramielast weekend.      But that’s OK with UW coach Larry Shyatt, who noted Luster had 15 assists and just one turnover to lead the Cowboys (6-1) to a trio of lopsided victories.      So far this season Luster has 26 assists and just three turnovers. That assists-to-turnovers ratio of 8.6-to-1 leads the Mountain West.      The Cowboys started the season with what Shyatt called a “point guard by committee” approach. That looks to be changing.      Shyatt tells the Laramie Boomerang that Luster is showing maturity by passing up shots for himself in order to get better shots by other members of the team. … Read entire article »

CHEYENNE,Wyo.(AP) -Cheyennecity councilors have approved selling land to the Menards home improvement chain.      The council voted 7-3 Monday night to approve the $5.4 million deal.      The Wyoming Tribune Eagle (http://bit.ly/uzxSMK ) reported that the money will pay for improvements in the city’s parks and recreation system.      Menards plans to build a store on the 24-acre plot this spring and expects to provide 200 jobs.      City Council president Mark Rinne (RIN’-ee) opposed the deal because he said the price was based on an old appraisal and because the city didn’t widely advertise the sale.      Councilors who backed the sale said the city doesn’t need any more parks in the area      Councilwoman Georgia Broyles said not selling the land would send a message that the city isn’t business-friendly. … Read entire article »

LARAMIE,Wyo.- The extension service and a department within theCollegeofAgricultureand Natural Resources at the University ofWyominghave been renamed.      The UW Board of Trustees has voted to change the Cooperative Extension Service to theUniversityofWyomingExtension.      The trustees also approved changing the name of the Department of Renewable Resources to the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management. … Read entire article »

JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) – TheJackson HoleChamber of Commerce is leading an effort to have the region named one of the world’s top 10 sustainable tourism destinations.      The Jackson Town Council has thrown its support behind the chamber’s application to the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, which is a United Nations-affiliated nonprofit organization that coordinates the award.      If selected,Jackson Holewould receive recognition and promotion from the group as well as guidance on how to further improve sustainability efforts.      The Jackson Hole News & Guide (http://bit.ly/usYmH1 ) reports that the chamber’s application highlights the local economic impact of environmental stewardship, recreational opportunities inJackson Hole, and public and private efforts to adopt sustainable policies.      The community would need to come up with $30,000 to support the effort if selected. … Read entire article »