News Letter Journal

12/22/2025

Fremont County records five measles cases

Via the
RIVERTON (WNE) — Fremont County has joined Carbon, Niobrara and Natrona counties on the list of areas in Wyoming in which measles cases have been identified this year.
The Wyoming Department of Health last week identified five cases in Fremont County, bringing the total infections this year in the Cowboy State to 14.
"All five cases are part of the same chain of transmission, with the initial exposures to measles occurring outside the state and potential subsequent spread among close contacts," the WDH said in a release.
https://newslj.com/fremont-county-records-five-measles-cases

12/22/2025

🎅 NEWC Now - December 22, 2025

We're chock full of holiday party photos and videos this week, and promise lots of feel good stories to get you in the spirit of the season too.👇

https://mailchi.mp/newslj/newc-now-22-december-16540294

12/22/2025

Hageman introduces bill on parental rights in education

Via the
CHEYENNE (WNE) — U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyo., on Thursday introduced the Parental Rights Relief Act to give parents and eligible students a private right of action to enforce their rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment.
If passed into law, this bill would require the U.S. Department of Education to resolve complaints within 90 days.
https://newslj.com/hageman-introduces-bill-parental-rights-education

12/22/2025

Two-day test
Dogies test speed in Casper as Hoover claims two wins

CASPER — Newcastle’s boys swim team tackled its first long road trip of the season last weekend, competing in the Casper Pre-Invite on Friday hosted by Natrona County High School and the Casper Invite on Saturday hosted by Kelly Walsh High School.
“Both meets proved to be very fast and great competition for the swimmers, who competed against several 4A schools,” head coach Doug Scribner said.
Newcastle finished seventh Friday at the Pre-Invite with 54 points in a field led by Laramie (477), Kelly Walsh (346) and Sheridan (283).
https://newslj.com/two-day-test-dogies-test-speed-casper-hoover-claims-two-wins

12/22/2025

In our 50th episode, we take on artificial intelligence and what it really means for rural communities, local journalism, and small businesses. Bob, Alexis, and Summer talk opportunity, hesitation, and why opting out of technology may be the bigger risk. Episode 50 of Top of Main is live.

https://www.newslj.com/episode-50-weston-county-ready-ai

12/22/2025

Two Cowboys Take Home Titles as Wrestling Competes at the Reno Tournament of Champions
Antonio Avila and John Alden Each Earn Championships

RENO, Nevada (12/21/25) – The University of Wyoming wrestling team concluded the 2025 portion of its schedule on Sunday at the Reno Tournament of Champions. Antonio Avila (149) and John Alden (141) headlined the Cowboy performances, as they each won a title inside the Reno Events Center.
For Avila, it’s his second such championship in as many years. He went 5-0 with three bonus-point wins.
https://newslj.com/two-cowboys-take-home-titles-wrestling-competes-reno-tournament-champions

12/22/2025

Today in Wyoming history:

In 1978, the Downtown Cheyenne Historic District was added to the National Registry of Historic Places.
(Thanks Wyoming Historical Society.)

12/22/2025

12/22/2025

Fresno State Pulls Away Late From Cowgirls
Bulldogs outscore Wyoming by 16 in the final 10 minutes

FRESNO, Calif. (Dec. 20, 2025) – Low-scoring second and fourth quarters doomed the Wyoming Cowgirls Saturday on the road at Fresno State in a 53-36 loss. The Bulldogs outscored Wyoming by 16 in the fourth quarter to pull away late.
Both teams struggled offensively to open the game as turnovers hurt both early. Fresno State led 4-2 at the first media timeout. Out of the timeout, a Jane Rumpf 3-pointer gave the Cowgirls their first lead of the day. Things continued to be tough on the offensive end for both teams the rest of the quarter. A pair of Malene Pedersen 3-pointers gave UW an 11-6 lead going into the second quarter.
https://newslj.com/fresno-state-pulls-away-late-cowgirls

12/22/2025

🤼Want to Know Your Dogie this winter sports season?

The News Letter Journal is putting the spotlight on Newcastle High School athletes through Q&A profiles they complete themselves.

Learn more about Dogies competing in basketball, wrestling and boys swimming and follow their progress all winter at newslj.com.
Today's athlete: Cayson Phillips
https://newslj.com/cayson-phillips

We’ll keep adding new profiles as athletes participate. Athletes can join in by filling out the form athttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/1PP-rWONS5v50jPiwOcLqBKSYWnMO7eKior2y-h-KDEs/edit

and emailing their photos to [email protected].

12/22/2025

Cowboys Drop Mountain West Opener to Grand Canyon
Pokes held to 37 percent from field

LARAMIE, Wyo. (Dec 20, 2025) – The Cowboys got off to a slow start and Grand Canyon made the Brown and Gold pay in the opening minutes, as UW fell 82-70 on Saturday afternoon inside the Arena-Auditorium. It marked the first home loss for Wyoming this season, as UW moves to 9-3 overall and 0-1 in conference play.
“That is a really good team we played today,” UW head coach Sundance Wicks said. “They are big and physical and provide matchup problems. We came out a little gun-shy tonight. It is a big learning curve for us. This League, you have to show up every night, and you can’t spot teams points. You have to be tough enough to handle the moment at the start of it all.”
https://newslj.com/cowboys-drop-mountain-west-opener-grand-canyon

12/21/2025

All aboard!
Model trains on display at National Historic Trails Center

Via the and the Casper Star-Tribune
CASPER — For more than 10 years, the Central Wyoming Model Railroad Association has graced the National Historic Trails Center in Casper during the month of December to draw in more people and introduce the world of trains to people.
Harry Buhler, treasurer of the association, said there are five different sized trains at the Trails Center this year, each one is about half the size of the next.
“The model train association, they’ve been affiliated with us for probably 12 to 15 years, and they’ve been good friends with the National Historic Trails Center over all these years,” visitor information specialist Jason Vlcan said. “And the reason why we brought them up at the beginning was to get the community involved. School kids were out of school at a certain time during the Christmas holiday season, so that would be a fun thing for the families and the kids to come up and play with some trains for a little bit.”
https://newslj.com/all-aboard-model-trains-display-national-historic-trails-center