News Letter Journal

07/17/2025

Protesters want horses saved from roundups

Via the and the Rocket Miner Newspaper
ROCK SPRINGS — The Bureau of Land Management plans to remove more than 3,000 wild horses from the Great Divide Basin, Salt Wells Creek, and Adobe Town head management areas, including areas in Sweetwater County, beginning this week.
The roundup plan has faced criticism and legal challenges from animal welfare and conservation groups.
The Wyoming Wildlife Protection Group had two demonstrations opposing the roundups at the Rock Springs BLM Field Office and near the Rock Springs Chamber of Commerce last Thursday.
https://newslj.com/protesters-want-horses-saved-roundups

07/17/2025

FROM WYOFILE:
Court blocks Wyoming wild horse roundup, cites ‘ecological balance’ questions
Appeals panel suggests the BLM can reevaluate its decision, indicating there’s a ‘serious possibility’ the agency can substantiate its finding.

Via the and WyoFile
A federal court on Tuesday stopped the Bureau of Land Management from capturing thousands of wild horses, saying the agency failed to explain whether the roundup would maintain a “thriving natural ecological balance” on public land in southwest Wyoming.
The federal 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver returned the case to the U.S. District Court in Wyoming, where Judge Kelly Rankin had sided with the BLM and its several allies, including the state of Wyoming. American Wild Horse Campaign, Animal Welfare Institute, Western Watersheds Project and many others had sued on behalf of the wild horses and their advocates.
https://newslj.com/court-blocks-wyoming-wild-horse-roundup-cites-ecological-balance-questions

07/17/2025

Honor Wyoming concerned lawmakers' email spam filters abridge freedom of speech
Conservative advocacy group pushes back against spam filters that blocked its communications.

Via the and the Jackson Hole News&Guide
JACKSON — The crux of a new debate on free speech revolves around mass emails sent to Wyoming lawmakers and placed into spam folders or “quarantined” during the most recent legislative session.
Honor Wyoming, a conservative organization inspired by the Save the Rodeo Grounds movement in Jackson Hole and funded with dark money, says the state government is violating free speech by “wittingly or unwittingly” blocking its emails. The group accused the Wyoming Legislative Service Office of “censoring.”
https://newslj.com/honor-wyoming-concerned-lawmakers-email-spam-filters-abridge-freedom-speech

07/17/2025

🦊 Beware of Swiper the Fox! 👟

Signage at Lizard Creek Campground in Grand Teton National Park warns visitors about “Swiper the Fox,” a.k.a. the “Sneaker Snatcher” — a clever fox with a knack for stealing campers’ shoes! As of July 11, the "Midnight Mismatcher" had made off with at least 32 pieces of footwear.

📸 Photo by Bradly J. B***r, Jackson Hole News&Guide

Find more statewide news from the Wyoming News Exchange at newslj.com.

👉 And if you plan to visit, don’t forget to double-knot your laces... or keep your shoes in the tent.

07/16/2025

FROM WYOFILE:
Jury trial dates set in Wyoming Freedom Caucus PAC defamation case
In June, a six-person jury will decide whether a political action committee defamed two Republican legislators in campaign materials.

Via the and WyoFile
One year after two Sweetwater County lawmakers filed a defamation suit against a Wyoming Freedom Caucus-affiliated political action committee, a jury trial has been scheduled in the case.
In June, a six-person jury will decide whether WY Freedom PAC defamed Rock Springs Republican Reps. J.T. Larson and Cody Wylie when it sent text messages and mailers to voters calling a vote on a 2024 budget amendment a vote to remove former President Donald Trump from the presidential ballot.
https://newslj.com/jury-trial-dates-set-wyoming-freedom-caucus-pac-defamation-case

07/16/2025

Campbell County Fire Department preps for wildfire season

Via the and the Gillette News Record
GILLETTE — Not too long after the Fourth of July, Campbell County went under stage one fire restrictions.
Currently, nine counties in Wyoming are under fire restrictions, and five of them — Campbell, Sheridan, Johnson, Crook and Weston counties — are in northeast Wyoming.
Local firefighters are working to prepare for the rest of the fire season, and the department is hoping that some new language will help keep residents prepared.
https://newslj.com/campbell-county-fire-department-preps-wildfire-season

07/16/2025

07/16/2025

Long in the tooth
Average age increases and youth population decreases

Collectively, Weston County’s population continues to trend older as the years go by, according to a recent report from the State of Wyoming Department of Administration & Information.
The report shows that 24% of Weston County’s population is over the age of 65, well above the state (19.7%) and the national (18%) marks. We are far from being Wyoming’s oldest county, however, as the counties with the highest percentage of population over the age of 65 include Platte at 28.5%, Niobrara at 28.6%, Johnson at 28.7% and Hot Springs at 31.1%.
https://newslj.com/long-tooth-average-age-increases-and-youth-population-decreases

07/16/2025

Average gas prices drop less than a penny in the past week in Wyoming

Via the
CHEYENNE (WNE) — Average gasoline prices in Wyoming have fallen 0.8 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.07 per gallon Monday, according to GasBuddy.com’s survey of 494 stations in Wyoming.
Prices in Wyoming are 1.5 cents per gallon higher than a month ago, and stand 23.8 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.
https://newslj.com/average-gas-prices-drop-less-penny-past-week-wyoming

07/16/2025

Lightning-caused fire scorches 700 acres of dry brush west of Glenrock

Via the
DOUGLAS (WNE) — Lightning struck a field west of Glenrock the night of July 10, and the ensuing fire torched 700 acres before firefighters contained it early the next morning.
The lightning-caused fire began at 9:24 p.m. and consumed mostly sagebrush and other dried shrubs and grass. It spread quickly due to the dry conditions and the frequently changing winds.
https://newslj.com/lightning-caused-fire-scorches-700-acres-dry-brush-west-glenrock

07/16/2025

City employee injured in battery explosion

TORRINGTON – Juan Cervantes, an employee of the town of LaGrange, sustained severe burns when a lithium battery exploded in his pocket.
Cervantes suffered second and third degree burns over 18% of his body and is recovering from two surgeries, according to a release announcing an upcoming fundraiser for him and his family.
https://newslj.com/city-employee-injured-battery-explosion

07/16/2025

Offensive linemen Caden Barnett and Jack Walsh Named Preseason All-MW
Old Trapper MW Media Days set to start today in Las Vegas

LARAMIE, Wyo. (July 16, 2025) ĻC The Mountain West Conference released on Wednesday its 2025 Preseason Predicted Order of Finish and Preseason All-Conference Team as selected by Mountain West media members. A pair of Cowboy offensive linemen were named to the Preseason All-Mountain West Squad.
Wyoming seniors Caden Barnett, who moved to guard this season along with Jack Walsh, now at center for the Brown and Gold were named to the team. It marks back-to-back seasons that Walsh has been named to the squad.
https://newslj.com/offensive-linemen-caden-barnett-and-jack-walsh-named-preseason-all-mw