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Artist Maurizio Cattelan's "Comedian" — a banana duct-taped to a wall — sold for more than $6 million at a Sotheby's auction Wednesday. As part of the deal, the artist will eat the banana in front of the buyer.

Man Tapes Banana To Wall, Sells It For $6.2 Million; Wyoming Artists Baffled

A banana duct-taped to a wall sold for $6.2 million Wednesday, leaving some in Wyoming’s art community baffled and bewildered. Sculptor Chris Navarro called it “a head-scratcher” and said it looks like it took the artist “10 minutes” to create.

Andrew RossiNovember 21, 2024

The University of Wyoming Trustees listen to public testimony Thursday about a proposal to allow carrying concealed handguns on the UW campus. The trustees postponed a decision on the matter.

Even If UW Won’t Allow Concealed Carry, Legislature Probably Will, Trustee Says

Even if the University of Wyoming doesn’t allow concealed carry of firearms on campus, the Legislature is probably going to approve it anyway, a UW trustee said Thursday.

Mark HeinzNovember 21, 2024

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Cheyenne Frontier Days Chief Says New Cowboy Channel Owner Can Be Good For Rodeo

Teton Ridge, a media company based in Fort Worth, Texas, has bought the Cowboy and Cowgirl channels from Rural Media Group. The move could elevate the profile of rodeo sports in America, says the CEO of Cheyenne Frontier Days.

Justin GeorgeNovember 21, 2024

Robert F. Kenney Jr. and President-elect Donald Trump.

Barrasso Says RFK Will Bring A Much-Needed Shakeup To FDA

John Barrasso, Wyoming's senior U.S. senator and a physician, said he believes Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will bring a much-needed shakeup to the federal Food and Drug Administration, if his nomination is approved.

Leo WolfsonNovember 21, 2024

Idle wind turbines line the horizon on northeast of Casper and just outside the Evansville limits. The have not turned for at least three years.

14-Year-Old Casper Wind Farm Has Not Turned A Blade In At Least 3 Years

The 11 wind turbines on the northeast side of Casper once represented the region’s first step into renewable energy. Now, some say they are an eyesore that has idled for at least three years.

Dale KillingbeckNovember 20, 2024

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Tom Lubnau:  A Deeper Dive On The Wyoming Judge's Abortion Analysis

Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "In a prior column, I examined the Wyoming district court abortion decision from a high level. Now I’ll look at it on a granular level."

Tom LubnauNovember 21, 2024

The Office of State Lands and Investments is fueding with ranchers near a 4,800-parcel of state-owned land it leases for grazing. The land isn't fenced, and it wants Crook County Sheriff Jeff Hodge to issue trespassing tickets to ranchers whose cattle wander onto the parcel, but the sheriff has refused.

Sheriff Refuses State Of Wyoming Request To Ticket Ranchers For Wayward Cattle

The state of Wyoming wants the Crook County Sheriff to ticket ranchers for trespassing when their cows wander onto unfenced state-owned leased grazing lands. But the sheriff has refused, saying “that’s not a solution to the problem, nor is it right.”

Leo WolfsonNovember 21, 2024

Three members of the University of Wyoming volleyball team are among a dozen plaintiffs suing the Mountain West Conference and its commissioner over a transgender player on the San Jose State University volleyball team.

Mountain West Says Lawsuit Made Up “Emergency” To Oust Transgender Player

The Mountain West Conference on Tuesday asked a federal court to leave its upcoming volleyball tournament alone. It also accuses the women who sued the MWC of making up their own “emergency” to remove a transgender player from the tournament.    

Clair McFarlandNovember 20, 2024

A coal train is loaded at a Wyoming coal mine in this file photo.

Wyoming Coal Jobs Down Nearly 8% Over Last Nine Months, 25% Since 2017

Wyoming’s coal workforce is down nearly 8% over the last nine months. And since 2017, there are 25% fewer people working coal jobs.

Greg JohnsonNovember 20, 2024

One of 10 wolves reintroduced to northern Colorado in December 2023.

After Colorado Wolf Found With Bullet Wound, Group Puts Up $50K In Rewards

After a bullet wound was found in a wolf carcass in Colorado, a conservation group has set up a $50,000 reward fund for tips about illegal wolf killings.

Mark HeinzNovember 20, 2024

A crew works on the site of the CK Gold Project near Curt Gowdy State Park in southern Wyoming.

Wyoming’s Only Gold Mine Gets Green Light From State

Wyoming’s only gold mine near Curt Gowdy State Park has gotten a green light from state regulators. It’s a step closer to actually pulling gold out of the ground. US Gold believes the site could hold 1 million ounces of gold.

Renée JeanNovember 20, 2024

U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyoming

Hageman Supports New Transgender Bathroom Rule In US House

Wyoming congresswoman Harriet Hageman said Wednesday she supports a new rule for the U.S. House designating women's bathrooms and changing rooms for females, and men's bathrooms and changing rooms for males.  

Clair McFarlandNovember 20, 2024

North Platte River in Goshen County, Wyoming.

Judge Won't Dismiss Case After Duck Hunter Claims Friend's Death Was Accident

The question of whether a Wyoming college student recklessly shot and killed his friend during a winter duck hunt is too big for just one judge to decide and should go to a jury instead, a judge ruled Monday.

Clair McFarlandNovember 20, 2024

Gov. Mark Gordon responded to Judge Melissa Owens' Nov. 18, 2024, ruling striking down Wyoming's two abortion ban laws. He promises an appeal.

Wyoming Will Appeal “Frustrating” Ruling To Block Abortion Bans, Gordon Says

Gov. Mark Gordon calls a Monday ruling to strike down Wyoming’s abortion bans “frustrating” and announced Tuesday the state will appeal. “It just sickens me,” says one leading supporter of the bans, while opponents hail the ruling as a victory.

Clair McFarlandNovember 19, 2024

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Legislature Considering Non-Citizen Labels On State-Issued IDs

Wyoming IDs may get a complete redesign in the near future that would include a special designation identifying people who aren’t U.S. citizens on the state-issued cards.

Leo WolfsonNovember 19, 2024

Gov. Mark Gordon, left, and Dr. Eric Cubin.

Judge Backs Gordon, Denies Casper Doctor's Pitch To Get Back On Medicine Board

A judge ruled Thursday that Gov. Mark Gordon acted appropriately when calling for Dr. Eric Cubin to step down from the Wyoming Board of Medicine due to his "bias." Cubin had criticized a doctor and medical group for lobbying in favor of child sex-change procedures.

Clair McFarlandNovember 20, 2024

Jake in studio

Morning Show with Jake - Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Jake in the 307. Weekday mornings 6 - 10 a.m.

Jake NicholsNovember 20, 2024

Cody McCalla

Punch That Killed Sheridan Hockey Coach Not Self-Defense, Prosecutor says

Cody McCalla says he acted in self-defense when he fatally punched Sheridan hockey coach Patrick Mudd in July. But the Sheridan County attorney argued Monday that McCalla's self-defense filing is missing some key details.   

Clair McFarlandNovember 19, 2024

MrBeast, the biggest YouTuber with more than 331 million subscribers, had help from Wyoming meteorologist Don Day to lift a T-Mobile store off the ground with helium balloons.

Wyoming Meteorologist Don Day Helps YouTube's Mr Beast Float A Store With Balloons

There is no one bigger on YouTube than Mr Beast who has more than 330 million subscribers. He recently used 550 balloons to lift a T-Mobile store off the ground. To do it, he teamed up with Wyoming meteorologist Don Day who is a world expert in balloon weather.

Andrew RossiNovember 19, 2024

State Rep. Rachel Rodriguez Williams

Pro-Life Legislators Say Fight Not Over As Wyoming Abortion Pill Ban Struck Down

After Wyoming’s first-in-the-nation ban of abortion pills, pro-life legislators say their fight isn’t over. They may put it to voters to decide if abortion is “health care.”

Leo WolfsonNovember 20, 2024

An electronic ear tag is placed just inside this cow's traditional ear tag.

Wyoming, Other Western States Push Back Against Electronic Cattle ID Tags

Wyoming ranchers don’t like federally mandated electronic cattle ID tags. They hope to join other Western states in an agreement to just keep using brands for livestock identification.

Mark HeinzNovember 19, 2024

Robert Rednour

Cody Man Accused Of Stabbing Mother Claims She Had “Little People” Annoy Him

A Cody, Wyoming, man was arrested Monday on claims he stabbed his mother in a bloody struggle. He told police she brought “little people” to her house to annoy him and added, “I don’t know why I am so happy," court documents say.    

Clair McFarlandNovember 19, 2024

Montana wildlife agents sometimes use drones to chase grizzly bears away from farms and ranches on the high plains.

One Way To Scare Grizzlies Away: Yell At Them Over Drone Speakers

Montana wildlife officials have been yelling at prairie grizzlies through the speakers on drones to scare the bears away from people. But that doesn’t always work, like the Colorado black bear who didn’t budge when blasted with heavy metal music.

Mark HeinzNovember 19, 2024

St. John’s Health in Jackson received the state’s only “A” grade from The Leapfrog Group.

Wyoming Hospitals Rank 43rd In U.S. By Patient Watchdog Group

The latest safety report cards issued by health care industry watchdog group Leapfrog rank Wyoming hospitals 43rd in the U.S. But the Wyoming Hospital Association says that doesn’t paint a full picture.

Dale KillingbeckNovember 19, 2024

Eric Wright, left, has been picked by President-elect Donald Trump as his next secretary of the Interior. Wyoming's coal industry is bullish on the change, hopeful for a reversal of federal fossil fuels policy.

Wyo. Mining Group Says Trump’s Energy Secretary Could Mean “180-Degree” Turn For Coal

The head of the Wyoming Mining Association says Trump’s nominee for energy secretary could roll back Biden regulations and reinvigorate the coal industry. He hopes to see “a 180-degree turn” for federal fossil fuels policy.

Leo WolfsonNovember 19, 2024

Teton County District Court Judge Melissa Owens

Abortion To Remain Legal In Wyoming As Judge Blocks Abortion Bans

Teton County District Court Judge Melissa Owens blocked Wyoming's two abortion bans Monday, saying abortion is health care and the Wyoming Constitution protects a woman's right to the procedure.

Clair McFarlandNovember 19, 2024

People listen to a panel discussion on Monday regarding whether to allow the carrying of concealed firearms on the University of Wyoming campus.

Get Over Your “Squishy Feelings,” UW Alum Tells Concealed Carry Panel At UW

At a panel discussion Monday, most attendees seemed to be against allowing concealed carry of firearms at the University of Wyoming. But one supporter told attendees to get over their “squishy feelings” and follow the law.

Mark HeinzNovember 18, 2024

Laramie County GOP Chairman Taft Love speaks against Lee at Saturday's state party meeting in Big Piney.

Wyoming Republicans Censure Laramie County Clerk Again, Call For Resignation

The Wyoming Republican Party censured Laramie County Clerk Debra Lee for a second time at its meeting Saturday and asked for her resignation. If she doesn’t resign, the party will request Gov. Mark Gordon remove her.

Leo WolfsonNovember 18, 2024

Crews have been working 24/7 on a permanent fix for Teton Pass, which had a catastrophic failure this past summer.

WYDOT Working 24/7 To Rebuild Mountain Under Teton Pass

The new Teton Pass will look just like the old one before it collapsed this past summer. WYDOT is working 24/7 to rebuild the mountain underneath Highway 22, this time with steel reinforcements set in bedrock and several drain systems.

Andrew RossiNovember 18, 2024

A Saratoga, Wyoming, man got a 7-foot-long list of citations last week after leading deputies on a chase and crashing in a ditch. Among those are allegations of having meth and littering for when his tailgate fell off.

Saratoga Man's Tailgate Falls Off During Chase, Charged With Littering And Meth

A Saratoga, Wyoming, man got a 7-foot-long list of citations last week after leading deputies on a chase and crashing in a ditch. Among those are allegations of having meth and littering for when his tailgate fell off.

Clair McFarlandNovember 18, 2024

Cody Stewart

Thermopolis Woman Pleads Not Guilty To Stealing From FFA Alumni

A Thermopolis, Wyoming, woman pleaded not guilty Monday to charges she stole $15,000 to $18,000 from the local Future Farmers of America Alumni. But in interviews with the police chief, she admitted skimming the group’s bank accounts, according to an affidavit.

Clair McFarlandNovember 19, 2024

This superflag, a huge 160-foot by 300-foot American flag unfurled at the Border War football game Friday took 200 people to carry.

Superflag At Border War Game Needed More Than 200 Volunteers To Carry

Colorado State University unfurled a huge superflag for its annual big salute to the military Friday at the Border War football game against the University of Wyoming. It needed more than 200 people to hold and carry it.

Dale KillingbeckNovember 18, 2024

James Temple

Sheridan County Elections Supervisor Stunned By Surprise Post-Election Firing

After helping oversee what he calls a “very successful” general election, Sheridan County’s election supervisor was suddenly fired last week. “I never saw it coming,” James Temple said.

Leo WolfsonNovember 18, 2024

Daily Features

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PinYour Wyoming Sunrise: Friday, November 22, 2024

Today's Wyoming sunrise was captured by Robin Reinhardt. Robin writes, "Driving to work and looked in my mirror and had to stop and get this picture looking south towards Riverside/Encampment."

Photo by Robin Reinhardt

Today's question to Don Day

Mark James Mullins of Douglas
In regard to your thunderstorm season article, can you reassess the data on a per-capita basis, especially when considering population of the states? It could affect me as I own a hill on my property which I plan a communications tower and likely will have a lightning rod installed when it goes in.
Don Day
FEMA has a good lightning database that takes into account lightning risk, potential property loss, etc. based on population and lightning frequency. Data is available on a county by county basis. Lots and lots of lightning data available here which may help in quest for more lightning information. https://hazards.fema.gov/nri/lightning
DD

Opinion

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Sally Ann Shurmur: UW vs Boise State -- Of All The Reasons To Go, Which Will You Choose?

Columnist Sally Ann Shurmur writes, “Should the unthinkable happen and Wyoming pull off the upset of all upsets, Boise will be done in the playoff talk and Jeanty’s Heisman hopes likely will be done as well. So all of this brings the question, does the football fan go to see the home team or the quality competition?"

Sally Ann ShurmurNovember 21, 2024

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Dave Simpson: What Was Your Favorite Whopper?

Columnist Dave Simpson writes, “Oprah Winfrey told us if we didn't vote for Kamala Harris, it could be the last time we ever get to vote in an election. Hoo-boy, what a knee-slapper that was.”

Dave SimpsonNovember 21, 2024

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Rod Miller: Gen Z Around the Ol’ Campfire – or – Kids These Days

Columnist Rod Miller writes, "A yellow bus from Big Empty High School had pulled up to cow camp in the pale pre-dawn, and dropped off a dozen or so juniors and seniors for their annual field trip to the sticks. Their broncpeeler chaperons paired off with a newbie apiece, and set out to do cowboy work."

Rod MillerNovember 21, 2024

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