Kamila Kudelska

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Congresswoman Liz Cheney Says COVID-19 Remains A Threat, But She's Optimistic About The Future

Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of summer, and an influx of tourists are expected to come through the state to visit some of Wyoming's national parks. But as with everything, this year is a little different.

Almost 300 individuals in Casper will be tested after potentially coming into contact with two recently confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Five staff members and four residents of the Worland Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past week, bringing the county's total to 13 as of Monday afternoon.

The Wyoming Department of Health announced two new confirmed COVID-19 related deaths on Monday, May 18. An older man died in late March, and an older woman died in late April. They both died in Colorado, though both individuals were permanent residents of Laramie and Carbon counties respectively.

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Fewer Cars On The Road, Fewer Dollars For Highways: What COVID-19 Means For WYDOT

While many businesses are losing money in the state, so are some Wyoming agencies. One that's getting the hardest hit is the Wyoming Department of Transportation. Wyoming Public Radio's Catherine Wheeler explains.

The Wyoming entrance gates to Yellowstone National Park will open on Monday, May 18, at noon. Grand Teton National Park plans to open its gates at the same time.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages 18 million acres of public land in Wyoming. Out of that, close to 11 million acres are leased for oil and gas production.

The city of Cody is starting to detect the presence of COVID-19 in the community by testing human waste through the sewage system.

The U.S. Travel Association's National Travel and Tourism week is usually a time to highlight the tourism industry in the state but the week will be celebrated a little differently this year.

Yellowstone grizzly bears are protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) but starting Tuesday, May 5, a federal court will begin hearing oral arguments on whether the bears should be taken off.

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Reported COVID-19 Numbers Are The Floor, Not The Ceiling

Wyoming is one of the states with the fewest number of COVID-19 lab confirmed cases. That's good news. But officials say the state still needs to be careful and not fall into a false sense of security that could cause a second wave and end up being disastrous to the health and economy of the state. Wyoming Public Radio's Kamila Kudelska reports.

Wyoming state park campgrounds open to residents only on May 15. Antler hunting will begin on May 1 as usual. Fishing nonresident daily and five-day licenses are under temporary suspension till May 8. No planned date to reopen Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.

As providers throughout the nation start to offer Serological (Antibody) Tests for COVID-19, federal and state officials say be cautious of the results.

The Wyoming Department of Health announced it's easing some restrictions on personal care services, starting this Friday, May 1. That includes gyms, daycares, barbershops, hair salons and other personal care services.

Friday, May 1, is the opening day of shed antler hunting season. So far restrictions on how many people can come into the area have not been enforced by state or local officials. But Teton County and the town of Jackson administrators and public health officials are asking hunters to stay at home.

States in the Mountain West have seen protests against stay-at-home orders in recent days. Those protesters generally argue that the so-called cure to COVID-19 is worse than the disease itself. A recent analysis by University of Wyoming economists says otherwise.

More than 500 goldfish have been found in a reservoir meant to be a bass fishery. Wyoming Game and Fish said this highlights the effects of releasing household pets in the wild.

Wyoming hospitals are facing financial uncertainty amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Most hospitals are following the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendation to stop all non-essential services, like elective surgeries. 

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Governor Gordon Favors A Conservative Approach Towards Dealing With The Pandemic

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon says despite calls to reopen businesses he prefers to take a more conservative approach as Wyoming approaches the COVID-19 peak for the state.