Albany County

At least three ranches in the Elk Mountain area lost 50 cows to an all but unheard of disease in the U.S. Shortly after the cattle diagnosis, one rancher had potential symptoms of the disease too. We learn more about the handling of the rare disease and how it eroded some local trust in government and public health agencies.

In all four of Albany County's state House Districts, voters chose to reelect the incumbent. In three of those four races, that meant reelecting a Democrat.

Early morning voters hit the polls for with local issues and the Presidency in mind.

The Laramie City Council approved the creation of a Police Advisory Board last year. It’s made up of civilians and works to improve the relationship between the community and the local police force. They’ve hit some challenges, but are still optimistic in their goal.

The Bear Creek Fire is now approximately 2,500 acres with unknown containment. Multiple agencies are helping on the scene, including Albany and Platte county fire departments and the Bureau of Land Management.

Jenny Loveridge is a scientist who’s lived in Laramie since 2004. She’s snorkeled just about every body of water within 200 miles. This summer, when she was snorkeling in Alsop Lake, she saw something new on the plants: New Zealand mudsnails – an invasive aquatic species. They’re the size of a grain of rice, with a swirly tan or dark colored shell. Loveridge saw millions.

A complaint filed in July by an Albany County-based conservation group has opened a wind project up for public scrutiny.

On July 28, the Albany County Conservancy issued a complaint against the Bureau of Land Management. The complaint alleges that the BLM failed to appropriately involve the public before approving part of the Rock Creek Wind Gen-Tie Transmission Lie.

On July 5, the Albany County Commission updated the Casper Aquifer Protection Plan for the first time in over a decade. The city of Laramie had previously established a protection plan in 2008, and Albany County established a plan in 2011. While those plans were separate, this updated version was created jointly between the two governments.

In a lawsuit seeking to stop the construction of a wind farm in Albany County, the Wyoming Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the wind farm.