Buffalo

Jessica Kavitz, a kindergarten teacher at Meadowlark Elementary School, was surprised with the award on Nov. 29. She is the first teacher in Johnson County School District #1 to receive this honor, which has been called the "Oscar of Teaching." Kavitz also received $25,000 and an all expenses paid trip to Milken Educator Awards Forum in Los Angeles in April 2023.

The Veterans Home of Wyoming near Buffalo houses the new facility, which can accommodate 36 veterans. It also includes a lock down unit in addition to providing residential care. It's opening fills a long-time void in veteran healthcare in the state.

The 10th anniversary event has drawn thousands of attendees in years past. This year's attendance is expected to be somewhat smaller than in previous years, though 4,000 to 5,000 are still set to come. The events kick off on Aug. 18 and run through Aug. 21. Actor Robert Taylor, who portrayed Walt Longmire in the TV series, is the only cast member that's set to attend this year.

The nonprofit Buffalo Field Exchange filed the original lawsuit. Their executive Director James Holt said they will be following the investigation closely.

Yellowstone National Park is interested in public comment about buffalo management in the park. The Chief of Environmental Quality says that they are interested in more tribal centered solutions.

This week a federal judge ordered the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to reevaluate a petition from two advocacy groups, the Buffalo Field Campaign and the Western Watersheds Project. They have been petitioning the federal government since 2014 to recognize the subpopulation of Yellowstone buffalo under the Endangered Species Act.

HGTV's Ben and Erin Napier star in a new series, Home Town Kickstart, which will feature six smaller communities nationwide to give a boost to their revitalization efforts. Other major home renovation stars such at Ty Pennington and Nate Berkus are also set to appear on the show to lead different projects.

The crossing is designed to lessen the number of animal-vehicle collisions on a stretch of I-25 between Kaycee and Buffalo.

Next summer, officials with the Bighorn National Forest will begin tree thinning and natural habitation restoration projects in northeastern Wyoming's Goose Creek Watershed as part of its recently approved management plan.

Wool that's produced in Wyoming is often sent out of state where it enters a worldwide market. Much of it is sent overseas for production. But one local business is trying to change that.