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Fire districts navigating property tax cuts say things are getting ‘extreme’
Wyoming Public Radio
In a since-deleted social media post, a special district in Natrona County called for classifying EMS as an essential service under Wyoming law, like firefighting and law enforcement, to give it dedicated funding. That’s in response to property tax reductions that have gnawed at the district’s budget, as well as those of other EMS and fire districts across the state, Wyoming Public Radio reports. Read the full story.
Community college layoffs will dissolve or restructure 63 positions to address budget shortfalls
Green River Star
Western Wyoming Community College is laying off faculty and staff in an effort to cut spending by about $4 million. Spurred by decreased revenue due to property tax cuts, the college also wants to rely less on its reserves. Although some of the 63 positions were vacant and others will be restructured and rehired, the college’s president said the cuts will result in a 10% employee reduction at Western, the Green River Star reports. Read the full story.
Government cleans up arsenic, mercury south of Laramie
Laramie Boomerang
Federal and state agencies are ramping up cleanup of “the old cement factory” south of Laramie after years of industrial operations left the property contaminated with arsenic, mercury and other hazardous materials. For a decade, the state tackled flu dust, tank bottoms and asbestos. In 2022, Wyoming asked the federal government for help, and crews have since removed 260 abandoned drums and containers. But more remains to be done, the Laramie Boomerang reports. Read the full story.
Wyoming confirms five cases of measles in Fremont County
Oil City News
The Wyoming Department of Health reports five cases of measles among Fremont County residents, both adults and children, all of whom were unvaccinated at the time of exposure. The initial exposure occurred out of state. The public may have been exposed to measles at the Flying J Travel Center in Evanston from 2:30-5 p.m. on Dec. 1, Oil City News reports. Read the full story.