State Superintendent of Public Instruction Cindy Hill says she is concerned that tests designed to evaluate the academic progress of Wyoming students are getting out of hand.

Carbon county officials say they are optimistic that a Texas company will follow through on plans to construct a plant to turn coal into gasoline by 2016. Doug Randall reports. The application deadline for hunters to apply for the Springer and Glendo special pheasant hunts is 5 p.m. on September 15th. Wyoming Game and Fish Department spokesman Al Langston. Click past the jump to listen to Wyoming Radio News.

A single vehicle rollover early Sunday morning claimed the life of a 30 year old Thornton, Colorado man.

Electronics have become essential for academic success for college students. Jack Wayman of the Consumer Electronics Association has a rundown of the latest in electronic aids for students. The University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service is advising using repellents to reduce the risk of bluetongue in sheep. Click past jump to listen to Wyoming Radio News.

The U.S. Drought Monitor says extreme drought conditions now cover much of southern and eastern Wyoming after a dry august. Doug Randall reports. The Sheridan VA Medical Center in partnership with other agencies will host a homeless veterans stand down in Casper Thursday. Click past the jump to listen to Wyoming Radio News.

With drought conditions at an extreme, residents are asked to take extra care when recreating to help prevent wildland fires in the state. The Wyoming State Forestry division says this year, close to 500,000 acres have burned in Wyoming. Many of these fires have been caused by lightning, however, there is an increase of human caused fires throughout the country, Wyoming included.

Hunting season and outdoor fall activities brings an increase for the potential of human caused fires. You can do your part to help reduce the threat of wildfire by following these simple steps during these extreme dry conditions.

The Legislature’s Joint Interim Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources committee has endorsed a proposed bill that would allow silencers be used while hunting in Wyoming. Doug Randall has the details. Sweetwater county authorities says they are focusing on four different areas in their investigation into the death of 17 year old Rigoberto Alvarado, who’s body was found in a shallow grave outside of Rock Springs on August 19th. Click past the jump to listen to Wyoming Radio News.

Cheyenne-based meteorologist Don Day says early indications are that southeastern Wyoming can expect fairly average weather conditions for the upcoming winter season.

The Cheyenne City Council Finance Committee on Monday refused to endorse an eminent domain court action to obtain part of the former Hollywood Video parking lot for the Pershing/Converse/19th street Roundabout project.

The number of out-of-state businesses looking at locating in Wyoming has increased markedly over the past fiscal year. Amy Richards reports. Forest visitors traveling on the Hog Park Road in the Medicine Bow National Forest may encounter delays. Click past jump to listen to Wyoming Radio News.

September is National Preparedness Month and the Wyoming Department of Health is encouraging residents to  consider joining a local Medical Reserve Corps unit. Angelyn Mayes, state Medical Reserve Corps Coordinator, says Community-based Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) units are a specialized, health-related component of Citizen Corps, a national network of hometown security volunteers.

Law enforcement officials in Rock Springs say they are focusing on four different areas in their investigation of the murder of 17-year-old Rigoberto Alvarado, whose body was found in a shallow grave outside Rock Springs on August 19 . Those

Steve Woodson was sworn in Tuesday by Wyoming Supreme Court Justice William Hill as the new head of the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation. DCI is part of the Attorney General’s office and is Wyoming’s chief law enforcement agency. Woodson has worked for the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for 20 years as a special agent, most of that work based in Wyoming. Woodson also spent years as a special agent and team leader with the Wyoming DCI. 

Four people received enough write-in votes in Powell to run for mayor in November, but the ballot will only list one candidate. Doug Randall reports.  The National Park service has reopened the public comment period for 30 days on the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for long-term plan for winter use in Yellowstone National Park. Click past the jump to listen to Wyoming Radio News.

Manufacturing company Ridgelein Energy Services has begun remodeling an abandoned school in Deaver. Business Reporter Sharon Fain has details. The Bureau of Land Management will lease two coal tracts south of Gillette containing nearly 380 tons of coal. Amy Richards reports.

A team of professional paleontologists is excavating dinosaur bones in the Dana Quarry in northern Wyoming. Janet Mcallister of the Centers for Disease Control  and Prevention (CDC) says the weather patterns this year have contributed to the recent outbreak of West Nile Virus in the U.S. Click past the jump to listen to Wyoming Radio News.

Twenty year old Joseph Jude Jenkins, a co-defendant charged in the slayings and robbery of a Hudson couple, has pleaded not guilty by reason of mental illness or deficiency. A judge has ordered a mental evaluation. The University of Wyoming will host a cattleman’s boot camp September 28th and 29th. Doug Randall reports. Click past the jump to listen to Wyoming Radio News.

Wyoming Main Street is accepting applications from communities interested in participating in its program. business reporter Sharon Fain has the details. The Bureau of Reclamation will lower Guernsey Reservoir again. Doug Randall reports. Click past the jump to listen to Wyoming Radio News.

Wyoming (0-1 overall) held an early 9-7 lead over the Longhorns (1-0 overall), but were outscored 30-8 the rest of the way in the 2012 season opener for both teams. UW junio