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Abortion access returns to Jackson — for now

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Abortion access returns to Jackson — for now


Jackson will once again be home to one of the state’s only abortion providers.

On Tuesday, Feb. 6, Dr. Katie Noyes confirmed she’s offering pregnancy-ending medications at St. John’s Family Medicine starting this month.

“Safe and available primary care, including reproductive healthcare, is critical for the health of our community,” she wrote in a statement.

Noyes — a family physician — previously offered this service, alongside Dr. Giovannina Anthony, at a private practice.

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That clinic, Women’s Health and Family Care, shut its doors in December due to the high costs of rent, supplies and labor. The fate of abortion services in the region has been uncertain ever since, resulting in widespread concerns about the future of women’s health in Jackson.

The only other in-person providers in Wyoming are in Casper, at the Wellspring Health Access clinic — an over four hour drive from Jackson.

Legal uncertainties

St. John’s appears to be changing course with its recent decision to allow abortion services.

In late December, Noyes told KHOL that the hospital’s legal team told her she wouldn’t be allowed to provide the service due to legal holdups.

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“I just cried for most of the meeting because I was just too upset to have a discussion about it,” Noyes said in a past interview.

Noyes only provides medical abortions, rather than surgical ones. Also known as “medication abortions,” the pregnancy is terminated through pills, and it’s the most common way to get an abortion.

Last year, state lawmakers passed laws banning almost all abortions, including ones done through medications. But a group of abortion access advocates sued the state, and Teton County Judge Melissa Owens stopped the laws from going into effect.

Owens heard arguments in that case in December and could issue an opinion any day — either protecting or restricting abortion access in the state.

In the final days of 2023, Noyes said she was pushing the hospital to reconsider its decision to not allow medical abortions, saying the care is still “100 percent legal.”

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Changing course

It appears that strategy worked, with the hospital reversing its decision.

Karen Connelly, chief communications officer at St. John’s Health, said in a Tuesday night statement that the hospital has spent the last few months seeking legal advice.

“In accordance with such advice, SJH (St. John’s Health) will continue to support the autonomy of its Providers to engage in their full scope of practice, so long as they fully comply with current Wyoming law and all relevant medical standards,” Connelly wrote.

It’s unclear what exact legal advice the hospital was taking into account, given the confidential nature of attorney-client relations.

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But, Noyes previously said the legal team was worried about its medical licenses and its doctors being retroactively prosecuted if the courts eventually let the abortion bans go into effect.

Under the statutes, anyone who provides an abortion could end up in jail for up to five years, or pay a fine of up to $20,000, or both.

St. John’s will continue to monitor legal developments, Connelly said, “consulting with our Providers and adjusting our approach as needed to maintain full compliance with Wyoming law.”





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Governor Gordon attends signing of Wyoming’s Healthy Choice Waiver in Washington D.C.

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Governor Gordon attends signing of Wyoming’s Healthy Choice Waiver in Washington D.C.


CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Governor Mark Gordon’s office recently announced that the governor and Director of Family Services (DFS) Korin Schmidt traveled to Washington D.C. on Wednesday to meet with Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as well as other Trump Administration officials, to sign the Wyoming’s Healthy Choice Waiver. A release […]



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March 31 Deadline For Wyoming’s ‘Becoming An Outdoor Woman’ Workshops

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March 31 Deadline For Wyoming’s ‘Becoming An Outdoor Woman’ Workshops


Gaining the knowledge to become an outdoorsy type of person isn’t easy. It takes time, dedication, and the desire to sometimes get out of your comfort zone. Sure, if you grew up in the outdoors, but it’s been a while since you’ve actually been out hunting, fishing, hiking, or camping, you may be a little rusty, but you have a leg up on those who haven’t.

If you’re in Wyoming, there’s a good chance that taking advantage of the incredible outdoor activities we have available has crossed your mind, but where to start is the big question. Asking others for help is one way, but there’s sometimes an element of intimidation or embarrassment involved.

If you’re a woman looking for that help and want to avoid the intimidation, you should really check out the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Becoming an Outdoor Woman (BOW) workshops this summer. It’s held at the Whiskey Mountain Conservation Camp near Dubois, and everything you need to learn about the outdoors is provided, including food and lodging.

The registration deadline is March 31, meaning you have just a couple of weeks to apply for one or all of the offered workshops.

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There are multiple options available depending on your level of outdoor knowledge.

Basic BOW Workshop: Introductory level camp teaching outdoor survival, basic fly fishing, backpacking, how to shoot, outdoor photography, and more. There will be two of these workshops, June 5-7 and August 7-9. $150

Fly Fishing Beyond BOW Workshop: The focus here is on fly fishing. Learn the basics and then put them to use. This workshop runs July 30 – Aug 2. $150

Backpacking Beyond BOW: This workshop is all about backpacking, hiking, cooking on the trail, adjusting to the trail, and preparing for the trip. You’ll learn how to properly pack your bag, set up camp, and then head out on an overnight trip. July 30 – Aug 2. $150

Become a BOW Instructor: Here’s where you put your years of experience to work by sharing your skills and knowledge with others, helping them learn the tricks and tips of the outdoors.

Not only will these workshops help get you started on a life in the outdoors, but you’re likely going to gain some street cred with your family when you can teach them the skills they’ll need to get out and celebrate a Wyoming lifestyle.

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PHOTOS: Wyoming Outdoor Weekend

16 Types Of Hikes Explained





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Snowpack In The South Laramie Range At Just Three Percent Of Normal Levels

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Snowpack In The South Laramie Range At Just Three Percent Of Normal Levels


The snowpack in the South Laramie Range in southeast Wyoming as of Monday was at three percent of normal, according to the Cheyenne Office of the National Weather Service.

And while other mountain ranges in southeast Wyoming were not nearly that low in snowpack, they were still well below normal at last report.

The agency posted the following on its website:

February was yet another warm and dry month, continuing the pattern that has dominated our area since last fall. Mountain snowpack remains well below average in southeast Wyoming, especially in the Laramie Range where snowpack is at an all time record low. For the plains, some light snow fell last month, but it was not enough to keep from increasing seasonal snowfall deficits. Cheyenne is off to its 4th least snowy start to the season since records began in the 1880s, and Scottsbluff has received the 2nd least snow since record began in the 1890s. We are now approximately two-thirds of the way through the snow accumulation season, with a little more than one-third to go in March, April, and into early May.

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But the good news is that after a wet 24 hours on Monday night/Tuesday, more snow may be headed our way on Friday.

Cheyenne, Laramie Forecasts

Cheyenne Forecast

Tonight

A slight chance of rain and snow showers before 11pm. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 24. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday

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Sunny, with a high near 55. West wind around 10 mph.

Wednesday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday

A slight chance of rain showers after 11am, mixing with snow after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 59. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

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Thursday Night

Rain and snow showers likely, becoming all snow after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Blustery. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Friday

Snow showers. High near 32. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Friday Night

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A chance of snow showers before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 18.

Saturday

Sunny, with a high near 44. Breezy.

Saturday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 29. Breezy.

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Sunday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. Breezy.

Sunday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 35. Breezy.

Monday

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Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. Breezy.

Monday Night

A slight chance of rain and snow showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 35.

Tuesday

A chance of rain and snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 54. Breezy.

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Laramie Forecast

Tonight

Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 20. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph after midnight.

Wednesday

Sunny, with a high near 48. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west southwest in the afternoon.

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Wednesday Night

Increasing clouds, with a low around 27. South wind around 5 mph.

Thursday

A slight chance of rain and snow showers after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday Night

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Snow showers. Low around 23. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Friday

Snow showers. High near 31. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Friday Night

A chance of snow showers before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 13.

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Saturday

Sunny, with a high near 39.

Saturday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 25.

Sunday

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Sunny, with a high near 48. Breezy.

Sunday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 32.

Monday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. Breezy.

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Monday Night

A slight chance of snow showers. Mostly clear, with a low around 33.

Tuesday

A chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 50. Breezy.

2026 WHSAA Wyoming State Wrestling Championship

Gallery Credit: Kolby Fedore, TSM

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