RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) generated almost $17.5 million in revenue during its latest quarterly oil and gas lease sale in Wyoming.

The sale included 86 parcels covering 79,169 acres and generated $17,495,907 in total receipts. Revenue from lease bonus bids and rentals will be split between the federal government and the state where the parcels are located.

This lease sale was conducted under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which lowered the federal onshore royalty rate for new oil and gas production from 16.67 percent to 12.5 percent, reversing the increase set by the Inflation Reduction Act.

Officials said the reduced rate makes drilling on public lands more affordable, encouraging additional leasing and development. The move is expected to boost domestic energy production and strengthen U.S. energy security.

The BLM noted the sales align with Executive Order 14154, “Unleashing American Energy,” aimed at solidifying the U.S. as a global energy leader.

Leases are awarded for 10 years and remain active as long as oil or gas is produced in paying quantities. The BLM ensures all development complies with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and other legal requirements.

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TWO RIVERS, Wis. (WFRV) – The Two Rivers Police Department provided additional information on an ongoing case surrounding a 16-year-old girl who was found in Wyoming after being reported missing on Black Friday.

According to the release, officers responded to check for the missing girl, identified as a 16-year-old from Manitowoc, after her family hadn’t seen her and she had not shown up for work.

Officials learned that she was last seen being picked up from a friend’s house in Two Rivers by a man in a sedan hours before the notification. The Two Rivers Police Department coordinated its investigation with multiple other agencies after learning that the girl was taken out of state.

The following agencies were alerted:

• Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigations (DCI) – Wisconsin Crime Alert Network
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Nebraska State Patrol
• Wyoming Highway Patrol
• Wyoming DCI
• Manitowoc County Joint Dispatch Center

Several dispatch centers in Nebraska and Wyoming were notified, and on November 29, the Wyoming Highway Patrol spotted a suspect vehicle that held the girl and two men who said they were paid to pick her up and take her to Utah.

The two men were arrested for kidnapping and are reportedly under investigation concerning their immigration status.

Local 5 will provide updates as needed.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Drivers in Cheyenne and throughout southeast Wyoming face slick road conditions and falling snow this morning, with winter weather expected to impact travel throughout the day.

The Wyoming Department of Transportation reports high-impact conditions on several routes surrounding the capital city. Interstate 25 and U.S. Highway 87 are slick with snowfall from the Colorado state line to Cheyenne. North of the city, drivers on I-25 will encounter slick spots, strong winds and blowing snow up to Exit 29 at Whitaker Road.

Travel on Interstate 80 and the Cheyenne Service Road is also affected. WYDOT lists conditions as slick with snow and limited visibility between Exit 335 at Buford and Exit 348 at Otto Road. Other local routes, including U.S. Highway 85 and Wyoming Highway 210, are reported as wet and slick in spots with snowfall.

According to the National Weather Service in Cheyenne, a round of light snow will continue to move through the area this morning. Most locations can expect a dusting to an inch of accumulation, though higher amounts are possible between Rawlins and Cheyenne.

Temperatures remain well below average for early December. The NWS forecast calls for a high near 27 degrees today, with wind chill values between zero and 10. Snow is expected to taper off by this afternoon as a cold front brings drier air into the region.

The cold will deepen overnight, with low temperatures dropping to around 10 and wind chills dipping as low as 5 below zero.

Looking ahead, the NWS predicts a sunny but breezy day Thursday, with westerly winds increasing to 20–25 mph and gusts as high as 35 mph. The long-term forecast calls for an active weather pattern, bringing periods of high winds and chances for light snow through the weekend, followed by a gradual warming trend into early next week.

Detailed Forecast

• Today: A 40% chance of snow, mainly before 11 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 27. North wind 5–10 mph becoming east in the afternoon.
• Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 10. Wind chill values between zero and 10. Southeast wind 5–10 mph becoming west after midnight.
• Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 37. Wind chill values between minus 5 and 5. Breezy, with a west wind 10–15 mph increasing to 20–25 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph.
• Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. Breezy, with a west wind 20–25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.
• Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 38. Breezy, with a west northwest wind 10–20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
• Friday Night: A 20% chance of snow showers after 11 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22.
• Saturday: A 30% chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 40. Breezy.
• Saturday Night: A chance of snow showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 22.
• Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 41. Breezy.
• Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 26.
• Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 46. Breezy.
• Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 28.
• Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. Breezy.

More on the weather is available at the National Weather Service website.

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