The federal government will stop issuing new coal leases on some 570 million acres of federal land, under a new plan being released Friday. In this photo from 2013, coal is loaded onto a truck at a mine built on federally controlled land in Montana. Matthew Brown/AP hide caption
In Wyoming, one in three Native students are what's considered "chronically absent." Educators on the Wind River Indian Reservation say that's a major factor holding back student achievement. Karl Gehring/Denver Post via Getty Images hide caption
Paul Weaver, Laramie City Council representative, says that when the state of Wyoming failed to act, Laramie saw the need for action and stepped in to protect gays and lesbians in the community. Miles Bryan/Wyoming Public Radio hide caption
A coal-bed methane well sits abandoned in a pool of water outside Gillette, Wyo. It's more expensive than it looks to clean up. Stephanie Joyce/Wyoming Public Radio hide caption
The Wind River Reservation, pictured here, is trying to increase reports and treatment of sexual assault with new practices that encourage cultural sensitivity to better serve survivors. Karl Gehring/Denver Post via Getty Images hide caption
There are about 400,000 greater sage grouse left on the landscape, spread across 11 Western states, from California to North Dakota. That's a fraction of what their numbers were just a century ago. Tom Koerner/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hide caption
Jim and Lyn Schneider installed solar panels and batteries because bringing grid power to their house in central Wyoming was going to cost around $80,000. Leigh Paterson/Wyoming Public Radio hide caption
Corrections officer Sgt. Charles Galaviz secures an inmate for transfer with handcuffs and shackles Jan. 24 at the Lexington Assessment and Reception Center, in Lexington, Okla. Overtime is mandatory for correctional officers in the state's prisons, which have a manpower shortage of about 33 percent and the highest inmate homicide rate in the country. Sue Ogrocki/AP hide caption
Colorado educators take part in a concealed carry course in Englewood, Colo., on Nov. 8. The course is open to all state school employees. Participants who complete the training are eligible to apply for a permit to carry a handgun. MATTHEW STAVER/Landov hide caption
No more cowboy boots for the Sublette County Sheriff's Department. Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images hide caption
Kody Partridge (center right) and her partner, Lauri Wood, kiss at a same-sex marriage celebration Monday in Salt Lake City. The status of gay marriage remains uncertain in Kansas and Wyoming, where officials say no court has ruled on their ban specifically. George Frey/Getty Images hide caption
After laying off roughly 2 million workers during the recession, the construction industry may not have enough crews to keep up with demand for building projects. Brennan Linsley/AP hide caption
Liz Cheney in 2010. Chris Usher /CBS/Landov hide caption