Good morning, Cheyenne.

Cheyenne City Council considered converting a former Big Lots building in Cheyenne Plaza into a liquor store, restaurant and off-track betting venue.

Construction will start early next year with the liquor store opening by March’s end, the betting venue in late next year and the restaurant in 2028.

Chadron Hockley, 24, was named the 2027 Cheyenne Frontier Days Lady-in-Waiting after completing a written application, horsemanship demonstration, and interview; she will serve with Miss Frontier MeadowAnn King to represent the festival’s rich traditions.

The Wyoming Department of Workforce Services reported Monday that the unemployment rate dropped to 3.0% in July, down from 3.2% in June; Niobrara, Sublette and Weston counties recorded the biggest decreases while Fremont County increased.

Total nonfarm employment held steady at 300,800 jobs since July 2025.

Laramie County will host a forum on industrial projects to explain development and application processes.

The meeting starts at 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 31 at the Commissioners’ Boardroom at 310 W. 19th Street (developers and county staff will answer questions).

Cheyenne Elks Lodge invites submissions for its Drug Abuse Prevention Poster Contest, sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield Wyoming.

Submit entries to 100 E. 17th St. by Sept. 28; winners will be displayed at the Drug Take Back Dinner on Oct. 6 (with $150 prizes for youth and adult entries).

Kevin McKinney discussed UW athletics on SportsZone Monday, and the Wyoming Cowboy football team is set to open the season against Colorado State next Saturday (the game is highly anticipated).