Damages from the unusual winter storm that impacted Texas and other states earlier in February could exceed $45 billion.

Oklahoma is working to ensure its Unemployment Insurance (UI) Trust Fund stays over a certain threshold to avoid tax increases on businesses after jobless claims surged throughout the state, creating payouts in 2020 that were more than the previous 10 years combined.

United States livestock slaughter highlights for January 2021 from the USDA.

Colorado crop progress and condition report for February 2021 from the USDA.

Wyoming legislators are looking to strengthen the state’s Second Amendment laws.

In response to a call to reevaluate Wyoming trapping rules, the state is looking at potential regulation changes to prevent unintended consequences involving dogs and other animals.

With weeks to go before the start of spring, southeast Colorado remains dry. Warmer temperatures, along with expected strong winds, are bringing high fire danger to the plains.

The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning due to the risk Saturday. The warning will be in effect from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. for Cheyenne, Kiowa, Otero, Bent, Prowers and Baca counties. Eastern Las Animas county is also included.

Photo of the week from the February 26, 2021, edition of the Kiowa County Press in Eads, Colorado - lilac leaf buds could soon appear to mark the start of spring.

Birthdays

March 1

• Lexi Lopez
• R.J.

The groundhog has officially declared six more weeks of winter. Not many people love hearing this news, but the news is particularly unwelcome to those with bladder issues. A condition called cold diuresis is common for people with incontinence. Cold diuresis means that your blood vessels constrict, causing your blood pressure to rise. When your blood pressure rises, you’ll need to empty your bladder more frequently.