CHEYENNE, Wyo. -- Gov. Matt Mead wants to prevent the closures of post offices in rural parts of Wyoming.

The U.S. Postal Service is considering closing 43 offices in the state, nearly a third of the state's outlets, as part of a nationwide plan to cut costs. People in towns that lose post offices would to drive 40 miles or more to get their mail.

Mead wrote to the postal service about the issue in August and renewed his call to protect small post offices on Tuesday.

Mead said some people in rural areas don't have reliable Internet access and depend on the Postal Service for communication.

He said some rural offices are already closed some weekdays and the postal service should share the pain of budget cuts across the country.

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