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Cowboy State Daily is Wyoming’s largest newspaper with Wyoming’s most experienced journalists. 

<title>You Still Here? Sunday, November 19, 2023 | Cowboy State Daily</title>

You Still Here? Sunday, November 19, 2023

 Just in time for Thanksgiving, a new recipe! Alternative title: Some people should be banned from cooking...

Kolby fedore

Kolby Fedore

Crime & Courts

More than three months after a Sweetwater County sheriff's deputy fatally shot an armed 18-year-old during a standoff at a Rock Springs apartment complex, an independent investigation has concluded the deputy acted lawfully and will not face criminal charges.

The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation investigated the April 20 shooting at the Sweetwater Heights apartment complex. Carbon County Attorney Sarah Chavez Harkins served as a special prosecutor to determine whether Deputy Nathaniel Hull's actions violated Wyoming or federal law.

In a written determination dated July 31, Harkins concluded Hull's use of deadly force was both constitutionally and statutorily justified, bringing the criminal review to a close.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Hit-And-Run"}]

The confrontation began around 4:10 a.m. April 20, when officers with the Rock Springs Police Department responded to a reported hit-and-run in the parking lot of the Sweetwater Heights apartment complex at 2152 Century Blvd.

As officers responded, dispatchers received information that 18-year-old Zander Bowlin, an Arkansas native living in Rock Springs, had shot himself, was suicidal, possessed multiple firearms and might shoot responding officers.

The DCI investigation found officers entered Bowlin's upstairs apartment to render aid but instead found him in a bedroom holding a handgun to his neck.

Investigators said officers repeatedly ordered Bowlin to drop the gun before withdrawing from the apartment and beginning to evacuate neighboring residents.

Deputy Hull arrived to assist and took a position outside the apartment building, where he made verbal contact with Bowlin on an outer balcony, they said.

The Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office said Bowlin repeatedly moved between the apartment and the balcony carrying different firearms and pointed them at Hull several times.

Investigators found Hull stayed behind cover and withheld fire during each of those encounters.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Confrontation Escalates"}]

The confrontation escalated when Bowlin emerged carrying an AR-platform rifle.

Investigators said Bowlin turned toward the area where patrol vehicles, responding officers and residents evacuating the apartment building were located before lowering the rifle in that direction.

[{"type":"text","text":"Hull again ordered Bowlin to drop the weapon."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"According to investigators, Bowlin then turned the rifle toward Hull."}]

Hull fired three rounds from his duty pistol, striking Bowlin and ending the confrontation.

Law enforcement officers maintained cover while a tactical team entered the apartment and secured the scene.

Tactical officers found four firearms on Bowlin or within his immediate area — two handguns tucked into his waistband, another handgun beside him and the AR-platform rifle resting along the balcony railing. Multiple firearms, including the rifle, were loaded.

Bowlin was transported to Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County before he was flown to a medical facility in Salt Lake City.

[{"type":"text","text":"He died April 25 from injuries sustained in the shooting."}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Why No Charges?"}]

In her written determination, Harkins concluded Bowlin's actions created "a direct and immediate threat" to Hull, other responding officers and members of the public.

She determined Hull reasonably believed deadly force was necessary to prevent imminent death or serious bodily injury and that he used only the amount of force necessary to stop the threat.

Harkins also found no evidence Hull acted with "ill will, malicious intent, or any unlawful purpose."

[{"type":"text","text":"Based on those findings, she declined to pursue criminal charges."}]

Harkins did not respond to Cowboy State Daily's request for a copy of her written final determination.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"What Witnesses Saw"}]

, authorities released few details because DCI's investigation had just begun.

[{"type":"text","text":"Neighbors, however, described a chaotic scene."}]

Varick Dittman told Cowboy State Daily he awoke after hearing what sounded like gunfire and later saw officers surrounding the apartment complex.

[{"type":"text","text":"\"I heard at least one gunshot,\" Dittman said at the time."}]

Another resident, Cayden Aragon, said officers evacuated the third floor while tactical officers and drones converged on the apartment complex. After the incident, he discovered his truck had been struck during the response.

At the time, DCI Commander Ryan Cox said many questions about the shooting could not be answered while investigators continued gathering evidence.

Cowboy State Daily also submitted a Wyoming Public Records Act request to the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation seeking the investigative file, including the investigative report, witness interviews, dispatch communications, body-camera footage and other records related to the shooting.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Sheriff Responds"}]

Sweetwater County Sheriff Rich Fischer said independent review is appropriate whenever law enforcement uses deadly force.

"Public scrutiny is appropriate whenever a law enforcement officer uses deadly force," Fischer said. "To ensure that scrutiny, DCI investigated this incident, and an outside prosecutor reviewed the evidence. The complete record shows that Deputy Hull took cover, communicated what he was observing, repeatedly ordered Bowlin to drop his weapons, and fired only after Bowlin lowered a rifle toward officers and residents and then turned it toward Deputy Hull."

Fischer said the findings confirmed Hull acted lawfully while emphasizing the human cost of the incident.

"Two things can be true at the same time: any loss of human life is tragic, and we are also profoundly grateful that no one else was injured," Fischer said. "There are moments in this profession when every available option carries grave consequences, yet an officer must still make a decision in seconds."

Rock Springs shooting 8 5 26

<title>Sweetwater Sheriff's Deputy Cleared In Fatal Shooting Of Armed Rock Springs Man | Cowboy State Daily</title>

A special prosecutor has cleared a Sweetwater County deputy in the April fatal shooting of an 18-year-old in Rock Springs. The conclusion is deadly force was legally justified after the man pointed an AR-style rifle and other firearms at officers.

Sweetwater Sheriff's Deputy Cleared In Fatal Shooting Of Armed Rock Springs Man

Headshot of Cowboy State Daily's general assignment reporter, Clair McFarland.

Clair McFarland

Government & Politics

Politics

 SHERIDAN — Secretary of State Chuck Gray bashed data centers repeatedly and clashed with the moderator 

during a U.S. House forum and debate Tuesday night in Sheridan, 

Casper businessman Reid Rasner criticized Gray multiple times. Both philanthropist Steve Friess and Army Col. Kevin Christensen asserted that they’re leading the race with Gray.   

And a few candidates derided the significant wealth streaming into this race.

Wyoming Public Television (PBS) hosted the forum at Sheridan Community College. Both PBS and Wyoming Public Media streamed it.

PBS public affairs producer Steve Peck moderated the forum, which also featured a short debate phase. He warned candidates they should be civil and avoid prolonged challenges or pointed attacks on their opponents, or they’d be interrupted.

Cowboy State Daily and Wyoming Public Media panelists asked questions about whether Congress should legislate rules around license-plate reader cameras, and who is responsible for implementing artificial intelligence protection framework.

Gray answered both questions with repeated references to data centers, which are computer server warehouses that store data – including for AI – and are a flashpoint issue this election cycle.

“Well, I’m the only candidate on stage that has been talking about these data AI data centers and expressed my opposition to these AI data centers,” said Gray, who also referenced mandated kill switches in vehicles and automated workforces.

Other candidates have spoken of data centers, but only Gray has indicated a desire to ban them at the federal level from Washington, D.C.

Senate President Bo Biteman said the states shouldn’t be cut out of the ability to ban or approve data centers, and communities should have the most control over their local permitting decisions for them.

That has been Friess’s stance, and former U.S. Army ranger David Giralt echoed that approach Tuesday night also.

Rasner agreed with the local-control stance Tuesday night, and used the topic as a chance to deride Gray.

“And I find it very suspicious even our own secretary of state signed off on an AI data center less than 1 mile away from our nuclear facilities and (FE) Warren Air Force base,” said Rasner.

Gray interjected: “That’s false. That’s false.”

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"'When It's Your Turn'"}]

Rasner continued the critique. Gray turned to Peck and said, “I need to respond to that.”

“When it’s your turn to respond,” said Peck, “take the time then, please.”

“I can’t respond to false …" began Gray.

“You can respond when it’s your turn to respond next,” answered Peck.

Former President Joe Biden in a 2024 executive order announced that MineOne, a data center company “majority owned by Chinese nationals”, had bought land within one mile of the base at 635 Logistics Drive, Cheyenne.

The order calls Terra Crypto Inc, which was incorporated under Gray’s office in 2023, a subsidiary or affiliate of MineOne.

The Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. investigated the business and identified national security risks, the order says. The Biden administration ordered the business to 

While Gray’s signature is on the business registration approval for Terra Crypto, he has repeatedly urged the Legislature to adopt stronger business-approval laws to restrict adversarial nations.

The Legislature reacted to the 2024 controversy by giving state law enforcement 

 potentially dangerous land transfers near critical infrastructure, and giving the secretary of state grounds to dissolve businesses owned or controlled by foreign adversaries.

Meanwhile, at the debate, Friess voiced fears of AI systems “going off the rails” and said the U.S. should also be aware of its tech race against China.

Former Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow said the technology industry seeks framework and guidance from government, and said she’d work to develop that “as your congresswoman.”

Christensen said the nation needs to develop framework for ethical AI, but individuals and families also need to engage, communicate with their kids and be wary of the new landscape.

Giralt said Congress should do “hard work” to put data privacy protections in the National Defense Authorization Act.

Next, Sheridan Press government reporter Weston Pope asked candidates which of President Donald Trump’s executive orders they’d codify or discard.

Gray’s turn came last in that round, and after he listed his favored executive orders on election security, immigration enforcement and “stopping Wall Street housing speculation that has driven up housing costs,” he responded to Rasner.

“But, 20 minutes later,” said Gray, “I’m finally going to respond to this false statement from one of my opponents, who’s been making false statements for six months about me.”

Gray touted himself as the “strongest secretary of state in the nation on stopping China and North Korea.”

This is at least the second time Gray has 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Biteman Remembers That One Differently"}]

Nikki Ouellet, managing editor of Wyoming Public Media, asked Gray and Biteman how they’d be effective in Congress.

That was during a debate phase that pitted two candidates against each other at a time.

“Well I have a track record of this,” said Gray, pointing to his sponsorship of a successful bill directing medical staffers performing abortions to inform patients “of the opportunity” to view an ultrasound of the child and hear a heartbeat. 

Gray pointed to other legislative efforts on coal and election reform.

“What I learned during that time is that people respond to legislators with conviction, legislators that are approachable, have a sense of humor and are also authentic,” said Gray. “And that’s certainly what I am.”

He said other legislators are drawn to that.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Biteman voiced surprise."}]

“Well, that’s not the history I remember, serving with my good friend Chuck,” said Biteman, who’s on the final days of 10 years’ service in the Legislature.

“He developed a reputation of being a bully,” said Biteman of Gray. “He treated people roughly and he didn’t have the respect of his colleagues, because of the way he treated them.”

Gray responded, “Well, Biteman is wrong,” and said some lawmakers didn’t like that Gray would call for named, roll-call votes instead of voice majority.

In the next debate phase pitting Biteman against Rasner, Biteman answered a question about federal spending by saying the nation needs to start by finishing the “DOGE” mission of cutting waste, fraud and abuse.

Rasner responded by thanking Biteman for his service in the Legislature, and taking another dig at Gray.

Rasner said Gray in 2021 “voted to give tax breaks to big data centers right here in Wyoming, and usher them in.”

The vote was an attempt by then-Rep. Clark Stith to repeal Wyoming’s tax exemption for large data center projects. Gray had voted at the time to keep the tax exemption.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Gray addressed Peck again."}]

“Am I going to get to respond to that per your rules?” asked Gray. “Am I going to get to respond? Are you ever going to follow your rules?”

Peck answered, “I am following the rules, sir.”

“OK,” said Gray. “So I can’t respond? You said that …"

Peck interjected, “You’ll have another chance to speak during this round.”

“You’re not following your rules,” objected Gray.

“I am following the rules, I invite you to check them,” said Peck.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"“You’re not,” said Gray."}]

“Do you want to continue, sir?” asked Peck.

Gray continued to lament that Peck was not following the rules.

Peck offered Biteman the chance to respond to Rasner’s remarks, as part of the two-man debate.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"“No, I’m good,” said Biteman."}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"The audience laughed. Some clapped."}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Harriet Hageman"}]

Candidates diverged slightly at the two-word lightning round prompt of “Harriet Hageman.”

“She is terrible at responding to constituent letters,” said Dodson. The audience laughed.

Christensen said he disagrees with her on a number of things that Wyoming people didn’t support but finds her hard-working and dedicated to Wyoming.

Giralt said she’s doing an excellent job, and he’ll add his own priorities to the mix.

Biteman pivoted: “She’s a good cook and she makes a mean lasagna.”

Rasner called her a strong conservative and said he’s looking forward to working with her. Gray delivered similar praise.

Friess called her a friend and said she leaves “big shoes to fill.”

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Abortion"}]

All candidates except Gray and Rasner indicated they’d leave the decision of whether to ban abortion in the hands of the states, with some echoing the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in the famous Dobbs case declaring a nationwide abortion access right unconstitutional.

Gray said he favors considering a national pro-life policy. Rasner simply said he’s “100% pro-life.”

That was during the lightning round, where short answers were required. Friess in prior forums has called for codifying the “Mexico City Rule,” to ban use of federal aid funds on abortion globally.

Giralt in past forums has called for codifying the Hyde amendment, to ban the use of federal dollars for abortion.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Closing Statements"}]

During closing statements, Friess asserted that the polling shows it’s a two-man race. Friess pivoted late last month to presenting himself as a candidate who can beat Gray, and whom anti-Gray Republicans should back in the election.

Balow shook her head when Friess reiterated the “two-man race” assertion Tuesday.

Balow and Rasner both pointed to their deep Wyoming roots as multi-generational residents of the Cowboy State. Giralt referenced his experience helping to craft laws as a congressional staffer.

Biteman pointed to his career in the Legislature.

“I’m a people person. I get along well with people. I build coalitions,” said Biteman. “Talk is cheap; you need to send someone to Washington, D.C., that’s actually done everything that’s being talked about on this stage.”

Biteman gestured with both index fingers pointed outward toward Gray and Rasner.

Gray asserted the race is actually a two-man race between him and Christensen, but that Christensen is “much too liberal.”

Christensen agreed with the claim that he’s a frontrunner but countered on the “liberal” allegation, calling himself a Reagan/Bush-era, traditional conservative.

“I’ve led people in combat. I’ve influenced … the Armed Services Committees,” said Christensen, also pointing to his work as a federal public-lands manager in Wyoming.

“You can see the stark differences between us: who can work with people, and who can’t,” said Christensen of himself and Gray.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Dodson urged people to vote,"}]

“Anybody up here can win,” he said. “If you think your candidate has no chance you’re wrong.” 

[{"type":"text","text":"In Hindsight …"}]

On Wednesday, Gray and Rasner both asserted via Facebook post that they’d won the debate.

Giralt thanked the outlets for hosting. Biteman posted a link to the full debate Tuesday.

Christensen authored a post expounding one of his short, lightning-round answers.

[{"type":"text","text":"The primary election is Aug. 18. "}]

Debate grey biteman rasner best

<title>Chuck Gray Hammers Data Centers, Clashes With Host At U.S. House Forum | Cowboy State Daily</title>

Secretary of State Chuck Gray brought up data centers repeatedly and clashed with the moderator during a U.S. House forum Tuesday night in Sheridan. Reid Rasner criticized Gray, while multiple candidates claimed to be leading the race.

Chuck Gray Hammers Data Centers, Clashes With Host At U.S. House Forum

Heinz mark

Mark Heinz

Wildlife

A federal campaign to kill nearly a half-million barred owls in the Pacific Northwest to save threatened spotted owls continues, even though the recent lifting of protections for spotted owl habitat defeats the entire purpose, an animal welfare advocate says. 

It’s costing the government roughly $3,000 per bird to have barred owls shot, Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Centre for a Humane Economy, told Cowboy State Daily. 

And with a recent move to weaken the habitat protection element of the Endangered Species Act, it could be all for nothing if spotted owls’ old-growth forest habitat gets logged, he added. 

Meanwhile, Wyoming’s barred owl population appears to be growing and might include four pairs in the Grand Teton area, Bryan Bedrosian, conservation director at the Teton Raptor Centre, told Cowboy State Daily. 

There’s virtually no chance spotted owls will ever come to Wyoming, he added. 

That means that Wyoming’s barred owls are safe from getting shotgunned to protect spotted owls.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"What’s the Point Now?"}]

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) sparked controversy in early 2025 by rolling out a plan for permitted shooters into Pacific Northwest coastal forests to 

. They’re larger than spotted owls and reportedly have been hogging their food.   

A new wrinkle was added in July, when FWS finalized a scaling back of habitat protections under the ESA. 

Effective Sept. 14, the change rescinds the regulatory definition of "harm", eliminating blanket protections for threatened species, and streamlines critical habitat exclusions.

Pacelle said rescinding “harm” from the ESA could throw spotted owl habitat open for logging.

In essence, barred owls are being “framed” for damage spotted owls are suffering from habitat loss, he said. 

What’s more, he argues that the killing program is expensive. 

The Hoppa Valley Tribe received a $4.5 million grant to kill 1,500 barred owls, Pacelle said. 

That’s about $3,000 for each owl shot, he said.

A request for comment from FWS wasn’t answered by publication time. 

Barred owls are originally from the eastern United States, but they’ve been moving west, claiming new territory. 

In the Pacific Northwest, they’ve been dubbed an “invasive species", which has been used to justify killing them, Pacelle said.

However, he says it’s more a case of the species naturally expanding its territory. 

Bedrosian said little is known about the history of barred owls in Wyoming. Another species, the great grey owl, is native to the state. 

Great grey owls, barred owls and spotted owls all belong to the same family, he said.

Barred owls are smaller than great grey owls but they’re also more aggressive, he said. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Hearty Eaters"}]

Two known nesting pairs of barred owls in Wyoming are known. One produced offspring two years ago, Bedrosian said. 

Researchers recently discovered evidence of barred owl activity in two additional territories, which might indicate two more pairs have moved in, he added.

Researchers have captured four barred owls and placed radio transmitters on them to track their movements. 

They’ve also set up recording devices in the barred owl's territories. 

Recordings help researchers determine “species richness” or the number of different species in an area, he said. 

And it will also help determine if “there are any species of songbirds, or other birds, that are avoiding the barred owls,” he said. 

Barred owls are voracious opportunists, Bedrosian said. 

“They eat reptiles, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and small rodents,” he said. 

Barred owl inset with spotted owls 1 7 25

<title>Feds Continue With Plan To Save Spotted Owls By Killing Nearly 500,000 Other Owls | Cowboy State Daily</title>

A federal campaign to kill nearly a half-million barred owls in the Pacific Northwest to save threatened spotted owls continues, even though recent lifting of protections for spotted owl habitat defeats the entire purpose, an animal welfare advocate says.

Feds Continue With Plan To Save Spotted Owls By Killing Nearly 500,000 Other Owls

Energy

The Montana judge who threw out more than 1.5 million acres of Wyoming oil and gas leases in June over sage-grouse habitat concerns has declined to let the Trump administration and the state take a newer environmental challenge to a Wyoming judge instead. 

In a case environmental groups filed against the U.S. Bureau of Land Management this year — again in Montana — the state of Wyoming asked U.S. District Court Judge Brian Morris to dismiss the issues pertaining to the case or send them to a federal court in Wyoming. 

The Montana Wildlife Federation, The Wilderness Society and the Defenders of Wildlife argue in their lawsuit against the BLM, which Wyoming has joined in opposition, that the BLM’s “permissive approach” to oil and gas development is out of step with sage-grouse environmental science. 

The BLM asked Morris in a hearing last month to send the whole case to Wyoming. The federal agency argued, in part, that the more southerly state’s federal courts are less congested, and the agency manages between two to three times more sage-grouse habitat in Wyoming than Montana. 

A Montana U.S. District Court Judge who threw out 1.5 million acres of Wyoming oil and gas leases due to sage-grouse concerns has declined a request to send a newer case to Wyoming. "Wyoming provides no authority” for its argument, he wrote.

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