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[{"type":"text","text":"Now we have the full video of the bear stealing the golf clubs......"}]

Rest of the story no play 7 16 26

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

<title>Today In The Rest Of The Story: Thursday, July 16, 2026 | Cowboy State Daily</title>

Now we have the full video of the bear stealing the golf clubs......

Today In The Rest Of The Story: Thursday, July 16, 2026

 Now we have the full video of the bear stealing the golf clubs......

Guest Column

Guest Columnists

The only thing hotter than my Boston Red Sox (a record of 31-5 since June 25) is the record of the states that refused to turn over their confidential statewide voter registration lists (SVRLs) to the Department of Justice (DOJ).   

The DOJ sued 30 states and the District of Columbia to compel the release of their unredacted voter logs, containing confidential personal information.  

But as of Friday, federal judges have dismissed 21 of those cases, ruling the DOJ had no right to these records.  

More cases await decisions. But with a record of 0 for 21, the DOJ’s prospects are dismal.  

At a recent oral argument before the federal court in Washington, the DOJ attorneys admitted the relevant facts involved in the Washington case were the same as in the other cases that had already been dismissed.  

I expect the Washington case is a prime candidate to be the 22

But here in Wyoming we never had a chance to dispute the DOJ’s unprecedented snatching of our confidential voter logs, because our Secretary of State, Chuck Gray, voluntarily turned it over last August without telling the public.  

Rather than stand up for the privacy rights of Wyoming voters that Wyoming election law guarantees, Gray sent the DOJ everything it requested - and then boasted that he had been the first in the nation to turn over these records. 

While the baseball pundits may be divided about the reasons for the Red Sox resurgence, the reasons for the 21 federal court orders dismissing the DOJ complaints are not hard to understand.  

When challenged the DOJ has been unable to produce any legal authority to justify its demand for confidential logs from any state. 

First, before the DOJ can demand voter records from state election officials under the Civil Rights Act (CRA), it must specify the basis and the purpose for the demand in writing.  

Court after court has held that the DOJ letters to the states demanding the logs, letters which were essentially identical to the letter that Gray received, failed to satisfy this simple condition. 

Second, the logs created and maintained by the states are not voter records covered by the act, which only requires states to retain and not alter voting records that “come into their possession.”  

These are things like the registration forms filled out by voters and submitted through the county clerks.   

But the logs containing the confidential personal information about registered voters are electronic files created by the states.  

The logs are regularly updated and changed to reflect the addition of newly registered voters and the deletion of other voters, who have moved, passed away or otherwise fallen out of the system.  

In short, the voter logs are living electronic documents.  

Requiring the voter registration logs to be preserved without alteration under the CRA would conflict with the state’s duty to maintain a current voter list in compliance with other federal laws.

The Wyoming voter roll created and maintained by the Wyoming Secretary of State was no more subject to the federal law than the ones maintained in New Hampshire, West Virginia or any of the other states that have successfully protected their records from this unlawful and unwarranted federal intrusion.

In Colorado, Judge Phil Brimmer recently held “Colorado’s SVRL is not a record or paper that must be produced pursuant to [the CRA]”.  

He may be a Colorado judge, but he is also a true son of Wyoming, whose father was Clarence Brimmer, a respected Wyoming federal judge before whom I practiced.  

I think Clarence would be proud to see that this acorn did not fall far from the tree.

So, why didn’t Gray recognize these obvious defects?  

Didn’t he know the law, or did he just choose to ignore it?  Was it incompetence or something else?  

Does Gray have anything to counter the weight of the 21 written decisions of the federal judges, who have ruled the DOJ had no right to this information? 

Gray just says he worked “in close consultation with the attorney general” and that together “we agree that the disclosure of the requested records is proper under the Civil Rights Act.”  

Gray has hidden behind a claim that the Wyoming attorney general approved his decision, whenever anyone has questioned his decision.  

But he has refused to show us any proof of what the attorney general actually said.  Apparently, Gray does not trust us to use our own eyes and our own common sense.

Secretary Gray, our election law is clear.  

You had a duty to protect the confidential personal identifying information of Wyoming voters.  

If you won’t level with us about why you violated our trust, then I would suggest that the thoughtful voters of Wyoming should think twice about sending you to Washington as our next representative.

George Powers is a retired attorney in Cheyenne. 

For forty years, Mr. Powers’ practice primarily focused on civil trial and appellate litigation throughout the State of Wyoming with areas of special interest including

medical malpractice, insurance claims and railroad litigation.

George Powers can be reached at: gpowers@spkm.org

George powers 5 7 26

<title>Guest Column: Too Bad Our Secretary Of State Didn’t Protect Our Data | Cowboy State Daily</title>

Guest columnist George Powers writes, "But here in Wyoming we never had a chance to dispute the DOJ’s unprecedented snatching of our confidential voter logs, because our Secretary of State, Chuck Gray, voluntarily turned it over last August without telling the public.”

Guest Column: Too Bad Our Secretary Of State Didn’t Protect Our Data

CSD Staff

Daily Darwin

[{"type":"text","text":"Shocking, the craftsmanship seemed solid…"}]

Darwin 8 8 26

<title>Daily Darwin: Saturday, August 8, 2026 | Cowboy State Daily</title>

Shocking, the craftsmanship seemed solid…

Daily Darwin: Saturday, August 8, 2026

Daily Smile

[{"type":"text","text":"Uhhhhh, what do I do??"}]

Smile no play 8 8 26

<title>Daily Smile: Saturday, August 8, 2026 | Cowboy State Daily</title>

Uhhhhh, what do I do??

Daily Smile: Saturday, August 8, 2026

Kolby fedore

Kolby Fedore

Public Safety

 for traffic waiting at a construction zone in remote Natrona County, triggering an eight-vehicle crash that killed two people and hurt eight others, no arrest has been made or criminal charges announced.

The Wyoming Highway Patrol says the June 26 crash remains under investigation but isn't saying what work remains or when that may be concluded.

Cowboy State Daily asked the Highway Patrol on Friday whether the investigation remains active, if the case has been referred to the Natrona County District Attorney's Office for a charging decision, whther the tanker driver has been cited or charged, and when the investigation is expected to conclude.

Highway Patrol spokesman Arron Healy did not address those questions specifically, but said that "the crash remains under investigation and we have no update at this time."

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

The crash happened at 1:50 p.m. June 26 on U.S. Highway 20/26 near mile marker 58.3 in western Natrona County.

A westbound Western Star tanker commercial combination failed to stop for a line of vehicles waiting to enter a one-lane construction zone, wrote the Wyoming Highway Patrol in a crash summary.

The tanker struck seven vehicles: a Chevrolet Silverado, Toyota Highlander, Toyota 4Runner, Subaru Outback, Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Ram 1500 and Chevrolet Impala.

Seventeen people were involved in the crash. Two were killed and eight injured.

The two killed were James Faris Cox, 74, and Susan Horn Cox, 69, of Golden, Colorado. Both were wearing seat belts, according to the Highway Patrol.

The Highway Patrol listed driver inattention as the possible contributing factor in the crash. The weather was clear and the highway was dry.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"'Chaotic Scene'"}]

The Natrona County Fire District previously described what emergency crews encountered as a "very chaotic scene" of badly damaged vehicles, a large debris field, multiple victims and bystanders already trying to help.

Six patients were transported by ground ambulance to Banner Wyoming Medical Center. Two others were flown to the hospital by helicopter.

Krista Nethercott, a funeral director and mortician, was about five vehicles behind the crash and initially thought traffic had stopped because of the construction zone.

[{"type":"text","text":"When she realized something was wrong, she ran toward the wreckage."}]

"The gentleman was immediately deceased," Nethercott previously told Cowboy State Daily. "The lady probably lived a couple minutes."

Other bystanders searched for fire extinguishers and medical supplies, handed out water and brought camping chairs for survivors.

The fire district later thanked them for providing everything from minor patient care to emotional support before and after emergency crews arrived.

"The true spirit of the 'Wyoming Way' was in full force this day," the district said.

Another motorist, Erin Mills, had also assumed she was simply waiting for construction traffic.

Mills did not witness the impact, but saw the wreckage and debris when traffic ahead of her began turning around. The destruction was so extensive 

, "I honestly was shocked when they said only two people died." 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"'It's The Scale'"}]

Highway Patrol has previously offered some explanation for why the investigation has taken weeks.

In mid-July, Spokesman Aaron Brown told Cowboy State Daily investigators were dealing with an unusually complicated crash involving numerous vehicles and a large amount of evidence.

"It's the scale," Brown said. "We have a ton of data to sift through to try and get this thing done."

While the criminal investigation continues, one family injured in the crash has already gone to civil court.

Makensi and Chantry Van Patten, individually and on behalf of their two minor children, 

 in Natrona County District Court against Ryan Brothers Trucking Inc. and a John Doe defendant identified as the tanker driver.

The family, which was in the Toyota Highlander, is seeking damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, permanent injuries, loss of enjoyment of life, lost earning capacity and other losses.

The Van Patten family declined an interview with Cowboy State Daily and referred questions to their Casper attorney, Dallas Laird.

"The lawsuit was filed to get this case going and to preserve my client's rights," Laird previously said. 

Asked what his clients hoped to accomplish, Laird said, "A settlement of the case." 

[{"type":"text","text":"As of Friday, no additional filings had been made in the lawsuit."}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Fifth Amendment"}]

The civil complaint also alleges the tanker driver invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and declined to answer investigators' questions.

[{"type":"text","text":"Laird said that information came from Highway Patrol."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"Ryan Brothers Trucking also has declined to discuss the pending case."}]

For now, the civil case is moving forward while the question of criminal charges remains unanswered.

Double fatal highway sign 7 1 26

<title>No Arrest Or Charges Yet Six Weeks After Natrona County Double-Fatal Tanker Crash | Cowboy State Daily</title>

Six weeks after a tanker slammed into seven vehicles stopped at a construction zone in remote Natrona County, killing two people and injuring eight, there has been no arrest or charges. "The crash remains under investigation," the Highway Patrol says.

No Arrest Or Charges Yet Six Weeks After Natrona County Double-Fatal Tanker Crash

Headshot of Cowboy State Daily reporter, Dale Killingbeck

Dale Killingbeck

Wyoming Life

A 4 1/2-foot tall bronze sculpture of a soldier kneeling where a comrade made the ultimate sacrifice in battle made its debut at the Oregon Trails State Veterans Cemetery in Evansville on Friday.

The soldier has his left hand on top a helmet resting on the fellow soldier’s planted weapon. His right hand holds his own rifle.

The scene depicts the “Battle Cross” or “Soldier’s Cross” and includes a soldier’s rifle, boots, and helmet as a memorial marker.

Wyoming artist Chris Navarro characterized his 42nd public art project “Fallen Comrade” as “personal” for him as he addressed the 50 people gathered for its unveiling in a little square in front of the cemetery’s chapel.

“It’s special because of all the ties my family has to the military,” Navarro said, noting he was raised on U.S. Air Force bases around the world due to his father’s role as a pilot. His brother Herb Navarro, a retired U.S. Army helicopter pilot, was on hand from Arizona representing veterans who served in the Persian Gulf War.

Cemetery Director Darrin Brahaney said the Wyoming Military Department had a vision for a statue in 2019 that would honor veterans and what they sacrificed. He said when they put out the proposal Navarro responded and brought his concepts to the project.

“We gave Chris our vision last July and he took that vision and put his own touches to it and he had a very short window to get this done,” Brahaney said. 

Brahaney said the statue was being unveiled Friday because Aug. 7 is Purple Heart Day. The Purple Heart is the nation’s oldest medal and is given to service members killed and wounded in battle during war.

Navarro said he was thankful to have his brother present for the unveiling and knew that his late dad, Lt. Col. Herbert Navarro, a longtime Air Force pilot, and late brother Rick, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate who few P3 Orion Aircraft, would be proud.

“Fallen Comrade is not about one soldier or one branch of service or one war,” he said. “It represents all of them. It represents the men and women who raised their right hand and made a commitment to something greater than themselves.”

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"A Reminder To Remember"}]

Navarro said he hopes everyone who encounters the sculpture will stop for a moment and remember the sacrifice, courage, and remember the families who remain behind because of the sacrifice.

In addition to Herb Navarro, other veterans helping to remove the covering on the statue were Casper World War II U.S. Navy veteran William McMillan, Korean War veteran Cecil Barnes, Vietnam veteran Barry Gasdek, and Kelly Ivanoff, a veteran of the Global War on Terrorism.

After the unveiling, Chris Navarro pointed out that the dog tags hanging from the rifle of the fallen did not carry a name but a message: “All gave some, and some gave all.”

Herb Navarro told the crowd that before traveling from Arizona he found his dad’s dog tags from the Korean War and would put them on the sculpture for the rest of the day to honor him.

“They’re pretty interesting dog tags because they say 'T-50’ on them,” he said. “That represents the year you got your tetanus shot.”

Herb Navarro said seeing the bronze placed at the cemetery reminded him of scenes he witnessed during trips to Arlington National Cemetery for funerals.

“It’s a cool sculpture, for sure,” he said.

Chris Navarro said he was thankful his brother was able to be present for the unveiling and pleased with the sculpture. It will be set on a pedestal so when people approach it, it will be at eye level.

The artist said the sculpture is his sixth public art installation in a year and his 18th in Casper.

“I’ve been doing it professionally for 40 years and I want to do 50 (art installations) before they throw dirt on me,” he said.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"‘Fantastic’ Gift"}]

Gasdek called the sculpture a “fantastic” gift from the Wyoming Military Department and Navarro to honor “fallen warriors and those who served.”

He said unveiling the sculpture on Purple Heart Day seemed appropriate.

“I just thank them for going one step beyond in their service to take care of our vets to let them know that their service is appreciated,” he said. “You can honor them while they are living and even when they are deceased.”

The sculpture, which is 125% of life size, was cast at Eagle Bronze in Lander.

Chris Navarro said he hopes people interact with, kneel beside or put their arm around the sculpture.

“A lot of monumental bronze you can’t walk around them and touch them, but this one is going to be that way,” he said.

Fallen Soldier sculpture Statue Unveiled 8 7 26

<title>Chris Navarro’s Latest Bronze ‘Fallen Comrade’ An Emotional Tribute To Father | Cowboy State Daily</title>

Casper sculptor Chris Navarro unveiled his latest bronze Friday, a more-than-life-sized work titled “Fallen Comrade” of a soldier kneeling in honor of a fallen brother. “It’s special because of all the ties my family has to the military,” he said.

Chris Navarro’s Latest Bronze ‘Fallen Comrade’ An Emotional Tribute To Father

Courts

A 37-year-old Powell man faces up to 10 years in prison after allegedly attacking a woman he lived with, punching her in the head multiple times and leaving her bruised and with a chipped front tooth because he didn't believe how many steps she walked during the day.

Catlin Stephen Wolfard is charged with the felony aggravated assault and battery along with domestic battery, a misdemeanor. 

Wolfard had his first court appearance Friday morning in Park County Circuit Court, where his bond was set at $10,000. 

It started when the woman returned to the home she shared with Wolfard on Monday evening, cleaned the house and started making dinner, 

per an affidavit written by Powell Police Lt. Dustin DelBiaggio.

[{"type":"text","text":"Around 8:30 p.m., the two sat down at the kitchen table."}]

During dinner, she began talking about the number of steps her phone had recorded while she was at work. Wolfard didn't believe the number was accurate, she told investigators, and what began as a mundane disagreement turned into a heated argument.

[{"type":"text","text":"\"Whiskey got involved,\" she later told police."}]

Wolfard began drinking Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey, while she had about two shots. She described herself as about a three on a 10-point scale to drunk, but described Wolfard as "extremely angry."

The two separated for a while, and things appeared to settle down, but she said it didn't last. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"White Claw Cans Fly"}]

Around 1 a.m. Tuesday, the two were back in the kitchen when another argument erupted.

The woman said Wolfard began pulling full cans of White Claw from the refrigerator and throwing them at her, though none connected. 

She told investigators she became worried the argument was about to turn physical after Wolfard walked over and closed the kitchen window, commenting that the neighbors might hear them. 

She bent forward at the waist and put her hands over her head to protect herself as Wolfard approached, she told investigators. He then allegedly punched her two or three times with a closed fist in the back of her head.

[{"type":"text","text":"\"Don't beat me,\" she said."}]

"Stop saying I beat you, now you're going to see how it feels to be beat," Wolfard allegedly responded.

[{"type":"text","text":"The woman retreated into the master bedroom, but Wolfard followed."}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Pushed Into Furniture"}]

When she tried to leave, she said Wolfard repeatedly pushed her backward into the room, using his open hands against her upper chest.

[{"type":"text","text":"She eventually got around him and made it into the living room."}]

There, she alleged, Wolfard began pushing her around for several minutes, causing her to strike furniture.

The living room contained wood-framed chairs, a couch with little padding and an air mattress on the floor, the affidavit says.

She told investigators she managed to get back to the bedroom and lie down, separating herself from Wolfard.

But at about 3 a.m., Wolfard came into the bedroom and told her he was going to sleep there, and she could sleep in the living room.

She claims she left her cellphone in the bed, and when she asked Wolfard to give it back, he refused. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Chipped Tooth"}]

Wolfard then allegedly punched the woman twice in the face with a closed fist.

She described one as a glancing blow as she turned away. The other, she said, landed directly on her mouth and chipped the bottom of her left front tooth.

She went into the living room and fell asleep while Wolfard remained in the bedroom.

When she woke later that morning, she grabbed her phone while Wolfard was still sleeping and called the police. 

She said abuse was "normal," but Wolfard had never punched her before that night. 

Police later noticed bruises on the woman's body that appeared to be in various stages of healing.

Some bruising on her chest, she said, came from a separate domestic incident with Wolfard about a week earlier.

Investigators also wrote that the woman discovered a hard mass developing inside her right breast that she attributed to the recent altercation.

Powell Hospital EMS was called, and she agreed to go to the Powell Valley Healthcare emergency room for her injuries and a forensic examination.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"What Wolfard Said"}]

Wolfard left the residence after waking up around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday and was arrested a short time later, according to the affidavit.

He told officers she bruised easily and fell frequently. He also said bruising on her left arm came from the two playing "tug of war" on paddleboards at Deaver Reservoir the previous weekend.

[{"type":"text","text":"The woman disputed both explanations."}]

 wrote that investigators believed Wolfard had attempted to cause the woman serious bodily injury by pushing her into furniture, punching her and breaking her tooth, and repeatedly striking the back of her head.

[{"type":"text","text":"According to the Park County Sheriffs Office, Wolfard remains in custody."}]

Catlin Stephen Wolfard new 8 7 26

<title>Powell Man Accused Of Beating Woman When He Didn’t Believe How Many Steps She Walked | Cowboy State Daily</title>

A 37-year-old Powell man could get 10 years in prison for allegedly attacking a woman when he got angry over not believing how many steps she walked that day. "Now you're going to see how it feels to be beat," the woman told police he said to her.

Today In The Rest Of The Story: Thursday, July 16, 2026

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