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Jen Kocher

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Julie Fitzsimons was killed when she was run down by a distracted motorist in downtown Sheridan.

After Mother Run Down By Distracted Driver, Sheridan Woman Fights For Tougher Laws

Kate Gladdin rounded a corner in downtown Sheridan last year to see the aftermath of her mother’s death, having been run down by a distracted driver. The driver, a repeat offender, faces up to a year in jail under what Gladdin sees as Wyoming’s lax laws.

Jen KocherMay 16, 2026

Wyoming’s Kindness Ranch is rescuing 70 dogs and cats from a Colorado research lab this week. The nation’s only facility that exclusively saves lab animals has rescued thousands of beagles and cats.

Wyoming’s Kindness Ranch To Rescue 70 Cats And Dogs From Colorado Research Lab

Wyoming’s Kindness Ranch is rescuing 70 dogs and cats from a Colorado research lab this week — one of its largest rescues. The director believes this is the first of many closures as he's hearing it's longer financially feasible to use beagles and cats.

Jen KocherMay 10, 2026

In October 2001, 27-year-old Daniel "Danny" Moser was found unconscious in the parking lot of the Wagon Wheel Roller Skating Rink in Mills, outside of Casper. He was bloodied and beaten and later died of his injuries two days later.

New Leads Could Help Crack 25-Year-Old Murder Case Of Casper Man Beaten, Run Over

New leads could help crack the 25-year-old murder of a Casper man who was beaten, run over and left to die in a Wyoming roller-skating rink parking lot. “Danny’s death destroyed our family and somebody knows something,” his sister said.

Jen KocherMay 09, 2026

Woman Used By Satanic Cult Motivates Former Wyoming Cop To End Human Trafficking

A woman sex-trafficked by a Satanic cult still haunts — and motivates — former Converse County Undersheriff Justin Scott. Forced to medically retire from law enforcement, he’s found a new mission to rescue human trafficking victims in Wyoming.

Jen KocherMay 02, 2026

The students at the Homestead Learning microschool in Gillette hosted their second-annual business fair, selling their handmade products and baked goods as part of the school's foundational principle of teaching entrepreneurial skills.

Campbell County One-Room Schoolhouse Grows As Microschool Trend Catches Fire

The microschool started 18 months ago in Campbell County with eight students and a dream for building an alternative learning environment has since doubled in size and added a teacher. About 2% of the nation’s student population is microschooled.

Jen KocherApril 20, 2026

Cody Man Missing Since April 5 Found Dead In Parked Car At Airport

The body of Cody resident Shawn Hughes, who had been missing since Easter, was found on Thursday afternoon in a parked car at Yellowstone Regional Airport. “He was so full of life,” said his sister, adding that the family is in shock.

Jen KocherApril 16, 2026

'Something Is Very Wrong’: Cody Man With Mental Health Issues Disappears

Those who know Shawn Ezekiel Hughes say they can't believe the 36-year-old Cody man with undiagnosed medical issues, including seizures, would just walk away. "Something is very wrong," says his girlfriend.

Jen KocherApril 11, 2026

More than 50 years after Utah teenager Laura Ann Aime was killed, advanced DNA tech has confirmed she’s another victim of infamous serial killer Ted Bundy. It’s a bombshell breakthrough that could solve other cold cases, including in Wyoming.

DNA Breakthrough Identifies New Ted Bundy Victim In Utah; Could Solve Wyoming Cases

More than 50 years after a Utah teenager was killed, advanced DNA tech has confirmed she’s another victim of infamous serial killer Ted Bundy. It’s a breakthrough that could solve other cold cases, including in Wyoming.

Jen KocherApril 11, 2026

‘It’s Like He’s A Ghost’: Search On After Rock Springs College Student Vanishes

The family of a Rock Springs college student who vanished without a trace two months ago is desperate for answers. “It's like he’s a ghost,” says a longtime friend of Steven Sanches, who was last seen leaving campus around noon on Feb. 5.

Jen KocherApril 04, 2026

Kurt Cobain of Nirvana during the taping of MTV Unplugged at Sony Studios in New York City, on Nov. 18, 1993.

Utah Investigator Says He Has New Evidence That Shows Kurt Cobain Was Murdered

A Utah investigator turned over new evidence to police, on top of a report by a team of forensic experts who say Kurt Cobain’s death wasn’t a suicide, it was was murder. A retired Seattle Police captain agrees and says original investigators botched the case

Jen KocherApril 04, 2026

Madhu Anderson (carrying beagle), who is from Rock Springs, was among the 27 animal rights activists arrested on March 15 after breaking into a Wisconsin biomedical research facility and taking 30 beagles.

Rock Springs Activist Defends Raid On Wisconsin Beagle Lab, Says Arrest Was Worth It

A Rock Springs animal rights activist who helped raid a Wisconsin beagle lab earlier this month said saving abused dogs was worth getting arrested. “It’s not a crime to rescue abused animals when they are suffering,” she told Cowboy State Daily.

Jen KocherMarch 25, 2026

In 1983, 24-year-old welding student John Boutin vanished from Rawlins, Wyoming, after raising concerns about misconduct at his shop. His family believes he was killed and still seeks answers in his unsolved case.

Family Still Haunted By Mysterious 1983 Disappearance Of Rawlins Welding Student

In 1983, 24-year-old welding student John Boutin vanished from Rawlins after raising concerns about misconduct at his shop. Authorities and his family believe he was killed and are still seeking answers in the unsolved case.

Jen KocherMarch 21, 2026

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Courtney Hampleman found solace in speaking to her deceased loved ones on the Wind Phone in a downtown Gillette park. It's the first of its kind in Wyoming.

Wyoming's First 'Wind Phone' Helps Gillette Residents With Grief Of Losing A Loved One

People grieve in different ways. One Gillette therapist installed a "Wind Phone" in a park to allow a person to pick up the receiver, dial a number or not, and speak freely to a loved one to share memories or grief without judgment. "I felt at peace," one woman said.

Jen KocherMarch 15, 2026

Cathy Holman, whose daughter was stalked for nearly a year, testified at the House Judiciary Committee Meeting

Legislation Making Child Stalking And Grooming Felonies Headed To Gov's Desk

Bills making child stalking and grooming standalone felony crimes are headed for the governor's desk. The stalking bill came from a high-profile case where a 41-year-old in Glenrock stalked and harassed a 16-year-old teen for a year and received probation.

Jen KocherMarch 02, 2026

Kenyan nursing student Irene Gakwa vanished from Gillette in 2022, and her family fears she’s dead. Her ex-boyfriend is a person of interest but hasn’t been charged, and the case remains active.

Now Four Years Gone, Family Fears Worst For Missing Gillette Student Irene Gakwa

It’s been four years since Kenyan nursing student Irene Gakwa vanished from Gillette in February 2022, and her family fears she’s dead. Her ex-boyfriend, now out of prison for stealing her bank card, hasn’t been charged but remains a person of interest, police say.

Jen KocherMarch 01, 2026

Gillette Woman Charged With Attempted Murder After Partner Shot During Fight

A 61-year-old Gillette woman was in court Friday, charged with attempted murder after police say she shot her longtime partner during a fight the day before. Investigators say the shooting was not in self-defense.

Jen KocherFebruary 28, 2026

Richard McCoy III and Chanté McCoy talk about their father's parachute during a presentation with Dan Gryder at the DTSB Aviation Safety Summit in Orlando in January 2026.

Part 4: Who Is D.B. Cooper? FBI’s ‘One-In-A-Billion’ Parachute Returns

Part 4 In A Series: A parachute found on D.B. Cooper suspect Richard McCoy’s family property was seized and tested by the FBI, then quietly returned in December, 2025, without explanation. The ambiguous action and closed lips from the FBI is fueling new theories about the notorious skyjacking.

Jen KocherFebruary 22, 2026

The Wyoming Department of Transportation is now selling a specialty Search and Rescue license plate. The inital cost is $180 with $150 going to the state-wide SAR fund with a $50 annual renewal fee.

Search And Rescue Teams Cost A Lot Of Money In Wyoming, Especially With "Extreme Sports"

Just one search and rescue mission last year took nearly 1,800 manpower hours and 220 flights. Without volunteers, it would have cost $1.7 million. Now with nearly 9 million visitors coming to Wyoming, the cost of helping stranded people is breaking the bank.

Jen KocherFebruary 14, 2026

Parents Desperate To Find Missing Lovell Teen

The parents of 17-year-old girl Kourtnee Roper of Lovell are asking for the public’s help in locating her, and an anonymous donor is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to her safe return.

Jen KocherFebruary 13, 2026

Elon Musk Shares Post Calling Out Democrats For All Voting Against Wyoming Grooming Bill

A vote on a bill aimed at establishing criminal penalties in Wyoming for the grooming of minors caught the eye of Elon Musk. He shared a post calling out Democrats for voting against the bill. However, 13 Republicans also voted against it.

Jen KocherFebruary 11, 2026

Anne Elyse Elliott, then 31, was last seen in the area of North Temple Street in downtown Salt Lake City on Jan. 10, 2020.

New Lead Reinvigorates Search For Wyoming Woman Who Vanished 6 Years Ago

Salt Lake City investigators have discovered fresh evidence in the disappearance of a former Jackson woman who vanished more than six years ago. The news of this first big break has brought hope to Elliott’s family, including her younger sister Emily Nardacci, of Pinedale.

Jen KocherFebruary 08, 2026