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Hours After Governor Signs New Abortion Law, Pro-Choice Group Files Lawsuit
Hours after Gov. Mark Gordon signed a new law regulating abortion clinics, with another heading to his desk, a pro-choice group has sued to block them. The lawsuit, filed at 1 a.m. Friday, claims the laws target Wyoming’s only abortion clinic.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 28, 2025
Man With ‘Probable’ Drug Cartel Ties Could Get Life For Dealing Meth In Wyoming
An illegal immigrant with “probable” Mexican drug cartel ties was in federal court Thursday. Through an interpreter, he was told he could get 10 years to life in prison if convicted of dealing meth on the Wind River Reservation.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 28, 2025
PETA To Get $35K Settlement After Denied Anti-Leather Ad In Rock Springs Airport
PETA says a settlement with the airport in Rock Springs allows the animal advocacy group to post an anti-leather ad and collect $35,000 in legal fees. The group sued after the ad had been rejected.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 28, 2025
Scammer Selling Bogus Cheyenne Frontier Days Food Truck Applications
Wyoming food truck vendors are being scammed into paying bogus application fees in hopes of having a coveted spot at Cheyenne Frontier Days, the Cheyenne Police Department warns.
Greg JohnsonFebruary 27, 2025
Montana Credit Union Worker Replaced $340,000 In Vault With Fake Money
When a credit union employee needed cash to feed his gambling habit, he bought fake cash from an online prop money company and swapped it with real bills in the vault. He pleaded guilty Tuesday to replacing $340,000 over seven months.
David MadisonFebruary 27, 2025
Lyman Man Accused Of Shooting Man 10 Times Pleads Insanity
The Wyoming State Hospital has about a month to offer an opinion on whether a Lyman man was too insane to know what he was doing when he allegedly killed another man last summer. The victim was shot 10 times near Fort Bridger.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 27, 2025
Judge Tells Wyoming Legislators To Buy More Computers And Fund Schools Better
A Laramie County District Court judge ordered Wyoming lawmakers Wednesday to fund schools better to satisfy the state Constitution. The ruling calls for more computers, school resource officers and mental health counselors, among other underfunded needs.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 27, 2025
Wyoming Child Porn Case Ends With Raid Of Philippines Sex House
What started as a child pornography bust in Lincoln County, Wyoming, ended this month with the rescue of nine children from sex trafficking in the Philippines, authorities say. Local agents got to watch the bust via Zoom as the raid unfolded.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 26, 2025
FBI, ICE Nab Suspected Mexican Cartel Member Working On Wyoming Reservation
FBI agents arrested Tuesday an illegal immigrant they say has ties to a drug cartel and is suspected of dealing meth around Wyoming’s Wind River Indian Reservation. Two others, including an illegal immigrant from Mexico, were also arrested.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 26, 2025
Man Accused In 1982 Green River Bombing Caught In New Mexico After Standoff
A man accused of sending a bomb to his ex-wife’s new boyfriend’s house in Green River, Wyoming, in 1982, has been caught in New Mexico after more than 40 years, allegedly living under a dead classmate's identity. The blast blew off one of the woman’s fingers and caused other injuries.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 26, 2025
You Can Shoot A Vicious Dog In Wyoming, But Be Prepared To Back It Up
Concealed firearms carriers can legally shoot attacking dogs but should be prepared to back their stories up, self-defense experts say. It can be more complicated in a populated area, even leading to potential endangering charges.
Mark HeinzFebruary 25, 2025
Man Accused Of Firing Shotgun At Fleeing Wife Agrees To 3-5 Years In Prison
A Sheridan man pleaded guilty Thursday to aggravated assault, following claims he fired a shotgun toward his wife as she ran and took cover in a ditch. Prosecutors are seeking a three-to-five year prison sentence.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 25, 2025
Casper Man Charged With Illegal Gambling Says Wyoming's Ban Is Unconstitutional
A man accused of running a professional gambling operation out of three businesses is challenging the law with which he is charged. Scott Schroefel of Casper claims the state’s statute against illegal gambling is vague, confusing and unconstitutional.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 25, 2025
Montana Man Gets 110 Years For Crashing Homemade Truck Bomb Into Neighbor’s House
A neighborhood feud turned into a scene from “Mad Max” when a Montana man transformed his truck into a firebomb on wheels and sent it crashing into a neighbor’s house. He was sentenced earlier this month to 110 years in prison for attempted murder.
David MadisonFebruary 25, 2025
Powell Resident Shoots At Hawk With Fireworks
Though they were called to an active shooter incident, the Powell police quickly learned it was actually a person trying to blast a hawk with a roman candle. Meanwhile, the responding officer accidentally discharged a gun.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 25, 2025
Worland Man Charged With Shooting Own Dog Six Times, Hoping He'd 'Bleed Out'
Axel, a border-collie mix, is recovering after being shot six times by his owner. Donald W. Wright, 59, of Worland, Wyoming, was in court Monday, charged with cruelty to animals and saying he hoped the dog would "bleed out."
Clair McFarlandFebruary 24, 2025
Thermopolis Woman Accused Of Taking At Least $15,000 From FFA Alumni Pleads Guilty
A Thermopolis woman accused of stealing at least $15,000 from a Future Farmers of America (FFA) alumni group pleaded guilty last week to felony charges. The special prosecutor on the case is now asking for no more than 30 months in prison.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 24, 2025
Douglas Man Gets 48-62 Years For Killing Green Beret Cousin
Mark Helms has been sentenced to 48-62 years in prison for killing his cousin Nicholas Velazquez, a special forces Green Beret. The pair had been drinking overnight at Helms' home in 2023.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 24, 2025
Green River Tunnel Survivor Still In Hospital, Family Grateful For Support
The 20-year-old woman who was severely hurt in the Feb. 14 tunnel collision outside of Green River, Wyoming, remains hospitalized. She’s in the care of "incredible medical teams," her family says.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 22, 2025
Sheridan Man Agrees To 4-6 Years For Punching Hockey Coach To Death
A Sheridan man pleaded no-contest Wednesday to fatally punching a local hockey coach in the head after a dispute about a parking space last summer. He's agreed to a prison sentence of four to six years.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 21, 2025
Wyoming Man Who “Wanted To Feel It” When He Killed Woman Gets 40 Years
An Ethete, Wyoming, man who told police he “wanted to feel it” when he brutally beat and stabbed a woman to death last year was sentenced to 40 years in prison Friday.
Dale KillingbeckFebruary 21, 2025
UW Volleyball Players Want Judge Off Case For Making Them Call Trans Player ‘She’
Three University of Wyoming volleyball players are among those who sued over a transgender player being allowed on a rival team. They’re now asking a Colorado judge to recuse himself from their case for making them refer to the trans player as “she.”
Clair McFarlandFebruary 21, 2025
Man Who Strangled Drunk Man At Casper Motel Gets 62 Years To Life
A 44-year-old Casper man faces a 62-to-life prison sentence for strangling a 28-year-old man in a Casper motel room last March. James Mavigliano was convicted of second-degree murder in December following a jury trial.
Dale KillingbeckFebruary 20, 2025
Two Dead In Latest Green River Crash ID'd; Semi Truck Went Straight On Curve
A fatal crash outside Green River that killed two people Wednesday happened when a semitruck failed to navigate a curve and collided with a Honda Odyssey, the Wyoming Highway Patrol reports.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 20, 2025
Casper Teen Charged In Fatal Shooting Had History Of Pointing Gun At People
An 18-year-old Casper man was bound over to Natrona County District Court Thursday on an involuntary manslaughter charge. Evidence at a preliminary hearing showed he had a history of pointing his .40-caliber Glock at others.
Dale KillingbeckFebruary 20, 2025
Man Calls In 6 Bomb Threats To Evanston Horse Palace
A man forced the Evanston Horse Palace to close Wednesday night when he called six times in a row to say he planted a bomb inside. After a sweep with a bomb-sniffing dog, the threats are believed to be a hoax that could’ve come from anywhere.
Greg JohnsonFebruary 20, 2025
Wyoming Girl Who Fought Off Attacker Forgives Him As He Gets 36-40 Years
A man who attacked and tried to kidnap a Wyoming girl outside a Riverton movie theater was sentenced Thursday to 36-40 years in prison. His victim told Cowboy State Daily that as she fought him off, she was determined to not be another memorial on Facebook.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 20, 2025
Green River Tunnel Open To 2-Way Traffic Again After Devastating Crash
The Wyoming Department of Transportation has opened two-way traffic through the Green River Tunnel on Thursday for the first time since a devastating 26-vehicle crash last Friday. Traffic is moving through the eastbound lanes at reduced speeds.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 20, 2025
Two Dead In Crash Outside Of Green River; Not Part Of Tunnel Detour
Two people died and one person was injured in a two-vehicle crash Wednesday evening outside Green River, at a junction that isn’t part of a congested detour through the town, the Wyoming Highway Patrol says.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 20, 2025
Sheridan Kids Taken By Mom Still Not Home, But Believed Safe, Police Report
After a dayslong search for a pair of young children from Sheridan who were taken Sunday by their mother, local police Wednesday night called off an alert asking people to be on the lookout for them.
Jen KocherFebruary 20, 2025
Casper Man Accused Of Invading Home, Pulling Knife And Threatening To Shoot Up House
A 27-year-old Casper man is accused of a 2 a.m. home invasion Tuesday in which he hit a man and threatened him with a knife. He also allegedly threatened to shoot up the house.
Dale KillingbeckFebruary 19, 2025
Wyoming Cops Release Dramatic Video Showing Shooting Of Man With Baseball Bat
A compilation of body, dash camera and home video released Tuesday shows what led two law enforcement officers to shoot and kill a Thermopolis man threatening them with a baseball bat. The man’s distraught father asks, “Why’d you have to shoot somebody?”
Clair McFarlandFebruary 19, 2025
Sheridan Police Ask For Help Finding 2 Young Kids Taken By Mom
Police in Sheridan, Wyoming, are asking the public’s help in locating a 4-year-old girl and her 3-year-old brother reported missing Sunday. They’re believed to have been taken by their mom.
Jen KocherFebruary 19, 2025
Man Who Bleached Romantic Rival To Stay In Prison Under “Deadly Weapon” Law
Liquid bleach can be a deadly weapon, the Wyoming Supreme Court ruled Tuesday. The decision comes after a man who splashed bleach in his romantic rival’s face challenged his felony conviction.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 19, 2025
Two Rawlins Men, One From Canada ID'd As Green River Tunnel Crash Fatalities
Authorities Tuesday released the names of the three men who died Friday in a devastating Green River, Wyoming, tunnel collision. They are Christopher Johnson, 20 of Rawlins; Quentin Romero, 22 of Rawlins; and Harmanjeet Singh, 30 of Nova Scotia, Canada.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 19, 2025
Mother Of Alleged Sheridan Cop Killer Charged With Giving Guns To Felon
The 71-year-old mother of the man suspected of shooting and killing a Sheridan police sergeant last February has been federally charged with giving guns to a felon. The indictment doesn’t say whether that felon was her son.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 18, 2025
Byron Man Discusses Wife's Last Days Before Murder-Suicide
Twelve hours after his wife shot her four children and herself, Cliff Harshman sat in a hospital waiting room. “I sat and wept. And I cried to God: ‘Please forgive her. Help me forgive her,’” he told Cowboy State Daily. “I lost my best friend. My kids. Everything.”
Clair McFarlandFebruary 18, 2025
Wyoming Trooper Faces Worst Nightmare — Responding To His Own Family’s Crash
A Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper faced his worst nightmare last week — responding to a crash involving his own family. A witness tells Cowboy State Daily about the urgent rescue of the trooper’s 2-year-old son, who remains in serious condition.
Zakary Sonntag for Cowboy State DailyFebruary 18, 2025
Final Death Toll In Green River Tunnel Crash At 3, Cause Under Investigation
Investigators said Monday that the final death toll in the 26-vehicle collision inside the Green River Tunnel on Interstate 80 is three dead. The cause and circumstances remain under investigation.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 17, 2025
Two Die After Side-By-Side Breaks Through Ice On Glendo Reservoir
Two men died on Saturday after their UTV broke through the icy waters in Glendo Reservoir. A brother of one of the victims told Cowboy State Daily that the first responders were heroes. “Thank you for your service in the bitter cold," he said.
Andrew RossiFebruary 17, 2025
Green River Flooded With Semis With Tunnel Closed After Devastating Crash
The small city of Green River, Wyoming, lies next to Interstate 80, one of the busiest commercial truck routes in the U.S. After Friday’s devastating crash that closed the busy Green River Tunnel, thousands of vehicles are driving through town instead.
Zakary Sonntag for Cowboy State DailyFebruary 17, 2025
WYDOT Director Says Green River Tunnel Crash Started Outside Tunnel
The 26-vehicle fatal crash inside the Green River Tunnel on Interstate 80 started outside of the tunnel, WYDOT Director Darin Westby told Cowboy State Daily on Monday. Work crews continue to clear debris from the roadway.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 17, 2025
Third Fatality Confirmed In Green River Tunnel Crash, 26 Vehicles Involved
A third person has been confirmed dead in Friday’s devastating multivehicle crash in the westbound lane of the Green River Tunnel, officials reported Sunday. It’s believed 26 vehicles were involved.
Zakary Sonntag for Cowboy State Daily & Greg JohnsonFebruary 16, 2025
Olivia, 7-Year-Old Lone Survivor Of Byron Murder-Suicide, Dies In Utah Hospital
Olivia Blackmer, 7, was the lone survivor of a Feb. 10 murder-suicide in Byron, Wyoming, by which her three sisters and mother died last week. Olivia pulled through a brain surgery early last week, but ultimately died Saturday, her family has confirmed.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 16, 2025
Responders Still Putting Out Fires, Clearing Vehicles At Green River Tunnel
At a press conference on Saturday, officials said emergency responders were still working to extinguish fires and clear piled-up vehicles, after a wreck in the Green River tunnel killed at least two people and sparked a raging blaze.
Zakary Sonntag for Cowboy State DailyFebruary 15, 2025
Trucker In Deadly Green River Tunnel Crash Describes Harrowing Escape
A trucker who narrowly escaped Friday’s explosive pileup in the Green River Tunnel described the horror inside and shared video footage of him kicking out the window of his truck to escape.
Greg JohnsonFebruary 15, 2025
Family, Friends Desperate For News Of Lusk Mother Of 7 Missing Since July
Nobody has seen or heard from Natasha Requejo since last July, leaving family and friends desperate for news of the missing mother of seven from Lusk. Her boyfriend says she just walked off one day, leaving him and her kids behind.
Jen KocherFebruary 15, 2025
Massive Response To Green River Tunnel Crash, Death Toll May Rise
The Wyoming Highway Patrol on Saturday said fatalities could rise as the number of vehicles involved in a massive crash inside a tunnel on I-80 near Green River has not yet been confirmed. First responders worked through the night to fight the fire inside the tunnel.
Zakary Sonntag for Cowboy State DailyFebruary 15, 2025
Fire, Weakened Structure Keeps Responders Out Of Tunnel For Hours; Motorists Run For Safety
Fire and rescue crews at an explosive tunnel collision outside Green River could not enter the tunnel for hours Friday after the initial crash. The fire inside was too intense, and the tunnel’s structure had been weakened. Motorists inside the tunnel had to run for safety.
Clair McFarland, Jimmy Orr & Andrew RossiFebruary 14, 2025
Response Shifts To Recovery After “Huge Explosions,” Multiple Fatalities In Crash In Green River Tunnel
Heavy, black smoke billowed out of both ends of the Green River Tunnel along Interstate 80 after a fatal multivehicle pileup and fire inside Friday afternoon. Witnesses report feeling and hearing “huge explosions.” By late Friday night, the response had shifted from rescue to recovery.
Andrew Rossi, Clair McFarland & Jimmy OrrFebruary 14, 2025
Affidavit: After Casper Teen Killed, Homeowner Told Shooter To “Get Rid Of The Gun”
After a 16-year-old Casper boy was accidentally shot in the head and killed while smoking pot and playing a video game with friends, the homeowner and dad of one of the teens told the shooter to “get rid of the gun,” a court affidavit says.
Dale KillingbeckFebruary 14, 2025
Gillette Man Charged With Murder For Killing Half-Sister Pleads Not Guilty
The Gillette man accused of shooting his half-sister in the head and killing her last month pleaded not guilty Thursday. Vincent Hackett faces a second-degree murder charge.
Jen KocherFebruary 13, 2025
It's Been A Year Since Sheridan Police Sgt. Nevada Krinkee Was Killed On Duty
Feb. 13 will always be a day the Sheridan Police Department will never forget. It was a year ago Thursday that Sgt. Nevada Krinkee, a popular veteran of the police force, was killed in the line of duty. His sacrifice is being remembered in Sheridan and around Wyoming.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 13, 2025
Probation For Accused Jackson Flasher Who Claimed His Pants Accidentally “Fell Down”
A man accused of flashing his genitalia at women and girls in Jackson and telling police his pants accidentally "fell down" was sentenced to one year probation, mental health treatment and community service.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 13, 2025
Teen Arrested After 16-Year-Old Shot, Killed At Casper Home
An 18-year-old Casper man has been arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter after a 16-year-old boy was shot and killed Wednesday night. It’s the third teen-on-teen fatal incident in the town in less than a year.
Dale KillingbeckFebruary 13, 2025
Shooting Of Classmates Has School Coping, Praying After Byron Murder-Suicide
The Rocky Mountain Elementary School has brought in four extra counselors and a support dog to help its 171 students in the aftermath of a Monday murder-suicide that killed one of its students and left another in critical condition.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 13, 2025
Explosion at Newcastle Refinery Leaves Town Without Electricity, 911 Service
An explosion at an oil refinery in Newcastle on Wednesday night, unleased a power surge that killed the town’s electricity and 911 service. One person said the explosion was like something out of a “horror movie.”
Clair McFarlandFebruary 13, 2025
7-Year-OId Survivor Of Byron Murder-Suicide Clings To Life After Brain Surgery
The father of the only survivor of a Monday murder-suicide that claimed the lives of three girls and their mother says 7-year-old Olivia Blackmer is “still fighting.” Her brain swelling has been spiking, but she's still responding to medication, he said.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 13, 2025
Riverton Woman Gets 3-5 Years In Prison For Shooting Boyfriend's Foot
A Riverton woman was sentenced to between three and five years in prison Tuesday for shooting off part of her boyfriend's toe during an argument. Jordan Weliever also was ordered to pay about $6,100 to the state to reimburse the victim’s medical expenses.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 13, 2025
Pilot Makes Emergency Landing On Wyoming Highway Near Rawlins
A pilot walked away from making an emergency landing on Wyoming Highway 789 on Wednesday near Rawlins. One longtime pilot calls it the “best-case scenario” for a forced landing in freezing temperatures.
Andrew RossiFebruary 12, 2025
Husband Of Woman In Byron Murder-Suicide Says She Was Depressed, Struggling
The Wyoming woman who shot her four daughters then herself Monday suffered from depression and other struggles, her husband told Cowboy State Daily on Wednesday. He said his wife's break has been both heartbreaking and shocking, because she “was not a monster.”
Clair McFarlandFebruary 12, 2025
Dad Of Two Girls Shot In Byron Murder-Suicide Pleads, “Pray For My Baby”
The father of 7- and 9-year-old girls shot Monday in a murder-suicide in Byron, Wyoming, is praying frantically for the one of four young children who survived. He pleads for the world as well to “pray for my baby.”
Clair McFarlandFebruary 12, 2025
No Outward Signs Byron Mom Suspected Of Shooting Kids Was Struggling, Neighbors Say
Sheriffs deputies described walking in on a nightmare scene Monday in a home where a mother is suspected of shooting her four children, then herself. A next-door neighbor says he was blindsided and never saw any outward signs the mom was struggling.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 12, 2025
LDS Church Admits Cody Official Gave Bad Advice That Led To Approval Of Temple
An attorney representing the LDS church told the Wyoming Supreme Court on Tuesday that a city official gave bad advice that led to approving a controversial 101-foot steeple for the temple the church is building there.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 12, 2025
Byron Mom Suspected Of Shooting Her 4 Daughters Then Herself Dies
The Byron mother who called 911 to say her four daughters had been shot then turned the gun on herself died Tuesday afternoon, the Big Horn County Sheriff told Cowboy State Daily.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 12, 2025
Paranoid Montana Man Draws Prison Time For Pointing Laser At Aircraft
When a Kalispell, Montana, man became convinced he was being followed by low-flying aircraft, he laser-blasted a flight instructor. She used her plane to help police make an arrest, and now he’ll spend 2.5 years in prison.
David MadisonFebruary 11, 2025
Casper Man Who Tried To Blow Himself Up Faces Felony Charges
A 28-year-old Casper man who unsuccessfully tried to blow himself up and challenged a police officer to “shoot me” was charged with three felonies Monday.
Dale KillingbeckFebruary 11, 2025
Small-Town Wyoming Mom Called 911, Reported Her Four Kids Shot Then Shot Herself
A Byron, Wyoming, mother called 911 to report her four daughters had been shot, then shot herself in the head Monday, the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office reported Tuesday. Three children are dead, while the condition of the fourth and mother are unknown.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 11, 2025
Five Gunshot Victims, Some Dead In Byron Shooting
Law enforcement agents found five gunshot victims at a home in Byron, Wyoming, the Big Horn County sheriff's office announced on Monday. Some were found dead; two were taken to medical care.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 11, 2025
Razor Wire, Drugs And 'Coyotes' - Wyoming Troopers Say Texas Border Problems "Massive"
Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers who went to Texas last summer to assist state patrol and enforce the U.S. border told legislators on Monday that their experiences were eye-opening. “The problems Texas is facing are massive,” one trooper said.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 11, 2025
Jackson Newspaper Gives Community A Heads-Up During Active ICE Investigation
A Jackson newspaper announced that an ICE raid was taking place Friday in Jackson Hole, while it was still occurring. One former ICE official called it "bullshit" and a breach of safety and trust. Another said the media is going to report what it thinks is news.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 10, 2025
Baby Safe After Car Thief Abandons Vehicle Near Riverton
A three-month-old baby who was in the back of a stolen Ford Escape was returned to its mother on Sunday evening near Riverton after the car thief abandoned the vehicle. The perpetrator has not yet been located.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 10, 2025