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Explore a chronological display of Cowboy State Daily’s articles.

In the early afternoon in Laramie, turnout was pretty low at Laramie High School. But turnout at this polling place usually hits its peak after people get off work.

Low Turnout Could Be Why All The Close Wyoming Primary Races And Upsets

One of the major takeaways from Tuesday’s Wyoming primary election is the number of close races and upsets. One reason for that could be low voter turnout.

Leo WolfsonAugust 21, 2024

Tom Lubnau: Identifying The Techniques Politicians Use To Dodge Tough Questions

Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "Since the primary election is over, we should evaluate the political deflection techniques used by candidates in the heat of the election. A deflection technique is a way to redirect attention away from the real topic."

Tom LubnauAugust 21, 2024

Most discussion about the plans for Hot Springs State Park have turned around what's happening to the Star Plunge, but the plan's scope is much larger than any one amenity.

Star Plunge Operator Claims Wyoming Agency Cheated It Out Of Lease Deal

The Thermopolis company that’s operated the Star Plunge hot springs for nearly 50 years is suing over losing its contract. It claims Wyoming State Parks cheated it in favor of a new concessionaire.

Clair McFarlandAugust 21, 2024

A tanker hauling jet fuel crashed on Interstate 80 near Wamsutter early Wednesday morning, spilling about 1,500 gallons of fuel and shutting down the interstate for several hours.

Tanker Truck Rolls, Spills 1,500 Gallons Of Jet Fuel On Interstate 80

A tanker truck crashed into an occupied and parked car on I-80 overnight Tuesday, rolled and spilled about 1,500 gallons of jet fuel. Wamsutter fire plugged the leaks to prevent the rest of the tanker's 10,000 gallons from gushing out.

Clair McFarlandAugust 21, 2024

Voting at Lusk North and Lusk South precincts Tuesday for the 2024 Niborara County Primary. In the county's highlight race, JD Williams won in a primary rematch with Allen Slagle.

JD Williams Scores Rematch Victory Over Allen Slagle In House District 2 Seat

After losing by 12 votes to Allen Slagle in the 2022 Republican primary, former House member JD Williams won Tuesday’s rematch. This time it wasn’t as close.

Renée JeanAugust 21, 2024

A large coal shovel fills a haul truck at the North Antelope Rochelle Mine.

Huge Shakeup For Wyoming Coal: Arch To Merge, Peabody Sells 10% To Hedge Fund

In a huge shakeup for Wyoming's legacy coal industry, Arch announced a $5 billion merger Wednesday and a hedge fund has bought 10% of Peabody Energy. The companies represent more than half the coal production in the Powder River Basin.

Pat MaioAugust 21, 2024

A wind turbine graveyard near Sweetwater, Texas.

Why Old Wind Turbine Blades Aren’t Being Buried In Landfills Anymore

Until a few years ago, it was common for old wind turbine blades to be discarded in local landfills. That’s not happening much anymore as landfills require them to be ground up “into really tiny pieces,” which is expensive.

Pat MaioAugust 21, 2024

Rod Miller: The Wyoming Freedom Caucus Wins Some Big Pots

Columnist Rod Miller writes, "When the voters dealt the river card in Tuesday’s primary election, the Wyoming Freedom Caucus hit some inside straights and walked off with a lot of chips. All the bluffs and tells of the game were over."

Rod MillerAugust 21, 2024

Voters at the Storey Gym in Cheyenne on primary day, Aug. 20, 2024.

Wyoming Freedom Caucus Has Huge Republican Primary, Could Gain 11 Seats

Tuesday’s Wyoming Republican Party was huge for the Freedom Caucus. Should candidates that align with the group win out in November, it could gain 11 seats in the Wyoming House.

Leo WolfsonAugust 21, 2024

Nan Gilbert, a Laramie County election judge, waits for voters to arrive at the David R. Romero Park polling center. She's been an election judge for 20 years in Cheyenne.

Wyoming Primary Roundup: Other Contested Races

Cowboy State Daily published stories about 18 of the most important contested races in Tuesday’s Wyoming primary. There were no contested Democratic races, making the primary all about the Republicans.

August 21, 2024

Charlie Scott won another primary on Tuesday, setting up for a 14th term in the Wyoming Legislature if he wins in November. Without a Democratic opponent, that seems likely.

Charlie Scott Beats Rob Hendry In Bid For 14th Term In Legislature

Charlie Scott, R-Casper, easily beat former Natrona County Commissioner Robert Hendry in Tuesday’s Republican primary. If he wins in November, it’ll be his 14th term in the Wyoming Legislature.

Renée JeanAugust 21, 2024

Jayme Lien upset incumbent Tom Walters in Tuesday's primary.

Jayme Lien Stuns Incumbent Tom Walters in District 38 GOP Primary Upset

Challenger Jayme Lien stunned incumbent Tom Walters in the District 38 Wyoming House primary race Tuesday, denying him a seventh term.

Dale KillingbeckAugust 21, 2024

Scott Smith won his Republican primary on Tuesday. In the background, poll workers bring ballots in to the Niobrara County Courthouse Tuesday night after the polls close.

Goshen County GOP Gives Incumbent Smith Strong Support For House District 5

Incumbent Rep. Scott Smith won a second term representing House District 5 in Tuesday’s Republican primary. A member of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, Smith beat out Jackie Van Mark.

Renée JeanAugust 21, 2024

Ann Lucas upset longtime Cheyenne legislator Dan Zwonitzer in the Republican primary Tuesday.

Longtime Cheyenne Legislator Dan Zwonitzer Loses Bid For 11th Term In Office

Longtime state Rep. Dan Zwonitzer, R-Cheyenne, was beaten by Freedom Caucus-endorsee Ann Lucas in his primary election Tuesday night. His run in the House ends at 10 terms.

Leo WolfsonAugust 21, 2024

Cowboy State Daily Video News: Wednesday, August 21, 2024

Wednesday's headlines include: - House Speaker Albert Sommers Loses In Senate Race - Clark Stith, 3rd Highest Ranking Member of House, Beaten - Longest Serving Legislator In House Ousted By Unknown Opponent

Wendy CorrAugust 21, 2024

In a stunning defeat, Wyoming House Speaker Albert Sommers, who was first elected to the Legislature a dozen years ago, lost to Kemmerer resident Laura Taliaferro Pearson, who entered politics during the pandemic because of concerns over pandemic masking mandates.

Kemmerer Bus Driver Beats House Speaker Albert Sommers In Stunning Senate Race Upset

In a stunning defeat, Wyoming House Speaker Albert Sommers lost to Kemmerer resident Laura Taliaferro Pearson, in Senate District 14 which covers Sublette, Lincoln, Sweetwater and Uinta counties.

Pat MaioAugust 21, 2024

State Rep. Ken Clouston, R-Gillette, left, and George Dunlap.

Ken Clouston Wins House District 32 Primary Over George Dunlap

In the most interesting race of the Campbell County Republican primary election, incumbent Ken Clouston beat George Dunlap.

Jen KocherAugust 21, 2024

State Rep. Crago Scores Win Over Rep. Mark Jennings In Senate Primary

In a race between two rival state House members vying for a State Senate seat, Rep. Barry Crago of Buffalo prevailed over Rep. Mark Jennings of Sheridan.

Mark HeinzAugust 21, 2024

Tom Kelly Defeats Gail Symons In Sheridan Primary Race For House District 30

In the race between two Republicans in Sheridan for a House seat being vacated, the more conservative candidate — Tom Kelly — won, beating Gail Symons.

Mark HeinzAugust 21, 2024

Julie Jarvis beat state Rep. Jeannette Ward, who chats at the Liberty Place 4 U party in Casper.

Freedom Caucus Firebrand Jeanette Ward Upset For House District 57

Julie Jarvis upset State House Rep. Jeanette Ward of Casper in Tuesday’s primary election. Ward was ousted after one term.

Clair McFarlandAugust 21, 2024

Cody Mayor Matt Hall and Wyoming Republican National Committeewoman Nina Webber.

Nina Webber Beats Cody Mayor Hall For Park County House Seat

Nina Webber won Tuesday’s primary election for House District 24, a seat being vacated by Sandy Newsome. Webber had lost to Newsome twice previously.

Andrew RossiAugust 21, 2024

Incumbent Landon Brown Wins Close Republican Primary For House District 9

Wyoming House veteran Landon Brown won his Republican primary reelection bid for a fifth term by 17 votes over challenger Exie Brown on Tuesday night.

Leo WolfsonAugust 21, 2024

Trump Endorsee Darin Smith Wins Anthony Bouchard's Former Senate Seat

Cheyenne resident Darin Smith, who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump, won his Senate District 6 race in a landslide.

Leo WolfsonAugust 21, 2024

Mike Schmid Beats Cat Urbigkit In Highly-Watched Sublette County House Race

Mike Schmid, a La Barge oilman aligned with the Freedom Caucus, won the Republican primary against well-known rancher Cat Urbigkit in House District 20 of Sublette County.

Pat MaioAugust 21, 2024

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