Wyoming
Cowboy State Daily Video News: Friday, July 26, 2024
It’s time to take a look at what’s happening around Wyoming, for Friday, July 26th. I’m Wendy Corr, bringing you headlines from the Cowboy State Daily newsroom – brought to you by Wyoming Senior Olympics, reminding you that this year’s Summer Olympics start July 31st in Cheyenne – and volunteers are needed! Become a volunteer today at Wyoming senior Olympics dot org.
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The body of a man found wrapped in a tarp and left at the Mirror Lake Recreation Area in Albany County, Wyoming, in early July has been identified as a 56-year-old Colorado man whose death is being investigated as a homicide.
Cowboy State Daily’s Jen Kocher reports that the former “John Doe” who was found with no identification has been identified as James Bitner of Blackhawk, Colorado.
“Law enforcement are being very tight lipped in this case. And that’s not uncommon, but it’s very tight lipped. And I do know, there weren’t any details that either the coroner or sheriff would share about this case at all, except about how the body was identified, and that was through his fingerprints. I will tell you, there’s a lot going on here in terms of the agencies involved. They have Wyoming State Police, Albany County Sheriff, and they also have three agencies in Colorado, including their state police.”
The discovery of Bitner’s body over the Fourth of July weekend shut down the popular Snow Range picnic and fishing site near the base of Medicine Bow Peak for two days as law enforcement investigated the scene.
Read the full story HERE.
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A campaign organization run by former Wyoming congresswoman Liz Cheney has been actively paying into and receiving donations through a Democratic fundraising platform this year.
Cowboy State Daily’s Leo Wolfson reports that the mission of her group, named “Our Great Task,” is to unite Republicans, Democrats and Independents in a combined effort to ensure that, quote, “Donald Trump and those who have enabled him are defeated.”
“Our Great TAsk has been utilizing a Democrat fundraising platform called Act Blue… Act Blue basically acts as kind of an intermediate, like middleman to allow people to kind of donate to her group and other groups through them… what’s interesting, though, is Act Blue is really solely dedicated to the Democratic campaigns.”
Cheney was Wyoming’s congresswoman from 2017-2023, rising to the No. 3 position in the Republican caucus, before losing that role due to her opposition of Trump.
Read the full story HERE.
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A Utah man who worked as a concessionaire employee in Yellowstone National Park was sentenced Tuesday to five years’ probation for making threats one day after a fatal shootout in the same park.
Cowboy State Daily’s Clair McFarland reports that 55-year-old Robert Sherman of Holladay, Utah, was overheard making threatening statements referencing another mass shooting at the Roosevelt area of the Park, the day after a Xanterra employee was shot and killed in Canyon Village.
“This case lasted … less than two weeks… this is only like a disturbance charge, it’s a misdemeanor. I’m not going to speak for the prosecutors or for Congress in making these federal laws, but I think in America, people tend to be cautious about prosecuting speech, even if it does take the form of a threat, which is not constitutionally protected.”
Sherman was also sentenced to 14 days in jail, but received credit for the 14 days he spent in jail during his prosecution.
Read the full story HERE.
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Two Rock Springs Republican legislators are suing the fundraising arm of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, over election mailers that claim that the two Republicans want former President Donald Trump off Cowboy State ballots.
Cody Wylie and J.T. Larson say the claims are deliberately false and meant to mislead, according to politics reporter Leo Wolfson.
“This was in reference to a budget amendment that was brought last session to basically restrict Secretary of State Chuck Gray from filing lawsuits with state money, that came in response to an amicus brief that he filed against the Colorado Supreme Court, when they decided to keep Trump off the election ballots in that state… They say that the mailers were made purposely false, knowingly false, and they want a court injunction to stop their production and to possibly get defamation fees.”
Wylie and Larson said the accusations extend past honest debate about votes, and drift into the realm of slander. Neither has ever taken a direct vote on whether to keep Trump on or off any ballot.
Read the full story HERE.
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Arch Resources Inc. reported Thursday that thermal coal shipped from Wyoming’s energy-rich Powder River Basin faltered again in the second quarter of 2024, but is expected to rebound in the second half of the year.
However, energy reporter Pat Maio writes that the company is already foreshadowing the closure of its once-mighty coal mining operations.
“There’s also filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission… there was notation also that they’re moving forward with closure of the Black Thunder and Coal Creek mines, and that they’ve almost caught up all of the payment of the reclamation costs, you know, after they leave… they’re just reaffirming that they’re going to be doing that. That’s a big deal. Once the world’s mightiest and biggest coal mine about to close.”
While Arch hasn’t said what its timeline is for shuttering its Wyoming mines, it has repeatedly maintained a corporate stance that it wants to be out of the thermal coal business.
Read the full story HERE.
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And a big draw for visitors to Cheyenne during Frontier Days is the world’s largest collection of operable old-time wagons.
Cowboy State Daily’s Renee Jean spoke to a couple of very experienced wagon drivers – Sam Gill and Mike Stein have both driven teams of horses for the famous “Yellowstone” prequel television series “1883,” but they said they would not miss the Cheyenne Frontier Days parade.
“Mike and Sam have been coming up from Texas for eight and 11 years respectively, to drive a team of horses in the Cheyenne Frontier Days Parade. These guys ride in events all across the country, but they make a point of coming to Cheyenne Frontier Days. And the reason is because the parade just has the most prestigious carriage collection in the world… There’s really nothing like it for these guys who enjoy, you know, driving teams of horses and buggies. And there’s actually a waiting list to be part of the team that pulls these wagons.”
Gill’s team pulled an actual fire station wagon during the parade Thursday, complete with fire hoses in the back, while Stein pulled an oil tank wagon that was once used to deliver heating oil to homes in the Cheyenne area.
Read the full story HERE.
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President Joe Biden’s speech on Wednesday night explaining to America why he halted his reelection bid did little to ease concerns felt by Wyoming’s congressional delegation about the president’s ability to continue as the nation’s leader through the end of his term.
Politics reporter Leo Wolfson spoke to Representative Harriet Hageman, who told him that she believed Biden’s entire speech to be a lie.
“What she really wanted to hear from Biden was, ‘I’m resigning from the presidency.’ She says that he is too feeble to continue holding the office of president. And that just the fact that he’s dropping out shows… if he’s too feeble to be a candidate, he’s too feeble to be a president.”
Biden is far from the first president to not seek reelection while continuing to serve his term in office. Former President Lyndon Johnson surprised the nation in March 1968 when he announced he would not seek reelection.
Read the full story HERE.
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The death of a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer in Casper two months ago continues to complicate the Casper/Natrona County International Airport’s international service and trade zone opportunities.
Since the death of “Dale” Leatham, customs clearances have been slowed at the state’s only international airport – and Cowboy State Daily’s Dale Killingbeck reports that a federal foreign trade zone application remains on hold.
“They’re not seeing as many flights landing to clear at the airport. And what that means is there’s possibly a little bit of loss of revenue, because the airport gets 30 cents per gallon of aviation fuel on that. But even more importantly, is that a couple of businesses in Casper… have Foreign Trade Zones that they’re trying to set up. And so not having that customs officer in place is impacting kind of the timeline on that.”
U.S. Customs is aware of the importance of putting an officer in place, but it may be two months before the position is filled.
Read the full story HERE.
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News that Park County won a much-coveted $10 million Wyoming shooting complex has some wondering if it makes sense to build it in a more remote area in the northwest corner of Wyoming, rather than a more central location.
But Cowboy State Daily’s Mark Heinz reports that backers of the plan remain confident that putting it near Cody will draw plenty of competitive shooters, firearms-related companies and big money to the Cowboy State.
“Cody already gets upwards of a million people a year coming from elsewhere to Cody… this will just give them one more reason to come to Cody and to Wyoming. And then the other argument is there are things there that will keep them there. Yellowstone is right there. Of course a Firearms Museum will be a huge draw for these folks, that’s right there.”
If all goes as planned, the Legislature will release the money and greenlight the project in Park County during its 2025 session.
Read the full story HERE.
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And the National Weather Service office in Cheyenne is calling for “monsoon moisture” in southeastern Wyoming on Friday and Saturday, but it’ll take a lot more than a monsoon to stop the momentum of Cheyenne Frontier Days.
Cowboy State Daily’s Andrew Rossi reports that there have been several wet and dry years during Cheyenne Frontier Days. But it’s never been enough to stop the fun.
“They’re prepared to deal with the rain. I mean, obviously, you don’t want a muddy arena when you have your animal athletes, as I heard them called, in there, because that can be hazardous. But the teams are ready. They’ve been out there with bulldozers before just taking off all the water and all the mud to get the arena ready. They don’t play around because they want everything to keep going.”
Anyone with CFD tickets for Friday and Saturday might want to bring a poncho to the rodeo. Yet, even if there are a few weather-related delays, the show will go on.
Read the full story HERE.
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And that’s today’s news! For a deeper dive into the people and issues that affect Wyoming, check out The Roundup, conversations with the most interesting people in the Cowboy State. A new episode drops tomorrow, when I have a conversation with Gunwerks founder Aaron Davidson. You can find the link on our website, on our YouTube Channel, and wherever you get your podcasts. And of course, you’ll find it in our FREE daily newsletter!
Thanks for tuning in – I’m Wendy Corr, for Cowboy State Daily.
Radio Stations
The following radio stations are airing Cowboy State Daily Radio on weekday mornings, afternoons and evenings.
KYDT 103.1 FM – Sundance
KBFS 1450 AM — Sundance
KYCN 1340 AM / 92.7 FM — Wheatland
KZEW 101.7 FM — Wheatland
KANT 104.1 FM — Guernsey
KZQL 105.5 FM — Casper
KMXW 92.5 FM — Casper
KJAX 93.5 FM — Jackson
KROE 930 AM / 103.9 FM — Sheridan
KWYO 1410 AM / 106.9 FM — Sheridan
KYOY 92.3 FM Hillsdale-Cheyenne / 106.9 FM Cheyenne
KRAE 1480 AM — Cheyenne
KDLY 97.5 FM — Lander
KOVE 1330 AM — Lander
KZMQ 100.3/102.3 FM — Cody, Powell, Medicine Wheel, Greybull, Basin, Meeteetse
KKLX 96.1 FM — Worland, Thermopolis, Ten Sleep, Greybull
KCGL 104.1 FM — Cody, Powell, Basin, Lovell, Clark, Red Lodge, MT
KTAG 97.9 FM — Cody, Powell, Basin
KCWB 92.1 FM — Cody, Powell, Basin
KVGL 105.7 FM — Worland, Thermopolis, Basin, Ten Sleep
KODI 1400 AM / 96.7 FM — Cody, Powell, Lovell, Basin, Clark, Red Lodge
KWOR 1340 AM / 104.7 FM — Worland, Thermopolis, Ten Sleep
KREO 93.5 FM — Sweetwater and Sublette Counties
KERM 98.3 FM — Goshen County
Check with individual radio stations for airtime of the newscasts.
If you’re planning on visiting Wyoming, for a truly authentic experience, you must include at least one of the state’s awesome downtowns in your travel plans. Positioned at the southern end of the 60-mile-long valley known as Jackson Hole, the character-rich town of Jackson is one such place to consider. A wonderful place to explore on foot, Jackson’s unique downtown, with its Old West vibe, spreads out from the intersection of Broadway and Cache Street. While it consists of just a few blocks, it is jam-packed with fun things to do, no matter what time of year you visit. Its impressive elk arch makes for an excellent photo opportunity, while the charm of its Old West heritage exudes from the historic buildings, cowboy-themed bars, and art installations across town. The wild past also comes to life in Jackson during the Jackson Hole Shootout at the Town Square, a tradition that has endured since 1957.
Town Square And The Elk Antler Arches
Though Jackson’s Central Park is officially known as George Washington Memorial Park, locals and visitors alike prefer to call it Town Square. Dedicated in 1934, this centrally located public space occupies the block at Broadway and Cache and is famous for the elk antler archers set at each of its corners.
Made entirely from naturally shed elk antlers, the first arch was erected by local Boy Scouts and Rotary Club members in 1953, with the other three added a few years later. Each consists of around 2,000 antlers collected from the nearby National Elk Refuge and is among the most photographed landmarks in Wyoming.
For a truly memorable experience, try to time a visit to coincide with ELKFEST. Held in May, this community-wide celebration attracts visitors from across the country for events like the Mountain Man Rendezvous, a reenactment of the state’s early fur trading years.
The main event, though, is the highly anticipated Elk Antler Auction. Bidders from far and wide turn up at Town Square to purchase antlers, which are then used to make everything from furniture to jewelry (proceeds going back to the Elk Refuge).
Jackson’s Cowboy Heritage
From Memorial Day through Labor Day, Town Square becomes the backdrop of the famous Jackson Hole Shootout. This fun (and free) mock gunfight has been entertaining visitors since 1957 and includes several costumed outlaws and lawmen shooting it out (with blanks, of course). You can add to the experience by hopping aboard the Jackson Hole Stagecoach, a ride aboard a century-old coach that loops around downtown.
The Old West theme is evident in other spots around the downtown core, too. Steps from Town Square, the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar has been around since 1937 and is set in what was once the town’s first bank in the late 1890s. Highlights include its hand-carved bar top with silver dollars embedded in it, as well as its cool saddle barstools. Live music is regularly scheduled on the stage that has seen such legends as Willie Nelson and Hank Williams Jr. perform.
The Wort Hotel is another downtown landmark you’ll want to include in your Jackson itinerary. A local fixture since 1941, it’s here you’ll find the famous Silver Dollar Bar with its custom-made S-shaped counter inlaid with 2,032 uncirculated (and therefore rare) 1921 silver dollars. You’ll also want to check out its priceless collection of original Western art.
Other Fun Stuff To Do In Downtown Jackson
In addition to its iconic bars, downtown Jackson also boasts a world-class food scene. Highlights include Persephone Bakery, its old-fashioned stone hearth turning out delicious baked goods, including croissants and artisanal bread. Also yummy, Cafe Genevieve occupies an old log cabin and serves breakfast and lunch with a Southern-inspired menu.
Jackson’s art scene is also worth a mention. Art galleries are plentiful in the downtown area, with establishments like Astoria Fine Art and Mountain Trails Galleries, both on Town Square, featuring works by local, national, and international artists. The Center for the Arts is another cultural high point and features performance spaces, visual arts studios, and an outdoor sculpture park.
Snow King Mountain
Another unique feature of Jackson’s downtown is its proximity to some of Wyoming’s best (and certainly most accessible) ski hills. The base of Snow King Mountain is just six blocks from Town Square and has been in use since 1936, and really took off when Wyoming’s first chairlift opened here in 1946.
Dubbed the “Town Hill” by locals, Snow King now consists of 500 skiable acres, 41 named runs, three chairlifts, an eight-passenger gondola, and night skiing. In warmer months, the action shifts to a thrilling Cowboy Coaster, a zipline, a treetop adventure ropes course, and an alpine slide.
The Snow King Observatory and Planetarium is another excuse to head for the hills from downtown Jackson. Located at the summit of Snow King Mountain, in addition to its large telescope, this must-see attraction features a planetarium theater and a rooftop observation deck boasting incredible views over Jackson and the Jackson Hole Valley.
Explore Jackson’s Not-So-Wild Side
Downtown Jackson has so much to offer visitors seeking an authentic slice of Wyoming life. From its unique elk antler arches to its art galleries and cowboy culture, as well as its unique position steps from the ski hills, few towns in the USA’s Mountain Region can match the long list of fun things to do in Jackson’s downtown core.
The expansion would open the spigot for 550,000 barrels per day of crude, the company says. Although the crude would mostly pass through eastern Wyoming, the venture opens opportunities for Wyoming oil producers in the region for more transportation access to U.S. refineries and shipping ports, according to Bridger and local industry officials.“It would be the biggest project in our history, if it comes to fruition,” Bridger Pipeline spokesperson Bill Salvin told WyoFile on Friday. “We are, however, in the really early stages of the project. But we’re very excited about it.”Industry trade groups speculate the Bridger Pipeline Expansion is part of a competitive scramble to fill a gap left by TC Energy’s Keystone XL project. That company, in 2021, abandoned the controversial project in the face of major opposition and protests. It would have transported Canadian tar-sands oil into the U.S. market via a route extending through Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. Among many challenges for Keystone XL was acquiring new rights-of-way easements. Though the Bridger Pipeline Expansion proposal requires some new rights-of-way, that’s not the case for the 210-mile Wyoming segment, according to Salvin.“All of that distance is within, or parallel to, existing pipeline corridors,” Salvin said.
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The Wyoming segment would pass through Crook, Weston, Niobrara, Goshen and Platte counties.Bridger Pipeline, a subsidiary of Casper-based True Companies, submitted a notice of intent to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality in January and noted it will formally initiate environmental applications to the agency. Salvin told WyoFile he’s uncertain about the full spectrum of regulatory requirements in Wyoming.However, the company regards the Cowboy State as a great fit for the project, he said. “This [project proposal] just highlights how important the region is and how Wyoming is a very good place for energy projects like this.”Reached for comment, the Petroleum Association of Wyoming said the proposed pipeline only stands to benefit Wyoming producers and the state.“Investments like these, along with continued growth in areas like the Powder River Basin, show Wyoming will continue to play an important role in the nation’s energy markets,” PAW Vice President and Director of Communications Ryan McConnaughey told WyoFile. “Connecting in Guernsey allows product to be transported to refining hubs like Cushing, Oklahoma.” WyoFile is an independent nonprofit news organization focused on Wyoming people, places and policy.
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LARAMIE — Nasir Meyer converted a three-point play with 35 seconds remaining to give Wyoming Cowboys men’s basketball the lead for good, and Wyoming held Air Force Falcons men’s basketball scoreless over the final two minutes to secure a 66-62 victory Saturday night.
The win marked the 13th home victory of the season for Wyoming, which improved to 16-13 overall and 7-11 in conference play.
“Air Force deserves all the credit and let’s talk about a team that has every reason not to fight, but thats why they are Air Force and the cadets and I have a lot of respect for them,” Wyoming coach Sundance Wicks said. “They were not going to quit, and I didn’t drive that message home enough and hats off to Air Force because they deserved to win. We snuck away with a win. Adam Harakow showed when we need him and he was massive for us. Simm-Marten was made big plays and Naz was clutch for us late.”
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Wyoming shot 35% from the field and went 7 of 28 from 3-point range, making just two from beyond the arc in the second half. Air Force shot 49% overall and 44% from 3, hitting eight shots from long distance. The Cowboys made 13 of 16 free throws (81%) and scored 22 points off 15 Air Force turnovers while holding a 39-36 edge in rebounding.
Damarion Dennis led Wyoming with 16 points and three assists, going 7 of 8 from the free-throw line. Meyer finished with 14 points and tied a career best with eight rebounds. Adam Harakow added 14 points off the bench on 5-of-6 shooting, his first double-figure scoring game since the first meeting with Air Force. Simm-Marten Saadi had nine points in 13 minutes, and Kiani Saxon grabbed seven rebounds.
Air Force opened with back-to-back 3-pointers to take a 6-0 lead. Meyer scored Wyoming’s first basket, and Leland Walker added a 3-pointer to make it 8-5 with 16 minutes left in the first half.
Wyoming responded with a 9-0 run over nearly four minutes, with Saadi and Harakow each connecting from beyond the arc to give the Cowboys an 11-8 lead with under 14 minutes remaining. Air Force regained a 12-11 advantage as Wyoming went scoreless for more than two minutes.
Harakow’s second 3-pointer pushed the lead to 22-16 with nine minutes left in the half, and Wyoming used a 6-0 run while holding the Falcons without a field goal for more than four minutes to build a 28-18 lead with six minutes remaining. The Cowboys closed the half on a defensive stand, keeping Air Force scoreless for the final two minutes to take a 35-25 lead into the break. Wyoming scored 15 first-half points off turnovers.
The teams traded 3-pointers early in the second half, and Air Force cut the deficit to 40-31 with under 17 minutes left before trimming it to seven 90 seconds later. Walker answered with a 3-pointer to make it 43-33 with 15 minutes to go.
Air Force used a 9-0 run during a stretch in which Wyoming went more than 3 1/2 minutes without a point to pull within one with nine minutes left. The Falcons later tied the game at 51-51 with 5:30 remaining after forcing six straight missed shots.
A pair of free throws by Meyer and a basket from Saadi gave Wyoming a 57-53 lead with under four minutes to play. Air Force answered with three consecutive 3-pointers from Kam Sanders to take a 62-59 lead with two minutes left.
Meyer scored with 90 seconds remaining to cut the deficit to one. On the next trip, he converted an and-one to give Wyoming a 64-62 lead with 35 seconds left. The Cowboys added late free throws to close out the 66-62 win.
Sanders led Air Force with 16 points and nine rebounds, going 4 of 5 from 3-point range. Eli Robinson added 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting.
Wyoming closes its home schedule Tuesday against Nevada Wolf Pack men’s basketball at 8 p.m. as part of a doubleheader with the Cowgirls.
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