CASPER, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) – Following the murders of 14-year old, Bobby Maher Jr., and 17-year old, Lene’a Brown, family, friends, and loved one say that the time for change is not only now, but it’s overdue.

Y.M.C.A. Sports Director, and former youth pastor, D.C. Martinez, stopped by the Wyoming News Now studio to speak on the recent acts of violence that has left the Natrona County Community searching for answers. The overall feeling within the community is a sense of disbelief, that something like this could even happen in a tight-knit community such as Casper. Many have recently taken the time, to try and figure out a solution, to help the youth, so that other families won’t ever have to feel what Brown and Maher’s family continues to experience.

Following Maher’s death, an organization was built called the “Blue Heart Collaborative”, with the purpose to unite every youth organization in Casper, unifying their efforts and to maximize their productive youth outreach. Blue Heart Collaborative is preparing for a youth meeting, which will take place on June 7, from 5-7 pm, at the YMCA Fieldhouse, located at 1611 Casper Mountain Road. All are welcome to attend, no matter your age, and present different ideas for future programs, that involve our communities youth.

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When Wyoming historians years from now look through news archives about today’s state Legislature, state Sen. Anthony Bouchard, R-Cheyenne, will likely catch their attention a few times, for better or worse.

During his eight years in the Legislature, Bouchard has openly and sharply criticized leadership and those who oppose his legislative efforts on social media and in the press. But after two terms, Bouchard announced he won’t run for reelection, and is endorsing Cheyenne resident Darin Smith for his seat.

“I never thought of elected office as a lifetime position,” Bouchard said in a Wednesday afternoon press release. “I’m proud of winning four hotly contested races in District 6. And I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished for my district and for the state. But now it’s time for someone new.”

Bouchard is stepping aside after recently reaching a personal watermark, having passed his first bill into law during the 2024 legislative session. This bill prohibits medical practitioners from providing any transgender care to minors in Wyoming.

He also was a firm Second Amendment advocate, fought COVID-19 restrictions and blocked Medicaid expansion efforts.

Bouchard was stripped of his interim committee positions in 2023 for his behavior.

He said Smith will continue his conservative voting legacy, if elected. Bouchard believes that Wyoming is at a political crossroads and may turn into Colorado if left unchecked.

“Now, more than ever, we need legislators who will fight for our conservative principles,” Bouchard said. “As I retire from the Senate, I believe Darin Smith will be that fighter.”

Who’s Smith?

Smith is an eastern Laramie County resident who has past campaign experience.

He finished fourth in the 2016 Republican U.S. House primary that was won by former congresswoman Liz Cheney and ran a short-lived campaign for the same seat in 2020. He also worked on the 2018 campaign of Republican gubernatorial candidate Foster Friess and is a past chairman of the Laramie County Republican Party. His wife Alicia Smith is a member of the Laramie County School District No.1 board.

In a Tuesday press release, Smith wasted no time stepping in where Bouchard left off, offering a similar viewpoint that there are illegitimate Republicans in the state Legislature. Although Wyoming has the most Republican-dominated legislature in the country, Smith said there’s an ongoing joke in conservative circles that Wyoming is the reddest state with the bluest legislature.

“For the last 20 years Wyoming has been in an economic purgatory when we should be the leader in of industry in the region,” Smith said. “At the same time, we have allowed liberal forces to chip away at our families and our Wyoming values. The Wyoming Legislature is packed with liberal politicians masquerading as Republicas.”

After selling a successful investment firm in 2005, Smith was an executive with conservative nonprofits like the Family Research Council and Christian Broadcast Network.

The Race

With Smith’s entry into the race, there are now six Republicans running for SD 6, by far the most crowded primary race in the state so far. These candidates are Laramie County GOP Chair Taft Love, Cheyenne resident Kim Withers, Wheatland residents Eric Johnston and Gary Bjorklund, and Pine Bluffs resident Marc Torriani.

SD 6 makes up eastern Laramie County and all of Platte County.

Bouchard was first elected in 2016, beating current state Rep. Dave Zwonitzer by five votes in the Republican primary that year.

Leo Wolfson can be reached at leo@cowboystatedaily.com.

Eight weeks of the American Legion Baseball season in Wyoming is done. The Cheyenne Sixers continued with the best record through Memorial Day Monday. Casper solidified their second-place spot in the AA standings. Casper leads the A East Conference, while Powell and Green River lead the A Northwest and Southwest, respectively. Some teams are arranged based on winning percentage. The standings include all games played through May 27, 2024.

David Settle was out of the office on Tuesday, thus the one-day delay to the standings update.

WYOMING AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL STANDINGS WEEK 8 2024

Here are the eighth standings for the 2024 season:

AA: (Overall Record Listed First, Then Conference Record)

Cheyenne Sixers 25-3, 8-0

Casper Oilers 11-6, 4-2

Cheyenne Hawks 12-9, 1-3

Laramie Rangers 8-8, 1-3

Sheridan Troopers 14-10, 0-0

Jackson Giants 7-11, 0-0

Rock Springs Stallions 5-13, 0-2

Gillette Roughriders 21-11, 0-4

A East: (Overall Record Listed First, Then Conference Record)

Casper Drillers 12-1, 0-0

Torrington Tigers 8-5, 0-0

Douglas Cats 6-5, 0-0

Cheyenne Eagles 6-8, 0-0

Sheridan Jets 7-11, 0-0

Laramie Rangers A 4-7, 0-0

Gillette Rustlers 6-13, 0-0

Buffalo Bulls 2-4, 0-0

Wheatland Lobos 3-8, 0-0

A Northwest: (Overall Record Listed First, Then Conference Record)

Powell Pioneers 14-7, 0-0

Cody Cubs 9-7, 0-0

Riverton Raiders 7-4, 0-0

Lovell Mustangs 4-7-1, 0-0

A Southwest: (Overall Record Listed First, Then Conference Record)

Green River Knights 6-4, 4-0

Evanston Outlaws 3-8, 0-0

Rawlins Bandits 0-2, 0-2

Saratoga Cutthroats 0-2, 0-2