Episode Details

It's time to take a look at what's happening around Wyoming! I'm Wendy Corr, bringing you headlines from the Cowboy State Daily newsroom, for Wednesday, May 29th.

Gov. Mark Gordon forced a Casper doctor to resign from the Wyoming Board of Medicine for openly supporting a bill banning transgender treatments and surgeries on minors in Wyoming.

Politics reporter Leo Wolfson says the governor removed radiologist Dr. Eric Cubin from the state board not because of Cubin's personal position on the issue, but because his public comments showed too much of a bias and potential for a conflict of interest as a member of the board.

"Cubin actively petitioned all 62 legislators of the State House with the email he sent out, telling them to support a bill often known as Chloe's law… The important thing about this bill is that, as a result of it, a doctor or any other medical physician who breaks this new law, which goes into effect on July 1, could have their medical license revoked by the Board of Medicine that Eric Cubin sits on."

Cubin is the son of former Wyoming congresswoman Barbara Cubin, and has been a member of the board since last year. His current term was not set to expire until 2028.

With Wyoming positioning to become ground zero for a new U.S. nuclear power revolution, the state is finalizing rules to expand its energy regulatory authority.

Energy reporter Pat Maio says the expansion would include uranium and rare earths mining, also known as "nuclear source material."

"The DEQ is dealing with expanding what they consider to be radioactive materials to things like rare earths. And with the resurgence of uranium mining, you know, they needed to update things with uranium as well… it helps streamline the process for bringing on a plant in the future."

There are several rare earth minerals companies operating in Wyoming, and which are in various stages of launching major mining operations for critical elements and magnets in coming years.

A Gillette man accused of cutting his mother's throat with a razor blade Saturday said he did so because people in a distant attic were threatening him.

Investigators told Cowboy State Daily's Clair McFarland that Scott Patenaude faces one count of second-degree attempted murder for allegedly slicing his mother's throat after a verbal argument Saturday evening.

"According to court documents, his mother called 911 even while her throat was gushing blood onto the living room floor and couch. And when police arrived, they reportedly found Patenaude trying to get out the back door… while he was in custody, he reportedly said, 'There are these people in my grandpa's attic, and you know, I had to defend myself against them.' In another portion of the interview he allegedly said, 'I was arguing with my mother. I went and got my razor blade. I walked up behind her, lifted her chin and slit her throat from left to right.'"

The charge is punishable by between 20 years and life in prison.

The case of a Chinese cryptocurrency mining operation that set up shop next to the F.E. Warren Air Force Base is likely part of a much wider net of foreign companies strategically locating near sensitive U.S. sites.

That's what an American military expert in Cheyenne told Cowboy State Daily's Renee Jean.

"They're essentially placing a supercomputer right by a military installation. President Biden ordered them to sell out and shut down, but it might not be an isolated incident. I've been talking with Tucker Fagan. He's a retired Air Force Colonel, he used to be F.E. Warren's commander… He feels like the country's playing a long game, one that it wants to put itself at the top of