Episode Details

It's time to take a look at what's happening around Wyoming, for Friday, December 13th. I'm Wendy Corr, bringing you headlines from the Cowboy State Daily newsroom - brought to you by the Cowboy State Daily Morning Show with Jake. From 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., Monday through Friday, Cowboy State Daily's Jake Nichols takes you deeper into the stories that matter - and keeps up with the news, weather and sports in your part of Wyoming. Just tune into Cowboy State Daily Dot Com and join the conversation.

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The state of Wyoming says it's sticking up for the future of its coal production in the Cowboy State by filing a lawsuit against the BLM for its Buffalo Field Office Resources Management Plan, which would end all coal leasing in the Powder River Basin by 2041.

Cowboy State Daily's Leo Wolfson reports that Governor Mark Gordon called the BLM's plan, quote, "narrow-minded," saying it ignores the multiple-use mandate, and the economic impacts of this decision, including skyrocketing electricity bills for consumers.

"Although the Wyoming lawsuit is not surprising, as Governor Mark Gordon already said he was going to move forward with it, it is significant in showing that Wyoming is not blustering and it's willing to team up with Montana to really try to stick up for its coal industry. If the plan goes forward as written, all federal coal leases will be basically terminated in the Powder River Basin by 2041."

In November, the BLM finalized its RMP plan, issuing a final Record of Decision on the matter. Gordon threatened litigation, a vow the governor made good on on WednesdaZ˜/wEX, with the help of Montana, which is also joining in on the lawsuit.

Read the full story HERE.

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A former sheriff's deputy and police officer in Washakie County is facing two felony sex charges on claims he sexually abused multiple children.

Cowboy State Daily's Clair McFarland reports that Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation agents began looking into allegations against Myron Chatwin last week, after the Worland Police Department sent DCI an email saying a young child had disclosed several instances of inappropriate sexual contact to a counselor.

"There's this part in the affidavit where one of the children is describing to investigators an alleged tactic the child said chat when used, kind of as a seduction, inappropriate touching thing. And then later… it's alleged that there's this, that there's this alignment between different kids coming forward at, you know, at different times."

Chatwin could face up to 40 years in prison and $20,000 in fines if convicted on both counts. He was charged Monday in Worland Circuit Court.

Read the full story HERE.

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Wyomingites are shaking their heads at the latest from U.S. Postal Service Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, who is giving himself an "A" grade for his Delivering for America plan - which includes moving most of Wyoming's mail processing out of state.

Cowboy State Daily's Renee Jean reports that when told by a lawmaker that he does not get an A from the American people on this plan, DeJoy covered his ears.

"In the Oversight Committee, a congressional hearing, he not only ignored critics in Congress, he put his hands over his ears and told the congre