Episode Details

It's time to take a look at what's happening around Wyoming, for Tuesday, April 22nd. I'm Wendy Corr, bringing you headlines from the Cowboy State Daily newsroom - Brought to you by Wyoming Community Gas. The Choice Gas selection period ends on Wednesday April 23rd – This is your opportunity to select your Natural Gas Provider for the coming year. For more information, visit Wyoming Community Gas dot ORG."

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The Wyoming National Guard Base in Cheyenne has been chosen to host the biggest high-tech air tanker made by the Lockheed Martin Corp. — the C-130J.

Starting in 2028, the base will be home to eight of the C-130J tankers. Cowboy State Daily's Renee Jean reports that the move is being touted as a double win for Wyoming, both for the future of the military base, and for fighting wildfires around the region.

"The C-130 H's that they had have all been, you know, they're kind of discontinued now, you can't really use them for missions anymore, and so getting this was a big deal. Without it, they couldn't continue their mission… And then it also helps boost a firefighting capacity for Wyoming. These tankers are bigger, they're more precise, they're just better in every way. They're the cutting edge… and it's a big deal economically for Southeast Wyoming, the Air National Guard, is a $325 million economic injection here."

Among the upgrades, the crew complement requires two fewer people, making it a more efficient unit. That's key for the future of the Air National Guard base in Wyoming, and does bring a welcome sense of job security for personnel at the base.

Read the full story HERE.

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The judge in the trial of a former award-winning foster father accused of sexually abusing his adopted and foster children tossed out eight charges against Steven Marler just as the trial is winding to a close.

Judge Kerri Johnson dismissed eight of 19 sexual abuse of a minor charges against Marler in a ruling signed Saturday. Cowboy State Daily's Dale Killingbeck reports that of the 11 counts remaining, two are charged in the first degree, five in the second degree, and four in the third degree. He also faces charges of battery and child endangerment.

"Last week, the defense attorney for Stephen MARLAR asked the judge to acquit him on several charges because of the language that was used in the charging information, and he said that it did not conform to Wyoming State law when it when it came to sex charges, because there has to be specific language for the specific degrees of sex charges, like first degree, second degree, third degree… the prosecutors had used the same language for first degree, second degree and third degree. They didn't alter the language, and the judge said she had been warning them for the past year about that language. They didn't change it until they completed their case, and then after they presented their case in the trial, then the defense moved to eliminate these charges… So he now faces fewer sex charges."

Closing arguments in the case are expected Tuesday following a single expert witness who closed the case for the defense on Monday morning. Marler did not take the stand in his own defense.

Read the full story HERE.

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A retired judge spec