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RIVERTON, Wyo. (AP) — Authorities say the bodies of a man and a young female were found inside a home that was gutted in a fire in central Wyoming. The Ranger reports firefighters battled heavy fire conditions at the home north of Riverton for hours early Thursday, The bodies were discovered when authorities could safely enter the home eight hours after the blaze was reported. Fremont County Sheriff Ryan Lee didn't identify the victims and says the cause is under investigation. Riverton Volunteer Fire Department Chief Henri DeClercq says he suspects the cause is mechanical or accidental.
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Republican former Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead says he won’t run for an open U.S. Senate seat in 2020. But nationally known and well-funded Republicans U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney and GOP donor Foster Friess aren't ruling it out. Republican Sen. Mike Enzi plans to retire after four terms. Cheney declined to hint about her plans in a news conference Thursday but says she will announce her decision in early 2020. Friess said Thursday to stay tuned. Republican former U.S. Rep. Cynthia Lummis is the only well-known candidate in the race so far. Mead says he's content after serving as governor and doesn't plan on future political office.
CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — A judge has sentenced a Wyoming man to at least 48 years in prison after he sexually abused two adults and a 15-year-old girl. KTWO-AM reported Thursday that 27-year-old Trae Derik Smith was sentenced Thursday after he pleaded guilty to abuse by sexual touching of a brain-injured vulnerable adult and sexual assault of a developmentally-disabled adult. Officials say Smith also entered an Alford plea to sexual abuse of a minor. An Alford plea allows a defendant to plead guilty without admitting a criminal act. Authorities say the Casper Police Department began investigating the case in January after the 15-year-old girl told her mother Smith had raped her.
CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming's governor has announced plans to allocate additional funding for an investigation into the state's largest utility. The Casper Star-Tribune reports Republican Gov. Mark Gordon supports a continued Wyoming Public Service Commission investigation into Rocky Mountain Power. A spokesman says the amount of appropriated funding will be determined after Gordon reviews bidders. A request for proposals is likely to be issued by the end of the year. The commission launched its investigation following the November release of the company’s integrated resource plan outlining its energy strategy. Some Wyoming lawmakers say the plan undermines the state's coal industry.
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