DENVER (AP) - Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper's decision to block the execution of convicted killer Nathan Dunlap for as long as he is governor infuriated victims' families and brought quick criticism from Republicans.

Hickenlooper granted Dunlap an indefinite reprieve Wednesday. Dunlap is on death row for the ambush slayings of four people in 1993.

The reprieve essentially guarantees Dunlap will stay alive at least through Jan. 13, 2015, the last day of Hickenlooper's first term.

Marj Crowell, whose 19-year-old daughter Sylvia Crowell was killed, says Hickenlooper took "the cowardly way out."

Hickenlooper is running for re-election next year, and Dunlap's fate is certain to be a campaign issue. No prominent Republican has signed up to challenge him, but his decision on Dunlap prompted unusually personal criticism from the GOP.

CLEVELAND (AP) - The man who famously put down his Big Mac to help rescue three women held captive for a decade in an Ohio house will never have to pay for another burger in his hometown.

Charles Ramsey has been promised free burgers for life at more than a dozen Cleveland-area restaurants.

The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer reports that the restaurant where Ramsey worked as a dishwasher initially created a special burger in his honor, but eateries in the city decided a larger tribute was due.Ramsey was called a hero after helping Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight break out of the house May 6. Ariel Castro is now facing charges.

The newspaper says Ramsey was traveling and would get his "Chuck Card" when he returns.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - The threat of a dam failure on a river near a northeastern North Dakota city appears to be easing, and officials expect to decide soon on when 1,300 evacuated residents can return to their homes.

Pembina County Emergency Manager Andrew Kirking says the level of the water behind Renwick Dam on the Tongue River has been dropping since mid-day Wednesday. He says there's still a threat that the dam near Cavalier could be overwhelmed by runoff from five days of heavy rain but that "the situation is improving."

Officials are meeting Thursday morning and hope to set a time when the 1,300 residents of Cavalier who were evacuated Tuesday night can return home.

Steady rainfall between Friday and Tuesday dumped about 9 inches of rain on parts of Pembina County.