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In 1969, a wall of water flowed out of Wheatland Irrigation District’s Reservoir No. 1, devastating ranches and farmland for miles. Some thought the cause was dynamite, others a natural event. The real answer remains a mystery.

Wyoming History: The Wall Of Water That Devastated Wheatland Ranches In 1969

In 1969, a wall of water flowed out of Wheatland Irrigation District’s Reservoir No. 1, devastating ranches and farmland for miles. Some thought the cause was dynamite, others a natural event. The real answer remains a mystery.

Dale KillingbeckOctober 12, 2025

Fans can hardly wait for the sequel to Taylor Sheridan’s "Wind River," a 2017 triller set in Wyoming's remote Wind River Range. That’s making the first movie trend again on Netflix, although Wyomingites might struggle with inaccuracies in the movie.Fans can hardly wait for the sequel to Taylor Sheridan’s "Wind River," a 2017 triller set in Wyoming's remote Wind River Range. That’s making the first movie trend again on Netflix, although Wyomingites might struggle with inaccuracies in the movie.

Taylor Sheridan's “Wind River” A Top Pick On Netflix Again As Fans Await Sequel

It appears fans are anxiously awaiting the sequel to Taylor Sheridan’s "Wind River," a 2017 thriller set in Wyoming's Wind River Range. That’s making the first movie one of the most-watched on Netflix again, although Wyomingites might struggle with the many inaccuracies

Renée JeanOctober 12, 2025

Sugar beets lovell scaled

Wyoming Sugar Beet Growers Say Ozempic Isn't To Blame For Plunging Sugar Prices

Unlike a national report that blames weight loss drugs, like Ozempic and Wegovy, for plunging sugar prices, Wyoming farmers say the real issue is "sugar dumping," where countries subsidize the product, then take it to market at cut-rate, below-market prices.

Renée JeanOctober 12, 2025

Greybull, Wyoming

Greybull's Historic Pump House Seeks New Life As Riverside Brewery Or Restaurant

An old pump house in a vacant lot by the Bighorn River in Greybull has had locals talking about the building's potential for years, and this summer when it went up for sale, it caught the attention of HGTV stars and some interested buyers.

David MadisonOctober 12, 2025

Naomi Kidder was 18 when she hitched a ride from Rawlins, where she'd been working at the time, to her home in Buffalo. Somewhere along the way, she was abducted and killed with her body dumped on ranchland outside Casper. To date, her killer remains at large.

More Than 40 Years Later, Search Continues For Clues To Murder Of Buffalo Teen

In 1982, 18-year-old Naomi Kidder vanished while hitchhiking from Rawlins to Buffalo, Wyoming, and her body was found months later. Four decades later, police still seek answers in the unsolved murder and hope new leads will bring justice.

Jen KocherOctober 11, 2025

Wyoming native and Hollywood actress Hannah Barefoot is planning to produce and film her original movie “Wyoming Christmas Carol” in her hometown of Cody. Barefoot has 72 TV and movie credits including many Lifetime and Hallmark movies.

Hollywood Actress to Bring Big-Screen Christmas Film Production Home to Wyoming

Wyoming native and Hollywood actress Hannah Barefoot is planning to produce and film her original movie “Wyoming Christmas Carol” in her hometown of Cody. Barefoot has 72 TV and movie credits including many Lifetime and Hallmark movies.

Wendy CorrOctober 11, 2025

Rock Springs resident Lori Dickinson shot this gigantic mule deer buck on a general season tag near Bondurant.

Rock Springs Woman Bags Massive Mule Deer Dubbed ‘Gray Ghost’

Rock Springs hunter Lori Dickinson said she feels blessed by how everything fell into place, giving her the opportunity to shoot a mule deer that could turn out to be one of the top monster bucks of the 2025 hunting season.

Mark HeinzOctober 11, 2025

Current members of the Midwest Oilers football team along with squad alumni posed for a photo together at halftime.

Midwest, Wyoming, Celebrates 100 Years Of Friday Night Lights

When the Midwest Oilers took the field Friday night, they celebrated the 100th anniversary of the nation's first high school football game under electric lights, which happened right here in Midwest, Wyoming. A game ball from 1925 was brought out for a special halftime ceremony.

Dale KillingbeckOctober 11, 2025

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Wyoming Ballerina Needed Nerves Of Steel To Attend Boot Camp And Pursue Dreams

Thermopolis teen Skylar Lippincott overcame rejection and grueling challenges to earn a coveted spot at Ballet Chicago. “You have to work hard all the time and learn to ignore pain,” Lippincott said. “Ballet is a lifestyle.” 

Jackie DorothyOctober 12, 2025

Frank McGovern, the son of a wealthy Eastern family, came to the gold fields to seek his own wealth. Instead, he spent the time at saloons such as the Exchange Saloon in South Pass City, and spent an estimated one million dollars in gold in less than three years in the late 1860s.

Wyoming History: Frank McGovern Squanders Fortune in Wyoming’s Sweetwater District

Educated Chicagoan Frank McGovern found the legendary Miners Delight mine, then lost over a million dollars to gambling, drinking, and violence, leaving behind a legacy of squandered wealth and scandal in South Pass City.

Jackie DorothyOctober 11, 2025

05 Solitude Ranch at Aspen Ridge

Lavish Wyoming Property In Daniel Goes To Virtual Auction Block

Wyoming hasn’t typically sold a lot of high-end properties in online auctions, though it’s a rising trend. On October 16, one auction will sell a particularly luxurious home that way in Daniel. Starting bids are in the $4.5 to $6 million range, which boasts 11,337 square feet of living space, 9 bedrooms and 12.5 bathrooms.

Renée JeanOctober 11, 2025

At 55,000 acres and a herd that has ranged as high as 5,000 head at times, Wyoming’s Durham Ranch is among the largest and oldest bison operations in America. Their bison were also sourced from Yellowstone National Park

Of Buffalo Bones And Bison Dreams — Life On Wyoming’s Biggest Bison Ranch

Growing up on the state’s largest bison ranch south of Gillette, Wyoming, Erin Flocchini had a unique childhood. At 55,000 acres and a herd that has ranged as high as 5,000 head at times, Wyoming’s Durham Ranch is among the largest and oldest bison operations in America. 

Renée JeanOctober 11, 2025

Moose resident Yvon Chouinard combined forces with the godfather of flying fishing in Yellowstone National Park Craig Mathews to write a new book about doing more with less: "Pheasant Tail Simplicity: Recipes and Techniques for Successful Fly Fishing."

Patagonia Founder, Wyoming Conservationist Preaches Fly-Fishing Simplicity & Naked Climbing

Wyoming resident and conservation icon Yvon Chouinard joined forces with Craig Mathews — the "dean" of fly fishing in Yellowstone in a new book that urges anglers and the rest of the world to do more with less -- like climbing El Capitan completely naked, at night.

David MadisonOctober 11, 2025

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Cody Bar Snuffs Out Smoking, Lights Up A New Era

Rocky Mountain Liquor and Lounge, one of Cody's favorite bars, is going smoke-free under new ownership, joining a statewide trend driven more by customer choice than regulation. Wyoming remains one of few states without a mandated smoking ban in bars or restaurants.

Andrew RossiOctober 11, 2025

The Fountain Hotel with Leather Pool in the foreground and the hot water pipe visible in the meadow.

A Missing Heir And Mysterious Bell Haunted The Fountain Hotel In Yellowstone

A missing heir of a millionaire, disappearing motorists and a mysterious bell ringing for service in an empty room were some of the mysteries shrouding the Fountain Hotel in Yellowstone. Park rangers and guests were pleased when the luxury hotel was torn down in 1926, taking with it its ghosts.

Jackie DorothyOctober 11, 2025

Baggs

Cowboy State Daily Morning Show — Saturday, October 11, 2025

It's the Saturday morning show with John Baggett from 6-10AM.

Jake NicholsOctober 11, 2025

Lake Sonnicant and Cleft Peaks in Wyoming (Dave Bell). Inset photo: Fred Ramsdell.

Nobel Prize Winner Misses Big News While Off-The-Grid in The Wyoming Wilderness

The world was calling Fred Ramsdell to tell the California researcher that he’d won a Nobel Prize. He was blissfully unaware, backpacking at 8,000 feet in the Wyoming mountains, until he discovered a flood of messages.

Renée JeanOctober 10, 2025

In this photo from March 1986, Biologist Dave Mattson of the documents a winter-killed elk carcass on an island in the Little Firehole River in Yellowstone National Park.

Counting Dead Elk And Bison Carcasses Was A Real Job In Yellowstone

Over the course of 47 winters in Yellowstone, Jeff Henry has seen incredible changes. He can recall back when so many winter-killed bison and elk carcasses littered the basins near Old Faithful, counting them was his and other peoples' full-time job. 

Mark HeinzOctober 10, 2025

The case of an 18-year-old Casper woman accused of hitting two bull elk while driving 100 mph on the highway, killing her friend, rose to the felony-level court this week. She faces up to 20.5 years in prison.

Teen Charged After 100 MPH Elk Crash Kills Friend Near Saratoga

The case of an 18-year-old Casper woman accused of hitting two bull elk while driving 100 mph on the highway, killing her friend, rose to the felony-level court this week. She faces up to 20.5 years in prison.

Clair McFarlandOctober 10, 2025

About 12.5 pounds of meth were found in a backpack Adolfo Pepe allegedly tried to ditch when being chased by authorities.

Self-Proclaimed Cartel Member Gets Life In Kidnapping, Torture Of Lander Woman

Self-proclaimed drug cartel member Adolfo Vargas Lepe filed an appeal this week after receiving a life sentence for kidnapping a Lander woman. He reportedly tortured her with power tools, shot her in both legs and trapped her in a dog kennel.

Clair McFarlandOctober 10, 2025

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If You Get Lost At Ellis' Harvest Home Corn Maze In Lingle, They Send Out A Drone

Ellis’ Harvest Home in Lingle, Wyoming, is recognized as the state's oldest corn maze. Ugly pumpkins and caramel-apple nachos aren't the only cozy peculiarities there. Sometimes, Dan and Cheryl Ellis will deploy a drone to help lost visitors through the labyrinth.    

Jackson WalkerOctober 10, 2025

During the government shutdown, Yosemite National Park has been invaded by squatters and adrenaline junkies, illegally parachuting off El Capitan. Tour guides told Cowboy State Daily that Grand Teton and Yellowstone haven’t slid into chaos.

Squatters, BASE Jumpers Flood Yosemite During Shutdown, No Chaos At Yellowstone

During the government shutdown, Yosemite National Park has been invaded by squatters and adrenaline junkies, illegally parachuting off El Capitan. Tour guides told Cowboy State Daily that Grand Teton and Yellowstone haven’t slid into chaos.

Mark HeinzOctober 11, 2025

A disappointing coal lease sale in Montana forced the Trump administration to halt similar plans in Wyoming. The head of Wyoming's mining association said the setback is a minor one for Wyoming, given the future of coal energy in the state. "The market right now is strong," he said.

Feds Halt Wyoming Coal Lease Auction After Montana Sale Disappoints

A disappointing coal lease sale in Montana forced the Trump administration to halt similar plans in Wyoming. The head of Wyoming's mining association said the setback is a minor one for Wyoming, given the future of coal energy in the state. "The market right now is strong," he said.

Jackson WalkerOctober 10, 2025

Otto the Slobbering Bear on the Jesse Hall dormitory at the University of Montana. Inset: Otto appears on the football helmets

Montana's Forgotten ‘Slobbering Bear’ College Mascot Gets His Helmet Debut

The University of Montana is reviving its quirky 1970s basketball mascot, Otto the Slobbering Bear, with a helmet debut for homecoming. The throwback design honors UM’s 1995 football title and has sparked mixed reactions online including some who call it a "meth bear."

David MadisonOctober 11, 2025

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Wyoming Tech Startup Aims To Finally Clean Up Cold War Uranium's Deadly Legacy

A Casper company just received the first license of its kind to remediate radioactive uranium mine waste — a "watershed moment" for communities -- like Jeffrey City, Wyoming -- living with contamination since the 1950s.

David MadisonOctober 10, 2025

The Upper Green River, one place where the Upper Colorado River Basin begins.

Wyoming, Other States Must Settle Colorado River Water Fight Or Feds Will Step In

With rising tensions over a dwindling supply of water from the Colorado River, Wyoming and six other states have until Nov. 11 to hammer out a deal for water allocation or the federal government will step in and settle it for them.

Mark HeinzOctober 10, 2025

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) (R) and Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-WY) (L) arrive for a news conference on the Upper West Terrace of the U.S. Capitol Building

Barrasso On Shutdown: ‘Terrorist’ Dems Want Country ‘Destroyed’

Discussing the government shutdown on Thursday, U.S. Senate Republican Whip John Barrasso said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is beholden to the “terrorist wing” of the Democratic Party, a faction “who will never be satisfied until this country is destroyed.”

Sean BarryOctober 09, 2025

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Degenfelder Stands With Student Who Claims New Turning Point Chapter Suppressed

Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder on Thursday said she stands with Kylie Wall, a Natrona County High School senior who said school staffers are suppressing her efforts to start a Turning Point USA chapter.  

Steve BohnelOctober 09, 2025

A 21-year-old Cheyenne man was arrested Thursday in connection with a September deadly shooting in a King Soopers parking lot following a suspected road rage encounter.

Cheyenne Man Arrested In Connection With Fatal Road Rage Encounter

A 21-year-old Cheyenne man was arrested Thursday in connection with a September deadly shooting in a King Soopers parking lot following a suspected road rage encounter. Mansoor Ali turned himself in and was booked on one count of second-degree murder.

Scott SchwebkeOctober 10, 2025

Glen Chavez, Trujillo's Barbershop, Cheyenne

When Do Barbers Get a Break? In Wyoming, It’s During Hunting Season

Hunters who spend extended amounts of time in the woods often take their haircut business with them. Some Wyoming barbers welcome the break, and then look forward to getting much furrier customers back at season's close.

Jackson WalkerOctober 09, 2025

Orion Schlesinger, 18, accepted a plea deal in the arrow killing case of a 23-year-old man. He could be sentenced to more than 50 years in prison under the terms..

One Big Piney Teen In Bow And Arrow Killing Gets Plea Deal

One of the Big Piney teens accused in a February conspiracy to kill his 23-year-old friend with a bow and arrow has agreed to plead guilty in exchange for a sentence recommendation of between 54 years and life in prison.

Clair McFarlandOctober 09, 2025

Anti wolf protest at Bogert Park, Bozeman, Montana.

Montana Hunters, Lawmakers Say Wolves Aren't Being Killed Fast Enough, File Lawsuit

Some Montana lawmakers and sportsmen claim that state’s wolf hunting regulations are too restrictive and won’t let them kill the wolves fast enough. They say unless regulations are loosened they won't be able to hit the kill quota of 452 wolves.

Mark HeinzOctober 09, 2025

Casper Mountain (Getty), insert: rendering of data center (Prometheus Hyperscale)

Casper Lands Massive 1.5-Gigawatt Data Center Project on Nearby Ranch

Cheyenne has been stealing all the limelight of late when it comes to large data center announcements. But Casper is about to land one as well, with a huge 1.5-Gigawatt project to be located on a nearby ranch. They say it could employ as many as 600 people.

Renée JeanOctober 09, 2025

FILE PHOTO: The Wyoming Democratic Party is urging supporters to keep up pressure against a bill that would punish libraries for making available sexually-explicit books to kids. “It’s not only an attack on free speech - it’s an attack on parental rights,” the party said.

Wyo Democrats Urge Wyomingites To Oppose Bill Targeting Sexually Explicit Books

The Wyoming Democratic Party is urging supporters to keep up pressure against a bill that would punish libraries for making available sexually-explicit books to kids. “It’s not only an attack on free speech - it’s an attack on parental rights,” the party said.

Steve BohnelOctober 09, 2025

Wyoming Supreme Court building on Thursday, October 9, 2025

Wyoming Supreme Court Keeps School Choice Program Blocked

The Wyoming Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected the state’s bid to revive a new school-choice scholarship program that a lower court blocked temporarily in July. But the appeal continues, along with the debate over whether the program is constitutional.  

Clair McFarlandOctober 09, 2025

Scott Merrifield, a longtime organizer and staffer to Colorado politicians, was named Wyoming Democratic Party executive director. (Facebook)

Wyoming Democratic Party Hires Executive Director From Colorado

The Wyoming Democratic Party on Wednesday announced Scott Merrifield, a longtime organizer and staffer to Colorado politicians, as its new executive director. He said he will focus on “practical wins” like improving infrastructure, data, fundraising, and messaging.

Steve BohnelOctober 09, 2025

Mark Chanez failed to convince a jury to withdraw his guilty plea at a sentencing hearing on child pornography and drug charges on Thursday, October 9, 2025

Casper Man’s Attempt To Withdraw Child Porn Guilty Plea And Fire Attorney Fails

A 60-year-old Casper man who faced sentencing Thursday on child pornography and drug charges fired his attorney, got him back and then learned that his attempt to withdraw his guilty plea would not succeed.

Dale KillingbeckOctober 09, 2025

Chuck gray mark gordon with curt insert 10 8 25

Curt Meier Erupts At Chuck Gray, Says He Keeps Derailing Meetings

When Secretary of State Chuck Gray criticized Gov. Mark Gordon on Wednesday in the State Building Commission, Treasurer Curt Meier said he'd had enough. 'This forum is about doing business of this committee, not a stage for the secretary,' Meier said.

Steve Bohnel & Clair McFarlandOctober 08, 2025

The Green River City Council voted to abolish the use of a gas chamber for animal euthanasia, leaving just one known location in the United States to continue using the controversial practice. Madhu Anderson (pictured), a longtime animal rights activist, called it a major victory.

Green River Bans Animal Gas Chamber, Leaving Evanston As Last in U.S.

The Green River City Council on Tuesday voted to abolish the use of a gas chamber at the community’s animal shelter. This leaves Evanston, Wyoming, as the only location in the country that still uses a gas chamber for euthanizing pets.

Jackson WalkerOctober 08, 2025

Terri Lesley

Campbell County to Pay $700K to Ousted Library Director in Settlement

Campbell County will pay former library director Terri Lesley $700,000 to settle her lawsuit alleging officials targeted her over LGBTQ-friendly books and events. Lesley will drop all claims, though the county denies wrongdoing.

Clair McFarlandOctober 08, 2025

Hegseth et all 10 8 25

Wyoming Green Beret, Navy Vet Columnist Spar Over Hegseth's Anti-Woke Mission

When Pete Hegseth spoke to an assembly of military leaders last week, he promoted the end of DEI and race-based quotas. A Pinedale man who served as a Green Beret loved it and a female Sheridan Navy-vet despised it.

Jackson WalkerOctober 09, 2025

Warren afb 10 8 25

F.E. Warren Airman Found Dead Wednesday In Latest Death Linked To Base

An active-duty airman at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne was found dead Wednesday morning. Authorities aren’t saying if a gun was involved. Local airmen have been involved in at least four prior incidents involving gunshots this year.  

Clair McFarlandOctober 08, 2025

Delegation and mining 10 9 25

GOP Irks Dems By Moving To Overturn BLM Plans Including Limits On Mining In Wyoming

Wyoming’s delegation moved Wednesday to overturn part of a BLM Resource Management Plan that limited mining in the Powder River Basin. Democrats say targeting RMPs, a trend among GOP lawmakers in the West, undercuts long, deliberative efforts to balance land uses.

Sean BarryOctober 09, 2025

Wyoming DCI is seeking rare Sport King A/T tires matching treads found near the 2003 murder scene of Cheyenne mother Shawny Lee Smith. Investigators hope locating the tires will help identify her killer after more than two decades.

DCI Hunting For Rare Tires Tied to 2003 Killing of Cheyenne Mother

Wyoming DCI is seeking rare Sport King A/T tires matching treads found near the 2003 murder scene of Cheyenne mother Shawny Lee Smith. Investigators hope locating the tires will help identify her killer after more than two decades.

Scott SchwebkeOctober 08, 2025

Lust buried 2 10 8 25

Oops! That Flipped Letter That Led to ‘Lust’ Was Really Supposed To Be ‘Just’

Emotions ran high on Wednesday when a message in the Natrona County high school library window appeared to say "Lust Won't Be Buried" when in fact, the message was "Just Won't Be Buried." Someone apparently flipped the "J" to look like an "L."

Dale KillingbeckOctober 09, 2025

Daily Features

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PinYour Wyoming Sunrise: Monday, October 13, 2025

Today's Wyoming sunrise was captured by Tom Richards. Tom writes, "One of the last warm days of 2025 on the Clear Creek Trail in Buffalo."

Photo by Tom Richards

Today's question to Don Day

Mark James Mullins of Douglas
In regard to your thunderstorm season article, can you reassess the data on a per-capita basis, especially when considering population of the states? It could affect me as I own a hill on my property which I plan a communications tower and likely will have a lightning rod installed when it goes in.
Don Day
FEMA has a good lightning database that takes into account lightning risk, potential property loss, etc. based on population and lightning frequency. Data is available on a county by county basis. Lots and lots of lightning data available here which may help in quest for more lightning information. https://hazards.fema.gov/nri/lightning
DD

Sponsored

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Sponsored Guest Column: Standing with Israel: A Wyoming Reflection on October 7th and the Fight for Freedom

Reid Rasner writes, "On this solemn anniversary of October 7th, I call on every American, and especially my fellow Wyomingites, to renew our commitment to standing with Israel."

Guest ColumnOctober 06, 2025

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Sponsored Guest Column: What You Need to Know About Changing Health Care Costs

Diane Gore, CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming, writes, "Health insurance premiums are set to rise and here's why."

Guest ColumnAugust 14, 2025

Reid rasner headshot 8 13 25

Sponsored Guest Column: Why I Am Calling for President Trump to Pardon Wyoming Small Business Owner Troy Lake

Reid Rasner writes, " I am speaking out for a man who has been treated unfairly and who needs our help. His name is Troy Lake."

Guest ColumnAugust 13, 2025

Opinion

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Bill Sniffin: Hard To Believe, Our State Was Once Part Of Texas, Y’all

Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “Parts of Wyoming were once owned by four different countries, France, Mexico, Great Britain, and even Texas, back in the day.”

Bill SniffinOctober 12, 2025

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Joan Barron: Chuck Gray vs. Mark Gordon – Wyoming's Cage Match

Columnist Joan Barron writes, "The most recent squabble was a recurrence of the chronic rub between elected officials on the State Building Commission. It involved a rematch between Gov. Mark Gordon and Secretary of State Chuck Gray with some input from State Treasurer Curt Meier."

Joan BarronOctober 11, 2025

Lange at chic fil a

Jonathan Lange: Columbus Day Celebrates Human Dignity

Columnist Jonathan Lange writes, “What Columbus brought to these lands was Christendom. It is a worldview that has at its heart the dignity of every single human being.”

Jonathan LangeOctober 10, 2025

Wyoming Life

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Outdoors

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