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Former Jackson Hole Fire Chief Ned Brady Hansen, right, has been charged with aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor in Utah. Authorities there say he trafficked in child pornography and had a sexual encounter with the same judge who declined to keep him in jail, Kevin Robert Christensen.

Former Jackson Hole Fire Chief Accused Of Sex Acts With Judge, Having Child Porn

Former Jackson Hole Fire Chief Ned Brady Hansen has been charged with aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor in Utah. Authorities there say he trafficked in child pornography and had a sexual encounter with the same judge who declined to keep him in jail.  

Clair McFarlandMarch 18, 2025

Jack Gilmore is thrown from a bull during Professional Bull Riders action at the 2023 Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo in this file photo.

Bull Riding Border War Brewing After Frontier Days Switches From PBR To PRCA

The Professional Bull Riders circuit will not return to Cheyenne Frontier Days this year after the Daddy of ’em All decided to go with PRCA Xtreme Bulls. So, PBR has set up its own competing event in Fort Collins for the same days in July.

David MadisonMarch 18, 2025

Commercial trucks make their way through Rawlins on a detour around a fatal crash Saturday near Exit 215 on Interstate 80.

Brief: Trucker Suspected Of Causing I-80 Crash That Killed Another Trucker

A Washington state trucker has been charged with homicide by vehicle after a Saturday crash on I-80 near Rawlins. He’s accused of crashing into another semitrailer, killing a person in the truck’s sleeper cab.

Clair McFarlandMarch 18, 2025

Jack Ray Forgar

Gillette Man, 77, Accused Of Offering Sex Act To Teenage Boy

A 77-year-old Gillette man accused of soliciting a 15-year-old boy for sex could face between five and 12 years in prison. His case rose to felony-level court Thursday after a monthslong delay that included a mental fitness evaluation. 

Clair McFarlandMarch 18, 2025

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Joan Barron: Alan Simpson Grew To Be A Statesman

Columnist Joan Barron, who has covered the Wyoming legislature since 1970, writes, "Calling themselves ‘just a couple of country lawyers,” Simpson and Herschler outsmarted the hot shot attorneys who flew in from New York and D.C. The trona industry won and the defeated eastern lawyers flew out of Cheyenne."

Joan BarronMarch 18, 2025

U.S. Sen. John Barrasso meets with Wyoming troops in front of transporting equipment in Syria.

Barrasso Visits More Than 100 Wyoming Troops Stationed In The Middle East

Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso spent Sunday visiting more than 100 Wyoming troops stationed in the Middle East. He praised them for being "in harm's way" and "keeping us safe and free at home."

Leo WolfsonMarch 18, 2025

Since 2021, the Wyoming Department of Health has spent about $8.4 million in federal money on pro-vaccination advertising. That money is drying up, but not because of the Trump administration.

Wyoming Health Dept Says Trump Not The Reason $8.4 Million For Vax Ads Ending

The Wyoming Dept of Health has spent about $8.4 million in federal public money on pro-vaccine advertising since mid-2020. It expects the last of those grants to expire this year, but not because of President Trump's new vaccine-skeptical health secretary.

Clair McFarlandMarch 17, 2025

University of Wyoming sign 5 15 23

UW Breaks Ties With National Ph.D. Group After Trump’s DEI Scrutiny

University of Wyoming has cut ties with a nonprofit allegedly trying to “diversify corporate America.” The move is a response to President Trump’s push for academia to pull away from DEI.

Mark HeinzMarch 17, 2025

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Wyoming Baby Wombat Grabber Fires Back At Australia

A Wyoming-based social media influencer who set off international outrage after reportedly grabbing a baby wombat in Australia is firing back, stating that Australia’s government slaughters wombats by the thousands.

Mark HeinzMarch 17, 2025

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State Trooper Arrests Suspected Illegal Immigrant With 18,000 Rounds Of Ammunition

An illegal immigrant was arrested Friday near Rawlins for carrying 18,000 rounds of rifle ammunition, according to the Wyoming Highway Patrol. Ricardo Paez-Quinones faces up to 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and/or deportation if convicted.

Clair McFarlandMarch 17, 2025

Devils Tower in northeast Wyoming.

Oops! Devils Tower Says Overnight Closure Temporary, Not Permanent

Devils Tower admits to having an oops moment last week when it announced the national monument would no longer be open 24/7. The overnight closure is temporary though March 30, not permanent.

Greg JohnsonMarch 17, 2025

Funeral services for Al Simpson have been announced, which includes two days of the former longtime Wyoming U.S. senator lying in honor at the Wyoming Capitol.

Former U.S. Sen. Al Simpson To Lie In State At Wyoming Capitol

Funeral services for Al Simpson have been announced, which includes two days of the former longtime Wyoming U.S. senator lying in honor at the Wyoming Capitol.

Leo WolfsonMarch 17, 2025

Former Wyoming legislator Cyrus Western of Big Horn will run the EPA’s Denver field office, overseeing President Donald Trump’s agenda for the Rocky Mountain and Great Plains regions.

Former Wyoming Legislator Cyrus Western Picked To Run EPA Field Office

Former Wyoming legislator Cyrus Western of Big Horn will run the EPA’s Denver field office, overseeing President Trump’s agenda for the Rocky Mountain and Great Plains regions. “When the president asks you to work for him, you don’t say no,” Western said.

Leo WolfsonMarch 18, 2025

The windows of Jill Siggins' home in Cody are covered in mud after a windy rainstorm.

Muddy Rainstorm Blows Through Cody, Leaves Town Covered In Crud

Wind and rain worked together to plaster dirt all over Cody on Monday, covering windows and cars in a layer of hard-to-clean crud. It’s just a precursor to a storm that could drop up to 10 inches of snow in spots around Wyoming on Tuesday.

Andrew RossiMarch 17, 2025

Brian Scott Mattert

Cheyenne Man Accused Of Pepper-Spraying Cops During Fight In Driveway

A Cheyenne man's case rose Friday to the felony-level court, on claims he pepper sprayed cops while interfering with a woman's traffic stop. The man reportedly also cursed and spat racial slurs at police as they investigated a DUI at his house.

Clair McFarlandMarch 17, 2025

Pawnee City, Nebraska, where in addition to helping new homebuyers, a new grant program also provides money to those looking to invest in businesses in its charming downtown.

Nebraska Town Offers $50,000 House Down Payment If People Move There

To stem the stream of locals and businesses leaving town, Pawnee City, Nebraska, is offering a $50,000 incentive to move to the hometown of Larry The Cable Guy. The money is a down payment on a house for people who move there.

David MadisonMarch 17, 2025

Nicholas Blackburn, center, walked to the Fremont County jail transport van Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, after pleading not guilty to killing his friend.

Riverton Man Accused Of Beating Friend To Death Strikes Plea Deal Before Trial

A Riverton man accused of beating his friend to death and leaving him for his parents to find has agreed to plead guilty. The agreement came just days before his manslaughter trial was to start Monday. 

Clair McFarlandMarch 17, 2025

At Element Church in Cheyenne, Wyoming, worship services are held in-person and also are livestreamed for people to attend remotely.

Vibrant Faith Communities Still In Wyoming Despite Christianity Decline

A 30-year national trend says fewer Americans are identifying as Christians but the decline has leveled-off because of the country's youngest demographic of adults ages 18-24. Here in Wyoming, some communities have bucked broader trends and are seeing an increase in parishioners.

Zakary Sonntag for Cowboy State DailyMarch 16, 2025

Left, Chris LeDoux performs in Nashville in 1993. Right, his son Ned LeDoux points to heaven while performing on stage at the 2021 Watershed music fesival in Washington state.

Chris LeDoux Days Is Ending: After 15 Years Festival Will Hold Finale In June 2025

Chris LeDoux Days in Kaycee, Wyoming, is ending, and going out with a bang this year for its 15th and final run. Entertainer Kip Attaway and country band Sawyer Brown will play for final June festival.

Renée JeanMarch 16, 2025

CleanSpark is standing up a new Bitcoin mining facility on Venture Drive in Cheyenne. The site is in addition to the one the company is building at a site near F.E. Warren Air Force Base that was previously owned by a Chinese company.

Rural Cheyenne Residents Have A Noisy New Neighbor — A Bitcoin Miner

A noisy new bitcoin mining operation is disturbing its rural Cheyenne area neighbors who moved outside the city for peace and quiet. The company says it’s working on mitigating the issue.

Renée JeanMarch 16, 2025

Sen. Al Simpson (left), Mary Kay Hill (center), Sen. Ted Kennedy (right)

Guest Column: Al Simpson And The Press

Mary Kay Hill, Al Simpson's longtime press secretary writes, "Al had a relationship with the press. It was complicated. He experienced the highest peaks of media praise and suffered the valleys of media condemnation. He expected authenticity and he despised a double standard."

CSD StaffMarch 16, 2025

Construction vehicles outfitted with snowplows and blowers spend months clearing Yellowstone National Park roads. Crews also use chainsaws and avalanches to move massive amounts of snow.

Crews With Trucks And Chainsaws Have Begun Months-Long Process Of Clearing Yellowstone Roads

Construction vehicles outfitted with snowplows and blowers have started the months-long process of clearing roads in Yellowstone National Park. Crews also use chainsaws and avalanches to move massive amounts of snow.

Andrew RossiMarch 15, 2025

Wyoming’s oldest coal-burning steam locomotive, Ol’ Sadie

Cheyenne Botanic Garden Founder Says Cheyenne ‘Stealing’ Famous Locomotive

Shane Smith, the founder of the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens, says plans to move Wyoming's oldest coal steam locomotive to a downtown location would amount to “stealing” it from the facility, as well as from all the people who donated time and money to put Ol’ Sadie there.

Mark HeinzMarch 16, 2025

Drift boat clients on the North Platte River often get caught up gawking at the imposing fishing dinosaur sculpture made of farm machinery sitting on the bank east of Alcova.

Why The Heck … Is There A 10-Foot T. Rex Fishing The North Platte Near Alcova?

Drift boat fishermen along the North Platte River are often surprised to see a T. rex statue looking down on them from a bluff east of Alcova. The 10-foot tall metal dinosaur is fishing, and has even hooked a catch.

Dale KillingbeckMarch 16, 2025

The Seven Wonders of Casper are, clockwise from top left: Spiral staircase to nowhere, Gravity Hill, the Egg Beater Tower, Natrona County Library echo chamber, murals around town, Lookout Point and the clock that doesn't tell time.

Casper’s ‘Seven Wonders’ Are Odd, Unusual And Gravity-Defying

While the Seven Wonders of Casper may not be as famous as other landmarks in Wyoming like Old Faithful, Devils Tower or Independence Rock, they are unusual, interesting and worth seeing in a couple of hours, scavenger hunt style.

Dale KillingbeckMarch 16, 2025

A quirk of planetary positions will make Saturn's 200,000-mile-around rings disappear for one night March 23. But NASA research also suggests the rings are disappearing for real and will be gone forever in 100 million to 300 million years.

Saturn's Rings Will Disappear Next Week (And Then Completely A Few Years Later)

A quirk of planetary positions will make Saturn's 200,000-mile-around rings disappear for one night on March 23. Plan ahead, however, because NASA predicts they will completely disappear -- forever -- in about 100 million years.

Andrew RossiMarch 16, 2025

Carson Hornecker, 14, operates a tractor on his family's Wyoming ranch.

Too Young To Drive? Not If You’re A Wyoming Farm Kid

Wyoming is one of nine states that still issues “hardship” driver’s licenses to 14-year-old ranch kids. But in reality, growing up rural in the Cowboy State means most farm and ranch kids have already been driving for years by then.

Zakary Sonntag for Cowboy State DailyMarch 15, 2025

While Wyoming hasn’t passed a state ban, cities and towns like Thermopolis have enacted their own bans against adding fluoride to tap water. Utah voted this month to ban fluoride in drinking water statewide.

Utah To Become First State To Ban Fluoride In Drinking Water

While Wyoming hasn’t passed a statewide ban on adding fluoride to tap water, some communities like Casper, Evanston, and Thermopolis have enacted their own. Utah voted this month to eliminate fluoride in drinking water, the first statewide ban in the nation.

David MadisonMarch 15, 2025

A pack of wolves in Yellowstone National Park.

Why Wolves In Wyoming Aren’t Attacking And Killing People Like They Are In India

While a district in northern India is reeling from wolf attacks that have killed at least 10 people, many of them children, wildlife biologists say the chances of humans being attacked by wolves in Wyoming remain virtually zero.

Mark HeinzMarch 15, 2025

The oil paintings for “A Home For Steamboat” have been framed and are ready to be displayed across the Cowboy State. Author Casey Rislov and Illustrator Zach Pullen are excited for the debut of their very Wyoming children’s book about the iconic figure on our license plates.

Casper Duo Casey Rislov And Zak Pullen To Release New Children's Book On Wyoming's Famed Steamboat

Casper children’s book author Casey Rislov and illustrator Zak Pullen are at it again. This time, they're telling the story about the iconic bucking horse on Wyoming’s license plate, Steamboat. The new book will be released in April.

Jackie DorothyMarch 15, 2025

When Gillette resident Wes Johnson posted a video of himself "dancing it out" on TikTok, it started a wave of viral videos that have generated more than 30 million views. He hopes to spread his platform of positivity across Wyoming and the world.

Wyoming's "Just Dance It Out Guy" Has Over 30 Million Views On Social Media

When Gillette resident Wes Johnson posted a video of himself "dancing it out" on TikTok two months ago, it started a wave of viral videos that have generated more than 30 million views. Now he's in demand in Europe, Africa, and New Zealand to "dance it out" overseas.

Andrew RossiMarch 15, 2025

A video posted on Facebook introduced the world to Delores “Dee” Baker, one of the few 100-year-old South Dakotans to do a shotski in a crash helmet.

100-Year-Old Dee Baker Wears A Crash Helmet When She Takes Shots Of Liquor

A viral video introduced the world to the oldest bar hopper in the Black Hills of South Dakota, 100-year-old Dee Baker. Baker wears a crash helmet when she takes shots of liquor. The centenarian is known as the life of the party in Lewie's Burgers and Brews.

David MadisonMarch 15, 2025

More than a month after a devastating 26-vehicle crash and fire inside the westbound Green River Tunnel, cleanup is still underway.

Westbound Green River Tunnel May Not Reopen Until Next Winter

It’s been more than a month since a devastating 26-vehicle Valentine’s Day crash killed three people in the Green River Tunnel on westbound Interstate 80. The Wyoming Department of Transportation says it will take months to repair and hopes to have it open by next winter.

Greg JohnsonMarch 15, 2025

Daily Features

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"Ready for spring." Garrett, WY
PinYour Wyoming Sunrise: Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Today’s Wyoming sunrise was captured by KJ in Garrett. KJ writes, "Ready for spring."

Photo by KJ

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

Opinion

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Bill Sniffin: Can I Whisper ‘Golden Age’ As We Contemplate Wyoming’s Immediate Future?

Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, “Wyoming will benefit greatly by the presidency of Donald Trump. With a fossil fuel-friendly administration, a friendly Congress, and the sensible Supreme Court, Wyoming’s capacity for generating energy here has not seen such a green light in decades."

Bill SniffinMarch 08, 2025

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Joan Barron: Maybe Next Year Will Be Better

Columnist Joan Barron writes, "It was a good thing for the Legislature to quit two days early this year.  That way the lawmakers could not do any more damage to the Legislature as an institution than they already have." 

Joan BarronMarch 08, 2025

Lange at chic fil a

Jonathan Lange: This Year’s Flood Of Election Integrity Bills Accomplished Great Things.

Columnist Jonathan Lange writes, "Kudos to Secretary of State, Chuck Gray for tirelessly pushing the legislature to fulfill its constitutional mandate to “pass laws to secure the purity of elections, and guard against abuses of the elective franchise.”

Jonathan LangeMarch 07, 2025

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