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New Casper Home Ready For 21-Foot Tumble Inn Cowboy, But Debut Unlikely This Year
Those restoring the historic Tumble Inn Cowboy sign that once stood in Powder River say its debut in downtown Casper will take a little longer. A new home for the 21-foot neon sign is ready, but it's unlikely it will go up this year.
Dale KillingbeckOctober 16, 2025

Cheyenne Police Report Man Who Allegedly Killed Motorcycle Rider Was Drunk
The man involved in a deadly crash in Cheyenne on Wednesday was allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol, local police report. He registered 0.30% on a breath test, more than three times the legal limit to drive.
Jackson WalkerOctober 17, 2025

Gravel Developer Sues State Board Again Over Denial Of Casper Mountain Leases
A Casper gravel mining developer has filed a second lawsuit in Natrona County District Court against the Wyoming State Board of Land Commissioners. Prism Logistics was denied the renewal of two Casper Mountain leases by the board earlier this month.
Dale KillingbeckOctober 16, 2025

Gordon Slams 'Ridiculous' Energy Permitting, Says Time To Innovate, Not Regulate
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon slammed "ridiculous" federal energy permitting delays Thursday at a Montana governors summit. He also praised state-backed stable coin and said it's time to innovate, not regulate, energy.
David MadisonOctober 16, 2025

Four Trophy Bull Elk Illegally Killed, Colorado Poachers Could Face Lifetime Bans
In a poaching case that one wildlife official said is the worst he’s ever seen, four trophy-sized bull elk were shot and left to rot in southern Colorado in one of the state’s most prized hunting areas. Offenders could face lifetime hunting bans if caught.
Mark HeinzOctober 16, 2025

Carbon County Deputies Use Retired Jail Van To Practice Immobilizing Moving Cars
The Carbon County Sheriff’s Office trains to immobilize cars during high-speed pursuits by pushing and spinning a decommissioned jail transport van across the runway at Rawlins Municipal Airport.
Andrew RossiOctober 16, 2025

Two Idaho Hunters Killed In Two Days Highlights Dangers Of Unsafe Hunting
The accidental shooting deaths of two Idaho hunters in the past week highlights the dangers of unsafe hunting, say Wyoming outdoorsmen. It's also a reminder to be extra careful with more hunters out looking for game every season.
Mark HeinzOctober 15, 2025

Conditions For Animals ‘Abhorrent’ Inside Home Of Alleged Hoarder
A detective's account gives gruesome details about the stench and filth in the home of a Cheyenne-area man accused of hoarding more than 100 animals. Michael Ohern appeared in court Wednesday and remains in jail facing 22 felony cruelty charges.
Jackson WalkerOctober 15, 2025

Uinta County Man Accused Of Using AI To Put Girl In Child Porn
A Uinta County man accused of using AI to transform a teen’s photo into child pornography faces four felony charges. The case has reignited some Wyoming lawmakers’ push to curb "deepfake" deceptions and bolster AI-related law.
Clair McFarlandOctober 16, 2025

Cowboy State Daily Show with Jake - Thursday, October 16, 2025
Jake in the 307. Weekday mornings 6-10 a.m.
Jake NicholsOctober 16, 2025

UW Football Swaps Brown And Gold For Coal Black In Border War Tribute
When the Wyoming Cowboys football team takes the field Oct. 25 for the Border War rivalry game against Colorado State University, they'll be wearing a special coal-black alternative uniform. It's a tribute to Wyoming's coal industry.
Andrew RossiOctober 15, 2025

Legislator Leading Charge Against Nuclear Waste Says Political Fallout Is Worth it
Rep. Bill Allemand says his fiery opposition to accepting nuclear waste storage in Wyoming has tarnished some political relationships. He also says the fallout is worth it with this week’s announcement that Radiant Nuclear has abandoned its Wyoming plans.
Jackson WalkerOctober 15, 2025

Lummis Introduces Bill To End Diesel 'Delete' Rules, Free Imprisoned Mechanics
Wyoming Sen. Cynthia Lummis introduced a bill Tuesday to end emissions requirements and prosecution of diesel “delete” mechanics. An attorney defending a Wyoming mechanic said the idea supports rural America, but the bill's a "long shot" as written.
Clair McFarlandOctober 15, 2025

Wyoming Sheep Jams Reveal Mounting Pressures On Local Ranches And Farms
Wyoming sheep jams are a reminder of the big struggles ranchers face. Rising costs and industry changes threaten family farms, prompting new efforts to protect them.
David MadisonOctober 15, 2025

70-Pound Worland Tortoise Survives Greenhouse Fire It Started
A 70-pound tortoise survived a greenhouse fire in Worland that it was responsible for. Firefighters say the blaze was started when the tortoise knocked over its own heat lamp.
Andrew RossiOctober 15, 2025

Lummis, Barrasso Target Abortion Pill At Federal Level
Wyoming’s John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis, plus most other Republicans in the U.S. Senate, are urging the FDA to cut nationwide access to abortion pills. Pro-choice advocates say ideology, rather than harm to women, is driving the senators’ message.
Sean BarryOctober 15, 2025

'I Shot Her': Gillette Woman Shot In Head Remains On Life Support, Man Charged
A Gillette woman remained on life support Tuesday after being shot in the head last week. Police say Javier Abeyta allegedly admitted to a witness "I shot her." He was arrested and charged with attempted murder and assault.
Scott SchwebkeOctober 14, 2025

Natrona County Schools Chief Won’t Let Board Members Into Turning Point Meeting
The Natrona County School District 1 superintendent barred two school board trustees from attending a meeting over restrictions put on new Turning Point USA chapters. The trustees had been invited to the meeting by the parents of a TPUSA student leader.
Dale KillingbeckOctober 14, 2025
Natrona County Schools Accused Of Stifling Free Speech Over Turning Point Chapters
The Natrona County District No. 1 school board heard plenty Monday from people about the controversy over forming Turning Point USA chapters in the district. The Natrona County High TPUSA founder said the district has been stifling free speech.
Dale KillingbeckOctober 14, 2025

Legislators Pointing Fingers Over Radiant Nuclear Killing Wyoming Project
After Radiant Nuclear dumped Wyoming for Tennessee, state lawmakers are left pointing fingers at each other. Some legislators say the state made a catastrophic mistake in not embracing the industry.
David MadisonOctober 14, 2025

Wyoming Panel Advances Grooming Bill With Tougher Penalties Than Statutory Rape
Wyoming's Joint Judiciary Committee on Monday advanced a bill seeking to criminalize "grooming," or pushing children toward sexual acts. As drafted, it would penalize grooming offenses with harsher penalties than statutory rape itself.
Clair McFarlandOctober 15, 2025

Alleged Cheyenne Animal Hoarder Was Investigated For Cruelty Before
The man accused of hoarding more than 100 animals in Cheyenne was investigated — but not convicted — for similar allegations dating back to 2022. Shelter staffers are still scrambling to feed, clean and care for the massive influx of rescued pets.
Jackson Walker & Clair McFarlandOctober 15, 2025

Sister Of Sheridan Cop-Shooter Drops Lawsuit, Says It Was About Answers, Not Money
The sister of a man who was killed after fatally shooting a Sheridan police officer last year has dropped her lawsuit against law enforcement. She said the lawsuit was never about money, but getting answers about her brother’s death.
Clair McFarlandOctober 14, 2025
Hot Carbon Markets Boost Wyoming Ranchers’ Capture Project
A group of Wyoming ranchers is building a massive carbon storage project on their land. The project aims to store carbon dioxide underground, creating new income and supporting the local economy.
Renée JeanOctober 14, 2025

Wyoming Delegation Applauds Release Of Israeli Hostages
Among the 20 living hostages released Monday as part of the Israel-Hamas peace deal is Avinatan Or, whose brother Chaim Or visited U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis in May. Lummis told Cowboy State Daily that it was unknown whether Avinatan Or was alive.
Sean BarryOctober 14, 2025

Man Pleads Not Guilty To Setting 13 Arson Fires Around Casper
A 46-year-old Casper man pleaded not guilty in Natrona County District Court on Tuesday to setting 13 fires in the city over the summer. He's accused of sparking blazes at a vacant building used by homeless people and at the Yellowstone Motel.
Dale KillingbeckOctober 14, 2025
Crook County Man Randomly Shot In The Neck While Working Cattle
A Crook County man was shot in the neck last week while out working cattle on a ranch near Sundance. Authorities have no idea where the bullet came from. He was hospitalized for a full week in South Dakota.
Clair McFarlandOctober 13, 2025

Police Chief, Former Cop, Emergency Coordinator Finalists For Platte County Sheriff
The Platte County Republican Party chose three finalists Monday to be the next county sheriff. The commission now must choose between the Guernsey police chief, a former cop and the county's emergency management coordinator.
Jackson WalkerOctober 14, 2025

Human Skull Found In Carbon County Cave Could Date Back To 1800s
A rock hound found a human skull in a Carbon County cave Sunday, prompting a sheriff’s investigation. Authorities say it may be decades old — or even date back to the 1800s — and are working with experts to identify it.
Scott SchwebkeOctober 13, 2025

Cheyenne Animal Shelter Scrambling After Saving More Than 100 Pets From Hoarder
The Cheyenne Animal Shelter is scrambling to serve more than 100 animals following a “horrific” hoarding case. Many are dirty, skinny, and in need of veterinary care. A Laramie County man has been charged with animal cruelty.
Jackson WalkerOctober 13, 2025

Radiant Nuclear Picks Tennessee Over Wyoming To Build Nuclear Microreactor Facility
Radiant Nuclear announced Monday afternoon that it will build its first nuclear microreactor manufacturing facility in Tennessee, abandoning plans for the controversial project near Bar Nunn, after months of heated debate over spent nuclear fuel storage.
David MadisonOctober 13, 2025

Wyoming’s Data Center Boom Sparks Fears Of Soaring Electric Rates
Wyoming’s growing sector of artificial intelligence and data centers have collectively announced 12.8 gigawatts worth of processing power so far. That has sparked concerns about rising power bills, but not everyone is worried.
Renée JeanOctober 14, 2025

Committee Adopts Bill Greenlighting Lawsuits Over 'Sexually Explicit' Library Books
The Wyoming Judiciary Committee on Monday adopted a bill letting residents of a given county or school district sue libraries or schools over sexually-explicit materials in children's sections of libraries.
Clair McFarlandOctober 14, 2025

Letter To The Editor: Why We Chose Tennessee Over Wyoming For Our Nuclear Generators
Dear editor: This week we had to make a very tough decision to site our first factory in Oak Ridge, Tennessee instead of Wyoming. We must build where the rules are clear, the government is predictable, and businesses are free to invest and grow."
October 13, 2025

Yellowstone Guide Loves The Backcountry, Where His Mules Chase Grizzlies Away
A Yellowstone outfitter and guide loves exploring the most remote places in the national park. His horses and mules not only are hardy companions, they gang up to chase away interloping grizzlies.
Mark HeinzOctober 14, 2025

Four Moose Killed By Drivers In Grand Teton, Including Famed Bull 'Elk Antler'
Four moose, including famed bull “Elk Antler,” were killed by speeding drivers in Grand Teton National Park over the past couple of weeks. Authorities say increasing traffic is to blame as "shoulder seasons" are much busier than they used to be.
Mark HeinzOctober 13, 2025

Casper Man Texts Murder Threat, Then Fires Four Shots Into Apartment Above
A Casper man is accused of texting a murder threat to the woman who lives in the apartment above him Friday. He then fired four shots into his ceiling and into her apartment above him, police say.
Dale KillingbeckOctober 13, 2025

Rockies Announcer Jerry Schemmel Shares How Plane Crash Changed His Life
After surviving United Flight 232, which killed 112 people in 1989, Jerry Schemmel went back in the wreckage to save an 11-month-old baby girl. Years later, wracked by survivor's guilt, he did something he'd never done before: he said a prayer.
Zakary SonntagOctober 12, 2025

Body Discovered In Nebraska May Be Missing Moorcroft Man Chance Englebert
A body found Saturday near rural Gering, Nebraska, may be that of Moorcroft man Chance Englebert, who has been missing for more than six years, say his family and a private investigator working to solve the disappearance.
Jen KocherOctober 11, 2025
Daily Features
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Today's Wyoming sunrise was captured by Sue Stilwell. Sue writes, "Captured this beautiful sunrise while elk hunting near Eagle Rock east of Laramie."
Today's question to Don Day
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.
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
Opinion
Tom Lubnau: What Can We Learn From The Failed Federal Coal Sale?
Opinion by Tom Lubnau
Bill Sniffin: Yellowstone In The Snow? In A Convertible? Sure, Why Not?
Opinion by Bill Sniffin
Dave Simpson: Our New Neighbor Is Very, Very Big
Opinion by Dave Simpson
Cassie Craven: We Stand With Kylie
Opinion by Cassie Craven
Gail Symons: Wyoming Lives In A Bunch Of Women Hunting Antelope
Opinion by Gail Symons
Sponsored
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Announcing the Hoskinson Government and Policy Center
The Policy Center plans on taking an active role in the 2026 elections in Wyoming as well and will coordinate with its Wyoming Integrity Political Action Committee throughout the election cycle.
October 15, 2025

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

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
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

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

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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Discovery Channel's “Ghost Adventures” Looks For Casper’s Haunted Underbelly In Season Premier
Renée JeanOctober 12, 2025
Taylor Sheridan's “Wind River” A Top Pick On Netflix Again As Fans Await Sequel
Renée JeanOctober 12, 2025
Wyoming History: The Wall Of Water That Devastated Wheatland Ranches In 1969
Dale KillingbeckOctober 12, 2025
Wyoming Ballerina Needed Nerves Of Steel To Attend Boot Camp And Pursue Dreams
Jackie DorothyOctober 12, 2025
Wyoming History: Frank McGovern Squanders Fortune in Wyoming’s Sweetwater District
Jackie DorothyOctober 11, 2025
Outdoors
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Wyoming Hunter Shoots Ram With Well-Known Horn Mutation In Famous Herd Near Lovell
Mark HeinzOctober 12, 2025
One-Legged Laramie Hunter Bags Antelope, Plans To Build Prosthetic Rifle Rest
Mark HeinzOctober 12, 2025
Haunted Wyoming: Ghostly Guides Saved Explorer Lost In Yellowstone 155 Years Ago
Jackie DorothyOctober 12, 2025
Patagonia Founder, Wyoming Conservationist Preaches Fly-Fishing Simplicity & Naked Climbing
David MadisonOctober 11, 2025
Rock Springs Woman Bags Massive Mule Deer Dubbed ‘Gray Ghost’
Mark HeinzOctober 11, 2025
Crime & Courts
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Family Wonders If Carbon County Skull Could Solve 107-Year-Old Missing Person Case
Scott SchwebkeOctober 15, 2025
Cleaning Up Crimes Scenes Takes A Strong Stomach And Stronger Mind
Dale KillingbeckOctober 12, 2025
More Than 40 Years Later, Search Continues For Clues To Murder Of Buffalo Teen
Jen KocherOctober 11, 2025
Self-Proclaimed Cartel Member Gets Life In Kidnapping, Torture Of Lander Woman
Clair McFarlandOctober 10, 2025
Teen Charged After 100 MPH Elk Crash Kills Friend Near Saratoga
Clair McFarlandOctober 10, 2025