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What The Heck … Is That Giant Snoopy Head High In Wyoming’s Sierra Madre Range?
Somewhere on the long dirt road to Hog Park in Carbon County, Snoopy has been hanging out for at least 30 years. Nobody knows who painted the giant beagle on a Sierra Madre Range boulder, but Wyoming families have grown up visiting him.
Kolby FedoreAugust 22, 2026

First Responders Send Hundreds Of ‘Hero Patches’ To 4-Year-Old Rock Springs Girl
In the month since Cowboy State Daily told 4-year-old Charlee Lacey's story of collecting “hero patches” from first responders, she’s been flooded with hundreds of them. Her mother says there are "no words" to express how much they mean to the girl.
Andrew RossiAugust 22, 2026

Cheyenne-Area Squatters Tell Homeowner He Can’t Touch Them — Then Get Arrested
A couple accused of moving into a locked-up home and selling off the owner’s possessions allegedly told the homeowner they were squatters, they have rights, and he couldn’t do anything about it. Then they were arrested.
Greg JohnsonAugust 21, 2026

PAC That Spent $550K Helping Freedom Caucus Had 87% Failure Rate
For Virginia-based PAC “Make Liberty Win” $479,000 of the $550,000 it spent helping Freedom Caucus-aligned candidates went to lost races. Sen. Cale Case, who was targeted by the group, said he was unsurprised: "(People) are really tired of the negative campaigning.”
Clair McFarlandAugust 22, 2026

Another Trump Call For Imported Beef Riles Up Wyoming Ranchers
Wyoming ranchers are riled at President Trump’s Friday announcement that the U.S. will allow up to 300,000 metric tons of ground beef to be imported without tariffs. They say Wyoming would be better off if allowed to sell state-inspected beef across state lines.
Clair McFarlandAugust 22, 2026

After Director Quits, People Asking What’s Up With Wyoming Game And Fish?
As fall hunting season nears, Wyoming Game and Fish is facing public scrutiny after the sudden resignation of Director Angi Bruce and the appointment of an interim director. In a rare move, Game and Fish will give a state of the agency update Monday.
Mark HeinzAugust 21, 2026

Wyoming Police Push To Name Mountain Peak After Fallen Officer Sgt. Krinkee
A former Wyoming police chief wants to name the tallest peak in Sheridan County for Sgt. Nevada Krinkee, who was killed in the line of duty in 2024. The 11,000-foot peak known to locals as “Sheridan High Point” doesn’t have an official name.
Kolby FedoreAugust 21, 2026

Rod Miller: Tuesday Night Massacre And Life In Post-Freedom Caucus Wyoming
Columnist Rod Miller writes, "It was nearly a Custer-esque asskicking, and the Wyoming GOP primary election left the flyblown corpses of right wing populist politicians festering under the hot sun of the Big Empty. The Wyoming Freedom Caucus is dead."
Rod MillerAugust 21, 2026

Wyoming 'Future-Proofs' Oil And Gas Industry With Nation's First Bonding Pool
On the heels of a Biden administration proposal to raise oil and gas bonding requirements by 1,900%, Wyoming is creating the nation’s first state-backed bonding pool to shield independent producers. "We're not on defense now," an industry spokesman said.
Renée JeanAugust 21, 2026

Wyoming Hunters Are Already Filling Their Freezers With Early Season Cow Elk
With Type 8 tags, Wyoming hunters can go after cow elk as early as August — despite the heat — in places where numbers have swollen well over Wyoming Game and Fish objectives. Hunters say access to private land is the key to success.
Mark HeinzAugust 21, 2026

"Unusual And Spectacular": Next Week's Lunar Eclipse Will Be Blood-Red And 96% Full
When the next lunar eclipse reaches its maximum at 10:12 p.m. on Thursday, 96.2% of the moon will be covered by the Earth’s shadow and blood-red. “We'll see a reddish moon with a slight sliver of silver at the edge,” one Wyoming astronomer explained.
Andrew RossiAugust 21, 2026

Campaign Signs Are Classified As Trash By All Of Wyoming's Municipalities
Now that Wyoming’s primary election has come and gone, the innumerable campaign signs that popped up over the last year are starting to disappear. Although they could be re-used for many things, they are classified as trash by all Wyoming municipalities.
Andrew RossiAugust 21, 2026

Mexican National Accused Of Snake River Canyon Rampage Wasn't Drunk, Prosecutors Say
The Mexican national accused of trying to ram numerous travelers in the Snake River Canyon two summers ago was not drunk, prosecutors said this week. “The individual deliberately targeted our vehicle and attempted to kill my family,” one driver said.
Clair McFarlandAugust 21, 2026

No, Closet Democrats Didn't Nominate Republican Barlow For Gov., Politicos Say
Despite claims that Eric Barlow won the Republican primary for governor due to closet Democrats, political analysts disagree. Also, an analysis of voter registration and turnout percentages predicts Barlow winning even without the margin of likely crossover.
Clair McFarlandAugust 20, 2026

Nevada Hunter Vows To Kill Famous Yellowstone Mollie's Pack Wolf 1090F In Wyoming
A Nevada hunter and social media influencer is vowing to come to Wyoming to kill the leader of Yellowstone National Park's oldest wolf pack, the Mollie's. “The matriarch 1090F is going down on the 15th of September,” he says.
Mark HeinzAugust 20, 2026

Authorities Not Saying If False Rasner Trump Endorsement Text Brings Consequences
Authorities are tight-lipped or uncertain over whether consequences could follow a mysterious text blast on Primary Election Day that said — falsely — that President Donald Trump had endorsed U.S. House candidate Reid Rasner.
Clair McFarlandAugust 21, 2026

Douglas Man Wanted On 72 Child Sex-Related Charges Is Back In Wyoming Jail
John Smallbone was Wyoming’s most wanted man for less than four hours after no-showing an arraignment hearing on 72 child sex abuse and pornography charges. Now he’s back. “He’s here. We got him back this morning,” said the Converse County undersheriff.
Greg JohnsonAugust 20, 2026

Laramie Landmark The Alibi, Made Famous By Guy Fieri, On The Market For $3 Million
The Alibi, a Laramie landmark since 1953 and a favorite for generations of University of Wyoming students, is on the market for nearly $3 million. Now known for its wood-fired pizza, it was made famous by Guy Fieri on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives."
Greg JohnsonAugust 20, 2026

Mustang Advocates Say Report Proves Wild Horses From Wyoming Sent To Slaughter
Mustang advocates say a New York Times report proves horses rounded up from the range in Wyoming and other states have been sent to slaughter. An advocacy group is now asking Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to shut down all sales of wild horses.
Mark HeinzAugust 20, 2026

Libertarian Party Nominates Republican Cale Case And Democrat Karlee Provenza
In a statement about how it should be able to send anyone it chooses into the election, the Libertarian Party nominated Republican Sen. Cale Case and Democrat Rep. Karlee Provenza at its convention. The Secretary of State’s Office rejected the nominations.
Clair McFarlandAugust 21, 2026

Wyoming Man Says He Cruised Billings Homeless Shelters 'Looking For Hookers'
A 78-year-old Wyoming man has pleaded not guilty to felony aggravated sex trafficking after telling investigators he was “looking for hookers” as he cruised Billings, Montana, homeless shelters. He allegedly offered women cash, food and vodka for sex.
Kolby FedoreAugust 20, 2026

South Dakota Man Charged With Murder In Wyoming Says He Was Defending Tinder Date
A 24-year-old South Dakota man doesn’t deny shooting and killing another man while in Newcastle on a Tinder date gone wrong, but it wasn’t murder, his defense attorney said Wednesday. He was defending the woman he had driven nearly 90 miles to meet.
Greg JohnsonAugust 20, 2026

The Impact Of Trump's Expansion Of Hunting, Fishing On Wildlife Refuges In Wyoming
Three of Wyoming's national wildlife refuges will see modest changes from the new plan to open 92 million acres to hunting and fishing. It's touted as the "largest expansion of hunting and sport fishing in the history of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service."
Mark HeinzAugust 20, 2026

Wyoming Freedom Caucus Says It’s Not Dead After Devastating Primary Losses
After Tuesday's Republican primary election gutted the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, the caucus says it’s far from dead — and will regroup. “I don’t think any of us anticipated this kind of loss,” said former chair John Bear.
Clair McFarlandAugust 20, 2026

Alta Coffee Shop Owner: 'Nonstop Death Threats' Since Clash With Pro-Lifers
An Alta, Wyoming, man says he and his wife have received "nonstop death threats" since a confrontation with a pro-life group inside their Driggs coffee shop, Wydaho Roasters, went viral. “You'd think we're performing abortions in our shop," the owner said.
Kolby FedoreAugust 19, 2026

Polarizing Billionaire Joe Ricketts Says He’s Focused On 'Saving Yellowstone'
Billionaire Joe Ricketts once wanted to build a mega-resort on his 1,300-acre ranch and rename Bondurant “Little Jackson Hole.” Now he's focused on "Saving Yellowstone." "If we don’t move now, it will be gone forever,” he said Wednesday.
Mark HeinzAugust 19, 2026

The Great Wyoming Freedom Caucus Massacre — By The Numbers
After Tuesday’s primary, the Wyoming Freedom Caucus is being gutted from about a 35-member bloc in the state House to about 10. Of those likely to reach the House after the general election, about 43 say they don’t align with the controversial caucus.
Clair McFarlandAugust 19, 2026

Fate Of 3.3 Million Acres Of Roadless Areas In Wyoming About To Be Decided
The 2001 Clinton-era Roadless Rule could soon end, opening 3.3 million acres of national forests in Wyoming for road construction. Harriet Hageman calls the rule a disaster, while roadless supporters say it protects prime hunting, fishing and tourism.
Mark HeinzAugust 19, 2026

Primary Election Winners: Curt Meier Got The Best Deal Per Vote, Chuck Gray The Worst
Among Wyoming GOP primary election winners, Treasurer Curt Meier got the best deal of campaign expense per vote at $1.61, and U.S. House nominee Chuck Gray the worst, at $44. Including the runners-up, Reid Rasner spent the most with a staggering $209 per vote.
Clair McFarlandAugust 19, 2026

No Death Penalty For Cheyenne Woman Accused Of Killing Newborn 38 Years Ago
The death penalty won’t be pursued against a Cheyenne woman accused of murdering and abandoning her newborn baby boy in a ditch 38 years ago. “The baby was a fully developed, full-term, 6.5-pound baby,” authorities report.
Greg JohnsonAugust 19, 2026

Herd Of Wandering, Hungry Cattle Doesn’t Care Grazing Is Banned At Yellowstone
A herd of cattle inadvertently broke into Yellowstone National Park earlier this week, grazing where no cattle have grazed for more than 120 years. That’s because the park has banned issuing grazing permits in Yellowstone.
Andrew RossiAugust 19, 2026

Attempted Murder Charge For Teen Accused Of Putting Gun To Head Of Another Teen
A Cheyenne 17-year-old has been charged as an adult with attempted murder for allegedly putting a gun to the head of a Colorado teen, then shooting at him multiple times as the other teen was driving away.
Kerry DrakeAugust 19, 2026
Defunct For Years, 'Eyesore' Casper Wind Farm Turbines Finally Coming Down
The 11 turbines at the Casper Wind Farm north of Evansville are finally coming down after years of inactivity. There were high hopes for the turbines when commissioned in 2009, but a former county commissioner now calls them an "eyesore."
Dale KillingbeckAugust 19, 2026

Plan For Data Center Puts Spotlight On Lax Fremont County Zoning Laws
A small data center is taking shape in Fremont County, but officials there say they don't know much about the project and aren't sure just how much regulatory power they'll have. Fremont has some of Wyoming’s most permissive zoning laws.
Kate MeadowsAugust 19, 2026

Near-Total Massacre For Freedom Caucus In Wyoming Primary
Tuesday marked a rough night for the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, as its members and allies fell to a slew of legislative newcomers in the Republican primary election. "Wyoming citizens spoke loud and clear tonight!" said caucus critic Rep. Landon Brown.
Clair McFarlandAugust 19, 2026

Eric Barlow Wins GOP Nomination For Governor Over Trump-Backed Candidate
Sen. Eric Barlow, a legislator of 14 years, won the GOP nomination for Wyoming governor Tuesday, over Megan Degenfelder and Brent Bien.
Clair McFarlandAugust 19, 2026

Freedom Caucus Champion John Bear Upended By Political Newcomer In Campbell County
Wyoming Freedom Caucus champion and incumbent state Rep. John Bear was upended by political newcomer Doug Moore in his reelection bid in Tuesday’s Campbell County Republican primary.
Jen KocherAugust 19, 2026

Majority Floor Leader & Founding Member Of Freedom Caucus Scott Heiner Ousted
Newcomer Kenneth Roberts knocked off House Majority Floor Leader and founding member of the Freedom Caucus Scott Heiner in Tuesday’s Republican primary for House District 18, ousting one of the most powerful members of the Wyoming House.
Kolby FedoreAugust 19, 2026

Freedom Caucus Leader Ken Pendergraft Ousted From Sheridan County Senate Seat
Sheridan County business owner Melissa Butcher won the GOP primary for Sheridan County’s Senate District 21 seat, handily beating outspoken Freedom Caucus-aligned Ken Pendergraft.
Kate MeadowsAugust 19, 2026

Rock Springs Fire Chief James Wamsley Knocks Down CheckGate's Darin McCann
Rock Springs Fire Chief James Wamsley beat Rep. Darin McCann by a commanding 59%-40 margin ending a one-term run that included McCann’s involvement in the Legislature’s controversial “CheckGate” controversy.
Kolby FedoreAugust 19, 2026

Former House Speaker Sommers Soundly Wins GOP Nod To Regain HD 20 Seat
Albert Sommers handily won the GOP nomination for House District 20 seat in a three-way race Tuesday, soundly beating fellow Republicans Bill Winney and Matt McGinnes in the primary election. Sommers is a former House speaker.
Mark HeinzAugust 19, 2026

Chuck Gray Fends Off Eight Other Republicans To Win U.S. House Nomination
Secretary of State Chuck Gray won the Republican nomination to U.S. House Tuesday — over eight other GOP challengers. He will face Libertarian Shawn Johnson and Democratic nominee Lisa Kinney in the general election Nov. 3.
Clair McFarlandAugust 19, 2026

Steve Harshman Wins GOP Nod For Wyoming Schools Chief
Wyoming's longest serving state House member was nominated Tuesday in the race for Superintendent of Public Instruction, over challengers Tom Kelly and Chad Auer.
Clair McFarlandAugust 19, 2026

Robert Short Wins GOP Nomination For Secretary Of State
Converse County Commissioner Robert Short, who campaigned on the slogan "Make The Secretary of State's Office Boring Again," won the GOP nomination for the office Tuesday. He defeated Freedom Caucus Chair Rachel Williams, and two other Republicans.
Clair McFarlandAugust 19, 2026

UW Professor Cameron Wright Defeats Incumbent Ocean Andrew in Laramie's HD 46
Cameron Wright, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and University of Wyoming engineering professor, defeated incumbent Ocean Andrew in the GOP primary election for House District 46 in Albany County. He'll face Democrat Gary Wilken in November.
Mark HeinzAugust 19, 2026

Wyoming Treasurer Curt Meier Beats Freedom Caucus Challenger
Wyoming Treasurer Curt Meier won the GOP nomination Tuesday, over Freedom Caucus challenger Rep. Scott Smith.
Clair McFarlandAugust 19, 2026

Ogden Driskill Beats Chip Neiman, Says It's A "Solid Rejection Of Freedom Caucus"
Sen. Ogden Driskill fended off House Speaker Chip Neiman in a 51%-48% race Tuesday, to hold his longtime Senate seat. "There was a very solid rejection of what the Freedom Caucus has done and how they operate,” Driskill said.
Clair McFarlandAugust 19, 2026

Harriet Hageman Wins GOP Nomination For Wyoming U.S. Senate Seat
U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman defeated four other Republican challengers for the Republican nomination to U.S. Senate in Tuesday's primary election.
Clair McFarlandAugust 19, 2026
Daily Features
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Today's Wyoming sunrise was captured by Art Olsen. Art writes, "Sunrise over the Rochelle Hills. Taken from the Peterson homestead out in the grasslands near Bill, Wyoming."
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
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Bibles for Venezuela: Hope in the Midst of Devastation
Vision Beyond Borders has helped bring God’s Word to people throughout Venezuela. Following two devastating earthquakes, the need for both Bibles and humanitarian assistance has become even greater.
August 20, 2026

Wyoming’s Real Election Is Tuesday
Wyoming chooses its next governor in the August primary, not in November. Here is the arithmetic, and why a third of the vote can be enough to decide it.
August 14, 2026

Brent Bien’s 50% Property Tax Initiative Puts Wyoming Homeowners First
Wyoming’s first citizen initiative on the statewide ballot in 30 years would cut the taxable value of a primary residence by 50%—a first step toward Brent Bien’s goal of eliminating residential property taxes.
August 11, 2026
Opinion
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Bill Sniffin: Political Crunch Time Brings Out Desperation And A Few Funny Lines
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “This is a desperate time for politicians. Just how negative can they go? Here in Wyoming, we discovered it is pretty darned deep.”
Bill SniffinAugust 08, 2026

Rod Miller: Changes Around The Ol’ Campfire
Columnist Rod Miller writes, "It was a hot, sultry night in the Red Desert, without a breath of cooling breeze. All that could be heard was the grumbling of the exhausted cowboys and rattlesnakes copulating in the sagebrush."
Rod MillerAugust 07, 2026

Tom Lubnau: Why You Should Consider Steve Friess For U.S. House
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "Chuck Gray's approach to politics is akin to a yapping Chihuahua, making lots of noise and getting headlines, but getting little done. Most concerning is Gray dumping all of Wyoming voters’ election data to an agency of the federal government whose use is unrestricted."
Tom LubnauAugust 05, 2026
Wyoming Life
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Llamas Are Becoming A Big Tourism Draw At Farm In Elk Mountain, Wyoming
Renée JeanAugust 16, 2026
Wyoming History: Disgraced Pastor Shocked State By Killing Family, Self In 1926
Dale KillingbeckAugust 16, 2026
Elk Mountain Old-Timers Keep Remote Town’s Wild History Alive One Story At A Time
Renée JeanAugust 16, 2026
Nobody Will Ever Claim $10K Reward For Wyoming's Missing Pedro Mountain Mummy
Kerry DrakeAugust 16, 2026
19-Year-Old Saratoga Woman Rebuilds Cars Just To Beat The Crap Out Of Them
Kolby FedoreAugust 16, 2026
Outdoors
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Could 'Toxic Soup' From Great Salt Lake Lakebed Dust Impact Southwest Wyoming?
Kate MeadowsAugust 14, 2026
Under Severe Drought Conditions, Wyoming’s Powder River Has Completely Stopped Flowing
Mark HeinzAugust 14, 2026
Hooray! Ranch Hand Rescues Squealing Elk Calf Entangled In Barbed Wire
Mark HeinzAugust 12, 2026
Angi Bruce's Resignation As Game and Fish Director Catches Sportsmen By Surprise
Mark HeinzAugust 10, 2026
Critics Say Proposed Seminoe Power Project Won’t Have Enough Water
Mark HeinzAugust 09, 2026
Crime & Courts
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Kinnear Woman To Face Trial On Charges Her Ranch Dogs Attack Neighbor’s Cattle
Kolby FedoreAugust 18, 2026
Mills Man Faces Felony Charges After Allegedly Threatening To Kill Man In His Truck
Dale KillingbeckAugust 18, 2026
Newcastle Man Accused Of Chasing Woman With Knife, Pointing Revolver, Kicking Cop
Kolby FedoreAugust 18, 2026
Colorado Trucker Wanted For Homicide Nearly 5 Years After Wyoming Crash Killed 2
Kolby FedoreAugust 17, 2026
Family Of Thermopolis Man Shot By Cop Gets $400K In Settlement
Clair McFarlandAugust 15, 2026


