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Special Op Is Being Planned To Rescue An 1893 Tree That’s Part Of Wyoming History
Deep in the most remote area of the Shoshone National Forest is a unique piece of 1893 history, inscribed on a beetle-killed tree and it's is in danger of being lost. A rescue mission is being attempted, but some money might be needed for a helicopter to sling the artifact out.
Renée JeanFebruary 09, 2025

It's Not Your Imagination: The Jerky Meat Industry Is Exploding
Riverton's Brian Tucker saw the writing on the wall in the booming jerky industry. His company, which focuses on the do-it-yourself jerky-makers, is one of the largest in the world. It's a $6 billion industry and could grow to $10 billion in the next 7 years.
David MadisonFebruary 09, 2025

Scientists Are Taking Possibility Of Asteroid Slamming Into Earth Seriously
The newly-discovered Asteroid 2024 YR is being taken seriously by scientists at NASA who say it's got a legit shot at slamming into the Earth. Right now, the odds are 1 in 43. UW planetarium guru says El Salvador is much more likely of a hit than Wyoming.
Andrew RossiFebruary 09, 2025

Oh Yay. There's A New Type Of Tick In Wyoming.
Wyoming already had three well-known ticks that are harmful to humans in the state: The Rocky Mountain wood tick, brown dog tick and a soft tick. Now, it's got a fourth. The American Dog Tick is here and seems to be concentrated in Sheridan County.
Dale KillingbeckFebruary 09, 2025

The Art Of Turning Manure To Compost
Manure management is one of the biggest problems faced by feedlots. One soil scientist is helping a feedlot in Worland make better use of their manure by creating more compost for local farmers and gardeners.
Jackie DorothyFebruary 09, 2025

A Rock Found In Worland Could Be Magic Or An Ancient Tool
When LeAnn Baker found a rock with a smooth hole in the middle, she was told it was a magic hag stone. However, archaeologist Mike Beis said it was most likely a spindle whorl, a simple tool used by Indian tribes for centuries.
Jackie DorothyFebruary 09, 2025

The Best Mustaches Of The Wyoming Legislature
There are a number of state legislators who have some scruff above their upper lip in the 68th Wyoming Legislature. Two magnificent mustaches, however, rise above the fold.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 09, 2025

After 100 Years, Cavalryman Steakhouse Closes, Moves To Special Events Model
If you've spent any time in Laramie, you know the Cavalryman Steakhouse. It just celebrated its 100th anniversary and is moving to a special events model. The historic restaurant will only be open for special occasions like holidays, weddings, football games and the like.
Renée JeanFebruary 09, 2025

Grandparents Of Murdered Upton Teen Plead For Missing Persons Bill
By the time authorities were legally able to enter the home on Oct. 7, 2019, it was too late. Shayna Ritthaler was found dead in a closet covered with clothing. Wyoming is one of six states that don't have missing person reporting requirements.
Jen KocherFebruary 08, 2025

Wyoming Family Learns Solar Panels Aren’t For The Faint Of Heart
A Happy Valley family who lives near Cheyenne found out the hard way that solar panels aren’t for the faint of heart. They do work, and they do defray energy costs, but there are a lot of headaches that go along with it. It helps if you have the patience of a saint.
Renée JeanFebruary 09, 2025

Meet Tiny, A 2,000-Pound Texas Longhorn And Officially Registered Emotional Support Animal
Fed up with the “emotional support animal crock of crap,” a Texan decided it would be funny to try registering his massive longhorn steer as an emotional support animal. It worked.
Mark HeinzFebruary 08, 2025

Inside the Smoke Shack Underworld At A Ski Resort Near You
You won't find any smoke shacks listed on a trail map, but they're there. Across the Rocky Mountain West, fort building ingenuity lives on in the shadows of ski areas where friends gather to defog their goggles and fill makeshift structures with marijuana smoke.
David MadisonFebruary 08, 2025

VIDEO: An Old Horse Trainer Returns To His First Roots
Charles Walks had walked away from horse training for about a decade, but he couldn’t stay away. Now at the Terry Bison Ranch in Cheyenne, he returned to the job he had learned while growing up on the Crow Reservation in southern Montana.
Hannah Brock & Reilly StrandFebruary 08, 2025

The Coffee Comes With Redemption At Pete’s Sake In Evanston
"For Pete's Sake" coffee shop in Evanston serves more than just coffee. For owner Pete Bass, it's a mission. That mission is to tell his story of redemption to anyone who feels like they need a second chance. Prison, he says, was God’s way of offering him another chance -- every time.
Renée JeanFebruary 08, 2025

What's In A Name: Dubois, Wyoming
You can always spot a tourist in Dubois, Wyoming, by how they pronounce the name of the town. In Wyoming, it's called Doo-boys, not the French pronunciation of Deh-bwah. How it got called that is shrouded in myth and mystery.
Jackie DorothyFebruary 09, 2025

Wyoming's Everywhere At The World-Renowned Tucson Gem and Mineral Show
Hundreds of vendors from dozens of countries converged in Tucson, Arizona, for the annual Gem and Mineral Show, where the best and most impressive gems, minerals, and fossils turn the past into profit. And everywhere you looked, Wyoming was represented.
Andrew RossiFebruary 08, 2025

Summertime Reservations Going Fast At Lodges in Yellowstone, Glacier and Grand Teton
Reservations for the in-park lodges at Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park are starting to fill up for the summer tourism season, though some of the most sought-after lodging options are already booked.
Anna-Louise Jackson for Cowboy State DailyFebruary 09, 2025

Cody Woman Donates 4 Gallons Of Breast Milk To New Wyoming Milk Bank
Cody Regional Health has become a milk depot for Mother's Milk Bank, an agency that pasteurizes and distributes donated breast milk to infant ICUs across the nation. A local woman has already donated 4 gallons to the new milk bank.
Andrew RossiFebruary 09, 2025

Wyoming History: The 1919 Casper Whiskey Raid Gone Bad
A 1919 raid on a big whiskey stash by lawmen in Casper was a disaster in every way. A shootout killed a deputy and wounded many others. The sheriff never produced a warrant and those raided pleaded ignorance to knowing they were officers. Everyone charged walked away.
Dale KillingbeckFebruary 08, 2025

Wyoming Senate Outspends House By $109 Million In Supplemental Budget
The Wyoming Senate and House wrapped up their supplemental budgets on Friday night, with the Senate outspending the lower chamber by $109 million. Both added some support for local governments and schools in the event that a major property tax relief bill passes into law
Leo WolfsonFebruary 08, 2025

Death Penalty On The Table In Bow And Arrow Death; Prosecutor Says Man Was 'Impaled'
Sublette County Attorney Clayton Melinkovich said he hasn’t ruled out seeking the death penalty for two Big Piney men charged Friday with first-degree murder, in the death of a man investigators say was killed by a bow and arrow. The victim was "impaled" by a man who later bragged about the act to friends, Melinkovich alleged in court.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 07, 2025

University Of Wyoming Spends $2 Million For Super Bowl Ad Celebrating Josh Allen
The University of Wyoming has expended $2 million for a 30-second ad during the Super Bowl celebrating Buffalo Bills' quarterback Josh Allen and his connection to the University of Wyoming. The spot will air in cities across the country and will be seen in Wyoming too.
Andrew RossiFebruary 07, 2025

Feds Will Listen To Wyoming This Time About BLM Rock Springs Plan, Former Trump Interior Official Says
A former high-ranking Dept of Interior official told Cowboy State Daily that the BLM's Rock Springs area plan will likely be heavily revised toward Wyoming’s liking and will be "very respectful" of Gov. Mark Gordon's recommendations.
Mark HeinzFebruary 07, 2025

The Roundup: A Conversation With Eli Bebout
This week, host Wendy Corr visits with longtime Wyoming legislator Eli Bebout. From his childhood in Shoshoni to his leadership in both the Wyoming House and Senate, Eli has lived a unique and meaningful Wyoming life!
Wendy CorrFebruary 08, 2025

The American West: Tip Vincent And The 1878 Elk Mountain Murders
Henry H. “Tip” Vincent, a detective and tracker for the Union Pacific Railroad, carried a Sharps rifle loaned to him by Otto Franc as he pursued George Parott and a group of train robbers to the west side of Elk Mountain, where he was gunned down and the Sharps was stolen.
Mark E. MillerFebruary 07, 2025

No Charges For Thermopolis Officer, Deputy Who Shot Baseball Bat Attacker
There will be no criminal charges filed against the police officer and sheriff's deputy who shot and killed a Thermopolis man who charged them with a metal baseball bat. The special prosecutor on Friday said the agents acted within Wyoming's self-defense laws,
Clair McFarlandFebruary 07, 2025

Appropriations Committee Advances Sweeping Immigration Bill That Would Make It Felony To Harbor Illegals
A Wyoming immigration bill that would levy state-level felony charges against people who harbor or transport illegal immigrants kept its $1 million price tag Friday, when the Senate Appropriations Committee approved it. The state Senate will debate the bill next.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 07, 2025

Wyoming Committee Kills 'Sweeping And Almost Vindictive' Anti-Obscenity Law
A Wyoming Legislative committee killed a broad anti-obscenity bill on Friday. Republican Rep. Tom Kelly said lawmakers shouldn't lose sight of the real problem of sexually-graphic books in kids' library sections, but the solution isn't to advance a “sweeping and almost vindictive law."
Clair McFarlandFebruary 08, 2025

Bill Would Give Wyoming Strongest Laws In Country To Fight Frivolous Defamation Lawsuits
A Wyoming legislative committee advanced a bill on Friday that legal experts say would give Wyoming the toughest laws in the country to prevent the filing of frivolous defamation lawsuits.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 07, 2025

Wyoming Cowboys Will Play Coach Prime And the Colorado Buffaloes Next Season
On Sept. 20, the Wyoming Cowboys will head down to Boulder for an anticipated matchup with Coach Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes, a contest that will feature two young teams and bring national exposure to a regional matchup. UW last played CU in 2009.
Justin GeorgeFebruary 07, 2025

Yellowstone to Yosemite with Kevin Costner” TV Show Premieres Saturday Featuring Wyoming Parks
A documentary series premiering on Fox Nation this Saturday explores connections between two of the first national parks, and it follows up Costner’s unscripted project “Yellowstone: One-Fifty.”
David MadisonFebruary 07, 2025

Two Big Piney Men, 18 and 19, Charged With First-Degree Murder In Bow And Arrow Death
Sublette County sheriff's investigators found a 23-year-old man dead of apparent arrow wounds Wednesday in a Big Piney home. Two men aged 18 and 19 were charged with variations of first-degree murder Friday morning.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 07, 2025

Teen Girl Accused In Reliance Bonfire Shooting Charged As Adult
A 16-year-old Rock Springs girl has been charged as an adult after Sweetwater County Sheriff’s investigators say she shot two men who were in a fight with her boyfriend. The shooting happened late Saturday near a bonfire party spot outside Reliance.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 06, 2025

Wyoming's Josh Allen Wins His First MVP
Former University of Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen won his first most valuable player award on Thursday night. The Buffalo Bills QB edged out Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson in the closest ballot since 2005.
Jimmy OrrFebruary 07, 2025

University of Wyoming 'Will Have No Problem Complying' With NCAA Transgender Sports Ban
The NCAA on Thursday barred males from participating in women's sports. The University of Wyoming, which forfeited two women's volleyball matches last fall against a team with a trans player, said it will have “no problem complying.”
Clair McFarlandFebruary 07, 2025
Daily Features
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Today's Wyoming sunrise was captured by Morag Keller in Ethete. Morag writes, "Every morning I look out over the playground as I start my day at Wyoming Indian Elementary School. I think this is a wonderful representation of the beauty of Wyoming and the Wind River Indian Reservation."
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
Cassie Craven: A Wild Week in the Wyoming Legislature
Opinion by Cassie Craven
Rod Miller: Goat Ropin’ In Gaza For Trump – A Campfire Parable
Opinion by Rod Miller
Joan Barron: A Revised Tax Reform Bill Is A Test For Local Governments
Opinion by Joan Barron
Bill Sniffin: Wyoming Folks Recall Times When They Were Happiest – How About You?
Opinion by Bill Sniffin
Jonathan Lange: Our Founders Had School Choice - So Should We
Opinion by Jonathan Lange
Opinion
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Rod Miller: Goat Ropin’ In Gaza For Trump – A Campfire Parable
The sultry Mediterranean night made the cowhands sit waaay back from the campfire. The hot hamoun wind made them swap their Tony Lamas for sandals, and their sweaty stetsons for sweaty keffiyehs. All in all, they were not pleased to be herding goats in Gaza.
Rod MillerFebruary 09, 2025

Cassie Craven: A Wild Week in the Wyoming Legislature
Columnist Cassie Craven writes, “A few remnants of the failed and governor-supported ‘Wyoming Caucus’ are kicking and screaming while the majority of the House pushes toward government reform.”
Cassie CravenFebruary 09, 2025

Joan Barron: A Revised Tax Reform Bill Is A Test For Local Governments
Columnist Joan Barron writes, "What stood out was the lack of trust many legislators have with their local governments in regard to spending. There were no claims of fraud, just overspending or maybe not being transparent about where the money goes."
Joan BarronFebruary 08, 2025
Wyoming Life
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Here Comes The Sun: February Is Month For Greatest Increase In Sunshine
Jimmy OrrFebruary 06, 2025
Cody Residents Celebrate Snow Day By Slapping On Skis And Attaching Themselves To Moving Cars
Andrew RossiFebruary 05, 2025
120 MPH Wind Gust On Mount Coffin One Of Strongest Ever In Wyoming
Andrew RossiFebruary 04, 2025
Snowstorm Shuts Down Cody, While It’s Near 60 And Spring-Like In Cheyenne
Andrew RossiFebruary 03, 2025
Kiddos On Skis: How Wyoming's Antelope Butte Ski Resort Teaches Littles How To Ski
Jackie DorothyFebruary 02, 2025
Outdoors
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Fishing Could Be Limited To Lures, Flies Because Too Many Released Fish Are Dying
Zakary Sonntag for Cowboy State DailyFebruary 06, 2025
Hunters Say Proposal To Take Away Hunting, Fishing Privileges For Trespass Is Draconian
February 05, 2025
Wyoming Game And Fish Director Says “Stars Are Aligned” For Grizzly Delisting
Mark HeinzFebruary 04, 2025
Angry Bison Charges Into Crowd Watching Wolf Pack In Yellowstone
Andrew RossiFebruary 03, 2025
Sagebrush Murder Mystery Reveals Two Potential Killers Of Range Plant
David MadisonFebruary 02, 2025
Crime & Courts
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Casper Man Receives 60-Plus Years For Child Rape, Child Pornography Charges
Dale KillingbeckFebruary 07, 2025
Judge Won’t Dismiss Sheridan Man’s “Sucker-Punch” Manslaughter Case Early
Clair McFarlandFebruary 06, 2025
In Brief: Man In Big Piney Home Found Dead, Other Man Questioned
Clair McFarlandFebruary 06, 2025
Governor, AG Say Judge Misapplied Law When Striking Down Abortion Bans
Clair McFarlandFebruary 05, 2025
Coroner's Report: Senior Died Of Hypothermia At Gillette Assisted Living Center
Jen KocherFebruary 05, 2025