Cowboy State Daily - Wyoming News
News
Headlines
View all
Cody LDS Temple Opens For Tours Monday So Public Can 'Feel The Spirit That's Here'
The controversial new Cody Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temple opened up for public tours on Monday. The 9,950-square-foot structure will be dedicated Oct. 25, after which only LDS members in good standing will be allowed inside.
Andrew RossiAugust 24, 2026

Bears’ Fall Feeding Frenzies Can Get Them Into The Strangest Places — And Trouble
When bears go into a fall feeding frenzy to fatten up for winter, they can end up in odd places. One died in a car in Colorado Springs, Game and Fish once baited a grizzly with M&M’s candy, and a black bear roamed the halls of a Montana high school.
Mark HeinzAugust 24, 2026

More Evidence Found During Intense Search For Gillette Man Missing Since June
An intense search in rugged territory in northern Campbell County this past week has found more evidence of 43-year-old Derek Schaff of Gillette, who has been missing more than two months. It brings officials closer to “the answers our family so desperately needs,” said his sister-in-law.
Jen KocherAugust 23, 2026

Wyoming History: 30 Years Ago Clinton Plane Crashed Into Jackson Mountain
It was a pitch-black night 30 years ago this week when a President Clinton support C-130 ignored takeoff protocol and slammed into Sheep Mountain above Jackson at 200 mph, killing all nine onboard. The impact created a fireball that could be seen for miles.
Jake NicholsAugust 23, 2026

Feral Cats Of Casper Turn Remodel Of Trashed House Into Contractor’s Nightmare
A Casper contractor has spent weeks trying to make a trashed house livable again, tearing out urine-soaked flooring, ripping down drywall and digging moldy cat food from clogged drains. There’s just one problem. The cats refuse to move out.
Kolby FedoreAugust 23, 2026

Wyoming Police Departments Testing AI To Generate Reports, Look At Evidence
Wyoming police are testing artificial intelligence to write reports and analyze evidence, but the rules of how that happens haven’t caught up. A former Wyoming attorney general has mixed reactions on it and said her concern is AI's ability to "hallucinate."
Kolby FedoreAugust 23, 2026

Wyoming Historian Uncovers Only Known Photo of Hole-in-the-Wall Outlaw Harve Ray
Wyoming historian Michael Bell has officially verified a photo of the notorious Hole-in-the-Wall outlaw Harve Ray who ran with Butch Cassidy in the late 1800s. The 1897 photo, the only known photo of the outlaw, shows him at a branding on Kirby Creek.
Jackie DorothyAugust 23, 2026

Golfer Sets New World Record For Longest Drive At Rawlins Golf Course
Kyle Berkshire sent a golf ball screaming above a windswept Rawlins golf course for 588.1 yards on Wednesday, breaking his own world record for distance. It took the 29-year-old long-drive specialist from Maryland more than 200 swings to do it.
Kolby FedoreAugust 22, 2026

Developers Now Targeting Public Lands To Build Huge AI Data Centers
Wyoming is courting massive AI data center projects, but so far none have been proposed for the state's 30 million acres of public lands. But a fight in Nevada is raising questions about building data centers on public lands.
Kate MeadowsAugust 24, 2026

Jackson's Astoria Hot Springs Offers Soak And Million-Dollar Views For Under $30
The collective charms of Astoria Hot Springs Park include milky turquoise water, wildlife sightings, and million-dollar mountain views along the Snake River. And because it's run by a nonprofit, the fee is less than $30, a bargain for Jackson Hole.
Renée JeanAugust 23, 2026

No, Thomas Edison's 'Eureka!' Light Bulb Moment Wasn't While Fishing In Wyoming
Legend has it that Thomas Edison's "Eureka!" electric light bulb moment came from a burning pole while fishing at Battle Lake in Wyoming in 1878. There's even a historical marker at the site. But Wyoming historian Phil Roberts says the story is a myth.
Andrew RossiAugust 23, 2026

Wyomingites Among America’s Most Generous Tippers, Averaging Nearly 21%
According to a new restaurant industry report, Wyomingites are among the nation's most generous tippers, averaging nearly 21%. One Casper bartender says 20% is normal. She considers 15% on the low end and estimates her own tips average closer to 30%.
Kolby FedoreAugust 23, 2026

Pennsylvania Couple Starts Tradition With First Brand At Wyoming Ranch Wedding
When Spencer Long and Morgan Kulik got married at the Diamond View Ranch near Powell earlier this month, they had a branding — with their own brand. The Pennsylvania couple's goal is to own ranch where horses and cattle will bear their family’s brand.
Andrew RossiAugust 23, 2026

Louis Armstrong, Tommy Dorsey Among Big Names To Play Elk Mountain’s Garden Spot
In America’s golden age of big bands, the tiny out-of-the-way Garden Spot Pavilion in Elk Mountain drew the biggest names of the day. Louis Armstrong, Tommy Dorsey and others were on regular rotation to play to raucous, alcohol-fueled crowds until 4 a.m.
Renée JeanAugust 23, 2026

Two Eastern Greenhorns Get A Crash Course In Wyoming’s Western Ways
There’s a moment when every first-time Cowboy State visitor realizes Wyoming does not operate by the same laws of physics, fashion, or hospitality as the rest of the world. That’s what a pair of Eastern greenhorns learned when they landed in Jackson Hole.
Renée JeanAugust 23, 2026

Drinking Wyoming: Glenrock’s Smoky Deer Creek Lounge A Down-And-Dirty Dive
It’s a hot August afternoon at the Deer Creek Lounge in Glenrock, and a man named Nile is reflecting proudly on the time he clocked his 84-year-old brother in the mouth. “I should have hit him a second time,” he said.
Zakary SonntagAugust 22, 2026

Only Home On Lake De Smet's Eastern Shore Is Available For $7.5 Million
The only deeded residential property on the eastern shore of Lake De Smet is for sale and priced at $7.5 million. Texaco once owned the property, but it became a retreat with views of the lake, Bighorn Mountains and the legendary "Smetty" lake monster.
Renée JeanAugust 23, 2026

Beloved Pinedale Teacher Says His Final Goodbye In A Poem
Cornelius “Cork” Kelly left Pinedale one final poem — a humorous, tender and deeply personal obituary. He lived as a teacher, poet and father of 10. "I am dead. And regardless of the manner of my dying, at least I am on the road again," Kelly wrote.
Kate MeadowsAugust 22, 2026

Why America’s Energy Grid Has To Change — And What It Means For Wyoming
To the “tech bros,” the future is simple. Either America rebuilds its energy grid fast, or it will hand the coming AI revolution — and the billions in economic impact that comes with it — to foreign countries, some of whom aren’t America’s friends.
Renée JeanAugust 22, 2026

Wyoming History: Wagon, Whitewater Only Way To ‘Doc’ Barry’s Bighorn Dude Ranch
“Doc” Barry arrived in the Bighorn Canyon in the 1890s seeking gold, but after losing a fortune, he built a luxury dude ranch where guests could only get to via wagon or whitewater. All that remains today is a ghost camp infused with memories.
Jackie DorothyAugust 23, 2026

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

How An Injured Football Player Became UW’s First Male Cheerleader 61 Years Ago
When Nick Vuko was sidelined with a football injury in 1965, the Wyoming tailback refused to stay off the field — returning with buddy David Kolesky as UW’s first male cheerleaders. It helped that they weren't afraid to make spectacles of themselves.
Jackie DorothyAugust 22, 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
Daily Features
View all
Today's Wyoming sunrise was captured by Mindy Monson-Greene. Mindy writes, "Rawlins Outlaws football team 6am practice for the boys of fall."
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
Gail Symons: Wyoming Voters Rejected Arrogance And Detachment, Not Ideology
Opinion by Gail Symons
Joan Barron: After The Freedom Caucus Crash, What’s Next?
Opinion by Joan Barron
Bill Sniffin: Eric Barlow Has Chance To Lead Wyoming Into True Age Of Prosperity
Opinion by Bill Sniffin
Dennis Sun: Protein, It's What Consumers Want
Opinion by Dennis Sun
Mandy Fabel: Learning To Walk
Opinion by Mandy Fabel
Sponsored
View all
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
View all
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
View all
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
View all
Bob Richard Grew Up In Wilderness Before Becoming Famed Yellowstone Historian
Leo WolfsonAugust 22, 2026
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
Crime & Courts
View all
Attempted Murder Charge For Teen Accused Of Putting Gun To Head Of Another Teen
Kerry DrakeAugust 19, 2026
No Death Penalty For Cheyenne Woman Accused Of Killing Newborn 38 Years Ago
Greg JohnsonAugust 19, 2026
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


