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Laramie doesn’t have any plans for data centers, but that didn't stop locals Tuesday calling for a permanent moratorium on them.  The city could be “run over by billion-dollar corporations who promise the sun and moon and the stars,” said one resident.

Laramie Has No Data Center Plans, But That Doesn’t Stop Locals From Opposing Them

Laramie doesn’t have any plans for data centers, but that didn't stop locals Tuesday calling for a permanent moratorium on them.  The city could be “run over by billion-dollar corporations who promise the sun and moon and the stars,” said one resident.

Kate MeadowsJune 03, 2026

Garrett Maheu

Fugitive Accused Of Breaking Into Casper-Area Homes, Taking Orange Juice

An Evansville man accused of not returning to a Casper halfway house after work faces more charges for allegedly breaking into people’s homes. He "grabbed a container of orange juice from the fridge” when confronted by a frightened woman at one house.

Dale KillingbeckJune 03, 2026

A pair of strong snowstorms that hit southern Wyoming in early May, the month was Jekyll and Hyde for moisture with the state still in various degrees of drought.

Despite Huge Storms During Jekyll-And-Hyde May, Much Of Wyoming Still In Drought

Despite huge storms in southern Wyoming, May was Jekyll and Hyde, either exceeding or falling short of moisture expectations — with much of the state still in drought. “It looks like it hasn’t rained for years in Thermopolis,” said meteorologist Don Day.

Andrew RossiJune 03, 2026

A black bear snoozed without a care in the world as tourist activity buzzed all around it near Tower Junction in Yellowstone National Park.

Tired Of Mobs And Mating Season, Yellowstone Black Bear Zonks Out By Roadside

As Yellowstone buzzed with tourists and other bears were caught up in courtship, a black bear apparently decided he’d had enough and zonked out by the roadside near Tower Junction. The bear was out so hard, some people worried that it was dead.

Mark HeinzJune 03, 2026

The Laramie County Library's main branch in Cheyenne.

Man Sets Fire To Controversial Book In Cheyenne Library, Then Pulls Alarm

Cheyenne police are evaluating whether a man could face charges for setting fire to a book, tossing it into the Laramie County Library and pulling a fire alarm. The book he burned, “Paper Towns,” has been targeted by some school districts for removal.

Kolby FedoreJune 03, 2026

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon released an executive order on Wednesday telling executive-branch agencies to “promote responsible development of data centers and other large-load facilities.” The order comes as local governments create their data center rules.

Gordon Orders 'Responsible' Data Center Development In Wyoming

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon released an executive order on Wednesday telling state agencies to “promote responsible development of data centers and other large-load facilities.” The order comes as local governments create their data center rules.

Clair McFarlandJune 03, 2026

Police in Montrose, Colorado, say a Gillette resident bought a gun in Wyoming, drove hundreds of miles and unleashed a shooting spree before taking his own life. “The risk to public safety was high,” police say, adding they don't know why he did it.

Gillette Man Goes On Shooting Spree In Colorado Town Before Shooting Self

Police in Montrose, Colorado, say a Gillette resident bought a gun in Wyoming, drove hundreds of miles and unleashed a shooting spree before taking his own life. “The risk to public safety was high,” police say, adding they don't know why he did it.

Kolby FedoreJune 02, 2026

Presley Whitaker during her recovery in a Salt Lake City hospital after having her hand taken off in an accident with a rodeo horse.

Montana Woman Loses Hand In Rodeo Accident: 'I Thought She Was Going To Die'

A Bozeman woman is home following a 24-day hospital stay after her hand was ripped off in a terrifying horse accident at the Montana State University rodeo practice arena. “The boys, they had to go find her hand,” said her husband and MSU rodeo coach.

Kate MeadowsJune 02, 2026

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Attorney Asks Wyoming Supreme Court For Special Prosecutor To Investigate Chuck Gray

Cheyenne attorney George Powers, who filed a complaint calling for a criminal investigation against Chuck Gray for releasing sensitive voter data to the federal government, asked the Wyoming Supreme Court on Tuesday to appoint a special prosecutor.

Clair McFarlandJune 02, 2026

The city of Rock Springs declared June is “pride month” — and is catching backlash. The city "made the whole month gay pride month and boy oh boy, people are upset,” says a councilman. The mayor countered that he wouldn't play gatekeeper on events.

City Of Rock Springs Catches Backlash For ‘Pride Month’ Declaration

The city of Rock Springs declared June is “pride month” — and is catching backlash. The city "made the whole month gay pride month and boy oh boy, people are upset,” says a councilman. The mayor countered that he wouldn't play gatekeeper on events.

Clair McFarlandJune 02, 2026

David Lee Wilkinson, 31, of Casper was sentenced to six to eight years in prison Monday for trying to burn down his ex-boyfriend’s house.

Casper Man Who Tried To Burn Down Ex’s House — But Saved Snake — Gets 6-8 Years

A Casper man who tried to burn down his ex-boyfriend’s house last summer — but made sure to save his own pet snake — was sentenced Monday to six to eight years in prison. The man “destroyed everything in my life,” the ex told the judge.

Dale KillingbeckJune 02, 2026

A sandhill crane boldly defends its territory from a three-year old grizzly called Storm on Saturday in Yellowstone National Park.

Sandhill Crane Gets Aggressive To Scare Young Yellowstone Grizzly Away From Nest

A young grizzly called Storm got too close to a sandhill crane’s nest in Yellowstone, but the crane was having none of that and drove Storm off. "I'd put my money on the crane,” said a bird biologist about how protective sandhill cranes can be.

Mark HeinzJune 02, 2026

Lincoln County Sheriffs Office 12 11 25

Lincoln County Man Accused Of Beating, Shaking Down Man Who Owes Him Money

A Lincoln County man is accused of beating a man to coerce him to sign over a truck and equipment during a daylong shakedown over a debt. “Catch people like you and string you up and flog you daily,” police say the contractor threatens on video.

Kolby FedoreJune 02, 2026

Wild turkeys recently attacked an elderly California woman, leaving her bruised and bloody. Casper's urban turkeys also "have absolutely established a reputation for aggressive, bold, and disruptive behavior,” says Game And Fish.

When Urban Turkeys Attack: Like Those In Casper, Wild Flocks Can Become Bullies

Wild turkeys recently attacked an elderly California woman, leaving her bruised and bloody. Casper's urban turkeys also "have absolutely established a reputation for aggressive, bold, and disruptive behavior,” says Game And Fish.

Mark HeinzJune 02, 2026

Hailey Krahenbuhl and Sully.

Wyoming Barrel Racer Says She Was Approached By Alleged Horse-Stabber

A Wyoming barrel racer was stunned to learn that the teen girl accused of stabbing three horses in Las Vegas over the weekend tried to borrow one of her horses last month. “It makes my skin crawl to realize she was stalking my horses, too,” she said.

Julie MankinJune 02, 2026

Django and Hildy, a pair of Rottweilers owned by the parents of Angelica Garcia, who she says were shot and dumped into the North Platte River.

Torrington Family Says Rottweilers Were Mutilated And Dumped In The River 

A Torrington family is in shock after finding their mutilated dogs partially submerged in the North Platte River. Angelica Garcia said one dog's head was removed and the other was missing its neck and chest. "They were family dogs," she said.

Kolby FedoreJune 01, 2026

Chuck Gray

Chuck Gray’s U.S. House Poll Leveled Disparaging Remarks Against Rasner, Friess

The poll U.S. House candidate Chuck Gray touted Monday leveled disparaging claims about opponents Reid Rasner and Steve Friess. It claimed Friess "never had a real job" and Rasner acted like a "Hollywood celebrity" during a marriage to "his gay husband."  

Clair McFarlandJune 02, 2026

Julie Fitzsimons was killed when she was run down by a distracted motorist in downtown Sheridan.

Family Says 60-Day Sentence For Driver Who Killed Woman Brings Them ‘Deeper Grief’

The family of a woman killed by a distracted driver in downtown Sheridan a year ago said they feel slighted by the 60-day sentence he got Friday. It brings “deeper grief,” not closure, said the woman’s daughter.

Jen KocherJune 01, 2026

A Cheyenne City Council committee on Monday advanced a measure that could put two multimillion-dollar Derby Club gaming establishments out of compliance with city rules. It would prohibit gaming centers from being within 500 feet of day care centers and schools.

Proposed Rules Could Block Two Cheyenne Gaming Locations From Renewing Permits

A Cheyenne City Council committee on Monday advanced a measure that could put two multimillion-dollar gaming establishments out of compliance with city rules. It would prohibit gaming centers from being within 500 feet of day care centers and schools.

Renée JeanJune 02, 2026

Libertarian Shawn Johnson (left), Chuck Gray (upper right), Reid Rasner (center right), Steve Friess (lower right)

Why It's Possible For A Libertarian To Win Wyoming's U.S. House Seat

This year's election climate could make the perfect storm for Libertarian Shawn Johnson to win Wyoming's U.S. House seat, politicos say. That is, if he courts conservatives, and if the winner of the crowded GOP primary is hugely unpopular. 

Clair McFarlandJune 01, 2026

Bill Dohse of Find-911 and OSAR helped lead the search for reality television star Matt Brown from his mobile portable command center along the highway in Montana.

Cody-Based Search And Rescue Team Helps Find Body Of ‘Alaskan Bush People’ Star

A Cody-based search and rescue team helped coordinate the search for the body of “Alaskan Bush People” star Matt Brown. Brown’s body was found Sunday after he went missing four days earlier after allegedly shooting himself along a Washington state river.

Jen KocherJune 01, 2026

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Wyoming Hikers Unable To Resuscitate Centennial Man Who Died After Fall Into River

A 56-year-old Centennial man died Friday after slipping on steep terrain and falling into Mullen Creek in Albany County. He is believed to have suffered a head injury in the fall and then became trapped in the fast-flowing water.

Kate MeadowsJune 01, 2026

Yellowstone visitor Willow Holm recently captured video of a member of the Wapiti wolf pack harshly correcting one of its packmates on the west side of the park.

Wolves Putting The Smackdown On Each Other Is How Yellowstone Packs Maintain Order

For wolves in Yellowstone, it’s all about survival. Pack members sometimes put the smackdown on each other, just to maintain order. One biologist said a video captured last week by a visitor shows one wolf clearly telling another, "I'm in charge here."

Mark HeinzJune 01, 2026

After he was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following a more than eight-hour manhunt Thursday, a 27-year-old Cheyenne man was in court Friday, May 1, 2026. Police say after his arrest, Adrian Maggos asked how is "the guy I shot?"

Cheyenne Man Accused In Shooting Over Ex Pleads Not Guilty To Attempted Murder

A 27-year-old man accused of shooting another man and leaving him bleeding in a Cheyenne street after a blowup over a former girlfriend pleaded not guilty Monday to attempted second-degree murder. He allegedly asked police how “the guy I shot” was doing.

Greg JohnsonJune 01, 2026

Secretary of State Chuck Gray during the 2026 legislative session at the Wyoming Capitol in Cheyenne.

Chuck Gray Leads U.S. House Poll With 21%, Followed By Rasner And Friess

In the first significant poll of Wyoming’s primary election season, Secretary of State Chuck Gray leads a crowded GOP U.S. House race with 21% support. Casper businessman Reid Rasner is second at 14%, and Teton County's Steve Friess is third at 10%.

Clair McFarlandJune 01, 2026

Rusty Rawson and his son Sterling, now 14, were living homeless lives surrounded by violence, drugs and gangs in Las Vegas when Rusty made the best decision he could have as a parent — he askeds his young son what to do. "Dad, everything will be OK if we go back to Casper,” was the answer.

How A Casper Father And Son Saved Each Other From Lives Of Gangs And Drugs

Living homeless in a Las Vegas wash, hooked on meth, and surviving by the reflexes of his past gang life, Rusty Rawson turned to his adolescent son for guidance. The answer brought them back to Casper and toward a life that seemed out of reach.

Zakary SonntagMay 31, 2026

It’s been 50 years since “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” was filmed at Devils Tower. “It’s the longest-running movie in a single location ever,” says Ogden Driskill about the movie, which has been shown there every summer night for 40 years.

50 Years Later, Sci-Fi Fans Still Find Their ‘Close Encounters’ At Devils Tower

Fifty years ago, the cameras rolled on “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” at Devils Tower after a handshake between a then-unknown Steven Spielberg and rancher Jesse Thomas Driskill. It would go on to completely reshape tourism in northeast Wyoming.

Renée JeanMay 31, 2026

When HGTV’s “Rehab Addict” filmed a historic home renovation in Evanston, Wyoming, it was the over-the-top Halloween “Clown House” across the street that kept photobombing the episode. Now fans won’t leave the homeowner alone.

Evanston Man’s Clown House’ Photobombs HGTV's "Rehab Addict" TV Show

When an episode of HGTV’s “Rehab Addict” was being filmed in Evanston, Wyoming, the creepy “Clown House” across the street inadvertently photobombed the shoot and was all its viewers were talking about. Now fans won't leave the house alone.

Renée JeanMay 31, 2026

Saving and restoring the historic Evanston Roundhouse has been the most extensive reclamation project in the city's history.

Evanston Has Spent Decades, And $28M, Restoring Its Historic Railroad Roundhouse

A century after Union Pacific stopped using it, decades of work has saved and restored Evanston’s historic Roundhouse and Railyards. The $28 million spent so far has made it one of the rare roundhouses in the U.S. that’s still completely operational. 

Renée JeanMay 31, 2026

It’s turned heads for decades in the Medicine Bow range, a squat observation deck that looks like a Medieval castle ruin. "Your mind kind of starts making up some fancy histories about it,” said a photographer about the Libby Flats Observation Tower.

What The Heck … Is That Medieval Castle-Looking Thing On The Snowy Range Byway?

The observation deck that looks like a Medieval castle ruin has turned heads for decades in the Medicine Bow range. For Laramie photographer David Peel, the 11,000-foot elevation and lack of light pollution make it a great place for astrophotography.

Kolby FedoreMay 31, 2026

Libertarians Nominate Combat Medic, Attorney Shawn Johnson To Run For U.S. House

Libertarians Nominate Combat Medic, Attorney Shawn Johnson To Run For U.S. House

Shawn Johnson won the Libertarian Party’s nomination for Wyoming’s U.S. House seat Sunday, after giving a speech that electrified attendees. "We’ve got a legitimate candidate this time,” said longtime leader of the Libertarian Party Richard Brubaker.

Clair McFarlandMay 31, 2026

Lola West, who ran the Black and Tan Cafe in Cheyenne in the 1940s, was a key figure in prosecuting the city's mayor and police chief for shaking down Black businesses and promoting prostitution. Her former club is still standing at 901 W. 18th St. at the intersection of Snyder Avenue.

Wyoming History: Cheyenne's Mayor, Police Chief Convicted Of Extorting Black Bar Owners

It was 80 years ago that Cheyenne’s mayor and police chief were convicted of running a protection racket and extorting black bar owners. "You have to pay us. If you don’t pay us we are going to shut down your business,” federal agents recorded them saying.

Dale KillingbeckMay 31, 2026

Tim Meadows tells Cowboy State Daily he’s about to do something he’s never done in 40 years as a comedian — perform in Wyoming. “I try to punch up,” Meadows said about his style. “I don’t really like to punch down at people or issues."

'Saturday Night Live' Legend Tim Meadows To Perform In Wyoming For First Time

Tim Meadows told Cowboy State Daily he’s about to do something he’s never done in 40 years as a comedian — perform in Wyoming. Meadows, who appeared on Saturday Night Live for 10 seasons as The Ladies Man and other comedic characters, will do four live sets in June.

Renée JeanMay 31, 2026

Daily Features

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PinYour Wyoming Sunrise: Thursday, June 4, 2026

Today's Wyoming sunrise was captured by Ken Smith. Ken writes, "Morning sunrise from Doubletree Farm in Thermopolis."

Photo by Ken Smith

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

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Opinion

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Fred Harrison: A Tale of Two Courts — The Battle For Wyoming’s Constitution

Columnist Fred Harrison writes, "On May 14, the Wyoming Supreme Court handed down a monumental victory for families and separation of powers. The court put down its red pen, picked up a dictionary, and read the Constitution as it was actually written."

Fred HarrisonMay 27, 2026

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Dave Simpson: I'm Voting For The Skunk At The Garden Party

Columnist Dave Simpson writes, "Serving in office, Chuck Gray was often the skunk at the status quo garden party. He had repeated run-ins with Gov Gordon, and two episodes when Gordon reportedly suggested they go outside and settle their differences."

Dave SimpsonMay 25, 2026

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Bill Sniffin: Wyoming’s False Spring — 90 Degree Temps & Wet Snow In Same Week.

Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, "Wyoming’s remarkable ability to dish out Jekyll-and-Hyde weather was on full display. In Lander, we hit the 90s on May 13 and then got blasted with wet snow on May 17."

Bill SniffinMay 23, 2026

Wyoming Life

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Outdoors

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Crime & Courts

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