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Holy Cow! Tens Of Thousands Of Cattle Displaced In Nebraska Wildfires

With 750,000+ acres of agricultural land destroyed by wildfire, Nebraska ranchers are facing tough decisions about where to graze their cattle. Jim Magagna, of the Wyoming Stockgrowers, says as Wyoming is also in a drought, can’t offer much pasture.

Kate MeadowsMarch 18, 2026

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Battle For Biteman's Seat: House Rep. Ken Pendergraft Vies To Move Over To Senate

Rep. Ken Pendergraft, a member of the Freedom Caucus who wants to defund the Wyoming Business Council, is running for an open Senate seat in Sheridan County. He faces a Wyoming business owner who says “burning it down” isn’t the answer.

Clair McFarlandMarch 18, 2026

U.S. House candidate and Casper businessman Reid Rasner has sued three more people for defamation. One of the persons said she's not afraid of him and "bring it on." Rasner says the three Natrona County residents have made salacious claims about him.

U.S. House Candidate Reid Rasner Sues Three More People For Defamation

U.S. House candidate and Casper businessman Reid Rasner has sued three more people for defamation. One of the persons said she's not afraid of him and "bring it on." Rasner says the three Natrona County residents have made salacious claims about him.

Clair McFarlandMarch 18, 2026

A cow elk boldly strode out onto the sod roof of a building in Gardiner, Montana early Tuesday, to graze on the sod.

Elk Boldly Climbs On Sod Roof To Graze In Gardiner As Locals Watch In Amazement

A cow elk walked out onto the roof of a building in Gardiner, Montana, just outside of Yellowstone National Park to the amazement of onlookers. Apparently, she wanted the roof’s sod all to herself.

Mark HeinzMarch 18, 2026

The Dry Creek area near Greybull is bare, after stands of Russian olive were cut down recently.

Hunters Say BLM Wiped Out Favorite Hunting Location With Tree Removal

Hunters in northern Wyoming say the BLM destroyed some of the best pheasant hunting in the entire region by removing entire strands of Russian olive trees near Greybull. The BLM says it's an invasive tree species.

Mark HeinzMarch 18, 2026

The Lander community is rallying to help an 11-member family recover from a devastating house fire, which is likely to be a total loss. “It’s overwhelming,” the mother of the family said. “People have been so generous. Every little bit helps.”

Lander Rallies To Help 11-Member Family Recover From Devastating House Fire

The Lander community is rallying to help an 11-member family recover from a devastating house fire, which is likely to be a total loss. “It’s overwhelming,” the mother of the family said. “People have been so generous. Every little bit helps.”

Dale KillingbeckMarch 18, 2026

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Evanston Man Accused Of Killing Dad Not Freed After Self Defense Claim

An Evanston man accused of killing his father in their home will not have his case dismissed early on self-defense grounds, a judge ruled. Court documents say the defendant texted his grandma, "If he tries to break into my room I will defend myself."

Clair McFarlandMarch 18, 2026

Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder and Secretary of State Chuck Gray appear to be the most active in gathering political endorsements

As 2026 Election Heats Up, Wyoming Political Candidates Stockpiling Endorsements

A flood of political endorsements for some Wyoming statewide candidates is surging now that the Legislature has adjourned. Megan Degenfelder and Chuck Gray appear to be the most active in pursuing this strategy.

Clair McFarlandMarch 18, 2026

An areia view of some of the area of the 572,000-acre Morrill Fire in Nebraska.

As Wildfires Burn More Than 750,000 Acres In Nebraska, Wyoming Is Just As Dry

With out-of-control wildfires having burned more than 750,000 acres across his state, Nebraska’s governor has declared a state of emergency. Wyoming agencies are sending help, even as conditions at home are just as dry and windy.

David MadisonMarch 17, 2026

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Iowa Man Dead After Being Pinned Under Snowmobile In Wind River Mountains

A 36-year-old man from Iowa died Monday after his snowmobile hit a tree, overturned and pinned him under it north of U.S. Highway 26 in Wyoming's Wind River Mountains. He was found by responders already deceased and buried in snow.

Andrew RossiMarch 17, 2026

Sean and Ashley Willey

Supreme Court Ruling Could Impact Wyoming Parents Suing Over School Trans Policy

A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision could impact a lawsuit filed by parents over a Rock Springs school district’s policies regarding transgender students. That high court decision says schools can’t mislead parents about their kids’ gender transition efforts.

Clair McFarlandMarch 17, 2026

U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman announced a $100 million federal appropriation to rebuild a collapsed Goshen County irrigation tunnel that feeds Wyoming and Nebraska farmers. Securing the money “was a huge priority,” she said.

Hageman Announces $100 Million To Fix Collapsed Goshen County Irrigation Tunnel

U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman announced a $100 million federal appropriation to rebuild a collapsed Goshen County irrigation tunnel that feeds Wyoming and Nebraska farmers. Securing the money “was a huge priority,” she said.

Clair McFarlandMarch 18, 2026

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Powell Man Facing 20 Child Porn Charges Could Get Up To 222 Years

A Powell man facing 20 felony charges relating to the distribution and possession of child pornography faces up to 222 years in prison and $200,000 in fines if convicted. Police say he admitted to having a yearslong addiction to porn.

Greg JohnsonMarch 17, 2026

Lever-action rifles are usually associated with grandpas who like to hunt. But tricked out with “tactical” accessories like red-dot sights, they’re getting new life with younger shooters.

Old-Time Lever-Action Rifles Get New Life With ‘Tactical’ Upgrades

Lever-action rifles are getting tricked out with “tactical” accessories like red-dot sights, giving them new life with younger shooters. Mounting accessory rails on lever-action rifles might have seemed absurd — until people started doing it.

Mark HeinzMarch 17, 2026

A pair of brush trucks the Yoder Fire Protection District has taken to Nebraska to help fight wildfires.

Dozens Of Wyoming Firefighters, Engines In Nebraska Fighting Historic Wildfires

Dozens of Wyoming-based firefighters, engines and other support personnel are in Nebraska, where wildfires have ripped through more than 750,000 acres. One Wyoming fire chief called the dry, windy conditions a “recipe for disaster.”

Kate MeadowsMarch 17, 2026

Roping and riding a terrorized cow moose and then roping and dragging it gave cowboys on a Uinta County ranch enough of a thrill to capture the event on video. Now those videos are being used to charge the trio with felony violations for cruelty to animals.

Trio Accused Of Riding And Abusing Moose On Evanston-Area Ranch Plead Not Guilty

Three men accused of roping, riding, and spurring a cow moose on an Evanston-area ranch in 2021 pleaded not guilty Tuesday to various cruelty charges. They allegedly took video of themselves treating the moose "as if it’s a horse being broken to ride."

Dale KillingbeckMarch 17, 2026

Washakie County first responders mobilized to rescue a reported vehicle that had driven into the Bighorn River. Instead, they recovered a submerged smartphone with its flashlight turned on. “We were impressed that it was still on,” said the fire chief.

Worland First Responders Gather To Rescue Submerged Car, Find Out It's A Smartphone

Washakie County first responders mobilized to rescue a reported vehicle that had driven into the Bighorn River. Instead, they recovered a submerged smartphone with its flashlight turned on. “We were impressed that it was still on,” said the fire chief.

Andrew RossiMarch 16, 2026

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Prosecutor Says Deputy Handcuffed Allemand For Safety, Not To Interrogate Him

The prosecutor charging Rep. Bill Allemand on drunk driving allegations says he was handcuffed during his Buffalo traffic stop for safety reasons, not as part of an illegal interrogation. He made a "reckless movement" near a gun, the prosecutor wrote.

Clair McFarlandMarch 16, 2026

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Lovell Women Almost Killed While Christmas Shopping For Needy Children Recovering

After a near-fatal December crash, Brittany Knop of Lovell is home recovering. She was Christmas shopping for needy children when hit by two cars. When she woke up, she had one thought: did anyone get the gifts for the Angel Tree kids she had "adopted"?

Dale KillingbeckMarch 16, 2026

Jake in studio small

Cowboy State Daily Show with Jake - Tuesday March 17, 2026

Jake in the 307. Weekday mornings 6-10 a.m.

Jake NicholsMarch 17, 2026

A new law aimed at shutting down illegal gambling halls in Wyoming bars rewrites the rules for every friendly poker game in the state. In Alpine, Yo’s Poker Palace continues to insist it's running a friendly — and legal — game.

Will New Wyoming Law End Poker Games Like The One At Yo’s Poker Palace?

A new law aimed at shutting down illegal gambling halls in Wyoming bars rewrites the rules for every friendly poker game in the state. In Alpine, Yo’s Poker Palace continues to insist it's running a friendly — and legal — game.

David MadisonMarch 16, 2026

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Three Dead, Multiple Citations Issued From Blowovers, Pileups on Wyoming's Highways

The Wyoming Highway Patrol confirmed one person died in a multi-vehicle crash on I-80 near Laramie and someone died near Rock Springs on Sunday. Another died near Lander on Thursday. Of the 33 blowovers in just one day, 22 drivers were issued citations.

Andrew RossiMarch 16, 2026

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Riverton Store Clerk Admits Pocketing $12,000 In Bogus Refunds, Police Say

A Riverton convenience store clerk is accused of pocketing more than $12,000 from more than 50 bogus returns over a two-week period. He was charged Friday, and admitted to police he stole money from the store, but initially estimated it was about $600.

Greg JohnsonMarch 17, 2026

Teton County said it miscalculated a $24,325 fee it charged a couple for building a home on their own property and gave them a refund plus interest. The couple's lawyer said it was a "convenient" way to avoid having the home-building fees scrutinized.

Teton County Says It 'Miscalculated' $24,000 Housing Fee, Refunds Money To Couple

Teton County said it miscalculated a $24,325 fee it charged a couple for building a home on their own property and gave them a refund plus interest. The refund made it harder for the couple to keep suing the county, which their lawyer called "convenient."

Clair McFarlandMarch 16, 2026

The Green River at Seven Mile River Ranch in Sublette County

Wyoming Could See Record-Breaking 80-Degree Highs This Week

After one of the worst windstorms in recent memory and an Arctic blast over the weekend, Wyoming is heading for some record-breaking warm temperatures. Many parts of the state could see 80 degrees by the end of the week.

Andrew RossiMarch 16, 2026

Ohio Republican Rep. Jim Jordan, left, and Rep. Harriet Hagemen during a Monday virtual Wyoming town hall.

Reps. Hageman, Jim Jordan Say Congress Divided Along ‘Common-Sense’ Line

The political divide in Congress falls along a line of “common sense,” Republican U.S. Reps. Harriet Hageman and Jim Jordan said during a Monday virtual town hall. They also said that sanctuary cities and payouts for college athletes need regulation.

Greg JohnsonMarch 16, 2026

A car plowed into a Cheyenne Subway store on Sunday, taking out a wall of windows and closing the sandwich shop. It’s the fourth time the Subway at that busy intersection has been hit that employees can remember.

Not A Drive-Thru: Car Plows Into Cheyenne Subway — A Fourth Time

A car plowed into a Cheyenne Subway store on Sunday, taking out a wall of windows and closing the sandwich shop. Employees say it's at least the fourth time it's been hit. “I guess they don’t know we don’t have a drive-thru," said one worker.

Greg JohnsonMarch 16, 2026

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Fugitive Linked To $220 Million Cattle Fraud Case Arrested In Los Angeles

A Missouri man who was listed as a most-wanted FBI fugitive for more than a month was arrested in Los Angeles for his alleged part in a $220 million cattle fraud scheme. One cattle rancher told Cowboy State Daily he lost $3.5 million in the scheme.

Kate MeadowsMarch 16, 2026

Built in 1898, The Stone House near Sheridan has survived droughts, booms and busts, the Great Depression, and Prohibition. Now a historic preservation district wants to protect its stone walls and prairie views.

Sheridan Stone House Has 127-Year Wild Wyoming Legacy And Will Now Be Protected

In the height of the homestead era, families by the thousands moved Westward, gambling everything they had on grass, water and weather. Few of those homesteads remain today. One remarkable home known as The Stone House, outside of Sheridan, has survived.

Renée JeanMarch 15, 2026

It was once the “second front page,” the thing people talked about at coffee shops and backyard barbecues. Now some Wyoming papers say the laughs and entertainment offered by local police blotters aren’t worth the potential downsides.

Wyoming Newspapers Weigh The Cost Of Publishing Police Blotter Laughs

The police blotter was once the “second front page,” the thing people talked about at coffee shops and backyard barbecues. Now some Wyoming papers say the laughs and entertainment offered by local police blotters aren’t worth the potential downsides.

David MadisonMarch 15, 2026

Two golf buddies from Sheridan, Wyoming, couldn’t score a tee time at the hottest public golf course in America — in rural Nebraska. Then a lottery selection for a new tournament became their golden ticket.

Toughest Place To Book A Tee Time In The U.S. Is Golf Course In Rural Nebraska


The Landmand Golf Course in Nebraska is called the toughest place to get a tee time in the U.S., booking all 11,000 of its tee times in 45 minutes. Two Sheridan golfers were locked out but were selected in a lottery to represent Wyoming in an August tournament.

David MadisonMarch 15, 2026

Mike and Kat Tipton enjoyed running their food truck, Tip's Kitchen, before a hole took out their food trailer and retirement hobby business.

Giant Pothole On I-80 Puts Popular Rock Springs Food Truck Out Of Business

A giant pothole on I-80 and a stingy insurance company has taken out Tip’s Kitchen for good. It began as a hobby for the Rock Springs couple but turned in to a popular food truck. "There’s probably not going to be another one,” the owners said.

Tracie SullivanMarch 15, 2026

Courtney Hampleman found solace in speaking to her deceased loved ones on the Wind Phone in a downtown Gillette park. It's the first of its kind in Wyoming.

Wyoming's First 'Wind Phone' Helps Gillette Residents With Grief Of Losing A Loved One

People grieve in different ways. One Gillette therapist installed a "Wind Phone" in a park to allow a person to pick up the receiver, dial a number or not, and speak freely to a loved one to share memories or grief without judgment. "I felt at peace," one woman said.

Jen KocherMarch 15, 2026

The high security of F.E. Warren Air Force Base begins before people get to the gates.

Inside The New Nerve Center Built To Oversee The Sentinel Missile Program

F.E. Warren’s new Site Activation Task Force headquarters will oversee deployment of the Sentinel missile system. It includes a cone of secrecy, where some of America’s most top-secret discussions will happen.

Renée JeanMarch 15, 2026

Volunteers of all ages continue to pile up donated hours to help their community.

Buffalo-Based Wood Bank Gives Away Nearly 140 Cords Of Wood So Far This Winter

This year, the Buffalo-based Clear Creek Wood Bank has given away nearly 140 cords of wood to retirees, veterans, and others who need help heating their homes. “That’s a lot of families we’re keeping warm and keeping in their homes," said one board member.

Dale KillingbeckMarch 15, 2026

Officials at the scene of the DC3-A crash during recovery operations.

Wyoming History: 1937 Mainliner Crash Was Worst U.S. Airplane Disaster At The Time

In 1937, a new DC-3A “Mainliner” that took off from Cheyenne en route to Salt Lake slammed into a mountain during a surprise storm, killing 19 and marking it the worst U.S. airplane disaster at the time. “No possibility anyone survived,” said one rescuer.

Dale KillingbeckMarch 15, 2026

At Jackson Hole camp Wilderness Adventures, kids surrender their cellphones for weeks, trading TikTok for the Tetons and Yellowstone. It’s intimidating, but also life-changing for kids who have never known a life without smartphones.

Welcome To The Wyoming Adventure Camp Where Cellphones Disappear For Weeks

All the young people know that the minute they arrive at camp, they'll give up their smartphones and live without them for the duration, whether two weeks or six. No texting or Instagram. No TikTok, no news, no email, and no midnight YouTube.

Renée JeanMarch 15, 2026

But with unusually warm, dry weather this year, the bears are out “stupid early,” even at high altitudes, avid black bear hunter Julie Mccallister of Rock River told Cowboy State Daily.

Hungry Black Bears Out ‘Stupid Early’ Could Make Wyoming Spring Hunts Wild

Spring black bear hunting season could be wild this year as the bears are out about a month early. One hunter said bears are sniffing around cabins in the Snowy Range. “There's a reason ‘mama bear’ is a term. They’re flat-out aggressive,” she said.

Mark HeinzMarch 15, 2026

A 2011 bike accident permanently injured Suzanne Luhr of Laramie, but a prescription for physical therapy turned her tragedy into a winning outcome.

Laramie Woman Rebounds From Devastating Injury To Become Champion Weightlifter

After a bike crash left her severely injured, 68-year-old Suzanne Luhr of Laramie turned to weightlifting for recovery. Her dedication transformed her health and made her a champion powerlifter. “Everything's better,” she said. “I feel stronger than ever."

Wendy CorrMarch 15, 2026

Hunters who used a helicopter to reach public land surrounded by private property in Johnson County say a rancher tried to steal an elk head and antlers from them. Brett D. DeLapp was charged with misdemeanor theft and pleaded not guilty.

Wyoming Rancher Charged With Trying To Steal Elk Head From Helicopter Hunters

A Kaycee area rancher has been charged with theft after prosecutors say he tried to steal an elk head from hunters who helicoptered into public land near his ranch. The hunters say a video they posted shows the confrontation between the two parties.

Mark HeinzMarch 14, 2026

Grocery store beef prices jumped 15% last year, and the USDA says they're not done climbing. Across Wyoming, families are cutting out the middleman and buying whole, half or quarter cows straight from local ranchers.

Buy A Cow: A Wyoming Guide To Filling Your Freezer For $5.40 A Pound

Grocery store beef prices jumped 15% last year, and the USDA says they're not done climbing. Across Wyoming, families are cutting out the middleman and buying whole, half or quarter cows straight from local ranchers -- and saving a lot of money.

David MadisonMarch 14, 2026

The big 21-foot Tumble Inn Cowboy is all painted and ready for his lights. Owner John Huff says a firm date for his installation in Casper is hard to determine.

Famous 21-Foot Tumble Inn Cowboy Has New Paint, Is Polished And Waiting For Neon

Wyoming's famous 21-foot Tumble Inn Cowboy sign, which was falling apart and rescued from remote Powder River, has been re-painted, polished and the neon glass tubes are being restored. Once completed, it will be publicly displayed in its full neon glory.

Dale KillingbeckMarch 14, 2026

The Pitchfork Ranch is piloting technology that lets ranchers draw fence on a smartphone with a fingertip. The virtual fence reacts with collars the cattle wear. It’s working so well, fencing might disappear, bringing back Wyoming’s Wild West open range.

Virtual Fences And Smart Collars Could Revive Wyoming’s Wild West Era Open Range

The Pitchfork Ranch is piloting technology that lets ranchers draw fence on a smartphone. The virtual fence reacts with collars the cattle wear. It’s working so well they say, fencing could disappear and bring back Wyoming’s Wild West era open range.

Renée JeanMarch 14, 2026

For 23 years, Casper Fire-EMS Capt. Brian Dixon has been a hero fighting for others. Now he's taking that same aggressive attitude in the fight of his life with cancer: “Let’s crush it."

Casper Firefighter’s Battle With Cancer Shows Just How Dangerous The Job Is

Casper Fire-EMS Capt. Brian Dixon's diagnosis of lymphoma is the latest in a line of Casper firefighters diagnosed with cancer, the number one killer of firefighters. His colleagues say Dixon is a "man's man" and a "hero" but feel "overwhelming sadness."

Zakary SonntagMarch 14, 2026

Jennifer and James Crumbley were found guilty of involuntary manslaughter after their 15-year-old son Ethan carried out a school shooting at Oxford High School in suburban Detroit in 2021.

Convictions For Parents Of Teen Shooters Put Wyoming Gun Culture Under New Scrutiny

Recent cases in Michigan and Georgia where parents have been found guilty in connection with school shootings carried out by their sons set a precedent that might someday reach Wyoming, defense attorneys say.

Mark HeinzMarch 15, 2026

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PinYour Wyoming Sunrise: Thursday, March 19, 2026

Today's Wyoming sunrise was captured by Mary Ellen Noga. Mary Ellen writes, "Came across a herd of elk as the sun was rising along Hwy 287 near Split Rock. Absolutely stunning!"

Photo by Mary Ellen Noga

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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Clair McFarland: For Middleborn, On His Birthday 

Clair McFarland writes, "It’s weird, but the warnings about me bleeding out and dying didn’t matter that much. You were here, and that was plenty. Hard to believe that was 14 years ago today. I wouldn't trade it. Not for anything."

Clair McFarlandMarch 14, 2026

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Bill Sniffin: Learning To Lean Into Wyoming’s Most Powerful Force -- Mighty Wind

Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, "If you are going to live in Wyoming, sooner or later you have to make peace with the wind. Because the wind is going to live with you whether you like it or not. It was here first."

Bill SniffinMarch 14, 2026

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Jonathan Lange: Let’s Talk About The Common Good

Columnist Jonathan Lange writes, “Nobody - on either side of the Christian Nationalist argument - should be seeking political power in order to pit one neighbor against the other.”

Jonathan LangeMarch 13, 2026

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