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A “ridiculous" project digging through rabbit poop led Jack States — aka Lander's Mushroom Man — to discover a famous mold and 12 new species of truffles. His research has changed how scientists view wildlife diseases and has reshaped forest management.

How Lander's 'Mushroom Man’ Turned Rabbit Poop Project Into Big Science

A project digging through rabbit poop led mycologist Jack States — aka Lander's Mushroom Man — to discover a famous mold and 12 new species of truffles. His research has changed how scientists view wildlife diseases and has reshaped forest management.

Renée JeanJune 07, 2026

More than 50 years after four young girls vanished in the summer of 1974, what have become known as the “Rawlins Rodeo Murders” remain unsolved. "We lost our innocence. That summer we lost that. We were never again the same,” said one longtime resident.

More Than 50 Years Later, ‘Rawlins Rodeo Murders’ Of Young Girls Remain Unsolved

More than 50 years after four young girls vanished in what has become known as the “Rawlins Rodeo Murders," the case remains unsolved. "We lost our innocence. That summer we lost that. We were never again the same,” said one longtime resident.

Jen KocherJune 06, 2026

An East Coast auction house recently advertised a glass plate negative of Butch Cassidy’s Wyoming Territorial Prison mugshot as a one-of-a-kind “original." But a Wyoming state archivist says the original is safe in Wyoming — and she double-checked.

Wyoming Archives Has Butch Cassidy Negative, Despite ‘Original’ Offered At Auction

Despite an East Coast auction house advertising a glass plate negative of Butch Cassidy’s mugshot as a one-of-a-kind, the original is housed in the Wyoming State Archives. “I was certain we had it in our collection,” archivist Suzy Taylor said.

Renée JeanJune 07, 2026

Ed McAuslan was the longtime Fremont County coroner who learned his trade on the job as a young cop recruited into the office. A rash of 100 attempted suicides by hanging in 1985 — 12 successful — opened his eyes wide to “an issue no one talked about."

Wyoming People: Fremont County’s Ed McAuslan Learned To Be A Coroner On The Job

Ed McAuslan was the longtime Fremont County coroner who learned his trade on the job as a young cop recruited into the office. A rash of 100 attempted suicides by hanging in 1985 — 12 successful — opened his eyes wide to “an issue no one talked about."

Jackie DorothyJune 07, 2026

In 1812, fur trader Robert Stuart and his six companions built the first recorded cabin in Wyoming at Bessemer Bend. They were traveling from Oregon to St. Louis after they had lost their ship and had to travel back east overland. They spent five weeks recuperating at Bessemer before fear of Indian attacks sent them on their way again.

Wyoming History: Once A Bustling City On Oregon Trail, Bessemer Now A Ghost Town

Bessemer Bend, now peaceful ranchland, was once a stop on the Oregon Trail and a bustling city known as the “Queen City of the Plains.” Now it’s a true Wyoming ghost town that disappeared when Casper was picked as the county seat. 

Jackie DorothyJune 07, 2026

Dave Nutter at the microphone of KVOC when he was 15 years old in 1967. At right, Nutter in 2023. He has been battling a lung disease for the past five years.

Attention Kmart Shoppers: Casper's Dave Nutter Reflects On 45 Years On The Radio

For 45 years, Dave Nutter was a familiar voice on Casper radio. Now, fighting for his life, Nutter reflects on his unique experiences in radio, including broadcasting blue light specials from Kmart. He most recently donated 1,400 radio items to a museum.

Dale KillingbeckJune 07, 2026

The 0-4-0 switcher hauled tank cars around the Standard Oil refinery from 1920 to 1962.

'Standard Oil No. 1’ Steam Locomotive Coming Back To Casper After 64 Years Away

More than a century ago, “Standard Oil No. 1” steam locomotive was at work at the company’s Casper oil refinery, but has been gone for 64 years. Now it’s coming back to Casper after decades at a Colorado rail museum.

Dale KillingbeckJune 07, 2026

The Laramie County Sheriff’s Office’s new SUV is turning heads, covered in Western artwork that oozes Western vibes. “It looks pretty badass,” said Sheriff Brian Kozak — which is exactly what he wanted.

Wyoming Sheriff Orders "Clint Eastwood High Plains Drifter" Look For New Cruiser

When Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak wanted a new design for the newest SUV in the fleet, he asked a local artist to create a "Clint Eastwood High Plains Drifter" look. "It looks pretty badass," Kozak said, noting he's received many compliments.

Kolby FedoreJune 06, 2026

Kids who attend the one-room Slack school near Parkman, Wyoming, still ride horses to their schoolhouse on the first and last days of class.

Kids Still Ride Horses To This One-Room Wyoming Schoolhouse

Kids who attend the one-room school near Parkman, Wyoming, still ride horses to their schoolhouse on the first and last days of class. “If you let one horse start trotting, then you’re going to have a horse race on your hands,” one ranch mom said. 

Renée JeanJune 06, 2026

The last working pay phone at the Norris Campground in Yellowstone seems to be dead. It "still had a dial tone” when a photographer checked last year, but she "checked this year — no dial tone.”

Oh No. The Last Working Pay Phone In Yellowstone National Park Is Dead.

A woman who has made it her mission to document the last remaining pay phones in Yellowstone has bad news. The last working pay phone in the park appears to be dead. It was still working last summer but when she checked it days ago, no dial tone.

Andrew RossiJune 06, 2026

Raydon Bowen before his hospitalization, left. Right, An infusion of stem cells into Raydon's bone marrow has not yet started producing blood components.

Rare Genetic Condition Took Kemmerer 7-Year-Old's Eyesight, Threatens His Life

A Kemmerer couple is on medical leave taking care of a newborn and their 7-year-old son who has a rare genetic condition that took his eyesight. All the little boy wanted to do was go hunting this year, instead he's fighting for his life.

Dale KillingbeckJune 06, 2026

Patricia Miller, with her husband Tim, unpacked new merchandise at the Twinkle, Twinkle Little Store at the Frontier Mall. Patricia recently had a customer try to pass of a counterfeit $100 bill.

Fake $100 Bills Making The Rounds In Wyoming, Counterfeit Pens Don't Detect Them

Counterfeit $100 bills are getting passed throughout Wyoming and store clerks say iodine counterfeit detector pens won't detect the fake bills. “The counterfeit pens are garbage,” said one store manager

Renée JeanJune 06, 2026

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Wyoming History: How The Sundance Kid Earned His Infamous Nickname

Harry Longabaugh became the legendary outlaw the Sundance Kid after a series of thefts and escapes landed him in the jail in Sundance, Wyoming. While serving his 18-month sentence, he met other notorious outlaws and gained his infamous nickname.

Jackie DorothyJune 06, 2026

A grizzly trashes a tent during a demonstration about camping safely in bear country, put on by the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone, Montana.

The Place Where Tourists Can Watch Grizzlies Destroy Campsites

Grizzlies at a center near Yellowstone have full-time jobs testing bear-resistant garbage cans and occasionally a fake campsite. The goal is to teach visitors what not to do while camping in grizzly country, and what can happen if they ignore rules.

Mark HeinzJune 06, 2026

Samuel Weidenhofer, left, and Matthew Hohnholt met a the cemetery in Gillette on Memorial Day. Weidenhofer is raising funds for veterans across the country.

Gillette Marine Vet With PTSD Struggles To Pay Off Funeral Debt From Son’s Suicide

A 45-year-old Gillette Marine Corps veteran struggles with PTSD, along with paying off funeral debt from his 19-year-old son’s suicide last year. "I was really looking forward to getting to know him as a man,” said Matthew Hohnholt.

Dale KillingbeckJune 06, 2026

An oilman who operates in Wyoming says one BLM signature has stalled two of his Powder River Basin wells, costing him $2 million a day. Across the state, the signature has stalled more than 1,300 federal leases covering 1.2 million acres.

Oilman Says BLM Delay Stalls His Powder River Basin Oil Wells — And 1,323 Statewide

Oilman Howard Cooper says an unsigned BLM analysis is holding up his Powder River Basin oil wells. It's also stalled more than 1,300 other leases, says the Petroleum Association of Wyoming. "It’s always next week, and next week never comes,” Cooper said.

Renée JeanJune 06, 2026

About 112 years after it was completed in 1914, the Schlater Castle still looms over Rock Springs from atop a hill in a now-residential area.

Why The Heck … Is There A Castle In The Middle Of Rock Springs, Wyoming?

No one knows why German immigrant and master stonemason John Schlacter built a castle overlooking Rock Springs more than a century ago. He spent five years building it by hand, hauling locally quarried stone by horse and wagon before finishing it in 1914.

Kolby FedoreJune 07, 2026

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Trump Support For Logging Project Will Get Grizzly Bears Killed, Green Groups Say

To clear the way for a Montana logging project, the Trump administration wants to redefine secure grizzly habitat from 2,500 acres to 1 acre. Opponents say it will get bears killed but a retired Wyoming forester says logging is good for grizzlies.

Mark HeinzJune 05, 2026

Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce Chair Tim Thornell, from left, with Wyoming Republican gubernatorial hopefuls Megan Degenfelder, Bren Bien and Eric Barlow.

GOP Gov. Candidates Say Data Centers A National Security Issue For Wyoming And US

Data centers are important to national security and for Wyoming, said the top GOP candidates for governor during a Friday forum. “We are in an AI arms race with China,” Megan Degenfelder said, with all agreeing it will be a priority for the next governor.

Greg JohnsonJune 05, 2026

Daniel Crago in a hospital after being attacked by a grizzly in Glacier National Park.

California Man Says Grizzly Dragged Him 30 Feet In Glacier National Park Attack

A California hiker said after he surprised two grizzlies last month on a trail in Glacier National Park, the larger bear bit through his arm and dragged him 30 feet. “I did as you’re told, I alerted the bear,” he said, but the bear attacked him anyway.

Jimmy OrrJune 05, 2026

A man who has reportedly threatened “suicide by cop” multiple times held police in a 2.5-hour standoff early Saturday morning. “They are putting him in a squad car, guys. It’s over,” says the man behind Fubar on Patrol, who livestreamed the standoff.

Cheyenne Man Arrested After Overnight Armed Standoff

A man who has reportedly threatened “suicide by cop” multiple times held police in a 2.5-hour standoff early Saturday morning. “They are putting him in a squad car, guys. It’s over,” says the man behind Fubar on Patrol, who livestreamed the standoff.

Greg JohnsonJune 06, 2026

Campell county pronghorn 4 5 26

'No Permission, Just Shoot': Instagram Videos Lead To Wyoming Poaching Charges

A Washington man faces 14 Wyoming poaching-related charges after Game and Fish investigators say Instagram videos and phone data exposed illegal hunts over more than 10 years. “No permission, just shoot,” the man messaged, Game and Fish says.

Kolby FedoreJune 05, 2026

Screwworm and cattle

Wyoming State Vet Says Wyoming Ranchers Need To Be Worried About Screwworm

Wyoming State Veterinarian Hallie Hasel said Wyoming ranchers and pet owners should treat the detection of the New World screwworm in Texas as "an immediate threat." She said Texas officials are doing a good job stopping the spread but it should be taken seriously.

Andrew RossiJune 05, 2026

BLM is investigating recent acts of vandalism at six Native American rock art sites in the Bighorn Basin

Six Bighorn Basin Rock Art Sites Burned, Shot In ‘Irreparable’ Vandalism

The BLM is investigating multiple incidents of “irreparable” vandalism at rock art sites in the Bighorn Basin. They were burned, shot and had names scratched into them. "People get away with this all the time,” said a Wyoming archaeologist.

Andrew RossiJune 06, 2026

The city of Laramie closed sections of Laramie River Greenbelt Park on Friday morning because of a bear sighting in the area. “He’s looking for food and water, and I’m sure that’s an enticing spot for a bear,” said a bear expert.

Laramie Closes Popular Greenbelt Park After Bear Sighting

The city of Laramie closed sections of Laramie River Greenbelt Park on Friday because of a bear sighting in the area. Barricades were installed on streets in the vicinity of the sighting, and residents were asked to avoid the area for their own safety.

Andrew RossiJune 05, 2026

Die-hard University of Wyoming fans wear their UW jerseys and Buffalo Bills beanies while at Niagara Falls, New York, near Buffalo.

University Of Wyoming Partners With Buffalo Bills Again As UW Builds 'Student Pipeline'

The University of Wyoming has announced a partnership with the Buffalo Bills again. The goal is to build a "student pipeline" as support is building in western New York. In fact, there are more incoming students from New York in 2026 than Utah or Idaho.

Jimmy OrrJune 05, 2026

A mallard drake is pictured with a blow dart in its back in Billings, Montana, where there’s been a rash of waterfowl getting shot with blow darts.

Deer Killed, Ducks Maimed: Montana Wildlife Keeps Getting Shot With Blow Darts

Montana game wardens are trying to crack the case of a mule deer fawn being killed with a blow dart, along with ducks and geese getting attacked. Aside from maiming and killing the animals, shooting them with blow darts is illegal.

Mark HeinzJune 05, 2026

Male Grizzly 288, called Quill, got aggressive with female Grizzly 864 while trying to mate with her in Yellowstone National Park

Grizzly Courtship Isn't Very Cuddly. In Fact, It Can Turn Into An Aggressive Fight.

Grizzly courtship isn’t always cuddly. It can look more like a brawl as a videographer captured earlier this week in Yellowstone. But, persistence and aggression can often pay off, one biologist told Cowboy State Daily.

Mark HeinzJune 05, 2026

President Trump lifting restrictions on motorized use of federal lands has some Wyoming motorsports enthusiasts cheering a move they say prioritizes much-deserved public access. Critics call it a “terrible” idea that will destroy those areas.

ATV Riders Cheer Trump Opening Access To Federal Lands, Critics Expect Disaster

President Trump’s lifting of restrictions on motorized use of federal lands dating back to the 1970s has some Wyoming motorsports enthusiasts cheering a move they say prioritizes public access. Others worry that it will cause a wildlands disaster.

Mark HeinzJune 04, 2026

Jake in studio small

Cowboy State Daily Show with Jake - Friday, June 5, 2026

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

Jake NicholsJune 05, 2026

Headquarters for the Wyoming Republican Party at 1714 Capitol St. in Cheyenne.

Wyoming GOP Sues State For Right To Back Most 'Aligned' Republicans

The Wyoming Republican Party on Thursday filed a lawsuit challenging a state law that bans it from spending money to back “aligned" candidates over others in the primary election. 

Clair McFarlandJune 05, 2026

Wyoming Republican Gov. Mark Gordon, second from left, joined President Trump in Washington, D.C., on Thursday as the president allocated $700 million in public money for the coal industry. 

Trump Sending $700 Million To Coal Industry, Boosting Wyoming Coal Mines

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon joined President Trump in Washington, D.C., on Thursday as the president invoked a national security law to send $700 million to the coal industry. That includes $75 million to boost construction of a coal export terminal in Oakland.

Clair McFarlandJune 04, 2026

Wyoming State Sen. Cheri Steinmetz on Thursday said she’s calling for a poll amongst legislators to see if there is enough support for a special session to address data center issues. “My biggest concern is water,” Steinmetz said.

Wyoming State Senator Interested In Special Session To Address Data Centers

Wyoming State Sen. Cheri Steinmetz on Thursday said she’s calling for a poll among legislators to see if there is enough support for a special session to address data center concerns, like water use. Both the governor and Senate President called such a move premature.

Clair McFarlandJune 04, 2026

Secretary of State Chuck Gray, left, and Victor Miller.

Cheyenne Artificial Intelligence Candidate Sues For Spot On The Ballot

A Cheyenne man is suing Secretary of State Chuck Gray after Gray denied his bid to get on the Republican primary ballot to elect a virtual intelligence personality to the U.S. Senate. “I won’t tolerate a mockery of our electoral system,” Gray said.

Clair McFarlandJune 04, 2026

Albany County Sheriff 9 11 25

Laramie Couple Charged After Meth-Filled Syringe Found In Baby's Crib

A Laramie couple was bound over to felony-level court this week after a meth-filled syringe was found in their baby's crib. Both claimed the syringe belonged to the other, while the baby’s mother admitted using meth, according to court documents.

Kolby FedoreJune 04, 2026

Wyoming Attorney General Keith Kautz is opposing the Trump administration reclassifying marijuana as medicinal, while state law generally expects Wyoming to match drug categories to the federal government’s. That's for the Legislature to decide, he said.

Wyoming Attorney General Objects To Trump Reclassifying Marijuana As Medical

Wyoming Attorney General Keith Kautz is opposing the Trump administration reclassifying marijuana as medicinal, while state law generally expects Wyoming to match drug categories to the federal government’s. That's for the Legislature to decide, he said.

Clair McFarlandJune 04, 2026

Daily Features

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PinYour Wyoming Sunrise: Monday, June 8, 2026

Today's Wyoming sunrise was captured by Sasha Barrus in Powell. Sasha writes, "Blessed are those who get an opportunity to enjoy a Wyoming sunrise."

Photo by Sasha Barrus

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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Lange at chic fil a

Jonathan Lange: Let’s Give Kids What They Need Most

Columnist Jonathan Lange writes, "Ask a kid, any kid, what he or she wants the most. When you get past the cotton candy and the shiny objects, boys and girls alike want to live with their own mothers and fathers in homes filled with love."

Jonathan LangeJune 06, 2026

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Dennis Sun: Not The Right Decision For Public Lands

Columnist Dennis Sun writes, "I recently came across an article in Cowboy State Daily which really concerned me. The article was about President Trump lifting all restrictions on off-road vehicles on public lands. I think it is a horrible action."

Dennis SunJune 06, 2026

Ray hunkins headshot 10 4 24

Ray Hunkins: Finish The Job Mr. President

Columnist Ray Hunkins writes, "There are no doubts US forces are capable of achieving victory. Victory as the goal should be presented to the Pentagon and then the President should step back and let the military do its job. Micro-managing battle plans by our political leaders didn’t work in Vietnam and it won’t work in Iran."

Ray HunkinsJune 05, 2026

Wyoming Life

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