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Tom Vernon was convicted of wrecking passenger trains near Cheyenne and Los Angeles, then robbing them in 1929. He also liked to tell tall tales, claiming he rode with Buffalo Bill, was the son of Cattle Kate and fought the Chinese in the Boxer Rebellion.

Wyoming History: Tom Vernon, The Man Who Wrecked Trains In Order To Rob Them

Tom Vernon wrecked at least two trains to rob passengers, used a number of aliases during his lifetime and spun tall tales so convincingly that newspapers across the country published them as if they were true. Most were not.

Dale KillingbeckMarch 07, 2026

Jeff Garnett started as a customer looking to erase tattoos and replace them with new ones. Then he co-founded Inkless and continues to clear his personal skin slate, making room for new, better tattoos.

People Are Getting Tattoos Removed — Just To Replace Them With New Tattoos

For many people, erasing a tattoo isn't about giving up on body art — it's about clearing space for something better. A national tattoo removal brand opened its first Wyoming location in Casper, bringing cutting-edge laser technology to the state.

David MadisonMarch 07, 2026

How do you sell a one-of-a-kind property in Wyoming's windiest town? Realtor Alexander Lexington says buyers see potential paradise, not peril, in a 20-acre Clark, Wyoming, property with three homes. It is drawing interest despite winds of up to 128 mph.

How To Sell A Home in Wyoming's Windiest Place (Where Gusts Have Reached 128 mph)

How do you sell a one-of-a-kind property in Wyoming's windiest town, where gusts have hit 128 mph? One realtor says buyers see the upside to living in the 20-acre property in Clark, Wyoming. The three home property is drawing interest, he says.

Andrew RossiMarch 06, 2026

The Wyoming Legislature overrode four of Gov. Mark Gordon's 25 line-item vetoes to the budget Friday. The House failed by one vote to win an override that would have defunded the Business Ready Communities program.

Legislature Overrides 4 Of Gordon's 25 Line-Item Vetoes; Biz Council Program Survives

The Wyoming Legislature overrode four of Gov. Mark Gordon's 25 line-item vetoes to the budget Friday. The House failed by one vote to win an override that would have defunded the Business Ready Communities program.

Clair McFarlandMarch 07, 2026

Gordon Says Second Amendment Protection Act Is Fundraising Disguised As Legislation Gov Gordon didn’t mince words when discussing the Second Amendment Protection Act. He called it an “embarrassment” noting all 23 sheriffs in Wyoming oppose it. The bill currently sits on the governor’s desk. He vetoed a similar bill last year.

Gordon Says Second Amendment Protection Act Is Fundraising Disguised As Legislation

Gov. Gordon didn’t mince words when discussing the Second Amendment Protection Act. He called it an “embarrassment,” noting all 23 sheriffs in Wyoming oppose it. The bill currently sits on the governor’s desk. He vetoed a similar bill last year.

Clair McFarlandMarch 07, 2026

Brad Lee Craft

Cheyenne Man Accused Of Beating Girlfriend’s Mom, Dog During Angry Outburst

A 30-year-old Cheyenne man is accused of threatening his girlfriend’s family with a gun, beating her mom and twice throwing a dog against a wall Thursday during an outburst of anger. A man there “reported being in fear to the point that he was shaking.”

Greg JohnsonMarch 06, 2026

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Wyoming Lawmakers Hope $3.9 Billion School Spending Package Good Enough For Courts

Wyoming lawmakers have sent a roughly $3.9 billion school spending package to the governor's desk hoping it will survive the latest round of court scrutiny. "I’m confident the court will look very favorably on (these efforts)," Sen. Chris Rothfuss said Friday.

Clair McFarlandMarch 06, 2026

Anna-Louise Jackson (far right) getting chased by a shark in "Sharktana." This is a test photo of the shark effects the studio is working on.

What It’s Like To Get Killed By A Shark On A Montana Movie Set

Cowboy State Daily's Anna Jackson joined the cast of “Sharktana,” a shark horror-comedy filmed in snowy Montana, and landed a role as a shark victim. "My request to be killed by a shark had been noted. I was officially on the kill list," she writes.

Anna-Louise JacksonMarch 07, 2026

Retired University of Wyoming math professor John Rowland isn't slowing down. In fact, for his 92nd birthday, he strapped on his skis and headed down the runs at Snowy Range. Now in his 88th year of skiing,

Retired UW Math Professor Celebrates 92nd Birthday Skiing At Snowy Range

Retired University of Wyoming math professor John Rowland isn't slowing down. In fact, for his 92nd birthday, he strapped on his skis and headed down the runs at Snowy Range. Now in his 88th year of skiing, Rowland says he sticks mainly to the blue runs.

Dale KillingbeckMarch 06, 2026

Float fishing on the Big Horn River never really stopped this winter, and the spring angling rush has already started.

'Flush' Of North Platte River Kicks Off Early Wyoming Spring Fishing Season

After a lackluster winter, the spring fishing season is on in Wyoming about a month early, unofficially kicked off by the flushing of the North Platte River. The yearly “flush” increases the river's flow by about eight times to simulate spring runoff.

Mark HeinzMarch 06, 2026

Sponsored by Rep. JD Williams (right) House Bill 178  seeks to block nearly all Wyoming public agencies from collecting dues for labor groups, political action committees and organizations, political candidates and committees.

Bill Blocking State Agencies From Collecting Union Dues Heads To Gov's Desk

 A bill banning Wyoming public agencies and schools from collecting union and political advocacy group dues is headed to the governor. Rep JD Williams says workers keep their right to pay dues and engage in union activities but the state won't be involved.

Clair McFarlandMarch 06, 2026

Douglas Middle School

Douglas Police, District Probe Middle Schoolers Sharing ‘Sexually Explicit Material’

The Douglas Police Dept and school district have announced a joint investigation into “electronic sharing of sexually explicit material involving minors.” The school board president said if parents checked, “they’d be outraged by what’s on those phones.”

Greg JohnsonMarch 06, 2026

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Gordon Uses Line-Item Veto To Help Biz Council, Rescue State Jet, NIL, UW Funding

Gov. Mark Gordon on Thursday used his line-item veto authority to rescue the Wyoming Business Council’s Business-Ready Communities program, the state colleges’ flexibility to use state money on NIL, and one of the executive branch’s two jet airplanes.

Clair McFarlandMarch 06, 2026

Wyoming Highway Patrol vehicle

WYDOT Auditing Wyoming Highway Patrol After Overtime Spending Surges 226%

The Wyoming Highway Patrol is being audited after the agency blew past its annual overtime budget by more than $2.4 million last year. "We used more than 50,000 hours of overtime, which was a cost of over $4 million," patrol chief Col. Tim Cameron said.

David MadisonMarch 05, 2026

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Wyoming's Snowpack Ranges From "Just Okay" to "Basically Horrible" As Winter Ends

After the warmest winter in Wyoming's recorded history, the quality of snowpack ranges from “just okay” to "a new record low" to “nonexistent." The state climate office isn't panicking but notes “We're looking at record low snowpack in several basins."

Andrew RossiMarch 05, 2026

In a notorious case that snagged global headlines, Wyoming man Cody Roberts on Thursday pleaded guilty to torturing a wolf and apologized publicly, after establishing a plea agreement. “I’d just like to say I sincerely regret my actions,” Roberts said.

Cody Roberts Pleads Guilty In Wyoming Wolf Torture Case

In a notorious case that snagged global headlines, Wyoming man Cody Roberts on Thursday pleaded guilty to torturing a wolf and apologized publicly, after establishing a plea agreement. “I’d just like to say I sincerely regret my actions,” Roberts said.

Clair McFarlandMarch 05, 2026

Nearly three years after an aggressive traffic stop of a local high school student, Cody Police Officer Blake Stinson can keep being a cop. The state board that oversees certifying law officers ruled Wednesday his behavior didn’t rise to the level of losing his badge.

Cody Officer Who Made Aggressive Traffic Stop Of Teen Can Keep Being A Cop

Nearly three years after an aggressive traffic stop of a local high school student, a Cody police officer can keep being a cop. The state board that oversees certifying law officers ruled Wednesday his behavior didn’t rise to the level of losing his badge.

Greg JohnsonMarch 05, 2026

Supporters, including Rep. Robert Wharff, R-Evanston, argued that the bill doesn’t disparage Wyoming officers; it’s intended to protect Wyomingites from overzealous feds.

Gun Rights Bills Widely Opposed By Wyoming Cops, Sheriffs Clears Legislature

Though widely opposed by Wyoming law enforcement, the Second Amendment Protection Act cleared both chambers of the Legislature. “If an order is ever given federally to come seize firearms... our law enforcement can’t help them,” Rep. Bob Wharff said.

Mark HeinzMarch 05, 2026

The Den Gentlemen's Club south of Cheyenne on Thursday, March 5, 2026

Cheyenne Stripper Sought For Assaulting Another Stripper At Gunpoint

A 28-year-old Cheyenne exotic dancer is being sought on a warrant after sheriff's deputies say she assaulted another dancer at gunpoint over a dispute about a “regular.” She is also charged with stealing a pistol and assaulting her boyfriend with her vehicle.

Dale KillingbeckMarch 05, 2026

Bobbi Jo Neeson

‘An Easy Fix’: Sheridan Woman Admits Stealing $630,000 From Foundation

The office manager for a Sheridan nonprofit foundation admitted stealing more than $630,000 since 2013, police say. Bobbi Jo Neeson, who made her initial court appearance Thursday, said she has a shopping addiction and taking the money was “an easy fix.”

Greg JohnsonMarch 06, 2026

Gov. Mark Gordon on Thursday signed House Bill 32, which cements into state law an option for local law enforcement to cite non-English-proficient commercial truckers from the state’s roadways.

Gordon Signs Bill Letting All Wyoming Cops Pull Non-English Speaking Truckers From Roads

By the stroke of Gov. Mark Gordon's pen Thursday, now all Wyoming police officers and deputies, not just federally-certified state troopers, can pull non-English-proficient commercial truck drivers from the roads.  

Clair McFarlandMarch 06, 2026

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To Become A Judge, Clark Stith Leaves Behind Two High-Profile Political Lawsuits

By accepting a judgeship in Sweetwater County, former Rep. Clark Stith is leaving behind arguably the two most high-profile political lawsuits in Wyoming and is "shopping around" for a lawyer to take them over.

Clair McFarlandMarch 05, 2026

Myron Chatwin

"A Direct Apology Is Lacking:" Former Worland Cop Sentenced For Molesting Children

Former Worland police officer Myron Chatwin was sentenced Wednesday evening to 40–70 years in prison for sexually abusing three children. Judge Bobbie Overfield denied a more lenient sentence, citing his lack of remorse. “A direct apology is lacking,” the judge said.

Jackie DorothyMarch 05, 2026

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"Hands On Everything": Clerk Warns Of Tampering Risk As Voting Machine Bill Passes

Fremont County Clerk Julie Freese warned lawmakers of tampering risks after observers mishandled records during a past voting machine test. The bill, clarifying public access to election equipment checks, was subsequently advanced.

David MadisonMarch 05, 2026

State Rep. Art Washout, who chaired the House Investigative Committee on CheckGate, presented the committee's report to the House on Wednesday. The group found no bribery or misconduct happened, but that it was something that "must never occur again."

CheckGate Investigation: House Committee Rules No Bribery Or Misconduct

A committee charged with investigating the so-called CheckGate controversy over handing out checks on the Wyoming House floor said Wednesday it found no bribery or misconduct. However, it also determined it was bad conduct that “must never occur again."

Clair McFarlandMarch 05, 2026

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act includes a 10% bonus tax credit for “nuclear communities” with significant nuclear-related employment. That won’t include Wyoming nuclear hubs like Kemmerer and Gillette because the act says the credit is for urban areas. In Kemmerer, Bill Gates-backed TerraPower is already working on its planned nuclear power plant.

TerraPower Gets OK To Build Wyoming Nuclear Plant, First Approval In 10 Years

TerraPower was approved Wednesday for a construction permit to build a first-of-its-kind nuclear power plant near Kemmerer, Wyoming. It’s the first such approval in 10 years in what the company calls “a historic day for the United States’ nuclear industry.”

Greg JohnsonMarch 04, 2026

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Laramie County Illegal Truck Crackdown Applauded By Truckers, Industry

The Laramie County Sheriff’s Office’s “Truck Around and Find Out” sweep that caught 32 illegal immigrants last week has support from truck drivers and industry groups flooding in from across the U.S. “It’s already dangerous out here as it is,” they say.

Greg JohnsonMarch 05, 2026

The family of Andrew Winter of Torrington has been left reeling after the loss of a husband and dad on Sunday evening.

Converse County Head-On Crash Kills Father of Three, Injures Dad Of Four

A head-on crash on Sunday evening has left a Torrington family of three without a father and a Buffalo father of four in the hospital. Authorities say the head-on crash was called into the department at 8:42 p.m. and no cause has yet been determined.

Dale KillingbeckMarch 04, 2026

Sen. Troy McKeown

Wyoming Senate Refuses To Rescue Bill Purging Sex Books From Children's Library

Sen. Troy McKeown tried and failed Wednesday to resurrect a bill that sought to pull sexually-explicit books from children’s sections in libraries, after the Senate let it die. His effort failed 13-18.

Clair McFarlandMarch 05, 2026

Rep. Bill Allemand is asking the court to throw out his drunk driving case, arguing he was unlawfully handcuffed and questioned without Miranda rights. Allemand allegedly had a blood alcohol content level three times the legal limit

Wyoming State Rep Says He Was Unlawfully Interrogated In Drunk Driving Arrest

Rep. Bill Allemand is asking the court to throw out his drunk driving case, arguing he was unlawfully handcuffed and questioned without Miranda rights. Allemand allegedly had a blood alcohol content level three times the legal limit

Clair McFarlandMarch 04, 2026

Buzz Hettick, co-chair of the Wyoming chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, said It might be best for hunters to just keep acting under the assumption that the 10th Circuit Court’s decision settled the matter and continue to corner cross

Why It Likely Doesn’t Make Any Difference That The Corner Crossing Bill Died

Hunters and law enforcement told Cowboy State Daily that the failure to pass a corner crossing bill really doesn’t make any difference. Just consider that the 10th Circuit Court’s decision settled the matter and continue to corner cross, they say.

Mark HeinzMarch 04, 2026

Wy fresh farm owner Tommie Kniseley

Cheyenne Farm Owner Fears Jail As Forced Annexation Threatens Livelihood

Wy fresh farm owner Tommie Kniseley fears she could face criminal charges, fines and even jail if the Cheyenne City Council annexes her farm business. She and her family say the rushed annexation plan leaves their homestead and livelihood vulnerable.

Kate MeadowsMarch 05, 2026

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Education Department Completes Special Monitoring Of Rock Springs School District

The Wyoming Department of Education has completed a weeklong review of a Rock Springs special education program. This comes after complaints of staffing and supervision of special education children as well as responsiveness and transparency concerns.

Kate MeadowsMarch 04, 2026

Jordan Semien

Cheyenne Woman Accused Of Crashing Into Ex-Boyfriend Twice In Wild Car Chase

A Cheyenne woman was in court Wednesday, accused of initiating a wild car chase with her ex-boyfriend that ended after she hit his car twice. It also was her third violation in a month of a protection order to stay away from him.

Greg JohnsonMarch 05, 2026

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Converse County Commissioner Announces Run For Secretary Of State

Robert Short, a three-term county commissioner in Converse County, announced Wednesday he will run for Secretary of State. He said if elected, he wouldn't push as much for law changes. “The Secretary of State’s job is to enforce law, not make it," he said.

Clair McFarlandMarch 04, 2026

It’s been a tale of two winters around the U.S., with Wyoming and other parts of the West getting almost no snow. Meanwhile, the East has been getting hammered. “We have never seen anything of this magnitude in modern times,” meteorologist Don Day says.

Tale Of Two Winters: Almost No Snow For Wyoming, While East Got Hammered

It’s been a tale of two winters around the U.S., with Wyoming and other parts of the West getting almost no snow. Meanwhile, the East has been getting hammered. “We have never seen anything of this magnitude in modern times,” meteorologist Don Day says.

Andrew RossiMarch 03, 2026

"We need $6 billion for housing in the next 15 years, and that doesn't include your infrastructure," Wyoming State Treasurer Curt Meier told Republicans.

Meier: Wyoming Needs $6 Billion For Housing And That Doesn't Count Infrastructure

State Treasurer Curt Meier said Wyoming needs $6 billion for housing in the next 15 years and that doesn't count infrastructure. Legislators considered housing legislation this year, but nothing passed. One noteworthy bill died due to "CheckGate."

David MadisonMarch 03, 2026

Gov. Mark Godon, left, and state Sen. Gary Crum, R-Laramie.

Gordon Signs Bill To Keep NIL Money Out Of Wyoming High School Sports

A Wyoming bill to keep name, image, and likeness payouts out of high school sports is now law after Gov. Mark Gordon signed it Tuesday. Gordon said it's a commonsense measure after what's happened to college sports. 

Clair McFarland & David MadisonMarch 04, 2026

State Rep. JD Williams, R-Lusk.

Legislators Say No To Letting Districts Use Teacher, Class Money For Other Things

Wyoming legislators denied amendments Tuesday to allow districts to use money for instruction and teacher pay on other things. Some say districts need leeway, others that the rule guards against districts “continually saying, 'Not enough, need more.’"

Clair McFarlandMarch 04, 2026

Daily Features

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PinYour Wyoming Sunrise: Sunday, March 8, 2026

Today's Wyoming sunrise was captured by Patrick Schade. Patrick writes, "View looking out our bedroom window towards Vedauwoo. Mother Nature never ceases to amaze us with the beautiful sunrises here in Wyoming."

Photo by Patrick Schade

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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Photo of Hilltop Bank Downtown Cheyenne, located at 101 W. 19th Street (cross street 19th and Central)

Hilltop Bank completes acquisition of Cheyenne State Bank

On Friday, February 27, Hilltop Bank officially completed its acquisition of Cheyenne State Bank. The Hilltop Bank team invites you to check out the newest location by visiting 101 W. 19th Street in Downtown Cheyenne.

March 03, 2026

Teachers and Students receiving the Word of God in different schools in Guanacaste, Costa Rica

An Unexpected Open Door in Central America’s Public Schools

Vision Beyond Borders, based in Casper, Wyoming, has spent decades distributing Bibles in places where access to Scripture is limited or restricted. Now, in a remarkable turn, doors are opening in public school systems across Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Colombia.

March 02, 2026

Andrew Joannides (from left to right), Beth Blackwell, Hallee Crozier, Jonee Crozier and Mantha Phillips celebrate on Feb. 25 at the Wyoming Capitol after the Stem Cell Freedom Act was unanimously passed by the House, Labor and Social Services Committee.

The Stem Cell Freedom Act: Your Stem Cells, For Your Treatment

The Hoskinson Government and Policy Center proudly supports the Stem Cell Freedom Act, a bill expanding access to life-saving stem cell treatments in Wyoming. The bill is currently under consideration in the 2026 Wyoming Legislature.

February 26, 2026

Opinion

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Tom Lubnau:  Checkgate Theater — Everyone Knows The Ending To The Investigation

Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "Disband the committee. Stop wasting time. Stop pretending the outcome is uncertain. What happened stinks. It may not be illegal, but it damaged the institution — and pretending otherwise only deepens the damage."

Tom LubnauFebruary 22, 2026

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Joan Barron: This Will Be 'The Check-Gate Session'

Columnist Joan Barron writes, "The check passing wasn’t just an amazing error of judgment. It was a monumental breach of protocol and the ethics of the Legislature."

Joan BarronFebruary 21, 2026

Lange at chic fil a

Jonathan Lange: Is This About 'Bad Optics,' Or A Witch Hunt?

Columnist Jonathan Lange writes,  “Maybe we should pass a rule that campaign donations can only be hand delivered on the House floor. That would give the people of Wyoming unprecedented transparency.”

Jonathan LangeFebruary 21, 2026

Wyoming Life

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