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President Donald Trump celebrates signing the Big Beautiful Bill at the White House on the Fourth of July. Wyoming Sen. Cynthia Lummis says there are plenty of "Wyoming wins" in the massive budget bill.

Lummis: Wyoming Wins Big With Trump's Big, Beautiful Bill

Amidst a huge ceremony at the White House, complete with a soaring B-2 bomber overhead, President Trump signed the Big, Beautiful Bill into law on Friday. U.S. Cynthia Lummis says the bill is a huge win for Wyoming.

Sean BarryJuly 04, 2025

C J Box and Don Day part 2 7 4 25

Appearing In A C.J. Box Book Is Dicey, You Could End Up Dead Or A Serial Killer

Bestselling author C.J. Box is well-known for putting names of real Wyoming people in his novels, but many end up dead, a serial killer — or both. Meteorologist Don Day, who appeared as himself in Joe Pickett book is safe, for now. Box says he has no immediate plans to kill him off.

Renée JeanJuly 04, 2025

Baggs

Cowboy State Daily Morning Show — Saturday, July 5, 2025

It's the Saturday morning show with John Baggett from 6-10AM.

Jake NicholsJuly 05, 2025

Andrew Rossi, right, giving a thumbs-up with Mack Frost atop the Irma Hotel during the 2025 Cody Stampede Parade.

Reporter's Notebook: What It's Like To Announce Cody's Famous Stampede Parade

Reporter Andrew Rossi writes, "Announcing the Cody Stampede from the rooftop porch of the Irma Hotel is a rare honor. It’s amazing a nerd like me gets to be one of the voices of the famous parade. How’d that happen? I wondered."

Andrew RossiJuly 05, 2025

A young bull that escaped the Snowmass Village, Colorado, rodeo grounds Wednesday is still free and independent on the Fourth of July. He ran into an upscale residential neighborhood, where he’s eluded searchers for two days.

Independence Day: Bull Still On The Run 2 Days After Escaping Colorado Rodeo

A young bull that escaped the Snowmass Village, Colorado, rodeo grounds Wednesday is still free and independent on the Fourth of July. He ran into an upscale residential neighborhood, where he’s eluded searchers for two days.

David MadisonJuly 04, 2025

The Historic Cato Ranch is a working Black Angus cattle ranch.

Historic Sheridan Rodeo Ranch, Now A Working Angus Operation, For Sale

The P.K. Ranch hosted a rodeo that went head-to-head with Cheyenne Frontier Days in 1928 and still attracted 17,000 people from 28 states. The historic property, today known as the Cato Ranch, is going up for sale.

Renée JeanJuly 04, 2025

TerraPower has begun construction on portions of its Kemmerer nuclear facility that don't require approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

TerraPower’s Kemmerer Nuclear Plant In Fast Lane With Accelerated Permit Review

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will complete its review of TerraPower's construction permit application for its Kemmerer nuclear plant by the end of the year. That’s six months early and has local officials scrambling to keep up.

David MadisonJuly 04, 2025

Camille, a mixed breed cattle dog rescued from near Hardin, Montana, turned to Xanax and the power couple of 1970s soft rock in an effort to calm her fireworks-induced anxiety.

Xanax Helps, But No ‘Magic Bullet’ For Dogs Freaked Out Over Weekend Of Fireworks

While many people love the flash and fireworks that come with the Fourth of July, a lot of dogs don’t. For some of them, Xanax helps, but a veterinarian says drugs aren’t a “magic bullet” to ease their anxiety.

David MadisonJuly 04, 2025

Wyoming native Ian Munsick is one of country music’s fastest rising stars. He’ll headline Cheyenne Frontier Days for the first time this summer, and his new line of buckles, bolos and other Western accessories has sold out in Nashville.

Ian Munsick’s Line Of Western Accessories Sells Out In Nashville

Wyoming native Ian Munsick is one of country music’s fastest rising stars. He’ll headline Cheyenne Frontier Days for the first time this summer, and his new line of buckles, bolos and other Western accessories has sold out in Nashville.

Renée JeanJuly 04, 2025

Artillery is still the queen of the battlefield, and new business venture in Cody aims help meet the demand for ammunition by churning out 155-millimeter high explosive shells. A company called US Ballistic Laboratories plans to set shop in the former Cody Laboratories pharmaceuticals building on Road 2AB at the northern edge of town.

US Ballistic To Start Churning Out 155-mm Military Artillery Shells In Cody

A building in Cody that was once used for pharmaceuticals, then eyed by Kanye West as a shoe factory, is on track to start assembling artillery shells. US Ballistic Labs says it picked Wyoming for its patriotic and firearms-friendly culture.

Mark HeinzJuly 04, 2025

Rangers Jaret Carpenter, Rob Stevenson, Robert Cuvas and Jaeger Held fire blanks during a 38-gun salute held during Fourth of July celebrations at Fort Laramie National Historic Site.

Fort Laramie Rings In The 4th With Cannons, 38-Gun Salute

Historic Fort Laramie partied like it was 1876 on Friday, celebrating the Fourth of July as folks at the fort did nearly 150 years ago. The celebration was punctuated by cannon fire and a 38-gun salute, representing the 38 states in the Union then.

Matthew ChristianJuly 04, 2025

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There’s No Official Design For The Bison On The Wyoming State Flag

State statutes spell out many details about the Wyoming flag: colors, sizing, placement of the elements. But not for the large bison that dominates it. That’s why you’ll see many different bison depending on who makes the flag.

Anna-Louise JacksonJuly 04, 2025

A batter strikes a ball during a demonstration of the National Pastime under the rules of the 1860s during the Fort Laramie National Historic Site Independence Day celebration.

Underhanded Pitches, No Gloves And A Soft Ball: 1860s Baseball Nothing Like Today

America’s pastime and the Fourth of July go together like peanuts and Cracker Jacks, but the game in the 1860s was nothing like today. Vintage baseball was a highlight at Fort Laramie on Friday, where players didn’t have gloves and pitched underhanded.

Matthew ChristianJuly 05, 2025

When a Cheyenne restaurant owner posted a PG-rated gay joke on his roadside sign, Wyoming’s top LGBTQ advocacy group decided to run with the joke — and call for more.

Cheyenne Restaurant Owner Makes A Gay Joke On Sign — LGBTQ Group Borrows It

When a Cheyenne restaurant owner posted a PG-rated gay joke on his roadside sign, Wyoming’s top LGBTQ advocacy group decided to run with the joke — and call for more.

Clair McFarlandJuly 03, 2025

Wyoming truckers are cheering a new Trump administration rule reversing a Biden-era agenda which would have put governors (speed limiting devices) on semi trucks. Truckers say the Biden rule would have been a safety hazard.

Full Speed Ahead: Trump Kills Biden Rule Limiting How Fast Trucks Can Go

Wyoming truckers are cheering a new Trump administration rule reversing a Biden-era agenda that would have put speed limiting devices — called governors — on semitrucks. Truckers say the Biden rule would have been a safety hazard.

Clair McFarlandJuly 03, 2025

Summit Fire & Security at 435 N. McKinley in Casper is one of the five locations where a suspected arsonist struck. Employee Jason Thomas said when he arrived at work Thursday morning the grass was smoking around the gas meter behind their business.

Casper Police Looking For Arsonist Who Touched Off Five Fires In 12 Hours

The Casper police are looking for whoever intentionally set five fires around town in less than 12 hours Wednesday night and early Thursday. A man at one of the fire locations said police told him they’re “looking for a dude on a scooter.”

Dale KillingbeckJuly 03, 2025

In what’s become an Independence Day tradition, Cowboy State Daily outdoors writer Mark Heinz plays “The Star Spangled Banner” on a chainsaw. Happy Fourth of July!

The Tradition Continues: Mark Heinz Plays ‘The Star Spangled Banner’ On A Chainsaw

In what’s become an Independence Day tradition, Cowboy State Daily outdoors writer Mark Heinz plays “The Star Spangled Banner” on a chainsaw. Happy Fourth of July!

Mark HeinzJuly 04, 2025

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson holds up a card showing the final vote tally to pass the massive budget bill known as the One Big Beautiful Bill on Thursday, July 3, 2024.

Wyoming Delegation, GOP Finish Massive Budget Bill By Fourth Of July Deadline

With the help of Wyoming Republican Harriet Hageman, the U.S. House crossed the finish line Thursday on the federal budget bill known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. She called it “a major win for Wyoming and the entire nation.”

Sean BarryJuly 03, 2025

Jaycee Morgan Cherny

Judge Says Rock Springs Woman Accused Of Making Child Porn Has To Stay In Jail

A Green River judge did not hesitate Thursday to deny a woman accused of making child pornography a chance to get out of jail and go to a treatment center. She’s also accused of smuggling meth into jail hidden in a genital orifice.

Clair McFarlandJuly 03, 2025

Local departments and the Bureau of Land Management responded in force to the Powder River Fire near Arvada.

Lightning Sparks 11 Wildfires In One Night Across Northeast Wyoming

Fire departments across three counties in northeast Wyoming were stretched thin Wednesday night when a thunderstorm rolled through and left 11 lightning-caused wildfires in its path.

David MadisonJuly 03, 2025

Residents living in a neighborhood just north of Cheyenne are lobbying the Laramie County Commission to reverse its approval of a 150-foot cell tower in the field to the left. They say there are health concerns and the tower will drop property values.

Citing RFK Jr., Residents Want Laramie County To Reverse OK Of 150-Foot Cell Tower

Residents living just north of Cheyenne are lobbying the Laramie County Commission to reverse approval of a 150-foot cell tower. Citing RFK Jr., they say there are health concerns with the tower and they worry property values will drop.

Renée JeanJuly 03, 2025

There are a number of areas around Cheyenne that are already home, or will be, to data centers. That includes the High Plains Business Park in the south part of the city, which is where Meta is building an $800 million data centedr.

Wyoming Being Considered For Location Of Another Huge New Data Center

A partnership between OpenAI and Oracle could lead to the construction of another large data center in Wyoming.  Cheyenne is a very popular location for national data centers because of its location and the availability of the necessary power.

Matthew ChristianJuly 03, 2025

Multiple agencies responded to a mobile home park at 530 Beaufort St. in Laramie, Wyoming, on July 2, 2025, to a home containing fireworks making materials.

Federal Agents Help ID Explosives That Sparked Evacuation In Laramie Neighborhood

ATF and FBI agents were part of a large response to “potential explosives” in a Laramie home Tuesday that prompted an hourslong evacuation. It turned out to be the fireworks-making materials discovered after the man who lived there died.

Matthew ChristianJuly 03, 2025

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Wyoming Legislators Aren’t Done Looking For Ways To Lower Property Taxes

Wyoming legislators passed a 25% property tax break earlier this year, but they’re not done looking for “long-term reform.” Options include eliminating residential property tax altogether, something that was considered in 2024.

Matthew ChristianJuly 03, 2025

A judge's decision to temporarily stop payments to Wyoming’s school choice voucher program brought “utter chaos” to the families of the students enrolled, Wyoming Superintendent Megan Degenfelder said Wednesday.

Degenfelder Says Stopping School Choice Payment Has Brought ‘Utter Chaos'

A judge's decision to temporarily stop payments to Wyoming’s school choice voucher program brought “utter chaos” to the families of the students enrolled, Wyoming Superintendent Megan Degenfelder said Wednesday.

Matthew ChristianJuly 02, 2025

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Comedian Highlights The Differences Between Colorado And Wyoming On Fireworks

To show the difference between Colorado and Wyoming on July 4, Fort Collins comedian Taylor Calmus made a video where he wears Birkenstocks and lights sparklers for Colorado. For Wyoming, he wears a cowboy hat, cowboy boots, and explodes everything short of an atomic bomb.

Mark HeinzJuly 03, 2024

Teton county sheriff 4 15 25

Jackson Man Accused Of Killing Bicyclist While Driving Drunk Sent To Higher Court

A Jackson man accused of killing a bicyclist and local photographer will be tried in felony-level court, a judge ruled Wednesday. The judge also kept the man’s bond at $300,000 and forbade him from driving if he makes bail.

Clair McFarlandJuly 02, 2025

Wyoming's Fourth of July weekend will run hot and cold, with a forecast that includes highs in the 90s and overnight lows in the 30s. Afternoon thunderstorms are also a safe bet.

Wyoming’s July 4 Weekend Will Run Hot And Cold — Highs In the 90s, Lows In The 30s

Wyoming's Fourth of July weekend will run hot and cold, with a forecast that includes highs in the 90s and overnight lows in the 30s. Afternoon thunderstorms are also a safe bet.

Andrew RossiJuly 03, 2025

A 74-year-old man will not face charges in the March 8 fatal shooting in a south side of Casper home.

Police Recommend Murder Charge In Casper Shooting, DA Says Not Enough Evidence

A 74-year-old Casper man will not be charged for the shooting death of his daughter’s boyfriend four months ago. The Natrona County District Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday it won’t prosecute, citing not enough evidence to justify the charge.

Dale KillingbeckJuly 02, 2025

Several homes in a Laramie mobile home park was evacuated Wednesday as authorities responded to a situation that involved “potential explosives in the area.” Emergency officials say materials to make fireworks were found in a home.

Laramie Homes Evacuated After Materials To Make Fireworks Discovered In House

Several homes in a Laramie mobile home park was evacuated Wednesday as authorities responded to a situation that involved “potential explosives in the area.” Emergency officials say materials to make fireworks were found in a home.

Clair McFarlandJuly 03, 2025

The first measles case in Wyoming has been identified in a child that visited Banner Wyoming Medical Center on June 24 and June 25.

Wyoming’s First Child Measles Case Since 2010 Identified In Child At Casper ER

Wyoming’s first case of child measles since 2010 has been identified in Natrona County, the Wyoming Department of Health reported Tuesday. About 30 people have been identified as being in the same area of the child at the same times.

Dale KillingbeckJuly 03, 2025

Cody Dyan Stewart

Thermopolis Woman Gets 24-30 Months For Stealing $25K From FFA Group

A Thermopolis woman who pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $25,000 from a Future Farmers of America fundraising group was sentenced Wednesday to 24-30 months in prison. Cody Dyan Stewart cheated kids of their scholarships, the group said.

Clair McFarlandJuly 03, 2025

The Coyote Run Fire with the town of Thermopolis a mile away in the background. The 175-acre fire doesn't pose any threat to the town, but the situation could be changed if lightning from afternoon thunderstorms sparks new fires.

Wildfires Burn Nearly 1,000 Acres Around Thermopolis, Come Within 1 Mile Of Town

Fire crews from multiple agencies spent Wednesday assisting the Thermopolis Volunteer Fire Department with several wildfires sparked by a Tuesday thunderstorm. Nearly 1,000 acres have burned, and one fire came within a mile of town.

Andrew RossiJuly 02, 2025

Wyoming Supreme Court Justice Keith Kautz was recognized with a standing ovation during the opening of the 2024 state legislative session.

Gordon Names Former Wyoming Supreme Court Justice Keith Kautz As Attorney General

Gov. Mark Gordon appointed Keith Kautz, a former Wyoming Supreme Court Justice, as Wyoming’s 39th attorney general Wednesday. Kautz said he’s “honored to serve Wyoming.”

Matthew ChristianJuly 02, 2025

If there was a competition for the best Fourth of July celebration in Wyoming, Cody might win by a country mile. That’s because it throws a five-day party filled with parades, rodeos, fireworks and celebrities that attract huge crowds.

Cody Celebrates Fourth Of July With Five Days Of Rodeos, Parades And Celebrities

If there was a competition for the best Fourth of July celebration in Wyoming, Cody might win by a country mile. That’s because it throws a five-day party filled with parades, rodeos, fireworks and celebrities that attract huge crowds.

Andrew RossiJuly 02, 2025

A Wyoming company will start drilling dozens of holes in the Powder River Basin to explore potential to mine uranium. A group that includes companies from Canada and Australia hopes to find a huge uranium deposit.

Wyoming Drilling Crew Hopes To Find Huge Uranium Deposit In Powder River Basin

A Wyoming company will start drilling dozens of holes in the Powder River Basin this month to explore potential to mine uranium. A group that includes companies from Canada and Australia hopes to find a huge uranium deposit.

David MadisonJuly 02, 2025

Rihanna Kelver comes out of the women's bathroom near Gov. Mark Gordon's office in the Wyoming Capitol on Tuesday. Kelver used the bathroom to protest Wyoming's new bathroom ban law that went into effect Tuesday, July 1, 2025.

Trans Woman Breaks Wyoming’s New Bathroom Ban In State Capitol, Nothing Happens

Nothing happened Tuesday when a transgender woman flagrantly violated a newly implemented Wyoming law restricting people to the restroom corresponding to their birth sex in public buildings.

Matthew Christian & Clair McFarlandJuly 01, 2025

Gun free zone and Park County vote 2024 IMG 3929 7 1 25

Wyoming’s New Laws: No Gun-Free Zones, Prove Citizenship To Vote And A Bathroom Ban

In all, 106 new Wyoming laws became active Tuesday. Now, most gun-free zones are gone, voters must prove citizenship and residency to register and people born male can’t use women’s bathrooms in government buildings.

Clair McFarlandJuly 01, 2025

The operator of a pair of Midwest power plants wants $22 million from BNSF Railway, according to recent documents filed with the Surface Transportation Board. The company claims the power plants couldn’t get their full orders of Wyoming coal.

Midwest Power Plant Operator Wants $22M From BNSF For Not Delivering Wyoming Coal

The operator of a pair of Midwest power plants wants $22 million from BNSF Railway, according to recent documents filed with the Surface Transportation Board. The company claims the power plants couldn’t get their full orders of Wyoming coal.

David MadisonJuly 01, 2025

Calling the Wyoming Business Council a “huge flipping waste of money,” state Rep. Ken Pendergraft says he wants to cut the program’s budget. Reducing the state’s budget is more important, he says.

‘Huge Flipping Waste Of Money’: Legislator Wants To Eliminate Wyoming Business Council

Calling the Wyoming Business Council a “huge flipping waste of money,” state Rep. Ken Pendergraft says he wants to reduce the state’s budget by getting rid of the entity. Economic development shouldn’t be the government’s responsibility, he said.

Matthew ChristianJuly 01, 2025

President Donald Trump, left, and Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray.

Trump Administration Seeks To Defend Wyoming’s New Citizenship Voter Law

The U.S. Department of Justice under President Donald Trump filed a brief in court Tuesday to help defend Wyoming’s new voter citizenship law. Secretary of State Chuck Gray says he’s “extremely grateful” to the department and Trump.

Clair McFarlandJuly 02, 2025

The Hot Springs County Commission faced backlash Tuesday from residents upset over deep cuts to the county’s extension office and 4-H program. Commissioners say it's necessary due to lagging oil and gas revenue and a 25% cut in property taxes.

Hot Springs County In An Uproar Over Cuts To 4-H, Extension Programs

The Hot Springs County Commission faced backlash Tuesday from residents upset over deep cuts to the county’s extension office and 4-H program. Commissioners say it's necessary due to lagging oil and gas revenue and a 25% cut in property taxes.

Mark HeinzJuly 02, 2025

Daily Features

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PinYour Wyoming Sunrise: Saturday, July 5, 2025

Today's Wyoming sunrise was captured by Maury Jones. Maury writes, "Spectacular sunrise over Jackson Hole Airport before 6 AM on July 3, 2025 as planes are readied for departure beginning at 7 AM."

Photo by Maury Jones

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

Opinion

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Lange at chic fil a

Jonathan Lange: Posterity Will Judge Us By Principles, Not Pragmatism

Columnist Jonathan Lange writes, “The deleted paragraph demonstrates how kicking the can down the road never solves the problem. More often, it makes the problem worse and its solution more costly.”

Jonathan LangeJuly 04, 2025

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Bill Sniffin: If You Had Your Life To Live Over, What Would You Change?

Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “Folks a certain age start looking back on their lives and wonder just how much differences they could have made. What if you could live your life over?”

Bill SniffinJuly 01, 2025

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Tom Lubnau: Tour Of Sunrise Should Be On Your Bucket List.

Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "Last Saturday, the Sunrise Historic and Prehistoric Preservation Society offered a sample of Wyoming’s rich, diverse and amazing history. Put next year’s annual tour of Sunrise on your bucket list."

Tom LubnauJuly 02, 2025

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