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Firefighters now believe the Kane Fire just north of Lovell is human-caused. They also say the 1,900-acre fire, which is now 30% contained, has the behavior of "an August blaze."

Fire Officials Believe Kane Fire Near Lovell Is Human-Caused; Acts Like "August Blaze"

Firefighters now believe the Kane Fire just north of Lovell is human-caused. They also say the 1,900-acre fire, which is now 30% contained, has the behavior of "an August blaze."

Andrew RossiMarch 25, 2026

Madhu Anderson (carrying beagle), who is from Rock Springs, was among the 27 animal rights activists arrested on March 15 after breaking into a Wisconsin biomedical research facility and taking 30 beagles. 

Rock Springs Activist Defends Raid On Wisconsin Beagle Lab, Says Arrest Was Worth It

A Rock Springs animal rights activist who helped raid a Wisconsin beagle lab earlier this month said saving abused dogs was worth getting arrested. “It’s not a crime to rescue abused animals when they are suffering,” she told Cowboy State Daily.

Jen KocherMarch 25, 2026

U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman (left) endorsed Megan Degenfelder (right) on Wednesday in her bid for governor.

Hageman Endorses Degenfelder For Governor Of Wyoming

Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder scored another big endorsement for governor on Wednesday when U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman announced her support. “I’m proud to join President Trump in supporting Megan Degenfelder," Hageman said.

Jimmy OrrMarch 25, 2026

Devon Jordan Vasquez

Albany County Man Accused Of Beating Father Bloody In Front Of Young Daughter

An Albany County man accused of beating his father bloody and unconscious in front of his young daughter, then putting a knife to his throat, had his case elevated to felony-level court on Tuesday.

Greg JohnsonMarch 25, 2026

Shoshoni's lone ambulance, donated to the town by Cody Regional Health

Shoshoni Police Launch Ambulance Service Amid Countywide Funding Struggles

As Fremont County officials weigh their options for how to fund essential services, Shoshoni has taken ambulance service into its own hands. It has become the first town in the state to staff an ambulance service with its police department.

Kate MeadowsMarch 25, 2026

Screengrab from the upcoming Yellowstone spinoff "Dutton Ranch"

Wyomingites Hope Yellowstone Spinoff 'Dutton Ranch' Stays True (With Guns, Explosions)

Wyomingites say they hope "Dutton Ranch," the fourth spinoff series in the "Yellowstone" franchise stays true to itself and to ranching (but with continued guns and explosions). The nine-episode series, which takes place in Texas, launches May 15.

Andrew RossiMarch 25, 2026

Just in time for tourist season, Cassie's Steakhouse in Cody is having its grand reopening on April 17. The famous restaurant and former brothel has been closed since 2024, but now it's received an extensive remodel to enhance the experience while retaining its history.

Famous Cody Steakhouse To Reopen After Major Remodel

Just in time for tourist season, Cassie's Steakhouse in Cody is having its grand reopening on April 17. The famous restaurant and former brothel, closed since 2024, has received an extensive remodel. “Cassie’s is back," said co-owner Brian Walker.

Andrew RossiMarch 25, 2026

Downtown buildings that are vacant are examples of blight according to the study presented to the city council on Tuesday included a former Chinese restaurant.

Study Finds Blight In All 7 Areas Of Casper; City Council OKs Plan To Move Forward

The Casper City Council on Tuesday gave a study that designated all seven areas of the city with “blight” a thumbs up as a first step toward renovating rundown areas, generating potential revenue and sparking urban renewal.

Dale KillingbeckMarch 25, 2026

Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak says a Union Pacific train conductor may have saved lives by alerting officials about an engineer allegedly driving a train under the influence on Friday, March 20, 2026.

UP Engineer Charged With Being On Drugs While Driving HAZMAT-Loaded Train

A Union Pacific engineer has been charged with being on drugs while driving a train loaded with 16,000 tons of hazardous materials across eastern Wyoming. He told deputies he fell asleep “a little bit” and possible “for the whole trip.”

Greg Johnson & Kate MeadowsMarch 25, 2026

A western tiger salamander takes its chances on a Laramie road, on its way to LaBonte Park. Inset: Mel Torres poses with salamanders during last year's spring migration

Tiny Travelers: Laramie’s Nighttime Salamander Migration Marks Spring’s Return

Each spring, western tiger salamanders emerge from their burrows in Laramie’s neighborhoods, braving cars and cold to reach LaBonte Park’s pond in one of Wyoming’s least-known migrations. For salamanders, this is an epic and dangerous journey. 

Renée JeanMarch 24, 2026

Secretary of State Chuck Gray (left), Casper businessman Reid Rasner (right)

Must Be Campaign Season: Rasner, Gray Blast Each Other

Reid Rasner this week accused Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray of hypocrisy for backing wind leases despite criticizing the industry frequently. Gray fired back, calling Rasner’s attacks desperate and linking him to “Las Vegas values.”

Clair McFarlandMarch 24, 2026

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Mills Mayor Frustrated Giant Solar Project Has Been Scaled Back, Delayed 3 Years

The mayor of Mills is frustrated that a Tuesday ruling postponed and scaled back a 440-megawatt solar farm that was supposed to transform thousands of acres of private land north of Mills into one of Wyoming’s largest renewable energy installations.

David MadisonMarch 24, 2026

Brandon Suess is taken into custody after a four-hour standoff with police in Newcastle, Wyoming, on Monday, March 23, 2026.

SWAT Team Breaches Newcastle Home To End Four-Hour Standoff With Wanted Man

It took about four hours and a SWAT team from Campbell County to capture a reportedly armed Newcastle man out of a home Monday. He was wanted on a warrant for a parole violation and now faces up to 10 more years in prison.

Greg JohnsonMarch 24, 2026

El Nino climate pattern, illustration (Getty). Inset: Meteorologist Don Day

Although Good For Wyoming, Predictions Of A 'Super El Niño" Greeted By Skepticism

Don't count Wyoming meteorologist Don Day as a believer in a much-repeated forecast for a "Super El Niño." Although he says conditions for an El Niño, which would bring moisture to Wyoming, are good, he says it's too early to predict a "super" version.

Andrew RossiMarch 24, 2026

Weston County Clerk Becky Hadlock asked a court Tuesday to dismiss the Wyoming Attorney General’s effort to remove her from office. “The chain of events leading to the filing of this petition is tortured and petty,” Hadlock’s attorney Ryan Semerad wrote in the filing.

Becky Hadlock Says The State Doesn't Have Grounds To Remove Her From Office

Weston County Clerk Becky Hadlock asked a court Tuesday to dismiss the Wyoming Attorney General’s effort to remove her from office. “The chain of events leading to the filing of this petition is tortured and petty,” Hadlock’s attorney Ryan Semerad wrote in the filing.

Clair McFarlandMarch 24, 2026

Chad Auer, who is now serving as a senior policy adviser for the governor, declared Tuesday he's running against Rep. Tom Kelly to become the next public school superintendent. Auer said he hasn’t sought any endorsements yet, but the governor has encouraged him to run.

Former Gov Policy Advisor Announces Bid For Superintendent Of Public Instruction

Chad Auer, who served recently as a senior policy adviser for the governor, declared Tuesday he's running for Superintendent of Public Instruction. Auer said he hasn’t sought any endorsements yet, but the governor has encouraged him to run.

Clair McFarlandMarch 24, 2026

Residents look at the layout of the Haystack Solar project.

Haystack Solar Project Back Again, Opponents Vow ‘There’s Going To Be A Battle’

The 2,000-acre Haystack Solar Project that faced strong opposition from Natrona County residents last year is back. On Monday evening, project leaders were told by residents of the area that resurrecting the project will be a "battle."

Dale KillingbeckMarch 24, 2026

Shannon Marie Tufuga

Utah Mom Accused Of Kidnapping Boy To Make Him Apologize For Bullying Her Child

A Utah woman is accused of kidnapping an 11-year-old boy and making him apologize to her child for being a bully. “I damn sure wouldn’t go grab a kid and drag him to my house,” a former Wyoming sheriff said about how to deal with a bully.

Greg JohnsonMarch 24, 2026

With meth and cocaine being the top categories in Wyoming's drugged driving arrest reports for 2025, Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak is pushing to keep the state's Drug Recognition Expert program alive. It trains officers to spot drug-impaired drivers.

Wyoming Sheriff Pushes To Keep Drug Recognition Experts On The Road

With meth and cocaine being the top categories in Wyoming's drugged driving arrest reports for 2025, Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak is pushing to keep the state's Drug Recognition Expert program alive. It trains officers to spot drug-impaired drivers.

Kate MeadowsMarch 24, 2026

Spencer Carsten, one of the wardens who cracked the case of the Cody serial poacher

How Wyoming Game Wardens Cracked The Cody Serial Poaching Case

Game wardens sat in the dark for five nights in Cody waiting for a serial poacher to strike again. On the fifth night, they heard the sound of a compound bow. The science that followed tied one man to nine dead deer and a slaughtered cow.

David MadisonMarch 23, 2026

John Haney

‘No Way I Can Afford That’: $1M Bond For Man Accused Of Killing 10-Month-Old Girl

“No way I can afford that,” a 41-year-old Cheyenne-area man charged with first-degree murder in the death of a 10-month-old girl told a judge Monday. The district attorney had asked for $500,000, and the judge doubled that to $1 million.

Greg JohnsonMarch 23, 2026

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Big Horn Prosecutor Seeks Trial For Manhunt Escapee Accused Of Drugging, Raping Teen

Big Horn County’s top prosecutor is asking for a trial date in the case of a man accused of force-feeding a 15-year-old girl Adderall before sexually assaulting her and evading law enforcement for two months. Anthony Pease faces four counts of first degree sexual assault and numerous other charges.

Clair McFarlandMarch 23, 2026

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All But One Horse Survive In Sweetwater County Fire; Blaze Near Lovell Still Burns

All but one horse survived in Green River on Sunday as corrals were opened and horses let loose in the Scotts Bottom Fire. Meanwhile, a fire near Lovell continues to burn. Thus far, the two fires have scorched 2,000 acres and are under investigation.

Kate MeadowsMarch 23, 2026

Trying to convince a retired judge to add a fresh challenge against Wyoming’s newest abortion ban into a case that’s been ongoing for a year amounts to “judge shopping,” a Wyoming Attorney General’s deputy argued. A hearing is set for March 30.

Wyoming AG Says Pulling Retired Judge Into Abortion Case Amounts To Judge Shopping

Trying to convince a retired judge to add a fresh challenge against Wyoming’s newest abortion ban into a case that’s been ongoing for a year amounts to “judge shopping,” a Wyoming Attorney General’s deputy argued. A hearing is set for March 30.

Clair McFarlandMarch 23, 2026

U.S. House candidate Reid Rasner in one of his YouTube short videos

Reid Rasner Sues A Fifth Person For Defamation

Wyoming U.S. House candidate Reid Rasner has sued a fifth person for defamation — this time in federal court. That brings the total case count to four. "Mr. Rasner has been the victim of individuals making hateful and untrue statements about him," the lawsuit reads.

Clair McFarlandMarch 23, 2026

America’s first extreme sport has roots going back 300 to 400 years. Called Indian Relay, the sport is moving its championship to Cheyenne Frontier Days’ Park. CEO Tom Hirsig said, "You will not be disappointed in the excitement of Indian Relay races.”

Hirsig Thrilled That Indian Relay Coming To Cheyenne Frontier Days

America’s first extreme sport has roots going back 300 to 400 years. Called Indian Relay, the sport is moving its championship to Cheyenne Frontier Days’ Park. CEO Tom Hirsig said, "You will not be disappointed in the excitement of Indian Relay races.”

Renée JeanMarch 23, 2026

Another consequence of Wyoming's abnormally warm winter is a much earlier tick season. Entomologist Mikenna Smith says not only are ticks out and about now but it's likely there will be a lot more them this year. "I'm a bit worried," she said.

Ugh: Wyoming's Tick Season Has Already Started And It's Likely To Be A Bumper Crop

Another consequence of Wyoming's abnormally warm winter is a much earlier tick season. Entomologist Mikenna Smith says not only are ticks out and about now but it's likely there will be a lot more them this year. "I'm a bit worried," she said.

Andrew RossiMarch 23, 2026

Timothy Brian Bates

Big Horn County Man Tells Deputies To ‘Shut Up,’ Dares Them To ‘Shoot Me’

A 29-year-old Big Horn County man is accused of threatening to shoot livestock, then telling deputies to “shut up” and daring them to “act like a dip**** and shoot me.” He could get up to 35 years in prison, if convicted.

Greg JohnsonMarch 23, 2026

Kemmerer is at a pivotal moment of change. A new nuclear plant could bring more workers to the town, but lack of housing and amenities could dilute the positive economic potential, if those workers decide to either spend most of their money or outright live in Evanston or Rock Springs instead.

As Nuclear Plant Moves Fast, Kemmerer Races Time — And Tradition — To Keep Up

The town of Kemmerer is booming before its eyes. There have been 110 workers on site this winter and TerraPower will soon be moving in hundreds more to build the actual nuclear plant. At its peak there will be 1,600 construction workers.

Renée JeanMarch 22, 2026

Wyoming singer Ned LeDoux duets with the late Dan Seals on “God Must Be a Cowboy,” performs at Red Rocks, and makes his film debut. It's been a milestone year for the rising star, celebrating his roots and father Chris LeDoux’s legacy.

A Big Year For Ned LeDoux: Film Debut, Red Rocks, And A Duet With Dan Seals

The past year has been big for Wyoming singer Ned LeDoux including a duet with the late Dan Seals. LeDoux doesn’t know why the Seals estate chose him for the new version of “God Must Be a Cowboy,” but it’s his favorite of all Seals’ many great hits.

Renée JeanMarch 22, 2026

Banana Ball was born out of the idea of making baseball more fast-paced, entertaining, and fun.

Casper Couple Bets Big On Bringing Banana Ball To Wyoming

Casper Spuds baseball team owners are leading a creative campaign to bring an entertaining Banana Ball game to Casper by 2027. Banana Ball was pioneered by the Savannah Bananas, often called the Harlem Globetrotters of Baseball.

Renée JeanMarch 22, 2026

Casper native Dean Conger was 32 and a photojournalist for The Denver Post in 1959 when he got a job offer from National Geographic. He spent the next 30 years taking photos of presidents and astronauts, while earning a reputation as one of Nat Geo’s best.

What A Life! Casper’s Dean Conger Spent Decades As Top National Geographic Photographer

Casper native Dean Conger spent 30 years at National Geographic traveling the globe taking photos of presidents, astronauts and world leaders. Winning many national awards, his photos resulted in the book "Journey Across Russia: The Soviet Union Today.”

Dale KillingbeckMarch 22, 2026

Cassandra Vincelette hands the mug to a patron preparing to attempt the heavy mug challenge at Square State Brewing.

Fun To Watch: Most People Fail 31-Pound Mug Challenge At Rock Springs Brewery

Watching people try to drink beer from a 31-pound mug is fun to watch. Most people who try the challenge at Square State Brewing in Rock Springs fail. “They think they can do it but once they grab it, it’s a whole different story," the owner says.

Tracie SullivanMarch 22, 2026

The University of Wyoming’s mascot, Pistol Pete, was an enigma. He had burst onto the football field with his gun, creating pandemonium and great cheers from the fans. Where he came from, no one seemed to know until John Waggener started chasing down leads.

How Pistol Pete, The University Of Wyoming's Cowboy Mascot, Came To Be

For decades, no one quite knew how Pistol Pete, the University of Wyoming's mascot, came to be. UW historian John Waggener went on a mission to find out. It all began with a San Jose State cheerleader who was chased off the field as a Spartan in 1969.

Jackie DorothyMarch 22, 2026

Audrey Bay lobbied the Lovell Town Council to bring back a drink-until-sunrise tradition during the Wyoming town's biggest summer celebration. She got two extra hours — and a 24-pound alligator.

Darts Til Dawn — A Lovell Bar Owner's Campaign To Party All Night

Audrey Bay lobbied the Lovell Town Council to bring back a drink-until-sunrise tradition during the Wyoming town's biggest summer celebration. She got two extra hours — and a 24-pound alligator.

David MadisonMarch 22, 2026

Wind River Brewing Company and the town of Pinedale draw their water from Fremont Lake, and the beer drinkers are among the beneficiaries.

Wyoming Brewers Say It's All About The Water

Wyoming brewers say great beer starts with what comes out of the ground — water. “That’s why our beer’s so good,” Wind River Brewing Company head brewer Thomas Simms says. "We have glacier-fed water that serves as a base for the beer, and it’s delicious.”

David MadisonMarch 22, 2026

Cheyenne railroad enthusiast Michael Pannell is rescuing remnants of the abandoned Chicago, Burlington & Quincy line in Wyoming before time and landowners have erased them for good.

Cheyenne Railroad Historian Rushing To Save Abandoned Rail Line Before It Disappears

Cheyenne railroad historian Michael Pannell is walking the defunct Chicago, Burlington & Quincy rail line in Wyoming to rescue remnants of it before time and landowners have erased them for good. "It was a rural, slow, quiet little railway," he says.

Renée JeanMarch 22, 2026

A VisitAfton reel plays off viral Ohio memes to draw a few laughs — and 83,000-plus viewers — to show off Afton’s small-town charm.

Social Media Strategy Of Promoting Afton In Ohio May Be Odd But They Say It Works

If you live in Ohio, you may get served a video on social media that says, "If you’re ever in Ohio, we recommend seeing Afton, Wyoming, which is only 1,629 miles away.” Although it may seem quirky, tourism officials in Afton say it's working very well.

Renée JeanMarch 22, 2026

In 1983, 24-year-old welding student John Boutin vanished from Rawlins, Wyoming, after raising concerns about misconduct at his shop. His family believes he was killed and still seeks answers in his unsolved case.

Family Still Haunted By Mysterious 1983 Disappearance Of Rawlins Welding Student

In 1983, 24-year-old welding student John Boutin vanished from Rawlins after raising concerns about misconduct at his shop. Authorities and his family believe he was killed and are still seeking answers in the unsolved case.

Jen KocherMarch 21, 2026

A herd of bison moves across a road in Yellowstone National Park. Visitors come from around the globe to see the unique American animals.

Buffalo Vs. Bison: What Should We Call America's National Mammal?

For Western historian and best-selling author Paul Hutton, it's buffalo, not bison. Makes no difference what scientists say. “It’s such a national icon that I think it's important to use the language of the time, especially as a writer,” he says.

Renée JeanMarch 21, 2026

The jackalope is mythical, but Wyoming was home to an actual prehistoric rodent with two large horns on its head that roamed the Western U.S. It's one of the only horned burrowing mammals in Earth's history, and it thrived by fighting predators head-on.

Wyoming's Actual Jackalope Is An Extinct Horny Rodent

The jackalope is mythical, but Wyoming was home to an actual prehistoric rodent with two large horns on its head. The Ceratogaulus is one of the only horned burrowing mammals in Earth's history, and it thrived by confronting predators head-on.

Andrew RossiMarch 21, 2026

High winds sent flaming hay into a Powell-area barn and attached home that resulted in a total loss for the owner, Barbie Rae Steinheimer.

Powell Horse Breeder Says She And Her Horses Lucky To Survive Barn Fire

A Powell-area horse breeder is recovering after a fire destroyed her home and barn. She credits her neighbor for saving her life and her horses. “If it wasn’t for her knocking on my glass front door, my horses would have been dead,” she said.

Dale KillingbeckMarch 21, 2026

South Dakota will revive a controversial Mount Rushmore fireworks show this year to mark the nation’s 250th birthday. Critics cite wildfire danger and Indigenous land claims, while local tourism leaders anticipate an economic boom.

Not Everybody Happy About Fireworks Display At Mount Rushmore For America's 250th

It may be one of the most beautiful places to have a fireworks display, but not everyone is happy about the upcoming show at Mount Rushmore for the nation's 250th birthday. Some Native Americans say the ground is sacred while others cite fire danger.

Kate MeadowsMarch 21, 2026

Every spring, hundreds of turkey vultures show up on the University of Wyoming campus and stay until fall.

Wyoming's Turkey Vultures Do Much More Than Hang Around Looking Creepy

The turkey vultures are back. They return to Wyoming each spring, roosting by the hundreds on the UW campus and in Casper. Researchers say they do more than just poop all over trees, barf up pellets of leftover gristle, and hang around looking creepy

Mark HeinzMarch 21, 2026

Guilty Dog Transport, owned and operated by Eric Huyffer of Jackson, hauls some of the most expensive cars in Wyoming to various locations in the United States. His main gig, Huyffer said, is getting exotic cars like the Ferrari and Porsche to their oil change appointments in Salt Lake City, Utah. 

The Man Who Hauls Exotic Multimillion-Dollar Cars For Wyoming’s Super Rich

Eric Huyffer of Jackson hauls multimillion-dollar cars for the wealthy. Ferrari and Porsche are the two brands he hauls the most. “They have to be serviced by a certified technician and the closest certified technician for both are in Salt Lake City.”

Jackie DorothyMarch 21, 2026

Daily Features

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PinYour Wyoming Sunrise: Thursday, March 26, 2026

Today's Wyoming sunrise was captured by Nancy Shaffer. Nancy writes, "This morning's sunrise from my front porch north of Daniel, Wyoming."

Photo by Nancy Shaffer

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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Joan Barron: Why Is It So Hard To Say 'I’m Sorry?'

Columnist Joan Barron writes, "Why is it so hard for today’s politicians to admit the wrongness of a situation? Even though they were not at fault personally, the ball was in the court of the Freedom Caucus members as it were, since they were the recipients of the checks."

Joan BarronMarch 21, 2026

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Bill Sniffin: Turning 80 Thoughts: Quit Smoking, Stay Active, Be Health-Selfish

Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “Here are my five life lessons that have kept me going for 80 years! I plan to keep going and keep learning.”

Bill SniffinMarch 21, 2026

Lange at chic fil a

Jonathan Lange: Your Participation Can Make Politics Better

Columnist Jonathan Lange writes, “If you have never attended a party meeting, you would be amazed at the depth of understanding on display. Its participants are anything but 'deplorables.'”

Jonathan LangeMarch 20, 2026

Wyoming Life

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