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Peabody coal haul truck Peabody Energy Public Domain 7 29 26

Wyoming Congressional Delegation Silent On Peabody's Move To Cut Retirement Benefit

As Peabody Energy has slashed the health benefits for retired Wyoming coal mine workers, the state’s congressional delegation has so far been silent. Retirees wonder why it can afford to pay its CEO $9 million last year but not their promised benefits.

Kate MeadowsJuly 30, 2026

Teton County Search and Rescue recovered the body of an unidentified Australian man in the Teton Range on Wednesday. The man, who was attempting a thru-hike of the Continental Divide Trail, is believed to have died from a fall off a ridgeline.

Australian Man Dies Near Grand Teton While Hiking Continental Divide Trail

Teton County Search and Rescue recovered the body of an unidentified Australian man in the Teton Range on Wednesday. The man, who was attempting a thru-hike of the Continental Divide Trail, is believed to have died from a fall off a ridgeline.

Andrew RossiJuly 30, 2026

U.S. House candidate Reid Rasner's attorney filed a police report Wednesday on a Chuck Gray supporter and former sheriff's deputy for allegedly threatening Rasner. The former deputy denies making a threat. Torrington police are investigating.

Rasner Files Police Report Accusing Chuck Gray Supporter Of Threatening Him

U.S. House candidate Reid Rasner's attorney filed a police report Wednesday on a Chuck Gray supporter and former sheriff's deputy for allegedly threatening Rasner. The former deputy denies making a threat. Torrington police are investigating.

Clair McFarlandJuly 30, 2026

U.S. House candidate Steve Friess said he wants to turn the Environmental Protection Agency into an advisory board that gives advice to state environmental quality agencies.

Steve Friess Wants To Turn EPA Into Advisory Board For States

Republican U.S. House candidate Steve Friess told Riverton's political old guard Wednesday he wants to turn the EPA into an advisory board for state environmental agencies. The Sierra Club of Wyoming called that idea "ridiculous and harmful."

Clair McFarlandJuly 29, 2026

Four hours after no-showing in court on 72 child sex and pornography charges in a Wyoming court on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, John C. Smallbone was caught in San Francisco. “We didn’t want a person with those types of charges to be out and about," said the sheriff.

Caught! Four Hours After Skipping Court, Accused Child Sex Abuser Arrested In Calif.

Four hours after no-showing in court on 72 child sex and pornography charges in a Wyoming court on Tuesday, John C. Smallbone was caught in San Francisco. “We didn’t want a person with those types of charges to be out and about," said the sheriff.

Greg JohnsonJuly 29, 2026

Park County commissioners say geography and other factors mean data centers aren't imminent, but they want to have regulations in place if or when the industry does arrive. Meanwhile, Park residents are telling them they are "100% no" on data centers.

Park County Commission Says Data Centers Not Imminent And Residents Are '100% No'

Park County commissioners say geography and other factors mean data centers aren't imminent, but they want to have regulations in place if or when the industry does arrive. Meanwhile, Park residents are telling them they are "100% no" on data centers.

Kate MeadowsJuly 30, 2026

Chauncey Patrick Miller

Gillette Man Accused Of Pointing Rifle At Police, Saying He's 'Gonna Be A Martyr'

A Gillette man accused of confronting police officers with an AR-style rifle had his felony aggravated assault case advanced to district court Tuesday. Prosecutors say he told police that, "I'm gonna be a martyr."

Kolby FedoreJuly 29, 2026

Oyster Ridge Music Festival in Kemmerer, Wyoming. Inset: Tyler Alvares.

Friend Says Man Who Died In Wyoming Jail After Music Festival Arrest Was More Than His Addiction

A Utah man who died after collapsing inside a Lincoln County jail following his arrest at southwest Wyoming's Oyster Ridge Music Festival is being remembered by friends as someone whose struggles with addiction never eclipsed the generosity that defined him.

Kolby FedoreJuly 29, 2026

The good news is nobody vandalized the Persian Gulf War Memorial in Rock Springs. The bad news is that it crumbled anyway. “I was worried it was some little Communist teenager making a statement,” said one relieved resident.

Good News: Rock Springs Vets Memorial Not Vandalized. Bad News: It Crumbled Anyway

The good news is nobody vandalized the Persian Gulf War Memorial in Rock Springs. The bad news is that it crumbled anyway. "It should never have been allowed to reach a point where it is that vulnerable,” the mayor said.

Greg JohnsonJuly 29, 2026

Dr. Anthony Fauci. Inset: Liz Cheney

Dr. Anthony Fauci's Diary Covers Wyoming’s Low Vax Rates, Liz Cheney’s ‘Courage’

In the more than 1,100 pages of Dr. Anthony Fauci's diary released over the weekend, he mentioned Wyoming’s low COVID vaccination rates, his admiration of Liz Cheney and his conversations with Dick Cheney. He appeared fixated on the "hot and heavy" press.

Clair McFarlandJuly 29, 2026

Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County in Rock Springs. Inset: Sweetwater County Attorney Danny Erramouspe

County Attorney: Rock Springs Patient Who Broke Nurse's Nose Can't Be Prosecuted

Sweetwater County's attorney says severe mental illness and Wyoming's legal standards for criminal responsibility make charges impossible despite a violent assault that left a Rock Springs nurse with a broken nose, facial injuries and bruising.

Zakary SonntagJuly 28, 2026

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Cheyenne Mayor: Help Us Find Shooter Who Hit 5-Year-Old In Head At Fireworks Show

Cheyenne Mayor Patrick Collins is asking for the public's help in finding the shooter responsible for a 5-year-old getting struck in the head by a bullet. She was watching the July 4 fireworks show at F.E. Warren Air Force Base when hit by the stray bullet.

Kolby FedoreJuly 28, 2026

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No-Show! Douglas Man Wanted On 72 Child Sex-Related Charges Doesn't Show Up To Court

A Wyoming man facing 72 felony child sex charges was a no-show for his plea hearing Tuesday in Douglas. John Smallbone was released on his own recognizance by a Colorado court last week. Law enforcement officials are angered that he was set free.

Greg JohnsonJuly 28, 2026

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Afton Attorney, Former Deputy Prosecutor, Charged With Solicitation In Idaho

Afton attorney John Bowers, once a Lincoln County deputy prosecutor, is facing a solicitation charge in Idaho after investigators say he offered to pay for a sexual encounter through an app. He says his conduct was "morally wrong" but denies solicitation.

Kolby FedoreJuly 28, 2026

Work is underway on the TerraPower nuclear power plant and its other facilities near Kemmerer, Wyoming.

Man Camps Moving Forward As Uinta And Lincoln Counties Build, Build, Build

Potential man camps in neighboring Uinta and Lincoln counties are moving forward. Kemmerer cleared zoning for a workforce housing site for a nuclear power plant, while Uinta County is a step closer to a 3,400-bed camp for a hyperscale data center.

Kate MeadowsJuly 28, 2026

Wyoming Livestock Board Director Steve True told state lawmakers in Casper on Tuesday that electronic ear tags for cattle are here to stay. A hoped-for executive order from President Trump rescinding the electronic tag requirement didn’t happen, he said.

No Trump Executive Order: Livestock Director Says Electronic Cattle Tags Here To Stay

Wyoming Livestock Board Director Steve True told state lawmakers in Casper on Tuesday that electronic ear tags for cattle are here to stay. A hoped-for executive order from President Trump rescinding the electronic tag requirement didn’t happen, he said.

Mark HeinzJuly 28, 2026

Cheyenne driver Cody Campbell took photos of people riding their electric scooters on a two-lane highway near Laramie.

Believe It Or Not, Electric Scooters Can Be Ridden On Wyoming's Highways

While it seemed ludicrous to one Cheyenne driver who was stuck behind people riding their electric scooters on a two lane highway near Laramie, it's entirely legal. “Scooters need to be off the highway,” Cody Campbell said. "It's not a vehicle. It's a toy."

Andrew RossiJuly 28, 2026

From left to right: Marshall Keller, Allen Hogg, Carlin Jones, Roland Luehne

All Four Candidates For Hot Springs House Seat Say They Won't Join Freedom Caucus

All four GOP candidates running for the state House seat spanning north-central Wyoming say they won't join the Freedom Caucus, though the incumbent was an early founder of it. “I don’t believe I should be taking orders from a caucus," one candidate said.

Clair McFarlandJuly 28, 2026

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department and the Bureau of Land Management closed several roads around Woodruff Narrows Reservoir north of Evanston. People were using the roads for unauthorized travel on private land, the agencies said.

State Closes Popular Evanston Recreation Roads After Private Lands 'Torn Up'

After angry landowners near a recreation area north of Evanston complained of their property being "torn up," state officials closed the roads. "The landowners are sick of having their land torn up," BLM spokeswoman Courtney Whiteman said.

Mark HeinzJuly 28, 2026

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Police: Cheyenne Man Shot Child With BB Rifle After Forcing Him To Shoot Roommate

Police say a Cheyenne man forced a child to shoot his roommate, telling him to "blow a cap in his ass," before threatening and then turning a BB rifle on the boy. Pancho Villa Flores is now facing felony counts of assault and battery and child abuse.

Kolby FedoreJuly 28, 2026

Retired Peabody Energy employee Jim Allington says he feels betrayed by the company's decision to end the Retiree Medical Allowance worth roughly $260,000 that could help pay health insurance premiums and medical expenses throughout retirement.

Retired Peabody Energy Employees Feel Betrayed By Cancellation Of Medical Benefits

Retired Wyoming employees of Peabody Energy say they feel betrayed by its decision to end a medical retirement benefits program. "I never missed a day," said Douglas' Jim Allington. The company says the program no longer fits "market competitive practices."

Kate MeadowsJuly 27, 2026

Gordon true moose 2 7 27 26

State Livestock Director Fires Brand Inspector After Guilty Plea In Moose Torture Case

Just hours after news broke Monday that a Uinta County brand inspector had pleaded guilty to helping torture a moose, the state livestock director fired him. “This is absolutely irresponsible behavior unbefitting a brand inspector,” Gov. Gordon said.

Clair McFarlandJuly 27, 2026

John Charles Smallbone

Stolen Credit Card Tracked Man Wanted On 72 Child Sex Abuse Charges To Colorado

Charges on a stolen credit card tracked a Wyoming man wanted on 72 child sex abuse charges to Colorado last week. “If you’re in town, why does the credit card say you’re in Colorado?” the man who owns the card asked John Smallbone in a text.

Greg JohnsonJuly 27, 2026

Former U.S. House candidate Frank Chapman appeared on Cowboy State Daily's radio show Monday and discussed the congressional race.

Departed U.S. House Candidate Says Gray And Friess Haven't Had Real Careers

In reflecting on Wyoming's U.S. house race, departed candidate Frank Chapman on Monday said both Chuck Gray and Steve Friess haven't had significant careers. “We’re being given choices of people that haven’t really achieved anything in life,” Chapman said.

Clair McFarlandJuly 27, 2026

Scenic boat tours on Jackson Lake in Grand Teton National Park have shut down two months early due to low water levels as southern Idaho agricultural users draw from the lake. Large boats are unable to get out of Colter Bay Marina onto the main lake.

Low Water Cancels Jackson Lake Boat Tours In Grand Teton Two Months Early 

Scenic boat tours on Jackson Lake in Grand Teton National Park have shut down two months early due to low water levels as southern Idaho agricultural users draw from the lake. Large boats are unable to get out of Colter Bay Marina onto the main lake.

Mark HeinzJuly 27, 2026

Eagle 2N, also called Aurum (Latin for “gold”) survived being hit by a car and lead poisoning. She and her mate are raising young in the Bighorn Basin.

Bighorn Basin Golden Eagle Hit By Car And Lead Poisoning Now Raising Young

A Wyoming eagle called Aurum was barely a year old and suffering from lead poisoning when she was hit by a car near Meeteetse. She somehow survived both and is now beating the odds by raising her young in the Bighorn Basin.

Mark HeinzJuly 27, 2026

Casper PD police Car 2

Man In Hourslong Standoff Outside Casper Police Station Refuses To Appear In Court

A man accused of triggering an hourslong standoff outside the Casper Police Department refused to appear in court Monday. The judge set the man's bond high at $50,000 because his "effect and danger to the community is significant."

Kolby FedoreJuly 27, 2026

When a Jeep got stuck up to its axels in mud driving on the bottom of Palisades Reservoir on the Wyoming-Idaho border, a pair of trucks owned by family friends came to the rescue. Then they also got mired in "peanut butter" muck up to their fenders.

Wrecker Pulls 3 Trucks Stuck To Their Axles In Mud From Hundreds Of Feet Away

How do you get vehicles stuck up to their axles in mud on the bottom of a lake bed? You call a tow company that has remote-controlled winches, a custom-built winch foot, and hundreds of feet of tow straps. “This is a normal situation for us,” the owner said.

Andrew RossiJuly 27, 2026

Bison fisherman 7 27 26

Yikes! Yellowstone Fisherman Has Close Encounter With Bison, Does Not Get Flipped

Just two weeks after a 65-year-old grandpa was launched into outer space by an angry bison, another Yellowstone visitor was in a similar predicament Sunday. Tourists, who were calling a play-by-play of the event, were relieved the bison left him alone.

Andrew RossiJuly 27, 2026

Uinta moose 2 12 9 25 2026 02 20 230834 vzcw

Last Holdout In Infamous Uinta Moose Torture Case Pleads Guilty, Avoids Trial

Justin Martin, a state brand inspector accused in the infamous Uinta County moose torture case where it's alleged a weak cow was roped, ridden, spurred and dragged across a ranch, has pleaded guilty to a felony charge and will avoid trial. But he can still appeal.

Kolby FedoreJuly 27, 2026

A patient attacked a Rock Springs emergency nurse, breaking his nose and chasing him through Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County this past week.

Patient Attacks Rock Springs ER Nurse And Chases Him Through Hospital

A patient attacked a Rock Springs emergency nurse, breaking his nose and chasing him through Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County this past week. "He was fully focused on trying to get me," the nurse said. Health care leaders say this is not unique.

Zakary SonntagJuly 26, 2026

Electrical Engineering student, Zariah Whiteplume, keeps contacted to her culture through hoop dancing performances. Recently, she was invited to Tokyo to perform and while there, was able to visit an Otter Cafe. Otters, Whiteplume said, are often used in native regalia and it was special moment to be able to pet a live otter in Japan. 

Wyoming People: International Model Grew Up On Reservations Without Running Water

Zariah Whiteplume grew up without running water or much electricity on the Wind River and Navajo reservations. This summer, she was hoop dancing and modeling in Tokyo. “I want to come back to my community and engage with the youth,” she said.

Jackie DorothyJuly 26, 2026

ounty Road 8VC, "the Road to Nowhere" outside Clark in northwest Wyoming. This 8-mile road leads to and abruptly ends at the mouth of the Clarks Fork Canyon, part of an early attempt to build a road from Cody to Cooke City, Montana in the 1960s.

The Story Behind Wyoming's Ill-Fated And Tragic "Road To Nowhere"

In an attempt to connect Cody and Cooke City, the Wyoming Department of Transportation built 8 miles of road in 1969 and then stopped. The "Road To Nowhere" became known as "The Road of Death" after a car with 5 people drove through the road's end.

Andrew RossiJuly 26, 2026

From escaping Cambodia's killing fields to crafting handmade furniture, a Lander business owner says she has a deep appreciation for the American Dream — because she's living it. “My mom didn’t make it because we had no medication,” said Sophal Thompson.

Lander Business Owner Escaped Cambodia's Killing Fields To Build American Dream

Sophal Thompson grew up in Cambodia and remembers hiding underground when bombs came. She saved every penny to take English lessons and had $10 when she arrived in the U.S. Now, a successful business owner in Lander, she says: “I really, really love America."

Renée JeanJuly 26, 2026

Rick and Stephanie Knigge shared 36 years of marriage, countless road trips in search of classic cars and a lifetime together before Rick's death in September 2025. 

Finding New Homes For Casper Oil Field Worker's 220-Car Collection Of Hot Rods

By the time Rick Knigge died last September, he had spent decades turning 20 acres outside Casper into a gearhead's paradise. The oilfield worker spent a lifetime hauling home muscle cars, hot rods and vintage trucks. Now they are all finding new homes.

Kolby FedoreJuly 26, 2026

Beehive Geyser in Yellowstone isn't quite as reliable as nearby Old Faithful. But when it does erupt, it's taller, longer, prettier and more intimate. "You can really feel the power of it and still feel safe," says a Wyoming visitor.

Old Faithful May Be The Most Famous Geyser But Beehive Geyser Upstages It

Yellowstone's Old Faithful is the most famous geyser in the world but it’s regularly upstaged by one of its neighbors. Beehive Geyser, which is only 1,000-feet away, has longer and higher eruptions. The issue is seeing one as it doesn't have a regular schedule.

Andrew RossiJuly 26, 2026

Cowboy Drifters took the pair of Pokes on the Miracle Mile section of the Platte River.

Casper Fly-Fishing Guides Reel In Top University Of Wyoming Athletes For NIL Deal

A Casper fly fishing guide company has teamed up with two top University of Wyoming athletes for a name, image and likeness deal they hope will set a precedent for supporting athletes at the school. Wyoming must play to its strengths to compete, the owner said.

Leo Wolfson For Cowboy State DailyJuly 26, 2026

Brian Harms talks about using Matchbox-sized cars to work out complicated logistics for television shows like "The Closer" and "Grey's Anatomy" when he was art director and production designer.

Wyoming Native, Now Small Business Owner, Spent 13 Years On TV’s ‘Grey’s Anatomy’

Brian Harms is a Lander native who spent 13 years designing the look of TV's hugely popular "Grey's Anatomy." Harms, who recently bought the Lander Bake Shop, has dozens of other film and TV credits to his name in his 20-plus-year Hollywood career.

Renée JeanJuly 26, 2026

While performing his song "Gypsy Darling," James said he was surprised to see a group of festivalgoers launch into a choreographed line dance they'd prepared in advance. "It's huge over there, to say the least," he said of the popularity of line dancing at the festival. 

How A Kaycee Native Ended Up Headlining A Country Music Festival In The Italian Alps

When Kaycee native Brandon James got an email asking him to headline a country music festival in Italy, he thought it was a scam. But it was real. An Italian cowboy, who once worked for the Kara Creek Ranch in Sundance, was the organizer and wanted someone legit.

Anna-Louise JacksonJuly 26, 2026

Cheyenne Frontier Days is basically a 10-day part with concerts, rodeo and other events, but the party isn’t confined to the CFD grounds. It spell out into Wyoming’s capital city, where bars and restaurants can do double their normal business. The arena floor at Frontier Park is rebranded as The Party Zone at night for standing-room-only concert-goers, who can even buy fast passes to get closer to the stage.

Cheyenne Turns Into Wyoming’s Party City For 10 Days During Frontier Days

Cheyenne Frontier Days is basically a 10-day party with concerts, rodeo and other events, but the party isn’t confined to the CFD grounds. It spills out into Wyoming’s capital city, where bars and restaurants can do double their normal business.

Renée JeanJuly 26, 2026

In the dying coal town of Gebo during World War II, the patriotic Junior Marines were dedicated to their wartime efforts of gathering scrap iron, marching and singing. They were inspired by the Wedlock brothers, two teens who left Gebo to fight the war.

Wyoming History: How Gebo’s Gung-Ho Junior Marines Served During World War II

In the dying coal town of Gebo during World War II, the patriotic Junior Marines were gung-ho in their wartime efforts of gathering scrap iron, marching and singing. They were inspired by the Wedlock brothers, two teens who left Gebo to fight the war.

Jackie DorothyJuly 27, 2026

Only seven launches per day are allowed on the Middle Fork, leaving private boaters a 1-in-55 chance of drawing a permit. Private trips, cancellations and off-season floats that come with weather and water challenges are other options.

Getting Access To Float The Middle Fork Of The Salmon River Is Like Winning The Lottery

One of the most difficult rivers to gain access to float is the pristine Middle Fork of the Salmon River. The odds are 1 in 55, with 20,000 applicants vying for 350 slots each year. After trying for 40 years, Cowboy State Daily's Jeff Welsch won the lottery

Jeff WelschJuly 25, 2026

Daily Features

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PinYour Wyoming Sunrise: Thursday, July 30, 2026

Today's Wyoming sunrise was captured by Sue Schmidt in Wapiti. Sue writes, "Woke up to beautiful sunrise in the eastern skies and rainbows and yellow pink gray storm clouds from the west."

Photo by Sue Schmidt

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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Brent Bien

Healthy Minds, Strong Character, And a Bright Future for Wyoming's Kids

Wyoming can do more than respond to student mental health crises. By strengthening families, improving school safety, demanding accountability, and teaching resilience, we can help raise confident, capable young people prepared to succeed in life.

July 30, 2026

Cowboy on a bucking horse

Heading to Cheyenne Frontier Days™?

Here's What You Need to Know Before You Go

July 08, 2026

Three teens and one adult volunteering, holding boxes at a Food Bank of Wyoming Mobile Pantry in May 2026.

The Wyoming Way: Helping Neighbors, Feeding Families, Strengthening Communities

From young families and grandparents raising grandchildren to caregivers and retirees, Wyomingites across the state are feeling the pressure of rising costs. Food Bank of Wyoming is encouraging communities to come together to ensure everyone has access to nutritious food. This WyoGives Day, July 15, donors can help support both local families and Wyoming producers.

July 07, 2026

Opinion

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Tom Lubnau: It's Desperation Season

Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "Friess is attempting to take advantage of Gray's unfavorable ratings, or ... the ABC strategy — Anyone But Chuck. Friess's argument is 'hold your nose and vote for me,' or else your U.S. Representative might be Chuck Gray."

Tom LubnauJuly 30, 2026

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Fred Harrison: Why Classical Wisdom Is Our Only Defense Against The AI Frontier

Columnist Fred Harrison writes, "Today, we stand staring into the open box of Artificial Intelligence. The physicist Stephen Hawking summarizes the stakes with chilling precision: the creation of powerful AI acts as either the absolute best or the absolute worst event to happen to humanity."

Fred HarrisonJuly 29, 2026

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Dave Simpson: Chuck Gray Has The Best Campaign Flier Of The Season

Columnist Dave Simpson writes, “Let's all remember that the Freedom Caucus and Chuck Gray were right all along in opposing boys playing girls sports. Their support helped push Sen. Wendy Schuler's bill over the top.”

Dave SimpsonJuly 28, 2026

Wyoming Life

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