AdvertiseGet Free Daily Newsletter
AdvertiseGet Free Daily Newsletter

Cowboy State Daily - Wyoming News

News

Headlines

View all
Stephanie Linke, 36, and Michael Gruchacz, 35, are accused of torturing a 14-year-old boy. Prosecutors say the teen was forced to drink gallons of water and live in a basement. Doctors say he nearly died and showed clear signs of abuse and malnutrition.

Cheyenne Couple Accused Of Torturing Malnourished 14-Year-Old Boy

A Cheyenne couple is accused of torturing a 14-year-old boy. Prosecutors say the teen was forced to drink gallons of water and live in a basement. Doctors say he nearly died and showed clear signs of abuse and malnutrition.

Scott SchwebkeNovember 27, 2025

Authorities say somebody shot and killed this young-of-the-year black bear cub near Stevensville, Montana sometime between Nov. 20 and Nov. 22.

Game Warden Says Montana Black Bear Cub Shooting ‘As Bad As It Gets’

Montana authorities are searching for whoever shot a black bear cub and left its carcass to rot, a wildlife code violation punishable by up to $2,000 in fines and jail time. As far as wildlife crimes go, this is "as bad as it gets," a game warden said.

Mark HeinzNovember 26, 2025

Wyoming chefs, like Cheyenne celebrity chef Petrina Peart, say they don't trust artificial intelligence to tell them how to cook Thanksgiving dinner. They say AI turkey recipes miss key steps like brining and resting, so they still trust human expertise for a juicy, tasty bird.

Chefs Don't Trust Artificial Intelligence To Tell Them How To Cook Thanksgiving Dinner

Wyoming chefs say they don't trust artificial intelligence to tell them how to cook Thanksgiving dinner. They say AI turkey recipes miss key steps like brining and resting, so they still trust human expertise for a juicy, tasty bird.

Renée JeanNovember 26, 2025

Prairie dogs 10 2 23

How Desperate Would You Have To Be To Eat A Prairie Dog?

When it comes to gross things to eat in a survival situation, Wyoming has quite a few options, but it raises the question — who would resort to campfire-roasted prairie dog?

Mark HeinzNovember 26, 2025

A member of the Air Force crash investigation team surveys the tail section of the Air Force C-130 that crashed and burned near the top of Sheep Mountain near Jackson, Wyoming, on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 1996. The C-130, which carried support equipment for President Clinton's vacation, went down on takeoff late Saturday night. Nine people were killed in the crash.

Wyoming History: 29 Years Ago Clinton Plane Crashed Into Jackson Mountain

It was a pitch-black night in 1996 when a President Clinton support C-130 ignored takeoff protocol and slammed into Sheep Mountain above Jackson at 200 mph, killing all nine onboard. The impact created a fireball that could be seen for miles.

Jake NicholsNovember 26, 2025

An 18-year-old Sheridan man accused of fighting with troopers during a Casper traffic stop Saturday tried to drive off with drugs and a loaded handgun in his SUV. He also faces charges related to summer crime sprees across northeast Wyoming.

Teen Accused Of Fighting With Troopers In Casper Also Tied To Summer Crime Sprees

An 18-year-old Sheridan man accused of fighting with troopers during a Casper traffic stop Saturday tried to drive off with drugs and a loaded handgun in his SUV. He also faces charges related to summer crime sprees across northeast Wyoming.

Dale KillingbeckNovember 26, 2025

The Florida trucker — identified as Rabindran Bunsee — arrested by a Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper Thursday near Rawlins could face life in prison on an attempted murder charge during a road rage incident. He’s accused of shooting at a pickup with a toddler in it. 

Trucker Accused Of Shooting At Pickup With Toddler In It Could Face Life In Prison

The Florida trucker arrested by a Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper Thursday near Rawlins could face life in prison on an attempted murder charge during a road rage incident. He’s accused of shooting at a pickup with a toddler in it. 

Clair McFarlandNovember 25, 2025

Samantha Strable, the woman caught on video earlier this year harassing a baby wombat in Australia, faces multiple charges claiming that she lied about her residency to get hunting tags in Wyoming.

Woman Who Harassed Wombat In Australia Accused Of Wyoming Hunting Violations

A woman caught on video earlier this year harassing a baby wombat in Australia faces multiple charges claiming that she lied about her residency to get hunting tags in Wyoming.

Mark HeinzNovember 26, 2025

An off-duty Carbon County Deputy Jason Black is being praised for his quick action to help a pair of Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers fighting with suspects on a Casper roadside. He was on his way to the store when he ran to help with the chaotic scene.

Hero Cop: Off-Duty Deputy Helps Subdue Suspects Fighting With Troopers

An off-duty Carbon County deputy is being praised for his quick action to help a pair of Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers fighting with suspects on a Casper roadside. He was on his way to the store when he ran to help with the chaotic scene.

Kate MeadowsNovember 25, 2025

The new series “Saving Yellowstone, with Dennis Quaid” premieres on Animal Planet Wednesday. It was produced by Marc Pierce and the same Montana filmmakers behind “Yellowstone to Yosemite, with Kevin Costner.” It debuts between episodes of “Yellowstone Wardens.”

New Series “Saving Yellowstone With Dennis Quaid” Premieres On Animal Planet

A new docuseries “Saving Yellowstone” premieres Wednesday on Animal Planet featuring Dennis Quaid and a filmmaker known as “The Beaver Man.” They explore the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem while spotlighting threats and discoveries.

David MadisonNovember 26, 2025

Although the Thanksgiving Day forecast in Wyoming is looking pleasant, a "potent winter storm" will quickly follow. Meteorologist Don Day says there will be measurable snow falling in a lot of places across the state on Saturday and Sunday.

Wyoming Can Expect A Mild Thanksgiving Ahead Of "Potent Winter Storm"

Although the Thanksgiving Day forecast in Wyoming is looking pleasant, a "potent winter storm" will quickly follow. Meteorologist Don Day says there will be measurable snow falling in a lot of places across the state on Saturday and Sunday.

Andrew RossiNovember 25, 2025

Gillette police 5 31 23

Gillette Doctor Reports Toddler Severely Scalded, Bruised In Babysitter’s Care

A Gillette woman is facing up to 10 years in prison on claims her brother-in-law’s 2-year-old son was severely scalded, “lashed,” and badly bruised while in her care. Her attorney says there's more to the story and the woman "is being villainized."

Clair McFarlandNovember 25, 2025

Michael Hughes

Ex-Casper Cop Appeals Harsh Prison Sentence For 17-Hour Standoff

A former Casper police officer who fired shots during a 17-hour standoff is asking the Wyoming Supreme Court to overturn a sentence far harsher than his plea deal anticipated. He says the judge wrongly rejected the deal.

Dale KillingbeckNovember 25, 2025

Hunter Ryan Chuckel is pictured with a bull elk he recently shot on public land in the southern Bighorn Mountains, left. He and his hunting companions claim that an adjacent rancher later tried to steal the elk’s head. Right, a helicopter ferries out elk meat and heads with antlers from an isolated area of public land in the southern Bighorn Mountains.

Wyoming Rancher Accused Of Trying To Steal Trophy Elk Head From Helicopter Hunters

Some hunters claim that after they helicoptered into an isolated public land area in the Bighorn Mountains and killed bull elk, an adjacent landowner tried to swipe one of their trophy elk heads.

Mark HeinzNovember 24, 2025

Ethan Grasse

Evanston Man Claims Self-Defense In Shooting Death Of Father

A 23-year-old Evanston man accused of fatally shooting his dad early Saturday morning wrote in a court form that he acted in self-defense. He said he didn’t know who was breaking into his room and, “I did not mean to kill any one."

Clair McFarlandNovember 24, 2025

Wyoming ranchers say the closure of Tyson’s Lexington, Nebraska, plant is a distress signal for cattlemen and consumers. Fixing things will require rewriting the Meat Inspection Act.

Wyoming Cattle Ranchers Say Nebraska Plant Closure Is A Sign Of Deeper Problems

Wyoming ranchers say the closure of Tyson’s Lexington, Nebraska, plant is a distress signal for cattlemen and consumers. Fixing things will require rewriting the Meat Inspection Act.

Renée JeanNovember 24, 2025

After truckers complained of illegal counterparts, Wyoming law enforcement and ICE conducted an operation last week targeting truckers bypassing the port of entry near the Colorado border. In about 205 contacts, 40 truckers are set to be deported.

ICE To Deport 40 Truckers After Wyoming Sheriff, Highway Patrol Operation

After truckers complained of illegal counterparts, Wyoming law enforcement and ICE conducted an operation last week targeting truckers bypassing the port of entry near the Colorado border. From about 205 contacts, 40 truckers are set to be deported.  

Clair McFarlandNovember 24, 2025

A 120-year-old tortoise named Orville, along with five other giants, survived a devastating fire at Reptile Gardens in South Dakota on Friday. About 80-90 other reptiles, including alligators and other tortoises were killed.

120-Year-Old Tortoise Survives Fire That Killed 80-90 Reptiles At SD Attraction

A 120-year-old tortoise named Orville, along with five other giants, survived a devastating fire at Reptile Gardens in South Dakota on Friday. About 80-90 other reptiles, including alligators and other tortoises, were killed.

Andrew RossiNovember 24, 2025

A grizzly bear attack on a group of about 20 on a school picnic in remote British Columbia, Canada, was a rare occurrence that has left bear experts puzzled. Four people, including three children, were seriously hurt.

Grizzly Mauling Of School Picknickers In Canada Baffles Experts

Bear experts are baffled over the grizzly bear attack on a group of about 20 on a school picnic in remote British Columbia, Canada. Four people, including three children, were hospitalized. Some are in critical condition.

Mark HeinzNovember 25, 2025

Carbon county trooper 11 24 25

Trucker Jailed In Road Rage Shooting At Pickup Carrying Child Near Rawlins

A semitruck driver was arrested last week after what the Wyoming Highway Patrol is calling a road rage incident in Carbon County. Troopers say the trucker shot at a pickup — with a child in the back seat — that was passing it on I-80 near Rawlins.

Jimmy OrrNovember 25, 2025

Heavy vehicles stop moving as a timed detonation brings down a wide coal face at the Buckskin Coal Mine in Gillette, Wyoming, in this file photo.

Rollback Of Biden-Era Powder River Basin Energy Leasing Policies Hits Trump's Desk

Trump and congressional allies are undoing Biden-era land and leasing rules to expand coal, oil and gas in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin. Opponents say that guts environmental regulations and could leave taxpayers on the hook for huge cleanup costs.

David MadisonNovember 25, 2025

Six weeks after Campbell County settled a fired librarian’s lawsuit against it for $700,000, a local family she’s also suing is continuing to fight. The family says expressing their opposition to the former librarian is their First Amendment right.

Family Still Fighting Ousted Gillette Librarian After County Settled For $700,000

Six weeks after Campbell County settled a fired librarian’s lawsuit against it for $700,000, a local family she’s also suing is continuing to fight. The family says expressing their opposition to the former librarian is their First Amendment right.

Clair McFarlandNovember 24, 2025

Survival of the fittest produces resilient genetics in nature. That works on ranches too, says Wyoming's Lucky 7 Rancher Jim Jensen. He's using the extreme conditions on his Boulder ranch to grow super cows.

Wyoming Rancher Uses Extreme Weather To Redefine Cattle Genetics, Grow Super Cows

Survival of the fittest produces resilient genetics in nature. That also works on ranches, says Wyoming's Lucky 7 Rancher Jim Jensen. He's using the extreme conditions on his Boulder ranch to grow super cows.

Renée JeanNovember 24, 2025

Leaders in Campbell County and Gillette are at odds about a BWXT plan to bring high-tech nuclear fuels manufacturing to town. At the same time, Gov. Mark Gordon is considering a $100 million state grant for the project.

Campbell County At Odds Over Nuclear Project As Gordon Considers $100M For It

Leaders in Campbell County and Gillette are at odds about BWXT's plan to bring high-tech nuclear fuels manufacturing to town. At the same time, Gov. Mark Gordon is considering a $100 million state grant for the project.

David MadisonNovember 24, 2025

Dave Montgomery built a Wyoming media empire with grit and creativity, partnering with NFL legend Kenny Stabler to create sports history. Now retiring, Montgomery’s stories about The Snake mark the end of a wild, influential era of broadcasting.

Working With Kenny Stabler: Wyoming Radio Man Recalls Wild Days With The Snake

Wyoming radio man Dave Montgomery has had a wild ride in his career, but none more interesting than his time with NFL Hall of Famer, Kenny Stabler. With Stabler, he witnessed the last days of a pre-internet golden age where cell phones, thankfully, didn't exist.

David MadisonNovember 23, 2025

Volunteers load up a Clear Creek Wood Bank rack that holds one-seventh of a cord.

The Innovative "Wood Bank" In Buffalo That Provides Free Firewood For People In Need

"The first person who showed up to Buffalo's Clear Creek Wood Bank was missing a leg,” the founder said. “He was in tears. He couldn’t believe we were going to keep his house warm. He was a veteran; he was everything we were trying to achieve.”

Dale KillingbeckNovember 23, 2025

Gerald Crist of Greybull, Wyoming, has a staredown with a penguin at McMurdo Station in Antarctica.

The 'Greybull Mafia' Who Kept Antarctica Research Station Running

The town of Greybull sent a disproportionately large number of workers to Antarctica in the '80s and '90s to keep the McMurdo Station research outpost running. Called the 'Greybull Mafia,' years on the ice at minus 80 forged friendships and even marriages.

Wendy CorrNovember 23, 2025

Susan Bigelow of Sheridan caring for her mother at home.

Wyoming’s ‘Sandwich’ Generation: 106,000 Caring For Children, Aging Parents

More than 106,000 Wyomingites are unpaid caregivers for an aging parent, and many do so while also juggling full-time jobs and raising children. Some are forced into early retirement, putting their savings at risk.

Renée JeanNovember 23, 2025

A Hypacrosaurus skeleton on display at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis in Indiana.

Paleontologists Think They've Figured Out A Way To Determine A Dinosaur's Gender

Have paleontologists found a way to tell the gender of a dinosaur? Based on some sexual kinks, preserved in their bones for over 66 million years, it’s a possibility. It seems that while male dinosaurs got some tail, they broke some tail -- and that's key.

Andrew RossiNovember 23, 2025

The new Taco John's has modernized, including using AI and data analytics to challenge Taco Bell's youth market. Inset is one of the first Taco John's in Cheyenne, along with an updated restaurant near the state Capitol.

Wyoming-Born Taco John's Taps Big Data To Challenge Taco Bell's Youth Market

Although Wyoming-born Taco John’s is turning to data wizards in New York to help them compete with Taco Bell’s youth market, some of its biggest hits have come locally. Like the stuffed grilled taco, which a student invented from Glenrock High School.

David MadisonNovember 23, 2025

Former University of Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen at midfield during halftime of Saturday's Nov. 22, 2025, game against Nevada to have his No. 17 retired. He got a huge ovation from the crowd, especially when he concluded his remarks with, "And it will always suck to be a CSU Ram!"

‘I Love You Guys’: Josh Allen Gets Huge Ovation As His No. 17 Retired By UW

“I love you guys,” Josh Allen proclaimed as nearly 30,000 fans exploded at War Memorial Stadium on Saturday as the University of Wyoming retired his No. 17 jersey. It was almost as big a pop as when he concluded with, “And it will always suck to be a CSU Ram!”

Anna-Louise JacksonNovember 22, 2025

John “Portugee” Phillips’ legendary 1866 236-mile ride through a blizzard from Forts Phil Kearny to Laramie has been dubbed by some as "the greatest ride in history." Now a historian says new evidence suggests the ride may have been less perilous. This painting depicts Portugee arriving at Fort Laramie.

Wyoming History: The 236-Mile Blizzard Ride Dubbed 'Greatest In History'

John “Portugee” Phillips’ legendary 236-mile ride through a blizzard in 1866 from Forts Phil Kearny to Laramie has been dubbed by some as "the greatest ride in history." Now a historian says new evidence suggests the ride may have been less perilous.

Jackie DorothyNovember 23, 2025

Lawrence K. Lunt spent the last years of his life writing and traveling between Tucson, Belgium, and Saratoga, Wyoming.

Wyoming History: The CIA Informant Who Survived 14 Years In A Cuban Prison

Wyoming rancher Lawrence Kirby Lunt Jr. moved to Cuba, became a CIA informant, and was imprisoned for 14 years after being caught by Fidel Castro’s regime. He was freed in a 1979 prisoner swap brokered, in part, by Wyoming Gov. Ed Herschler.

Dale KillingbeckNovember 23, 2025

Susan Denker of Cheyenne says she owes her life to her poodle Lily, who alerted a friend after Denker suffered a heart attack.

Hero Poodle Named Lily Saves Cheyenne Woman's Life After Heart Attack

A Cheyenne woman credits her poodle Lily for saving her life after having a heart attack. “If it hadn't been for Lily alerting my friend, I would not be talking to you, because they did pronounce me dead at one point,” she told Cowboy State Daily.

Zakary SonntagNovember 22, 2025

Utah population 11 23 25

Utah Population To Explode To 5.6 Million People By 2065, Wyoming On Pace For 1 Million In 170 Years

A new research study says Utah's population will grow from 3.6 million people now to 5.6 million people by 2065. Neighboring Wyoming, however, won't hit 1 million people for 170 years at its current pace of 0.4% growth.

Andrew RossiNovember 22, 2025

Mass-casualty training for volunteers sponsored by Campbell County Health in August in preparation for the Pathfinders Camporee in Gillette.

Rural Wyoming EMTs Struggle To Keep Ambulances Rolling — Even When Wheels Fall Off

Wyoming’s rural EMS crews are struggling to keep their ambulances rolling amid staff shortages, aging equipment, and a $30 million annual funding gap. They even have to adapt when the wheels literally fall off during an emergency transport.

Scott SchwebkeNovember 22, 2025

Big game carcasses are butchered at Yellowstone Wild Game Processing near Bozeman, Montana.

Fewer Wyoming Wild Game Butchers Struggle To Keep Up With Hunter Demand

Butcher shops that will process hunters’ wild game meat are getting fewer and farther between in Wyoming. That means this time of year the ones left are doing a booming business — and struggling to keep up with hunter demand.

Mark HeinzNovember 22, 2025

Researchers claim that wolves pulling on lines to steal bait from underwater crab traps is proof that they’re “using tools.” But some wolf experts dispute that idea.

Researchers Say Wolves Are Smart Enough To Use Tools

Wolves have been stealing bait from underwater crab traps in British Columbia which some researchers claim amounts to “tool use." Some Rocky Mountain wolf experts say it’s impressive behavior, but a stretch to call it that.

Mark HeinzNovember 23, 2025

This year’s undefeated football championship run by the Sheridan Broncs was business as usual since former Head Coach Don Julian started a winning tradition current Head Coach Jeff Mowry continues. The secret to their success? Building leadership skills during retreats in the woods. A program describing the retreats includes photos of trust exercises and the team circled up for prayer.

The Secret To Sheridan High Football's 55-0 Dynasty: Blindfolds And Book Clubs

The Sheridan Broncs completed their fifth consecutive undefeated football season last week, extending their state record winning streak to 55 games. They say their success is built on trust exercises and exercising their minds through book clubs.

David MadisonNovember 22, 2025

Daily Features

View all
Sunrise small 11 27 25
PinYour Wyoming Sunrise: Thursday, November 27, 2025

Today's Wyoming sunrise was captured by Mike Sanchez. Mike writes, "What an awesome morning looking toward the Salt River Range on Crow Creek."

Photo by Mike Sanchez

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

Sponsored

View all
Legacy 16

Creating a Legacy in Comprehensive Dental Care

Legacy Dental is a new dental partnership built upon the foundation of generational practice and guided by the principles of bringing innovative and comprehensive care to patients in need.

November 21, 2025

A volunteer with Food Bank of Wyoming helps sort and pack food at a mobile pantry in Pinedale in October 2025.

Government Shutdown Reveals Long Term Hunger Crisis in Wyoming

With the current hunger crisis stemming from the government shutdown, the Food Bank ramped up the amount of food it is sourcing and distributing, made possible thanks to donor support and emergency funds from the state.

November 17, 2025

John Hardee and Sean Michaels stand outside the Hilltop Bank branch in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Two Officers in Hilltop Bank’s Cheyenne Office Share an Uncannily Similar Career Story

Both Josh Hardee and Sean Michaels began their careers working in finance before they felt the calling to public service. Even if their day-to-day lives look a bit different these days—Hardee spent nearly two decades with the Wyoming Highway Patrol, while Michaels rose through the ranks of the U.S. Navy during a decorated military career—the Hilltop officers say that calling to serve others has remained.

November 10, 2025

Opinion

View all
Clair 5 5 24 v2

Clair McFarland: What I Want To Say Before The Bots Take Over 

Clair McFarland writes: "Artificial intelligence is threatening to replace real human beings with the sum of our least complete thoughts. But for the space of this column, let me be an individual."

Clair McFarlandNovember 22, 2025

Joan barron headshot 4 27 24

Joan Barron: UW Tax Exemptions Have Laramie Steamed

Columnist Joan Barron writes, “The amount of property tax income lost to the City of Laramie and to Albany County from the University of Wyoming exemption totals about $4 million to more than $5 million a year. And the citizens would prefer the payments be in cash."

Joan BarronNovember 22, 2025

Lange at chic fil a

Jonathan Lange: Annoying Emails Are Not Exempt From The First Amendment

Columnist Jonathan Lange writes, "We still don’t know how many emails are being diverted. And we don’t know what percentage of them are constitutionally protected communications from Wyoming citizens to their elected officials."

Jonathan LangeNovember 21, 2025

Wyoming Life

View all

Outdoors

View all

Crime & Courts

View all