AdvertiseGet Free Daily Newsletter
AdvertiseGet Free Daily Newsletter

Cowboy State Daily - Wyoming News

News

Headlines

View all
United Airlines dropped Gillette’s flight guarantee, proving Wyoming’s subsidy program works as airports mature toward self-sufficiency. Other communities like Cheyenne seek more state funding amid rising costs and legislative hurdles.

Gillette’s Airport's Success Prompts United To Drop Air Guarantee Subsidy

United Airlines dropped Gillette’s flight guarantee, proving Wyoming’s subsidy program works as airports mature toward self-sufficiency. Other communities like Cheyenne seek more state money amid rising costs and legislative hurdles.

Renée JeanJanuary 05, 2026

"Lazy Days," a bronze sculpture of a rabbit in downtown Cheyenne, became the latest to be hit and damaged during a Sunday multi-car crash. It’s the third time a driver has taken out one of Cheyenne’s 100 bronze sculptures. The sculpture is across the street from the Laramie County Sheriff's Office.

Drivers Keep Taking Out Cheyenne’s Bronze Sculptures

"Lazy Days," a bronze sculpture of a rabbit in downtown Cheyenne, became the latest to be hit and damaged during a Sunday multi-car crash. It’s the third time a driver has taken out one of Cheyenne’s 100 bronze sculptures.

Andrew RossiJanuary 05, 2026

Colby Cole Thomas, aka 'CRACKPIPE'

Gillette Man Nicknamed 'CRACKPIPE' Accused In Another Burglary

Gillette police say they caught a man who goes by the alias "CRACKPIPE" stealing a bagel shop baker's purse to buy lockpicks with her credit card. That comes nearly a year after he allegedly burgled a Menard's store. He faces felony charges.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 05, 2026

Rob Creager, executive director of the Wyoming Energy Authority, which is an agency geared toward bolstering the state's energy economy, now has a seat on a federal coal committee that advises the U.S. Department of Energy.

Wyoming Energy Leader Appointed To National Coal Advisory Council

The executive director of the Wyoming Energy Authority, which is an agency geared toward bolstering the state's energy economy, now has a seat on a federal coal committee that advises the U.S. Department of Energy.

Ole BraatelienJanuary 06, 2026

Hunters in snow 11 11 24

Not Settled Yet: Wyoming Hunter Access Issues Will Likely Repeat In 2026

In 2025, hunters fought public-land access challenges in the courts and even by helicopter. While some legal issues about “corner-crossing” are settled, the tension over hunters accessing public lands remains into 2026.

Mark HeinzJanuary 05, 2026

Rupert Brown vanished from his sister’s Wind River Reservation home on New Year’s Eve 2020, leaving his coat behind. Five years later, his family remains desperate to find him amid circulating rumors and a renewed investigation.

Family Still Desperate To Find Missing Wind River Man After 5 Years

Rupert Brown vanished from his sister’s Wind River Reservation home on New Year’s Eve 2020, leaving his coat behind. Five years later, his family remains desperate to find him amid circulating rumors and a renewed investigation.

Jen KocherJanuary 04, 2026

Craig Johnson reacts to being the 2025 recipient of the Tucson Festival of Books' Founders Award.

Inside The Loft That Inspires Wyoming Author Craig Johnson’s Award-Winning Career

It was a great year for Wyoming author Craig Johnson who received four lifetime achievement awards from prestigious writing and Western organizations. He created his popular “Longmire” mystery series in a tiny UCross cabin he built himself.

Renée JeanJanuary 05, 2026

After a “state-of-emergency” power outage in Canada last week — on the heels of a massive outage in Wyoming — some Wyomingites say they’re thankful for off-grid power options. Others say they just hate power companies.

Home Generator Owners Say Peace Of Mind Is Worth The Investment

After a massive “state-of-emergency” power outage in Canada last week — on the heels of a massive outage in Wyoming — those who have invested in generators and other off-the-grid options say it's worth it. Others say they just hate power companies.

Mark HeinzJanuary 05, 2026

Wyoming’s own Anna Gibson flexed both uphill and downhill skiing skills in Solitude, Utah, to qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. She will compete in an individual Skimo speed event, and a mixed relay with teammate Cam Smith of Crested Butte, Colorado.

Wyoming’s Surprise Olympian Started Training As An 8-Year-Old For Uphill Skiing

Anna Gibson was 8 when she started begging her parents to let her break Jackson Hole resort rules and ski uphill. Eighteen years later, she’s headed to Italy as America’s surprise Olympic hopeful in a sport she’s been training for most of her life.

David MadisonJanuary 04, 2026

A Sheridan couple has invented a smart-home system that automates coop care for people who keep backyard chickens. Their Hen Hub recently won $50,000 in a start-up challenge for seed money to bring their invention to market.

How Sheridan Couple Invented An Automated 'Smart' Coop For Backyard Chickens

A Sheridan couple has invented a smart-home system that automates coop care for people who keep backyard chickens. Their Hen Hub recently won $50,000 in a start-up challenge for seed money to bring their invention to market.

David MadisonJanuary 04, 2026

LAPD Policeman Jack Brush would take his vacations in Yellowstone National Park every year and eventually signed up as a law enforcement ranger where his favorite assignment was riding his horse, Ace, on patrol around Old Faithful.

LA Cop Who Helped Catch Charles Manson Found Escape By Patrolling Yellowstone On Horseback

Jack Brush was a hardened Los Angeles cop who worked during the L.A. riots and helped catch Charles Manson. In the summers, he would escape the big city to work as a cop in Yellowstone, patrolling the park on horseback.

Jackie DorothyJanuary 04, 2026

Kristy Van Der Hoeven lived to do random acts of kindness. After the Cheyenne wife and mother died from a sudden heart attack, her giving spirit lives on with family and friends continuing her kindness, including leaving quarters in gumball machines.

Even After Sudden Death, Cheyenne Is Keeping Mom's Kindness Alive

After Cheyenne mom Kristy Van Der Hoeven’s sudden death, friends and families created a nonprofit to carry on her tradition of committing random acts of kindness like dropping quarters in gum ball machines or leaving dollars in toy aisles.

Renée JeanJanuary 04, 2026

Clarence L. Oliver broke horses for Buffalo Bill, rounded up Texas longhorns and had a memorable encounter with Calamity Jane in 1901. That's when, to win a bet, he ran down and caught a drunken and naked Calamity Jane in the middle of Cody.

The American West: Calamity Kid Tamed Horses For Buffalo Bill, Tried To Tame Calamity Jane

Clarence L. Oliver broke horses for Buffalo Bill, rounded up Texas longhorns and had a memorable encounter with Calamity Jane in 1901. That's when, to win a bet, he ran down and caught a drunken and naked Calamity Jane in the middle of Cody.

David MadisonJanuary 04, 2026

For over a century, Park County’s District Court record has been written by women. Since 1922, every clerk of District Court in the county has been female, possibly making the position the longest-running gender-specific elected office succession in Wyoming.

Women Have Run District Court System In Park County For More Than 100 Years

For over a century, Park County’s District Court record has been written by women. Since 1922, every clerk of District Court in the county has been female, possibly making it the longest-running gender-specific elected office succession in Wyoming.

Wendy CorrJanuary 04, 2026

Macey Dawn Bradshaw of Lyman, Wyoming, was shot and killed by her ex-boyfriend in a murder suicide less than three weeks ago despite family warnings. Bradshaw’s family now shares their story to try and stop similar horrific outcomes.

Tortured Relationship Ends In Murder-Suicide In Lyman

Justin Bradshaw was headed to work on Dec. 16 in Lyman when he got the last call he’d ever take from his 20-year-old daughter, Macey. He was there in four minutes, but it still wasn’t soon enough. As he reached to enter the apartment, gunshots sounded.

Zakary SonntagJanuary 03, 2026

The University of Idaho’s drop from the top tier of Division I college football warns the University of Wyoming about the challenges small markets have in the era of NIL and revenue sharing. Experts urge realism as financial gaps widen. Here, UW mascot Pistol Pete gets the crowd worked up at a men's baskeball game.

What University Of Idaho’s Division I Downgrade Could Teach The Wyoming
Cowboys

The University of Idaho’s drop from the top tier of Division I college football could serve a warning to the University of Wyoming about the challenges small markets have in the era of NIL and revenue sharing. Insiders urge realism as financial gaps widen.

David MadisonJanuary 03, 2026

Wildlife filmmaker Casey Anderson set motion-activated cameras in two grizzly dens north of Yellowstone National Park in 2015. He finally recovered the cameras during the summer of 2025, and found they’d captured images of numerous wild animals.

Man Leaves Cameras In Grizzly Caves north Of Yellowstone, Captures Decade Of Video

Wildlife filmmaker Casey Anderson left stop-motion cameras in two grizzly dens north of Yellowstone in 2015 and forgot about them. Last summer, he went back to the caves and, to his amazement, recovered the cameras and more than a decade of footage.

Mark HeinzJanuary 03, 2026

When Thermopolis mom Connie Hoffman was diagnosed with terminal cancer, she was overwhelmed by expenses and relied on fundraising to travel to specialists. She now helps others with cancer in the time she has left raising money for others.

Faced With Her Own Terminal Diagnosis, Thermopolis Mom Helps Others With Cancer

When Thermopolis mom Connie Hoffman was diagnosed with terminal cancer, she was overwhelmed by expenses and relied on fundraising to travel to specialists. In the time she has left, she is spending her time raising money for others who have cancer.

Jackie DorothyJanuary 04, 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump addresses the media during a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago club on January 03, 2026, in Palm Beach, Florida. President Trump confirmed that the U.S. military carried out a large-scale strike in Caracas overnight, resulting in the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

Barrasso, Lummis, Gordon Cheer Trump's Military Strike On Venezuela

U.S. Sens. John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis and Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon on Saturday all commended President Trump's capture of Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro. "Peace through strength works," Lummis said. "Maduro will finally answer for his crimes in American courts.”

Sean BarryJanuary 04, 2026

The Marlatt family was a baseball team of all Wyoming brothers, seen here in 1920 with a few members of the Stanczak family of Illinois, another all-brother team. They made national headlines playing each other.

Wyoming History: All-Brothers Baseball Team Was A National Sensation In 1929

Nine brothers from Hawk Springs made headlines across the country in 1929 fielding a full baseball team. The patriarch of the Marlatt family would start teaching them the game as “soon as each had emerged from the cradle.”

Dale KillingbeckJanuary 04, 2026

Billionaire Joe Ricketts’ white bison herd thrives at Jackson Fork Ranch in Wyoming’s Upper Hoback Valley. Started in 2004, the 17-head herd roam the property and can be seen by guests.

17 White Bison Thrive At Billionaire Joe Ricketts’ Jackson Fork Ranch

Billionaire Joe Ricketts’ herd of 17 white bison thrive at Jackson Fork Ranch in Wyoming’s Upper Hoback Valley. To him, the white bison represent a piece of American West history, a spiritual connection to the land and a feature he's proud to share with guests

Kate MeadowsJanuary 03, 2026

Chef Vincent Fiore was touring Wyoming filming for his new television series “Cookin With Cowboys” when he stumbled on the Wagon Box Inn in Story. Fiore will take the struggling restaurant over starting this month.

Story's Wagon Box Inn Lands Celebrity Chef Vincent Fiore

Celebrity Chef Vincent Fiore didn’t have Story, Wyoming, on the itinerary for his new "Cookin' With Cowboys" episodes, which stream on YouTube. But the Wise Guy Kitchen chef is always up for a new adventure - like taking over as chef at Wagon Box Inn.

Renée JeanJanuary 04, 2026

Sixty of 88 books written by Michael and Kathleen Gear had been illegally downloaded and used by Anthropic to train their AI program how to write using the authors’ personal voices. While the couple received a settlement for the illegal use of their books, Anthropic can still legally scan and use their books to train their robots to think like them.

Wyoming Authors Win Against AI Stealing Their Work, But May Ultimately Lose

Best-selling authors Michael and Kathleen Gear had 60 of their books illegally downloaded and used as training tools for an artificial intelligence company. A judge ruled that their books were stolen, but that it's OK to use legally bought books to train AI platforms.

Jackie DorothyJanuary 03, 2026

A rural county in New Mexico makes children sit inside cage-like roadside shelters called “wolf houses" while waiting for school buses. That’s because their parents worry that wolves in the area might attack the children.

Why New Mexico Kids Wait In Protective ‘Wolf Houses' At School Bus Stops

Parents in a New Mexico county are worried their children might get attacked by wolves so they've built cage-like shelters for them at bus stops. Critics say it's ridiculous as there hasn't been a fatal wild wolf attack on a human in the lower 48 for 100+ years.

Mark HeinzJanuary 03, 2026

A Converse County Sheriff’s deputy has been disciplined following a profanity-laced tirade during an off-duty confrontation at his home in which he threatened a Douglas teen girl with arrest. 

Converse County Deputy Disciplined After Profanity-Laced Tirade At Teen Girl

A Converse County Sheriff’s deputy has been disciplined following a profanity-laced tirade during an off-duty confrontation at his home in which he threatened a Douglas teen girl with arrest. 

Scott SchwebkeJanuary 02, 2026

Riverton police 9 1 22 scaled

Riverton Man Lassos Suspected Drunk Driver After Officer Hurt In Chase

When a police officer ran into some playground equipment while trying to catch a suspected impaired driver in a Riverton foot chase on New Year’s Eve, a local man felt badly, retrieved his rope and lassoed the suspect himself.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 02, 2026

Wyoming issued a new pro-rodeo license plate Friday in response to PETA asking for a plate without the iconic bucking bronco claiming rodeo is cruel. One state legislator said PETA’s request made him want to celebrate rodeo “even more prominently.”

Wyoming Responds To PETA By Issuing A Pro-Rodeo License Plate

Wyoming issued a new pro-rodeo license plate Friday in response to PETA asking for a plate without the iconic bucking bronco claiming rodeo is cruel. One state legislator said PETA’s request made him want to celebrate rodeo “even more prominently.”

Clair McFarlandJanuary 02, 2026

At least one mountain lion — and possibly two — apparently attacked and killed a woman hiking in Colorado on Thursday. Mountain lion experts say attacks on humans are extremely rare, without an officially documented fatal mountain lion attack in Wyoming.

Experts Say Woman Killed In Colorado Mountain Lion Attack A Rare Tragedy

At least one mountain lion — and possibly two — apparently attacked and killed a woman hiking in Colorado on Thursday. Mountain lion experts say attacks on humans are extremely rare, without an officially documented fatal mountain lion attack in Wyoming.

Mark HeinzJanuary 03, 2026

Grand Tetons climbing Cavan Images via Alamy 1 2 26

Researchers Say 'Biophobia' — An Irrational Terror Of Nature — Is A Thing Now

A crippling fear of nature called “biophobia” is becoming more common, researchers say. A Wyoming backcountry guide said he’s skeptical, and conversely has seen exposure to nature change lives for the better.

Mark HeinzJanuary 02, 2026

Reid Rasner won’t run to be the next governor of Wyoming, he told Cowboy State Daily in a Friday text message. “Stay tuned for news next week, the best is yet to come,” Rasner added.

Rasner Won’t Run For Governor, Says To 'Stay Tuned For News Next Week'

Reid Rasner won’t run to be the next governor of Wyoming, he told Cowboy State Daily in a Friday text message. “Stay tuned for news next week, the best is yet to come,” Rasner added.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 03, 2026

Wind turbines carbon county 1 2 26

After Judge Tosses Wind Project, State Land Board To Discuss Leasing Rules

The Wyoming State Board of Land Commissioners will hold a special meeting next week in Douglas to discuss wind leasing. That comes a month after a district court judge reversed the board's approval of controversial Converse County wind energy lease.

David MadisonJanuary 02, 2026

The Wild Mustang Restaurant in Rock Springs has been searching for the source of a putrid odor for the last year. They finally found and fixed it this week and are excited to start a new year without that old smell.

After A Year, Rock Springs Restaurant Finds Source Of Mysterious Putrid Odor

The Wild Mustang Restaurant in Rock Springs is celebrating because they found the source of a horrible odor that has stunk up the place for the last year. “We found the source of the unwanted smell and fixed it once and for all," the manager said.

Andrew RossiJanuary 02, 2026

It’s estimated 25% to 35% of Wyoming’s forests are now dominated by “ghost forests” — standing dead timber from beetle epidemics and disease. Researchers say it's time to start paying attention to limber pine before it follows the whitebark into crisis.

Up To 35% Of Wyoming's High Country Is Dead 'Ghost Forest’ — And It's Spreading

It’s estimated 25% to 35% of Wyoming’s forests are now dominated by “ghost forests” — standing dead timber from beetle epidemics and disease. Researchers say it's time to start paying attention to limber pine before it follows the whitebark into crisis.

David MadisonJanuary 01, 2026

David Kellett

Former House Candidate From Powell Accused Of Child Abuse, Molestation

A Powell man who ran two unsuccessful campaigns for a seat in the Wyoming House of Representatives faces up to 215 years in prison on charges he physically and sexually abused at least one child for years.

Clair McFarlandDecember 31, 2025

Microsoft built Cheyenne’s first data center.

Wyoming Officials Say World Depends On America Winning AI Race With China

America’s arms race over artificial intelligence with China is about more than technology and gaining economic advantage, say Wyoming lawmakers and an industry watchdog. It’s about which nation's values will guide the rest of the world.

Greg JohnsonDecember 31, 2025

For some, prairie dog hunting isn’t as simple as driving around until they find the rodents. Serious hunters hire guides to take them to target-rich prairie dog towns.

Group Says Prairie Dog ‘Massacre’ Litters Plains With Lead-Riddled Carcasses

People who “massacre” prairie dogs in Colorado should have to pick up the lead-riddled carcasses, says a group calling for more regulation of hunting the rodents. The hunting also leads to other wildlife getting lead poisoning, it says.

Mark HeinzDecember 31, 2025

Carbon County sign 6 20 23

Human Remains Found At Well Site On BLM Land In Carbon County

The Carbon County sheriff said Wednesday that human remains have been discovered near a well site. Just who those remains are hasn’t been determined, but a leading missing persons advocate wonders if it may be David Williams, who disappeared 45 years ago.

Andrew RossiDecember 31, 2025

Sublette County opened its first hospital in September, a $73.8 million complex, in September and has been “burning” through cash since. It hopes to get some of the $205 million in federal health care money Wyoming was given this week.

Sublette County’s New Hospital Hopes To Get Some Of $205 Million From Feds

Sublette County opened its first hospital, a $73.8 million complex, in September and has been “burning” through cash since. It hopes to get some of the $205 million in federal health care money Wyoming was given this week.

Kate MeadowsJanuary 01, 2026

A Daniel man accused of running over a wolf with a snowmobile, bringing it injured into a bar, taunting it, then shooting it pleaded not guilty Monday. The hearing unfolded via virtual link with 54 attendees, and untold quantities listening on another streaming service.

Prosecutor Says Wyoming Wolf ‘Capture’ Rule Doesn’t Apply To Cody Roberts

Sublette County’s top prosecutor argued in a Tuesday court filing that Wyoming’s law allowing people to “capture” wolves doesn’t excuse Cody Roberts. Tormenting the animal was a separate act, he said.

Clair McFarlandDecember 31, 2025

Daily Features

View all
Sunrise small 1 6 26 v2
PinYour Wyoming Sunrise: Tuesday, January 6, 2026

Today's Wyoming sunrise was captured by Deb Warden in the South Fork Valley in Cody. Deb writes, "I could wake up to this every day!"

Photo by Deb Warden

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
Joan barron headshot 4 27 24

Joan Barron: Don't Get All 'Cheugy' About New Words

Columnist Joan Barron writes, “With the new year we have new words to ponder, like 'sportocrat,' and 'fleek.' The German word 'Backpfeitfengesicht' means 'a face that deserves to be slapped or punched.'”

Joan BarronJanuary 03, 2026

Sniffin headshot 7 2 25

Bill Sniffin: Wyo Economy Last Year Was Wonderful - Looking Ahead, 2026 Might Be Better

Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “By all accounts, 2026 could be a watershed year for Wyoming when it comes to energy development and overall good times. Let’s hope so.”

Bill SniffinJanuary 03, 2026

Lubnau head 2

Tom Lubnau: How to Ruin Wyoming on Purpose — A Practical Guide for the Ambitiously Foolish

Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "History shows us that many kingdoms have fallen not by the sword, but by the arrogance of their own legislatures. Here’s a ten-step plan to effectively dismantle our beloved state – and it concerns me several legislators are advancing the plan of destruction."

Tom LubnauDecember 31, 2025

Wyoming Life

View all

Outdoors

View all

Crime & Courts

View all