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Skiing through deep snow in the Wyoming high country in this file photo.

Wyoming Ski Areas Can Expect Huge Dump Of Up To 60 Inches Of Snow This Weekend

A massive surge of Pacific moisture will drop up to 60 inches of snow in the western mountains of Wyoming between Friday and Sunday. The rest of Wyoming can expect clouds, wind and a little snow.

Andrew RossiJanuary 30, 2025

Some of the 86 seized horses being kept at a Montana ranch.

Wyoming Trainer Helps With Rescue Of 86 Neglected Morgan Horses In Montana

When a Montana horse breeder allegedly stopped caring for his herd of Morgans, a pair of ranch hands alerted authorities. A Wyoming trainer has been part of the rescue effort to save 86 neglected Morgans.

David MadisonJanuary 30, 2025

An American Airlines flight from Wichita, Kansas, collided midair with a military Black Hawk helicopter while on approach to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport outside of Washington, D.C., on Jan. 29, 2025. According to reports, there were no survivors among the 67 people onboard both aircraft.

Jackson Coaches Devastated By D.C. Air Collision That Killed 14 From Skating Club

Two Skating Club of Jackson Hole coaches trained at the same Boston ice skating club where 14 victims of Wednesday’s D.C.-area plane collision hailed from. They say the news is devastating, especially because a similar tragedy hit the club before.

Justin GeorgeJanuary 30, 2025

Vincent Hackett

Gillette Man Accused Of Shooting Half-Sister In The Face To Face Murder Trial

A Gillette man accused of killing his half-sister last week when he allegedly shot her in the face was in court Thursday, but not for long. He waived a preliminary hearing and will face a murder trial.

Jen KocherJanuary 30, 2025

Chuck Gray and ballot box 1 30 25

Ballot Drop Boxes A Step Closer To Being Banned Across Wyoming

The Wyoming House overwhelmingly approved a bill Thursday that would ban the use of ballot drop boxes in the state. Despite opposition from county clerks, the House voted 51-10 to advance the bill on to the Senate.

Leo WolfsonJanuary 30, 2025

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Wyoming Legislative Recap — Day 13

On the 13th day of the 2025 Wyoming legislative session Thursday a tearful owner of a dog killed by a beaver trap testified about trapping reform, while a plan that would base property taxes on a home’s purchase price passed out of committee.

Leo WolfsonJanuary 31, 2025

The Wyoming Legislature is considering a bill that would revamp the state's property tax system to base taxes on a home's fair market value and sale price.

Bill To Base Wyoming Property Taxes On Purchase Price Passes House Committee

A controversial proposal to base Wyoming property tax rates on a home’s fair market value and purchase price passed a House committee Thursday. Opponents call the plan “an affront” that would “bankrupt local communities.”

Leo WolfsonJanuary 30, 2025

House Speaker Chip Neiman, R-Hulett, has proposed a bill requiring ultrasounds before women can get the abortion pill in Wyoming.

House Passes Bill Requiring Ultrasounds For Women To Get Abortion Pills

The Wyoming House passed a bill Thursday requiring women to have ultrasounds before getting the abortion pill. Supporters say it’s a health safety issue, while opponents claim it’s designed to shame women.

Leo WolfsonJanuary 30, 2025

Justin Ernest Golay

Wyoming Man Faces 548 Years In Prison Over Disturbing Child Porn Allegations

A Reliance, Wyoming, man is facing a half-millennium in prison on claims he kept and transferred disturbing child-sex pictures and videos. He pleaded not guilty to 31 of the 54 charges against him Wednesday. 

Clair McFarlandJanuary 30, 2025

Michelle Woerner from K9s 4 Mobility testifies for on a service dogs bill Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025.

Legislators Say They Want To Protect Real Service Animals, Not “Fluffy Dog” Pets

A bill passed by a Senate committee Wednesday says people should be allowed to train their service dogs in public in Wyoming. It also calls for severe penalties for those who want allowances for their “fluffy dog” pets.

Mark HeinzJanuary 30, 2025

Kevin Segal

Fake "Bitcoin Billionaire" Cheated Jackson Businesses Out Of $212K, Prosecutors Say

Passing himself off as a "bitcoin billionaire," a 30-year-old California man was able to cheat Jackson, Wyoming, businesses out of nearly $212,000 for resort stays, bar tabs and a new Dodge Ram, prosecutors allege.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 29, 2025

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Rod Miller: Emotional Support Critters Around the Ol’ Campfire

Rod Miller writes, "Rawhide Ricky from Rawlins perked up and informed his colleagues, 'All we gotta do is get a letter from a doc sayin’ we cain’t function without our critters. Then we can take ‘em with us everywhere we go. It’s the law!'”

Rod MillerJanuary 30, 2025

U.S. Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyoming, left, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Barrasso Backs RFK As Committee Grills Nominee At Confirmation Hearing

Barrasso continues to back Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the next head of the Department of Health and Human Services during a Wednesday confirmation hearing. The hearing was animated, including being disrupted by a protester.

Sean Barry for Cowboy State DailyJanuary 29, 2025

A legislative bill proposes lifting most of the restrictions on mountain lion hunting in Wyoming. Opponents worry that would lead to a slaughter of too many of the big cats.

Open Season On Wyoming Mountain Lions Would Be Overkill, Hunters Say

A proponent of an open season on mountain lions says a bill allowing year-round hunting would save Wyoming’s prized mule deer. But some mountain lion hunters argue it could wipe out the big cats.

Mark HeinzJanuary 29, 2025

A 15-year-old Casper boy reportedly said "I hope I killed one" after allegedly shooting five times into a home in the 1100 block of North Durbin Street in Casper, Wyoming.

Casper Teen Who Said “I Hope I Killed One” After Shooting At Homes Pleads Guilty

A 15-year-old Casper boy who reportedly told friends “I hope I killed one” pleaded guilty Wednesday to shooting a 10 mm pistol into two homes in August. He faces up to 10 years in prison.

Dale KillingbeckJanuary 29, 2025

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Tom Lubnau: The Wyoming House Needs To Think, Not Grandstand

Tom Lubnau writes, "The consequences of House Bill 164 are stunning. If a doctor injects a dementia patient with a muscle paralyzer with the intent of paralyzing the patient’s lungs so they can’t breathe and they die, the doctor can’t lose his job or lose his license for killing patients. It's euthanasia legalized."    

Tom LubnauJanuary 29, 2025

Steamboat Geyser.

Biggest Earthquake Since 2023 Rumbles Under Yellowstone, Felt 30 Miles Away

A magnitude 3.9 earthquake was measured near Norris Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park on Tuesday evening. It's the largest earthquake in the park since March 2023 and felt 30 miles away.

Andrew RossiJanuary 29, 2025

Students and teachers interact at the University of Wyoming Lab School.

Senate Committee Narrowly Passes Bill To Save Oldest K-8 School In Wyoming

Despite its local school district and University of Wyoming lobbying hard against it, the Senate Education Committee narrowly passed a bill Wednesday to save the UW Lab School. It’s likely the oldest continuously existing K-8 school in Wyoming.

Leo WolfsonJanuary 29, 2025

The Wyoming Senate. The body voted Tuesday to advance a measure calling for Wyoming to be part of a convention of states.

Senate Easily Passes Resolution For Wyoming To Be Part Of A Convention Of States

The state Senate easily passed a resolution Tuesday 22-7 for Wyoming to become part of a growing convention of states movement under the Constitution. In the meantime, a committee killed a bill that would have called for congressional term limits.

David MadisonJanuary 29, 2025

Along the Interstate 90 corridor to and fron Sturgis, South Dakota, Devils Tower is a busy place during the annual motorcycle rally.

Even At Nearly $5B A Year, Wyoming Tourism Not Close To Potential, Industry Says

At nearly $5 billion a year, tourism is Wyoming’s second-leading economic driver. Even so, the state’s tourism industry says it’s just scratching the surface of Cowboy State tourism’s true potential.

Renée JeanJanuary 29, 2025

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Bill Would Reverse Ban On Shooting Prairie Dogs From Your Truck

A Wyoming man told legislators that he and his friends were flabbergasted when a game warden confronted them about illegally shooting prairie dogs from a pickup. A House committee voted Tuesday for a bill that would make that legal.

Mark HeinzJanuary 29, 2025

Cody, Wyoming, filmmaker Preston Randolph is a producer of the documentary “Free Leonard Peltier,” which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on Monday to a packed house. He calls the experience “something special.”

Cody Filmmaker Says Premiering To Packed House At Sundance Was “Something Special”

Cody, Wyoming, filmmaker Preston Randolph is a producer of the documentary “Free Leonard Peltier,” which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on Monday to a packed house. He calls the experience “something special.”

Andrew RossiJanuary 29, 2025

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Some Say Legislative Response To Wyoming Wolf Torture Doesn’t Go Far Enough

Lawmakers unanimously advanced a bill that would outlaw torturing wolves and other predators Tuesday. But some Wyomingites say running animals over with snowmobiles should also be banned.

Mark HeinzJanuary 29, 2025

Diane Shober is 2025’s BIG WYO winner after 21 years as the Wyoming Office of Tourism director.

Governors, Famous Author Fans Of 2025 BIG WYO Winner Diane Shober

Diane Shober is 2025’s BIG WYO winner after 21 years as the Wyoming Office of Tourism director. That had a long line of people, including governors and New York Times best-selling author C.J. Box saluting her drive to promote Wyoming.

Renée JeanJanuary 29, 2025

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Bill Would Ban Forcing Government Workers To Use “Preferred” Pronouns Of Coworkers

A bill prohibiting Wyoming state and local government agencies from forcing employees to use a coworker’s “preferred” pronoun passed the state House on Tuesday. Detractors call it murky, while supporters say it promotes truth and freedom.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 29, 2025

State Reps. Steve Harshman, R-Casper, left, and Jeremy Haroldson, R-Wheatland.

House Supports Bill Making Wyoming’s “Sore Loser” Election Law Obsolete

The House passed on first reading Tuesday a bill to move the date to file as an independent candidate in Wyoming to well before the primary election. That means people couldn’t run in a general election after losing a primary.

Leo WolfsonJanuary 29, 2025

LaPrele Dam in Converse County, Wyoming.

Proposal To Triple State’s Part Of LaPrele Dam Rebuild To $90 Million Advances

A Wyoming House committee advanced a proposal Tuesday to triple the state’s contribution to the $182 million rebuild of crumbling LaPrele Dam to $90 million. The 115-year-old dam is close to failing.

Leo WolfsonJanuary 28, 2025

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Trump Says Mystery Drones "Not The ‘Enemy"; Wyoming Sheriff Still Seeing Them

The mysterious drones that befuddled New Jersey residents last fall were authorized by the U.S. government, President Trump relayed Tuesday. Meanwhile, a Wyoming sheriff says he's still seeing them and wondering what they’re doing.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 28, 2025

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If Cow Belches Are So Bad, Why Didn’t The U.S. West's 60M Bison Kill The Planet?

If cow belches and farts are so bad, why didn’t the vast herds of 60 million bison roaming the U.S. West before the 1880s kill the planet? The nonprofit Western Justice wants to know, but science suggests they’re not comparable.

Andrew RossiJanuary 29, 2025

Chantavia Renee Blanche

Cheyenne Woman Accused Of Stabbing Husband, Who Died After Refusing Treatment

A Cheyenne woman accused of stabbing her husband now faces a murder charge after he died four days later, the Cheyenne Police Department reported Tuesday. The alleged victim initially refused treatment at the scene.  

Clair McFarlandJanuary 28, 2025

The small, rural Wyoming town of Dayton could only watch and pray as the Elk Fire burns across the mountain face of the Bighorns above in this October 2024 file photo. Gov. Gordon is fighting for money to help relieve people impacted by this past summer's wildfires.

Gordon Has “Grave Concerns” About Wildfire Relief Through Loans Instead Of Grants

Gov. Mark Gordon wants $130 million in grants as relief for Wyoming ranchers and families impacted by the devastating 2024 wildfires. On Tuesday, he expressed “grave concerns” over a plan to scrap that in favor of $100 million in loans.

Leo WolfsonJanuary 28, 2025

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Bill Would Bolster Pumpkin Patches, Corn Mazes And Other Wyoming Agritourism

More Wyoming farmers and ranchers are turning to pumpkin patches, corn mazes and other agrotourism to bolster their bottom lines. The state Legislature is considering a bill that would extend tourism liability coverage for these attractions.

Renée JeanJanuary 28, 2025

Barron Trump, inset, and Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray.

Barron Trump Incorporated Business In Wyoming, Then Dissolved It

The president’s 18-year-old son had a real-estate business incorporated in Wyoming last July, but dissolved it nine days after Donald Trump won the general election. His famous father has also been linked to businesses incorporated in the Cowboy State.  

Clair McFarlandJanuary 28, 2025

Daily Features

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"A little Alpenglow with the sunrise. Castle Rock."
PinYour Wyoming Sunrise: Friday, January 31, 2025

Today's Wyoming sunrise was captured by Leigh Talluto. Leigh writes "A little Alpenglow with the sunrise. Castle Rock."

Photo by Leigh Talluto

Today's question to Don Day

Mark James Mullins of Douglas
In regard to your thunderstorm season article, can you reassess the data on a per-capita basis, especially when considering population of the states? It could affect me as I own a hill on my property which I plan a communications tower and likely will have a lightning rod installed when it goes in.
Don Day
FEMA has a good lightning database that takes into account lightning risk, potential property loss, etc. based on population and lightning frequency. Data is available on a county by county basis. Lots and lots of lightning data available here which may help in quest for more lightning information. https://hazards.fema.gov/nri/lightning
DD

Opinion

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Tom Lubnau: The Wyoming House Needs To Think, Not Grandstand

Tom Lubnau writes, "The consequences of House Bill 164 are stunning. If a doctor injects a dementia patient with a muscle paralyzer with the intent of paralyzing the patient’s lungs so they can’t breathe and they die, the doctor can’t lose his job or lose his license for killing patients. It's euthanasia legalized."    

Tom LubnauJanuary 29, 2025

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Candy Moulton: The Creative Circle Of Joseph Marshall III

Columnist Candy Moulton writes: “Joseph Marshall III, a member of the Sicangu Oyate tribe, grew up on the Rosebud Indian Reservation, in South Dakota, on his grandmother’s land. As a child he spoke only Lakota; now he is a member of the Western Writers Hall of Fame. ”

Candy MoultonJanuary 28, 2025

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Dave Simpson: Does A Wet Blanket Await In The Wyoming Senate?

Columnist Dave Simpson writes, "It's my hope that the wise and august state senators heed the tone of the electorate expressed last August, and proceed right away to the Five and Dime bills, so there's plenty of time to override pesky gubernatorial vetoes if need be, unlike last year."

Dave SimpsonJanuary 27, 2025

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