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New helium plan 12 20 25

With New Sublette County Helium Plant, Wyoming Will Supply 30% Of World's Helium

A new helium plant in Sublette County will boost Wyoming’s share of global helium output to about 30% and generate nearly $2 billion in taxes and royalties. The plant begins construction on May 1, 2026.

Renée JeanDecember 19, 2025

A cow elk viciously stomping a mountain lion, and her own calf, is indicative of the pressure Idaho elk feel from predators, a hunter said.

Cow Elk Stomps Mountain Lion In Desperate Bid To Save Calf

Caught between wolves, mountain lions and grizzly bears, elk are struggling to fend off predators. A trail camera video shows the elk's desperation as it viciously pummels a mountain lion that has her calf by the neck.

Mark HeinzDecember 19, 2025

Starlings fly in a tight, swirling pattern called “murmuration” over farmland north of Torrington.

Weird Bird Tornado Near Torrington Was A Wild Flight Of Starlings

A swirling “bird tornado” over farmland near Torrington turned out to be a flock of European starlings. While a sight to see, starlings are an invasive species in Wyoming that harm native birds and crops.

Mark HeinzDecember 19, 2025

Measles getty 12 19 25

Five Wyoming Measles Cases Linked To Out-Of-State Travel

Wyoming health officials are urging people to protect vulnerable children and those who have compromised immune systems from the measles, following five new cases identified in Fremont County. The new cases were traced to out-of-state travel.

Renée JeanDecember 19, 2025

Stab suspect 12 19 25

Casper Police Department Asks For Help Finding Stabbing Suspect

Casper police are asking for help in finding a 41-year-old stabbing suspect involved in an incident that left an adult with serious injuries. The suspect's facial tattoos could be of assistance in locating him.

Dale KillingbeckDecember 19, 2025

The strongest wind gust recorded during Wyoming's Wednesday windstorm was a mind-blowing 144 mph. It occurred at the summit of one of the state's most notoriously windy places, Mount Coffin in Lincoln County.

144 MPH Wind Gust On Wednesday One Of The Strongest Ever Recorded in Wyoming

The 144 mph wind guest on Mount Coffin in Lincoln County on Wednesday was one of the strongest wind gusts ever recorded in Wyoming, but not a record. The highest, according to the National Weather Service, was 165 mph set in 2017, also on Mount Coffin.

Andrew RossiDecember 18, 2025

Wyoming Attorney General Keith Kautz and wind farm

Wyoming AG Appeals Wind Lease Ruling As Gordon, Gray Clash Over Decision

Wyoming Attorney General Keith Kautz told Cowboy State Daily on Thursday he's appealing a ruling that voided a wind lease on state lands. He said the appeal is bigger than the wind issue, as widespread interpretations of state laws also hinge upon it.

Clair McFarland & David MadisonDecember 19, 2025

Nearly four months after committee approval, U.S. Senate confirmation is imminent for Wyoming’s Brian Nesvik as head of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Sen. John Barrasso on Wednesday blasted Democrats for blocking Trump’s nominees.

New Wildlife Chief Brian Nesvik Says Grizzly Delisting Could Be Two Years Away

New U.S. wildlife chief Brian Nesvik told Cowboy State Daily on Thursday that It could take another two years to work through an analysis of the data on grizzlies and reach a final decision regarding delisting. As for hunting, he said that would be left to the states to decide.

Mark HeinzDecember 19, 2025

Cheyenne fire 3 12 19 25

Wind-Whipped Fire Forces Cheyenne Families To Abandon Homes, Christmas Presents

Families scrambled to evacuate themselves and their pets after 70 mph winds sparked a fire south of Cheyenne on Wednesday evening threatening two subdivisions. More than 100 firefighters converged to put out the grassfires and 40 homes remained evacuated.

Renée JeanDecember 18, 2025

A snowmobile chases a wolf across a snowy landscape in Canada.

House Bill Targets Wolf ‘Whacking’ With Snowmobiles On Federal Land

For the second time in as many years, a bipartisan coalition introduced a bill in the U.S. House to ban using snowmobiles to run over wolves and other predators on federal lands. The act was inspired by the alleged wolf torture in Wyoming in 2024.

Mark HeinzDecember 18, 2025

U.S. President Donald Trump displays an executive order with Howard Kessler (R) that Trump signed in the Oval Office of the White House on December 18, 2025 in Washington, DC. During the ceremony, Trump signed the order reclassifying marijuana as a schedule III drug.

Trump's Move To Soften Marijuana Rules Could Push Wyoming To Do The Same

Saying Americans should have more access to medical marijuana, President Donald Trump took steps Thursday toward downgrading its federal classification. The move could push Wyoming to do the same, or announce why it won’t.

Clair McFarlandDecember 19, 2025

The former owners of a house on Thorndike Avenue in Casper and a journalist who wrote a story on it have gone public warning potential bidders to beware of the property.

Casper ‘House From Hell’ Once Covered In Deadly Mold Heads To Auction

A mold-infested Casper home with a failing foundation, once owned by a former councilman, is headed to auction with no inspections allowed. The ex-owners and a reporter are warning bidders it could be a financial and health disaster.

Dale KillingbeckDecember 18, 2025

Deputies in northern Wyoming have been searching for weeks for Anthony Pease, a Byron man reportedly wanted on six counts of felony sexual assault of a minor. Authorities believe people are helping the man avoid arrest.

Wyoming Manhunt For Fugitive Sex Assault Suspect Enters Second Month

Deputies in northern Wyoming have been searching for weeks for Anthony Pease, a Byron man reportedly wanted on six counts of felony sexual assault of a minor. Authorities believe people are helping the man avoid arrest.

Clair McFarlandDecember 18, 2025

State Sen. Anthony Bouchard, R-Cheyenne

Sued For Defamation, Former State Senator Says WyoFile Should Be Sued Too  

Sued for defamation on claims he hurt the reputation of Casper businessman Reid Rasner, former state Sen. Anthony Bouchard is calling for the news outlet WyoFile to be sued as well after it republished another paper's story, which was critical of Rasner.  

Clair McFarlandDecember 18, 2025

Hageman splc 12 18 25

Hageman Blames Southern Poverty Law Center For Inciting Political Violence

Rep. Harriet Hageman on Tuesday said the Southern Poverty Law Center demonizes mainstream conservatives and fosters a climate for political violence. At the hearing it was noted Charlie Kirk was labeled an extremist by the group one day before he was killed.

Sean BarryDecember 18, 2025

At least part of the Dec.1 complaint in which Platte County residents asked Gov. Mark Gordon to remove their commissioners from office is false, documents show.

Platte County Complaint Against Commissioners Contain False Claims

At least part of the Dec.1 complaint in which Platte County residents asked Gov. Mark Gordon to remove their commissioners from office is false, documents show. Other parts are hotly disputed, multiple public officials told Cowboy State Daily this week.

Clair McFarlandDecember 17, 2025

Hoback, a famous bull moose in Grand Teton National Park, was the first of the park’s moose to start shedding his antlers, on Dec. 10.

Beginning Of The End For Hoback, Grand Teton National Park's Most Famous Moose

Wildlife photographers say the reign of Hoback, the most famous moose in the Grand Tetons, could be coming to an end. Estimated to be around 18 years old, he shed his antlers early this year and is suffering from a recent wolf attack.

Mark HeinzDecember 17, 2025

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.

Cody Roberts Asks Judge To Dismiss Case, Says Charge Stretches Law 

Cody Roberts, the Daniel, Wyoming, man accused of torturing a wolf before killing it is asking a judge to drop a felony animal cruelty charge. His attorney says the state stretched the law to prosecute him.

Clair McFarlandDecember 18, 2025

Sweetwater County School District No. 1 leadership is under fire after parents and community members on social media accused a Rock Springs High School administrator of wearing an orange wristband that includes acronyms that stand for vulgar phrases. 

Rock Springs Parents Blast School District Over Vulgar Wristband

Parents and community members are outraged over reports a wristband reading “Follow Policy + FAFO + GFY” was worn by a school official. The district is reviewing the complaint but won’t discuss specific personnel.

Kate MeadowsDecember 18, 2025

Wrecked truck 12 17 25

Wyoming Blasted By 123 Mph Winds On Wednesday And More Wind To Come

Wyoming was hammered Wednesday by hurricane-force winds up to 123 mph. Highways closed, semis blew over, and forecasters are calling for more wind and higher than average temperatures heading into Christmas.

Andrew RossiDecember 17, 2025

Ford announced Monday it is discontinuing the all-electric F-150 Lightning pickup after just three-and-a-half years in production, taking a $19.5 billion write-down as part of a major strategic pivot away from large battery-electric vehicles.

Rocky Mountain Auto Dealers Not Surprised Ford Discontinues Electric Pickup

Auto dealers in the Rocky Mountain region said they weren't surprised with Ford's announcement that the company was discontinuing its all-electric F-150 Lightning pickup. "I saw this coming. So we greatly scaled-back our ordering," one dealer said.

David MadisonDecember 17, 2025

Rock springs lost girl 12 17 25

Missing Rock Springs Woman Last Seen Leaving Bus Station With Unknown Man

Rock Springs police and family of a missing Rock Springs woman are requesting the public’s help in locating her. Searra Gentry, who family says struggles with mental health, was last seen Tuesday getting into a pickup truck with an unknown male.

Jen KocherDecember 18, 2025

Decades after arsenic contamination shut down the Nedlog and Williams Strategic Metals plant south of Laramie, the EPA is moving ahead with a plan to finally finish removing arsenic and mercury from the site.

EPA Launches Final Cleanup Push at Laramie’s Long-Polluted Metals Site

Decades after arsenic contamination shut down the Nedlog and Williams Strategic Metals plant south of Laramie, the EPA is moving ahead with a plan to finally finish removing arsenic and mercury from the site.

Renée JeanDecember 17, 2025

Colorado is touting the Greenland overpass along Interstate 25 south of Denver as one of the largest wildlife crossings in the world.

Largest Wildlife Crossing In U.S. Opens In Colorado But Animals Aren't Using It Yet

Work is finished on what’s being touted as North America’s largest wildlife crossing bridge south of Denver — but it’s been so warm, animals haven’t started using it yet. The 200-foot-wide, 209-foot-long Greenland overpass spans six lanes of I-25.

Mark HeinzDecember 17, 2025

Comet 12 17 25

Why Scientists Are So Intrigued By 33-Billion-Ton Comet 3I/ATLAS

Comet 3I/ATLAS, a 33-billion-ton object that's older than our solar system, will make its closest approach to Earth on Friday. Scientists are captivated by its unusual "anti-tail." It's a phenomenon that indicates there's a lot more to this object than meets the eye

Andrew RossiDecember 17, 2025

Josh Allen, left, called Jaxon Sweep’s number and challenged him to start a giant beer snake at War Memorial Stadium.

When Josh Allen Asked A Superfan To Build A Beer Snake, A Legend Was Born

Jaxon Sweep doesn't even drink beer. But when Josh Allen personally tapped him to build "the biggest beer snake f***ing possible," the lifelong Cowboys superfan delivered. The slithering tower of cups caught the attention of ESPN and the Kelce brothers.

David MadisonDecember 16, 2025

Parishioners of Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Rock Springs are fighting to save a century-old church now slated for closure and sale to fund a new parish campus.

Historic Rock Springs Church Faces Closure After A Century Of Worship

A historic 100-year-old Catholic church in Rock Springs has been closed and is to be put up for sale to help fund a new parish campus. Parishioners have formed a nonprofit to try to buy and preserve it as a sacred, historic church.

Renée JeanDecember 17, 2025

A south Cheyenne family escaped with just the clothes on their backs Tuesday when a fast-moving fire, whipped by strong winds, ripped through their home. The fire also burned three vehicles and all their Christmas presents.

Wind-Fueled Fire Burns Everything Cheyenne Family Owns, Including Presents

A south Cheyenne family escaped with just the clothes on their backs Tuesday when a fast-moving fire, whipped by strong winds, ripped through their home. The fire also burned three vehicles and all their Christmas presents.

Scott SchwebkeDecember 16, 2025

Israel Melvin

Sheridan Man Pleads Guilty To Bludgeoning Mother To Death, Hiding Her Body

Sheridan man Israel Melvin, 24, has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for bludgeoning his mother and hiding her body under gasoline-soaked blankets. He changed his plea after mental evaluations and now faces 22-40 years in prison.

Clair McFarlandDecember 16, 2025

Vandals damaged multiple displays at Laramie’s Winter Lights Fest, but organizer Brian Welper said he hopes the community discourages the act and the suspected vandals — whom he believes to be kids — learn from that.

Laramie Winter Lights Fest Christmas Display Vandalized, But Still Shining

Vandals damaged multiple displays at Laramie’s Winter Lights Fest, but organizer Brian Welper said he hopes the community discourages the act and the suspected vandals — whom he believes to be kids — learn from that.

Clair McFarlandDecember 17, 2025

Outdoorsman Barrett Liquori uses a Springfield Hellcat 9 mm pistol to shoot off roughly half of a white-tailed buck’s antler to free it from entanglement with a dead buck’s antler.

Texas Hunter Shoots Buck’s Antler Off To Free It From Deadlocked Deer

A Texas hunter used his pistol to shoot off part of a buck’s antler and free it after it became entangled with a dead deer and was near death from exhaustion.

Mark HeinzDecember 17, 2025

Vincent Gardea

Cheyenne Teens Charged In Botched Gun Heist That Left 18-Year-Old Dead

Three Cheyenne teens face charges after a botched gun theft left an 18-year-old dead. Prosecutors say the teens planned to rob someone selling a firearm when one teen opened fire, killing the victim during the attempted heist.

Dale KillingbeckDecember 16, 2025

Colorado’s Front Range faces potential wildfire-related power shutoffs Wednesday amid high winds and dry conditions, but Wyoming utilities say they don’t expect outages. Officials will keep monitoring in case the weather worsens.

High Winds, Dry Conditions Could Trigger Wildfire Power Shutoffs In Colorado

Colorado’s Front Range faces potential wildfire-related power shutoffs Wednesday amid high winds and dry conditions, but Wyoming utilities say they don’t expect outages. Officials will keep monitoring in case the weather worsens.

Kate MeadowsDecember 16, 2025

Dones have been reported flying over the Jim Bridger Power Plant, usually at about 2 or 3 a.m.

Mystery Drones, Or Maybe UFOs, Over Sweetwater County Are 'The New Normal'

Strange flying objects over Sweetwater County’s Red Desert and Jim Bridger Power Plant are so common now they're "the new normal," the sheriff’s office says. But no one is giving any answers about what they are. 

Clair McFarlandDecember 15, 2025

A Wyoming family shares an inside view of their struggles to ranch in pricey Jackson Hole and pass their ranch on to the next generation. It’s part of a new eight-part Cowboy Channel documentary that started Sunday.

Inside A Jackson Hole Family's Fight To Keep The Diamond Cross Ranch Going

A Wyoming family shares an inside view of their struggles to ranch in pricey Jackson Hole and pass their ranch on to the next generation. It’s part of a new eight-part Cowboy Channel documentary that started Sunday.

Renée JeanDecember 16, 2025

The National Finals Rodeo saw tighter competition this year with a trial run of a new quarter-point scoring system. A computer system upgrade meas judges can score by full or half points, which opens the door for averages with quarter-points instead.

New Rodeo Points System At NFR Makes Scoring More Precise And More Competitive

The National Finals Rodeo saw tighter competition this year with a trial run of a new quarter-point scoring system. A computer system upgrade means judges can score by full or half points, which opens the door for averages with quarter-points.

Jackie DorothyDecember 16, 2025

Daily Features

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Sunrise small 12 20 25
PinYour Wyoming Sunrise: Saturday, December 20, 2025

Today's Wyoming sunrise was captured by Tim Callahan. Tim writes, "Great start to another day overlooking New Fork River in Boulder, Wyoming."

Photo by Tim Callahan

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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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

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Sniffin headshot 12 13 25

Bill Sniffin: A Love Letter To My Wife Nancy On Her Birthday

Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “When you have spent 60 years with your best friend, the person you love, it is appropriate to write her a personal love letter. This is my best attempt.”

Bill SniffinDecember 13, 2025

Lange at chic fil a

Jonathan Lange: Colorado Should Honor Trump’s Pardon of Clerk Tina Peters

Columnist Jonathan Lange writes, "Late Thursday, President Trump announced he was issuing a full pardon for Tina Peters. This has been a long time coming, and will certainly provoke a fiery response from the Left. I hope this national hero can come home for Christmas."

Jonathan LangeDecember 12, 2025

Scott clem

Scott Clem: Free Speech — The Unpopular Truth We Don’t Want to Hear

Columnist Scott Clem writes, "Christians must defend truth without becoming jerks for Jesus. Boldness must be paired with humility and love. Respect the office, but reserve the right to tell the present holder of the office that he or she is out of line."

Scott ClemDecember 12, 2025

Wyoming Life

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Outdoors

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Crime & Courts

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