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Why Wolves Sometimes Play Around Like Giant Puppies
Wolves in the wild can’t afford to waste time and energy. Even when they seem to romp and play — almost like giant puppies — there’s serious purpose behind it, wildlife biologists say.
Mark HeinzSeptember 06, 2025

Massive, Near-Complete Mammoth Skeleton Discovered In Natural Trap Cave
The latest discovery in Natural Trap Cave in the Bighorn Mountains, considered one of the world's premier Ice Age fossil sites, is the nearly complete skeleton of a massive mammoth. Getting out of the 85-foot-deep hole will be cold, wet work.
Andrew RossiSeptember 06, 2025

One Man's Mission To Resurrect Wyoming's Aspen Alley
Dennis Faerber's mission is to restore Wyoming's famed Aspen Alley back to its full glory. Half of the trees on Forest Road 801 off the Battle Pass Scenic Byway in southern Wyoming were dead and another 25% were dying. So, they're starting over.
Andrew RossiSeptember 06, 2025

Clock Ticking For 133-Year-Old Cheyenne Pumphouse, Which Needs $4M Restoration
Cheyenne’s Historic Pumphouse was built in 1892, and now stands neglected as those who want to save it are racing against the clock — and city priorities. It needs a $4 million restoration, but so far nobody seems interested.
Renée JeanSeptember 06, 2025

Critics Of 25% Property Tax Reduction Grow Louder As Local Governments Cut Back
Across Wyoming, many local governments are growing louder over the steep property tax cuts the Legislature passed earlier this year. They say they're finding it difficult to maintain services but others say the cuts are forcing governments to live within their means.
Jackson WalkerSeptember 06, 2025

‘The King Is Back’: Three Years After His Death, New Luke Bell Album Announced
Three years after rising country music star Luke Bell died, more than two-dozen of the promising Cody, Wyoming, artist’s songs are being released. Sales will benefit those who struggle with the same depression and darkness that claimed him at 32.
Dale KillingbeckSeptember 06, 2025

Haitian Trucker Trial Day Two: Surviving EMT’s Emotional Testimony
In the second day of trial for a Haitian truck driver accused of slamming into two EMTs — killing one — the EMT who survived weathered emotional questioning Friday in Sweetwater County Court.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 06, 2025

Casper Teen Who Wanted To 'Gut That Dude' Gets Life For Mall Stabbing
A Casper 16-year-old got life in prison Friday for stabbing and killing 14-year-old Bobby Maher outside a mall in April 2024. The prosecutor said the teen, who reportedly said he wanted to "gut that dude," aspired to be “a little gangster and thug."
Dale KillingbeckSeptember 05, 2025

Cowboy State Daily Morning Show — Saturday, September 6, 2025
It's the Saturday morning show with John Baggett from 6-10AM.
Jake NicholsSeptember 06, 2025

Barrasso Voted To Confirm RFK Jr., Now Says He’s ‘Deeply Concerned’ Over Vaccines
Wyoming U.S. Sen. John Barrasso, a medical doctor, voted to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Secretary of Health and Human Services. On Thursday, he clashed with him over vaccines, saying he’s now “deeply concerned” about the top U.S. health official.
Sean BarrySeptember 05, 2025

Western Wyoming Wildfire Threatens Famous View Of Squaretop Mountain
Residents of Sublette County are worried that views of Squaretop Mountain might forever be altered with the encroachment of the Dollar Lake Fire. The setting is one of the state's most recognizable landscapes, even once appearing on Wyoming's license plate.
Greg JohnsonSeptember 05, 2025

Bouchard Doubles Down On Misconduct Claim Against Rasner In Court Filings
After Wyoming businessman Reid Rasner sued former state Sen. Anthony Bouchard for defamation, Bouchard doubled down, in a series of court filings, on some of the sexual misconduct allegations that landed him in court in the first place.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 06, 2025

Wheatland Beekeeper Devastated After Bear Ransacks His Hives
A Wheatland beekeeper has installed an electric fence and surveillance after his hives were ransacked this week. A tuft of fur points to a hungry bear, which he fears will return to get the rest of his honey.
Jackson WalkerSeptember 05, 2025

Grand Teton Can’t Meet Demand If Toilets Won’t Flush, U.S. House Members Told
Wyoming’s Harriet Hageman and the rest of the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources met at Grand Teton National Park on Friday. They were told that the park depends on federal money, and that it can’t meet the tourism demand if the toilets won’t flush.
Mark HeinzSeptember 05, 2025

Family In Sheridan County Plane Crash Faces Long Recovery, Loss Of Teen Daughter
Federal investigators are digging into what led to the Monday crash of a small plane in Sheridan County that killed a 13-year-old girl and injured her parents and brother. The father, who was the pilot, has had other air incidents, court records show.
Justin GeorgeSeptember 05, 2025

Shapeshifting Metal Gallium Could Transform Electronics, Boost Wyoming Mining
Gallium is a shapeshifting metal that's been compared to whatever was used to build the upgraded terminator in “Terminator 2.” Wyoming could provide the world with more of this liquid miracle metal, which is used to make self-healing fabrics and wires.
David MadisonSeptember 05, 2025

Trial Starts For Haitian Trucker Accused Of Plowing Into Crash Scene, Killing EMT
Trial started Thursday for a Haitian trucker accused of plowing into a crash scene on I-80, killing one EMT and severely injuring another. One witness testified the horrific scene is “imprinted in my mind."
Clair McFarlandSeptember 05, 2025

Trump’s Offshore Wind Crackdown Has Wyoming Wind Advocates Worried
Wind energy supporters across Wyoming are holding their breath as they wait to see how the Trump administration’s continued steps against onshore and offshore wind projects will impact the industry in the Cowboy State.
Jackson WalkerSeptember 05, 2025

Rock Springs Loaf 'N Jug Store Sells $2 Million Powerball Winner
Someone bought a Powerball ticket worth $2 million at a Loaf 'N Jug in Rock Springs. That winning ticket was drawn during Wednesday night’s $1.4 billion drawing. A clerk at the store told Cowboy State Daily that she didn't really care because she didn't win.
Jimmy OrrSeptember 05, 2025

Josh Allen To Become First UW Football Player To Have Number Retired
Former University of Wyoming Cowboys quarterback Josh Allen will return to Laramie on Nov. 22 to have his jersey retired. The ceremony will mark the first official jersey retirement in Cowboys football history.
David MadisonSeptember 04, 2025
First F.E. Warren Minutemen III Silo Decommissioned For New Sentinel Missiles
The Air Force has confirmed decommissioning of the first F.E. Warren Air Force Base Minutemen III silo to make way for new Sentinel missiles. It’s a huge milestone for the $141 billion nuclear modernization project, which begins in Wyoming.
Renée JeanSeptember 04, 2025

Gillette Company Drills Down 3+ Miles For CO2 Storage Well, Deepest Ever In U.S.
A drilling company from Gillette punched through nearly 3.5 miles of Wyoming rock in Sweetwater County to complete the deepest Class VI carbon dioxide storage well ever drilled in the United States.
David MadisonSeptember 04, 2025

State Of Wyoming's Investment in DraftKings Feeds Debate Over Gambling Stocks
The State of Wyoming owns about $110,833 worth of shares in sports gambling company DraftKings, the state treasurer’s office confirmed on Thursday. Lawmakers had mixed opinions about the state investing in gambling stocks.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 05, 2025

Dollar Lake Fire Burning Along Green River Lakes, Within Sight Of Squaretop
Steep, rugged terrain is slowing down progress for the more than 500 personnel fighting the nearly 16,000-acre Dollar Lake Fire about 40 miles north of Pinedale. It’s burning along the Green River Lakes and is within sight of Squaretop Mountain.
Greg JohnsonSeptember 04, 2025

Hageman Introduces Bills To Step Up War On Washington, D.C., Crime
U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman has assumed a leading role in asserting Congress’s authority to fight crime in the nation’s capital and fix mismanagement by the city’s officials. But she is noncommittal on scrapping the city’s government altogether.
Sean BarrySeptember 04, 2025

Wyoming Man Who Took Car With A Baby Inside Gets 8-10 Years In Prison
A 29-year-old man who accidentally stole a baby from a Riverton apartment complex when taking a running vehicle in February was sentenced Thursday to 8-10 years in prison. He may be able to reduce that through the state's boot camp program.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 04, 2025

Wyoming’s Zero-Tolerance Wildfire Policy Leaves No Room For ‘Let It Burn'
Wildfire can play a cleansing role in nature, but in much of Wyoming it is considered too risky to let it burn. That’s why agencies rush to put out fires as soon as they can.
Mark HeinzSeptember 04, 2025

Wyoming, Other States Flagged For 'Gender Ideology' In Sex-Ed Materials
Wyoming is being warned against keeping what the Trump administration calls "gender ideology" in a federally-funded program's sex-ed materials. It's part of being whiplashed from one administration to the next, Gov. Mark Gordon's office said.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 03, 2025

From House Floor, Hageman Argues Against Biden-Era Plans To End Coal Mining
Harriet Hageman argued from the House floor Wednesday against Biden-era BLM resource management plans she said are designed to end coal mining in the Powder River Basin. She called them deliberate efforts to "impose energy poverty on the American people."
David MadisonSeptember 03, 2025

‘Sit Down And Shut Up’: State Rep., Bar Nunn Mayor Snap Over Nuclear Facility
State Rep. Bill Allemand says Bar Nunn Mayor Peter Boyer "told me to 'sit down and shut up'" with his criticism of a proposed nuclear facility in the area. The mayor says the debate is a local one, not the state's.
Jackson WalkerSeptember 03, 2025

Wyoming In Running For Major Uranium Facility In Push For U.S. Fuel Security
Uranium Energy Corp. has announced plans for a state-of-the-art uranium refining facility that would be the nation's largest. Wyoming is on the short list to be home to the processing complex.
David MadisonSeptember 03, 2025

Casper Man Accused Of Starting Fires Tells Police He Gets Mad Over Paying Rent
A 46-year-old Casper man accused of starting three fires — and suspected in others — allegedly told police that he turns to arson when he has to pay rent. He said starting fires helps him deal with his emotions.
Dale KillingbeckSeptember 03, 2025

U.S. House Committee To Meet In Grand Teton About Money For National Parks
With billions of dollars' worth of backlogged repairs at stake, a congressional House committee meets in Grand Teton National Park on Friday. It will debate the future of the Great American Outdoors Act, which expires this month.
Mark HeinzSeptember 04, 2025

Casper Cosmetic Surgeon Denies Wrongdoing In 'Permanent Disfigurement' Lawsuit
A cosmetic surgeon who had worked for the Casper-based New Beautiful You clinic denies wrongdoing in a lawsuit filed by two women who claim he left them sick and disfigured.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 03, 2025

Wyoming Author Craig Johnson Remembers Actor Graham Greene, Who Died Monday
Wyoming author Craig Johnson fondly remembered actor Graham Greene, who died on Monday. Greene played a recurring villain on Johnson’s hit TV series “Longmire.” "He was utterly charming," Johnson said.
Renée JeanSeptember 02, 2025

13-Year-Old Girl Dead, Three Hurt In Bighorn National Forest Plane Crash
A 13-year-old girl was found dead and three people were injured and airlifted to care Monday after a plane crash in the Bighorn National Forest. The plane, which is registered to a Sheridan man, crashed about eight minutes after leaving Sheridan's airport.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 02, 2025

Riverton Teen Killed After Snapchat Feud; 22-Year-Old Faces Murder Charge
A fight sparked by social media led to the fatal stabbing of Draven Addison, 14, according to court documents provided to Cowboy State Daily on Tuesday. Alejandro Behan, 22, is charged with second-degree murder and could face life in prison if convicted.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 02, 2025

Cheyenne RVs Can’t Be Parked On City Streets As Controversial Ban Starts
Owners of RVs and other vehicles longer than 25 feet must move them off the streets of Cheyenne to avoid potential fines. That’s because a controversial ban on parking them on city streets starts Saturday.
Jackson WalkerSeptember 02, 2025

Wyoming Will Lose More Than An Hour Of Daylight Before Fall Officially Starts
Your eyes aren't deceiving you, it's getting dark a lot earlier as the first half of September is when we lose daylight the fastest. Between now and the start of autumn, Wyoming will lose about an hour and 10 minutes of daylight.
Andrew RossiSeptember 02, 2025

Colorado Fuming As Trump Says He’s Moving Space Command To Alabama
The U.S. Air Force Space Command is moving from Colorado to Alabama, President Donald Trump announced Tuesday at a White House news conference. Wyoming’s U.S. senators say it’s “a win for our national security,” while Colorado vows to sue.
Sean BarrySeptember 03, 2025

Wild Video Shows Man Totaling Mustang On Beartooth Highway
A tourist captured a man totaling his Ford Mustang this weekend when he took a hairpin turn too fast on the Beartooth Highway. The wild video shows the vehicle flipping numerous times. Somehow, the driver walked away from the crash with minor injuries.
Andrew RossiSeptember 02, 2025

Trump Updates Sage Grouse Rules, Reigniting Debate Over Controversial Bird
Land managers, conservationists and the oil and gas industry have debated for a decade how to balance the needs of sage grouse with oil and gas development. Now the Trump administration hopes to finalize a plan supported by oil and gas producers.
David MadisonSeptember 02, 2025

One-Eared Elk Named Van Gogh A Good Sign For Elk Hunting
A one-eared elk, nicknamed 'van Gogh' is one of many elk visiting an area with a webcam on a daily basis. The number of elk is encouraging to hunters as this area was wiped-out by the hard winter of 2022-2023.
Mark HeinzSeptember 02, 2025

‘I Stabbed You’: 20-30 Years For Wyoming Teen Who Plunged Knife Into Mom’s Back
An 18-year-old Campbell County man who plunged a knife into his mother’s back last year was sentenced Tuesday to between 20 and 30 years in prison. After he stabbed his mother, he told her, “You have a knife in your back” and “I stabbed you."
Clair McFarlandSeptember 02, 2025

Wyoming Mule Deer Numbers Down, But There Are Monster Bucks For Hunters
Numbers in Wyoming’s mule deer herds are down but finally bouncing back after the horrific winterkill of 2022-2023. Even so, there are some monster bucks out there for hunters this season.
Mark HeinzSeptember 02, 2025

Rancher Says Wind, Solar Don't Impact Land Any More Than Cell Towers, Oil Rigs
Paul Norfleet is one of dozens of Wyoming landowners partnering with NextEra Energy on a new wind and solar project near Chugwater. He says the turbines and panels don’t impact the landscape any more than cell towers, oil rigs and transmission lines.
Jackson WalkerSeptember 01, 2025

Inside The New High-Tech $43 Million Airport Terminal In Rock Springs
Rock Springs Chamber of Commerce CEO Rick Lee told Cowboy State Daily the brand-new $43 million terminal at Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport is all about showcasing what southwest Wyoming has to offer.
Renée JeanSeptember 01, 2025

Wyoming Lukewarm, So Far, On Buying Cars On Amazon
People already buy clothes, kitty litter, dog food and home appliances on Amazon, now you can add your next car to the list. Wyoming dealerships are on board, offering new Hyundai vehicles and used Hertz rental cars, but, so far, shoppers are skeptical.
Renée JeanSeptember 01, 2025
Daily Features
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Today's Wyoming sunrise was captured by Major King. Major writes, "Aerial sunrise over the Oregon Buttes and badlands in the Red Desert 10 miles off Highway 28 south of Atlantic City."

Don Day's Wyoming Weather Forecast: Sunday, September 7, 2025
Partly to mostly sunny in much of Wyoming on Sunday with areas of smoke, chances for rain and windy conditions in some locations. Highs from the low 70s to the mid 80s and lows from the upper 30s to the mid 50s.

Daily Cartoon 2: Sunday, September 7, 2025
Today's question to Don Day
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.
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
Opinion
Bill Sniffin: Wyoming Could Use A Big New Monument - How About The Historic Oregon Trail?
Opinion by Bill Sniffin
Clair McFarland: This Wicked Dodge Charger Really Has Me Thinking
Opinion by Clair McFarland
Dennis Sun: The Need to Belong
Opinion by Dennis Sun
Jonathan Lange: How Did Gender Ideology End Up In Our Kids' Sex-Education Books?
Opinion by Jonathan Lange
Tom Lubnau: Understanding Local Government Direct Distributions
Opinion by Tom Lubnau
Sponsored
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Sponsored Guest Column: What You Need to Know About Changing Health Care Costs
Diane Gore, CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming, writes, "Health insurance premiums are set to rise and here's why."
Guest ColumnAugust 14, 2025

Sponsored Guest Column: Why I Am Calling for President Trump to Pardon Wyoming Small Business Owner Troy Lake
Reid Rasner writes, " I am speaking out for a man who has been treated unfairly and who needs our help. His name is Troy Lake."
Guest ColumnAugust 13, 2025

Family Fun Awaits This Summer in Southwest Wyoming
Sweetwater County’s abundant natural playgrounds offer all kinds of opportunities to get out and play. Beyond outdoor escapades, you’ll find exciting summer shows, chances to see desert wildlife and a historic look at the Great American West at a variety of museums.
April 01, 2025
Opinion
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Dave Simpson: You Call Bunker Busters 'Chickening Out?'
Columnist Dave Simpson writes, “In the latest pathetic, ham-handed, all-thumbs attempt to dirty up President Donald Trump, our Democrat friends came up with the 'TACO' slogan, which stood for “Trump Always Chickens Out.”
Dave SimpsonSeptember 01, 2025

Gail Symons: There's A Four-Part Test For Good Politicking. Hold 'Em To It
Columnist Gail Symons writes: "Good policy makers should ask: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?"
Gail SymonsAugust 31, 2025

Cassie Craven: Career Criminals Aren’t Always What You Think
Columnist Cassie Craven writes: "One of the most unfair provisions in Wyoming law is our 'habitual offender' law. It pressures people with a shot at acquittal into giving up and pleading guilty."
Cassie CravenAugust 31, 2025
Wyoming Life
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Former National Park Service Chief Rob Wallace Honored With Conservation Award
Mark HeinzSeptember 01, 2025
Cheyenne Couple Gets Help Solving Mystery Of Stolen Diapers
Renée JeanSeptember 01, 2025
Wyoming History: Bill Nye (Not The Science Guy) And His Mule Named Boomerang
Jackie DorothySeptember 01, 2025
Cowgirl To Cancer: Wyoming Songwriter Who Once Opened For Reba Now On Comeback
Jackie DorothySeptember 01, 2025
Mountain Guide Who Once Summited Everest Twice In 7 Days Checking Out US Peaks
Dale KillingbeckSeptember 01, 2025
Outdoors
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Wyoming’s Vast Killpecker Dunes: Like Another Planet Where The Sand Sings To You
Bill SniffinSeptember 01, 2025
Don't Count On Your Dog To Save You From A Bear Attack
Mark HeinzAugust 31, 2025
E-Bikes Transform Wyoming Hunting, Spark Debate Over Backcountry Crowding
Mark HeinzAugust 30, 2025
Firefighters Once Blew Up A River To Save West Yellowstone From Wildfire
Andrew RossiAugust 30, 2025
'Breathtaking’ Images Of Leaping Mountain Lions Likely Staged In Game Farms
Mark HeinzAugust 30, 2025
Crime & Courts
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Man Arrested After Casper Standoff Wanted In Stabbing Death Of Riverton Youth
Clair McFarlandAugust 30, 2025
90 FBI Agents Swarm Wyoming Reservation For Drugs, Guns Sweep
Clair McFarlandAugust 29, 2025
Brief: Missing 21-Year-Old Found Dead On Wind River Reservation
Clair McFarlandAugust 29, 2025
Judge Awards Nearly $1 Billion To Rock Springs Family Over Botched Baby Delivery
Clair McFarlandAugust 29, 2025
Two Months After Pine Bluffs Crop Duster Killed, Investigation Continues
Greg JohnsonAugust 29, 2025