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Seth Uptain walked out of a Casper church 15 years ago and has never been seen again. The Mills, Wyoming, man’s disappearance remains a mystery that’s frustrated family, friends and local police.

Mills Man Walked Out Of Church 15 Years Ago And Never Made It Home

Seth Uptain walked out of a Casper church 15 years ago and never made it home, leaving behind his wallet and belongings. The Mills, Wyoming, man’s disappearance remains a mystery that’s frustrated family, friends and local police.

Jen KocherMay 17, 2025

Headlines

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Drilling on the prairie 9 23 24

Doors Swinging Wide Open For Wyoming Energy Development On Public Land

The Trump administration continues to open the floodgates on rolling back restrictions and speeding up timelines for energy development on public land. It’s a relief for Wyoming’s oil and gas sector.

David MadisonMay 16, 2025

U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyoming.

Hageman Says GOP Budget Bill Voted Down Because It Didn’t Cut Spending Enough

A congressional committee voted down the GOP-authored budget bill Friday as a handful of Republicans broke ranks. But Harriet Hageman says that’s good — it means the party’s defectors on the vote want spending cuts to go deeper.

Sean BarryMay 16, 2025

Fort Larmie, Wyoming, Police Chief Michael Evan Staiger is facing criminal charges for allegedly lying to get a vehicle title. His case started with a stop by a Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper driving a car with the wrong license plate.

Fort Laramie Police Chief Charged With Lying On Car Title

The police chief of Fort Laramie is facing criminal charges for allegedly lying to get a vehicle title. His case started with a stop by a Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper while driving a car with the wrong license plate.

Clair McFarlandMay 16, 2025

Wyoming’s senior senator John Barrasso, inset, also is a medical doctor who says out-of-control drug prices are a real concern for people. But he’snot sold on Trump’s executive order as the solution.

As A Doctor, Barrasso Not Sold On Trump’s Order To Lower Drug Prices

Wyoming’s senior U.S. Sen. John Barrasso also is a medical doctor who says out-of-control drug prices are a real concern for people. But he’s not sold on Trump’s executive order as the solution.

Sean BarryMay 16, 2025

It may be the middle of May, but it's still winter in Wyoming's high country. This was the secene near Towgotee Pass on Tuesday, and more snow is expected this weekend.

Winter’s Not Done Yet; More Snow Coming For Wyoming

It may be the middle of May, but winter isn’t done with Wyoming yet. Another wave of wet weather from the Pacific Ocean will reach Wyoming over the weekend, which will mean more snow in the mountains and across other parts of the state.

Andrew RossiMay 16, 2025

The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado.

Stanley Hotel Sold In $400 Million Deal That Will See Huge Film Center Built

The historic Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, has sold in a $400 million deal that will build on its cult horror fame as the setting for “The Shining.” The deal includes building a huge film center.

Renée JeanMay 16, 2025

Wyoming’s congressional delegation is calling former FBI Director James Comey’s “86 47” message a “completely despicable” threat against the president. Harriet Hageman suspects Comey suffers from “Trump Derangement Syndrome.”

Wyoming Delegation Calls Comey’s ‘86 47’ Post A ‘Despicable’ Threat Against Trump

Wyoming’s congressional delegation is standing behind a new investigation into former FBI Director James Comey after he posted what many Republicans on Capitol Hill are interpreting as an assassination threat against President Trump.

Liz NassMay 16, 2025

Paul Allen Hilburn, 72, pleaded guilty to one stabbing charge in Natrona County District Court on May 16, 2025, in exchange for a second stabbing charge as well as a domestic battery charge being dropped.

Casper Man Who Said One Of Two People He Stabbed Was An Accident Pleads Guilty

A 72-year-old Casper man pleaded guilty Friday to stabbing a 41-year-old man in exchange for dropping a second charge for also stabbing a woman. He told police stabbing the woman was an accident.

Dale KillingbeckMay 16, 2025

Dr. Steve Burgess said he's leaving Cheyenne Regional Medical Center over concerns about "horrible" staffing issues and policies he claims create "a patient safety issue."

Doctors Leave Cheyenne Hospital, Cite ‘Ethics’ And ‘Horrible’ Staffing Issues

Doctors told Cowboy State Daily on Thursday they are leaving or have left Cheyenne Regional Medical Center over “ethical” reasons and “horrible” staffing issues. “You’ve got unethical things going on,” one cardiac surgeon said. “They’re not telling families the real truth.”

Justin GeorgeMay 15, 2025

A group of grizzly bears take a walk through Yellowstone National Park near Old Faithful in this file photo from a National Park Service webcam.

Grizzly Killed After Tipping Over 800-Pound Dumpsters Near Old Faithful

Yellowstone National Park confirmed an 11-year-old male grizzly was captured and killed Wednesday after repeatedly knocking over bear-resistant dumpsters. Officials say the grizzly had repeatedly sought out human food.

Andrew RossiMay 15, 2025

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Battle Lines Drawn Over Huge Eastern Wyoming ‘Green’ Hydrogen Jet Fuel Project

Battle lines are being drawn over a pair of contentious eastern Wyoming wind and solar projects that recently got leasing approval from state officials. The plan is to make “green” hydrogen jet fuel.

David MadisonMay 15, 2025

Baristas Cheyenne Munsell (left) and Palmira Torres (right) work at the downtown Starbucks location in Cheyenne

Starbucks Baristas In Cheyenne Fired Up Over New Dress Code, Strike Is On Table

Although many of the Starbucks baristas Cowboy State Daily spoke with in Cheyenne are upset over a new corporate dress code, they're not sure if they will join a nationwide strike. Some aren't following the dress code — and don't plan on it.

Jimmy OrrMay 15, 2025

Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray, left, says an attempt by a retired lawyer to have him removed from office is “outrageous.” The lawyer, Tim Newcomb (inset), says Gray’s a bully who riled up “his MAGA goons” against him.

Chuck Gray Blasts ‘Outrageous’ Attempt By Retired Lawyer To Oust Him From Office

Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray says an attempt by a retired lawyer to have him removed from office is “outrageous.” The lawyer says Gray’s a bully who riled up “his MAGA goons” against him.

Greg JohnsonMay 15, 2025

Oscar Espinoza Duarte pleaded guilty Thursday to four of six federal charges against him stemming from methamphetamine distribution on the Wind River Reservation.

Man With ‘Probable’ Mexican Cartel Ties Admits Dealing Meth On Wyoming Reservation

A Mexican national who admits being in the U.S. illegally and “probable” cartel ties has admitted dealing meth on Wyoming’s Wind River Reservation. It was part of a plea deal entered Thursday in U.S. District Court in Casper.

Dale KillingbeckMay 15, 2025

Two Casper men — Karlin Carlson, left, and Dallas Dickinson — faced consequences Wednesday after an evening with liquor, marijuana and a weapon turned into a police response.

Casper Man, Drinking With Friend, Accused Of Pointing Loaded Pistol At Girls

A 20-year-old Casper man is accused of pointing a loaded 10 mm pistol at a group of three girls at a local skate park Tuesday. He was in court Wednesday, along with a friend he was allegedly drinking with at the time.

Dale KillingbeckMay 15, 2025

Sheridan police Sgt. Nevada Krinkee was one of 148 U.S. law officers killed in the line of duty in 2024. They were honored by an estimated 30,000 people at a Tuesday candlelight vigil in Washington, D.C., including the Wyoming delegation.

30,000 Candles Burn For Sheridan Police Officer, 147 Others Killed In 2024

Sheridan police Sgt. Nevada Krinkee was one of 148 U.S. law officers killed in the line of duty in 2024. They were honored by an estimated 30,000 people at a Tuesday candlelight vigil in Washington, D.C., including the Wyoming delegation.

Grace HansenMay 15, 2025

Wyoming Rep. Harriet Hageman says Trump’s plan to accept a $400 million jet from Qatar traces back to a 2018 Boeing contract. Before it’s used as Air Force One, “they better scrub that plane from nose to tail” for bugs, added Sen. Cynthia Lummis.

Hageman: Trump-Qatar $400M Air Force One Deal Stems From Boeing Contract Snafu

Wyoming Rep. Harriet Hageman says Trump’s plan to accept a $400 million jet from Qatar traces back to a 2018 Boeing contract. Before it’s used as Air Force One, “they better scrub that plane from nose to tail” for bugs, added Sen. Cynthia Lummis.

Sean BarryMay 15, 2025

Wildlife photographer Jeff Plumb observed and photographed Grizzly 1063 with her three yearling cubs less than a week before two of the cubs were found dead, aparantly victims of a boar grizzly.

Male Bear Kills, Cannibalizes 2 Of Grizzly 1063’s 3 Yearling Cubs In Grand Teton

Fans of a prominent female grizzly in Grand Teton National Park were saddened to learn Wednesday that two of her three yearling cubs were apparently killed and cannibalized by a male bear. While brutal, it’s what male bears do.

Mark HeinzMay 14, 2025

Demonstrating a suppressor attached to a Traditions 350 Legend.

Bills Lifting Ban On So-Called Silencers, Short-Barreled Rifles Stall In U.S. House

Gun rights advocates say a Congressional committee stalled bills to lift bans on suppressors and short-barreled rifles and shotguns. Wyoming’s delegates say they support the bills.

Mark HeinzMay 14, 2025

The U.S. Senate's top Democrat named Wyoming as a state that faces increased energy costs under the GOP’s tax and budget plans. That prompted Sen. John Barrasso to unload on Schumer, saying energy is the reason Democrats are the minority in Congress.

Barrasso Unloads On Chuck Schumer After Claim Of Higher Wyoming Energy Prices

Chuck Schumer, the U.S. Senate's top Democrat, named Wyoming as facing increased energy costs under the GOP’s tax and budget plans. That prompted Sen. John Barrasso to unload on him, saying energy is the reason Dems are the minority in Congress.

Sean BarryMay 14, 2025

Walt Longmire actor Robert Taylor is a fixture at Longmire Days.

Sheriff Longmire Actor Turns Down Paying Gigs To Be At Longmire Days

Fans of the hit television show “Longmire” will soon flood Buffalo for two days in author Craig Johnson’s fictional Absaroka County. Sheriff Longmire actor Robert Taylor loves the franchise so much he turns down paying gigs to be at Longmire Days.

Renée JeanMay 14, 2025

File Photos: Witnesses in Montana claim they saw a National Guard chopper illegally land on private property, and the crew grabbing shed elk antlers. If true, the guardsmen responsible will be punished, a general said.

Montana National Guard Accused Of Illegally Using Black Hawk To Snag Elk Antlers

Witnesses in Montana claim they saw a National Guard chopper illegally land on private property, and the crew grabbing shed elk antlers. If true, the guardsmen responsible will be punished, a general said.

Mark HeinzMay 14, 2025

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Bridget Hill Will Conflict Out Of About Half Of Wyoming Supreme Court Cases

It will be six to nine months before the Wyoming Supreme Court’s newest justice can participate fully. That’s because Bridget Hill, who will soon be sworn in as a justice, has represented the state on at least half the appeals the high court is hearing.

Clair McFarlandMay 14, 2025

The U.S. House passed a bill sponsored by Wyoming’s Harriet Hageman on Tuesday that aims to protect the hydro power produced by Glen Canyon Dam. A Biden-era protection on fish bypasses the dam and kills its ability to produce energy, Hageman says.

Hageman Aims To Protect Hydro Power By Reversing Biden Fish Protections

The U.S. House passed a bill sponsored by Wyoming’s Harriet Hageman on Tuesday that aims to protect the hydro power produced by Glen Canyon Dam. A Biden-era protection on fish bypasses the dam and kills its ability to produce energy, Hageman says.

David MadisonMay 14, 2025

The mother of a man who killed a Sheridan police sergeant in February 2024, has a plea agreement with prosecutors over allegations she gave her son guns. The public can't see her plea since the federal prosecutor's office for Wyoming keeps those private. Police from around Wyoming and the region turned out for Sgt. Nevada Krinkee's funeral March 1, 2024.

Mom Accused Of Giving Guns To Sheridan Cop-Killer Gets Plea Agreement

The mother of a man who killed a Sheridan police sergeant in February 2024, has a plea agreement with prosecutors over allegations she gave her son guns. The public can't see her plea since the federal authorities for Wyoming keeps those private.

Clair McFarlandMay 14, 2025

Bailey Bettinson, above, and Tevin Medina.

Evanston Couple Get 6 Months For Child Abuse In Death Of Baby Found In Filth

An Evanston couple got six months in jail Tuesday for child abuse after the death of their 9-month-old. The sentence comes after a prosecutor conceded there wasn’t enough evidence that their filthy home or neglect associated with it killed the baby.

Clair McFarlandMay 13, 2025

"Let's Talk About It" in the teen section at the Laramie County Public Library branch in downtown Cheyenne in this file photo. The book is graphic novel (comic book) depicting cartoon teens and other characters exploring the nuances of sex, gender, sexuality, relationships, consent, STDs, sexting, abusive behaviors and birth control.

Studying Obscenity Laws And Sex Books In Libraries No. 1 Priority For Committee

The No. 1 priority for the Wyoming Legislature’s interim Judiciary Committee is to consider tying sex books in libraries to state obscenity laws. The debate continues years of controversy over sexually graphic books available to kids in libraries.

Clair McFarlandMay 13, 2025

Roughly $16 million in federal funding is on hold for a $28 million wildlife crossing along U.S. Highway 26 near Dubois. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department and others are determined to push the project forward anyway.

Short $16M In Federal Money In Limbo, Wildlife Crossing Near Dubois On Hold

Roughly $16 million in federal funding is on hold for a $28 million wildlife crossing along U.S. Highway 26 near Dubois. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department and others are determined to push the project forward anyway.

Mark HeinzMay 13, 2025

The remains of a man found by construction workers in a field just south of Cheyenne last October have been identified as Roy Arthur Moates of Laramie County.

Remains Found By Construction Workers In Cheyenne Field 7 Months Ago Identified

The remains of a man found by construction workers in a field just south of Cheyenne last October have been identified as Roy Arthur Moates of Laramie County. The discovery of his human remains prompted a two-day, 50-person search of the field.

Clair McFarlandMay 13, 2025

Spring turkey hunting in Wyoming has been excellent this year. The state’s wild turkey population is thriving, according to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

Population Boom Means There Are Tons Of Turkeys For Wyoming Hunters

There’s never been a better time to take up turkey hunting in Wyoming. A population boom means there are tons of wild turkeys around for the spring season.

Mark HeinzMay 13, 2025

Jacob Charles Berger

Montana Man Steals Shotgun, Ammo And Body Armor From Cop Cars

A 28-year-old man will spend three years in prison for his 10-day crime spree vandalizing and robbing law enforcement vehicles in Billings, Montana. Among the stuff he stole was a shotgun, ammunition and body armor.

David MadisonMay 14, 2025

ARCHIVE PHOTO: The freeze/thaw of early spring is one of the major causes of rock falls in the Wind River Canyon.

Motorists Play Frogger With Falling Rocks In Wyoming’s Wind River Canyon In Spring

Spring means Wyoming’s Wind River Canyon Scenic Byway is at its most spectacular. It’s also the peak time for rockslides, meaning motorists on U.S. 20 play Frogger with falling rocks and mud.

Jackie DorothyMay 13, 2025

On the floor of a natural gas drilling rig, roughnecks move 25-ton blocks over a section of drilling pipe 8 miles north of Evanston, Wyoming, in this file photo.

Reaction To Trump Tariffs Helps Push Wyoming Oil Prices To Four-Year Low

The price of oil in Wyoming has been pushed to a four-year low, caused by a response to President Donald Trump’s tariffs. A state economist also reports 200 fewer oil and gas jobs than a year ago.

David MadisonMay 13, 2025

Snow King Mountain near Jackson has become a hot spot for concerts, drawing big-name artists playing alternative rock, electronic music, country, blues and more.

Wyoming Growing Into A Music Concert Hot Spot — And Not Just For Country

Wyoming is no longer an unknown backwater when it comes to live music. Big name artists such as Wilco, Primus and Luke Grimes are booking shows here for 2025, while other big names to discover Wyoming include Jelly Roll, Ice Cube, Ludcris and T-Pain.

Mark HeinzMay 13, 2025

Foxhill Apartments Building 23 was the scene of an incident that left two people shot Sunday evening, May 11, 2025.

Casper Woman Heard Gunshots, Opened Apartment Door To Find Body At Her Feet

A woman living in an apartment complex in Casper said she heard gunshots in the apartment above hers Sunday night and a plea for someone to call 911. She ran to the door of her building to find the body of a masked man at her feet.

Dale KillingbeckMay 12, 2025

President Donald Trump floated the idea of a tax increase for the richest Americans. Wyoming’s U.S. senators aren’t fans, saying they wouldn’t want a tax hike on anyone, regardless of income. Sen. John Barrasso said as much on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday with host Kristen Welker.

Wyoming Delegation Not Supportive Of Trump's Idea Of Tax Hike For The Rich

U.S. Sens. John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis on Monday said they were not fans of President Trump's idea of a tax increase for the rich. They said they don't want a tax hike on anyone.

Sean BarryMay 12, 2025

Matthew Nick Leslie has pleaded guilty to child pornography charges stemming from the discovery of more than 30,000 files of child pornography in his posession.

Casper Man Accused Of Having 30,000 Child Porn Files Pleads Guilty

A 48-year-old Casper man pleaded guilty Monday to eight charges involving child porn, including images involving sadomasochism and bestiality. He was accused of having more than 30,000 files of child porn and will get a maximum 16-year sentence.

Dale KillingbeckMay 12, 2025

Cody Volunteer Fire Department at the Cody Stampede Parade

Cody Fire Department Pulls Out Of Parade Because They Can't Throw Water Balloons

The Cody Volunteer Fire Department is pulling most of its fire trucks from the Cody Stampede Parade because they can't throw water balloons, a longtime tradition. The problem, the parade committee said, is innocent bystanders get caught in the crossfire.

Andrew RossiMay 12, 2025

Welcome to Wright J Stephen Conn via Flickr 11 7 24

Wright Woman Accused Of Torturing Man For Three Days Pleads Insanity

A Wright woman accused of taping a man to a chair and torturing him for three days has entered an insanity plea. She claims in a court filing last week that she had “extreme paranoia” at the time.

Clair McFarlandMay 12, 2025

Today, at age 74, Wyoming native Richard Pitt is at work on a memoir about his adrenaline-fueled life smuggling drugs for the notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar in the 1980s and his adventures as a skydiver, Vietnam veteran and commercial airline pilot who also spent decades in prison for his crimes.

Richard Pitt: Wyoming Pilot And Vietnam Vet Who Smuggled Drugs For Pablo Escobar

Richard Pitt grew up in Thermopolis and lived a life straight out of 1980s drug-running movies like “Scarface.” Decades later, he’s coming clean while also divulging details of his sordid career smuggling for the likes of Pablo Escobar.

Jen KocherMay 11, 2025

Thirteen Bozeman police officers were caught playing games of “Crime Bingo,” the department reported. The customized bingo cards included incidents to check off during traffic stops, like “arrest 2 people” or “butt-ass naked.”

‘Crime Bingo’ Results In 9 Montana Felony Cases Being Thrown Out

Nine felony cases connected to Bozeman, Montana, police officers playing “Crime Bingo” have been tossed by the local county attorney. The arrests could be tainted by the potential for officers to make them based on the game.

David MadisonMay 12, 2025

Wyoming lawmakers decided May 9, 2025, to consider assessing harsher penalties for public officials who don’t produce public documents upon request.

Legislators Eye Tougher Fines For Officials Who Won't Give Up Public Records

Wyoming lawmakers decided Friday to consider assessing harsher penalties for public officials who don’t produce public documents upon request.

Clair McFarlandMay 12, 2025

The ExxonMobil plant in La Barge, Wyoming, not only is a world leader in carbon capture, it also produces about 20% of the world's helium.

Second Major Helium Plant Planned For Southwest Wyoming

Wyoming already produces 20% of the world’s Grade A helium supply from one plant east of Kemmerer. Now it’s about to get another major helium plant in southwest Wyoming.

Renée JeanMay 12, 2025

A visitor to Yellowstone National Park gets up close and personal to a bison to get a selfie with it in May 2023.

Ornery Bison Don't Just Gore People, They Break Bones And Crush Organs

Most bison “goring” attacks involve massive blunt force trauma, not people getting skewered by horns in the torso. An emergency room doctor says people who get too close can suffer broken bones, crushed organs and also can take a horn to the butt.

Mark HeinzMay 12, 2025

The Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority house in Laramie, Wyoming.

Court Gives Sorority Women 30-Day Deadline In Lawsuit Over Wyoming Trans Member

A Wyoming-based federal judge is giving the women suing their sorority for inducting a Wyoming transgender member 30 days to re-file their lawsuit or give up the case. The women's attorney told Cowboy State Daily they plan to refile the case.

Clair McFarlandMay 12, 2025

Daily Features

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PinYour Wyoming Sunrise: Saturday, May 17, 2025

Winter's not done yet! Today's Wyoming sunrise was captured by Pam Hockett. Pam writes, "Sunrise through a dusting of snow on new Aspen leaves in Atlantic City."

Photo by Pam Hockett

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

The Roundup: A Conversation With Mark Heinz

This week, host Wendy Corr chats with Cowboy State Daily's outdoors reporter, Mark Heinz. Mark talks about bears, wolves, chainsaws and firearms - and being raised by 'Jeremiah Johnson.'

Wendy CorrMay 16, 2025

Opinion

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Dave Simpson: He Negotiated Like Donald Trump

Columnist Dave Simpson writes, “Like Ronald Reagan walking out of nuclear arms talks with Gorbachev in Reykjavik, he got up and walked out. Time to head home to Gillette.”

Dave SimpsonMay 12, 2025

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Cassie Craven: Lawsuit Challenging Wyoming Voter ID Law Treats Women Like Idiots

Columnist Cassie Craven writes, "The Left appears conflicted on women, as if we were only a means to an end: Take our sports, our definitions and our dignity – but moralize about women’s rights when we’re asked to get our voting documentation in order."

Cassie CravenMay 11, 2025

Gail Symons head shot

Gail Symons: What I Actually Mean When I Say 'Fourth-Generation Wyomingite'

Columnist Gail Symons writes: "We’re fiercely protective of Wyoming’s identity because we’ve seen how hard-won it is. But that perspective, if not tempered with humility, can come across as arrogant. As if being born here makes someone more Wyoming than anyone else. That’s not how it works."

Gail SymonsMay 11, 2025

It’s the season for thunderstorms across Wyoming, which means greater potential for tornadoes. It also means scud clouds, which can look like tornadoes but aren’t. A scud is a piece of a larger cloud that's broken off and drifted toward the ground.

It’s The Season In Wyoming For Scud Clouds, Which Can Look Like Tornadoes But Aren’t

It’s the season for thunderstorms across Wyoming, which means greater potential for tornadoes. It also means scud clouds, which can look like tornadoes but aren’t. A scud is a piece of a larger cloud that's broken off and drifted toward the ground.

Andrew RossiMay 13, 2025

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