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Postmaster General Louis DeJoy gave himself an “A” for the controversial Delivery For America plan that gutted rural delivery. Now he says he’s quitting, sparking hope from many in Wyoming that the plan goes with him.

Postmaster General, Who Gave Himself An “A” For Gutting Rural Mail Delivery, Is Quitting

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, who gave himself an “A” for the controversial Delivery For America plan that gutted rural delivery, announced on Monday he is quitting. Wyoming leaders are thrilled.

Renée JeanFebruary 18, 2025

Gov. Mark Gordon signs a raft of bills during the 2024 legislative session. The first bills of the 2025 session are making their way to his desk.

First 15 Bills Of 2025 Session Hit Governor’s Desk, 260 Other Bills Still Alive

The final stretch of the 2025 Wyoming legislative session is approaching with the first 15 bills hitting Gov. Mark Gordon’s desk for approval. There are still 260 bills remaining to be decided.

Leo WolfsonFebruary 19, 2025

State Sen. John Kolb, R-Rock Springs (inset), sparred with Wyoming ACLU Advocacy Director Antonio Serrano on Feb. 18, 2025, over a bill that would ban illegal immigrants from driving in Wyoming. The Sentate Transportion, Highways and Military Affairs Committee voted 4-1 to advance the bill to the full Senate.

Full Senate To Debate Bill Banning Illegal Immigrants From Driving In Wyoming

A bill to ban illegal immigrants from driving in Wyoming easily passed a Senate committee Tuesday. But not before hearing some heated testimony from those who oppose it. Next stop for the bill is the full Senate for debate.

Leo WolfsonFebruary 18, 2025

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Wyoming Legislative Recap — Day 25

The 2025 Wyoming legislative session reached the 25-day mark Tuesday, advancing a bill that bans gun-free zones while a House member chastised his colleagues for not debating bills enough and taking “marching orders” from the Freedom Caucus.

Leo WolfsonFebruary 19, 2025

Ryan Schroder, center, of Casper went missing before finally being found murdered in 2021.

Family Of Murdered Casper Man Says Wyoming Needs Missing Person Law

The family of a Casper man who went missing before finally being found murdered says Wyoming needs better protocols to handle cases like his. That’s why they support a new law to do that moving through the Legislature.

Jen KocherFebruary 18, 2025

Sheridan Police Sgt. Nevada Krinkee was shot and killed in the line of duty Feb. 13, 2024, allegedy by William F. Lowery. Nearly a year later, Lowery's mother has been indicted on allegations she gave weapons to a felon.

Mother Of Alleged Sheridan Cop Killer Charged With Giving Guns To Felon

The 71-year-old mother of the man suspected of shooting and killing a Sheridan police sergeant last February has been federally charged with giving guns to a felon. The indictment doesn’t say whether that felon was her son. 

Clair McFarlandFebruary 18, 2025

State Sen. Mike Gierau is an extreme example of a political underdog in the Wyoming Legislature. He’s one of only two Democrats in the Senate — and he’s also from Jackson.

Mike Gierau Is A True Wyoming Political Underdog — A Democrat From Jackson

State Sen. Mike Gierau is a good example of a political underdog in the Wyoming Legislature. He’s one of only two Democrats in the Senate — and he’s also from Jackson.

Leo WolfsonFebruary 18, 2025

The Wyoming Highway Patrol Association voted last week to buy bitcoin, which has exploded by 400% over the last five years. The association is the first law enforcement group in the United States to invest in bitcoin.

WHP Association May Be First Law Enforcement Group In Nation To Buy Into Bitcoin

The Wyoming Highway Patrol Association voted last week to buy bitcoin, which has exploded by 400% over the last five years. The association says it may be the first law enforcement group in the United States to invest in bitcoin.

Renée JeanFebruary 18, 2025

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Wildfires Help Push 40,000 Head Drop To Wyoming’s 2024 Cattle Production

Despite a 3% decrease in cattle production in 2024, Wyoming ranchers expect 2025 will bring back a strong cattle market. The Wyoming Stock Growers Association says part of the reason for the 40,000-head decrease was the severe wildfire season.

Jackie DorothyFebruary 18, 2025

Andrea Domhoff, a local single mother of two, was in the Green River Tunnel during Friday's horrific fatal pileup. She says a man named Ray Norton helped save her and others from the fiery, smoke-filled cavern.

Single Mom Caught In Green River Tunnel Says Hero Led Survivors From Fiery Crash

A local single mom who was caught in an explosive 26-vehicle crash Friday in the Green River Tunnel says a hero named Ray led her and others out of the tunnel. She dragged her arm along the wall to escape in the thick, black smoke.

Clair McFarlandFebruary 17, 2025

A truck plowed into the side of this brick house on Central Avenue on Oct. 11, 2024. The homeowners have now spent more than a month dealing with a huge hole in their house and at least $30,000 in damages.

Cheyenne Couple Loses Insurance After Truck Crashes Into Their House

A pickup truck crashed into a Cheyenne couple’s home last fall, causing at least $30,000 damage. Now State Farm Insurance is dropping their home coverage, and no other company will insure them.

Leo WolfsonFebruary 17, 2025

Friday's crash inside the westbound Green River Tunnel killed three people, officials confirmed as the final death toll.

Final Death Toll In Green River Tunnel Crash At 3, Cause Under Investigation

Investigators said Monday that the final death toll in the 26-vehicle collision inside the Green River Tunnel on Interstate 80 is three dead. The cause and circumstances remain under investigation.

Clair McFarlandFebruary 17, 2025

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Cowboy State Daily Video News: Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Tuesday's headlines include: * Hero Saved Motorists In Tunnel * 2 Dead After ATV Breaks Ice In Glendo * Why Are Turkeys Circling One Gravestone?

Wendy CorrFebruary 18, 2025

A multi-agency rescue effort was launched Saturday and continued Sunday to recover an ATV with two people inside that had broken through the ice of Glendo Reservoir.

Two Die After Side-By-Side Breaks Through Ice On Glendo Reservoir

Two men died on Saturday after their UTV broke through the icy waters in Glendo Reservoir. A brother of one of the victims told Cowboy State Daily that the first responders were heroes. “Thank you for your service in the bitter cold," he said.

Andrew RossiFebruary 17, 2025

Ryan Williams Spencer Albritton killed this 500-pound black bear in North Carolina, where such a bear would be on the small side.

Eastern Black Bears Are Blimps, Dwarfing Wyoming Grizzlies

In Wyoming, a black bear over 400 pounds is considered a rare trophy. But back East, it would be puny. Bears there gorge on fresh crops and sometimes top 800 pounds.

Mark HeinzFebruary 18, 2025

A crew of firefighters working the Pack Trail Fire in northwest Wyoming.

Wyoming Not Immune From Trump and Musk’s Downsizing Of Federal Government

Federal agencies in Wyoming like the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service aren’t immune from the sweeping downsizing President Donald Trump and Elon Musk are doing from Washington, D.C. Some probationary and seasonal workers have bene cut.

Leo WolfsonFebruary 18, 2025

From the charred westbound lane of the Green River Tunnel on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025.

WYDOT Director Says Green River Tunnel Crash Started Outside Tunnel

The 26-vehicle fatal crash inside the Green River Tunnel on Interstate 80 started outside of the tunnel, WYDOT Director Darin Westby told Cowboy State Daily on Monday. Work crews continue to clear debris from the roadway.

Clair McFarlandFebruary 17, 2025

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Wyoming And Montana Legislators Seek To Ban Lab-Grown Meat

Allusions to “Frankenstein” and “The Matrix” punctuate discussion of bills designed to protect “food traditions” and ban the sale of meat created in a laboratory. Wyoming and Montana are among states trying to ban it.

David MadisonFebruary 17, 2025

This huge wolf track in Moffat County, Colorado, is thought to have been made by a female wolf that was relocated from Oregon to Colorado in late 2023.

Colorado “Mystery Wolf” Might Be From Wyoming

Fifteen wolves from Canada, have been spreading out across northwest Colorado after being released last month. There’s also reportedly another mystery wolf running around, although nobody is sure where it came from. It might be from Wyoming.

Mark HeinzFebruary 17, 2025

With the westbound lane of Interstate 80 through the Green River Tunnel closed, a lot of commercial truck traffic is moving through the small southwest Wyoming city.

Green River Flooded With Semis With Tunnel Closed After Devastating Crash

The small city of Green River, Wyoming, lies next to Interstate 80, one of the busiest commercial truck routes in the U.S. After Friday’s devastating crash that closed the busy Green River Tunnel, thousands of vehicles are driving through town instead.

Zakary Sonntag for Cowboy State DailyFebruary 17, 2025

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Why Are These Three Turkeys Endlessly Circling A Gravestone?

If you walk into a graveyard and see three turkeys endlessly circling one headstone, it could be offsetting -- even spooky. That was the scene at a cemetery in North Dakota last week. Although it may seem bizarre, turkey growers say it's no big deal.

Renée JeanFebruary 17, 2025

Burned vehicles inside Green River tunnel on Sunday, February 16, 2025.

Third Fatality Confirmed In Green River Tunnel Crash, 26 Vehicles Involved

A third person has been confirmed dead in Friday’s devastating multivehicle crash in the westbound lane of the Green River Tunnel, officials reported Sunday. It’s believed 26 vehicles were involved.

Zakary Sonntag for Cowboy State Daily & Greg JohnsonFebruary 16, 2025

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Trump Calls Bo Biteman A ‘Patriot’ For Universal School Vouchers Bill

President Donald Trump on Sunday called Wyoming Senate President Bo Biteman a "patriot" for his efforts to pass the Wyoming Freedom Scholarship Act, a bill that would bring universal school vouchers to Wyoming.

Leo WolfsonFebruary 16, 2025

Though his bill to ban running predators over with snowmobiles failed, Wyoming Rep. Mike Schmid says he’s determined to “close the door” on the practice in Wyoming.

Wyoming Must 'Close The Door' On Running Over Wolves With Snowmobiles, Schmid Says

Though his bill to ban running predators over with snowmobiles failed, Wyoming Rep. Mike Schmid says he’s determined to “close the door” on the practice in Wyoming.

Mark HeinzFebruary 16, 2025

Thomas Lindgren stands next to the articulated hips of a Barosaurus skeleton found in the famous Bone Cabin Quarry near Medicine Bow. Lindgren believes this is the largest articulated dinosaur ever found and will become the largest dinosaur ever mounted once it's freed from the 150-million-year-old sandstone encasing it.

Investors Purchase 40,000 Shares Of Wyoming Stegosaurus Skeleton In Just 18 Minutes

A Stegosaurus skeleton being excavated in the famous Bone Cabin Quarry near Medicine Bow is expected to sell for millions. In December, investors could purchase a share of the dinosaur for $68.75. 40,000 shares sold in 18 minutes.

Andrew RossiFebruary 16, 2025

A long-haul trucker who makes TikTok videos was involved in Friday's horrific Green River Tunnel crash and posted three videos about it.

Trucker In Deadly Green River Tunnel Crash Describes Harrowing Escape

A trucker who narrowly escaped Friday’s explosive pileup in the Green River Tunnel described the horror inside and shared video footage of him kicking out the window of his truck to escape.

Greg JohnsonFebruary 15, 2025

Two 70 Series Land Cruisers spotted on I-80 near Laramie. Jeremiah Proffitt, owner of Proffitt’s Resurrection Land Cruisers, believes these were acquired from Saudi Arabia, and were likely headed to a military contractor to be "dissected" for defense research.

Rare (And Illegal) In The U.S. Toyota Land Cruisers Turn Heads On Wyoming’s I-80

Two rare 79 Series Toyota Land Cruisers spotted near Laramie on I-80 turned heads of auto enthusiasts. These vehicles aren't legal in the U.S. and are often seen in the Middle East equipped with rocket launchers, machine guns, and other weaponry.

Andrew RossiFebruary 16, 2025

Casper has had a Cupid of sorts for the past 10 years in Joe Eason, a former heavy metal drummer who does singing telegrams as a side gig. Valentine’s Day especially he delivers up to 35 of the most embarrassing singing telegrams he can muster.

Former Metal Drummer Turned Singing Cupid Delivers Love — And Embarrassment

Casper has had a Cupid of sorts for the past 10 years in Joe Eason, a former heavy metal drummer who does singing telegrams as a side gig. On Valentine’s Day, he delivers up to 35 of the most embarrassing singing telegrams he can muster.

Renée JeanFebruary 16, 2025

Are you ready for the zombie apocalypse? You could be with the help of Zombie Tools, a Montana business that makes custom weapons.

Montana Man Has Spent 20 Years Forging Weapons To Stave Off A Zombie Uprising

Joey Arbour has made as many as 10,000 custom blades and knives since he started his Montana-based company Zombie Tools. His blades have been featured in television and movies like “Dune.”

Anna-Louise Jackson for Cowboy State DailyFebruary 16, 2025

Monument Geyser Basin is one of the most unique areas of Yellowstone National Park. It’s ancient undersea wasteland at 7,300 feet above sea level features formerly underwater cones that are still active.

Yellowstone Has An Active Ancient Undersea Wasteland 7,300 Feet Above Sea Level

Monument Geyser Basin is one of the most unique areas of Yellowstone National Park. Its ancient undersea wasteland at 7,300 feet above sea level features formerly underwater cones that are still active.

Renée JeanFebruary 16, 2025

Gillette-area machinist Karl Milner builds black powder cannons and mortars, and hosts cannon shoots on his rural property — and kids are included.

Gillette Man Builds Black Powder Cannons, Lets Kids Shoot Them

What began as an outreach for troubled youth led to a Gillette machinist's shop becoming a black powder cannon and mortar factory. Now he builds cannons and lets kids shoot in a safe, controlled environment with adult supervision.

Mark HeinzFebruary 16, 2025

People might think letting their cats out helps their pets live their best kitty lives, but they’re actually murder machines, killing billions of birds and small animals.

Outdoor Cats Are "Murder Machines" Killing Over 1 Billion Birds Every Year, Say Biologists

Letting pet cats out to roam might seem like it’s doing them a favor, but don’t be fooled — Fluffy is a murder machine. “The estimates are that cats in the U.S. kill a billion birds a year. A billion,” one wildlife biologist told Cowboy State Daily.

Mark HeinzFebruary 16, 2025

Earthsky.org editor Marcy Curran is celebrating 40 years as founder of the Cheyenne Astronomy Society. She's always loved bringing the stars down to earth for others.

Cheyenne Stargazers Love Space So Much They Built Their Own Observatory

Cheyenne’s Marcy Curran, the cofounder of the Cheyenne Astronomy Society and an editor of a major astronomy publication, has spent 40 years studying the sky. She and her husband recently built their own observatory.

Renée JeanFebruary 16, 2025

Nobody has seen or heard from Natasha Requejo since last July, leaving family and friends desperate for news of the missing mom of seven from Lusk, Wyoming. Her boyfriend at the time says she just walked off one day, leaving him and her kids behind.

Family, Friends Desperate For News Of Lusk Mother Of 7 Missing Since July

Nobody has seen or heard from Natasha Requejo since last July, leaving family and friends desperate for news of the missing mother of seven from Lusk. Her boyfriend says she just walked off one day, leaving him and her kids behind.

Jen KocherFebruary 15, 2025

Demonstrating a suppressor attached to a Traditions 350 Legend.

Gun Owners Expect Trump To Lift Nearly 100-Year-Old Restrictions On Silencers

Under the Trump administration, Wyoming gun rights advocates hope that a 91-year-old restriction on suppressors — aka silencers — will be lifted. However, nobody expects fully automatic weapons to become readily available.

Mark HeinzFebruary 15, 2025

Gov. Mark Gordon speaks to state Sen. John Kolb following a press conference on the Green River tunnel

Responders Still Putting Out Fires, Clearing Vehicles At Green River Tunnel

At a press conference on Saturday, officials said emergency responders were still working to extinguish fires and clear piled-up vehicles, after a wreck in the Green River tunnel killed at least two people and sparked a raging blaze.

Zakary Sonntag for Cowboy State DailyFebruary 15, 2025

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After DEI Fight With Legislature, University Of Wyoming Launches Image Makeover

After a very public and contentious DEI fight with the state Legislature, the University of Wyoming is launching an image makeover. They say their new “Wyoming First” agenda will focus on actively promoting its state-focused programs.

Leo WolfsonFebruary 15, 2025

The Fools’ End Club was founded in 2016 to provide Missoula’s cigar aficionados with discriminating tastes and a wish for exclusivity a private club where they can come to enjoy camaraderie and a good leaf of tobacco,” according to promotional materials. Recent proposed legislation wafting through the Montana Capitol Building currently aspires to make it easier to open public cigar bars.

Cigar Bars Making A Comeback In A Post-Smoking World

Rocky Mountain states see stogie smoke rising around a growing trend of opening more cigar bars and protecting local cigar shops with tax breaks. Wyoming and Montana both are pushing forward to promote the industry.

David MadisonFebruary 16, 2025

Liberty Cap at Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park.

The Gumper, Lactose Spring And Puff 'N Stuff Geyser — Yellowstone’s More Obscure Places

For every Old Faithful and Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, there's a host of other obscure places like The Gumper, Lactose Spring and Puff 'n Stuff Geyser. A former ranger, turned historian, extensively researched every notable name in Yellowstone.

Andrew RossiFebruary 15, 2025

Willie Banks preparfes eggs on the grill at Diamond Horseshoe Cafe in Cheyenne.

Egg Prices Have Restaurants Scrambling When It Comes To Breakfast

Wyoming restaurants are facing higher and higher egg prices amid an outbreak of the bird flu. Because of the huge increase in prices, some Wyoming restaurants say they are closing down temporarily.

Renée JeanFebruary 15, 2025

Dell Simancas was taking video of his son kayaking in the ocean off Chili when a whale scooped him up in his mouth. The whale quickly spat his son out.

Kayaking Can Be Dangerous, Just Ask The Guy Who Was Swallowed By Whale

Kayaking isn't a risk-free activity, but the man who was in the mouth of a humpback whale while paddling on the Pacific Ocean was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. A Wyoming kayaker says he was “pretty amazed” by the encounter.

Andrew RossiFebruary 16, 2025

Emergency crews worked around the clock responding to a massive crash and fire in the Green River Tunnel on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025.

Massive Response To Green River Tunnel Crash, Death Toll May Rise

The Wyoming Highway Patrol on Saturday said fatalities could rise as the number of vehicles involved in a massive crash inside a tunnel on I-80 near Green River has not yet been confirmed. First responders worked through the night to fight the fire inside the tunnel.

Zakary Sonntag for Cowboy State DailyFebruary 15, 2025

Daily Features

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PinYour Wyoming Sunrise: Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Today's Wyoming sunrise was captured by Ken Winslow in Whispering Hills. Ken writes, "The morning is my favorite time of day. The sky was absolutely gorgeous as the sun rose to say good morning."

Photo by Ken Winslow

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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Dave Simpson: Don't Fall For The Same Old 'Sky Is Falling' Routine

Columnist Dave Simpson writes, "What are the chances our sheriff will have to lay off 25 employees if Senate File 69 passes? Laramie County has $92 million in reserves. If our county is dumb enough to gut law enforcement when it has $92 million in reserves, voters will oust every incumbent..."

Dave SimpsonFebruary 17, 2025

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Rod Miller: Scorched Earth In Wyoming And Elsewhere

Columnist Rod Miller writes, "By strangling the lifeline for local services such as fire and police protection, water and sewer infrastructure, schools, libraries, and other essential elements of civilization, the Freedom Caucus will turn our landscape into a scorched earth of ghost towns."

Rod MillerFebruary 16, 2025

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Tom Lubnau:  The Freedom Caucus Unleashes Big-Government Control

Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "Here are five examples of how the Freedom Caucus is less about freedom, and more about 'being the boss of you.'"

Tom LubnauFebruary 16, 2025

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