Cowboy State Daily - Wyoming News
News
Headlines
View all
As Hunters Dozed On I-80, Thief Swiped Suitcase And Coffee — But Left Pricey Gear
While two hunters snoozed in the cab of their pickup in the wee hours Tuesday along I-80, a thief swiped a suitcase and hand-roasted coffee from Belize from the bed — but left expensive hunting gear, a chainsaw, and camera inside a backpack.
Mark HeinzSeptember 03, 2026
Not A Done Deal: Laramie Range Wind Project Gets Permit, But Many Hurdles Remain
The proposed 41,000-acre Laramie Range Wind Project overcame one hurdle with Tuesday's permitting, but many more remain for the 139-turbine proposal on private and state land near Cheyenne -- including meeting 26 conditions not yet made public.
Kate MeadowsSeptember 03, 2026
Colorado Man Killed On Teton Pass After Truck Crossed Highway, Launched Into Air
A Colorado man was killed Wednesday on Teton Pass when his Ford F-250, which was towing a trailer, crossed the highway and launched into the air before crashing. "Unfortunately, It's become normal," said Kelly Halpin, who lives at the base of the pass.
Kolby FedoreSeptember 03, 2026
Casper Man Thrown From Bike Had Life-Threatening Injuries After Car Turned Into Path
Casper police say Gabe Holcomb suffered life-threatening injuries after a car pulled into his lane Wednesday. Holcomb, who lost two friends to motorcycle crashes this summer, said he was thrown from his bike. “I feel like warmed-over sh*t on toast,” he said.
Kolby FedoreSeptember 03, 2026
Trial Near For Fire Chief, Wife Accused Of Abusing 50-Pound, 13-Year-Old Son
More than a year after pleading not guilty to starving their then-50-pound, 13-year-old son, a jury will hear the child abuse case of a former Laramie County fire chief and his wife. "I’m only allowed to eat one meal a day," the boy told investigators.
Greg JohnsonSeptember 03, 2026
Newcastle Man With Prior Stalking Convictions Charged Again After 38 Calls To Woman
A Newcastle man is facing up to 10 years in prison on felony stalking charges after he allegedly called a woman 38 times in three hours and banged on her doors and windows because she was "ghosting" him. Court records show he is a convicted stalker.
Kolby FedoreSeptember 03, 2026
Rancher Who Took Elk Head From Helicopter Hunters Says He Received Death Threats
A Johnson County rancher who tried to steal an elk head and antlers from hunters who helicoptered onto public land adjacent to his property last year says he was harassed and received death threats following the incident. He said he later apologized.
Mark HeinzSeptember 02, 2026
Dump Truck Driver Could Get 2 Years For Causing Double-Fatal Teton Pass Crash
The driver of a runaway dump truck on Teton Pass that killed two people July 7 faces a pair of homicide by vehicle charges and could get him up to two years, say court documents filed Tuesday. Troopers say he bypassed a runaway truck escape.
Greg JohnsonSeptember 02, 2026
Cowboy State Daily Video Newscast: Thursday, September 3, 2026
Thursday's headlines include: * Rancher Gets Death Threats * Wyo Man Missing In Grand Canyon Flood * Truck Driver Faces Prison For Teton Pass Fatalities
Mac WatsonSeptember 03, 2026
Platte County Commissioners Push Back, Then OK Industrial Zoning For Data Center
After initially pushing back Wednesday, Platte County commissioners unanimously OK'd a request to rezone 5,344 acres of private ranchland in Goshen Hole for a utility-scale data center and energy complex.
Kate MeadowsSeptember 03, 2026
Wyoming Pilot Missing In Grand Canyon Flash Flood That Killed His Two Friends
A Wyoming pilot and father of three remains missing after a devastating Grand Canyon flash flood over the weekend that killed two of his friends. His wife and children are holding out hope through what she calls a “journey of not knowing where Tim is.”
Kolby FedoreSeptember 02, 2026
Arizona Man Accused Of Kidnapping 15-Year-Old Wyoming Girl Captured In South Dakota
A 36-year-old Arizona man suspected of kidnapping a 15-year-old Sundance girl was captured hundreds of miles away in South Dakota less than five hours after she was reported missing. Authorities credit license plate technology for the quick arrest.
Kolby FedoreSeptember 02, 2026
Wyoming Court System Hacked, Could Have Exposed 10 Years Of Personal Data
The Wyoming Judicial Branch’s former operating system fell prey to a hack that could have lifted personal data about people involved in court cases from 2015-2025.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 02, 2026
Wyoming’s Trona Industry Is Fighting Headwinds From Chinese Market Flooding
Wyoming’s trona industry is trying to fight back against China’s cheap synthetic soda ash flooding world markets, but leaders don't see immediate help. “The only reason China can compete with us is their government gives them subsidies,” one insider said.
Renée JeanSeptember 02, 2026
Wyoming Lawmakers Push Rules On How To Round Up — Or Down — Without Pennies
Now that pennies are going extinct, Wyoming legislators are considering rules outlining how to round up — or down — to the nearest nickel. Some states have a Wild West approach, letting businesses choose for themselves as long as they’re consistent.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 02, 2026
Gillette Woman Denies Scheme To Pocket $8,000 Worth Of Liquor Store Returns
A Gillette woman accused of pocketing more than $8,000 worth of fraudulent returns from a local liquor store denies stealing from her former employer, saying it was another worker. Store video shows some of the alleged thefts.
Greg JohnsonSeptember 02, 2026
Natrona County Residents Pack Meeting To Hear Plans For Huge 1.25-GW Data Center
Natrona County residents packed a Tuesday meeting with commissioners to hear Prometheus Hyperscale outline its plans for a huge 1.25 gigawatt data center southeast of Casper. They said it would use self-contained cooling and have its own power center.
Dale KillingbeckSeptember 02, 2026
Greybull Rancher Facing Trial For Sexual Assault of 13-Year-Old Ranch Hand In 2006
Greybull rancher Boyd Van Fleet is facing trial over allegations he sexually assaulted a 13-year-old ranch hand nearly 20 years ago. Van Fleet has a long criminal history including the receipt of stolen property and an illegally branded horse.
Kolby FedoreSeptember 01, 2026
Scaled-Down Laramie Range Wind Project Gets Go Ahead After Intense 2-Day Hearing
Nearly a year after the proposal was rejected, the scaled-down Laramie Range Wind Project was approved Tuesday after a contentious two-day hearing. Up to 139 wind turbines would be placed on more than 41,000 acres about 20 miles north of Cheyenne.
Kate MeadowsSeptember 02, 2026
Casper Man Charged With Strangling Ex Unconscious After He Couldn’t Get A Ride
A Casper man faces up to 20 years in prison after he allegedly strangled his ex-girlfriend unconscious and busted up her Mills home. Police say he kicked in her door at 3:30 a.m. after she refused to take him to the Casper rescue mission.
Dale KillingbeckSeptember 02, 2026
Uinta County Ranch Family Builds USDA Meat Processing Plant From The Ground Up
After years of hauling cattle and beef to Utah, a Uinta County ranch family decided to take matters into their own hands and build a USDA-inspected meat processing facility on their ranch. The plant will have its final USDA inspection on Friday.
Kate MeadowsSeptember 01, 2026
Jackson Hair Stylist Gets Booted For Gigantic 309,000-Square-Foot Hotel Project
Maria Vargas was exhausted and crying as she dismantled her hair salon stations in downtown Jackson on Monday. She was among a handful of remaining business owners who had a deadline to move out for an incoming 309,000 square-foot hotel project.
Renée JeanSeptember 01, 2026
Family Of Inmate Who Died In Campbell County Restraint Chair Sues
A lawsuit by the family of a Campbell County inmate who died in custody nearly four years ago says the inmate, Kenneth Durrah, swallowed a baggie of meth, endured two alleged use-of-force incidents and died in a restraint chair after begging and shouting for help.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 01, 2026
Driskill Blasts Trump Meeting World's Largest Meatpacker Before Beef Import Deal
Crook County rancher Sen. Ogden Driskill is unhappy about President Trump's meeting with a Brazilian meatpacking billionaire a day before he announced 300,000 tons of beef imports. Driskill said it is costing Wyoming producers millions.
Kate MeadowsSeptember 01, 2026
Big Piney Hunter Vows To Kill Matriarch Of Famed Mollie's Wolf Pack In Two Weeks
With two weeks to go before the wolf hunting season begins near Yellowstone, a Big Piney hunter is vowing to shoot 12-year-old Wolf 1090F from the famed Mollie's Wolf Pack if he sees her. In the meantime, wolf activists are trying their best to stop the hunt.
Mark HeinzSeptember 01, 2026
Riverton Woman Tempted To Set Her Car On Fire After Snake Climbed Through Frame
After a 3-foot bull snake slithered into the frame of a Riverton woman's car at the bank drive-through Monday, she was tempted to just set her car on fire. "Anything that slithers and doesn’t have legs is the devil, in my book,” she said.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 01, 2026
Wyoming Trans Activist Loses Self-Defense Bid, Can Still Claim It At Trial
A judge declined Monday to drop charges against transgender activist Rihanna Kelver, after Kelver claimed self-defense for pointing a pistol at a man last September. Kelver wasn't "in danger of imminent death or serious bodily injury," the judge ruled.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 01, 2026
Hiker Found Dead Near Montana's Highest Peak After Massive Two-State Search
A 21-year-old Connecticut hiker was found dead near Montana’s highest peak ending a three-day search that drew rescue crews, aircraft and military resources from Wyoming and Montana. The man's family says he died “doing what he loved, in a place he loved."
Kolby FedoreSeptember 01, 2026
Sheridan Man Accused Of Blackmailing Sister Over Their Dead Father's Ashes
A Sheridan County man faces two felony blackmail charges after police say he threatened to expose his half-sister over an alleged childhood sex act unless she gave him some of their dead father's ashes. The man said it was "just a joke."
Kolby FedoreSeptember 01, 2026
Hot Springs County Republicans, Democrats Have Highest Voter Turnout In State
Wyoming's Hot Springs County had the highest voter turnout of Republicans and Democrats in the primary election, nearly 20 points above the statewide average. Campbell County Democrats and Teton County Republicans were the least motivated groups.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 01, 2026
5-Year-Old Gets Off At Wrong Rock Springs School Bus Stop, Found Behind Strip Club
A Rock Springs mom says her 5-year-old was let off her school bus several stops early and found wandering behind the Astro Lounge strip club. She said neither the bus driver nor the school district contacted her to say her daughter was missing from the bus.
Kolby FedoreSeptember 01, 2026
Wyoming Ranch Manager Accused Of Cattle Rustling, Pocketing $300K From Ranch
A ranch manager faces up to 100 years in prison for rustling cattle and pocketing more than $300,000 from cattle grazing, elk hunts, gravel and equipment from the Twin Eagle Ranch in Sublette County. The alleged thefts took place from 2014-23.
Kolby FedoreAugust 31, 2026
Wyoming Clerk Warns Other Red States Of "Aggressive" DOJ Action At Elections
In the wake of reportedly “aggressive” federal agents monitoring Wyoming’s election, Laramie County Clerk Debra Lee warned other red state election officials, “Don’t think this won’t happen to you .” She praised the governor’s move to review the operation.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 01, 2026
Vandals Dump Five Gallon Paint Cans In Bighorn National Forest Creek
A Sheridan County family outing quickly turned into a cleanup effort after they found multiple five gallon cans of paint dumped in Porcupine Creek in the Bighorn National Forest on Sunday. The family cleaned-up what they could and then called authorities.
Andrew RossiAugust 31, 2026
Police: Gillette Man Tried To Lure Undercover 14-Year-Old To Be His 'Sex Slave'
A Gillette sex offender allegedly sent an undercover cop posing as a 14-year-old a picture of his genitalia, offered $4,500 for sex and asked the “teen” to be his sex slave. Reports say he used the handle 'HugeD' when chatting with the presumed teen.
Kolby FedoreAugust 31, 2026
No Body! Barrel Retrieved From Fremont Lake Doesn't Contain Human Remains
The barrel pulled from Fremont Lake on Saturday didn't contain what searchers had hoped: the body of Virginia Uden. However, searchers say there’s still a trash can to be brought up that may contain the bodies of the two Uden boys killed with Virginia.
Jen KocherAugust 31, 2026
Kevin Christensen No On Write-In Campaign, May Endorse But Not Chuck Gray
Kevin Christensen, who rocketed to third in a crowded U.S. House race while spending at least 50 times less than each top-two finisher, will not wage a write-in campaign but is looking at a 2028 run. He also said he won't endorse Chuck Gray.
Clair McFarlandAugust 31, 2026
Wyoming Ranchers Welcome Breaking-Up Meat Processor Monopoly But Want Details
Wyoming producers say they welcome President Trump's efforts to expand local processing and beef sales, but are critical over a lack of detail and say his advisors don't understand the cattle market. "They should talk to Wyoming ranchers," one says.
Kate MeadowsAugust 31, 2026
It's That Time Of Year: Beartooth Highway Gets Snow
The first snow of the season was recorded on the highest points of Beartooth Highway on Sunday. September 1 is the first day of 'meteorological fall,' so snow isn't that unusual. Temperatures are dipping as well as Jackson recorded 31 degrees Monday morning.
Andrew RossiAugust 31, 2026
Sheridan's Dane Steel Has Career Night In Defending Champ Montana State's Romp
Less than nine months after he helped propel Montana State to a national football championship, Sheridan's Dane Steele had a career night with eight catches for 174 yards in a 54-0 win. “I never had that many yards in high school,” he said afterward.
Jeff WelschAugust 31, 2026
Gillette Man Denies Raping, Choking Woman He Allegedly Called His ‘Little Beat Victim’
A Gillette man pleaded not guilty Monday to eight felony charges stemming from alleged sexual assaults and attempted strangulation of a woman he characterized as his “little beat victim.” The incident allegedly started over lighting incense in a sink.
Dale KillingbeckAugust 31, 2026
Drinking Wyoming: Nut Buckets, Red Bull And No Police At Medicine Bow's Old West Bar
It’s Saturday night and there are seven people at the Old West Bar in Medicine Bow. A local is explaining one feature of life in rural Carbon County: eating livestock testicles. “Cut em off quick, then put em with a little salt water in the nut bucket."
Zakary SonntagAugust 30, 2026
How Bullet-Ridden Yellow Bus Got Into Bighorn Mountains And Who Lived In It A Mystery
A rusty yellow school bus riddled with bullet holes in the trees in Wyoming's Bighorn National Forest is similar to the bus made famous by the book and movie “Into the Wild" — minus the tragedy. How it got there and who lived in it is a mystery.
Andrew RossiAugust 30, 2026
Barrel Up! After 46 Years, Victim Of Triple Murder May Be Out Of Fremont Lake
A barrel lifted from Wyoming’s deepest lake Saturday night may finally solve at least part of a 46-year-old triple murder. Authorities believe It may contain the body of Virginia Uden who, along with her two boys, was killed by her ex-husband in 1980.
Jen Kocher & Zakary SonntagAugust 30, 2026
Wheatland Man Takes 18 Of His Classic 1950s-Era Chevys to South Dakota Car Show
A Wheatland man with a passion for classic cars took 18 from his collection — mostly 1955-57 Chevys — for a 210-mile drive to Kool Deadwood Nites in South Dakota. Frank Jones has been collecting cars for 40 years and has attended this show for 31 years.
Dale KillingbeckAugust 30, 2026
Casper Company Turns Military-Grade ATVs Into Consumer Vehicles To Battle Snow
Tracked Outdoors in Casper is the largest supplier of refurbished prized Hagglund all-terrain vehicles in America. They're expensive but they're military-grade and designed for long distance travel through treacherous winter conditions.
Leo WolfsonAugust 30, 2026
Worland Man Has 205 John Deere Tractors On His Property, Causes Tour Buses To Stop
A Worland man’s John Deere obsession has grown into a collection of 205 tractors stretching across his property. His collection is so impressive that tour buses along U.S. Highway 20 make regular stops.
Dale KillingbeckAugust 29, 2026
Hunting Wyoming: 'Girls Only' Elk Hunt Ends With Filled Tags, Long Pack-Out In Dark
A pair of Wisconsin women had a successful "Girls Only" Wyoming elk hunt that included a miles-long pack-out of the meat through the forest in the dark. They said they hope their experience high in Wyoming's Snowy Range inspires other hunters.
Mark HeinzAugust 30, 2026
Daily Features
View all
Today's Wyoming sunrise was captured by Bev Doll. Bev writes, "Sunrise from the balcony of Barber Apartments in Glenrock."
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
Tom Lubnau: About Rebecca Bextel's Cute, Far-Fetched 'Plan'
Opinion by Tom Lubnau
Ken Buck: We Are Not in a Recession. So Why Are We Borrowing Like It?
Opinion by Ken Buck
Fred Harrison: The Road We Are On — A Conservative's Reckoning
Opinion by Fred Harrison
Dave Simpson: All Sam Wanted Was To Come Home
Opinion by Dave Simpson
Gail Symons: Friday Was A Preview Of What To Expect From The Defeated Freedom Caucus.
Opinion by Gail Symons
Sponsored
View all
The Prometheus Hyperscale Falls Ranch Project: Why This Matters for Natrona County
A data center project in Natrona County could create thousands of jobs and $80–115M in annual tax revenue. More importantly, it means opportunity for young people to stay and build their futures here. A local weighs in.
August 27, 2026
Bibles for Venezuela: Hope in the Midst of Devastation
Vision Beyond Borders has helped bring God’s Word to people throughout Venezuela. Following two devastating earthquakes, the need for both Bibles and humanitarian assistance has become even greater.
August 20, 2026
Wyoming’s Real Election Is Tuesday
Wyoming chooses its next governor in the August primary, not in November. Here is the arithmetic, and why a third of the vote can be enough to decide it.
August 14, 2026
Opinion
View all
Bill Sniffin: Political Crunch Time Brings Out Desperation And A Few Funny Lines
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “This is a desperate time for politicians. Just how negative can they go? Here in Wyoming, we discovered it is pretty darned deep.”
Bill SniffinAugust 08, 2026
Rod Miller: Changes Around The Ol’ Campfire
Columnist Rod Miller writes, "It was a hot, sultry night in the Red Desert, without a breath of cooling breeze. All that could be heard was the grumbling of the exhausted cowboys and rattlesnakes copulating in the sagebrush."
Rod MillerAugust 07, 2026
Tom Lubnau: Why You Should Consider Steve Friess For U.S. House
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "Chuck Gray's approach to politics is akin to a yapping Chihuahua, making lots of noise and getting headlines, but getting little done. Most concerning is Gray dumping all of Wyoming voters’ election data to an agency of the federal government whose use is unrestricted."
Tom LubnauAugust 05, 2026
Wyoming Life
View all
Worland Engineer 'In Awe' Watching Sunday Launch Of NASA Telescope He Helped Build
Jackie DorothyAugust 31, 2026
What The Heck ... Is A 48-Foot, 8,100-Pound Eagle Doing In Mills, Wyoming?
Kolby FedoreAugust 30, 2026
Rural Wyoming Woman Takes Out The Trash With A 12-Gauge
Kolby FedoreAugust 30, 2026
Wyoming’s First 1-Mile Horse Track Sprinting Toward October Opening In Cheyenne
Renée JeanAugust 30, 2026
Wyoming's Only '307' Mile Marker Was Stolen So Often On I-80 It Is Now '306.99'
Kerry DrakeAugust 29, 2026
Outdoors
View all
Why Dense Islands Of Fir Trees Form In Wyoming’s Bighorn Mountains
Andrew RossiAugust 30, 2026
Hiker Thanks Rescuers For Saving Life After Lost For Five Days On Wyoming Peak
Kolby FedoreAugust 27, 2026
Hunter In Helicopter Whose Elk Head Was Stolen By Rancher Busted For Trespassing
Mark HeinzAugust 27, 2026
Missing Missouri Hiker Found Disoriented But Alive After Summiting Gannett Peak
Kolby FedoreAugust 26, 2026
Wild Weekend: 4 More Calls Add To Big Horn County Search & Rescue's Record Pace
Kate MeadowsAugust 25, 2026
Crime & Courts
View all
Woman Flips Off Weston County Deputy At 112 MPH, Then Tells Cops To ‘Shoot Me’
Greg JohnsonAugust 28, 2026
Holy Cow: Man Clocked At 92 MPH Through Town Of Shoshoni
Clair McFarlandAugust 28, 2026
Cheyenne Police Recover Numerous Stolen Firearms After Teens Went 'Car Hopping'
Kolby FedoreAugust 27, 2026
Douglas Man Who Skipped Out On Child Porn Charges Fights Not To Lose $250K Bond
Greg JohnsonAugust 27, 2026
Casper Woman Pleads Guilty To Driving Getaway Car, Disposing Of Weapons In Fatal Shootout
Dale KillingbeckAugust 27, 2026
Wyoming Life
View allWorland Engineer 'In Awe' Watching Sunday Launch Of NASA Telescope He Helped Build
Jackie DorothyAugust 31, 2026
What The Heck ... Is A 48-Foot, 8,100-Pound Eagle Doing In Mills, Wyoming?
Kolby FedoreAugust 30, 2026
Rural Wyoming Woman Takes Out The Trash With A 12-Gauge
Kolby FedoreAugust 30, 2026
Wyoming’s First 1-Mile Horse Track Sprinting Toward October Opening In Cheyenne
Renée JeanAugust 30, 2026
Wyoming's Only '307' Mile Marker Was Stolen So Often On I-80 It Is Now '306.99'
Kerry DrakeAugust 29, 2026
Outdoors
View allWhy Dense Islands Of Fir Trees Form In Wyoming’s Bighorn Mountains
Andrew RossiAugust 30, 2026
Hiker Thanks Rescuers For Saving Life After Lost For Five Days On Wyoming Peak
Kolby FedoreAugust 27, 2026
Hunter In Helicopter Whose Elk Head Was Stolen By Rancher Busted For Trespassing
Mark HeinzAugust 27, 2026
Missing Missouri Hiker Found Disoriented But Alive After Summiting Gannett Peak
Kolby FedoreAugust 26, 2026
Wild Weekend: 4 More Calls Add To Big Horn County Search & Rescue's Record Pace
Kate MeadowsAugust 25, 2026
Crime & Courts
View allWoman Flips Off Weston County Deputy At 112 MPH, Then Tells Cops To ‘Shoot Me’
Greg JohnsonAugust 28, 2026
Holy Cow: Man Clocked At 92 MPH Through Town Of Shoshoni
Clair McFarlandAugust 28, 2026
Cheyenne Police Recover Numerous Stolen Firearms After Teens Went 'Car Hopping'
Kolby FedoreAugust 27, 2026
Douglas Man Who Skipped Out On Child Porn Charges Fights Not To Lose $250K Bond
Greg JohnsonAugust 27, 2026
Casper Woman Pleads Guilty To Driving Getaway Car, Disposing Of Weapons In Fatal Shootout
Dale KillingbeckAugust 27, 2026