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The owner of the company chosen by the state to operate the Star Plunge in Thermopolis — former Alaska U.S. Sen. Mark Begich, left — drew heat from locals Monday as the historic hot springs remains closed. In the meantime, the former operator and state remain embroiled in litigation.

New Operator Who Wants To Reopen Star Plunge Draws Heat From Locals

The owner of the company chosen by the state to operate the Star Plunge in Thermopolis drew heat from locals Monday as the historic hot springs remains closed. In the meantime, the former operator and state remain embroiled in litigation.

Renée JeanAugust 13, 2025

Evanston has worked on creating an attractive downtown to draw tourists from Utah. They're also drawing retirees, who decide they don't just want to visit, they want to live there.

Retirees From Utah Are Moving To Evanston Because Of Home Prices, Tax Advantages

Retirees from Utah are moving to Evanston, Wyoming, because of low home prices, tax advantages, and plenty of recreation. One broker said home prices in Salt Lake City are nearly double that of Evanston.

Renée JeanAugust 12, 2025

Sawmill, file photo

Wyoming Timber Industry Set For Huge Comeback, More Sawmills Needed, Officials Say

Long-term success of expanding the Wyoming timber industry hinges on building back the “local timber industry,” instead of trucking logs to mills in other states, Bighorn National Forest Supervisor Andrew Johnson told a legislative committee on Tuesday.

Mark HeinzAugust 12, 2025

A dragline moves coal at the Black Butte mine in Sweetwater County.

Expansion Speeds Up As Federal Regulators Accelerate Black Butte Mine Expansion

The Department of the Interior announced Tuesday it is accelerating a federal review of Black Butte Mine expansion in Sweetwater County, setting a 28-day timeline for completing an environmental impact statement that typically takes years to finish.

David MadisonAugust 13, 2025

U.S. President Donald Trump shows crime statistics as he delivers remarks during a press conference in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House August 11, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Wyoming’s Delegation Rallies Behind Trump’s Decision to Mobilize Troops in D.C. 

Wyoming’s all-Republican delegation said Trump’s decision to federalize the nation’s capital is a smart approach to crime. “President Trump has made it clear that lawlessness and chaos will not be tolerated in our nation's capital or in any American city,” Hageman said.

Jackson WalkerAugust 12, 2025

A proposed change to the Wyoming Constitution that would make state Supreme Court nominees clear senate confirmation died Tuesday – after numerous attorneys brought fierce debate to the Judiciary Committee.

Wyoming Lawmakers Scrap Plan To Have Senate Confirm State Justices

A proposed change to the Wyoming Constitution that would make state Supreme Court nominees clear senate confirmation died Tuesday – after numerous attorneys brought fierce debate to the Judiciary Committee.

Clair McFarlandAugust 12, 2025

From left, Rock Springs Mayor Max Mickelson and Councilmen Rick Milonas and Eric Bingham.

Rock Springs Councilman Cries Foul Over Contract For Wife Of Another Councilman

The nuclear industry debate has reached the city of Rock Springs, which just hired a contractor to educate the public about it. That the wife of a city councilman got that contract has another councilman crying foul, but the mayor says she's qualified.    

Clair McFarlandAugust 12, 2025

A massive search effort continues for a Minnesota man missing for nearly two weeks in the rugged Cloud Peak Wilderness of northern Wyoming. Grant Gardner, 38, was last heard from after summiting Cloud Peak on July 29.

Family Still Holds Out Hope For Minnesota Hiker Missing Since July 29

The wife of missing Cloud Peak Wilderness hiker Grant Gardner on Monday told Cowboy State Daily that she's hopeful his skills and abilities that "he's been honing over the last decade-plus will help him come home to us."

Greg JohnsonAugust 11, 2025

Newscast thumbnail 8 12a

Cowboy State Daily Video News: Tuesday, August 12, 2025

Tuesday's headlines include: * Nuke Debate Gets Heated * Wife Of Missing Hiker Won’t Give Up * Law Enforcement Worried Over Gas Station Heroin

Wendy CorrAugust 12, 2025

Darin Smith was sworn in Monday as interim U.S. Attorney, leaving his state Senate seat vacant.

Darin Smith Sworn In As Interim U.S. Attorney For Wyoming

Darin Smith was sworn in Monday as interim U.S. Attorney, leaving his state Senate seat vacant. State Republican Party precinct committee people in his region have 15 days to send three nominees to the Platte and Laramie County commissions.

Clair McFarlandAugust 11, 2025

Trail cam photos captured several image of an unidentified masked man creeping around a campsite in the Bighorn Mountains in the wee hours of the morning on Thursday.

Campers Creeped-Out By ‘Weird’ Masked Bandit Around Campsite In Bighorn Mountains

A Sheridan couple was baffled and creeped-out by trail camera photos showing a masked bandit pilfering their campsite in the Bighorn Mountains over a four-hour period last week.

Mark HeinzAugust 12, 2025

John Byrum Dierenfeldt

Man Pleads Guilty To Child Sex Acts After Confessing To Church Members

A Casper man is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty earlier this month to sex acts with young girls. He confessed to the girls' fathers and members of their church, asking for forgiveness and detailing his own rough upbringing.

Clair McFarlandAugust 11, 2025

Kratom products are sold in a variety of gas station and convenience stores. They are not regulated, however, and quality can vary dramatically.

Kratom Or ‘Gas Station Heroin’ A Growing Concern For Wyoming Law Enforcement

Some people call it gas station heroin, others street-legal morphine. Regardless of such nicknames, the supplement known as kratom is a growing concern for law enforcement officers in Wyoming.

Renée JeanAugust 11, 2025

Horse trainer Sienna Hawk has worked with Red Solo Cup — a mustang from Wyoming’s White Mountain wild horse herd — to prepare him for adoption.

Wyoming Mustang Named ‘Red Solo Cup’ After Toby Keith Song Up For Adoption

Wild horses caught in government roundups have better chances of being adopted if they’re trained first. That’s the hope for one Wyoming mustang named Red Solo Cup, after the popular Toby Keith song.

Mark HeinzAugust 11, 2025

The annual Perseid meteor shower will hit its peak over Wyoming overnight Tuesdays, throwing out as many as 100 meteors an hour, along with the potential for fireballs.

At 100 Meteors Per Hour, Perseid Shower Hits Its Peak Over Wyoming Tuesday Night

The annual Perseid meteor shower will hit its peak over Wyoming overnight Tuesday, throwing out as many as 100 meteors an hour, along with the potential for fireballs.

Jackson WalkerAugust 11, 2025

Casper’s Old Yellowstone District used to be the life of the party in the 1950s, but its heyday is long past. Another may be on the horizon as the area is revitalized, with a grand hotel planned for the distressed district.

Grand Hotel Planned As Part Of Revival Of Casper’s Old Yellowstone District

Casper’s Old Yellowstone District used to be the life of the party in the 1950s, but its heyday is long past. Another may be on the horizon as the area is revitalized, with a grand hotel planned for the distressed district.

Renée JeanAugust 11, 2025

There have so far been no arrests in the fatal shooting of a man at a Casper convenience store Sunday. The name of the victim also is being withheld while the Natrona County Coroner’s Office attempts to contact his next of kin.

No Arrests In Fatal Casper Gas Station Shooting, Victim’s Name Withheld

There have so far been no arrests in the fatal shooting of a man at a Casper convenience store Sunday. The name of the victim also is being withheld while the Natrona County Coroner’s Office attempts to contact his next of kin.

Dale KillingbeckAugust 11, 2025

The antelope coal mine in Wyoming's Powder River Basin, operatied by Navajo Transitional Energy Company.

Delegation, Gordon Cheer Trump Administration OK Of Wyoming Coal Mine Extension

The Trump administration has approved 14.5 million more tons of coal for the Antelope Mine in the Power River Basin. The Wyoming delegation and Gov. Gordon are applauding the decision, which extends the mine’s operations through 2037 and protects 359 full-time jobs.

David MadisonAugust 11, 2025

One day, Deklyn Dean Lemp was a healthy baby boy. The next thing his parents knew, the Casper 14-month-old died in his sleep in 2017 of a mysterious ailment. An annual dart tournament keeps his memory alive and raises money for local causes.

Casper Parents Channel Grief Of Losing Baby Son Into Dart Tourney

One day, Deklyn Dean Lemp was a healthy baby boy. The next thing his parents knew, the Casper 14-month-old died in his sleep in 2017 of a mysterious ailment. An annual dart tournament keeps his memory alive and raises money for local causes.

Jen KocherAugust 11, 2025

A clerk at Max’s Convenience Store in North Casper said he saw the shooter walk under the I-25 underpass with his hands raised. A customer heading north on North Center Street said he saw a man walking on the sidewalk raise his hands and lay on the sidewalk as a police car passed by turned around.

Police Report One Dead In Shooting At Casper Convenience Store

The Casper Police Department is investigating the Sunday afternoon fatal shooting of a man at a busy gas station and convenience store. A clerk said he believes the shooter was chased there and turned and fired a shot into one of his pursuers.

Dale KillingbeckAugust 11, 2025

Bikers, Journalists and even cops — everyone gets red at One Eyed Jack’s Saloon during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The only thing that kills the buzz is some guy named “Insufficient Funds.”

Drinking Sturgis : One Eyed Jack's Saloon Makes Everyone Blush

The main level of One Eyed Jack's is a vast, open-air layout with a dozen separate island bars. It feels kind of like a junior high cafeteria. That is, if in this junior high cafeteria women wear thongs, bartenders paddle patrons on the derriere and random dudes invite you to pet a 30-pound boa constrictor.

Zakary SonntagAugust 10, 2025

Special Officer Aaron Conner says working the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is a bucket-list item for his career in law enforcement.

A Night In Sturgis Jail Isn't Pretty

When arrests at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally get too high, officials resort to an overflow jail, a quasi-retired 1950s era jailhouse. “When you have 50+ drunk individuals who aren’t happy to be there, haven’t showered in a few days, highly intoxicated, it gets thick back there,” a prison official said.

Zakary SonntagAugust 10, 2025

A mountain lion lurks in a tree in the Metcalf Wildlife Management Area in Sheridan County, Nebraska.

Move Over, Prairie Grizzlies, Here Come The Prairie Mountain Lions

Mountain lions are associated with, well, mountains. But they are increasingly reclaiming habitat in Great Plains states such as Nebraska and Kansas. That follows patterns seen from other species, like grizzlies expanding back into prairie areas.

Mark HeinzAugust 10, 2025

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act includes a 10% bonus tax credit for “nuclear communities” with significant nuclear-related employment. That won’t include Wyoming nuclear hubs like Kemmerer and Gillette because the act says the credit is for urban areas. In Kemmerer, Bill Gates-backed TerraPower is already working on its planned nuclear power plant.

Wyoming’s Emerging Nuclear Hubs Don't Qualify For ‘Nuclear Communities’ Tax Break

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act includes a tax credit for “nuclear communities” with significant nuclear-related employment. But, this doesn't include Wyoming nuclear hubs like Kemmerer and Gillette because the act says the credit is for urban areas.

David MadisonAugust 10, 2025

The EPA is considering clawing back $7 billion in federal grants for residential solar power, including $30 million for Wyoming. Some supporters say it’s wasteful spending, while opponents argue residential solar fits Trump’s goal to unleash energy.

EPA Planning To Rescind $7 Billion In Federal Solar Grants, Including $30M For Wyoming

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is drafting termination letters that would claw back $7 billion in Solar for All funding nationwide, including about $30 million designated for Wyoming.

David MadisonAugust 10, 2025

Game wardens say that Timothy Crooks of Green River attached this makeshift suppressor, made from plastic Coke bottles, to a Marlin .22 caliber rifle that he used to illegally shoot multiple deer.

Green River Man Used Coke Bottle Silencer In Five-Year Deer Shooting Spree

In a case that took years to crack, game wardens say a Green River man used a .22 rifle outfitted with a suppressor made from plastic Coke bottles to illegally shoot five deer in town, according to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

Mark HeinzAugust 10, 2025

In 1894, Alfred Slick Nard, one of the survivors of the Horse Thief Wars, ambushed and tried to kill a sheepherder. Mike Bell found the spot where the attempted murder took place just outside of Worland, Wyoming. He said, "The old road continues along the ridge to my left - your right. The ambush site is above my hat on the flats.”

Wyoming History: The Nearly Forgotten 1892 Horse Wars To Exterminate Thieves

A brutal campaign against horse thieves unfolded across Montana, Idaho and Wyoming in 1892, nabbing notorious outlaws like Butch Cassidy and Jack Bliss. The Horse Wars were nearly forgotten to history until recently uncovered by an English historian.

Jackie DorothyAugust 10, 2025

Students from Grinnell College are doing an archaeological dig in the historic Chinatown district of Rock Springs, Wyoming. Their work is uncovering the untold history of the daily lives of immigrants who survived the 1885 Rock Springs massacre.

Rock Springs Chinatown Archaeology Dig Uncovers Untold History Of 1885 Massacre

Students from Grinnell College are doing an archaeological dig in the historic Chinatown district of Rock Springs, Wyoming. Their work is uncovering the untold history of the daily lives of immigrants who survived the 1885 Rock Springs massacre.

Renée JeanAugust 10, 2025

From left, Tucker Alger and Luis Elizondo talk about their new cocktail lounge in Buffalo.

New World War II-Themed Buffalo Bar Is A Throwback To A Vintage Officers Club

Owners of the new World War II-themed Bombshells American Cantina in Buffalo say it will feel like a vintage officers club because of all the military artifacts they plan to display. “I have stuff that’s absolute museum-quality, one-of-a-kind," said Luis Elizondo.

Renée JeanAugust 10, 2025

U.S. Sen. John Barrasso, Diana Enzi, U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis, Catherine Allgor, Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon

Wyoming Leaders Meet To Ensure State Has Important Role With Smithsonian Women’s Museum

Wyoming leaders gathered in Jackson last week to make sure Wyoming has a prominent voice in the forthcoming American Women’s History Museum. The Smithsonian has already raised more than $55 million to build it.

Jackie DorothyAugust 10, 2025

Bikers thunder through the Black Hills, turning roadways into a roaring spectacle for the 85th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. As choppers, trikes and baggers rumble through the hills, the question remains: Does Sturgis still capture the spirit of rebellion?

Sturgis At 85: Does The Legendary Motorcycle Rally Still Have Its Edge?

As the 85th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally winds up this weekend, one biker said he misses the old days. He laments the presence of khaki shorts and tennis shoes. He bemoans the rally’s turn toward family friendliness, evidenced by the declining numbers of topless women.

Zakary SonntagAugust 09, 2025

Powell, Wyoming, resident John Lea was fast asleep after working a graveyard shift when his trailer home caught fire. He may have burned up in the inferno if not for his chocolate Lab Belle, who woke him up just in time to escape the growing flames.

Chocolate Lab Named Belle Saves Wyoming Man From Burning Trailer

John Lea of Powell was fast asleep after working a graveyard shift when his trailer home caught fire last week. He likely would have died in the blaze if not for his chocolate Lab Belle, who woke him up just in time to escape the growing flames.

David MadisonAugust 09, 2025

Lee Post of Alaska examines the backbone and ribs of a bison skeleton that he is building at the Draper Museum of Natural History over the next two weeks. Post is self-taught in articulation but his skills are now often sought out by museums like the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.

‘The Boneman’ Is Assembling A Bison Skeleton On The Floor Of Cody Museum

Lee “The Boneman” Post has put together animal skeletons for more than 30 years. Now the Alaska man is at the Draper Museum in Cody assembling a bison skeleton for America’s 250th birthday.

Amber SteinmetzAugust 09, 2025

Uranium Energy Corp.’s Irigaray plant in Powder River Basin. Thanks in part to recent fast-tracking by the Trump administration, UEC is poised to significantly expand its operations in Wyoming. (UEC)

Uranium Operation Is Wyoming’s First Fast-Tracked By Trump’s New Energy Rules

Uranium Energy Corp. is the first Wyoming uranium operation to be fast-tracked by the Trump administrations new permitting rules. The facility, 40 miles northwest of Rawlins, plans to go from semi-dormant to a leading U.S. producer in 12 months.

David MadisonAugust 09, 2025

Hunters say that trail cam photos help them determine the sex and size of black bears to better focus their hunting efforts. But livestream video is illegal.

Why Trail Cameras Are OK For Hunting In Wyoming, But Live Feed Video Isn’t

As technology continues to redefine hunting, at least one matter seems settled: Trail camera photos and videos are legally and ethically OK to scout wildlife, but livestream video is not.

Mark HeinzAugust 09, 2025

Wolves in Yellowstone National Park helped save aspen trees there by eating elk that were gobbling aspen saplings, scientists claim. But now bison are moving in on the aspen, eating it and knocking the trees over.

Wolves Might Have Saved Yellowstone’s Aspen From Elk, But Now Bison Are Eating It

Scientists say wolves helped save aspen trees in Yellowstone by eating the elk that were gobbling aspen saplings. But now bison are moving in on the aspen, eating it and knocking the trees over.

Mark HeinzAugust 09, 2025

If a portion of a log can be saved HistoriCorps will retain that portio nof the log and simply reface it with a brand new log hand hewn to look old.

Crews Work To Save Mountain Man Jim Baker’s 152-Year-Old Wyoming Cabin

Legendary Mountain Man Jim Baker built his historic two-story cabin 152 years ago, and it’s still standing in tiny Savery, Wyoming. Now crews are working with the same materials and techniques to preserve the cabin.

Renée JeanAugust 09, 2025

Fueled by chokecherry wine and a reputation for headbutting his way into trouble, a Danish prospector’s murderous rampage along Badwater Creek in 1932 became an infamous across Wyoming.

Wyoming History: The Butting Dane’s Drunken, Murderous Badwater Creek Rampage

Fueled by chokecherry wine and a reputation for headbutting his way into trouble, a prospector with the nickname the "Butting Dane" went on a drunken, murderous rampage along Badwater Creek in 1932 that became infamous across Wyoming.

Jackie DorothyAugust 09, 2025

Like many boys when he was growing up, Jim Ehernberger loved playing with trains. Unlike most, he never stopped. The now 88-year-old retired Cheyenne Union Pacific worker has donated his massive railroading collection to the University of Wyoming.

88-Year-Old Cheyenne Railroad Veteran Donates Entire Railroading Collection To UW

Like many boys when he was growing up, Jim Ehernberger loved playing with trains. Unlike most, he never stopped. The now 88-year-old retired Cheyenne Union Pacific worker has donated his massive railroading collection to the University of Wyoming.

Dale KillingbeckAugust 09, 2025

A SHERP ATV rumbles through the Blackfoot River near Missoula, Montana.

Fishermen Outraged Watching Huge ‘Tonka Truck’ ATV Rip Up Montana Riverbed

A Montana fishing guide said he was outraged watching someone drive a huge “Tonka Truck” SHERP ATV right through a river next to him. The huge balloon-tired ATV ripping up the riverbed was illegal, and the driver may be cited.

Mark HeinzAugust 09, 2025

In 100 pounds of sapphire gravel from the Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine in Phillipsburg, Montana, they found a total of 26 sapphires that were 1 carat or larger.

Who Needs Diamonds When You Can Propose With 100 Pounds Of Sapphire Gravel?

It may not have been the marriage proposal she dreamed of as a child, but Melissa Absher said yes nonetheless. Her boyfriend proposed with a 100-pound bag of gravel and this romantic overture: “Let’s go find your sapphire.”

Anna-Louise JacksonAugust 09, 2025

Nick Cranford said he began his word search series focusing on Canadian provinces after being inspired by his grandmother. But he's gone much farther, including his "Word Search of Wyoming" book.

Wyoming Is Last Alphabetically, But First In New Series Of State Word Search Books

Nick Cranford has never been to Wyoming, but is fascinated by the Cowboy State. That's why he made Wyoming, the last alphabetically, the first in his new series of U.S. state word search books. He was inspired by his grandmother, who loved the puzzles.

Dale KillingbeckAugust 10, 2025

Baggs

Cowboy State Daily Morning Show — Saturday, August 9, 2025

It's the Saturday morning show with John Baggett from 6-10AM.

Jake NicholsAugust 09, 2025

Dawn Norton, the city administrator of Greybull, was also working remotely for a city in Connecticut

Greybull City Administrator Resigns From $210K Remote Second Job In Connecticut

The city administrator for Greybull was also working remotely for a city in Connecticut as its chief financial officer. She quit that $210,000 per year position last week after town officials there learned she was also working in Wyoming. Greybull’s mayor says the town knew about the other job and was fine with it.

Renée JeanAugust 08, 2025

The family of Rielly Smith, right, plan to celebrate his life on Saturday. He died as the result of injuries in an ATV crash.

After Son Dies In ATV Crash, Cheyenne Family Pleads: ‘Always Wear A Helmet’

The family of a 16-year-old Cheyenne boy who died from brain injuries after a July 17 ATV crash on Elk Mountain will celebrate his life Saturday. His dad says he was someone who “always made everyone smile” and pleads for others to “always wear a helmet.”

Dale KillingbeckAugust 08, 2025

Daily Features

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Sunrise 8 13 25
PinYour Wyoming Sunrise: Wednesday, August 13, 2025

Today's Wyoming sunrise was captured by Dave Hunt in Lander. Dave writes, "Love the bronc highlighted by the flag and the morning sun!"

Photo by Dave Hunt

Today's question to Don Day

Mark James Mullins of Douglas
In regard to your thunderstorm season article, can you reassess the data on a per-capita basis, especially when considering population of the states? It could affect me as I own a hill on my property which I plan a communications tower and likely will have a lightning rod installed when it goes in.
Don Day
FEMA has a good lightning database that takes into account lightning risk, potential property loss, etc. based on population and lightning frequency. Data is available on a county by county basis. Lots and lots of lightning data available here which may help in quest for more lightning information. https://hazards.fema.gov/nri/lightning
DD

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