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Pressure Cooker That Closed Casper Streets Not A Bomb, But Linked To Drugs
Casper Police Department continues to investigate why someone left a pressure cooker on a street corner, prompting street closings and a bomb squad response. It didn’t contain explosives, but did hold items associated with illegal drug use.
Dale KillingbeckJuly 29, 2025

Cheyenne To Get Massive AI Data Center Powered By Gas And Carbon Capture
Cheyenne is about to get its largest artificial intelligence data center yet, at 1.8 gigawatts. Wyoming company Tallgrass and Texas-based Crusoe say the center will be powered by Wyoming natural gas, along with carbon capture technology.
Renée JeanJuly 29, 2025

Supreme Court Sides With Wyoming Public Defender Who Quit Over Contempt Order
A Gillette-based state judge didn’t take the proper steps when holding a tardy public defense attorney in contempt, the Wyoming Supreme Court ruled Tuesday. The lawyer quit after the judge punished him, worsening a critical shortage of public defenders.
Clair McFarlandJuly 29, 2025

Wyoming Won’t Repeal Carbon Capture Law As EPA Targets Key Climate Regulation
Wyoming lawmakers reject efforts Tuesday to repeal the state’s carbon capture mandate. At the same time, the EPA announced a major effort to roll back greenhouse gas regulations.
David MadisonJuly 29, 2025

Sudden Death Of Casper 21-Year-Old In Rollover Leaves Family Devastated
The sudden death of a 21-year-old Casper man has left his family devastated. Braeden Rayner was traveling on I-25 Sunday when the SUV he was in rolled. A year ago, he prophetically posted to Facebook how life can end “in the blink of an eye.”
Dale KillingbeckJuly 29, 2025

Wyoming Fire Chief, Wife Accused Of Starving Adopted Son, 13, Blocking Room Shut
Arrest warrants were issued last week for the chief of Laramie County Fire District No. 1 and his wife, who are accused of starving their adopted son, 13, and blocking his room shut. The teen weighed 50 pounds when the alleged abuse was discovered.
Dale KillingbeckJuly 28, 2025

Wyoming Mining Tech Company Sells Its First 100-Ton-Per-Hour Separation System
Casper-based DISA Technologies has made the first sale of its mineral separation system, which can handle 100 tons of ore an hour. In development for years, the proprietary system can extract minerals as well as be used to clean up abandoned uranium mines.
David MadisonJuly 29, 2025

Hageman's Popularity Has Many Uncertain If They’ll Run For Governor
Harriet Hageman’s potential bid for Wyoming governor has put other candidates on hold. Only two have officially declared and others, including Secretary of State Chuck Gray, wait for her decision.
Clair McFarlandJuly 29, 2025

Wyoming Highway Patrol Troopers To Take On ICE Functions
Wyoming Highway Patrol has joined a growing list of agencies that have agreed to do some ICE enforcement. Gov. Mark Gordon announced the agreement Monday for WHP troopers to “assist ICE with immigration enforcement while performing their regular duties.”
Clair McFarlandJuly 28, 2025

Cowboy State Daily Show with Jake - Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Jake in the 307. Weekday mornings 6-10 a.m.
Jake NicholsJuly 29, 2025

Cheyenne Man Pulls 9 Gs With Thunderbirds, Then Takes A Nap
Cheyenne’s Bryan “Alf” Grzegorczyk had planned a celebratory drink following his once-in-a-lifetime Thunderbirds flight to salute everyone who nominated him for the honor. But after flying at 9 Gs, all Alf could manage was a celebratory nap.
Renée JeanJuly 28, 2025

Floater And Fishing Access Fight Flares Over Channel Near Pinedale
Anglers and locals say a new landowner is blocking a historic channel connecting Pine Creek and the New Fork River near Pinedale, raising the temperature over public access and state law.
Mark HeinzJuly 28, 2025

Colorado Halfway Done With World’s Largest Wildlife Overpass Spanning I-25
Colorado is about halfway through building what officials are touting as the world’s largest wildlife overpass. It’s a $15 million megastructure spanning six lanes of Interstate 25 south of Denver.
Mark HeinzJuly 29, 2025

Former Lusk Domestic Violence Center Director Accused Of Stealing $65K From Group
The former director of a domestic violence center in Lusk is facing a felony theft charge on claims she stole more than $65,000 from the nonprofit group. An investigative report alleges Sabrina Kruse had a secret debit card linked to the center’s account.
Clair McFarlandJuly 28, 2025

Game And Fish Says Disease Caused Dozens Of Doves Drop Dead In Rock Springs
A lifeless dove found near a curb. Another beneath a tree. Then dozens more, mostly found within a tight radius of Rock Springs known as the “Tree Streets.” They died of a virus — not bird flu — Wyoming Game and Fish told Cowboy State Daily on Monday.
Tracie SullivanJuly 28, 2025

Women Bronc Riders Break All The Rodeo Stereotypes
From bruised riders to seasoned champions, women ranch bronc riders are breaking all the rodeo stereotypes. They compete in a dangerous sport, challenge decades of exclusion and prove they’re not costume cowgirls.
Zakary SonntagJuly 27, 2025
FBI, ATF Called To Casper After ‘Suspicious Package’ Closes Neighborhood
The FBI and ATF are being called in to help Casper Police Department investigate a “suspicious package” that closed streets and prompted recommendations that area residents leave their homes Monday.
Dale KillingbeckJuly 28, 2025

The Oil Field Worker Behind Casper Planet, Wyoming’s Most Popular Fake News
When Casper Planet founder Justin Hathaway wrote a story about a semitruck spilling hundreds of king cobras on I-25, it made international headlines. His satirical page continues to outrage and fool people, which only fuels his desire to keep it going.
Andrew RossiJuly 27, 2025

At Camp Courage Wyoming, Kids Living With Cancer Can Just Be Kids
Kids living with cancer, tumors and other life-threatening ailments often have to grow up quickly to deal with some very adult things. At Camp Courage in Dubois, Wyoming, they get to put cancer on the back burner for awhile and just be kids.
Jackie DorothyJuly 27, 2025

Former Yellowstone Bus Driver Solves Mystery While Restoring 90-Year-Old Coach
Despite little evidence that the 90-year-old White 706 bus in David Swingle's driveway was a Yellowstone coach, he had a hunch it was authentic. He drove them back in the 1960s. Through tremendous amounts of sleuthing, he proved his hunch was right.
David MadisonJuly 27, 2025

Yoder Cowgirl Says National High School Rodeo Title A Testament To Her Rodeo Family
Hadley Thompson of Yoder, Wyoming, won the National High School Finals Rodeo women’s all-around title last weekend. She said her passion for the sport comes from hours of practice and a family dedicated to rodeo .
Jackie DorothyJuly 27, 2025

Huge Milk Bottle Collection Traces 175 Years Of Wyoming’s Rich Dairy History
Steve Wallace grew up milking cows on a dairy farm, but now he’s milking Wyoming history for all it’s worth. The Casper man’s huge milk bottle collection traces 175 years of Wyoming’s rich dairy history.
Andrew RossiJuly 27, 2025

After A Decade-Long Closure, 29 Miles of Mormon Trail Through Wyoming Reopens
After a decade-long hiatus, a 29-mile section of the Mormon Trail through Wyoming was recently fully reopened. It means members of the LDS church can make the historic two-day trek along the trail in period clothing pulling handcarts.
Mark HeinzJuly 27, 2025

Couple Steals Show With Surprise Proposal During Cheyenne Frontier Days Concert
Romance wasn’t in the air when Brandon Boyer and Shilee Calhoun met, but they fell in love anyway. That led to a surprise proposal that stole the spotlight for a moment during Ian Munsick’s Cheyenne Frontier Days concert.
Renée JeanJuly 27, 2025

New Book On Deadwood By Accomplished Historian Will Dispel Myths, He Says
Accomplished historian Peter Cozzens latest book focuses on Deadwood, South Dakota between 1876 and 1879. He says those who watched the HBO series will “be surprised.” Spoiler alert: the HBO version wasn't exactly accurate when it came to Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane.
Dale KillingbeckJuly 27, 2025

Wyoming History: 250 Years Ago, Pivotal Battle Was Fought On Roundtop Mountain
Roundtop Mountain near Thermopolis, Wyoming, is now a popular hiking destination, but it’s also where the Shoshone are said to have gotten their first horses. That came from a pivotal battle fought there against settlers about 250 years ago.
Jackie DorothyJuly 27, 2025

ICE Grabs Illegal Immigrants In Western Wyoming As Agency Eyes Massive Expansion
ICE officers arrested multiple foreign nationals in a coordinated early-morning operation across Western Wyoming this week. They also discussed implanting teams and offices across Wyoming with a massive new funding increase.
Clair McFarlandJuly 26, 2025
Inside UW’s New $289 Million Gothic, State-Of-The-Art Dorms And Dining Hall
The finishing touches are being put on the University of Wyoming’s new $289 million dormitories and dining hall. Here’s an inside look at the classic Gothic, state-of-the-art buildings that will open for students next month.
Dale KillingbeckJuly 26, 2025

Wacey Schalla: What It's Like To Be The World's Top-Ranked Bull Rider
Bull riders have been coming to Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo for close to a century. But they arrived this year in a moment when rodeo, and the wider Western culture, has never been cooler, as the entire nation appears enthralled with anything to do with the American West.
Zakary SonntagJuly 26, 2025

What Do Locals Do At Cheyenne Frontier Days? Play CFD Bingo
Cheyenne's Harvey Deselms shares the Cheyenne Frontier Days Bingo card every year. He says the most entertaining part is seeing how many of the squares you can check off by looking in a mirror. "I had the coolest mullet," he said.
Greg JohnsonJuly 26, 2025

Artists Team Up To Build New Foundry In Meeteetse After Cody Foundry Burned Down
Bronze sculptor Vic Payne lost nearly $8 million and eight years of work when the Caleco Bronze Foundry in Cody burned down last year. Now he and a pair of artists are working to fill that void by building a new foundry in Meeteetse.
Andrew RossiJuly 26, 2025

Wyoming Landowner Builds Golf Course Around Charles Kuralt’s ‘Mistress Cabin’
Buzz Warner, a former Wyoming Landowner of the Year, is close to opening his new golf course in Montana. It’s a monument to conservation that’s built around former owner Charles Kuralt’s infamous “Mistress Cabin.”
David MadisonJuly 27, 2025

‘Yellowstone’ Actor Mo Brings Plenty Advises On New Frontier Days Indian Village
“Yellowstone” television series actor Mo Brings Plenty is helping shape the new Morning Star Indian Village, a multimillion-dollar project at Cheyenne Frontier Days set for completion in 2026.
Renée JeanJuly 27, 2025

Family Of Missing Sheridan Man More Desperate As Creek Search Turns Up No Clues
With still no clues, Sheridan police and the family of a man missing for three months are baffled by what might have happened to James “Bo” Galloway. A volunteer search of Big Goose Creek last week turned up nothing.
Jen KocherJuly 26, 2025

Alan O'Hashi: My Days As A Carny At Cheyenne Frontier Days
Alan O'Hashi writes, "When I was a newspaper columnist in Lander, I wondered what it was like to work in a carnival, so I decided to give it a try at Cheyenne Frontier Days. It turned out, I’m pretty good at getting people to give me a dollar for nothing."
Alan O'HashiJuly 26, 2025

Evanston’s Hillcrest Motel, A Sanctuary For Squatters, Catches Fire Again
One of the buildings of the defunct Hillcrest Motel in Evanston, Wyoming, was destroyed Saturday in an early-morning fire. There have been about eight fires in three years with a persistent squatter inhabitation at the motel complex.
Clair McFarlandJuly 26, 2025

Gold Prospecting More Than Flash-In-The Pan Hobby For Worland Man
Steve Brazelton was 10 when he first panned for gold with a tin pan borrowed from his mom. But it wasn’t until he found his first nugget that he “was hooked." The Worland man says his favorite spot in Wyoming is South Pass but there are plenty of places to find "decent gold."
Amber SteinmetzJuly 26, 2025

Wyoming History: Cowboys Were Tough, Determined And Could Gossip Up A Storm
Surviving in the remote settlements of the Wyoming Territory in the late 1880s took grit, determination and getting into everyone’s business. Cowboys were tough, and also could gossip up a storm to combat loneliness and hard living.
Jackie DorothyJuly 26, 2025

Small Armies Of Volunteers Dig Up Dinosaurs At Wyoming’s Famous Jurassic Mile
The famous Jurassic Mile in Wyoming’s Bighorn Basin has produced some of the world’s most important dinosaur discoveries. It takes small armies of volunteers to excavate the area, including the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis for its Family Dino Dig.
Andrew RossiJuly 26, 2025

Wyoming Freedom Caucus Opposes More Nuclear Waste Storage Sites
The Wyoming Freedom Caucus is pushing back against expanding nuclear waste storage in the state, opposing efforts supported by some Republicans, the state’s Libertarian Party and others. It also follows a Trump order to fast-track nuclear production.
Clair McFarlandJuly 26, 2025

Quadriplegic Photographer’s ‘Epic’ Slow Motion Bull Ride Video Is 21 Seconds Of Pain
A 49-year-old quadriplegic photographer from Cheyenne who typically focuses on wildlife and landscapes has been enjoying Cheyenne Frontier Days this week. He caught an “epic” bull ride in slow motion that’s 21 seconds of adrenaline and pain.
Dale KillingbeckJuly 25, 2025

Officer Who Set Off Fatal Shootout Gives Up Certification, Can’t Be A Wyoming Cop
The former Thermopolis police sergeant who triggered a fatal shootout when he unlawfully entered a suspect’s home surrendered his state policing certification Thursday. That means Mike Mascorro can’t be a cop in Wyoming.
Clair McFarlandJuly 25, 2025

Cheyenne’s Rodeo Week Inspires Huge Shopping Sprees, Millions In Economic Impact
Rodeo season in Cheyenne brings a surge of shoppers and record-breaking sales. Local businesses are projected to reap millions in economic benefits during the city’s iconic Cheyenne Frontier Days.
Renée JeanJuly 25, 2025

18 Months After Name Change, Wyomingites Still Argue Over ‘Swastika Lake’
Nearly 18 months after Swastika Lake in Albany County was renamed Knight Lake, there’s still controversy and arguments over whether the change was justified or erased history.
Mark HeinzJuly 25, 2025

'High-Country Harasser' Arrested on Continental Divide Trail In Carbon County
Nicholas “Cottonmouth” Sampson — aka the “High-Country Harasser” — was arrested in Carbon County on Thursday after allegedly threatening and attacking hikers along the Continental Divide Trail for years, authorities report.
Clair McFarlandJuly 26, 2025

Rule Would Let Trappers Off Hook For Some Otter Killings, But They Can’t Keep Pelts
A proposed change in Wyoming Game and Fish regulations would let trappers off the hook for “unintentionally” killing otters. But they’d have to surrender the otters’ carcasses to Game and Fish.
Mark HeinzJuly 25, 2025

Cheyenne Frontier Days Was First Civilian Show For Thunderbirds 72 Years Ago
The famous Air Force Thunderbirds have touched down in Cheyenne ahead of their Saturday Wings Over Wyoming show. The squad's first civilian air show was the 1953 Cheyenne Frontier Days, and the Thunderbirds have been back every year since but two.
Renée JeanJuly 25, 2025

Rancher Tries To Save Elk Calf Mauled In Mountain Lion Attack
A Montana outdoorsman and rancher found an elk calf that had been critically hurt in a mountain lion attack and took it into his home. The calf died, but he doesn’t regret trying to save it. It also follows a trend of more mountain lion sightings.
Mark HeinzJuly 25, 2025

Mom Of Missing Cody Woman Believed Murdered Asks For Help Looking For Evidence
Park County authorities and a grieving mother urge hikers to look out for a pink tote and a Dodge Durango seat. They are potential evidence in the 2023 disappearance and suspected murder of Cody woman Katie Ferguson.
Clair McFarlandJuly 24, 2025

Casper Nursing Care Worker Accused Of Tying Woman's Head To Bed
A Casper nursing care worker is accused of using a scarf to tie the head of a female resident to a bed, according to court documents made available Thursday. Police were called when coworkers found the woman still tied to the bed in the morning.
Dale KillingbeckJuly 24, 2025

It’s True: Cheyenne Frontier Days Happens On The Rainiest Week Of The Year
More than an inch of rain fell on participants at Cheyenne Frontier Days on Wednesday. That's no surprise to meteorologist Don Day, who says the last week in July is the rainiest week of the year.
Andrew RossiJuly 24, 2025

Gov. Gordon Says Wyoming Can Educate Kids Better Than Federal ‘Talking Heads’
Wyoming is eager to exercise more control over educating its own kids. Gov. Mark Gordon told Cowboy State Daily’s Jake Nichols on Thursday that Wyoming can educate its kids better than federal “talking heads” in Washington, D.C.
Greg JohnsonJuly 24, 2025

Congress Moves To Stop Killing Of 500,000 Barred Owls To Save Spotted Owls
Environmental groups have pulled together a bipartisan effort in Congress, which introduced a bill Wednesday to halt a Biden-era plan for a mass killing of 500,000 barred owls. Killing those owls would save endangered spotted owls, officials have said.
Mark HeinzJuly 24, 2025

Man Who Walked Into Sheriff's Office And Confessed To Molesting Child Makes Plea
A 73-year-old Green River man who walked into the local sheriff’s office last summer and announced he’d fondled a preteen girl decades earlier pleaded “no contest” on Thursday. Prosecutors agreed to cap their prison sentence request at five years.
Clair McFarlandJuly 25, 2025
Daily Features
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Today's Wyoming sunrise was captured by Doyl Fritz of Wolf, Wyoming. Doyl writes, "Sunrise over the picket line on the Big Horn Mountain Roundup. Photo taken somewhere south of the Hazelton Peaks."
Today's question to Don Day
In regard to your thunderstorm season article, can you reassess the data on a per-capita basis, especially when considering population of the states? It could affect me as I own a hill on my property which I plan a communications tower and likely will have a lightning rod installed when it goes in.
FEMA has a good lightning database that takes into account lightning risk, potential property loss, etc. based on population and lightning frequency. Data is available on a county by county basis. Lots and lots of lightning data available here which may help in quest for more lightning information. https://hazards.fema.gov/nri/lightning
Opinion
Bill Sniffin: Four Years Later, The Late Sen. Mike Enzi Remembered As One Of Wyoming’s Great Leaders
Opinion by Bill Sniffin
Dave Simpson: Another Year At The Daddy Of 'Em All
Opinion by Dave Simpson
Clair McFarland: Sure, Let The 11-Year-Old Drive. It'll Be Fine
Opinion by Clair McFarland
Gail Symons: Don't Die Of This, But Democracy Brought Wyoming Into Existence
Opinion by Gail Symons
Cassie Craven: Just Watch The Nuclear Waste, Mental Health Debates Ignite This Year
Opinion by Cassie Craven
Opinion
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Dave Simpson: Another Year At The Daddy Of 'Em All
Columnist Dave Simpson writes, “In the world of theater, they talk about 'suspension of disbelief' to enjoy a play. Here in Cheyenne during Frontier Days, you have to 'suspend thrift and frugality' to enjoy yourself. It ain't cheap.”
Dave SimpsonJuly 28, 2025

Clair McFarland: Sure, Let The 11-Year-Old Drive. It'll Be Fine
Clair McFarland writes: "The little, feisty twin gripped the wheel and stared down our neighborhood of empty dirt roads and winding canals. I threw a goodbye kiss to my home and thanked the Lord for the 35 good years he gave me on this earth."
Clair McFarlandJuly 27, 2025

Gail Symons: Don't Die Of This, But Democracy Brought Wyoming Into Existence
Columnist Gail Symons writes: "The founders used 'democracy' and 'republic' interchangeably in many contexts because they understood what our modern ghost writers apparently don't: that a republic IS a form of democracy."
Gail SymonsJuly 27, 2025
Wyoming Life
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80 Years After His Dad Fought On Iwo Jima, Dan Starks Makes Rare Visit To Island
Renée JeanJuly 27, 2025
Estate Of Legendary Wyoming Spaghetti Westerner Gap Pucci To Be Bought By Nuns
Renée JeanJuly 24, 2025
Only U.S.-Owned Russian-Made MiG-29 Fighter Jet Lands At Casper Airport
Dale KillingbeckJuly 24, 2025
It Took Three Trucks Hours To Recover Semi Hanging Over Cliff On Wyoming Highway
Andrew RossiJuly 23, 2025
New Warner Bros. Streaming Service Fuels Hope For ‘Longmire’ Comeback
Renée JeanJuly 23, 2025
Outdoors
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Not Everyone Thrilled With Colorado’s Wolf Boom — Four New Litters
Mark HeinzJuly 23, 2025
Proposed Bear-Baiting Ban In Wyoming Sparks Debate Over What’s Ethical In Bear Hunting
Mark HeinzJuly 22, 2025
Story That Grizzly 399’s Cub Spirit Found Through DNA Testing Is Bogus
Mark HeinzJuly 21, 2025
It’s Huckleberry Season, But Don’t Ask A Picker Where To Find Them
Anna-Louise JacksonJuly 20, 2025
Cutting-Edge Avalanche Radar Planned For Wyoming’s Notorious Hoback Canyon
David MadisonJuly 19, 2025
Crime & Courts
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Ex-Casper Cop Can’t Be Sentenced For Armed Standoff Because He Fell Off A Crane
Dale KillingbeckJuly 24, 2025
Airman Who Died In Air Force Gunshot Incident Identified As Kentucky 21-Year-Old
Clair McFarlandJuly 24, 2025
Air Force Division Grounds M18 Handguns After Airman Dies On Wyoming Base
Clair McFarlandJuly 23, 2025
Casper Man Accused Of Nearly Biting Deputy’s Finger Off To Have Mental Exam
Dale KillingbeckJuly 23, 2025
5-Year-Old Shot In Belly By 9-Year-Old Brother At Cody Gas Station Recovering
Clair McFarlandJuly 23, 2025