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Yellowstone National Park announced Monday the discovery of a new 13-foot, baby blue hot spring. It emerged with little volcanic fanfare in the Norris Geyser Basin and has scientists excited.

Yellowstone Announces Discovery Of A New Baby Blue Thermal Pool

Yellowstone National Park announced Monday the discovery of a new 13-foot baby blue hot spring. It emerged with little volcanic fanfare in the Norris Geyser Basin and has scientists excited.

Andrew RossiJuly 14, 2025

After venturing into Sheridan, this healthy young female black bear was trapped by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department July 5. The bear was set loose deep in the Bighorn Mountains the next day.

Black Bears In Sheridan County Towns So Routine People Say They're Neighbors

Black bears showing up in Sheridan, Story, Dayton and other towns around the Bighorn Mountains has become routine for folks there. Locals say they feel like the bears are neighbors, but “repeat offender” bears sometimes have to be killed.

Mark HeinzJuly 14, 2025

Michael Reps

Man Gets 4.5 Years For Stealing $14M In Gold And Silver From 90-Year-Old Dad

A 61-year-old New Zealand man was sentenced Monday to 4-4.5 years in a Wyoming prison after stealing $14 million in gold and silver from his 90-year-old father’s house in Lincoln County, Wyoming.

Clair McFarlandJuly 14, 2025

Jackson-Area resident Sarah Harrison MacMillan found this unidentified dead critter floating in the South Fork of the Shoshone River on Saturday. She thinks is might be a young marmot, but others have guessed that it could be an otter, a fisher or even a baby wolverine.

Jackson Woman Stupefied By Dead Mystery Critter Floating In Shoshone River

A Jackson-area woman found a cat-sized dead animal floating in the South Fork of the Shoshone River on Saturday. She doesn’t know what it is and is going nuts trying to positively identify the critter. And it's not a cat.

Mark HeinzJuly 15, 2025

Firefighters on the scene of the 10,000-acre Deer Creek Fire in southern Utah captured video of a massive vortex of fire and smoke swirling in the middle of the blaze. These dangerous "fire devils" are what can happen when wildfires make their own weather.

Giant Utah ‘Fire Devil’ Is What Happens When Wildfire Makes Its Own Weather

Firefighters on the scene of the 10,000-acre Deer Creek Fire in southern Utah captured video of a massive vortex of fire and smoke swirling in the middle of the blaze. These dangerous "fire devils" are what can happen when wildfires make their own weather.

Andrew RossiJuly 15, 2025

Stephen Craig Campbell was arrested in New Mexico on Feb. 19, 2025, after being on the lam since 1982, suspected in a Green River bombing.

Suspected Green River Bomber To Have His Sanity Checked

The man accused of injuring his ex-wife with a bomb in 1982, then running from the law for 43 years, will have his sanity checked. Stephen Campbell also is accused of stealing $140,000 in Social Security benefits using the name of a dead college classmate.

Clair McFarlandJuly 14, 2025

Avianna Frady demonstrates how the Domeco can be used to train for rock climbing during the International Climbers' Festival in Lander.

One Weekend A Year, Lander’s The Center Of The Rock Climbing World

Lander, Wyoming, is an international destination for rock climbers. This past weekend was the 32nd International Climbers’ Festival, which makes Lander the center of the rock-climbing world, drawing hundreds of rock climbers.

Renée JeanJuly 14, 2025

Harvey Deselms, and his dog Dot, with one of the bronze sculptures for the Capital Avenue Bronze Project

Cheyenne’s Capital Avenue Bronze Project Closes In On 100 Sculptures

For Cheyenne art dealer Harvey Deselms, dreams really do come true. He dreamed of bronze sculptures lining every corner of Capital Avenue, and now the Capital Avenue Bronze Project is closing in on its 100th installation.

Renée JeanJuly 14, 2025

Bryan Pedersen and Gracie, a Cheyenne high school student who slid through an intersection on ice and crashed into Pedersen's Escalade. Instead of getting mad, he raised nearly $15,000 to buy her a new car.

A Teen Driver Hit His Car, So Cheyenne Man Bought Her A New One

Someone slides through an icy intersection and collides with your car, what do you do? If you’re Bryan Pedersen, a Cheyenne financial advisor, you buy the other driver — who was at fault — a new car.

Greg JohnsonJuly 13, 2025

An ironic twist of fate put a Wyoming monument to railroad power brokers out of sight and mind. But that’s not the only thing out of sight with the Ames Monument — there are hidden tunnels inside. And they may never be opened again.

The Last Person To Explore The Hidden Tunnels In Ames Monument

The remote Ames Monument in southeastern Wyoming is a complete oddity. Although there are four levels of tunnels in the pyramidic structure, it's been sealed up for decades. It was unsealed, however, for one day in 2010 and a descendant of the Ames' family was allowed to explore it.

Zakary SonntagJuly 13, 2025

A hunter scopes out a herd of Wyoming antelope. The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission on Tuesday could face hundreds of landowners and residents angry over proposed changes to the landowner hunting tag program. The new regulations could cut as many as 70% of the current allotment of landowner tags.

Hundreds Of Landowners Angry Over Proposed Wyoming Hunting Tag Changes

The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission on Tuesday could face hundreds of landowners and residents angry over proposed changes to the landowner hunting tag program. The new regulations could cut as many as 70% of the current allotment of landowner tags.

Mark HeinzJuly 13, 2025

North Bridger Bison tries to make use of every part of the animal — bleached skulls for collectors and florists who use them in arrangements.

Bearded Bison Advocate Started His Own Buffalo Ranch North Of Yellowstone

Matt Skoglund is a bearded bison advocate who left a law career in Chicago for a Western ag lifestyle. Now his bison ranch north of Yellowstone has become a model of natural ranching that serves customers in Montana, Wyoming and as far away as Florida.

David MadisonJuly 13, 2025

A coalition of conservation and hunting groups claims that holding facilities for mustangs across the West are bursting at the seams. Euthanizing older horses could be a necessary last resort to get things under control.

Killing Older Horses An Option To Trim Wyoming Mustang Herds, Coalition Says

A coalition of conservation and hunting groups claims that holding facilities for mustangs across the West are bursting at the seams. Euthanizing older horses could be a necessary last resort to get things under control, they say.

Mark HeinzJuly 13, 2025

Justin Beasley began working on bulls with his VOM tool, not expecting the amazing results or how tame a treatment would make the bulls to him.

Meet Dr. Cowboy, The Animal Chiropractor Putting More Buck Into Rodeo Bulls

When a rodeo bull refuses to buck, Dr. Cowboy uses his animal chiropractic tools to bring them back to life. He has successfully convinced even the most stubborn cowboy that this newfangled tool and technique is just the cure for their ailing bulls.

Jackie DorothyJuly 13, 2025

Black powder filled the air at the Douglas shooting range as 4-H kids, ages 8 to 18, competed in the annual Wyoming State Shoot this past Friday and Saturday.

Wyoming Rite Of Passage: 600 4-H Kids Show Out At State Shooting Competition

Learning to shoot is a Wyoming rite of passage and one of the fundamental programs of the state’s 4-H clubs. More than 600 4-H kids gathered in Douglas this past week to show out at the Wyoming State Shoot.

Jackie DorothyJuly 14, 2025

David Crouch, 27, went missing while camping in the Bridger-Teton National Forest in August 1997. His disappearance has haunted retired Sublette County Sheriff Hank Ruland for nearly three decades.

Now Retired, Wyoming Sheriff Still Haunted 28 Years After Camper Went Missing

David Crouch, 27, went missing while camping in the Bridger-Teton National Forest in August 1997. He was last seen on the banks of Island Lake with a fishing rod in hand. His disappearance has haunted retired Sublette County Sheriff Hank Ruland for nearly three decades.

Jen KocherJuly 12, 2025

Dave Simpson and Larry Ash, both 74, worked together to build a cabin in Wyoming’s remote Snowy Range mountains 44 years ago and made a pact to build another. Decades later, the retirees are making good on that promise.

Two Old Guys Build A Cabin By Hand In Wyoming’s Snowy Range

High up in Wyoming's Snowy Range Mountains – off grid, out of cell range and deep into black bear country at 9,500 feet – two old timers are building a cabin. They first built one 44 years ago. They made a promise to do it again and are "working like dogs" to get it finished.

Zakary SonntagJuly 12, 2025

Despite a number of mom-and-pop motels and 90-some Airbnbs in the area, Dubois is often out of rooms for tourists in the summer. It was impacting growth for the National Museum of Military Vehicles, so owner Dan Starks is building a new 70-bed motel.

Visitors Can’t Find Rooms In Dubois, So Military Museum Owner Is Building A Motel

Despite a number of mom-and-pop motels and 90-some Airbnbs in the area, Dubois is often out of rooms for tourists in the summer. It was impacting growth for the National Museum of Military Vehicles, so owner Dan Starks is building a new 70-bed motel.

Renée JeanJuly 12, 2025

Sightings of the dangerous and elusive "Swamp Moose" were reported in the Bighorn National Forest over the Fourth of July weekend. Swamp Moose is actually a mischievous 8-year-old wearing a ghillie suit with a moose antler on his head.

‘Swamp Moose’ Sightings In Bighorn National Forest Was 8-Year-Old Prankster

Sightings of the dangerous and elusive "Swamp Moose" were reported in the Bighorn National Forest over the Fourth of July weekend. Turns out the Swamp Moose was a mischievous 8-year-old wearing a ghillie suit with a moose antler on his head.

Andrew RossiJuly 12, 2025

Celebrity Chef Vincent Fiore was the resident chef at the historic UXU Ranch near Yellowstone and loves all things Wyoming and the West. Especially food. He’s bringing that to a national audience as host of a new show, “Cookin’ With Cowboys.”

Wyoming Ranch Chef Brings Cowboy Cookin’ To National Audience With New TV Show

Celebrity Chef Vincent Fiore, creator of the award-winning cooking shows “The Wiseguy Kitchen” and “Coast to Coast,” is coming to Cody to highlight cowboy cuisine for a new show he’s hosting this fall on Roku called “Cookin’ With Cowboys.”

Renée JeanJuly 12, 2025

A pair of mountain bikers were surprised when a bear showed up to chase them on a trail.

Bells On Mountain Bikes Could Help Cyclists Avoid Grizzly Maulings

Mountain bikers and grizzlies aren’t a good combination, as a Montana cyclist learned in 2016 when he surprised a bear and was killed. With more mountain bikes than ever in the backcountry, bells, shouting and carrying bear spray might help.

Mark HeinzJuly 13, 2025

Unlike Colorado, which just got its sixth area code, Wyoming's cherished 307 is safe as the state’s only area code for at least another 20 years. That’s good news for Wyomingites and the more than 900 businesses with names that start with “307.”

307 Safe As Wyoming’s Only Area Code For At Least Another 20 Years

Unlike Colorado, which just got its sixth area code, Wyoming's cherished 307 is safe as the state’s only area code for at least another 20 years. That’s good news for Wyomingites and the more than 900 businesses with names that start with “307.”

David MadisonJuly 12, 2025

In December 1966, 9-year-old Robert Hendry, son of historian Mary Hendry, posed with the mysterious Boot Map. Some prospectors believe that this carving is a map to the Lost Cabin Gold Mine along the Badwater Creek in central Wyoming.

160 Years After It Was Lost, Treasure Hunters Still Search For Lost Cabin Gold Mine

Hidden away in the Bighorns is a mysterious drawing carved on the surface of a massive granite boulder. Dubbed the “Boot Map,” old-timers have theorized for decades that the drawing, which resembles a Spanish boot, is a map leading to the Lost Cabin Gold Mine. 

Jackie DorothyJuly 12, 2025

Teton County Search and Rescue transport a trail runner who went down with an injury in Phillips Canyon on June 22.

Teton County Search And Rescue Responding To More Calls Than Ever

Teton County Search and Rescue had its busiest six months ever from December 2024 through May 31. They had more calls in this six-month stretch than the team used to get in an entire year.

Mark HeinzJuly 12, 2025

A giant 15-foot buffalo skull made by Vic Lemmon from fiberglass forms the entry of the Laundromat and Carwash in Dubois, Wyoming. It will also be a temporary art gallery when it hosts a unique exhibit.

Fluff And Fold With Culture: Dubois Buffalo Skull Laundromat To Host Art Exhibit

A pair of artists in Dubois are planning an art show in an unusual space. Instead of a gallery, their show is going inside the town’s famous laundromat, the one with the giant buffalo skull entrance.

Renée JeanJuly 13, 2025

This photo shows the devastating aftermath of an accidental fireworks explosion inside the South Hall building in Torrington on July 1, 2020. Firefighters were preparing the city’s Fourth of July fireworks display. An unexpected ignition set off a chain reaction. Fortunately, nobody was seriously hurt.

Kaboom! Since Explosion In 2020, Torrington Hasn’t Had Fourth Of July Fireworks

There were city fireworks displays all over Wyoming last week to celebrate the 4th of July. But not in Torrington. Ever since an accident set-off all the fireworks at once which blew the roof off a building, they've passed on an annual celebration.

Mark HeinzJuly 12, 2025

Wyoming pioneering game warden Albert Nelson, left, once set the broken leg of famed wildlife artist Carl Rungius, right. The thankful painter gave Nelson a painting that was later saved from the devastating 1927 Kelly Flood.

Wyoming History: Legendary Artist Gave Wyoming's First Game Warden Painting For Setting Broken Leg

Wyoming pioneering game warden Albert Nelson once set the broken leg of legendary wildlife artist Carl Rungius. The thankful artist gave Nelson a rare original painting that was later saved from the devastating 1927 Kelly Flood.

Dale KillingbeckJuly 13, 2025

Edmond Berseghian, above, and Zane Marcus Goodwin are two of six people accused of racing high-end luxury sports cars in Grand Teton National Park.

Supercar YouTuber Among 6 Accused Of Racing Luxury Cars In Grand Teton

A YouTuber who features high-priced supercars is one of six people accused of racing luxury cars in Grand Teton National Park last month. The drivers allegedly were racing up to speeds of 111 mph, a park official says.

Clair McFarlandJuly 11, 2025

Before (background) and after (inset) views of the Second Tower on Grand Teton shows a dramatic difference after part of if fell off last weekend.

Another Chunk Of Grand Teton’s Second Tower Falls Off

The Jenny Lake Rangers report that another chunk of the Second Tower on Grand Teton fell off over the Fourth of July weekend. It’s the second major collapse involving Second Tower since 2022, leaving experienced climbers saying “just stay away from it.”

Andrew RossiJuly 11, 2025

Keeping Wyoming hiking and biking trails clear of fallen trees often falls to volunteers from local organizations. One such group is the Central Wyoming Trails Alliance – which maintains the Casper Mountain trail network.

Trees Are Blocking Wyoming Trails, And They Can’t Be Cleared Fast Enough

Dead trees keep falling over onto trails across Wyoming. With federal trail crews in short supply, the work of clearing the trails is increasingly falling on private companies or local volunteer groups.

Mark HeinzJuly 12, 2025

Pinedale sign 8 18 23

One Dead In Pinedale Shooting, Possible Self-Defense Situation

One person is dead after a shooting Friday in Pinedale, the Sublette County Sheriff’s Office reports. Self-defense is being investigated as a possible factor, the sheriff told Cowboy State Daily.

Clair McFarlandJuly 11, 2025

Douglas Smith faces two counts of first-degree murder for the July 20, 2015, killing of two men at The Coin Shop in downtown Cheyenne.

10 Years After Cheyenne Coin Shop Double Murder, Trial To Begin

Trial begins with jury selection on Monday a decade after the brutal July 20, 2015, murder of two men at The Coin Shop in Cheyenne. The suspect, Douglas Smith, called 911 that day and wasn’t initially a suspect.

Greg JohnsonJuly 11, 2025

A luxury Jackson, Wyoming, home built for an avid golfer and once frequented by Payton Manning, has hit the market for $9.95 million.

$9.95M Jackson Home Once Fequented By Payton Manning Is Perfect For Golfers

A luxury Jackson, Wyoming, home perfect for an avid golfer and once frequented by Peyton Manning has hit the market for $9.95 million.

Renée JeanJuly 11, 2025

Alice Ione Halstead

Rock Springs Mother Accused Of Shooting Son In The Neck

A woman could face up to life in prison after Sweetwater County detectives say she shot her son in the neck last month. The mother was arrested Friday, and told authorities her son was going to hit her with a guitar, court documents say.

Clair McFarlandJuly 11, 2025

William "Bill" John Duncan

Green River Man Guilty Of Encouraging Child Into Sex Acts

A jury took about four hours Wednesday to convict a 50-year-old Green River man on multiple counts of child exploitation. William John Duncan was found guilty of encouraging a preteen child into sex acts.

Clair McFarlandJuly 11, 2025

Ezekiel Hernandez and Melinda Hurt

Cheyenne Man Who Made Courthouse Bomb Threat To Testify Against Accomplice

A 44-year-old Cheyenne man pleaded guilty Thursday to calling in a bomb threat to the Laramie County court complex. He did it on the advice of a female friend, who was allegedly trying to disrupt her jury trial.

Dale KillingbeckJuly 11, 2025

Wyoming entrepreneur Reid Rasner, left, filed a lawsuit Tuesday against former state Sen. Anthony Bouchard, right, claiming he was defamed and jeopardized his $47.5 billion bid to buy TikTok. He also said China is blocking his group from buying the social media app.

Reid Rasner Sues Anthony Bouchard, Claims He Jeopardized TikTok Deal

Wyoming entrepreneur Reid Rasner filed a lawsuit Tuesday against former state Sen. Anthony Bouchard, claiming he was defamed and jeopardized his reported $47.5 billion bid to buy TikTok.

Clair McFarlandJuly 10, 2025

Gov. Mark Gordon talks about the restoration of Wyoming's Liberty Bell. All 50 states have Liberty Bells, but not every state kept theirs. Wyoming's required significant restoration to save it for future generations.

Liberty Bell Rings Again In Wyoming Ahead of Nation’s 250th Anniversary

Wyoming rang its Liberty Bell and unveiled an amped-up tour of the restored state Capitol on Thursday. It was all part of a kickoff to the nation’s 250th anniversary next year — on the 135th for Wyoming statehood.

Renée JeanJuly 11, 2025

Gray Gordon and coal port 7 10 25

Gordon Defends Energy Platform; Gray Says Wind, Solar A ‘Woke Clown Show’

Gov. Mark Gordon and Secretary of State Chuck Gray continued their ongoing feud Thursday on the Cowboy State Daily Show with Jake Nichols. Gordon defended his “all-of-the-above” energy platform, while Gray called wind and solar a “woke clown show.”

David MadisonJuly 10, 2025

A herd of exceptionally large cows teamed up last week to run off a grizzly bear in Montana. The herd of Charolais cattle, known for their huge size and aggressive nature, surrounded the grizzly and forced it to run away.

Herd Of Giant Cows Team Up To Scare Off Grizzly Bear

A herd of exceptionally large cows teamed up last week to run off a grizzly bear in Montana. The herd of Charolais cattle, known for their huge size and aggressive nature, surrounded the grizzly and forced it to run away.

Andrew RossiJuly 10, 2025

Charles Massie

Two More Girls Say Accused Moorcroft Church Molester Also Touched Them

Two more girls have come forward to say a Moorcroft man accused of molesting little girls also allegedly abused them. Charles Massie, who reportedly confessed to a counselor that “I’m the terrible one,” pleaded not guilty Thursday to nine criminal charges.

Clair McFarlandJuly 10, 2025

Here’s an area in southeastern Montana near the Wyoming border where a wildfire burned through and ignited a coal seam.

Dozens Of New Burning Coal Seams Revealed Across Wyoming’s Northern Border

After an epic 2024 wildfire season burned vast areas across northern Wyoming and southern Montana, dozens of new burning coal seams are being revealed. In Montana, the Remington Fire burned almost 200,000 acres and left more than 100 new coal seam fires.

David MadisonJuly 10, 2025

A pair of state senators sparred at length Wednesday about whether an agency under the governor should audit the Legislative Services Office. Sen. Chris Rothfuss says it violates separation of powers protocols, while Sen. Darin Smith says it doesn't.

Legislators Spar Over Whether Governor’s Agency Should Audit Legislature

A pair of state senators sparred at length Wednesday about whether an agency under the governor should audit the Legislative Service Office. Sen. Chris Rothfuss says it violates separation of powers protocols, while Sen. Darin Smith says it doesn't.

Clair McFarlandJuly 11, 2025

Vice President J.D. Vance will be in Jackson, Wyoming, on July 29. He’ll attend a fundraiser for the Republican National Committee. He's pictured here with wife Usha at a black-tie event in Washington, D.C.

Vice President J.D. Vance To Hobnob In Jackson At Fundraiser For RNC

Vice President J.D. Vance will be in Jackson on July 29 to attend a fundraiser for the Republican National Committee. The announcement came as a surprise to Katherine Rueckert, chair of the Teton County Republican Party.

Andrew RossiJuly 10, 2025

Prometheus Hyperscale, a new data center project in western Wyoming, has hired Wyoming Public Service Commissioner Mary Throne to help it navigate the regulatory environment. Throne starts Aug. 1 and will step down from her role at the PSC.

Wyoming Data Center Hires Public Service Commissioner Mary Throne

Prometheus Hyperscale, a new data center project in western Wyoming, has hired Wyoming Public Service Commissioner Mary Throne to help it navigate the regulatory environment. Throne starts Aug. 1 and will step down from her role at the PSC.

Renée JeanJuly 10, 2025

Daily Features

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PinYour Wyoming Sunrise: Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Today's Wyoming sunrise was captured by Ed Liebzeit. Ed writes, "Beautiful morning as the mist rises on the ponds at Teton Pines Country Club in Jackson Hole!"

Photo by Ed Liebzeit

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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Joan barron headshot 4 27 24

Joan Barron: Can We Get Rid Of Prison Gerrymandering?

Columnist Joan Barron writes, "Although the inmates are convicted felons and cannot vote, they are counted as part of the overall population. They have been called 'Wyoming’s ghost constituents.'"

Joan BarronJuly 12, 2025

Lange at chic fil a

Jonathan Lange: The Flood Shows Why We Protect Parental Rights

Columnist Jonathan Lange writes: “In the real world, parents will fight to the death rather than give up their children to a system that harms them - physically, mentally, or spiritually.”

Jonathan LangeJuly 11, 2025

Sniffin headshot 7 2 25

Bill Sniffin: Wyoming's Red Desert Is A Vast Deep Sea – It Will Swallow You

Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, “Wyoming’s Red Desert is so unique. And it is huge! It can swallow you up. And you will love every minute of it.”

Bill SniffinJuly 10, 2025

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