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What's In A Name: Dubois, Wyoming
You can always spot a tourist in Dubois, Wyoming, by how they pronounce the name of the town. In Wyoming, it's called Doo-boys, not the French pronunciation of Deh-bwah. How it got called that is shrouded in myth and mystery.
Jackie DorothyFebruary 09, 2025

Wyoming's Everywhere At The World-Renowned Tucson Gem and Mineral Show
Hundreds of vendors from dozens of countries converged in Tucson, Arizona, for the annual Gem and Mineral Show, where the best and most impressive gems, minerals, and fossils turn the past into profit. And everywhere you looked, Wyoming was represented.
Andrew RossiFebruary 08, 2025

Summertime Reservations Going Fast At Lodges in Yellowstone, Glacier and Grand Teton
Reservations for the in-park lodges at Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park are starting to fill up for the summer tourism season, though some of the most sought-after lodging options are already booked.
Anna-Louise Jackson for Cowboy State DailyFebruary 09, 2025

Cody Woman Donates 4 Gallons Of Breast Milk To New Wyoming Milk Bank
Cody Regional Health has become a milk depot for Mother's Milk Bank, an agency that pasteurizes and distributes donated breast milk to infant ICUs across the nation. A local woman has already donated 4 gallons to the new milk bank.
Andrew RossiFebruary 09, 2025

Wyoming Family Learns Solar Panels Aren’t For The Faint Of Heart
A Happy Valley family who lives near Cheyenne found out the hard way that solar panels aren’t for the faint of heart. They do work, and they do defray energy costs, but there are a lot of headaches that go along with it. It helps if you have the patience of a saint.
Renée JeanFebruary 09, 2025

Wyoming History: The 1919 Casper Whiskey Raid Gone Bad
A 1919 raid on a big whiskey stash by lawmen in Casper was a disaster in every way. A shootout killed a deputy and wounded many others. The sheriff never produced a warrant and those raided pleaded ignorance to knowing they were officers. Everyone charged walked away.
Dale KillingbeckFebruary 08, 2025

Wyoming Senate Outspends House By $109 Million In Supplemental Budget
The Wyoming Senate and House wrapped up their supplemental budgets on Friday night, with the Senate outspending the lower chamber by $109 million. Both added some support for local governments and schools in the event that a major property tax relief bill passes into law
Leo WolfsonFebruary 08, 2025

Death Penalty On The Table In Bow And Arrow Death; Prosecutor Says Man Was 'Impaled'
Sublette County Attorney Clayton Melinkovich said he hasn’t ruled out seeking the death penalty for two Big Piney men charged Friday with first-degree murder, in the death of a man investigators say was killed by a bow and arrow. The victim was "impaled" by a man who later bragged about the act to friends, Melinkovich alleged in court.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 07, 2025

University Of Wyoming Spends $2 Million For Super Bowl Ad Celebrating Josh Allen
The University of Wyoming has expended $2 million for a 30-second ad during the Super Bowl celebrating Buffalo Bills' quarterback Josh Allen and his connection to the University of Wyoming. The spot will air in cities across the country and will be seen in Wyoming too.
Andrew RossiFebruary 07, 2025

Feds Will Listen To Wyoming This Time About BLM Rock Springs Plan, Former Trump Interior Official Says
A former high-ranking Dept of Interior official told Cowboy State Daily that the BLM's Rock Springs area plan will likely be heavily revised toward Wyoming’s liking and will be "very respectful" of Gov. Mark Gordon's recommendations.
Mark HeinzFebruary 07, 2025

The Roundup: A Conversation With Eli Bebout
This week, host Wendy Corr visits with longtime Wyoming legislator Eli Bebout. From his childhood in Shoshoni to his leadership in both the Wyoming House and Senate, Eli has lived a unique and meaningful Wyoming life!
Wendy CorrFebruary 08, 2025

The American West: Tip Vincent And The 1878 Elk Mountain Murders
Henry H. “Tip” Vincent, a detective and tracker for the Union Pacific Railroad, carried a Sharps rifle loaned to him by Otto Franc as he pursued George Parott and a group of train robbers to the west side of Elk Mountain, where he was gunned down and the Sharps was stolen.
Mark E. MillerFebruary 07, 2025

No Charges For Thermopolis Officer, Deputy Who Shot Baseball Bat Attacker
There will be no criminal charges filed against the police officer and sheriff's deputy who shot and killed a Thermopolis man who charged them with a metal baseball bat. The special prosecutor on Friday said the agents acted within Wyoming's self-defense laws,
Clair McFarlandFebruary 07, 2025

Appropriations Committee Advances Sweeping Immigration Bill That Would Make It Felony To Harbor Illegals
A Wyoming immigration bill that would levy state-level felony charges against people who harbor or transport illegal immigrants kept its $1 million price tag Friday, when the Senate Appropriations Committee approved it. The state Senate will debate the bill next.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 07, 2025

Wyoming Committee Kills 'Sweeping And Almost Vindictive' Anti-Obscenity Law
A Wyoming Legislative committee killed a broad anti-obscenity bill on Friday. Republican Rep. Tom Kelly said lawmakers shouldn't lose sight of the real problem of sexually-graphic books in kids' library sections, but the solution isn't to advance a “sweeping and almost vindictive law."
Clair McFarlandFebruary 08, 2025

Bill Would Give Wyoming Strongest Laws In Country To Fight Frivolous Defamation Lawsuits
A Wyoming legislative committee advanced a bill on Friday that legal experts say would give Wyoming the toughest laws in the country to prevent the filing of frivolous defamation lawsuits.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 07, 2025

Wyoming Cowboys Will Play Coach Prime And the Colorado Buffaloes Next Season
On Sept. 20, the Wyoming Cowboys will head down to Boulder for an anticipated matchup with Coach Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes, a contest that will feature two young teams and bring national exposure to a regional matchup. UW last played CU in 2009.
Justin GeorgeFebruary 07, 2025

Yellowstone to Yosemite with Kevin Costner” TV Show Premieres Saturday Featuring Wyoming Parks
A documentary series premiering on Fox Nation this Saturday explores connections between two of the first national parks, and it follows up Costner’s unscripted project “Yellowstone: One-Fifty.”
David MadisonFebruary 07, 2025

Sidelined By Open-Heart Surgery, Casper Rep. J.R. Riggins Hopes To Return By Last Week Of Session
Casper. Rep. J.R. Riggins, elected to the legislature in November, spent one week on the job before open heart surgery. He hopes to return the last week of the session.
Dale KillingbeckFebruary 07, 2025

Casper Man Receives 60-Plus Years For Child Rape, Child Pornography Charges
A 26-year-old Casper man who once bragged about having sex with young children was sentenced on Friday in Natrona County District Court to over 60 years for raping a child and soliciting others to do the same.
Dale KillingbeckFebruary 07, 2025

Two Big Piney Men, 18 and 19, Charged With First-Degree Murder In Bow And Arrow Death
Sublette County sheriff's investigators found a 23-year-old man dead of apparent arrow wounds Wednesday in a Big Piney home. Two men aged 18 and 19 were charged with variations of first-degree murder Friday morning.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 07, 2025

Teen Girl Accused In Reliance Bonfire Shooting Charged As Adult
A 16-year-old Rock Springs girl has been charged as an adult after Sweetwater County Sheriff’s investigators say she shot two men who were in a fight with her boyfriend. The shooting happened late Saturday near a bonfire party spot outside Reliance.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 06, 2025

Wyoming's Josh Allen Wins His First MVP
Former University of Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen won his first most valuable player award on Thursday night. The Buffalo Bills QB edged out Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson in the closest ballot since 2005.
Jimmy OrrFebruary 07, 2025

Cowboy State Daily Video News: Friday, January 7, 2025
Friday's headlines include: * 16-year-old Girl Charged In Double Shooting * UW: No Problem In Complying With Trans Ban * Politicos Cheer Trump’s Reversal Of BLM-Land Plan
Wendy CorrFebruary 07, 2025

University of Wyoming 'Will Have No Problem Complying' With NCAA Transgender Sports Ban
The NCAA on Thursday barred males from participating in women's sports. The University of Wyoming, which forfeited two women's volleyball matches last fall against a team with a trans player, said it will have “no problem complying.”
Clair McFarlandFebruary 07, 2025

House Advances Bill To Create New State Monument, Mount Rushmore-Sized Optional
A legislative committee advanced a bill on Thursday that would create a group to study building a "Monument to America" in Wyoming. The amended bill removes the requirement the statue be as large as Mount Rushmore, however.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 07, 2025

Trump Administration Shuts Down Controversial Biden-Era Rock Springs Management Plan
Sweetwater County officials were thrilled at news that a controversial federal land management plan had been shut down by the Trump administration. Newly-appointed Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum made the decision late Wednesday.
Mark HeinzFebruary 06, 2025

USGS Using A Helicopter Hula Hoop To See What's Buried Under Southeast Wyoming
The United States Geological Survey has started flying helicopters between 100 to 200 feet above the ground with a giant electromagnetic sensor to identify water, minerals and metals buried up to 1,500 feet underground in southeast Wyoming.
Andrew RossiFebruary 07, 2025

Fremont County Library Director Publicly Reprimanded After Speaking Against Obscenity Bill
The library director for Fremont County was reprimanded Thursday for not clarifying she was speaking personally, when she criticized a proposed state law seeking to punish librarians for exposing kids to obscenity. Anita Marple said she'd clarify her position, and learn from the experience.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 06, 2025

Senate Saves Resolution Calling On Congress To Give Wyoming All Public Lands Except Yellowstone
On a razor thin 16 - 15 vote, the Wyoming Senate revived a bill on Thursday calling on Congress to hand over all public lands to the state, except Yellowstone. The bill had been rejected earlier in the day on a 16-14 vote.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 06, 2025

Fishing Could Be Limited To Lures, Flies Because Too Many Released Fish Are Dying
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is considering changes to fishing regulations on the North Platte drainage to artificial flies and lures at the Gray Reef and Fremont Canyon dams because too many released fish are dying.
Zakary Sonntag for Cowboy State DailyFebruary 06, 2025

Without Stiffer Trespass Law, There Could Be Gunfights, ‘Blood On The Prairie,’ Lawmaker Says
A bill that would have stiffened Wyoming’s hunting trespass penalties died in committee on Thursday. The bill’s sponsor warned of violence if more isn’t done to curb trespassing. "I fear there will be shootouts and blood on the prairie,” Rep. Allemand said
Mark HeinzFebruary 06, 2025

Judge Won’t Dismiss Sheridan Man’s “Sucker-Punch” Manslaughter Case Early
A judge declined Tuesday to dismiss the case of a man accused of killing a Sheridan hockey coach with a blow the coach's girlfriend called a "sucker punch." Cody McCalla claimed he acted in self-defense after getting into a fight with the victim.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 06, 2025

House Advances Bill Giving Political Parties More Say In Filling Vacancies
The House Appropriations Committee, by a 6 - 1 margin, advanced a bill on Thursday that would give local and state political parties more power in filling political vacancies in Wyoming
Leo WolfsonFebruary 06, 2025

Here Comes The Sun: February Is Month For Greatest Increase In Sunshine
For those tired of the dark, dreary days of winter, February is the month of optimism. This is the month where we gain the most sunlight. Cody and Greybull are tops in the state and will gain 1 hour and 19 minutes of sun by the end of the month.
Jimmy OrrFebruary 06, 2025

Bills To Ban Voting Machines Killed In Committee
Two bills that would’ve banned voting machines and mandate hand count elections in Wyoming were rejected by Senate and House committees on Wednesday night. Legislators cited costs and vulnerabilities as reasons for striking the bills down.
Leo WolfsonFebruary 06, 2025
Daily Features
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Today's Wyoming sunrise was captured by Heather McLaughlin in Upton, Wyoming. "I could set my clock to my horses daily routine of bringing themselves to the barn every morning for their breakfast. My old Paint is always the first one to meet me at the barn."
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
Joan Barron: A Revised Tax Reform Bill Is A Test For Local Governments
Opinion by Joan Barron
Bill Sniffin: Wyoming Folks Recall Times When They Were Happiest – How About You?
Opinion by Bill Sniffin
Jonathan Lange: Our Founders Had School Choice - So Should We
Opinion by Jonathan Lange
Dennis Sun: Wyoming’s Outdoor Recreation Needs Managed
Opinion by Dennis Sun
Sally Ann Shurmur: Thoughts On Parenting As The Oldest Turns Older
Opinion by Sally Ann Shurmur
Opinion
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Joan Barron: A Revised Tax Reform Bill Is A Test For Local Governments
Columnist Joan Barron writes, "What stood out was the lack of trust many legislators have with their local governments in regard to spending. There were no claims of fraud, just overspending or maybe not being transparent about where the money goes."
Joan BarronFebruary 08, 2025

Bill Sniffin: Wyoming Folks Recall Times When They Were Happiest – How About You?
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “I asked people to share with us when they were most happy in their lives? What they shared made a big impression.”
Bill SniffinFebruary 08, 2025

Jonathan Lange: Our Founders Had School Choice - So Should We
Columnist Jonathan Lange writes: The flourishing private schools of yesteryear didn’t close down because of natural market forces – but because every parent who wanted to benefit from private school education had to pay twice. That’s not fair.
Jonathan LangeFebruary 07, 2025
Wyoming Life
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Cody Residents Celebrate Snow Day By Slapping On Skis And Attaching Themselves To Moving Cars
Andrew RossiFebruary 05, 2025
120 MPH Wind Gust On Mount Coffin One Of Strongest Ever In Wyoming
Andrew RossiFebruary 04, 2025
Snowstorm Shuts Down Cody, While It’s Near 60 And Spring-Like In Cheyenne
Andrew RossiFebruary 03, 2025
Kiddos On Skis: How Wyoming's Antelope Butte Ski Resort Teaches Littles How To Ski
Jackie DorothyFebruary 02, 2025
Restoration Of Historic Tumble Inn Sign Almost Complete
Dale KillingbeckFebruary 02, 2025
Outdoors
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Hunters Say Proposal To Take Away Hunting, Fishing Privileges For Trespass Is Draconian
February 05, 2025
Wyoming Game And Fish Director Says “Stars Are Aligned” For Grizzly Delisting
Mark HeinzFebruary 04, 2025
Angry Bison Charges Into Crowd Watching Wolf Pack In Yellowstone
Andrew RossiFebruary 03, 2025
Sagebrush Murder Mystery Reveals Two Potential Killers Of Range Plant
David MadisonFebruary 02, 2025
Like Wolves, Wyoming’s Stray Cats Aren’t Protected From Torture
Mark HeinzFebruary 02, 2025
Crime & Courts
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In Brief: Man In Big Piney Home Found Dead, Other Man Questioned
Clair McFarlandFebruary 06, 2025
Governor, AG Say Judge Misapplied Law When Striking Down Abortion Bans
Clair McFarlandFebruary 05, 2025
Coroner's Report: Senior Died Of Hypothermia At Gillette Assisted Living Center
Jen KocherFebruary 05, 2025
Evanston Snowmobiler Killed In Avalanche; Friends Say Man Was 'Too Good For This Earth'
Clair McFarlandFebruary 05, 2025
Former Riverton School Board Candidate Gets 25-30 Years For Molesting Child
Clair McFarlandFebruary 04, 2025