AdvertiseGet Free Daily Newsletter
AdvertiseGet Free Daily Newsletter

Cowboy State Daily - Wyoming News

News

Headlines

View all
Mark and Mary Nelson with their grandchildren and daughters, Maggie Haron and Sadie Howard. Hippie Cow Creamery has become a full-time family business selling raw, unpasteurized milk to families in Cody and northwest Wyoming.

Cody's Hippie Cow Creamery Started With 1 Cow And Off-The-Wall Attitude

Hippie Cow Creamery in Cody started with one Jersey cow and an off-the-wall attitude. Their raw, unpasteurized milk business is exploding, and the family is as quirky as ever -- singing to their cows, dancing with their cows, and making farm-inspired music videos.

Andrew RossiNovember 16, 2024

A number of recent human-on-human crimes — including murder — have attempted to be covered up and blamed on bear attacks. But law enforcement and wildlife experts say it’s not hard to see through those bogus claims.

Trying To Get Away With Murder By Staging It As A Bear Attack Is A Bad Idea

A number of recent human-on-human crimes — including murder — have attempted to be covered up by blaming them on bear attacks. But law enforcement and wildlife officials say it’s a really bad strategy.

Jen KocherNovember 16, 2024

What's being called a 20-year storm left much of Colorado under deep snow this past week, which crusted over and forced herds of antelope onto eastern Colorado roads, where about 150 were killed, including 53 at once.

Winter Storm Drives 150 Antelope To Their Deaths, Including 53 From One Truck Accident

150 antelope were killed earlier this week when a winter storm blasted eastern Colorado with snow and sent the animals onto the highways. That includes 53 antelope which were plowed down in a single accident.

Mark HeinzNovember 16, 2024

The annual Stop Sign Snow Challenge is on again. Over the coming months, participants will watch as snow creeps up this stop sign on Togwotee Pass. Left, the sign as of Friday. Right, late in the season during a past contest.

When Will Remote Stop Sign On Togwotee Pass Get Buried By Snow?

Guessing if and when snow will bury a remote Wyoming stop sign on Togwotee Pass has become an annual winter spectator sport. The contest is on again, and people have until midnight Sunday to submit their guesses.

Andrew RossiNovember 16, 2024

Brent Bien announced Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, that he's running for Wyoming governor in the 2026 election.

Republican Brent Bien First To Announce Campaign For Wyoming Governor In 2026

Cody Republican Brent Bien told Cowboy State Daily on Saturday at the Wyoming Republican Party Central Committee meeting in Big Piney that he’s running for governor in 2026. He also ran for governor in 2022 but lost to Mark Gordon in the primary.

Leo WolfsonNovember 16, 2024

399 11 16 24

Wyoming Whiskey Celebrating Life Of Grizzly 399 With New Limited Edition Bourbon

To commemorate the life of Grizzly 399, Wyoming Whiskey is creating a new limited edition bourbon. They say the dominant flavor is white chocolate mocha, with notes of red fruit and rich brown sugar while the finish has lingering hints of candied ginger and soft vanilla. Less than 720 bottles will be made.

Andrew RossiNovember 17, 2024

A truck plowed into the side of this brick house on Central Avenue on Oct. 11. The homeowners have now spent more than a month dealing with a huge hole in their house and at least $30,000 in damages.

What To Do After A Truck Plows Into Your House

A Cheyenne couple is finding out how to rebuild their home after a truck crashed into it during a freak accident. For the first week after the accident, parts of the house kept caving in. Now that it's stabilized, rebuilding has begun.

Leo WolfsonNovember 16, 2024

A still shot from a Fading West video showing a modular housing unit being placed on a pad.

Modular Homes Could Be An Answer To Busting Wyoming’s Housing Crunch

One estimate shows Wyoming needs more than 38,000 homes. Economic developers say it's hampering efforts to attract new businesses and workforce to the state. Modular homes could be the solution if the stigma can be overcome.

Renée JeanNovember 16, 2024

On the floor of a natural gas drilling rig, roughnecks move 25-ton blocks over a section of drilling pipe 8 miles north of Evanston, Wyoming, in this file photo.

Wyoming Has Lost 10,000 Mining, Oil And Gas Jobs Over Past Decade

Wyoming has lost 10,000 jobs in the natural resources and mining sector over the past decade, UW economist Anne Alexander said. Other job categories have stayed close to the same, or increased, but the mining category -- which includes oil and gas jobs — has dropped precipitously.

Renée JeanNovember 16, 2024

The Wyo Sports Ranch sits on 14 acres on the northwest side of Casper. It is scheduled to open on Jan. 6, 2025.

Casper’s Massive 130,000-Square-Foot WYO Sports Ranch A Draw For National Events

Set to open in January, the massive 130,000-square-foot WYO Sports Ranch in Casper is already a draw to host national events. The sprawling $49 million facility has 10 basketball courts, a huge indoor turf field and state-of-the-art tech.

Dale KillingbeckNovember 16, 2024

A painting of Big Nose George Parrott, a man who murder came naturally to, holding up the Deadwood stage, by Charles M. Russell.

The Dangerous Job Of Driving Stage In Wyoming: Robberies, Run-Away Horses And Rock Slides

Coal miner John Hulse discovered that driving a stagecoach in Wyoming was more dangerous than working in the mines. He survived hold-ups, run-away horses and rockslides before returning to the Gebo coal mines.

Jackie DorothyNovember 17, 2024

Three 2024 University of Wyoming volleyball players are plaintiffs in a lawsuit challenging a transgender player on the San Jose State University team.

Mountain West Denies It Snuck In New Rule To Punish Boycott Of Trans Player

The Mountain West Conference told Cowboy State Daily on Thursday that it didn't suddenly edit its rules to punish schools for boycotting a women's volleyball team with a transgender player. The women suing the conference claim it did.

Clair McFarlandNovember 16, 2024

The Roundup Nesvik play

The Roundup: A Conversation With Brian Nesvik

This week, Wendy Corr chats with retired Wyoming Game and Fish Director Brian Nesvik. Brian talks about the challenges of his 30-year career with Game and Fish, his experience as a Brigadier General, and his plans for retirement on his ranch near Glendo.

Wendy CorrNovember 15, 2024

Brandon "BJ" Kidgell, Manderson, Wyoming, police chief.

Rural Wyoming Police Chief Accused Of Helping Girlfriend Evade Meth Arrest

Manderson, Wyoming, Police Chief Brandon “BJ” Kidgell is accused of tipping off a woman he was dating to drug searches of her house and attempts to arrest her. The six charges, which include neglect of duty, were filed Thursday.

Clair McFarlandNovember 15, 2024

President-elect Donald Trump and Adobe Town in southwest Wyoming.

Trump And Republican Congress Could Throw Out Controversial Rock Springs Plan

With Trump returning to the White House and Republicans taking over the Senate and House, the BLM’s controversial Rock Springs Resource Management Plan could get derailed. It could get killed outright.

Leo WolfsonNovember 16, 2024

Drought and wildfires is forcing more Wyoming ranchers to sell off more of their cattle. At Torrington Livestock Markets on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, it was the largest sale in at least a decade.

Drought, Wildfires Prompt Torrington’s Biggest Cattle Sale In A Decade

Drought and wildfires are prompting cattle ranchers in Wyoming and around the region to sell more of their cattle than ever. The Torrington Livestock market had its biggest cattle sale in a decade Friday, with 4,000 bovine sold.

Jackie DorothyNovember 15, 2024

Tearing up a Rolls Royce and other luxury cars in a cheap bear suit in an attempt to scam a California insurance company was “really stupid,” industry and wildlife experts say. Four suspects were arrested Wednesday in the ill-conceived scheme.

Tearing Up Luxury Cars In A Bear Suit To Scam Insurance “Really Stupid”

Tearing up a Rolls Royce and other luxury cars in a cheap bear suit in an attempt to scam California insurance companies was “really stupid,” industry and wildlife experts say. Four suspects were arrested Wednesday in the ill-conceived scheme.

Mark HeinzNovember 16, 2024

Randall Bailey

Cody Man Accused Of Stalking Ex, Hoarding Homemade Explosives

Though Randall Bailey, 64, does not appear to be charged with possessing explosives, court documents say police found homemade explosive devices in his Cody, Wyoming, home. He remains in jail on suspicion of stalking his ex-wife.

Clair McFarlandNovember 15, 2024

A woman in Salt Lake City climbed onto a high-voltage transformer, prompting power to be shut off to more than 800 homes.

Utah Woman Climbs On High-Voltage Substation, Causes Power Outage

800 homes in Salt Lake City lost power on Thursday when a woman bypassed security fencing and climbed onto the high-voltage bushings of a substation transformer. A similar incident happened in Cody, Wyoming, except it was caused by raccoons.

Andrew RossiNovember 15, 2024

President-elect Donald Trump has chosen U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Florida, to be his next attorney general.

Barrasso And Lummis Say Matt Gaetz Will Be Treated Fairly

Wyoming Sens. John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis both said U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz will be treated fairly while he is being considered for the position of Attorney General. Neither, however, endorsed his selection outright.

Leo WolfsonNovember 15, 2024

A view along Highway 14 shows large patches of black where the Elk Fire burned on the eastern Bighorn Mountains in northern Wyoming.

After 7 Weeks And 100,000 Acres Burned, Elk Fire Is 100% Contained

After more than seven weeks, the Elk Fire is officially 100% contained. The late-season wildfire scorched nearly 100,000 acres in the Bighorn Mountains and came close to burning the rural towns of Dayton and Parkman.

Greg JohnsonNovember 15, 2024

Former President Donald Trump and former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney.

Arizona AG Ends Investigation Into Trump's "War Hawk" Comments About Liz Cheney

The Arizona attorney general has closed an investigation into Donald Trump’s controversial comments about Liz Cheney being a "war hawk." Her investigation showed there was “no reasonable likelihood that we could obtain a conviction for Trump’s statements.”

Leo WolfsonNovember 15, 2024

LaPrele Dam has been standing for 114 years, more than double its original 50-year lifespan.

Failing LaPrele Dam Near Douglas Leaves Farmers With No Good Options

There doesn't seem to be any good options for people living below the 115-year-old LaPrele Dam near Douglas which is failing. It's scheduled to be breached by April 1, 2025.

Mark HeinzNovember 14, 2024

From left, state Reps. Trey Sherwood, John Bear and Senate President Ogden Driskill debate tax relief and their visions for Wyoming’s future Thursday in Laramie at the Wyoming Business Alliance’s Governor Business Forum.

Legislative Leaders Debate Tax Relief, Visions For Wyoming’s Future

It was a meeting of old vs. new Thursday as incoming and outgoing Wyoming legislative leaders were on stage together. Senate President Ogden Driskill and Reps. John Bear and Trey Sherwood debated tax relief and their visions for Wyoming’s future.

Leo WolfsonNovember 14, 2024

A rash of graffiti and vandalism on the Cheyenne Frontier Days grounds has prompted the organization to ban the public from the area except during regular events.

Vandalism Forces Cheyenne Frontier Days To Close Grounds To Public

A rash of vandalism at the Cheyenne Frontier Days grounds has caused an estimated $15,000 to $20,000 worth of damage and prompted the organization to close the area to the public.

Greg JohnsonNovember 14, 2024

Secretary of State Chuck Gray, left, and Gov. Mark Gordon.

Chuck Gray Says Animosity Toward Mark Gordon Not Personal

Secretary of State Chuck Gray on Thursday said his longstanding feud with Gov. Mark Gordon is nothing personal. He says it dates back to the governor’s vetoing one of his bills five years ago and a series of actions since then that he disagrees with.

Leo WolfsonNovember 14, 2024

The rugged and remote Green Mountain area in the Laramie Range in Albany County is prized for its elk and bighorn sheep hunting. The proposed Britania Land Exchange would trade rugged Forest Service Land in Albany for two parchels farther to the north.

Fight Over Prime Wyoming Hunting Land Exchange Headed To Federal Court

A legal fight is brewing over a U.S. Forest Service land exchange that would take a "hunter's paradise" parcel in Wyoming's Laramie Range out of public use. Opponents of the swap filed a court petition to stop it this week and are threatening a lawsuit.

Mark HeinzNovember 14, 2024

Daily Features

View all
Sunrise 11 17 24
PinYour Wyoming Sunrise: Sunday, November 17, 2024

Today's Wyoming sunrise was captured by Steve Firth of Big Piney. Steve writes, "Spectacular cloud display this morning just south of Big Piney."

Photo by Steve Firth

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

View all
Sally ann headshot 12 28 23

Sally Ann Shurmur: Wyoming vs CSU -- It Won't Ever Be Just Another Game

Columnist Sally Ann Shurmur writes, “Conferences may realign, playoffs may expand, but there will never be another rivalry like Wyoming and the sheep. Here’s why.”

Sally Ann ShurmurNovember 14, 2024

Rod miller headshot scaled

Rod Miller: In Praise Of Tricksters And The Free Press

Columnist Rod Miller writes, "If you read something that offends you or calls into question your basic beliefs – say, in a column in Cowboy State Daily – feel free to read no further, and go back to your pep rally."

Rod MillerNovember 14, 2024

Lubnau head 2

Tom Lubnau:  A  Statue Of A Barn Owl Sits On Law Books And the Bible in Cheyenne

Tom Lubnau writes: "The sculpture depicts a barn owl in flight, representing wisdom and the rural roots of these five legislators, the active role they played in Wyoming government, and their foundational belief in the Bible."

Tom LubnauNovember 14, 2024

Newsletter

Wyoming Life

View all

Outdoors

View all

Crime & Courts

View all