AdvertiseGet Free Daily Newsletter
AdvertiseGet Free Daily Newsletter

Cowboy State Daily - Wyoming News

News

Headlines

View all
The Cody Theatre on June 20, 2025, after its sagging marquee was raised over a foot and set in place by a new steel support structure inside the existing marquee that has been floating on the front of the theatre since it opened in 1937.

Historic Cody Theatre Marquee Was Falling Off Building Until It Was Saved Last Week

The 88-year-old marquee of the historic Cody Theatre had been sagging downward for decades and threatened to fall off the building. The owners said it would have been far easier to get rid of it and replace it with a modern sign but they couldn't let that happen.

Andrew RossiJune 22, 2025

Jim Robinson found this pair of mule-ear boots abandoned in an old attic in Cripple Creek, Colorado, back in the 1990s. He dates the books back to somewhere between 1890 and 1910, which made them close to a century or so old when he found them.

You’ve Seen This Casper Man Wearing Rare 130-Year-Old Mule-Ear Boots In Movies

Jim Robinson of Casper found a pair of rare mule-ear cowboy boots from the 1890s in a dusty old cabin in Colorado. You’ve likely seen him wearing the boots in several movies, including “Rough Riders.”

Renée JeanJune 23, 2025

Joran Cochran smiles for a photo with his dog Apollo.

Wyoming Suicide: Rock Springs Teen Screamed He Wanted To Die, Then Made It Happen

The mother of a Rock Springs teen said she desperately tried to get help for her tormented son, even as he refused it. He would scream he wanted to die, until the day he made it happen.

Zakary SonntagJune 21, 2025

Ben Hanson was the founder of Thermopolis, Wyoming, and a well-respected businessman and cattleman. He also was a dashing outlaw bachelor who was quick with his gun and friends with the notorious Wild Bunch.

Wyoming History: Thermopolis Was Founded By A Dashing Outlaw Bachelor

Ben Hanson was the founder of Thermopolis, Wyoming, and a well-respected businessman and cattleman. He also was a dashing outlaw bachelor who was quick with his gun and friends with the notorious Wild Bunch.

Jackie DorothyJune 23, 2025

Felix Santana talks about his Andalusian horse Romano after a performance during the final Chris LeDoux Days rodeo.

Majestic Andalusian War Horse Wows Wyoming Crowd

Watching the Spanish war horse Romano perform, one would never guess that this majestic Andalusian horse was thought to be untrainable. The beautiful stallion, who appeared at Chris LeDoux Days, danced in time to music like the spirit of some Spanish dancer lives inside him.

Renée JeanJune 22, 2025

Longtime Colorado Rockies play-by-play radio announcer Jack Corrigan, left, interviews Rockies Hall of Fame right fielder Larry Walker.

Rockies Announcer Jack Corrigan Calling Games For What Could Be Worst Team Ever

Ever since losing out on a part to Superman (Christopher Reeve), Jack Corrigan has known how to handle defeat. The voice of the Colorado Rockies told Cowboy State Daily that although the team is struggling through one of the worst losing seasons in baseball history, things will get better.

Justin GeorgeJune 22, 2025

The right side of an Allosaurus skull still embedded in sandstone from the Jurassic Mile near Lovell. Jorge Plata and Rachel Gray, fossil preparators at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis, have spent the last year slowly etching away at the rock to expose the jet-black bones from the snout of this 150-million-year-old dinosaur from Wyoming.

Scientists Use Cutting-Edge Tech To Look Inside Spectacular Wyoming Allosaurus

The Children's Museum of Indianapolis took two big rocks containing a dinosaur skull to the hospital for a CT scan. The cutting-edge technology was used to learn more about a spectacular Allosaurus found at Wyoming’s famed Jurassic Mile fossil site.

Andrew RossiJune 22, 2025

EV charging at home 10 13 22

Wyoming Delegation Applauds Ruling Allowing Fuel Makers To Sue Over California EV Regs

Wyoming’s congressional delegation is applauding a Friday U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allows fuel makers to sue over California's EV regulations. “Today’s Supreme Court ruling is another rebuke of California’s radical climate agenda,” Sen. Barrasso told Cowboy State Daily.

Sean BarryJune 22, 2025

Jim Tang has been chasing storms for a decade, but said the huge Nebraska tornado he saw on Monday is a “once-in-a-lifetime” encounter. “As a storm chaser, that kind of tornado is your career goal,” he told Cowboy State Daily.

Storm Chaser In Awe After Capturing ‘Once-In-A-Lifetime’ Tornado

Jim Tang has been chasing storms for a decade, but said the huge Nebraska tornado he got up close and personal with Monday is a “once-in-a-lifetime” encounter. “As a storm chaser, that kind of tornado is your career goal,” he told Cowboy State Daily.

Andrew RossiJune 21, 2025

Jerry Tam is talking about getting out of a family business that's made Butte, Montana, home to the oldest continuously operating Chinese restaurant in the U.S. Pekin Noodle Parlor is an institution, but Tam now is thinking about retiring.

Montana Owner Of Oldest Chinese Restaurant In America Considers Closing

You might think the oldest continuously operating Chinese restaurant in the U.S. would be in San Francisco or New York. Actually, it's in Butte, Montana. Jerry Tam is the owner of the Pekin Noodle Parlor and is the great, great grandson of the first owner.

David MadisonJune 21, 2025

Alan Roach’s legendary career includes being the public address announcer for the Denver Broncos, Olympics, Denver International Airport and 17 Super Bowls. He’s been called “The Voice of God,” but before that was called “Phyllis.”

How Alan Roach Went From Being Called ‘Phyllis’ To ‘The Voice Of God’

Alan Roach’s legendary career includes being the public address announcer for the Denver Broncos, Olympics, Denver International Airport and 17 Super Bowls. He’s been called “The Voice of God,” but before that was called “Phyllis.”

Justin GeorgeJune 21, 2025

The Idaho National Laboratory is helping companies develop new nuclear technologies, including several projects planned for Wyoming. It has also issued a call for new startups to demonstrate their innovative nuclear tech.

Idaho National Lab Wants To Keep Building Wyoming’s Nuclear Industry

The same laboratory that has supported Wyoming’s emerging micro nuclear reactor sector is now inviting more companies to submit proposals. The move comes as Wyoming continues to position itself as a hub for small nuclear reactor development.

David MadisonJune 22, 2025

President Donald Trump delivers an address to the nation from the White House on June 21, 2025, in Washington, D.C., about the three Iranian nuclear facilities that were struck by the U.S. military early Sunday.

Wyoming Delegation Praises Trump’s Decision To Bomb Iran's Nuke Sites

Wyoming's congressional delegation praised President Trump's decision to bomb Iran's nuclear facilities. Rep. Harriet Hageman told Cowboy State Daily she was grateful the troops were safe and said "Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon."

Matthew ChristianJune 22, 2025

Kemmerer Mayor Robert Bowen digs for dinosaur bones near the small Wyoming town.

Kemmerer Mayor Digs For Dinosaur Bones While Town Waits For Housing Boom

The mayor of Kemmerer — aka Fossil Town USA — is closely watching the local real estate market. He thinks the current housing stock meets today's needs but warned that won't last long. A housing explosion is expected as TerraPower makes Kemmerer a nuclear boom town.

David MadisonJune 21, 2025

Despite the school district saying a Cheyenne man arrested Thursday at the national high school speech competition wasn’t there with the East High team, witnesses and evidence show he was. A parent and student say he hung out with the team and coaches.

Witnesses, Evidence Say Man Arrested At Speech Tournament Was With East High Team

Despite the school district saying a Cheyenne man arrested Thursday for causing a panic and stampede at the national high school speech competition wasn't associated with the East High team, witnesses and evidence say he was.

Clair McFarlandJune 21, 2025

Kindness Ranch Executive Director John Ramer holds Snow, a beagle who is a former research animal.

Where Research Animals Have A Future: Life At Kindness Ranch

At Hartville’s Kindness Ranch, former research animals get a rare second chance. But before healing can begin, labs must be convinced to release them into the ranch's care. This short documentary tells the stories of the animals learning to live life after the laboratory.

Reilly Strand & Hannah BrockJune 21, 2025

Carl Dunrud, Wyoming cowboy and Yellowstone Park Ranger, lassoed this male polar bear cub in Baffin Bay. He successfully captured the 2-year-old during the Putnam Greenland Expedition of 1926 and brought it to New York to the Bronx Zoo.

Wyoming History: That Time A Yellowstone Park Ranger Lassoed Polar Bears

Carl Dunrud steadied himself against the small schooner. It was 1926 and the Yellowstone Park ranger and Wyoming cowboy had a lasso ready as he eyed his target. Looking back at him was a polar bear swimming in the cold Arctic Sea.

Jackie DorothyJune 21, 2025

The Certified Angus Beef program was the first of its kind, and when Wyoming rancher Jack Schmidt first heard the idea over a highball, he thought it was silly. Then he watched the industry turn upside down as Black Angus became the breed of choice.

Wyoming Rancher Was At The Birth Of Certified Angus Beef — Drinking Highballs

The Certified Angus Beef program was the first of its kind, and when Wyoming rancher Jack Schmidt first heard the idea over a highball, he thought it was silly. Then he watched the industry turn upside down as Black Angus became the breed of choice.

Jackie DorothyJune 21, 2025

When Spalding walked into a Gillette home three months ago, he was near death — hypothermic and half his face had been destroyed by a huge abscess. Three months later, he’s beat the odds to make a full recovery.

Miracle Cat With Half A Face Beats The Odds With Full Recovery

When Spalding walked into a Gillette home three months ago, he was near death — hypothermic and half his face had been destroyed by a huge abscess. Three months later, he’s beat the odds to make a full recovery.

Andrew RossiJune 21, 2025

Kathy McKinzie, the great-niece of Gilbert "Muggsy" Schoel, holds the family scrapbook of the fighter who made a name in the boxing world at the turn of the last century.

Wyoming History: ‘The Cheyenne Kid’ Muggsy Schoel Was Boxing Champ In Early 1900s

Wyoming’s “Muggsy” Schoel fought some of the biggest names in professional boxing including the lightweight champion of the world in 1909. Also known as “The Cheyenne Kid,” he was the featherweight champion of the West before he was 20 and fought his last fight when he was 50.

Dale KillingbeckJune 21, 2025

Utah-based private investigator Jason Jensen and his trained cadaver dog, Lily, head to Moscow, Idaho, to serarch for the K-Bar knife allegedly used by Bryan Kohberger to murder four college students in 2022.

2 Months Before Trial, Search On For Knife Used To Kill 4 Idaho College Students

There’s less than two months before the trial of the man accused of brutally murdering four Idaho college students. A private investigator hopes to recover a key piece of missing evidence this weekend: The knife used to kill them.

Jen KocherJune 21, 2025

Paramount continues to cash in on the wildly popular “Yellowstone” franchise, announcing another spinoff that will begin filming this summer. “Y: Marshals” continues the story of Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes), the hunky son of Kevin Costner’s John Dutton.

Another ‘Yellowstone’ Spinoff, ‘Y: Marshals’ Continues Story Of Kayce Dutton

The latest spinoff of the hit TV show Yellowstone has been announced and will begin filming in Utah this summer. Utah officials say the filming of Y Marshals -- which continues the story of Kevin Costner's son Kayce Dutton -- will generate 380 jobs and $57.4 million in revenue.

Andrew RossiJune 21, 2025

Leaders of the Wyoming Legislature range from lukewarm to angry about the proposed sale of federal public lands in Wyoming and 10 other Western states. And even though they can’t do anything about it, they’re hearing from constituents. Pictured are House Speaker Chip Neiman, left, and Senate President Bo Biteman; background is Adobe Town in the Red Desert of southwest Wyoming.

Wyo Legislative Leaders Range From Lukewarm To Angry On Public Lands Sale 

Leaders of the Wyoming Legislature range from lukewarm to angry about the proposed sale of federal public lands in Wyoming and 10 other Western states. And even though they can’t do anything about it, they’re hearing from constituents.

Clair McFarlandJune 20, 2025

Wyoming is No. 1 in the nation when it comes to sound money policy, a movement to return gold and silver as legal currency. Wyomingites also don’t have to pay sales tax when buying the precious metals.

Wyoming Closer To Using Gold And Silver As Legal Currency

Wyoming is No. 1 in the nation when it comes to sound money policy, a movement to return gold and silver as legal currency. Wyomingites also don’t have to pay sales tax when buying or selling the precious metals.

Renée JeanJune 20, 2025

Baggs

Cowboy State Daily Morning Show — Saturday, June 21, 2025

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

Jake NicholsJune 21, 2025

Hageman guest columns 9 15 23

Guest Column: Setting The Record Straight On Federal Land Sale Proposal

Rep. Harriet Hageman writes, "Unfortunately, a lot of the talk surrounding Sen. Lee's efforts has been misleading or flat out untrue, and as this proposal takes shape in the Senate, it’s important that everyone be armed with accurate information. Here are the facts..."

Guest ColumnJune 21, 2025

Jayden Roccaforte, a 22-year-old Cheyenne man with four national speech championship wins to his name, was arrested Thursday in Des Moines, Iowa, on claims he caused a “disturbance” at the National Speech and Debate tournament that caused the clearing of the event venue.

Cheyenne Man Arrested After Causing Panic At National Speech And Debate Tourney

A 22-year-old Cheyenne man with four national speech championship wins to his name was arrested Thursday in Des Moines, Iowa, on claims he created a panic at the National Speech and Debate tournament that cleared the venue. He faces charges of disorderly conduct and drug possession.

Clair McFarlandJune 20, 2025

The small, rural Wyoming town of Dayton could only watch and pray as the Elk Fire burns across the mountain face of the Bighorns above in this October 2024 file photo.

‘Roadless Rule’ Leaves Wyoming Vulnerable To More Huge Wildfires, Hageman Says

The 24-year-old federal Clinton Roadless Rule is largely to blame for Wyoming’s devastating wildfires, Rep. Harriet Hageman says. She told Wyoming legislators Thursday that more blazes are in store if the rule isn’t changed.

Mark HeinzJune 20, 2025

A Wyoming Highway Patrol Trooper rolled his vehicle Friday morning, June 20, 2025, near Cheyenne while grappling the truck wheel of a homicide suspect who was fleeing Colorado, the local sheriff says.

Wyoming Trooper Rolls Vehicle Stopping Colorado Homicide Suspect

A Wyoming Highway Patrol Trooper rolled his vehicle Friday morning near Cheyenne while grappling the truck wheel of a homicide suspect who was fleeing Colorado, the local sheriff says.

Clair McFarlandJune 20, 2025

Wyoming homeschooled middle schoolers and their parents say Wyoming needs a “Tebow Rule” to make sure sports and activities are open to them in their local school districts. State Rep. Martha Lawley, R-Worland, said she plans to introduce such a bill.

Homeschool Students, Parents Say Wyoming Needs ‘Tebow Rule’ For Sports, Activities

Wyoming homeschooled middle schoolers and their parents say Wyoming needs a “Tebow Rule” to make sure sports and activities are open to them in their local school districts.

Matthew ChristianJune 20, 2025

At an early-morning town hall meeting in Newcastle on Friday, June 20, 2025, Rep. Harriet Hageman fielded a lot of questions about selling off federal public lands. Hageman said she doesn’t know why the Senate exempted Montana and claims of a huge selloff are “silly.”

Hageman Says Claims Of Huge Selloff Of Federal Public Land Is 'Silly'

At an early-morning town hall meeting in Newcastle on Friday, Rep. Harriet Hageman fielded a lot of questions about selling off federal public lands. She said she doesn’t know why the Senate exempted Montana and claims of a huge selloff are “silly.”

Matthew ChristianJune 20, 2025

The entrance to Barr Nunn carries the logo that depicts the former Wardwell Field airport it's built on.

Despite Opposition From Bar Nunn Residents, Natrona County OKs Nuclear Project

Natrona County commissioners got an earful from locals opposed to Radiant Nuclear’s planned project near Bar Nunn. Then they voted to support the company getting a $25 million grant from the Wyoming Business Council.

David MadisonJune 20, 2025

Shelby Holder of Kemmerer set the new state record for a tiger trout with this 14-pound, 15.2-ounce whooper he caught on the Hams Fork River near Viva Naughton Reservoir. The previous record tiger trout were caught in 2024 and 2023 in the same vicinity.

After Breaking All But One Fishing Rod, Wyoming Man Catches Record Tiger Trout

Shelby Holder of Kemmerer had already broken three of his four fly rods when he decided to go fishing early on June 6. He ended up landing the new Wyoming state record tiger trout, a nearly 15-pound fish.

David MadisonJune 20, 2025

Rylie Nichole Woolson

Casper Woman Accused Of Shooting At Pregnant Mistress Of Friend’s Husband

A 26-year-old Casper woman faces five charges for allegedly shooting at a woman who claimed she was pregnant by a friend’s husband. She waived her preliminary hearing Thursday, and told police she only wanted to scare the other woman.

Dale KillingbeckJune 20, 2025

Star Valley Search and Rescue's jet skis returned to shore after the search and recovery of Joyce Balls, who died after falling into the Snake River Canyon on Wednesday afternoon.

Idaho Woman Dies After 100-Foot Fall Into Snake River Near Alpine

An 89-year-old Idaho woman died Wednesday when she fell 100 feet into the Snake River near Alpine, Wyoming. She was picnicking with family when she “lost her footing,” authorities say. A drone located the woman, who was recovered less than a mile away.

Andrew RossiJune 19, 2025

Adobe town, south of Rock Springs along rough gravel and dirt roads, is one of Wyoming’s most isolated locations.

More Changes For Rock Springs BLM Plan; Locals Say ‘We’ve Studied That Thing To Death’

In what’s become a familiar pattern, the Bureau of Land Management’s controversial Rock Springs management plan is up for another round of reviews. Wyoming legislators and officials say “we’ve studied that thing to death.”

Mark HeinzJune 19, 2025

Jonathan Douglas Potter

Cheyenne Man Accused Of Threatening To Play ‘Russian Roulette’ With Women

A 38-year-old Cheyenne man is accused of pulling out a pistol Tuesday, showing it to two women and telling them he was going to play “Russian roulette.” He now faces a felony charge of aggravated assault.

Dale KillingbeckJune 19, 2025

Wyoming’s weather will be wild this weekend with near-record highs, including pushing 100 in some areas, then snow and freezing temperatures. Whether it’s brutal heat or summer snow, “everyone’s going to be mad at me,” says meteorologist Don Day.

Wyoming's Wild Weather: Snow And Pushing 100 Degrees This Weekend

Wyoming’s weather will be wild this weekend with near-record highs, including pushing 100 in some areas, then snow and freezing temperatures. Whether it’s brutal heat or summer snow, “everyone’s going to be mad at me,” says meteorologist Don Day.

Andrew RossiJune 19, 2025

Jaycee Morgan Cherny

In ‘Extremely Rare’ Case, Rock Springs Woman Charged With Making Child Porn

In what authorities say is an “extremely rare” case, a Rock Springs woman is facing child pornography charges in Sweetwater County felony court. She’s scheduled to plead Monday on charges she made, delivered and possessed child porn.

Clair McFarlandJune 20, 2025

Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder testifies for the Senate Education Committee during thed Wyoming Legislature's 2025 session in this file photo.

Degenfelder Plans $6.4 Million School Choice Payout, But Judge Could Stop It

As a lawsuit against the program escalates, Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder is still planning at this point to pay out $6.44 million for school choice July 1. A judge could decide next week to halt the payments.  

Clair McFarlandJune 19, 2025

An intense sunset behind Devils Tower.

Wyoming's Latest Sunset Of The Year Is Friday — It Just Gets Darker From There

When the sun sets Friday, Wyomingites will have enjoyed more than 15 hours of daylight on what's called the longest day of the year. It just gets darker from there until the shortest day on Dec. 21.

Andrew RossiJune 19, 2025

Wide receiver Scotty McKnight of the Colorado Buffaloes makes a reception for a first down before being forced out of bounds by Shamiel Gary of the Wyoming Cowboys at Folsom Field on Sept. 19, 2009, in Boulder, Colorado. CU was wearing an alternative uniform in the game.

CU Home Football Opener Against Wyoming Is Fastest Sell-Out In Recent Memory

Wyoming Cowboy fans pondering making the drive to Boulder for the Sept. 20 Colorado Buffaloes home opener against UW may be out of luck. The game has already sold out — faster than any previous CU home game in recent history.

Justin GeorgeJune 19, 2025

Wyoming highway patrol photo 6 19 25

Brief: Two Gillette Motorcyclists Killed In Head-On Near Wright

Two Gillette men died Wednesday when a work truck collided head-on with both their motorcycles on the highway between Wright and Newcastle. Fatigue for the truck driver is being investigated as the cause of the crash.

Clair McFarlandJune 19, 2025

A power substation in Cheyenne. Black Hills Energy is building new substations and doing powerline construction near Cheyenne as parts of its larger Ready Wyoming project, on track for completion by the end of 2025, according to the utility.

Black Hills Energy Spending $540M To Connect North-South Wyoming Power Grids

A pair of large-scale Black Hills Energy projects will connect northern and southern Wyoming power grids while adding more natural gas generation. Together, they represent a $540 million outlay.

David MadisonJune 19, 2025

Wyoming Rep. Harriet Hageman says a Wilderness Society map that shows nearly 15 million acres of public land could be sold if the Senate budget bill passes is wrong. The group stands by its report, which is based on what the language of the bill says.

Hageman Says Vast Swaths Of Wyoming Public Lands Won’t Be Sold

Wyoming Rep. Harriet Hageman says a Wilderness Society map that shows nearly 15 million acres of public land could be sold if the Senate budget bill passes is wrong. The group stands by its report, which it says is based on what the language of the bill says.

Mark HeinzJune 18, 2025

Daily Features

View all
Sunrise 6 23 25
PinYour Wyoming Sunrise: Monday, June 23, 2025

Today's Wyoming sunrise was captured by Steven Vander Giessen. Steve writes, "Silhouette of Ames Monument - marking the highest point on the original transcontinental railroad - in front of the rising orb of the sun."

Photo by Steven Vander Giessen

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
Joan Barron

Joan Barron: The Dark Side Of Pro Rodeo Life

Columnist Joan Barron writes, "Since this is the outdoor rodeo season in Wyoming and the West, it was timely to watch an old gem last week on TCM. It was a 1952 black-and-white movie from RKO titled 'The Lusty Men.'"

Joan BarronJune 21, 2025

Lange at chic fil a

Jonathan Lange: Family Issues Should Be Bipartisan, Again

Columnist Jonathan Lange writes: "Marriage and family are not Freedom Caucus issues. Neither is the restoration of the American Family a Republican issue. The traditional nuclear family is the foundation of a healthy society."

Jonathan LangeJune 20, 2025

Lubnau head 2

Tom Lubnau: Sale Of Our Public Lands Brings More Questions Than Answers

Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "My understanding of the public land sale proposals is they are so vague, with so many unanswered questions, that at this point, I can’t get behind risking Wyoming’s way of life to pay the bills for the United States."

Tom LubnauJune 19, 2025

Newsletter

Wyoming Life

View all

Outdoors

View all

Crime & Courts

View all