Cowboy State Daily - Wyoming News
News
Headlines
View all
Feds Could End Wyoming’s Controversial Cloud Seeding Program For Good
A federal bill calling for a nationwide ban of cloud seeding and other weather modification could end Wyoming’s controversial program for good. Some Wyoming legislators support the ban, while others call it a “knee-jerk reaction.”
Matthew ChristianJuly 07, 2025

Billings Man Suspected Of Killing Girlfriend Arrested On Riverton Roadside
A Billings, Montana, man suspected of killing his girlfriend was arrested along a road in Riverton on the Fourth of July. He reportedly was lying in front of an RV “yelling” that he had killed his girlfriend, and asking people to call 911.
Clair McFarlandJuly 07, 2025

Sheridan Couple Qualifies For North American Wife-Carrying Championships
Isaac and Mary Hayward of Sheridan not only won a seven-couple wife-carrying race in Ranchester on the Fourth of July, they also qualified for the North American Championships.
David MadisonJuly 07, 2025

Escaped Colorado Rodeo Bull Finally Caught After 5 Days Of Freedom
An elusive rodeo bull named Sauce Boss — or maybe Twinkle Toes — was caught Sunday after running away from a Colorado rodeo. He enjoyed five days of freedom in the rugged brush and woods of an upscale neighborhood before finally being corralled.
David MadisonJuly 07, 2025

Former Police Chief Who Tipped Off Girlfriend To Drug Search Gets 9 Days In Jail
The former police chief of Manderson, Wyoming, convicted of interfering with police and shirking his duty will spend nine days in jail and a year on probation, a judge ruled Monday. He was accused of alerting his girlfriend to a drug search.
Clair McFarlandJuly 07, 2025

Drunk Colorado Man Allegedly Pulls Rifle At Alcova Reservoir, He And Woman Get Shot
Trying to keep a drunk Colorado man from driving led to the man and a woman getting shot in their legs Saturday at Alcova Reservoir. The Natrona County Sheriff’s Office says the drunk man pointed a rifle at a Casper man, who responded by firing a handgun.
Dale KillingbeckJuly 07, 2025

Floater-Friendly Fences Could Cool Fighting Between Wyoming Boaters And Ranchers
Steel cables with rope “danglers” that allow boaters to pass through could help cool fighting between floaters and ranchers in Wyoming. One such fight is brewing on Pine Creek near Pinedale.
Mark HeinzJuly 06, 2025

Laramie 100-Year-Old Bought His First Car At 16 — A Model T Ford For $6
Everett Spackman of Laramie, Wyoming, has seen a lot over his 100 years of life. He served in two wars, and remembers the Great Depression, the moon landing and paying $6 for a beat-up Model T Ford when he turned 16.
Greg JohnsonJuly 06, 2025

Cowboy State Daily Show with Jake - Monday, July 7, 2025
Jake in the 307. Weekday mornings 6-10 a.m.
Jake NicholsJuly 07, 2025

Group On A Mission To Save Cheyenne’s Iconic, Now Abandoned, 1960s Airport
The Wyoming Aviation Heritage League is on a mission to save the iconic, and now abandoned, 1960s air terminal at Cheyenne Regional Airport. It wants to turn the building and its hyperbolic roof into a space for artists, retail shops, and an aviation museum.
Dale KillingbeckJuly 06, 2025

Town Of Shoshoni In Talks For State-Of-The-Art Cardiology Clinic
The town of Shoshoni has a population of less than 500 people but its town hall sits on one of the state's busiest crossroads. To attract economic development, the city offered it for sale. A cardiology clinic has proposed building a 7,620-square-foot clinic there.
Renée JeanJuly 06, 2025

Modern Homesteading: Self-Sufficiency Doesn’t Mean Being A Loner
Homesteading doesn’t mean living like folks on “Little House on the Prairie.” A Cody woman teaches how homesteaders in Wyoming use technology and innovation to achieve self-sufficiency, and it doesn’t mean you have to be a loner.
Dale KillingbeckJuly 06, 2025

Laramie County Sheriff Brings Horse Patrol Back To Cheyenne
Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak said he hopes reinstating the mounted patrol will bring back authentic Western hospitality and law-and-order during major events in the state capital. “We value our Western culture and heritage in Cheyenne and Laramie County," he said.
Andrew RossiJuly 06, 2025

Wyoming History: Otto Chenoweth, The Gentleman Outlaw Of Lost Cabin
Sheep baron J.B. Okie was throwing a high-society party at his opulent mansion in Lost Cabin, Wyoming, when it was crashed by the sheriff and his prisoner. That prisoner was Otto Chenoweth, an outlaw horse thief who escaped and charmed the ladies as a dashing gentleman.
Jackie DorothyJuly 06, 2025

12-Year-Old Chess Master Is First Wyoming Girl Invited To National Tournament
Kamari Barth is like most 12-year-old girls in Sheridan, Wyoming, but in one way she isn’t. Barth also is a chess master, and recently was the first Wyoming girl to compete in the national invitation-only Susan Polgar tournament.
Amber SteinmetzJuly 06, 2025

You Can Walk In Jim Bridger’s Footsteps At 1838 Rendezvous In Riverton
The 1838 Mountain Man Rendezvous in Riverton isn’t just held near a historic rendezvous site, it’s the actual site. It's where Jim Bridger and Kit Carson walked when they met in 1838 for the annual end-of-season blowout.
Renée JeanJuly 06, 2025

Nashville Musician Bobby Randall Grateful For Wyoming Hospitality During Storm
State Sen. Ed Cooper opened his garage to a group of Harley riders seeking shelter from a severe thunderstorm on Friday. One of the bikers was a very grateful Bobby Randall, a longtime Nashville musician who was a founding member of country group Sawyer Brown and guitarist for Confederate Railroad.
Wendy CorrJuly 06, 2025

Her Parents Fled Vietnam. These Veterans Fought There. Now They Eat Together
People have told V Cafe Owner KimChi Vu that her Vietnamese restaurant inside the Dubois VFW post is surprising or ironic. This short documentary explores how the cafe owners, veterans, and the community forge strong bonds over delicious food.
Reilly Strand & Hannah BrockJuly 05, 2025

Rural Cheyenne Garage Invaded By Stoat With Active Anal Glands
When Warren Meyer briefly opened his garage door this week, a stoat — or small weasel — darted-in unbeknownst to him. Meyer quickly found out that stoats have active and powerful anal glands.
Mark HeinzJuly 05, 2025

Trail Horse Named Barmaid Escapes, Runs Free in Grand Teton For Two Weeks
A trail riding mare named Barmaid escaped from a corral and ran free in Grand Teton National Park for about two weeks. She was finally rounded up last weekend without having suffered a single scratch.
Mark HeinzJuly 05, 2025

Colorado Search And Rescue Saves Dog, Something Wyoming Teams Can't Do
A Colorado search and rescue team spent 10 hours last week rescuing an exhausted dog from the backcountry. But in Wyoming, dogs are on their own as humans are the only priority. "We don't have the resources," one rescuer said.
Mark HeinzJuly 05, 2025

Wyoming History: The Fascinating Life Of James Calvin ‘Kid’ Nichols
James Calvin “Kid” Nichols was a champion wrestler who was befriended by Buffalo Bill Cody, did boxing exhibitions with Milward Simpson and was a one-time outlaw. He also was a successful businessman who hobnobbed with Admiral Nimitz and Arthur Godfrey.
Dale KillingbeckJuly 05, 2025

Gillette Woman In Jail After Allegedly Running Over Boyfriend With SUV
A woman who was trying to drive away from the scene of a verbal argument in Gillette early Saturday ran over her boyfriend in the process, police say. The man was taken to an out-of-state hospital with critical injuries.
Clair McFarlandJuly 05, 2025

Ned LeDoux Featured On Wyoming Singer-Songwriter’s Ode To Real Ranching
It may be great to fantasize about “Ranching Rich,” but that’s not real ranching in Wyoming, says Cody singer-songwriter Kalyn Beasley. His friend Ned LeDoux is featured in the new song, an ode to real ranching in the West.
Jackie DorothyJuly 05, 2025

Wyoming History: Mountain Man Joe Meek Survived Bears And Blackfeet Raids
When an 18-year-old Joe Meek arrived in the wilderness of Wyoming in 1829, the greenhorn had to toughen up fast to survive bears and hostile tribes. When he fell asleep on guard duty, he also survived the wrath of Capt. William Sublette.
Jackie DorothyJuly 05, 2025
Can't Run Off To Join The Circus? You Can Still Join Wyoming's Only Trapeze Club.
A couple in Big Horn, Wyoming, gives those seeking adventure and thrills an option beyond running off to join a circus. Trained by a Circus Ring of Fame trapeze artist, they now run Wyoming’s only trapeze club.
Dale KillingbeckJuly 05, 2025

As Medical Imaging Tech Advances, Wyoming Has A Shortage Of People To Operate It
Technology for medical imaging is advancing at a frantic pace, but there aren’t qualified experts to put them to use in Wyoming. A new study shows Wyoming has 9 radiologists per 100,000 people, well below the national average of 13.
Dale KillingbeckJuly 05, 2025

Wyoming Chef Petrina Peart Celebrates ‘Yes, Chef!’ Finale With Celebrity Chef T
Chef Petrina Peart celebrated the end of her “Yes, Chef!” television culinary competition with fellow contestant and celebrity, Chef T. The collaborative cook-off featuring Martha Stewart showcased Appalachian and Wyoming foods.
Renée JeanJuly 05, 2025

Tiny Montana Towns Adjust To Prairie Grizzlies And Attacks On Livestock
Grizzly bears continue to move back into prairie country in Montana. Near tiny rural communities, they’ve been attacking livestock and eating deer fawns. They've become so prevalent that "the cows didn't even seem to notice" them.
Mark HeinzJuly 04, 2025

Dubois Cheers As 24 Vintage Military Tanks Rumble Through On The Fourth Of July
Dubois triples in size for the Fourth of July as thousands fill the tiny Wyoming town to celebrate. The main attraction is 24 vintage military tanks that rumble through, anchoring the annual parade as monuments to freedom in America.
Renée JeanJuly 05, 2025

Lummis: Wyoming Wins Big With Trump's Big, Beautiful Bill
Amidst a huge ceremony at the White House, complete with a soaring B-2 bomber overhead, President Trump signed the Big, Beautiful Bill into law on Friday. U.S. Cynthia Lummis says the bill is a huge win for Wyoming.
Sean BarryJuly 04, 2025

Appearing In A C.J. Box Book Is Dicey, You Could End Up Dead Or A Serial Killer
Bestselling author C.J. Box is well-known for putting names of real Wyoming people in his novels, but many end up dead, a serial killer — or both. Meteorologist Don Day, who appeared as himself in Joe Pickett book is safe, for now. Box says he has no immediate plans to kill him off.
Renée JeanJuly 04, 2025

Cowboy State Daily Morning Show — Saturday, July 5, 2025
It's the Saturday morning show with John Baggett from 6-10AM.
Jake NicholsJuly 05, 2025

Reporter's Notebook: What It's Like To Announce Cody's Famous Stampede Parade
Reporter Andrew Rossi writes, "Announcing the Cody Stampede from the rooftop porch of the Irma Hotel is a rare honor. It’s amazing a nerd like me gets to be one of the voices of the famous parade. How’d that happen? I wondered."
Andrew RossiJuly 05, 2025

Independence Day: Bull Still On The Run 2 Days After Escaping Colorado Rodeo
A young bull that escaped the Snowmass Village, Colorado, rodeo grounds Wednesday is still free and independent on the Fourth of July. He ran into an upscale residential neighborhood, where he’s eluded searchers for two days.
David MadisonJuly 04, 2025

Historic Sheridan Rodeo Ranch, Now A Working Angus Operation, For Sale
The P.K. Ranch hosted a rodeo that went head-to-head with Cheyenne Frontier Days in 1928 and still attracted 17,000 people from 28 states. The historic property, today known as the Cato Ranch, is going up for sale.
Renée JeanJuly 04, 2025

TerraPower’s Kemmerer Nuclear Plant In Fast Lane With Accelerated Permit Review
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will complete its review of TerraPower's construction permit application for its Kemmerer nuclear plant by the end of the year. That’s six months early and has local officials scrambling to keep up.
David MadisonJuly 04, 2025
Xanax Helps, But No ‘Magic Bullet’ For Dogs Freaked Out Over Weekend Of Fireworks
While many people love the flash and fireworks that come with the Fourth of July, a lot of dogs don’t. For some of them, Xanax helps, but a veterinarian says drugs aren’t a “magic bullet” to ease their anxiety.
David MadisonJuly 04, 2025

Ian Munsick’s Line Of Western Accessories Sells Out In Nashville
Wyoming native Ian Munsick is one of country music’s fastest rising stars. He’ll headline Cheyenne Frontier Days for the first time this summer, and his new line of buckles, bolos and other Western accessories has sold out in Nashville.
Renée JeanJuly 04, 2025

US Ballistic To Start Churning Out 155-mm Military Artillery Shells In Cody
A building in Cody that was once used for pharmaceuticals, then eyed by Kanye West as a shoe factory, is on track to start assembling artillery shells. US Ballistic Labs says it picked Wyoming for its patriotic and firearms-friendly culture.
Mark HeinzJuly 04, 2025

Fort Laramie Rings In The 4th With Cannons, 38-Gun Salute
Historic Fort Laramie partied like it was 1876 on Friday, celebrating the Fourth of July as folks at the fort did nearly 150 years ago. The celebration was punctuated by cannon fire and a 38-gun salute, representing the 38 states in the Union then.
Matthew ChristianJuly 04, 2025

There’s No Official Design For The Bison On The Wyoming State Flag
State statutes spell out many details about the Wyoming flag: colors, sizing, placement of the elements. But not for the large bison that dominates it. That’s why you’ll see many different bison depending on who makes the flag.
Anna-Louise JacksonJuly 04, 2025

Underhanded Pitches, No Gloves And A Soft Ball: 1860s Baseball Nothing Like Today
America’s pastime and the Fourth of July go together like peanuts and Cracker Jacks, but the game in the 1860s was nothing like today. Vintage baseball was a highlight at Fort Laramie on Friday, where players didn’t have gloves and pitched underhanded.
Matthew ChristianJuly 05, 2025

Cheyenne Restaurant Owner Makes A Gay Joke On Sign — LGBTQ Group Borrows It
When a Cheyenne restaurant owner posted a PG-rated gay joke on his roadside sign, Wyoming’s top LGBTQ advocacy group decided to run with the joke — and call for more.
Clair McFarlandJuly 03, 2025
Daily Features
View all
Today's Wyoming sunrise was captured by Dan Cornelius. Dan writes, "July sunrise! East of Cody this morning. Enjoy!"
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
Dave Simpson: The Real Drama's Down At The Courthouse
Opinion by Dave Simpson
Gail Symons: In Wyoming, Patriotism Is A Verb
Opinion by Gail Symons
Cassie Craven: It’s Time For The Whiners To Wake Up
Opinion by Cassie Craven
Joan Barron: Another Party For Republicans?
Opinion by Joan Barron
Jonathan Lange: Posterity Will Judge Us By Principles, Not Pragmatism
Opinion by Jonathan Lange
Opinion
View all
Jonathan Lange: Posterity Will Judge Us By Principles, Not Pragmatism
Columnist Jonathan Lange writes, “The deleted paragraph demonstrates how kicking the can down the road never solves the problem. More often, it makes the problem worse and its solution more costly.”
Jonathan LangeJuly 04, 2025

Bill Sniffin: If You Had Your Life To Live Over, What Would You Change?
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “Folks a certain age start looking back on their lives and wonder just how much differences they could have made. What if you could live your life over?”
Bill SniffinJuly 01, 2025

Tom Lubnau: Tour Of Sunrise Should Be On Your Bucket List.
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "Last Saturday, the Sunrise Historic and Prehistoric Preservation Society offered a sample of Wyoming’s rich, diverse and amazing history. Put next year’s annual tour of Sunrise on your bucket list."
Tom LubnauJuly 02, 2025
Wyoming Life
View all
The Tradition Continues: Mark Heinz Plays ‘The Star Spangled Banner’ On A Chainsaw
Mark HeinzJuly 04, 2025
Happy Fourth Of July: Where To Watch Fireworks Across Wyoming
Andrew RossiJuly 03, 2025
Wyoming’s July 4 Weekend Will Run Hot And Cold — Highs In the 90s, Lows In The 30s
Andrew RossiJuly 03, 2025
Wyoming’s First Child Measles Case Since 2010 Identified In Child At Casper ER
Dale KillingbeckJuly 03, 2025
Cody Celebrates Fourth Of July With Five Days Of Rodeos, Parades And Celebrities
Andrew RossiJuly 02, 2025
Outdoors
View all
Lightning Sparks 11 Wildfires In One Night Across Northeast Wyoming
David MadisonJuly 03, 2025
Wildfires Burn Nearly 1,000 Acres Around Thermopolis, Come Within 1 Mile Of Town
Andrew RossiJuly 02, 2025
Johnson County Pays Bounties By The Pound For Invasive Weeds
Andrew RossiJune 30, 2025
Wyoming's Heart Mountain Formed By The Two Largest Landslides In Earth's History
Andrew RossiJune 29, 2025
Hacking Live Trees To Make Lean-To On Trail Not Only Inconsiderate, It’s Illegal
Mark HeinzJune 28, 2025
Crime & Courts
View all
Judge Says Rock Springs Woman Accused Of Making Child Porn Has To Stay In Jail
Clair McFarlandJuly 03, 2025
Casper Police Looking For Arsonist Who Touched Off Five Fires In 12 Hours
Dale KillingbeckJuly 03, 2025
Federal Agents Help ID Explosives That Sparked Evacuation In Laramie Neighborhood
Matthew ChristianJuly 03, 2025
Thermopolis Woman Gets 24-30 Months For Stealing $25K From FFA Group
Clair McFarlandJuly 03, 2025
Laramie Homes Evacuated After Materials To Make Fireworks Discovered In House
Clair McFarlandJuly 03, 2025