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A Missoula man has spent the last five years converting an Isuzu box truck into a giant killer whale. Now his creation, named “Killatrina,” has been unleased on the roads around town.

Giant Killer Whale Swallowing A Truck Unleashed On The Roads Around Missoula

A Missoula man has spent the last five years converting an Isuzu box truck into a giant killer whale. Now his creation, named “Killatrina,” has been unleashed on the roads around town.

Anna-Louise JacksonApril 27, 2025

Edward Bohlin on horseback in front of his shop in Cody, Wyoming. Inset in an ornate saddle he made for Burt Reynolds later in life.

Edward Bohlin, ‘Silver Saddle-Maker Of The Stars,’ Got His Start In Cody

Edward Bohlin, the “silver saddle-maker of the stars,” brought Western sparkle to Hollywood as the most renowned maker of saddles for Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, the Lone Ranger, and other celebrities. He got his start with his own leather shop across from Irma Hotel in Cody.

Andrew RossiApril 27, 2025

Mount Spurr summit looking to the northwest, with steam plume from the summit fumaroles.

Rumbling Alaska Volcano On Watch For Eruption That Could Impact Wyoming

Mount Spurr, a volcano 78 miles from Anchorage, is being monitored for signs of a possible eruption. If it blows, Mount Spurr could impact air quality and economic distress that could reach to Wyoming and much of the world.

Andrew RossiApril 27, 2025

A backward-driving pickup that’s been turning heads in Lander was something Albert Bertagnolli did just for the heck of it. He swapped the headlights and taillights, moved the engine and looks out over the bed driving the thing. He faces looking over the bed in the turned-around cab.

Lander Man Turns Heads Driving Pickup He’s Modified To Go Backwards

Lander resident Albert Bertagnolli modified his pickup to drive backwards. He swapped the headlights and taillights, moved the engine and looks out over the bed driving the thing. When he’s driving down the street, it looks like he’s going backwards.

Renée JeanApril 27, 2025

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Defense Contractor With Wyoming Ties Sues Firm Over Explosives Deal For Ukraine

Bizzell Corp., a defense contractor registered in Wyoming, is suing a Pennsylvania firm claiming it defrauded the company of $3.9 million in an explosives deal. The explosives were meant to help supply Ukraine and Israel with munitions.

David MadisonApril 27, 2025

Casper resident Hubert Townsend pays tribute to the late Pope Francis at Saint Anthony Church in Casper.

Wyoming Catholics React To Death Of Pope Francis With Eye To Future For Church

Wyoming Catholics are reacting to the death of Pope Francis with sorrow and hope. Even a self-described Casper “cafeteria Catholic” says it’s affected him emotionally, and he’s “excited to see who the new pope is” going to be.

Zakary SonntagApril 27, 2025

Mike Reid, 75, of Casper was in constant pain caused by osteoarthritis that formed in the ankle he broke more than 40 years ago. He tried a new minimally invasive procedure by Dr. Charles Bowkley, right, and he says he is now 95% pain free.

Casper Man Was In Chronic Pain Until He Had A Unique Surgical Procedure

A 75-year-old Casper man was in constant pain caused by osteoarthritis that formed in the ankle he broke more than 40 years ago. But a breakthrough procedure known as transarterial musculoskeletal embolization, which was pioneered in Japan, has left him “95% pain free.”

Dale KillingbeckApril 27, 2025

The Wyoming/Gillette Mustangs had a timultuous three-season run as an indoor football team in northeast Wyoming from 2021-2023. The team folded in 2024, but now Gillette has a new indoor football team, the Wyoming Cavalry.

Wyoming Cavalry Will Return To Arena Football — In Gillette With A New Owner

New owners of the Wyoming Cavalry arena football team, formerly based in Casper, say they’re resurrecting the indoor football squad. It will play out of Gillette, where another team folded last year after three seasons.

David MadisonApril 27, 2025

Father and son Bob, left, and Trevor Penor are pilots who fly private jets around the nation and beyond. Trevor brought his dad to the club on a recent day as he planned to fly his new F-14, second from left. He also owns the other planes.

Casper Model Airplane Pilots Love Flying Fast, From Fighter Jets To Pizza Boxes

For 55 years, the Casper Air Modelers Association has been flying remote-controlled replica aircraft — and they have a need for speed. They’ll fly anything from F-14 fighter jets to souped up pizza boxes.

Dale KillingbeckApril 27, 2025

Visiting University of Wyoming arts professor, Nash Quinn, 40, has not been seen or heard from since July 8, 2024, when he’s believed to have gone for a bike ride.

Still No Trace Of Popular UW Professor Missing For Nine Months

Despite extensive searches of areas University of Wyoming Professor Nash Quinn of Laramie was known to bike, searchers have found no trace of him since he disappeared last July.

Jen KocherApril 26, 2025

Lynn and Karl Lampe of Cody grow fruits and vegetables all year-round in their self-designed and unique geothermal greenhouse. The greenhouse uses the earth’s temperature to regulate growing conditions, making it possible to grow tropical fruits.

Cody Couple Grows Tropical Fruits Year-Round In Unique Geothermal Greenhouse

Lynn and Karl Lampe of Cody grow fruits and vegetables all year-round in their self-designed and unique geothermal greenhouse. The greenhouse uses the earth’s temperature to regulate growing conditions, making it possible to grow tropical fruits.

Amber SteinmetzApril 26, 2025

The Trump administration is pulling out all the stops to “drill, baby, drill” in a push for more oil and gas drilling on public land. But low oil prices have producers in Wyoming wanting to instead “chill, baby, chill” to boost the market.

Oil And Gas Producers Want To Chill Despite Push To Drill, Baby, Drill

The Trump administration is pulling out all the stops to “drill, baby, drill” in a push for more oil and gas drilling on public land. But low oil prices have producers in Wyoming wanting to instead "chill, baby, chill” to boost the market.

David MadisonApril 26, 2025

The U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations on Saturday issued an "urgent" notice about 27-year-old Airman First Class Branden Cecil Standifer. He's wanted on child porn allegations and was last seen at the Bozeman airport.

'Urgent' Notice Issued For Air Force Member Wanted On Child Porn Allegations

The U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations on Saturday issued an "urgent" notice about 27-year-old Airman First Class Branden Cecil Standifer. He's wanted on child porn allegations and was last seen at the Bozeman airport.

Clair McFarlandApril 26, 2025

A Casper-based startup company, Cabin Maven, offers cabins, R.V. sites and tent-camping sites off the beaten path.

Rustic Airbnb RV And Cabin Rentals Are For Those Not Quite Ready To Rough It

As Wyoming continues to draw outdoors thrill-seekers, one entrepreneur thinks he’s found the ideal niche market. Airbnb-style rentals for people who want to avoid the mobs but aren’t quite ready to rough it.

Mark HeinzApril 26, 2025

Thousands of tourists visit Cooke City, Montana, outside the Northeast Entrance to Yellowstone National Park. The local Alpine Motel publishes an annual list of what those visitors can expect to experience there. No. 1 is it’s “not New York City.”

Locals Say Best Thing About Cooke City Is That It’s ‘Not New York City’

Thousands of tourists visit Cooke City, Montana, outside the Northeast Entrance to Yellowstone National Park. The local Alpine Motel publishes an annual list of what those visitors can expect to experience there. No. 1 is it’s “not New York City.”

Andrew RossiApril 26, 2025

Lander’s Mulino Italian Bistro is a family affair. The children help chop ingredients and stir drinks, and the diners can’t help but make new friends before their meal is done.

Eating Wyoming: Lander’s Mulino Italian Bistro Is Hard To Find, But Worth It

In the heart of downtown Lander, hidden from all casual view, there’s a serious little slice of Italy, waiting to be discovered by the keenly observant. Mulino Italian Bistro is a little hard to find, but worth it.

Renée JeanApril 26, 2025

Punt guns are essentially waterborne cannons that can slaughter up to 100 waterfowl in a single blast. Their use helped fuel the push toward conservation and regulated hunting.

When Hunters Would Massacre Entire Flocks Of Waterfowl With Giant Punt Guns

Punt guns are essentially waterborne cannons that can slaughter up to 100 waterfowl in a single blast. Because punt guns were so devastating to the bird populations, some states started banning them for hunting as far back as 1860.

Mark HeinzApril 26, 2025

Dennis Arner said he knows there is coming a day that he will have to permanently dismount his bikes. He has put that decision into the hands of his wife, Karla.

Meet Dennis Arner: Casper’s Bike Guy Who’s Not Giving In To MS And Dementia

Dennis Arner is 65 and battling MS and dementia, but most people around Casper know him as the bike guy. He’s biked thousands of miles around town, posting photos of nostalgic spots as part of a mission to fight his disease and inspire others.

Dale KillingbeckApril 26, 2025

Monte Bush believes it is a miracle that no one died the night he blacked out after drinking and ran head-on into another vehicle. He was charged with a DUI and is now nearly six years sober. He shares his story with the hope that he can save at least one life and prevent someone else from drinking and driving.

Extreme DUI Program Has 90% Success Rate For Those Who Have Destroyed Lives By Driving Drunk

Monte Bush woke up in the hospital, disoriented. He had been drinking and had no memory of getting in his truck and leaving the town of Greybull. He was horrified to learn that he had been in a head on collision at 55 mph and hurt four people badly in the wreck.

Jackie DorothyApril 26, 2025

he Bear Mountain Junction's malts are popular.

Drinking Wyoming: Bear Mountain Junction In La Grange Has Beer, Killer Cinnamon Rolls

Bear Mountain Junction is a tiny all-in-one stop in La Grange on U.S. Highway 85 between Cheyenne and Hawk Springs. It’s a store, gift shop and bar, where you can get a beer and killer homemade cinnamon rolls.

Renée JeanApril 26, 2025

When the defunct “Welcome to Wyoming” signs went up for auction, Jackson real estate agent Sam Haack welcomed the opportunity to buy one, snagging this one for more than $9,700.

People Spend More Than $100,000 On Old ‘Welcome To Wyoming’ Highway Signs

The Wyoming Department of Transportation raised more than $100,000 for auctioning off old “Welcome to Wyoming” highway signs. That includes one for nearly $10,000 sold to a Jackson real estate agent.

Andrew RossiApril 26, 2025

Yucca glauca photographed in Central Wyoming.

Overlooked And All Over Wyoming, Yucca Can Be Your New Prickly Landscaping Choice

Rita Lovell didn’t plant the yucca that stole her heart. It volunteered, showing up on its own in the dry, rocky soil just outside her home. Often overlooked, yucca is all over Wyoming and is gaining popularity as a prickly choice in landscaping.

David MadisonApril 26, 2025

Baggs

Cowboy State Daily Morning Show — Saturday, April 26, 2025

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

Jake NicholsApril 26, 2025

When \Newberg, Oregon, Police Officer Jeromy Pilon started his night shift Wednesday last week, he had no idea he’d spend five hours on the phone with a barricaded man 1,000 miles away in Riverton, Wyoming. 

Oregon Cop Spent The Night Talking Riverton Barricade Suspect Off The Ledge

When a Newberg, Oregon, police officer started his night shift Wednesday last week, he had no idea he’d spend five hours on the phone with a barricaded man 1,000 miles away in Riverton, Wyoming. 

Clair McFarlandApril 25, 2025

Wolves in California are costing ranchers millions of dollars far beyond just the price of cattle killed, according to a new study. A Wyoming rancher says the secondary costs of predation are well-known here.

Study Says One Wolf Can Cost Ranchers More Than $160,000 In Losses

Wolves in California are costing ranchers millions of dollars far beyond just the price of cattle killed, according to a new study. A Wyoming rancher says the secondary costs of predation are well-known here.

Mark HeinzApril 25, 2025

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ICE Wants Four Held On Drug Charges In Sheridan

Four men accused of smoking marijuana in a vehicle that also contained meth while swerving across a Sheridan road this week are now in jail — and on the radar of federal immigration officials. ICE wants local authorities to hold the men for the agency.

Clair McFarlandApril 25, 2025

The Eastern Shoshone Tribe on Wednesday accused a federal agency of gunning coyotes from a helicopter near a bison herd without tribal permission. In response, the agency sent a cryptic comment calling the tribe’s claim “misinformation.”

Tribe Says Feds Shot Coyotes From Chopper Near Bison; Feds Claim 'Misinformation'

The Eastern Shoshone Tribe on Wednesday accused a federal agency of gunning coyotes from a helicopter near a bison herd without tribal permission. In response, the agency sent a cryptic comment calling the tribe’s claim “misinformation.”

Clair McFarlandApril 25, 2025

U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman visits with staff from the Sheridan Veterans Administration facility Thursday, April 24, 2025.

Hageman, House Committee Staff Visit Sheridan VA To Investigate Complaints

U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman and Republican staff from the House Committee on Veterans Affairs visited the Sheridan VA on Thursday after receiving multiple concerning reports about the facility.

Leo WolfsonApril 25, 2025

Ricardo Paez-Quinones

Twice-Deported Man Accused Of Smuggling 18,000 Rounds Of Ammo Skips Court

A twice-deported Mexican immigrant with suspected cartel-ties accused of smuggling 18,000 rounds of ammunition through Wyoming skipped federal court Friday. A judge issued a warrant for his arrest.

Leo WolfsonApril 25, 2025

Left, Ashlea Roberts and her dogs Pistol, Recon, and Nitro with a rattlesnake Roberts caught for her dog-training clinic. Right, Jerry Colson and his dog Charlie with one of the family's finds.

Just As Rattlesnake Season Starts In Wyoming, Pet Vaccine Drying Up

A vaccine that helps protect dogs against rattlesnake venom might soon be unavailable, just as rattlesnake season begins in Wyoming.

Mark HeinzApril 25, 2025

The Sprout’s Greenhouse was founded in 1978 and is now owned and operated by son, Griff Sprout. He literally grew into the business and horticulture.

For Wyoming Greenhouse Operators, Spring Starts When The Snow Is Deep

Spring started in January for the Sprout family in Lander. They planted their seeds while snow was still deep now are climatizing their perennials to the Wyoming weather.

Jackie DorothyApril 25, 2025

The World Famous Corral Bar in Pinedale may not actually be “world famous,” but it is a favorite spot for locals. The family that’s owned the bar for the last 25 years has decided it’s time to sell, listing it for about $1.5 million.

Pinedale’s World Famous Corral Bar For Sale For $1.5 Million

The World Famous Corral Bar in Pinedale may not actually be “world famous,” but it is a favorite spot for locals. The family that’s owned the bar for the last 25 years has decided it’s time to sell, listing it for about $1.5 million.

Renée JeanApril 25, 2025

A truck hauling sand drives through Yoder, Wyoming. It's one of up to 150 a day that haul sand through the town.

Mayor Says Company’s Fracking Sand Continues To “Drift Like Snow” Across Yoder

A local company’s fracking sand continues to “drift like snow” across Yoder in eastern Wyoming, resulting in another round of clean air violations. The mayor says it’s causing him to cough and pushed a neighbor out of town.

David MadisonApril 25, 2025

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Charlie Kirk Tells UW Students To Reject Woke Ideologies, Traditional College Education

Conservative political activist Charlie Kirk implored an audience at the University of Wyoming on Thursday night to cast away traditional liberal beliefs and woke ideologies

Leo WolfsonApril 25, 2025

The Sheridan Broncs walk out on War Memorial Field before their 4A championship game Nov. 16, 2024.

Wyoming Activities Association Consider Allowing High School Athletes To Get Paid

High school athletes in Wyoming may be soon able to make money off their athletic performance. The Wyoming High School Activities Association is considering a policy that would allow athletes to pursue Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals in the Cowboy State. 

Leo WolfsonApril 24, 2025

Black Butte High School in Rock Springs is operated out of the Western Wyoming Community College campus. The school, and Sweetwater County School District No. 1 officials, are accused of transitioning a student without parental knowledge.

Former Rock Springs Teacher Emailed Student About Gender Transition

In an ongoing lawsuit about whether a Rock Springs school district helped to gender-transition a girl behind her parents' backs, the district is asking the judge not to let a former teacher's emails - which have surfaced in the case file - go to trial.

Clair McFarlandApril 24, 2025

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Wyoming Power Plant May Be Proving Ground For Emissions-Free Coal Burning

The Dave Johnston Power Plant near Glenrock is where PacifiCorp is trying to prove new tech that can achieve emissions-free coal burning. Some experts are optimistic about the prospect, while others wonder if it can be done and at what cost.

David MadisonApril 24, 2025

U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyoming, held an in-person town hall meeting in Buffalo on Thursday, April 24, 2024. It was much less contentious and disruptive than previous town halls she's recently held, but still feisty.

Cheers, Challenges And Some Boos As Hageman Resumes In-Person Town Halls

Wyoming Republican U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman returned to hosting in-person town halls around the state Thursday. A split crowd in Buffalo was both rowdy and receptive.

Greg JohnsonApril 25, 2025

Kevin Christopherson has used trail cameras to capture numerous images of wildlife on land he owns in the Box Elder Canyon area south of Glenrock.

Proposed Limits On Landowner Hunting Tags Could Cut Out Many Property Owners 

Hunters worry that a plan to more than double the amount of land that people need to own to qualify for landowner hunting tags could cut out property owners across Wyoming.

Mark HeinzApril 24, 2025

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State Treasurer Plans To Invest Billions To Help Bring Manufacturing To Wyoming

State Treasurer Curt Meier said he has plans to use $1 billion to $1.5 billion of the state’s investment earnings to bring more manufacturing to Wyoming. The timing of this proposal is in direct alignment with President Trump’s ongoing tariff war, he said.

Leo WolfsonApril 24, 2025

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Let The Clearing Begin: Transportation Crews Attack The Snow On Beartooth Highway

The Montana Department of Transportation started clearing its side of the Beartooth Highway on April 18. The National Park Service will handle the rest, tentatively clearing the way for the entire expanse to open Memorial Day weekend.

Andrew RossiApril 25, 2025

Anatolian Shepherds are huge livestock guardian dogs fierce enough to chase off grizzlies and wolves. And it turns out that they’re also great at keeping an eye on toddlers.

Local Rancher Not Surprised Anatolian Pyrenees Dog Rescued Lost Arizona Toddler

Montana rancher Lauren Stoddard told Cowboy State Daily that she wasn’t the least bit surprised by the account of an Anatolian Pyrenees rescuing a lost toddler in Arizona this month. “These dogs identify need," Stoddard said.

Mark HeinzApril 24, 2025

Wyoming U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis so far has more than $1.5 million at her disposal heading into her 2026 race for reelection. That’s after she and her PAC raised about $420,000 in the first quarter of the year, according to campaign finance reports.

Lummis Has More Than $1.5M So Far For 2026 Race, Campaign Finance Reports Show

Wyoming U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis so far has more than $1.5 million at her disposal heading into her 2026 race for reelection. That’s after she and her PAC raised about $420,000 in the first quarter of the year, according to campaign finance reports.

Leo WolfsonApril 24, 2025

Rene Maria Manzanares

Hotel Housekeeper Accused Of Stealing Elderly Couple's Coins Makes Plea Deal For Probation

The former head housekeeper of the Plains Hotel in Cheyenne agreed to a plea deal for probation in a stolen coin case. Rene Maria Manzanares is accused of stealing nearly $26,000 in coins from an elderly couple who lost their home in a mudslide.

Clair McFarlandApril 24, 2025

Headquarters for the Wyoming Republican Party at 1714 Capitol St. in Cheyenne.

Wyoming GOP Slams Lawsuit Brought By ‘Liz Cheney Republicans’

The Wyoming Republican Party slammed the Hot Springs County GOP and a former state legislator Wednesday as "Liz Cheney Republicans" in response to a lawsuit against the state party’s efforts to tell the county party how to conduct its elections.

Leo WolfsonApril 23, 2025

Daily Features

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"Willow Creek Ranch, SW of Kaycee, Wyoming." 
PinYour Wyoming Sunrise: Monday, April 28, 2025

Today's Wyoming sunrise was captured by Byron Geis. Byron writes, "Willow Creek Ranch, SW of Kaycee, Wyoming."

Photo by Byron Geis

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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Tom Lubnau: It's Time To Put The Abortion Question To The Voters

Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "If the Freedom Caucus is truly operating on a landslide mandate, its members would trust their voters. Simply let the voters decide the abortion question with a constitutional amendment question, and the issue will be forever resolved.

Tom LubnauApril 26, 2025

Gail Symons head shot

Guest Column: Don't Hand Your County Clerk's Duties To Someone In Cheyenne

Columnist Gail Symons writes: "Believe the county clerk who lives in your town, not the politician in Cheyenne making headlines by spreading distrust and disinformation."

CSD StaffApril 27, 2025

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Cassie Craven: Belief In The Judiciary Is What Makes It Effective

Columnist Cassie Craven writes, “A judge blocking the government from executing deportations and using executive branch enforcement tactics is sending people into outrage. In our own back yard, a judge was called out of retirement to decide one of the most important cases in our state.”

Cassie CravenApril 27, 2025

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