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Features Reporter

Andrew Rossi

Andrew Rossi is a features reporter for Cowboy State Daily based in northwest Wyoming. He covers everything from horrible weather and giant pumpkins to dinosaurs, astronomy, and the eccentricities of Yellowstone National Park.

 Previously, Rossi was the News Director for Big Horn Basin Media in Cody. He earned several awards from the Wyoming Association of Broadcasters, including multiple awards for Best News Reporter and Best News Talk Show.

 A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Rossi previously worked at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis. He has collaborated with Disney/Pixar, the BBC, The Washington Post, the Wyoming Office of Tourism, and several other national and international media outlets. He is also a cofounder of The Cody Theatre Company in Cody.

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Latest from Andrew Rossi

Firefighters now believe the Kane Fire just north of Lovell is human-caused. They also say the 1,900-acre fire, which is now 30% contained, has the behavior of "an August blaze."

Fire Officials Believe Kane Fire Near Lovell Is Human-Caused; Acts Like "August Blaze"

Firefighters now believe the Kane Fire just north of Lovell is human-caused. They also say the 1,900-acre fire, which is now 30% contained, has the behavior of "an August blaze."

Andrew RossiMarch 25, 2026

Screengrab from the upcoming Yellowstone spinoff "Dutton Ranch"

Wyomingites Hope Yellowstone Spinoff 'Dutton Ranch' Stays True (With Guns, Explosions)

Wyomingites say they hope "Dutton Ranch," the fourth spinoff series in the "Yellowstone" franchise stays true to itself and to ranching (but with continued guns and explosions). The nine-episode series, which takes place in Texas, launches May 15.

Andrew RossiMarch 25, 2026

Just in time for tourist season, Cassie's Steakhouse in Cody is having its grand reopening on April 17. The famous restaurant and former brothel has been closed since 2024, but now it's received an extensive remodel to enhance the experience while retaining its history.

Famous Cody Steakhouse To Reopen After Major Remodel

Just in time for tourist season, Cassie's Steakhouse in Cody is having its grand reopening on April 17. The famous restaurant and former brothel, closed since 2024, has received an extensive remodel. “Cassie’s is back," said co-owner Brian Walker.

Andrew RossiMarch 25, 2026

El Nino climate pattern, illustration (Getty). Inset: Meteorologist Don Day

Although Good For Wyoming, Predictions Of A 'Super El Niño" Greeted By Skepticism

Don't count Wyoming meteorologist Don Day as a believer in a much-repeated forecast for a "Super El Niño." Although he says conditions for an El Niño, which would bring moisture to Wyoming, are good, he says it's too early to predict a "super" version.

Andrew RossiMarch 24, 2026

Another consequence of Wyoming's abnormally warm winter is a much earlier tick season. Entomologist Mikenna Smith says not only are ticks out and about now but it's likely there will be a lot more them this year. "I'm a bit worried," she said.

Ugh: Wyoming's Tick Season Has Already Started And It's Likely To Be A Bumper Crop

Another consequence of Wyoming's abnormally warm winter is a much earlier tick season. Entomologist Mikenna Smith says not only are ticks out and about now but it's likely there will be a lot more them this year. "I'm a bit worried," she said.

Andrew RossiMarch 23, 2026

The jackalope is mythical, but Wyoming was home to an actual prehistoric rodent with two large horns on its head that roamed the Western U.S. It's one of the only horned burrowing mammals in Earth's history, and it thrived by fighting predators head-on.

Wyoming's Actual Jackalope Is An Extinct Horny Rodent

The jackalope is mythical, but Wyoming was home to an actual prehistoric rodent with two large horns on its head. The Ceratogaulus is one of the only horned burrowing mammals in Earth's history, and it thrived by confronting predators head-on.

Andrew RossiMarch 21, 2026

A family from Cody is selling their 1965 Ghostbusters Cadillac. The vehicle used to promote a defunct pizza chain in the Bighorn Basin and now the Ecto-1 is looking for a Ghostbusters fanatic who wants the road-legal vehicle for paranormal elimination.

Cody Family Selling Their Ghostbusters Cadillac

A family from Cody is selling their 1965 Ghostbusters Cadillac. The vehicle used to promote a defunct pizza chain in the Bighorn Basin and now the Ecto-1 is looking for a Ghostbusters fanatic who wants the road-legal vehicle for paranormal elimination.

Andrew RossiMarch 20, 2026

Temperatures soared across Wyoming on Thursday and Friday including this temperature reading in Cheyenne.

Wyoming Starts Spring With Record-Breaking Summer Temperatures In The 80s

Thursday was a day of record-breaking high temperatures across Wyoming. For the first time in its recorded history, Big Piney topped 70 degrees in March and Lake Yellowstone, for the first time in March, hit 60 degrees. More of the same is in store.

Andrew RossiMarch 20, 2026

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Here Come The Bugs: Wyoming’s Warm Winter Likely Means A Whole Lot Of Insects

Without cold winter temperatures to keep them subdued, Wyoming's summer could be dominated by mosquitoes. “If the breeding season is extended, then we'll end up with very high populations. We might have a bad year with West Nile," one entomologist said.

Andrew RossiMarch 19, 2026

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Iowa Man Dead After Being Pinned Under Snowmobile In Wind River Mountains

A 36-year-old man from Iowa died Monday after his snowmobile hit a tree, overturned and pinned him under it north of U.S. Highway 26 in Wyoming's Wind River Mountains. He was found by responders already deceased and buried in snow.

Andrew RossiMarch 17, 2026

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Three Dead, Multiple Citations Issued From Blowovers, Pileups on Wyoming's Highways

The Wyoming Highway Patrol confirmed one person died in a multi-vehicle crash on I-80 near Laramie and someone died near Rock Springs on Sunday. Another died near Lander on Thursday. Of the 33 blowovers in just one day, 22 drivers were issued citations.

Andrew RossiMarch 16, 2026

Washakie County first responders mobilized to rescue a reported vehicle that had driven into the Bighorn River. Instead, they recovered a submerged smartphone with its flashlight turned on. “We were impressed that it was still on,” said the fire chief.

Worland First Responders Gather To Rescue Submerged Car, Find Out It's A Smartphone

Washakie County first responders mobilized to rescue a reported vehicle that had driven into the Bighorn River. Instead, they recovered a submerged smartphone with its flashlight turned on. “We were impressed that it was still on,” said the fire chief.

Andrew RossiMarch 16, 2026

Other Authors

The Green River at Seven Mile River Ranch in Sublette County

Wyoming Could See Record-Breaking 80-Degree Highs This Week

After one of the worst windstorms in recent memory and an Arctic blast over the weekend, Wyoming is heading for some record-breaking warm temperatures. Many parts of the state could see 80 degrees by the end of the week.

Andrew RossiMarch 16, 2026

It’s not spring in Wyoming until the cheerful yellow barrel named Bob in the middle of Fremont Lake breaks through the ice. Guessing when stuff breaks through the ice is a Pinedale tradition that goes back at least 85 years.

Oh No! Pinedale Cancels Bob The Barrel Due To Lack Of Ice

Another casualty of Wyoming’s warmest winter on record is Pinedale’s renowned Bob the Barrel. People buy tickets to place their bets on the date and time Bob will break through the ice and float to shore. This year, Bob is stranded as there's no ice to break.

Andrew RossiMarch 14, 2026

A prolonged, significant high wind event is predicted for southeastern Wyoming with gusts up 100 mph between Wednesday evening and Saturday especially along the problematic spots on I-80 and I-25.

No Joke: 100 MPH Winds Forecast For Southeastern Wyoming This Week

A "prolonged, significant high wind event" is predicted for southeastern Wyoming between Wednesday and Saturday with gusts up 100 mph — especially along problematic spots on I-80 and I-25. “The winds are going to howl,” said meteorologist Don Day.

Andrew RossiMarch 10, 2026

The first official sighting of a grizzly in Yellowstone has been confirmed. Park officials say the male bear was, not surprisingly, eating. He was spotted feeding on a bison carcass in the northern half of the park on Monday.

Here Come The Bears: Yellowstone's First Grizzly Of 2026 Spotted

The first official sighting of a grizzly in Yellowstone has been confirmed. Park officials say the male bear was, not surprisingly, eating. He was spotted feeding on a bison carcass in the northern half of the park on Monday.

Andrew RossiMarch 10, 2026

A Triceratops named “Trey” has been a popular exhibit at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis for 30 years. Now it’s hit the auction block, and could sell for up to $5.5 million. Some worry Wyoming’s dinosaurs could disappear “with one phone call."

After 30 Years in Wyoming Museum, Triceratops To Be Auctioned; Could Fetch $5.5M

A Triceratops named “Trey” has been a popular exhibit at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis for 30 years. Now on the auction block, it has a pre-sale estimate of $5.5 million. Some worry Wyoming’s dinosaurs could disappear “with one phone call."

Andrew RossiMarch 08, 2026

Echinus Geyser, the world’s largest acidic geyser, suddenly burst back to life in Yellowstone National Park on Feb. 6 after dormant for five years. It's since erupted 60 times in 18 days, sending acidic water 80 feet into the air.

The World's Largest Acidic Geyser In Yellowstone Reawakens, Erupts 60 Times

Echinus Geyser, the world’s largest acidic geyser, suddenly burst back to life in Yellowstone last month after being dormant for five years. Once called a "star performer,"it' since erupted 60 times in 18 days, sending acidic water 80 feet into the air.

Andrew RossiMarch 07, 2026

How do you sell a one-of-a-kind property in Wyoming's windiest town? Realtor Alexander Lexington says buyers see potential paradise, not peril, in a 20-acre Clark, Wyoming, property with three homes. It is drawing interest despite winds of up to 128 mph.

How To Sell A Home in Wyoming's Windiest Place (Where Gusts Have Reached 128 mph)

How do you sell a one-of-a-kind property in Wyoming's windiest town, where gusts have hit 128 mph? One realtor says buyers see the upside to living in the 20-acre property in Clark, Wyoming. The three home property is drawing interest, he says.

Andrew RossiMarch 06, 2026

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Wyoming's Snowpack Ranges From "Just Okay" to "Basically Horrible" As Winter Ends

After the warmest winter in Wyoming's recorded history, the quality of snowpack ranges from “just okay” to "a new record low" to “nonexistent." The state climate office isn't panicking but notes “We're looking at record low snowpack in several basins."

Andrew RossiMarch 05, 2026

It’s been a tale of two winters around the U.S., with Wyoming and other parts of the West getting almost no snow. Meanwhile, the East has been getting hammered. “We have never seen anything of this magnitude in modern times,” meteorologist Don Day says.

Tale Of Two Winters: Almost No Snow For Wyoming, While East Got Hammered

It’s been a tale of two winters around the U.S., with Wyoming and other parts of the West getting almost no snow. Meanwhile, the East has been getting hammered. “We have never seen anything of this magnitude in modern times,” meteorologist Don Day says.

Andrew RossiMarch 03, 2026

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