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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

A couple moving from San Francisco to New York lost their cat 2 1/2 years ago near Cody, Wyoming. They lost all hope until they received a text from someone who caught the cat and noticed there was a number on its collar. They flew out the next day.

"It's Unreal!": New York Couple Who Lost Cat Near Cody Reunited After 2 1/2 Years

A couple moving from San Francisco to New York lost their cat 2 1/2 years ago near Cody. They lost all hope until they received a text last month from someone in Wyoming who caught the cat and noticed there was a number on its collar. They flew out the next day.

Andrew RossiApril 04, 2026

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Cody temple during its first night at full illumination. Most LDS temples are lit 24 hours a day, which makes Cody residents concerned about its potential impacts on adjacent properties and the night sky. 

Cody Temple Lights Up For First Time, Neighbors Aren’t Happy

The exterior lights on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Cody temple were switched on for the first time this week. Neighbors who opposed the project say it shines into their homes.

Andrew RossiApril 04, 2026

Snow was reported across Wyoming on Friday, sending several semitrucks sliding off I-80, partially or completely closing several highways. It also brought several inches of much-needed moisture for the state’s snowpack.

'I Couldn't See 10 Feet In Front Of Me': April Snow Sends Semis Sliding Off I-80

Snow was reported across Wyoming on Friday, sending several semitrucks sliding off I-80. "I couldn't see 10 feet in front of me," a Rawlins truck driver said. It also brought several inches of much-needed moisture for the state’s snowpack.

Andrew RossiApril 03, 2026

A tour group watched a pack of wolves unsuccessfully try to take down a bison in Yellowstone National Park this past weekend. A guide captured video of one of the wolves that was sent flying after taking a hard kick as the bison fled.

Yellowstone Wolf Goes Flying After Taking A Bison Kick During Hunt

A tour group watched a pack of wolves unsuccessfully try to take down a bison in Yellowstone National Park this past weekend. A guide captured video of one of the wolves that was sent flying after taking a hard kick as the bison fled.

Andrew RossiApril 03, 2026

Big Betty, Evanston's neighborhood moose, as she appeared on April 1. The large parch of exposed skin on her side might look alarming, but Wyoming Game and Fish personnel didn't see anything to indicate the moose was ill, injured, or dying.

Oh No! Evanston Residents Worried About Big Betty, Their Friendly Neighborhood Moose

When Big Betty, a popular Evanston neighborhood moose, showed up Wednesday with a large, raw injury, locals were alarmed. After all, she had been visiting the neighborhood for three years. “We all love her very much," said resident Shasta Sharp.

Andrew RossiApril 02, 2026

Now that the new 1,285-foot-long, 180-foot-tall Yellowstone Bridge is finished, demolition crews are dismantling the 65-year-old bridge that stood in its place. Tear-down is expected by end of year and the new bridge should last between 75-100 years.

Yellowstone Tearing Down Old Bridge Now That New $118M, 180-Foot-Tall Bridge Finished

Now that the new 1,285-foot-long, 180-foot-tall Yellowstone Bridge is finished, demolition crews are dismantling the 65-year-old bridge that stood in its place. Tear-down is expected by end of year and the new bridge should last between 75-100 years.

Andrew RossiApril 02, 2026

Powell resident Pete Pepping says he did everything he could to avoid hitting a 200-pound dog on Highway 14A on Monday. Although some on social media say he left it "there to die," he said he "pulled over right away. I was freaking out. I called 911."

Powell Man Refutes Claims He Left A 200-Pound Dog 'To Die’ On Highway

Powell resident Pete Pepping says he did everything he could to avoid hitting a 200-pound dog on Highway 14A on Monday. Although some on social media say he left it "there to die," he said he "pulled over right away. I was freaking out. I called 911."

Andrew RossiApril 01, 2026

Sunrise on Forty Rod Creek near Daniel, Wyoming.

Wyoming To Get Critical Moisture And Colder Temperatures This Week

A wave of wetter weather will ripple across Wyoming this week, bringing colder temperatures and up to two feet of desperately needed snow in the mountains. “Any snowflake, any raindrop that we can get is good,” said meteorologist Don Day.

Andrew RossiMarch 31, 2026

A Powell family facing the prospect of giving up two of their four dogs because of a city ordinance, made their case Monday to change the town rule.

"At Least It's Not A Zebra": Powell Dog Owners Make Case To Keep Their Pets

A Powell family facing the prospect of giving up two of their four dogs because of a city ordinance, made their case Monday to change the town rule. “If you think our dogs are noisy, wait till you live next door to a zebra," one of the owners said.

Andrew RossiMarch 31, 2026

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Idaho Fish And Game Commissioner Charged For Poaching Elk, Shooting From Truck

Idaho Fish and Game Commissioner Brody Harshbarger faces seven charges for taking two bull elk in December 2025. Court documents say he was firing shots, across a public highway, from the driver’s seat of his pickup truck to take one of the elk.

Andrew RossiMarch 30, 2026

Researchers Todd Surovell and Juan-Luis García examine the bank of the Chinchihuapi Creek near the Monte Verde archaeological site in southern Peru. Their research found that the site is only 4,200-8,200 years old, not 14,500 years old as posited by researchers who worked on the site from the 1970s through the 1990s.

U.W. Archaeologist Shakes Scientific World With New Evidence Of Human Arrival

A University of Wyoming archaeologist is the lead author on a new paper that has potentially upended what we know about the history of humanity in the Americas. The evidence pushes back the arrival of humans in the Americas by thousands of years.

Andrew RossiMarch 29, 2026

Mushroom Pool, in the Lower Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National Park, as it looked in June 23, 1967. The sample that would be the source of Thermus aquaticus strain YT-1 came from this hot spring. Pictured is Thomas Brock standing near the edge of the pool. Image from the self-published "A Scientist in Yellowstone National Park."

How Yellowstone Pool Gave Us Medical Breakthroughs, True Crime Podcasts, Maury Show

Though it seems unremarkable, Yellowstone's Mushroom Pool might be the most important thermal feature in history. A discovery from its waters led to a Nobel Prize-winning breakthrough that changed everything from crime scene investigation to medical research.

Andrew RossiMarch 29, 2026

Other Authors

Scientists mapped a small section of a vast freshwater reservoir underneath Utah's Great Salt Lake. The water is trapped in a 2.5-mile-thick layer of porous rock and sediment that could be extracted as a new water source for an increasingly dry region.

Scientists Find 2.5-Mile-Thick Freshwater Reservoir Under The Great Salt Lake

Scientists mapped a small section of a vast freshwater reservoir underneath Utah's Great Salt Lake. The water is trapped in a 2.5-mile-thick layer of porous rock and sediment that could be extracted as a new water source for an increasingly dry region.

Andrew RossiMarch 28, 2026

Rock Springs’ new $20 million solar sludge-drying system will start drying out human waste year-round starting in the summer. “It allows us to take care of the waste byproducts of humanity without stinking up a big chunk of town,” the mayor said.

Inside Rock Springs' New $20 Million Human Waste-Drying System

Rock Springs’ new $20 million solar sludge-drying system will start drying out human waste year-round starting in the summer. “It allows us to take care of the waste byproducts of humanity without stinking up a big chunk of town,” the mayor said.

Andrew RossiMarch 28, 2026

After the warmest winter in Wyoming's history, trees in southern Wyoming are starting to bloom. Shane Smith, former director of the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens, said it's the earliest bloom he's ever seen. Here, a blooming plum tree in Cheyenne.

"Unprecedented": Cheyenne Trees Blooming More Than A Month Earlier Than They Should

After one of the warmest winters in Wyoming's history, trees in southern Wyoming are starting to bloom. Shane Smith, former director of the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens, said it's the earliest bloom he's ever seen. "This is all unprecedented," he said.

Andrew RossiMarch 27, 2026

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Semi-Truck Burns To The Ground After Hitting Another Semi-Truck On I-80

Two westbound semi-trucks collided on I-80 in Uinta County on Friday morning and one "burned to the ground,” according to Wyoming Highway Patrol. Two people were injured, and one driver was cited for following too close.

Andrew RossiMarch 27, 2026

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

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