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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

If you take a snowmobile or snowcoach to Yellowstone Lake in winter, you might just be fortunate enough to hear an eerie symphony emanating from its icy waters. Lifelong Yellowstone employee Jeff Henry describes it as "mysterious, magical and moving."

Goodbye Summer: When Yellowstone Lake Freezes, You Can Hear A Symphony

Yellowstone National Park is a magical place in the winter. Once Yellowstone Lake freezes, you might be fortunate enough to hear an eerie symphony coming from its icy waters. A lifelong Yellowstone employee describes it as "mysterious, magical and moving."

Andrew RossiSeptember 07, 2026

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Morning Glory Pool Was Brilliant Blue Until Tourists Threw "Immense Amounts Of Trash" In It

Morning Glory Pool near Old Faithful was once one of the most beautiful thermal pools in Yellowstone. It was a brilliant clear blue, but lost its color after decades of tourists throwing thousands of coins and "an immense amount of trash" in it.

Andrew RossiSeptember 07, 2026

Warm Spring Geyser is a pool of brilliantly blue thermal water hidden in a cavern near Dubois, described by a frequent visitor as "like something you find down in the Caribbean.” The trick is getting there and whether to risk descending into it.

Warm Spring Geyser, A Brilliantly Blue Thermal Pool Hidden In A Cavern Near Dubois

Warm Spring Geyser is a pool of brilliantly blue thermal water hidden in a cavern near Dubois, described by a frequent visitor as "like something you find down in the Caribbean.” The trick is getting there and whether to risk descending down into it.

Andrew RossiSeptember 07, 2026

A new study co-authored by a University of Wyoming professor says climate change made this past record warm, dry winter “four times more likely.” Meteorologist Don Day says there was more going on than that, but the study is worth paying attention to.

UW Study: Climate Change Made Record Warm Winter ‘Four Times More Likely’

A new study co-authored by a University of Wyoming professor says climate change made this past record warm, dry winter “four times more likely.” Meteorologist Don Day says there was more going on than that, but the study is worth paying attention to.

Andrew RossiSeptember 06, 2026

John Darby owned Cody's historic Irma Hotel for 35 years and kept its Western vibe much the same as when Buffalo Bill built it in 1902. Following Darby's recent death, his sons vow to keep their father's vision alive by preserving the Irma's legacy.

After Death Of Patriarch Of The Irma Hotel, Sons Vow To Keep Father's Legacy Alive

Following the death of John Darby, known as the "patriarch of the Irma Hotel," his sons vow to keep their father's spirit alive by ensuring the Cody hotel is as welcoming as ever. "The Irma was his life we're going to carry it forward," his son said.

Andrew RossiSeptember 06, 2026

The "American cheetah" chased after pronghorn at the end of the Ice Age in what would become Wyoming, but disappeared thousands of years ago. The best specimens of this big cat have been found 85 feet down in Wyoming’s Natural Trap Cave. Pictured is a contemporary African cheetah, along with fossilized specimens of American cheetahs found in Wyoming.

New Study: DNA From Wyoming's Prehistoric Cat Could Save Cheetahs, Lions, Tigers

In a new study released Friday, scientists say DNA extracted from the bones of a prehistoric "American cheetah" found in Wyoming's Natural Trap Cave could help save struggling lion and tiger populations. “We were shocked with the results,” said one biologist.

Andrew RossiSeptember 05, 2026

Hikers got into an aggressive confrontation in Glacier National Park over an encounter with mountain goats.

Hikers Come To Blows Over Mountain Goats In Glacier: "You Want To Die?"

A group of hikers nearly threw punches and rocks at each other in Glacier National Park because one hiker was upset that two tourists (one wearing a Hawaiian shirt and the other wearing flip-flops) left a trail to get a better view of some mountain goats.

Andrew RossiSeptember 03, 2026

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Vandals Dump Five Gallon Paint Cans In Bighorn National Forest Creek

A Sheridan County family outing quickly turned into a cleanup effort after they found multiple five gallon cans of paint dumped in Porcupine Creek in the Bighorn National Forest on Sunday. The family cleaned-up what they could and then called authorities.

Andrew RossiAugust 31, 2026

After a hot summer, snow arrived on the Beartooth Highway early Sunday for the first time in more than two months.

It's That Time Of Year: Beartooth Highway Gets Snow

The first snow of the season was recorded on the highest points of Beartooth Highway on Sunday. September 1 is the first day of 'meteorological fall,' so snow isn't that unusual. Temperatures are dipping as well as Jackson recorded 31 degrees Monday morning.

Andrew RossiAugust 31, 2026

Anyone exploring in the vicinity of Little Goose Falls, near the Penrose Trail, will find the school bus sitting at the top of a rocky uphill trail in the Bighorn Mountains.

How Bullet-Ridden Yellow Bus Got Into Bighorn Mountains And Who Lived In It A Mystery

A rusty yellow school bus riddled with bullet holes in the trees in Wyoming's Bighorn National Forest is similar to the bus made famous by the book and movie “Into the Wild" — minus the tragedy. How it got there and who lived in it is a mystery.

Andrew RossiAugust 30, 2026

An island of fir trees surrounded by bare ground that's formed in Wyoming's Bighorn Mountains.

Why Dense Islands Of Fir Trees Form In Wyoming’s Bighorn Mountains

A sharp-eyed observer might notice small, dense clusters of trees in the middle of open fields in the Bighorn Mountains. These islands of subalpine firs are called "atols" and grow together to create their own ideal microclimates in a harsh landscape.

Andrew RossiAugust 30, 2026

Giant Geyser, one of the two largest and most powerful geysers in Yellowstone National Park, has erupted twice in two months. It could signal another active period for the geyser, with hour-long eruptions sending 1 million gallons of water to 200 feet. Above, Giant Geyser goes off during an eruption in 2014.

Giant Geyser, Yellowstone's Second Largest & Often Dormant, Explodes To Life

Giant Geyser, one of the two largest and most powerful geysers in Yellowstone, has erupted twice in two months. That's a big deal because it can go for decades without erupting. The most recent eruption was estimated at 200 feet tall for over an hour.

Andrew RossiAugust 28, 2026

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State-record-holder Andy Corbin of Cheyenne has three pumpkins he says could each weigh a ton by the Wyoming State Champion Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off and Pumpkin Drop next month. Corbin is aiming to surpass his record 2,085-pounder from 2025.

Wyoming's Pumpkin Kings See Potential For Three 2,000-Pound Behemoths At Weigh-Off

State-record-holder Andy Corbin of Cheyenne has three pumpkins he says could each weigh a ton by the Wyoming State Champion Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off and Pumpkin Drop next month. Corbin is aiming to surpass his record 2,085-pounder from 2025.

Andrew RossiAugust 28, 2026

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How To Best Experience And Photograph Wyoming's 96% Lunar Eclipse On Thursday

A 96.2% full lunar eclipse will be visible over Wyoming on Thursday night, and most people will get to see the best of the blood-red spectacle before bedtime. Here's a full rundown of what to expect, where to see it, and how to photograph it.

Andrew RossiAugust 26, 2026

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"He Can Swim!": Three-Legged Bison Amazes Fans By Swimming Yellowstone River

"Tiny Tim," a bison that's survived two winters hobbling on three legs, swam the Yellowstone River on Saturday during a 10-mile journey. “He only had one leg to pull himself out of the water, but he did it. It was phenomenal," said one photographer.

Andrew RossiAugust 25, 2026

Santa Claus and his elves entertain tourists in the towering lobby of the Old Faithful Inn in an August tradition.

Ho, Ho, Ho! They're Celebrating Christmas In Yellowstone National Park

It's August 25, and that means folks in Yellowstone are celebrating Christmas. Seasonal staff at Old Faithful Inn have been setting up trees, dressing as elves, and welcoming Santa in a 1936 Yellowstone bus for more than six decades.

Andrew RossiAugust 25, 2026

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Cody LDS Temple Opens For Tours Monday So Public Can 'Feel The Spirit That's Here'

The controversial new Cody Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temple opened up for public tours on Monday. The 9,950-square-foot structure will be dedicated Oct. 25, after which only LDS members in good standing will be allowed inside.

Andrew RossiAugust 24, 2026

Legend has it Thomas Edison had his "Eureka!" moment for the light bulb while fishing at Battle Lake in Carbon County, Wyoming. Nope, says a historian.

No, Thomas Edison's 'Eureka!' Light Bulb Moment Wasn't While Fishing In Wyoming

Legend has it that Thomas Edison's "Eureka!" electric light bulb moment came from a burning pole while fishing at Battle Lake in Wyoming in 1878. There's even a historical marker at the site. But Wyoming historian Phil Roberts says the story is a myth.

Andrew RossiAugust 23, 2026

When Spencer Long and Morgan Kulik wed recently at the Diamond View Ranch near Powell, they saw a perfect opportunity to do their first brand. Eventually, the couple wants to start their own ranch where horses and cattle will bear their family’s brand.

Pennsylvania Couple Starts Tradition With First Brand At Wyoming Ranch Wedding

When Spencer Long and Morgan Kulik got married at the Diamond View Ranch near Powell earlier this month, they had a branding — with their own brand. The Pennsylvania couple's goal is to own ranch where horses and cattle will bear their family’s brand.

Andrew RossiAugust 23, 2026

In the month since the Cowboy State Daily told 4-year-old Charlee Lacey's story of collecting “hero patches” from first responders, she’s been flooded with hundreds of them.

First Responders Send Hundreds Of ‘Hero Patches’ To 4-Year-Old Rock Springs Girl

In the month since Cowboy State Daily told 4-year-old Charlee Lacey's story of collecting “hero patches” from first responders, she’s been flooded with hundreds of them. Her mother says there are "no words" to express how much they mean to the girl.

Andrew RossiAugust 22, 2026

When the next lunar eclipse reaches its maximum at 10:12 p.m. on Thursday, 96.2% of the moon will be covered by the Earth’s shadow. What makes it unusually striking will be its deep blood-red color, said a former Wyoming state climatologist.

"Unusual And Spectacular": Next Week's Lunar Eclipse Will Be Blood-Red And 96% Full

When the next lunar eclipse reaches its maximum at 10:12 p.m. on Thursday, 96.2% of the moon will be covered by the Earth’s shadow and blood-red. “We'll see a reddish moon with a slight sliver of silver at the edge,” one Wyoming astronomer explained.

Andrew RossiAugust 21, 2026

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