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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 WYDOT plow truck clears the westbound lane of I-80 between Rawlins and Wamsutter on Monday evening. Dozens of drivers were stuck on I-80 after both lanes between Rock Springs and Laramie were shut down for most of the day due to winter weather conditions, and at least one accident involving a WYDOT plow truck was reported. 

Motorists Stuck On I-80 Overnight As Snowstorm Shuts Down Southern Wyoming

A snowstorm shut down more than 200 miles of I-80 on Monday leaving motorists stranded for hours — some overnight — while killing power in Rawlins. “I figured I was going to be here until tomorrow morning,” said one trucker after 11 hours of waiting.

Andrew RossiMay 19, 2026

Snow at The Friendly Store in Centennial, Wyoming, on Monday, May 18, 2026

Snowstorm Shuts Down Southern Wyoming, Motorists Stranded On I-80 For Hours

Parts of southern Wyoming are shut down Monday by a snowstorm that’s closed Interstate 80, took out power grids, and stranded motorists for hours. In Centennial, residents report more than 24 inches of snow have fallen.

Andrew Rossi & Jimmy OrrMay 18, 2026

The 11,699-foot-tall Pilot Peak is one of the most famous mountains around Yellowstone, its sharp point making it one of Wyoming’s most recognizable. Known as a “mini-Matterhorn,” it's also one of the state's toughest climbs. This view is a climber high on the east face of Pilot Peak.

Pilot Peak Is One Of Yellowstone’s Most Famous Mountains, And Toughest To Climb

The 11,699-foot-tall Pilot Peak is one of the most famous mountains around Yellowstone, its sharp point making it one of Wyoming’s most recognizable. Known as a “mini-Matterhorn,” it's also one of the state's toughest climbs. 

Andrew RossiMay 17, 2026

Drivers on a Texas highway stopped under an overpass during a hailstorm caused a traffic jam and outraged people stuck out in the hail. It’s not legal, and trying that in Wyoming would get someone a ticket — or worse if they cause a crash.

No, You Can't Legally Park Under A Wyoming Overpass During A Hailstorm

No matter how tempting it is to park your car under an overpass during a hailstorm, it's illegal. Not only does it impede traffic but could cause major pileups. For emergency vehicles, not being able to get through could mean a matter of life or death.

Andrew RossiMay 16, 2026

Eldon Hongo quit a six-figure career to do what he really loves — training bird dogs — and made just $12,000 his first year. Now the Cheyenne-area trainer’s resume includes 17 national champion bird dogs and a reputation as the best in the business.

Fire Chief Says Wind River Canyon Fire Started By BNSF Train "Mechanical Issue"

Fremont County Fire Chief Ron Wempen told Cowboy State Daily the Wind River Canyon fire was started by a "mechanical issue" on a BNSF train. "Initially, they had a fire on board the locomotive itself," he said of Saturday's fire which grew to 133-acres.

Andrew Rossi & Jackie DorothyMay 16, 2026

The East Entrance of Yellowstone opening this month was a big day for Cody businesses, but Google Maps told visitors it was closed. Randomly closing Yellowstone entrances in Wyoming is an ongoing problem that's no closer to being fixed, officials say.

Why Google Maps Keeps Closing Yellowstone’s East Entrance When It’s Open

The East Entrance of Yellowstone opening this month was a big day for Cody businesses, but Google Maps told visitors it was closed. Randomly closing Yellowstone entrances in Wyoming is an ongoing problem that's no closer to being fixed, officials say.

Andrew RossiMay 15, 2026

Amoeba yellowstone 5 12 26

Scientists Confirm 'Brain-Eating Amoeba' Is Widespread In Yellowstone and Grand Teton

Brain-eating amoebas are thriving in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, and they’re probably more widespread than most people realize. Scientists say to avoid being infected don't stick your head in the water (which is a good tip around geysers too).

Andrew RossiMay 12, 2026

Folks were enjoying the 83-degree weather at Cheyenne's Holiday Park on Monday, May 11, 2026, less than a week removed from a snowstorm that dumped several inches of heavy, wet snow on the city.

Extreme Wyoming Weather Swings From 10 Inches Of Snow To 90 Degrees In A Week

Last week, parts of Wyoming got up to 10 inches of snow during blizzard conditions, but by Monday temps were in the 80s and flirting with record highs — and on their way into the 90s. “May is very susceptible to mood swings,” says meteorologist Don Day.

Andrew RossiMay 11, 2026

After years of cruising Casper at 2 mph, Randy Morrison is giving up being the “Ice Cream Man,” selling his truck. And it’s not because that hours on end of that jingle is hell on earth: “You really don’t notice the music until it stops,” he says.

After Years Of Cruising Casper At 2 MPH, Longtime Ice Cream Truck Is For Sale

After years of cruising Casper at 2 mph, Randy Morrison is giving up being the “Ice Cream Man,” selling his truck. And it’s not because hours on end of that jingle is hell on earth: “You really don’t notice the music until it stops,” he says.

Andrew RossiMay 10, 2026

Bugs Bunny raced Cecil Turtle through a fictional Yellowstone National Park in the 1947 Looney Tunes short “Rabbit Transit.” It was the third time Bugs and Cecil had replayed the ancient fable "The Tortoise and the Hare" — even though Cecil isn't a tortoise.

Wyoming In Cartoons: When Bugs Bunny Raced A Jet-Powered Turtle Through Yellowstone

The 1947 cartoon “Rabbit Transit” is another cartoon in the Looney Tunes franchise with an odd Wyoming connection. In this one, Bugs Bunny raced Cecil Turtle through Yellowstone. But the turtle had a secret weapon — jet engines under his shell.

Andrew RossiMay 10, 2026

The articulated skeleton of a small dinosaur found near Alpine, Wyoming. Professor and paleontologist L.J. Krumenacker said the shape of the leg, hip, and tail bones indicates this is the skeleton of Idaho's state dinosaur, Oryctodromeus, and might be the best of its kind ever found.

Wyoming Woman Discovers Perfectly Preserved Dinosaur Near Alpine

A paleontologist said Heather Zamora's discovery of a small dinosaur skeleton near Alpine, Wyoming, is one of the best fossils he's ever seen of the burrowing Oryctodromeus. “We usually don’t find them where all the bones are connected that way,” he said.

Andrew RossiMay 09, 2026

A bride fell off a snowmobile during an adventurous wedding photography shoot near Smoot, Wyoming, in April 2025. Now a clip of that mishap that made “America’s Funniest Home Videos” lives on the internet forever.

Bride Falling Off A Snowmobile In Wyoming Stars On “America’s Funniest Home Videos”

A bride who fell off a snowmobile during a wedding photography shoot near Smoot, Wyoming has made "America's Funniest Home Videos." The clip, which shows the bride falling head over heels into the snow, was included in Episode 6 of the series' 36th season.

Andrew RossiMay 07, 2026

Other Authors

The two brothers attacked by a grizzly in Yellowstone on Tuesday are recovering after multiple surgeries at a hospital in Idaho. A family member said they were both seriously injured, but “doing well and recovering from the horrific attack.”

Family Says Brothers Attacked By Yellowstone Grizzly Recovering From "Horrific Attack"

The two brothers attacked by a grizzly in Yellowstone on Tuesday are recovering after multiple surgeries at a hospital in Idaho. A family member said they were both seriously injured, but “recovering from the horrific attack.”

Andrew RossiMay 07, 2026

Vedauwoo, in between Cheyenne and Laramie.

Southeast Wyoming Just Got More Snow Than It Received All Winter

The last two days in southeast Wyoming were snowier than at any time during this past winter as Cheyenne officially received 9 inches of snow. “It was a nice, big event, but it's also pathetic that it took this long to get one,” says meteorologist Don Day. 

Andrew RossiMay 07, 2026

More toilets, more parking and improved roads are among the multi-year projects underway at Grand Teton National Park. With visitors at record levels, "You need to have the parking lots, bathrooms, and designated trails,” said Superintendent Chip Jenkins.

Toilets, Parking, And Roads: Grand Teton Starts Multi-Year Improvement Projects

More toilets, more parking and improved roads are among the multi-year projects underway at Grand Teton National Park. With visitors at record levels, "You need to have the parking lots, bathrooms, and designated trails,” said Superintendent Chip Jenkins.

Andrew RossiMay 06, 2026

Several inches of wet, heavy snow are bending trees and bushes around Cheyenne on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, with more expected.

‘Million-Dollar Storm’: Snow Brings An Inch Of Water, Most In 24 Hours Since August

The heavy, wet snow that blanketed southeast Wyoming brought an inch of water to a parched part of the state Tuesday, the most in 24 hours since August. “It’s been a million-dollar storm, and it's not done yet,” says meteorologist Don Day.

Andrew RossiMay 06, 2026

Yellowstone’s superintendent calls  new $100-a-day per-person entry fee for non-U.S. resident visitors to Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks “fantastic.” It means the parks get more money to help offset the impact from mobs of tourists.

Superintendent Calls $100 Nonresident Fee For Yellowstone, Grand Teton ‘Fantastic’

Yellowstone’s superintendent calls a new $100-a-day per-person entry fee for non-U.S. resident visitors to Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks “fantastic.” It means the parks get more money to help offset the impact from mobs of tourists.

Andrew RossiMay 05, 2026

Hiker Craig Lerman was the first to find one of two victims of a grizzly bear attack near Old Faithful in Yellowstone on Monday after he stumbled on a bloody hat. “He heard me coming and started saying, ‘Help. Help me,’" Lerman told Cowboy State Daily.

‘Help Me, Help Me’: Hiker Finds Yellowstone Grizzly Attack Victim, Calls 911

Hiker Craig Lerman was the first to find one of two victims of a grizzly bear attack near Old Faithful in Yellowstone on Monday after he stumbled on a bloody hat. “He heard me coming and started saying, ‘Help. Help me,’" Lerman told Cowboy State Daily.

Andrew RossiMay 05, 2026

Expecting up to 8 inches of wet, heavy snow, southeast and other parts of Wyoming will finally get a taste of winter Tuesday and Wednesday. The wet, freezing slush that creates is "going to be enough to be a problem” on roads, says meteorologist Don Day.

Better Late Than Never: 10+ Inches Of Snow Coming For Parts Of Wyoming

Expecting what could be 10+ inches of snow, southeast and other parts of Wyoming will finally get a little bit of a late winter Tuesday and Wednesday. The wet, freezing slush that creates is "going to be enough to be a problem” on roads, says meteorologist Don Day.

Andrew RossiMay 04, 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.

Scientists Say Pronghorn Got Their Speed Eluding American Cheetahs Across Wyoming

The pronghorn is the fastest land mammal in the Americas. At top speed, they can hit 55 mph. But what are they running from? Scientists say in their DNA, they're still trying to outrun the American cheetah, which disappeared 10,000 years ago.

Andrew RossiMay 03, 2026

Hayattville carpenter Kirk Odegaard builds basic, Old West coffins and caskets for those who want a Western funeral. "This is another service I can provide for people who just want to be put in a pine box,” he says. “It’s the way of the Old West."

Hyattville Man Builds Old West Coffins For Those Who Want A Simple, Western Funeral

Hyattville carpenter Kirk Odegaard builds basic, Old West coffins and caskets for those who want a Western funeral. "This is another service I can provide for people who just want to be put in a pine box,” he says. “It’s the way of the Old West."

Andrew RossiMay 03, 2026

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