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.

Find Andrew Rossi

Envelope

Latest from Andrew Rossi

Photographer Dave Bell of Pinedale can’t remember a longer, more colorful fall than the one still going on in southern and western Wyoming

Wyoming's Warmest Year Ever Continues, Photogs Say Fall Color In South Is Best Ever

With seven weeks to go, the National Weather Service says 2026 will be the warmest year in Wyoming's recorded history. Photographers say the fall colors in southern and western Wyoming is the best they've ever seen.

Andrew RossiNovember 11, 2026

The Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory found nine bats in five counties that tested positive for rabies this year, including four cases in Sheridan County.

Nine Bats Across Wyoming Test Positive For Rabies, Four In Sheridan County

The Wyoming State Veterinary Lab found nine bats in five counties that tested positive for rabies this year, including four cases in Sheridan County. Scientists say late fall and early winter increase the chance of encountering a brown bat in Wyoming.

Andrew RossiNovember 10, 2026

The old hydroelectric plant along Clear Creek just outside Buffalo, Wyoming, now looks like a tiny abandoned medieval castle. It's actually one of the most important historic buildings from the city's early history.

Why The Heck … Is There An Abandoned Castle Along Clear Creek Near Buffalo?

Wyomingites can encounter many strangely beautiful things in the Bighorns. The abandoned castle near Buffalo might be one of the strangest. The medieval-style structure, still standing near Clear Creek, was once a vital piece of infrastructure for the town.

Andrew RossiNovember 08, 2026

Many dogs have died jumping into 200-degree hot springs in the Maiden’s Grave, Celestine (above) and other Yellowstone dog-killing thermal pools. At least one person also has died, and multiple others hurt, jumping into the scalding pools to save them.

Notorious Dog-Killing Hot Springs: Why Yellowstone Is Not A Great Place For Dogs

Dogs are permitted in Yellowstone but that’s not a guarantee they’ll make it out alive. Maiden’s Grave Spring, the Celestine Pool and others are notorious dog-killers and are marked as such, so tourists can avoid a tragic fate for their beloved pets.

Andrew RossiNovember 07, 2026

Man flipped by bison at Yellowstone's Bridge Bay Campground on Friday, July 10, 2026

Where Are They Now? Yellowstone Photographers Track Fates Of 3 Celebrity Bison

Now that Yellowstone's summer season is over, people are wondering whatever happened to “Spinny,” “Tiny Tim”, and the world-famous bison that flipped that Washington tourist. Photographers say there's good news, bad news and some unknown news.

Andrew RossiNovember 05, 2026

Semitrailer driver Roberto Figueroa passed this military convoy carrying ballistic missile components on Interstate 80 near Burns, Wyoming, one day.

Yes, You Can Pass A Nuclear Missile Driving On Interstate 80 Through Wyoming

For those who’ve wondered what’s in those industrial-looking semitrailers with military escorts on I-80 through Wyoming, it could’ve been a nuclear missile. “I was thinking, ‘Oh my god.’ I was terrified,” said a trucker who passed a missile convoy.

Andrew RossiNovember 04, 2026

Wyoming Forecasters: Earlier-Than-Ever Polar Vortex Could Mean Frigid Thanksgiving

Wyoming meteorologists are watching the earliest polar vortex forming in the Arctic Circle in recorded history and it could mean significant winter weather by Thanksgiving. "This is Mother Nature saying, ‘Hold my beer,’” said meteorologist Don Day.

Andrew RossiNovember 03, 2026

Wyoming's Not-So-Scary Trick-Or-Treat Forecast: Warm And Drizzly In Some Spots

Wyoming's not-so-frightening forecast for Halloween calls for temps in the 40s and 50s, a little rain, and no howling winds. "This is looking like a really good evening for trick-or-treaters," Cowboy State Daily meteorologist Don Day said.

Andrew RossiOctober 30, 2026

A dramatic dash cam video of a semitrailer using a runaway truck ramp on westbound I-70 in Colorado last month.

Runaway Truck Ramps: Last Line Of Defense To Avoid ‘The Trucker Nightmare’

Truckers who crisscross the steepest mountain grades across the West pray they never have to use a runaway truck ramp but they're grateful for them. “It's the difference between getting stopped and a bunch of people getting killed," one trucker said.

Greg Johnson & Andrew RossiOctober 24, 2026

Park County Courthouse Isn’t Haunted — Unless You Count The Ghost Who Makes Toast

The 114-year-old Park County Courthouse in Cody doesn't seem to have any vengeful spirits, unless you count the ghost who makes toast on the second floor. “Whoever opens the courthouse will smell toast” when nobody’s there, said one staffer.

Andrew RossiOctober 18, 2026

After fleeing the Chicago mafia, "Old Steve" Gorshum spent 20 years tending goats and living in a hand-built stone home in the Bighorns, telling his neighbors he was hiding from his past. Old Steve often shared tales of his mafia days with neighbors.

‘Old Steve’ Hid From Chicago Mob For 20 Years Raising Goats Near Buffalo, Wyoming

A former Chicago mobster known as “Old Steve” spent 20 years hiding out in a squat, home-built stone house outside of Buffalo raising goats. It was far removed from his former life in the mafia as a guy who knew where the bodies were buried — and didn’t want to join them.

Andrew RossiOctober 18, 2026

Sue, the fully tackled palomino, in the Bechler Region of Yellowstone National Park shortly after her was found and rescued on Friday.

Sue’s Safe! Fully-Tacked Horse Rescued After A Week Lost In Yellowstone

Sue, a 15-year-old fully outfitted palomino gelding, was rescued Friday after spending a week lost in a remote area of southwest Yellowstone. "The only things lost were my bridle, my phone, and a little weight on Sue," the horse's owner told Cowboy State Daily.

Andrew RossiOctober 18, 2026

Other Authors

Images from a video taken by the Steve and Vlada March family shows a violent eruption of Black Diamond Pool in Yellowstone National Park on July 23, 2024.

15,000-Year-Old Geyser Data Found In Yellowstone Lakes Predicts Next 15,000 Years

New scientific research reveals how Yellowstone National Park's geysers have carved through the area over the past 15,000 years. They're using what they find at the bottom of freshwater lakes in the park's geyser basins to predict the next 15,000 years.

Andrew RossiOctober 18, 2026

The tattoo Angelina Alvarado got from tattoo artist Ivan TwoBulls. Both individuals agree the tattoo is unfinished but are arguing over the details. Alvarado said TwoBulls never told her it was unfinished and refused to touch it up, while TwoBulls said Alvarado gave him an unrealistic deadline before making disparaging posts about him on social media.

Casper Woman Mad Over Tattoo She Claims Looks Like "A Penis On My Neck"

A Casper resident is upset because a tattoo she requested of an eagle and feather looks like a "penis on my neck." The tattoo artist says it's unfinished and he's being blackmailed. "She had the option to get this tattoo fixed and finished," he said.

Andrew RossiOctober 15, 2026

Autumn weather has finally hit the state of Wyoming. Fall foliage in Grand Teton National Park.

Finally Wyoming Gets A Taste Of Autumn With More Cool Weather Ahead

Thanks to an influx of moisture from Hurricane Rachel and cold Canadian air, it's starting to feel like autumn in Wyoming. In fact, temperatures and precipitation haven't been this close to normal since last October, and more is on the way.

Andrew RossiOctober 13, 2026

The Dodge Ram pickup truck owned by Jason and Marie Ann Jaskula was totaled Thursday night after hitting a 2,000-pound bull bison in Yellowstone National Park. The bison died from its injuries.

Yellowstone Seasonal Workers Stranded After Hitting 2,000-Pound Bison, Destroying Truck

Marie Ann and Jason Jaskula totaled their Dodge Ram when hitting a 2,000-pound bull bison in Yellowstone late last week. Now they have to find a way to haul out their fifth-wheel — also their home — before the park's interior roads close soon.

Andrew RossiOctober 12, 2026

Sue, a 15-year-old palomino, went missing during a packing trip near the Bechler Ranger Station in Yellowstone’s southwest corner on Friday. The horse's owners are offering a $1,000 reward to anyone who finds and rescues the horse. "We are heartbroken, worried sick, and hoping for a good outcome," they told Cowboy State Daily.

Fully-Tacked Horse Missing Near Yellowstone's Most Remote Entrance

Another horse has gone missing and its owners desperately want it back. The 15-year-old palomino disappeared during a packing trip near Yellowstone’s most remote entrance Friday. "We are heartbroken," the owner said. “He’s very gentle and loves people."

Andrew RossiOctober 12, 2026

Cheyenne Couple Break Wyoming Pumpkin Growing Record With 2,224-Pound Whopper

Cheyenne's Andy and Amy Corbin have broken Wyoming’s state record for the fourth consecutive time with a pumpkin weighing in at 2,224 pounds. That's rarified air in the pumpkin growing world as less than 50 growers have ever topped 2,200 pounds.

Andrew RossiOctober 12, 2026

A piece of clay pipe uncovered in Glacier National Park, bearing the stamp of the Lovell Clay Products Company.

90-Year-Old Lovell Clay Works Pipes Still Leak-Proof In Yellowstone And Glacier

A Lovell-based contractor doing utility work in Yellowstone and Mammoth keeps finding pipes from the now defunct Lovell Clay Works company and they're still leak-proof after 90 years. "The pipes look brand new," the contractor said. "They look amazing!"

Andrew RossiOctober 11, 2026

Outcrops of the Ferris Formation near Seminoe Reservoir in Carbon County. These rocks preserve fossil fragments of dinosaurs, crocodiles, turtles, snakes, and other animals that lived in the "latest Cretaceous" of Wyoming, no more than one million years before the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event that killed 75% of life on Earth.

What Killed The Dinosaurs? UW Prof Studying Carbon County Fossils To Find Out.

UW prof Anton Wroblewski studied more than 6,500 fossil fragments from the 66-million-year-old Ferris Formation in Carbon County to figure out what killed the dinosaurs. “Everybody wants to know what happened to dinosaurs because those are the sexy ones,” he said.

Andrew RossiOctober 11, 2026

Chandra Ahlquist owns Sterling Fox Taxidermy in Loveland, Colorado, where she makes floppy taxidermied animals — what she calls "the ultimate couch companions."

Colorado Woman Calls Her Floppy Taxidermy The ‘Ultimate Couch Companions’

The future of taxidermy will be cuddlier if it’s up to a Colorado woman who specializes in soft-mount animals — aka floppy taxidermy. They're as posable and huggable as a plush toy but made from real predator pelts. Why get a teddy bear when you can snuggle a coyote, she says.

Andrew RossiOctober 10, 2026