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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

The rugged Morrison Jeep Trail, which rises 6,500 feet onto the Beartooth Plateau northwest of Cody, Wyoming, has been blasted with explosives to open it for the first time in four years.

Morrison Jeep Trail Blasted To Open Its 27 Rugged Switchbacks After 4 Years Closed

The rugged Morrison Jeep Trail, which rises 6,500 feet to the Beartooth Plateau northwest of Cody, Wyoming, has been blasted with explosives to open it for the first time in four years. Hardore off-roaders seek the trail out for its 27 steep switchbacks.

Andrew RossiSeptember 20, 2026

Elk 24 goes after a car at Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone in a video by the National Park Service, one of

To Protect Harem, Yellowstone's ‘King Of Mammoth’ Elk Will Fight Anything — Even Cars

Yellowstone’s huge Elk 24 — aka the “King of Mammoth” — will fight anything during the rut to protect his harem, even cars. Because other bull elk seem to avoid Mammoth, Elk 24 is usually ready to pick fights with anything and anybody in the area.

Andrew RossiSeptember 20, 2026

Auctioneer Troy Black keeps bids coming in for "High Ride," an oil painting by David Frederick Riley, during the 45th Buffalo Bill Art Show and Sale. 

Cody's Buffalo Bill Art Show And Sale Bidders Pony Up More Than $1M In The Dark

A city-wide power outage didn't stop bidders in this weekend’s Buffalo Bill Art Show and Sale from ponying up more than $1 million during one of the nation’s premier Western art events. The biggest spender was a bidder who bought nine pieces for more than $135,000.

Andrew RossiSeptember 20, 2026

After years in decline and die-off, the once-stunning Aspen Alley corridor in southern Wyoming’s Sierra Madre Mountains is making a comeback. Withing five years, “We'll have aspen so thick it'll be hard to walk through there,” says area rancher Dennis Faerber.

Slowly But Surely, Wyoming's Once-Stunning Aspen Alley Making A Comeback

After years in decline and die-off, the once-stunning Aspen Alley corridor in southern Wyoming’s Sierra Madre Mountains is making a comeback. Withing five years, “We'll have aspen so thick it'll be hard to walk through there,” says an area rancher.

Andrew RossiSeptember 19, 2026

Christy Risley of Spokane, Washington, was walking around Grant Village with her dog when she found a sizable — and illegal — "Hobbit hole" dug into the side of a sandy hill along Yellowstone Lake.

Nobody Knows Who Dug Out Illegal ‘Hobbit Hole’ Discovered Near Yellowstone Trail

A visitor walking her dog on a trail near Grant Village in Yellowstone discovered a sizable — and illegal — "Hobbit hole" dug into a sandy hill. "It was definitely manmade, not Bigfoot with a chainsaw," she said.

Andrew RossiSeptember 19, 2026

The "big block" containing the articulated arm and ribcage of "Rex Junior," a sub-adult Tyrannosaurus rex from the Zerbst Ranch in eastern Wyoming. This specimen, being studied at the University of Chicago's Fossil Lab, could be the best-preserved and most important T.rex specimen ever found.

Found On Newcastle Ranch, 'Rex Jr.' Could Be Most Important T. Rex Ever Discovered

"Rex Junior" is a partial but perfectly preserved Tyrannosaurus skeleton found on the Zerbst Ranch in eastern Wyoming. A paleontologist said that the "extraordinary specimen" could rewrite 100 years of knowledge about how the T. rex looked.

Andrew RossiSeptember 19, 2026

An unidentified man is dead after his vehicle drove through a guardrail and fell 50 feet from U.S. Highway 89 into Snake River Canyon on Thursday night. The vehicle was "there for a couple hours, at least," first responders told Cowboy State Daily.

Man Dies When Car Plunges 50 Feet Into Snake River Canyon, Unnoticed For Hours

An unidentified man is dead after his vehicle drove through a guardrail and fell 50 feet from U.S. Highway 89 into Snake River Canyon on Thursday night. The vehicle was "there for a couple hours, at least," first responders told Cowboy State Daily.

Andrew RossiSeptember 18, 2026

Smokey, a 6-year-old experienced backcountry llama, has been lost in the Absaroka Range along the South Fork of the Shoshone River near Cody since Sept. 2. He was spooked by a grizzly, and has been seen hanging out with an elk herd.

Spooked By Grizzly, Smokey The Llama Has Gone Missing In Absaroka Range Near Cody

Smokey, a 6-year-old experienced backcountry llama, has been lost in the Absaroka Range along the South Fork of the Shoshone River near Cody since Sept. 2. He was spooked by a grizzly, and has been seen hanging out with an elk herd.

Andrew RossiSeptember 18, 2026

“What will happen in Sheridan this winter is likely going to be different than what happens in Laramie and Cheyenne," Meteorologist Don Day said.

Don Day's Winter Forecast For Wyoming: More Snow In The South, Dry In The North

Cowboy State Daily meteorologist Don Day says El Niño will dominate the next nine months, likely bringing a lot of moisture and less wind to southern Wyoming. Meanwhile, northern Wyoming might have to endure "two bad years" of snowpack in a row. 

Andrew RossiSeptember 15, 2026

Yellowstone National Park's staff recovered more than 20,000 pieces of trash from thermal basins this summer.

20,000 Pieces of Trash Recovered From Yellowstone Geothermal Areas This Summer

Yellowstone National Park's staff recovered more than 20,000 pieces of trash from thermal basins this summer. Among the items were AirPods, Polaroid pictures, Pokémon cards, a single snowshoe, and over 280 hats that will be donated to local organizations. 

Andrew RossiSeptember 14, 2026

The Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, South Dakota. New research has revealed that the site, which preserved 61 intact mammoth skeletons, is between 160,000 and 232,000 years old — much older than previously thought.

Deadly South Dakota Sinkhole And Its 61 Intact Mammoth Skeletons Is Older Than Thought

The world-famous Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, South Dakota, is older than scientists believed. A new scientific study revealed that the ancient sinkhole, containing dozens of intact mammoth skeletons, is between 160,000 and 232,000 years old.

Andrew RossiSeptember 13, 2026

A study by a Colorado company shows that people who are willing to poop in plastic bags and pack it out of the wilderness are also willing to pay for the privilege. They’ll buy the bags at trailheads to maintain a “leave no trace” footprint.

Study: People Who Pack Their Poop Out Of Nature Will Also Pay For The Privilege

A study by a Colorado company shows that people who are willing to poop in plastic bags and pack it out of the wilderness are also willing to pay for the privilege. They’ll buy the bags at trailheads to maintain a “leave-no-trace” footprint.

Andrew RossiSeptember 13, 2026

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A ancient 200-foot-wide sinkhole with up to 20,000 bones from an Indigenous buffalo jump forced Wyoming to re-route I-90 in 1969. Here, the interstate to the left curves to avoid the site.

Interstate 90 Was Re-Routed Because Of 200-Foot-Wide Sinkhole With 20,000 Bison Bones

When highway workers ran into a sinkhole with 20,000 bison bones in it, they had to completely re-route Interstate 90 in 1969. What became known as the Vore Buffalo Jump is a rare archaeological site where people can see artifacts in their original state.

Andrew RossiSeptember 12, 2026

A 74-year-old Worland man attacked a 22-year-old FedEx driver out delivering packages Tuesday because the truck was kicking up too much dust. The older man jumped onto the moving truck and reached through the open window to get at the driver.

74-Year-Old Worland Man Attacks FedEx Driver For Kicking Up Dust On Road

A 74-year-old Worland man attacked a 22-year-old FedEx driver out delivering packages Tuesday because the truck was kicking up too much dust. The older man jumped onto the moving truck and reached through the open window to get at the driver.

Andrew RossiSeptember 11, 2026

A group poses next to a larger-than-life bronze sculpture of Grizzly 399 at the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson on Wednesday evening.

Huge Crowd At Dedication For Gigantic Grizzly 399 Sculpture At Jackson Museum

A huge crowd of Grizzly 399 fans gathered Wednesday for the dedication of a gigantic sculpture of the world’s most famous bear at the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson. "Against All Odds: Grizzly 399” also features the four cubs she had in 2020.

Andrew RossiSeptember 10, 2026

The Penn family with Drover, a border collie who they found dead from a bullet wound on Sunday. Nate Penn said the family dog, who was collared and "never bothered anybody," was shot on another property and made it home before dying.

Fort Washakie Border Collie Made It Home To Family Before Dying Of Gunshot Wound

A Fort Washakie family is devastated after the death of their 6-year-old border collie Drover, who was shot over the weekend after leaving their rural Wyoming property. The dog managed to make his way home before dying from the bullet wound.

Andrew RossiSeptember 09, 2026

Cowboy State Daily meteorologist Don Day, and his dog Winston (pictured) were enjoying a late summer weekend in the Snowy Range when he noticed the first signs of fall. Trees and shrubs in the mountains are already changing colors.

First Colors in Parched Snowy Range Could Signal An Earlier And Faster Fall

Tree and shrubs in the Snowy Range are already showing their fall colors due to an unseasonably dry year. Meteorologist Don Day (and his dog Winston) say to see the fall color while it’s good, you might have to change your plans and get out earlier.

Andrew RossiSeptember 09, 2026

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

Morning glory yellowstone 9 21 24

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

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