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.
Latest from Andrew Rossi
Gigantic Dinosaur Sculpture Made Entirely Of Various Shoulder Blades
Wes Plummer collected shoulders from bison, elk, cattle and many other animals for three years until he had enough to build a prehistoric dinosaur from modern bones. The result is Windee, a giant Stegosaurus outside his business in Kalispell, Montana.
Andrew RossiDecember 25, 2024
Christmas In Yellowstone 2024: No Better Place To Celebrate
Cowboy State Daily's Andrew Rossi had the tough assignment of spending Christmas in Yellowstone. Without crowds and the park transformed by snow and winter, it’s become a holiday tradition for families seeking an unforgettable experience.
Andrew RossiDecember 24, 2024
Nobody Knows Why Santa Keeps Getting Stuck Dangling Over A Cliff Near Casper
Santa Claus seems to get into trouble along Highway 220 near Casper each Christmas season, left dangling over a cliff. Nobody knows how he gets there, but plenty come out to see Santa hanging on for dear life.
Andrew RossiDecember 24, 2024
Can 95-Year-Old Wort Cabin Survive Jackson’s Skyrocketing Real Estate Market?
The tiny Wort Cabin in downtown Jackson started in 1929 as a bakery, and has remained an active commercial space since. Now the local historic preservation board hopes it can survive the skyrocketing real estate valuations of the Jackson market.
Andrew RossiDecember 22, 2024
There's A Chance For White Christmas Across Wyoming But Don't Count On It
There's a change coming that could start soon enough to carry a taste of winter weather across Wyoming on Christmas Day. But don’t hold your breath waiting for a Norman Rockwell white Christmas, Don Days says.
Andrew RossiDecember 22, 2024
Need A Last-Minute Gift? How About A Shaggy Hippie-Cow?
Highlands are the cute, shaggy hippies of cattle, and it seems everyone wants one or two. One Wyoming ranching family says they’re also cleaner, love people and taste great.
Andrew RossiDecember 21, 2024
Saturday Is The Darkest Day Of The Year -- Especially If You Live Up North
Saturday is the shortest day of the year, but that’s relative to where you are in Wyoming. Folks in the northern reaches, like Sheridan, will have more than 30 minutes less sunlight than those in Cheyenne, Rock Springs or Pine Bluffs.
Andrew RossiDecember 20, 2024
Locals Shellshocked After Historic Wyoming Union Pacific Water Tower Torn Down
A historic water tower along the Union Pacific line near the Wyoming-Colorado state line was a local landmark for about 80 years. Now it’s gone, torn down Tuesday without notice or discussion, leaving locals and railroad buffs shellshocked.
Andrew RossiDecember 19, 2024
Report That Wyoming Lost Winter Days To Climate Change Is Misleading, Says Don Day
A non-profit environmental group's claim that Wyoming has lost two days of winter because of climate change is misleading and incorrect, says Wyoming meteorologist Don Day. “I almost laughed when I saw that,” Day told Cowboy State Daily.
Andrew RossiDecember 18, 2024
Tiny Box In Southern Wyoming Can Detect Earthquakes Around The World
A new seismograph technology has positioned a tiny box in southern Wyoming capable of monitoring earthquakes around the world. It's expected to reveal answers to mysterious smaller quakes in the region.
Andrew RossiDecember 15, 2024
Douglas “Frost Artist” Creates Intricate Snowscapes On Wyoming Storefronts
Moving to Wyoming has inspired Douglas resident Dan Downs to return to doing his “frost art.” Now he creates intricate snowscapes and winter scenes on storefronts.
Andrew RossiDecember 15, 2024
Wyoming Dinosaurs Sold For $15 Million In Europe, But How Legitimate Are They?
Collectors might want to beware when bidding on dinosaurs at auction houses. A recent trio of Wyoming dinosaurs sold for more than $15 million at an auction in London, but how much of the dinosaur skeletons are legitimate vs 3D printed material?
Andrew RossiDecember 14, 2024
Wyoming License Plate Collector Makes “Holy Grail” Find
Collin Townsend has spent 12 years collecting a complete run of license plates from Weston County. His latest acquisition is a “Holy Grail” find — a rare 1945 plate with its original wartime wrapper.
Andrew RossiDecember 14, 2024
Storm To Dump On Western Wyoming Mountains, Could Make Travel “Impossible”
A winter storm will dump 1-2 feet of snow, or more, on Wyoming’s western mountains this weekend. That could make travel “difficult to impossible,” the National Weather Service warns.
Andrew RossiDecember 13, 2024
After 91 Years, Cassie’s Restaurant In Cody Is Closed, And May Not Reopen
Cassie's Supper Club, a Cody staple since 1933, is closed as a new owner evaluates the potential of the historic restaurant. The recent demolition of other historic restaurants has the community concerned about its future.
Andrew RossiDecember 11, 2024
Storm To Bring Up To 9 Inches Of Snow, 50 MPH Winds Across Parts Of Wyoming
A winter storm is expected to bring up to 9 inches of snow and 50 mph winds across northeast Wyoming through Wednesday morning. Cold continues to settle in across the rest of the state, with snow flying in the higher elevations.
Andrew RossiDecember 09, 2024
Wyoming Starts December Warmer Than Normal, But Expect Snow By Christmas
Temperatures will be between 10 and 15 degrees above average this first week of December in Wyoming. But that doesn’t mean a white Christmas isn’t on the way. Don Day says there’s a good chance for snow then.
Andrew RossiDecember 02, 2024
Why Duke University's Lemur Center Travels To Wyoming Every Summer
Scientists from the Duke Lemur Center at Duke University come out to Wyoming every summer to find fossils from the earliest ancestors of modern-day lemurs and primates. They say the Bridger Basin is the Madagascar of the Eocene Period.
Andrew RossiDecember 01, 2024
Cody's Prehistoric Mammoth Was A Big Discovery — And A Federal Crime Scene
The discovery of a mammoth at Buffalo Bill Reservoir in April 2018 was a big deal for Cody. It also became the focus of a federal investigation when it was discovered the mammoth was found on federal land — after it was already dug up.
Andrew RossiNovember 30, 2024
Eastern Wyoming College One Of 8 Teams In National Fortnite Tournament
Within a year, Eastern Wyoming College’s esports team has become one of the best in the nation, earning a top seed at next month’s national Fortnite championiship. Teammate Ryder Tillard is among the best Fortnite players in the world.
Andrew RossiNovember 30, 2024
Yes, Wyoming Power Linemen Still Rescue Cats From Power Poles
Wyoming power linemen still rescue cats and other critters that get themselves stuck on power poles. That's lucky for one black cat near Cody that spent hours atop a pole before Rocky Mountain Power lineman Jeff Matthews rescued it.
Andrew RossiNovember 30, 2024
How Sean Cooper Came To Be Northwest Wyoming's "Rat Guy"
Everyone has those “go-to” people in their lives — their mechanic, butcher, or hair stylist. They’re dependable, honest and never let you down. When it comes to rats in northwest Wyoming, there's no one better than Sean Cooper.
Andrew RossiNovember 29, 2024
Carbon County Man Found Dead In Remote Area South Of Rawlins
Bruce Baugh was supposed to be back home in Rawlins by 11 a.m. Wednesday after an early-morning elk. Carbon County Search and Rescue volunteers found his body on Thursday afternoon, over a mile away from his vehicle, which had become stuck.
Andrew RossiNovember 29, 2024
Barrasso Spends Thanksgiving With Wyoming Troops In The Middle East
Sen. John Barrasso visited Wyoming service members deployed in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates on Thanksgiving Day. There are over 360 Wyomingites in the battalion, representing over 40 different hometowns in the Cowboy State.
Andrew RossiNovember 28, 2024
Wyoming All-State Marching Band Leads The Way In Philadelphia's Thanksgiving Parade
The first band in the 124th annual Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia was the Wyoming All-State Marching Band, made up of 160 high school students from the Cowboy State. They played Ghost Riders in the Sky as they marched past the iconic Rocky Steps in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Andrew RossiNovember 28, 2024
New Study Says Time Is Now For Thorough Probe Of Uranus
Most of humanity’s knowledge about Uranus came from a 1986 Voyager 2 flyby on “a particularly windy day.” A new study says the time for a new, more accurate probe of Uranus is necessary.
Andrew RossiNovember 28, 2024
Just In Time For Thanksgiving, Storm Icing Over I-80, Dumps On Colorado And Utah
A winter storm is hitting just in time to gum up travel plans, icing over parts of the I-80 corridor in Wyoming. It’s also dumping on Colorado and Utah, prompting meteorologist Don Day to advise people not to drive in those states if they can avoid it.
Andrew RossiNovember 26, 2024
Utah Officials Tell People To Stop Brining Turkeys In The Great Salt Lake
Great Salt Lake State Park in Utah has issued a Thanksgiving week message telling people to stop brining turkeys in the Great Salt Lake. Monday’s warning was prompted by finding a wayward bird on a beach that may have been brining in the lake.
Andrew RossiNovember 26, 2024
Thanksgiving Week Travelers Can Expect Snowy, Icy Highways Around Wyoming
Mother Nature won’t make the busiest travel week of the year any easier for people across Wyoming leading up to Thanksgiving. Don Day says to expect snowy, icy highways around Wyoming, especially Interstate 80.
Andrew RossiNovember 24, 2024
Earth Has A Second Moon For A Few More Days
A 36-foot-wide asteroid pulled into Earth’s orbit has become a second "mini-moon" for almost two months. But this multibillion-year-old chunk of space debris will soon be pulled out by the sun.
Andrew RossiNovember 22, 2024
Man Tapes Banana To Wall, Sells It For $6.2 Million; Wyoming Artists Baffled
A banana duct-taped to a wall sold for $6.2 million Wednesday, leaving some in Wyoming’s art community baffled and bewildered. Sculptor Chris Navarro called it “a head-scratcher” and said it looks like it took the artist “10 minutes” to create.
Andrew RossiNovember 21, 2024
Wyoming Meteorologist Don Day Helps YouTube's Mr Beast Float A Store With Balloons
There is no one bigger on YouTube than Mr Beast who has more than 330 million subscribers. He recently used 550 balloons to lift a T-Mobile store off the ground. To do it, he teamed up with Wyoming meteorologist Don Day who is a world expert in balloon weather.
Andrew RossiNovember 19, 2024
WYDOT Working 24/7 To Rebuild Mountain Under Teton Pass
The new Teton Pass will look just like the old one before it collapsed this past summer. WYDOT is working 24/7 to rebuild the mountain underneath Highway 22, this time with steel reinforcements set in bedrock and several drain systems.
Andrew RossiNovember 18, 2024
“Ridiculously Cool” Rope Cloud Spotted Hovering Over Heart Mountain
When Powell resident Dave Varkony stepped outside at sunrise Sunday, he saw a "rope cloud" hovering over Heart Mountain. Meteorologist Don Day says these clouds are usually much wider and are a well-known source of turbulence.
Andrew RossiNovember 18, 2024
Thermopolis Woman Grew Up As Only Child, Now She’s One Of 50 Siblings
Jessica Lippincott grew up as an only child in Wyoming and didn't know she was "donor-conceived" until she did a DNA test in 2017. Last week, she told an audience for the first time that she is one of 50 half-siblings who have embraced each other as an extended family.
Andrew RossiNovember 17, 2024
Wyoming Whiskey Celebrating Life Of Grizzly 399 With New Limited Edition Bourbon
To commemorate the life of Grizzly 399, Wyoming Whiskey is creating a new limited edition bourbon. They say the dominant flavor is white chocolate mocha, with notes of red fruit and rich brown sugar while the finish has lingering hints of candied ginger and soft vanilla. Less than 720 bottles will be made.
Andrew RossiNovember 17, 2024
When Will Remote Stop Sign On Togwotee Pass Get Buried By Snow?
Guessing if and when snow will bury a remote Wyoming stop sign on Togwotee Pass has become an annual winter spectator sport. The contest is on again, and people have until midnight Sunday to submit their guesses.
Andrew RossiNovember 16, 2024
Cody's Hippie Cow Creamery Started With 1 Cow And Off-The-Wall Attitude
Hippie Cow Creamery in Cody started with one Jersey cow and an off-the-wall attitude. Their raw, unpasteurized milk business is exploding, and the family is as quirky as ever -- singing to their cows, dancing with their cows, and making farm-inspired music videos.
Andrew RossiNovember 16, 2024
Utah Woman Climbs On High-Voltage Substation, Causes Power Outage
800 homes in Salt Lake City lost power on Thursday when a woman bypassed security fencing and climbed onto the high-voltage bushings of a substation transformer. A similar incident happened in Cody, Wyoming, except it was caused by raccoons.
Andrew RossiNovember 15, 2024
Jackson's New Swinging Bridge Open 9 Months Early, Still Doesn’t Really Swing
A new replacement of the historic Swinging Bridge crossing the Snake River south of Jackson, Wyoming, is finished nine months early. And like the original, the bridge doesn’t actually swing.
Andrew RossiNovember 13, 2024
Last Of Rare 4 Straight Supermoons In 2024 To Hover Over Wyoming
Friday night's beaver moon will be the last of four consecutive supermoons to loom over Wyoming in 2024. There won't be another for nearly a year, so see it while it's still bigger and brighter.
Andrew RossiNovember 13, 2024
No More Funky, Worn-Out Mattresses Allowed In The Rock Springs Landfill
The trashman in Rock Springs, Wyoming, won’t pick up old, worn-out and funkified mattresses anymore, and the local landfill won’t take them. People now have to drop them off for recycling.
Andrew RossiNovember 13, 2024
By The Time He Died, Col. Buffalo Bill Cody Was Actually A General
Wyoming Gov. John Kendrick promoted Col. William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody to the rank of general in 1915. One of the world’s most famous self-promoters, he never hyped up his promotion before he died in 1917.
Andrew RossiNovember 11, 2024
Ground Sloths And Saber-Toothed Cats Didn't Like Wyoming 30,000 Years Ago
Natural Trap Cave near Lovell is one of the best Ice Age fossil sites in the world, but its lack of saber-toothed cats and giant ground sloths tells paleontologists that those Californians never relocated to Wyoming.
Andrew RossiNovember 10, 2024
World's First "Personal Computer" Was Built By A Cody High School Grad
Hewlett-Packard's 9100A, the world's first personal computer, was based on a prototype built by Tom Osborne of Cody. Called “The Green Machine,” it became fully functional on Christmas Eve, 1964. His prototype revolutionized the industry.
Andrew RossiNovember 10, 2024
Creepy Abandoned Complex In Wyoming’s Red Desert Could Be Out Of A Horror Movie
Wyoming photographer Ken Driese has come across a lot of abandoned places in his treks across the Red Desert. But one place left him spooked. He stayed just long enough to get photos and then "got the hell out of there."
Andrew RossiNovember 09, 2024
Black Mountain Lookout: The Best View In The Bighorns Has Seen Better Days
The 84-year-old Black Mountain Fire Lookout sits at an elevation of 9,400 feet and offers a spectacular panoramic view of Wyoming’s northern Bighorns. Although it's been boarded up for decades, the Forest Service is hoping it can be fixed and opened to the public.
Andrew RossiNovember 09, 2024
Marquee On Historic 87-Year-Old Cody Theatre Is Slowly Falling Off
The historic 87-year-old Cody Theatre’s slumping marquee is slowly falling off and is being held in place with wires. To fix it permanently, the building’s owner needs permits from the city of Cody and state of Wyoming.
Andrew RossiNovember 06, 2024
House District 29: Incumbent Pendergraft Has Big Lead In Sheridan County
Republican Ken Pendergraft was on his way to winning another term representing House District 29 in Sheridan County late Tuesday. He had 72% of the vote with more than a third of the votes counted.
Andrew RossiNovember 06, 2024
House District 4: Haroldson Easily Reelected, Gets 76% Of Platte County Vote
Republican Jeremy Haroldson was easily reelected to the Wyoming House District 4 seat, getting 76% of the vote in Platte County on Tuesday.
Andrew RossiNovember 06, 2024
Wyoming's Night Skies Will Be "Bombarded" With Four November Meteor Showers
Four meteor showers are all active or reaching their peaks during the month of November. That means Wyoming’s night skies will be “bombarded” with meteors and fireballs for the entire month.
Andrew RossiNovember 05, 2024
Cloud Of Cold To Envelop Wyoming, Plunge Temperatures Into Single Digits
A winter weather system enveloping Wyoming won't cover the Cowboy State with a lot of snow. But overnight temperatures could plunge into the single digits overnight Tuesday and Wednesday.
Andrew RossiNovember 05, 2024
Why A Far-Fetched NASA Idea To Cool Yellowstone’s Supervolcano Would Never Work
NASA scientists concocted an idea a decade ago to save the world from a civilization-ending eruption of the supervolcano underneath Yellowstone National Park. Although volcanologists shot it down, scientists are still talking about it.
Andrew RossiNovember 03, 2024
Yellowstone’s Abyss Pool Is Getting Hotter, Changing Colors And Could Explode
Abyss Pool in the West Thumb Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park is getting hotter and changing colors. Scientists say the pool, where a human foot was found floating two years ago, could erupt violently in the near future.
Andrew RossiNovember 03, 2024
Mourners From Across Country Attend Candlelight Vigil For Grizzly 399 In Jackson
Mourners gathered in Jackson's Public Square on Saturday night to attend a candlelight vigil for Grizzly 399. “I’ve cried every night since she died,” said a woman who traveled from Oregon.
Andrew RossiNovember 03, 2024
If Iceland Can Tap Volcano For Energy, Would That Work In Yellowstone?
Scientists will be drilling a 1.3-mile-deep borehole into an active volcano to tap into the potentially limitless energy from the magma underneath Iceland. The same could work in Yellowstone but will likely never happen.
Andrew RossiNovember 03, 2024
Yellowstone's New 180-Foot-Tall, 1,285-Foot-Long Bridge Set To Open In 2025
The $118 million project to replace the Yellowstone River Bridge requires "an orchestra of coordination." But the new 180-foot-tall, 1,285-foot-long bridge could be open to traffic by the end of 2025.
Andrew RossiNovember 02, 2024
"Queen of the Tetons" Team Celebrates Grizzly 399 As A Pioneer And Teacher
The biologists and filmmakers behind the Nature documentary "Grizzly 399: Queen of the Tetons" celebrated her life and legacy during Wednesday livestream.
Andrew RossiOctober 31, 2024
Wyoming Storm Dumps Wet, Heavy Snow, Sets Moisture Records
A winter weather system that moved across Wyoming through Wednesday dumped a lot of wet, heavy snow across much of Wyoming. In Wright, 13 inches fell, while Casper and Worland set moisture records.
Andrew RossiOctober 30, 2024
Wyoming Weather: Expect Halloween To Be Bone-Chilling And Breezy
The forecast for Halloween isn't too scary, although temperatures after sunset will be in the 20s and 30s once trick-or-treating starts. There also will be mild breezes and a low chance of witch-melting precipitation.
Andrew RossiOctober 29, 2024
Powell Man Buys Model Submarine Used In The Hunt For Red October
A Powell man got into a bidding war in an online auction but was ultimately successful in purchasing the 11-foot model of the Red October used in the 1990 blockbuster movie “The Hunt For Red October." He also purchased a model of the Soviet submarine and another prop used in the movie.
Andrew RossiOctober 28, 2024
Blast Of Winter Will Dump Several Inches Of Snow Across Parts Of Wyoming This Week
The latest weather system will diagonally slice from southwest to northeast Wyoming beginning Monday night. The blast of winter weather will dump several inches of snow across parts of the state this week.
Andrew RossiOctober 28, 2024
Cody Couple Selling Historic Cabin Thought To Be Part Of "Wyoming Atlantis"
The couple was told the small, historic cabin on their Cody property came from Marquette, aka "Wyoming Atlantis,” a town submerged under Buffalo Bill Reservoir. The couple will only sell it to someone who respects the cabin’s history.
Andrew RossiOctober 27, 2024
Yellowstone To Remove 1,375 Bison, But Some Say It Should Be More, Not Less
Yellowstone will remove 1,375 bison through its Interagency Bison Management Plan. It's part of an ongoing effort to limit bison numbers that some say is driven by political pressure, and that the park should have more bison, not less.
Andrew RossiOctober 27, 2024
74-Foot-Long Wyoming Dino Burned In A Fire Revealed As A New Species
The newest Wyoming dinosaur, an Ardetosaurus viator which was discovered near Shell, had to cross an ocean and go through a fire before being recognized as a new species. Luckily, after 147 million years, its time has come.
Andrew RossiOctober 26, 2024
Nevada Rancher Totals Wild Turkey With Toyota Near Devils Tower
There's another month until Thanksgiving, but a Nevada rancher is giving thanks after totaling a wild Wyoming turkey near Devils Tower. His truck didn’t suffer any serious damage. The same can't be said for the turkey.
Andrew RossiOctober 25, 2024
Grizzly 399 Could Be Cremated; Cody Crematorium Explains How It's Done
Paul Davis, owner of Yellowstone Pet Cremations in Powell, said he has the capacity to cremate Grizzly 399 — if that’s what’s decided to be done. His business has worked with the Fish & Wildlife Service to dispose of the remains of other protected species.
Andrew RossiOctober 25, 2024
Fish And Wildlife Service Has Grizzly 399’s Body, Now Determining What To Do With It
The Fish and Wildlife Service on Thursday said it has possession of Grizzly 399’s body and is in the "early stages of determining the next steps.” Fans of the fallen grizzly told Cowboy State Daily they want some kind of memorial for the bear.
Andrew RossiOctober 24, 2024
Wyoming-Made Pedestal Holds Up Mammoth 11.50-Ton Quarter Pounder
A mammoth 11.5-ton Quarter Pounder outside a South Dakota McDonald’s was made by a Utah sculptor and is a selfie magnet. It’s held up by a huge Wyoming-made granite pedestal, and both artists say it’s the weirdest project they’ve ever done.
Andrew RossiOctober 23, 2024
Man Stuck Under Crashed Motorcycle Near Encampment Saved By Hunters
Two hunters saved a man's life last week near Encampment when they spotted the tip of a cowboy boot being waved from a culvert. It was a motorcyclist who had crashed and was trapped under his bike. "I’m alive to talk about it today because they stopped," he said.
Andrew RossiOctober 22, 2024
Astrophotographers, Climatologists Say 2024 Best Year Ever For Auroras And Best Is Yet To Come
Although it's been a bumper year for aurora activity, astrophotographers and climatologists aren't bored with the activity. Anything but. They still get thrilled by the northern lights and say the best is yet to come.
Andrew RossiOctober 22, 2024
Don Day Says Expect A “Roller Coaster” Of Weather, And A Chilly Halloween
Meteorologist Don Day says that after last week's blast of winter weather, Wyoming can expect a “roller coaster rebound” of weather for the rest of October. And a cold Halloween will likely mean kids will have to bundle up for trick-or-treating.
Andrew RossiOctober 21, 2024
Spirit Cave Went From National Attraction To An Abandoned Hole In A Mountain
Buffalo Bill Cody wanted Spirit Mountain Cave to be a huge draw for Wyoming, and President Taft made it a national monument. But the labyrinth of caverns never reached its potential and now is just an abandoned hole in a mountain.
Andrew RossiOctober 20, 2024
Scientists Learn A Lot Watching A Pack Rat Rot In Wyoming’s Natural Trap Cave
When paleontologists uncovering Ice Age fossils in Wyoming’s Natural Trap Cave found the remains of a modern pack rat, they didn’t throw it away. Instead, they gave it a name "Packy Le Pew,” and studied it as it decomposed.
Andrew RossiOctober 20, 2024
Perfectly Preserved Wyoming Allosaur Snout Excites Dinosaur Researchers
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is all smiles after recovering an Allosaurus snout from the Jurassic Mile near Lovell, Wyoming. What has them most excited is its 150-million-year-old perfectly preserved teeth.
Andrew RossiOctober 19, 2024
Cincinnati Museum Searching For Dinosaurs In Little-Known Almond Formation In SW Wyoming
The Cincinnati Museum Center has spent several summers combing through the Almond Formation in southwest Wyoming. Tiny pieces of dinosaurs are being found in an overlooked and untapped formation from 71 million years ago.
Andrew RossiOctober 19, 2024
Wapiti Tortoise Escapes, Makes It A Mile Uphill Before Jailbreak Is Discovered
Sheldon, a 10-year-old sulcata tortoise, escaped his outdoor habitat in Wapiti, Wyoming. He trudged a mile uphill into the mountains before his jailbreak was discovered and he was brought home.
Andrew RossiOctober 19, 2024
Yellowstone’s Least-Used Entrance Leads To Waterfalls, Historic Army Outpost
Yellowstone refers to the Bechler region as the park’s least traveled entrance because it is so far from any developed areas inside or outside the park. The dirt road barely shows up on some maps, but leads to stunning waterfalls, fields of blue meadows, and an historic Army outpost.
Andrew RossiOctober 19, 2024
New “Welcome to Wyoming” Signs Going Up; Old Signs Will Be Sold At Auction
A new “Welcome to Wyoming” sign is being installed along highways around the state. The old signs will be sold at an upcoming auction and, in the past, have sold for as high as $10,000 per sign.
Andrew RossiOctober 17, 2024
Winter Storm Expected To Bring Snow To Most Of Wyoming By The Weekend
A winter storm moving across Wyoming is already dropping snow on the massive Pack Trail and Elk fires in northern Wyoming. By the time it’s done, most of Wyoming is expected to see some snow.
Andrew RossiOctober 17, 2024
Winter Finally Coming, With Desperately Needed Snow For Huge Wyoming Wildfires
A wave of winter weather will finally hit Wyoming to close out the week. It will bring some desperately needed snow to help the 1,500 firefighters battling the huge Elk and Pack Trail fires.
Andrew RossiOctober 14, 2024
Don Day's Wyoming Weather Forecast: Sunday, October 13, 2024
Sunny across Wyoming on Sunday. Smoky in some areas. Highs from the low 60s to the mid 70s. Lows mostly in the 30s.
Andrew RossiOctober 13, 2024
How Wyoming Ranchers Rescued A 1,500-Year-Old Petroglyph Vandals Chiseled Out Of Cliff Wall
The Great Turtle Shield, a priceless 1,500-year-old rock carving was chiseled away from Wyoming's Castle Garden Petroglyph Site in 1940. Furious ranchers let it be known if it wasn't found, "legs would be broken." Shortly thereafter, it was anonymously recovered.
Andrew RossiOctober 12, 2024
Wyoming's Two Ocean Creek Is Only Body Of Water That Flows Into Atlantic And Pacific
Parting of the Waters deep in the Teton Wilderness is a uniquely Wyoming wonder where Two Ocean Creek splits, flowing into both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It’s the only body of water on the planet to do that.
Andrew RossiOctober 12, 2024
Once-In-Humanity Comet Will Look Brighter Than Venus And Mercury On Saturday
Comet Tsuchinshan – ATLAS, aka "the green comet," will make its closest approach to Earth 30 minutes after sunset Saturday. It’ll be brighter than Venus and Mercury over Wyoming, and it could be a once-in-humanity chance to see it.
Andrew RossiOctober 10, 2024
Cooler Temps Ahead As Autumn Weather Will Finally Arrive On Oct. 18
Cowboy State Daily metereologist Don Day says Oct. 18 is the day when the jet stream will get un-stuck and bring Wyoming much cooler temperatures and maybe even some precipitation.
Andrew RossiOctober 10, 2024
Steamboat, World’s Largest Geyser, Erupts For Fifth Time This Year
Steamboat Geyser, the largest in Yellowstone and the world, erupted for the fifth time this year Monday. After six years of active eruptions, volcanologists say Steamboat seems to be losing some steam.
Andrew RossiOctober 09, 2024
No More “Wind Chill” In Wyoming’s Winter Weather Warnings, It’s “Extreme Cold”
The National Weather Service is getting rid of “wind chill” in its winter weather warnings, which sounds like good news for windy Wyoming. But it’s not going away, it’s just renaming the index as “extreme cold.”
Andrew RossiOctober 08, 2024
What Happens When A 20-Pound Turkey Flies Into A Car Going 70MPH
Clara Maslak and her family were driving from Powell to Cody when a 20-pound turkey flew across the highway and smashed into their Suburban. A windshield repairman said he's never seen that level of devastation caused by a turkey. RIP bird.
Andrew RossiOctober 06, 2024
For Decades, Visitors Could Swim In Old Faithful Waters For 50 Cents
From 1914 through 1951, the Old Faithful bathhouse and swimming pool was a huge attraction. Visitors could swim in the same geothermal waters erupting from Yellowstone geysers for 50 cents.
Andrew RossiOctober 06, 2024
September Was Hottest, Driest In Decades, But Wyoming Can Still Expect A Cold Winter
September was the hottest, driest in decades across much of Wyoming. But Don Day says to still expect a colder, snowier than average winter.
Andrew RossiOctober 02, 2024
Utah Couple Grow Record-Breaking 2,289-Pound Pumpkin From A Wyoming Seed
Ralph and Juana Laub set a new Utah record over the weekend with a giant 2,289-pound pumpkin. The humongous squash was grown from a Wyoming seed provided by Cheyenne’s Andy and Amy Corbin.
Andrew RossiSeptember 30, 2024
Wyoming Weather Guru Don Day Helps Team USA At Europe’s Oldest Aviation Race
Cowboy State Daily meteorologist Don Day was part of Team USA in the oldest gas balloon race in the world. His job was to read and predict the weather so the balloonists could catch the best wind currents.
Andrew RossiSeptember 29, 2024
Don Day's Wyoming Weather Forecast: Sunday, September 29, 2024
Sunny in Wyoming on Sunday with Red Flag Warnings across most of the state. Highs from the low 80s to the high 90s and lows from the mid 30s to the mid 50s.
Andrew RossiSeptember 29, 2024
Classic Cody Diner Had Become A Chicken Coop, Now Restored To Its 1950s Glory
A classic Cody, Wyoming, stainless steel diner spent decades feeding people under many owners and names. Now it’s been restored to its 1950s glory after it was rescued from being someone’s chicken coop.
Andrew RossiSeptember 28, 2024
This Year’s Wyoming Giant Pumpkin Drop To Obliterate 8-Foot Wile E. Coyote
The highlight of the annual Wyoming State Champion Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off is dropping 1,000-pound pumpkins from 200-feet up and watching them explode -- and destroy things like cars, RVs and pianos. At this year’s event on Oct. 5, an 8-foot Wile E. Coyote will be obliterated.
Andrew RossiSeptember 28, 2024
Inside Yellowstone: Belgian Pool Named For Tourist From Belgium Who Fell In And Died
When Yellowstone became the first national park in 1872, Belgian Pool was known as Oyster Spring. It was renamed to Belgian Pool in 1929, when a newspaper editor from Belgium fell in the 180 degree water and died.
Andrew RossiSeptember 28, 2024
Yellowstone Bears Are In Pig-Out Mode, Eating 20,000 Calories A Day
With hibernation right around the corner, the bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem are in full-on pig-out mode, eating 20,000 calories a day. That means it's more dangerous for people visiting their habitat. Nobody wants to run into a hangry grizzly in the fall.
Andrew RossiSeptember 28, 2024
Nearly 600,000 Acres Have Burned During Wyoming’s Powder-Keg Summer
Much of Wyoming has been a powder keg for wildfires this summer, with nearly 600,000 acres burned in the northeast part of the state — 13 times more than last summer.
Greg Johnson & Andrew RossiSeptember 27, 2024
Cody Museum Gets One-Of-A-Kind Andy Warhol Custer Portrait
The museum in the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody has acquired a one-of-a-kind portrait of Gen. George Armstrong Custer created by pop artist Andy Warhol. The colorful portrait is a huge get for the Whitney Western Art Museum.
Andrew RossiSeptember 26, 2024
UPS Driver Tracks Down Colorado Kid Who Lost Suitcase Along I-80 In Wyoming
When UPS driver Cary Lambert saw a suitcase along I-80 near Buford, Wyoming, on his daily route, he stopped to pick it up. When he saw it was full of a child's belongings including a shirt from an elementary school in Colorado, he was able to get in touch with the child's family and get it back to them.
Andrew RossiSeptember 26, 2024
Wyoming Simmering In September With Temps 20 Degrees Above Average
Most of Wyoming is flirting with record high temperatures in the 80s and 90s, as much as 20 degrees above average. Meteorologist Don Day says this weekend will be the "peak opportunity" to view fall foliage.
Andrew RossiSeptember 25, 2024
Climbing Community Hit “Hard” By Death Of Devils Tower Climber
News of a climber falling to his death Sunday at Devils Tower has hit the climbing community “pretty hard.” A Gillette climber who’s tackled Devils Tower nearly 150 times says even “easy” routes take skill and attention.
Andrew RossiSeptember 24, 2024
Climber Dies After Fall From Devils Tower, Partner Rescued
A 21-year-old climber from Wisconsin died after a fall while climbing Devils Tower on Sunday. He was climbing with a partner, who became stranded and was rescued.
Andrew RossiSeptember 24, 2024
Here’s The Top-Selling Art From The $1.25 Million Buffalo Bill Art Show And Sale
After two days of live and silent auctions, this past weekend’s Buffalo Bill Art Show and Sale brought in at least $1.25 million. Here are the top-dollar pieces that sold for the most.
Andrew RossiSeptember 23, 2024
Cody's Buffalo Bill Art Show Sale Hits $1 Million In One Night
The Buffalo Bill Art Show and Sale in Cody, Wyoming, hit $1 million in sales on Friday night, a first for the 43rd annual event. During Friday’s auction, the two highest-selling pieces each sold for $42,500.
Andrew RossiSeptember 22, 2024
100-Year-Old Woman Celebrates Birthday By Ziplining In Montana Mountains
Douglas resident Chris Lynn went to Red Lodge, Montana, to celebrate his mother’s 100th birthday in April. Last weekend, he received a video showing his mother's belated birthday present: ziplining high above the forest floor outside of Gardiner.
Andrew RossiSeptember 22, 2024
Morning Glory Pool Used To Be Brilliant Blue Until Tourists Ruined It
Morning Glory Pool near Old Faithful was once one of the most beautiful thermal pools in Yellowstone National Park. It was a brilliant clear blue, but lost its color after decades of tourists throwing stuff in it.
Andrew RossiSeptember 21, 2024
Brief: Man Survives Bear Attack In Glacier National Park, Then Walks A Mile To Helicopter
A 35-year-old man was attacked by a bear while hiking in Glacier National Park on Thursday. The injured man then walked a full mile to where a helicopter extricated him to safety.
Andrew RossiSeptember 21, 2024
California House Cat Lost In Yellowstone Makes It Home 800 Miles Away
Only Rayne Beau, a house cat from Salinas, California, knows how he survived 60 days on his own and traveled 800 miles from Yellowstone National Park to a shelter in Roseville, California, about 200 miles from home.
Andrew RossiSeptember 20, 2024
Wacky Wyoming Weather: 4-Foot Snowdrifts On Beartooth Highway, 80 In Cheyenne
Snowplows cleared 4-foot snowdrifts off the Beartooth Highway on Thursday morning after a storm dropped 5 inches in Wyoming’s high country. Meanwhile, the forecast calls for sun and a high of 80 in Cheyenne.
Andrew RossiSeptember 19, 2024
Wyoming’s Beartooth Highway Is A Great September Drive — When It’s Open
The Beartooth Highway that snakes through northwest Wyoming and southern Montana is a spectacular drive during September — when it’s open. Weather makes it the best, and worst, month for people searching for stunning scenic views.
Andrew RossiSeptember 18, 2024
Huge Supermoon Peaks Over Wyoming, Still Time To See It
Tuesday night's huge supermoon peaked over Wyoming with a partial lunar eclipse to boot. But it's not over. There's still time to see it over the next couple of nights.
Andrew RossiSeptember 17, 2024
Renaming Northwest College For Yellowstone A Marketing ‘Gold Mine,’ But Locals Not Sure
From a marketing standpoint, renaming Northwest College Yellowstone College could be a marketing “gold mine.” But locals aren’t sold on changing a name that’s been part of the community for decades.
Andrew RossiSeptember 16, 2024
Wyoming Has Been Quietly Testing Technology That Connects Vehicles To Roads
Wyoming has been quietly testing highway safety technology called V2X -- an acronym for "vehicle-to-everything," for a decade now. The technology connects roads, traffic lights, and other infrastructure that could enable advanced vehicle safety features to prevent crashes and improve traffic flows.
Andrew RossiSeptember 15, 2024
Wyoming Art Dealers Experience Massive Slump Each Presidential Election Year
It hits like clockwork every four years — as the presidential election season heats up, sales for Wyoming artists and dealers cool off. Although the famed Buffalo Bill Art Show in Cody seems to be immune to the pattern.
Andrew RossiSeptember 15, 2024
Reporter’s Notebook: The Good, Bad And Ugly Of Digging Wyoming's Dinosaurs
When people ask reporter Andrew Rossi how he ended up in Wyoming, his answer is simple — dinosaurs. From his first discovery in 2012 — what he calls “the ugliest, least exciting piece of dinosaur possible” — he’s been hooked.
Andrew RossiSeptember 15, 2024
There’s More To “Wild Man” Earl Durand Than His Murderous Final 11 Days
Wyoming's “Wild Man” Earl Durand killed four people after escaping a Cody jail and trying to rob a bank in Powell during an 11-day rampage back in 1939. Before that, he also “was a good neighbor,” says an author and scholar on Durand’s life.
Andrew RossiSeptember 14, 2024
How The Heck … Can That 75-Foot Square Boulder In The Bighorns Be Natural?
A huge 75-foot-tall square boulder deep in Wyoming’s Bighorn Mountains has been baffling people since it was discovered. Called Falling Block, it’s all natural even if it looks like it was cut from a quarry.
Andrew RossiSeptember 14, 2024
Wyoming’s Famous Aspen Alley Ain't What It Used To Be
Wyoming’s famous Aspen Alley in the Sierra Madre Range near Encampment is still stunning, but not what it used to be. Horticulturists say the grove of aspens is merely slowing down in its senior years, but there's a lot of new growth which should bring the autumn spectacle back.
Andrew RossiSeptember 14, 2024
Right On Schedule, Blizzard On Beartooth Highway With A Week Left In Summer
There may still be a week left in Summer going by the calendar, but that didn’t mean anything for those caught in a blizzard on Wyoming’s Beartooth Highway on Thursday. The storm was right on schedule, typical for this time of year.
Andrew RossiSeptember 13, 2024
Cody Middle-Schooler OK After Running Into Vehicle With Bicycle
A Cody Middle School student is home and "doing good" after a scary incident Thursday morning. Coming fast down a hill on his bicycle, the boy ran into a vehicle, prompting an ambulance response.
Andrew RossiSeptember 12, 2024
Thermopolis Thunderstorm Generates Damaging Wind, Sparks Fires
An intense, but brief, thunderstorm blew through Thermopolis, Wyoming, on Monday afternoon. Strong winds peeled away parts of buildings and lightning sparked fires near town.
Andrew RossiSeptember 09, 2024
Hundreds Learn The Hard Way If They’re Prepared To Be Stuck On I-80 For 8 Hours
Saturday’s fatal semitrailer crash on I-80 closed the eastbound lanes for more than eight hours. The hundreds of drivers stuck there learned the hard way if they’re prepared for one of Wyoming’s more frustrating highway hazards — the closure.
Andrew RossiSeptember 09, 2024
Why Dinosaur Diggers Get Plastered All Day Long Near Medicine Bow
The Nail Quarry is one of the only active dinosaur sites on the famous Como Bluff near Medicine Bow. Every summer, the last trips are spent encasing fossils in huge blobs of rock and plaster and safely transporting them to the Tate Geological Museum in Casper.
Andrew RossiSeptember 08, 2024
When And Where To Find Wyoming’s Fall Colors At Their Peak
It's not too soon to start thinking about where to see Wyoming's fall foliage. Autumn moves fast in the Rocky Mountain West and by Sept. 23, the colors of fall should be visible across the entire state. If you're a leaf-peeper, it's time to set your strategy.
Andrew RossiSeptember 08, 2024
Don Day Forecasts A Colder, Snowier Winter Ahead For Wyoming
Cowboy State Daily meteorologist Don Day has released his long-range outlook for Winter 2024-2025. The short version is it'll be colder and snowier. "The signs strongly suggest that Wyoming has a real winter on the way," Day says.
Andrew RossiSeptember 08, 2024
Spectacular Lightning Storm Over Pinedale Might Be Best (And Last) Of Summer
Wyoming photographer Dave Bell was about to go to bed, but the thunderstorm wouldn’t let him sleep. Instead, he set up three cameras earlier this week and captured the most spectacular lightning storm he’s ever seen.
Andrew RossiSeptember 07, 2024
Gillette Auto Museum Rescuing, Restoring Vintage Signs For Retro “Neon Park”
The old neon Moorcourt Motel sign is the latest in the growing collection of vintage roadside signs for Gillette’s Frontier Auto Museum in Gillette. The vision is to create a colorful retro “neon park.”
Andrew RossiSeptember 07, 2024