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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

One in a series of images Wyoming photographer Dave Bell created of an aurora borealis visible in Wyoming.

Severe Geomagnetic Storm Could Make Spectacular Auroras Over Wyoming

The Space Weather Prediction Center on Saturday issued a Severe geomagnetic storm watch for June 1 and 2 when a massive surge of solar energy reaches Earth. That means some fantastic aurora displays could be in store for Wyoming skywatchers.

Andrew RossiMay 31, 2025

A 307 First silhouette of a party of buffalo hunters along Interstate 90 just west of Gillette.

Big Steel Western Silhouettes Popping Up Next To Wyoming Highways

As of May 2025, nearly 30 western-themed steel silhouettes have been placed along Wyoming’s highways including Pony Express riders, mountain men, and troupes of pioneers. The group responsible for them say the goal is to place 307 silhouettes.

Andrew RossiMay 31, 2025

Thunderstorm over Cheyenne on May 24, 2025

Rainy May Welcome, But Not Wet Enough To Bust Southeast Wyoming Drought

Some well-timed rain in May has helped take the edge off extreme dry conditions in southeast Wyoming, but it hasn’t been wet enough to bust the drought. Meteorologist Don Day says the first half of June looks good for more precipitation.

Andrew RossiMay 31, 2025

If Yellowstone National Park is dangerous now, it’s a cakewalk compared to the Pleistocene age with super-sized predators and extreme weather. It’s a wonder humans survived. People now “are pansies” compared to those prehistoric pioneers, researchers say.

Scientists Say Humans Now Are "Pansies" Compared To Prehistoric Yellowstone People

If Yellowstone is dangerous now, it’s a cakewalk compared to the Pleistocene age where humans had to contend with mammoths, mastodons and saber-toothed-tigers. Scientists say people are "pansies" now and it’s a wonder humans survived at all.

Andrew RossiMay 31, 2025

Wyoming Game and Fish recently discovered more than 500,000 invasive zebra mussels on a boat lift. Why not eat them? You could, chefs say, but you probably wouldn’t want to. However, if you did, mussels in white wine is a classic recipe.

Chefs Don't Recommend Eating Invasive Zebra Mussels

Wyoming Game and Fish recently discovered more than 500,000 invasive zebra mussels on a boat lift at Alcova Reservoir. Why not scrape them off and then have them for dinner? You could, chefs say, but you probably wouldn’t want to.

Andrew RossiMay 31, 2025

The outside wall of a Cody family’s garage had to be pulled off to get to a pair of breeding bull snakes that had made a nest there. At first fearing they were rattlesnakes, the family instead had a pest control expert get them when they learned they weren’t dangerous.

Cody Family Finds Snakes — One Pregnant — Nesting In The Walls Of Garage

The wall of a Cody family’s garage had to be pulled off to get to a pair of breeding bull snakes. After first fearing they were rattlesnakes, the family instead had a pest control expert get them when they learned they weren’t dangerous.

Andrew RossiMay 29, 2025

Climbers are split over a British team’s use of xenon gas to climb Mount Everest in just four days. One Wyoming Everest climber says it’s “pathetic” and “straight-up cheating,” while another says it’s a safe innovation that will keep people healthy.

Climbing Everest With Gas, Cheating Or The Future? Wyoming Climbers Split

Climbers are split over a British team’s use of xenon gas to climb Mount Everest in just four days. One Wyoming Everest climber says it’s “pathetic” and “straight-up cheating,” while another says it’s a safe innovation that will keep people healthy.

Andrew RossiMay 28, 2025

Because of last year’s spectacular explosion and continuing seismic activity at Yellowstone’s Biscuit Basin, park officials are keeping the area closed. Online visitors can check in via webcam, however. Inset, 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, courtesy Steve and Vlada March)

Yellowstone’s Explosive Biscuit Basin Won’t Be Open To The Public This Summer

Because of last year’s spectacular explosion and continuing seismic activity at Yellowstone’s Biscuit Basin, park officials are keeping the area closed. Online visitors can check in via webcam, however.

Andrew RossiMay 28, 2025

The last time the Wyoming Department of Transportation made a significant upgrade to its Driver Services computer system, “Top Gun” was the No. 1 movie and Wyoming voters elected a Democrat, Mike Sullivan. It’s the most significant overhaul of the system since 1986. WYDOT's Cheyenne driver's license office was busy Tuesday afternoon, May 27, 2025.

$20M WYDOT Computer Upgrade Is First Major Overhaul In 40 Years

The last time the Wyoming Department of Transportation made a significant upgrade to its Driver Services computer system, “Top Gun” was the No. 1 movie and Wyoming voters elected a Democrat for governor, Mike Sullivan. It’s the most significant overhaul of the system since 1986.

Andrew RossiMay 27, 2025

There are miles and miles of old, worn-out barbed wire on ranches across Wyoming and the West. Instead of recycling it, a Cody-area rancher Janelle Prows is balling it up to create big, spikey steel tumbleweeds and selling them for $100 a pop.

Why A Cody Rancher Is Turning Old Barbed Wire Into Big, Spikey Steel Tumbleweeds

There are miles upon miles of old, worn-out barbed wire on ranches across Wyoming and the West. Instead of recycling it, a Cody-area rancher is balling it up to create big, spikey steel tumbleweeds and selling them for $100 a pop.

Andrew RossiMay 25, 2025

Mandy Gagliano rides Addi, a 4-year-old Rocky Mountain trail horse, through an obstacle course in Gillette, Wyoming. Here, they navigate through pool noodles, which trains the horse to push through branches and other obstacles on the trail.

How To Train The Perfect Trail Horse

Gillette's Mandy Gagliano trains Rocky Mountain horses -- a unique breed can that can deliver a ride "smooth as glass" -- to be top quality trail horses. She takes them through obstacle courses which include bridges, teeter-totters, balance beams, water boxes and pool noodles.

Andrew RossiMay 24, 2025

Yellowstone National Park has never published a "how-to" guide for navigating bison jams on roads throughout the park. So, wildlife photographer Max Waugh published his own to keep traffic moving while respecting bison and their habitat.

Exploring Wyoming: How To Navigate Through Yellowstone's Bison Jams

If you get stuck in one of Yellowstone's bison jams, you might be doomed for a long time. That's why wildlife photographer Max Waugh, who has led tours in Yellowstone for 25 years, published a book on ways to navigate the jams -- which include considering yourself a bison.

Andrew RossiMay 24, 2025

Other Authors

An owl spreads its wings and feathers to dry off after being rescued from a vualt toilent in a national park.

Poo-Poo Project Saves Wyoming Owls, Other Birds From Horrible Public Toilet Deaths

The Teton Raptor Center's award-winning Poo-Poo Project is saving owls and other birds from horrible deaths by getting trapped inside public vault toilets. The solution the center developed is now being used in all 50 states.

Andrew RossiMay 24, 2025

Without meteorologists on staff 24/7 at the Cheyenne National Weather Service Office, what happens if a tornado hits overnight? While the situation is “not optimal,” alerts can still go out from other offices, like Riverton or Denver.

Without Staff 24/7 At Cheyenne Weather Office, What If A Tornado Approaches Overnight?

Without meteorologists on staff 24/7 at the Cheyenne National Weather Service Office, what happens if a tornado approaches overnight? That's where offices in Riverton and Denver take over.

Andrew RossiMay 23, 2025

A pair of snowplows work to clear the Beartooth Highway.

WYDOT Opens Snowy Range, Beartooth Highway Expected To Open Before Weekend

After clearing up to 15 feet of snow in some spots of Wyoming Highway 130, the Snowy Range opened for the season Thursday. The Wyoming Department of Transportation also says the Beartooth Highway and Highway 14A should be open Friday.

Andrew RossiMay 22, 2025

Tornado spotted near Bennett Colorado on May 17, 2025

Massive Twister in Colorado Is Reminder That Tornado Season Has Arrived Wyoming

Although Wyoming is more tornado-proof than tornado-prone, we still get twisters in Wyoming. Funnel clouds were spotted in Laramie County on Sunday and four tornadoes touched down in eastern Colorado. Meteorologist Don Day says tornado season is here and it's starting off strong.

Andrew RossiMay 21, 2025

The underside of a boat lift thoroughly encrusted with invasive zebra mussels. This boat lift came to Wyoming from Lewis and Clark Recreation Area in South Dakota, but the Casper owner brought it to Wyoming Game and Fish to be inspected and decontaminated, as per state law, before installing it at Alcova Reservoir.

Game And Fish Finds Mother Lode Of 500K Invasive Zebra Mussels On Boat Lift

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department aquatic inspectors scraped more than 500,000 invasive zebra mussels off a boat lift from South Dakota. The mother lode of mussels could have devastated Alcova Reservoir.

Andrew RossiMay 20, 2025

A horse named Cowboy stranded in the middle of the Yellowstone River south of Billings, Montana, was flown to safety Friday by the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office and its on-call helicopter.

Helicopter Rescues Horse Stranded In The Middle Of The Yellowstone River

A horse named Cowboy stranded in the middle of the Yellowstone River south of Billings, Montana, was flown to safety Friday by the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office and its on-call helicopter.

Andrew RossiMay 19, 2025

A drunk Montana man was reportedly trying to impress girls by climbing on one of the famous antler arches at the town square in Jackson, Wyoming. He got a $100 ticket, and his dumb deed posted to social media.

Drunk Montana Man Trying To Impress Girls Caught Climbing On Jackson Antler Arch

A drunk Montana man was reportedly trying to impress girls by climbing on one of the famous antler arches at the town square in Jackson, Wyoming. He got a $100 ticket, and his dumb deed posted to social media.

Andrew RossiMay 19, 2025

33L Swamp Donkey, a 2-year-old bull raised by a breeder from Laramie, Wyoming, got a $250,000 payout for winning the American Bucking Bull Inc.’s $1 Million Futurity in Fort Worth, Texas. It’s a huge win for Jody Schott and his Big Schott Rodeo.

Laramie-Born Breeder’s Swamp Donkey Wins $250,000 Payout As Nastiest Bucking Bull

33L Swamp Donkey, a 2-year-old bull raised by a breeder from Laramie got a $250,000 payout for winning the American Bucking Bull Inc.’s $1 Million Futurity in Fort Worth. It’s the biggest payday yet for the young bucking bull.

Andrew RossiMay 18, 2025

Popular comedian Patton Oswalt had crowds of people laughing at The Rialto Theater in Casper on Friday and Saturday. It was his first time performing in Wyoming, learning the hard way you need a strong bladder to drive anywhere in the Cowboy State.

Patton Oswalt Leaves Casper Crowds Laughing, But He Can’t Hold Bladder

Popular comedian Patton Oswalt had crowds of people laughing at The Rialto Theater in Casper on Friday and Saturday. It was his first time performing in Wyoming, and he learned the hard way you need a strong bladder to drive anywhere in the Cowboy State.

Andrew RossiMay 18, 2025

Grand Teton National Park’s growing popularity with tourists means more visitors are taking in Wyoming’s picturesque Mormon Row. The National Park Service is planning upgrades to the area to keep up.

Grand Teton’s Mormon Row To Get Upgrades As Visitors Crowd Picturesque Area

Grand Teton National Park’s growing popularity with tourists means more visitors are taking in Wyoming’s picturesque Mormon Row. The National Park Service is planning upgrades to the area to keep up.

Andrew RossiMay 17, 2025

The ashes of Garrison Brown, son of polygamist and star of the TLC reality show "Sister Wives" Kody Brown, were buried in a small cemetery in Wyoming’s Bighorn Basin next to other members of his family.

Son of "Sister Wives" Star Buried Near Wyoming Hometown In Bighorn Basin

The ashes of Garrison Brown, son of polygamist and star of the TLC reality show "Sister Wives" Kody Brown, were buried in a small cemetery in Wyoming’s Bighorn Basin next to other members of his family. This was revealed on the May 11 episode of the show, now in its 19th season.

Andrew RossiMay 17, 2025

It may be the middle of May, but it's still winter in Wyoming's high country. This was the secene near Towgotee Pass on Tuesday, and more snow is expected this weekend.

Winter’s Not Done Yet; More Snow Coming For Wyoming

It may be the middle of May, but winter isn’t done with Wyoming yet. Another wave of wet weather from the Pacific Ocean will reach Wyoming over the weekend, which will mean more snow in the mountains and across other parts of the state.

Andrew RossiMay 16, 2025

If you’re dead set on committing a federal crime in Yellowstone National Park, you might as well post video of yourself doing the deed to social media. That’s what a California rapper did, coming dangerously close to a boiling thermal pool.

Dimwitted California Rapper Stands Next To Boiling Yellowstone Pool For Video

If you’re dead set on committing a federal crime in Yellowstone National Park, you might as well post video of yourself doing the deed to social media. That’s what a California rapper did, coming dangerously close to a boiling thermal pool.

Andrew RossiMay 16, 2025

A group of grizzly bears take a walk through Yellowstone National Park near Old Faithful in this file photo from a National Park Service webcam.

Grizzly Killed After Tipping Over 800-Pound Dumpsters Near Old Faithful

Yellowstone National Park confirmed an 11-year-old male grizzly was captured and killed Wednesday after repeatedly knocking over bear-resistant dumpsters. Officials say the grizzly had repeatedly sought out human food.

Andrew RossiMay 15, 2025

It’s the season for thunderstorms across Wyoming, which means greater potential for tornadoes. It also means scud clouds, which can look like tornadoes but aren’t. A scud is a piece of a larger cloud that's broken off and drifted toward the ground.

It’s The Season In Wyoming For Scud Clouds, Which Can Look Like Tornadoes But Aren’t

It’s the season for thunderstorms across Wyoming, which means greater potential for tornadoes. It also means scud clouds, which can look like tornadoes but aren’t. A scud is a piece of a larger cloud that's broken off and drifted toward the ground.

Andrew RossiMay 13, 2025

Cody Volunteer Fire Department at the Cody Stampede Parade

Cody Fire Department Pulls Out Of Parade Because They Can't Throw Water Balloons

The Cody Volunteer Fire Department is pulling most of its fire trucks from the Cody Stampede Parade because they can't throw water balloons, a longtime tradition. The problem, the parade committee said, is innocent bystanders get caught in the crossfire.

Andrew RossiMay 12, 2025

PC Corey Favino Courtesy Elephant Family USA and Newport Restoration Foundation 5 11 25

Herd Of 32 Life-Sized Elephants On Way For Month-Long Stay In Jackson

The National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson will have 32 life-size elephant sculptures for a month starting this week. It’s a stop on The Great Elephant Migration, a public art exhibit promoting conservation and coexistence with wildlife.

Andrew RossiMay 11, 2025

Comedian Patton Oswalt has never performed in Wyoming, so he's crossing the Cowboy State off the list with two nights of stand-up comedy at The Rialto Theater in downtown Casper.

Patton Oswalt Doing Two Nights Of Comedy At Casper's Rialto Theater

After realizing he had played in every state except Wyoming and Montana, comedian Patton Oswalt booked a ‘mini-tour’ to cross them off their lists. He appears in Casper on May 16 and 17 and in Bozeman on May 15.

Andrew RossiMay 11, 2025

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