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

Oxeye daily may look like a peaceful meadow of wildflowers, it's actually an invasive weed in Wyoming.

Johnson County Pays Bounties By The Pound For Invasive Weeds

Anyone can be a bounty hunter in the war on invasive weeds in Johnson County, which pays cash to people who uproot and report them. People can get paid by the pound or earn a $50 reward for reporting patches of the damaging weeds.

Andrew RossiJune 30, 2025

The Discovery Channel’s popular show “Expedition Unknown," hosted by archaeologist Josh Gates, is digging into the mystery about what happened to the body of Buffalo Bill Cody. “The Lost Grave Of Buffalo Bill” also features Cody residents reenacting the famous showman and Annie Oakley.

Discovery’s ‘Expedition Unknown’ To Take On Mystery Of Buffalo Bill's Grave

The Discovery Channel’s popular show “Expedition Unknown” is digging into the mystery about what happened to the body of Buffalo Bill Cody. “The Lost Grave Of Buffalo Bill” also features Cody residents reenacting the famous showman and Annie Oakley.

Andrew RossiJune 29, 2025

An Allosaurus skeleton on display at Dinosaur National Monument in Utah. Calcium isotope analysis of Allosaurus teeth discovered at this Late Jurassic bonebed revealed that Allosaurus was a flesh-eater, not a bone cruncher, confirming long-held theories about Allosaurus feeding determined by their anatomy.

New Dental Research Shows What Dinosaurs Ate And Entire Food Chain

Teeth can tell a life’s story, even when they’re 150 million years old. One of the new frontiers in paleontological research is examining calcium isotopes to reveal details about dinosaurs' diets and environments. “With teeth, you can track an entire food chain,” paleontologist Liam Norris says.

Andrew RossiJune 29, 2025

The formation of the iconic Heart Mountain near Cody involves a block of rock the size of Rhode Island moving at 700 mph, one of the largest eruptions of the Yellowstone supervolcano, and two different but equally cataclysmic events in Earth’s geologic history that took 30 minutes and 47 million years.

Wyoming's Heart Mountain Formed By The Two Largest Landslides In Earth's History

The formation of Heart Mountain near Cody is a story of a block of rock the size of Rhode Island moving at 700 mph, an eruption of the Yellowstone supervolcano, and two separate but equally cataclysmic events in Earth’s geologic history.

Andrew RossiJune 29, 2025

With their long legs, large eyes and large mandibles, westsalts tiger beetles are the apex predators of the important invertebrate ecosystem of Yellowstone National Park's thermal basins.

Full Of Grizzlies, Wolves And Cougars, Yellowstone’s Top Apex Predator Is A Bug

Yellowstone National Park is full of grizzlies, wolves and elusive mountain lions. But the apex predators of the park might be those tiny tiger beetles that thrive around thermal pools — and hunt and kill everything else.

Andrew RossiJune 28, 2025

A man in Grand Teton National Park jumps headfirst through the open window of his car when he realizes a grizzly bear is close and advancing.

Grand Teton Tourist Dives Headfirst Through Open Car Window To Avoid Grizzly

A tourist in Grand Teton National Park found himself between a grizzly and its mate earlier this month, so he took the only escape available — he dove headfirst through the open window of his car. A tour guide got a photo of the man’s moment of escape.

Andrew RossiJune 27, 2025

Dozens of Yellowstone visitors witnessed the death of a bison as it stepped into the water at the shallow edge of Grand Prismatic Spring on Saturday morning, leaving behind a carcass that will soon be "dissolved" by the 160-degree water. This photo was shared to the Yellowstone Through the Lens Facebook group by Louise Howard.

Yellowstone Visitors Watch Bison Die In 160-Degree Grand Prismatic Spring

Dozens of Yellowstone visitors were shocked to witness the death of a bison as it stepped into the water at the shallow edge of Grand Prismatic Spring on Saturday morning. Left behind is a carcass that will soon be "dissolved" by the 160-degree water.

Andrew RossiJune 24, 2025

Mid-June Winter Blast Brings Record Lows, 3-Foot Snowdrifts To Parts Of Wyoming

The Wyoming Department of Transportation is working Monday to clear 3-foot snowdrifts off the Beartooth Highway after a blast of mid-June winter blew through Wyoming over the weekend. Other parts of the state saw record-low temperatures.

Andrew RossiJune 23, 2025

The Cody Theatre on June 20, 2025, after its sagging marquee was raised over a foot and set in place by a new steel support structure inside the existing marquee that has been floating on the front of the theatre since it opened in 1937.

Historic Cody Theatre Marquee Was Falling Off Building Until It Was Saved Last Week

The 88-year-old marquee of the historic Cody Theatre had been sagging downward for decades and threatened to fall off the building. The owners said it would have been far easier to get rid of it and replace it with a modern sign but they couldn't let that happen.

Andrew RossiJune 22, 2025

The right side of an Allosaurus skull still embedded in sandstone from the Jurassic Mile near Lovell. Jorge Plata and Rachel Gray, fossil preparators at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis, have spent the last year slowly etching away at the rock to expose the jet-black bones from the snout of this 150-million-year-old dinosaur from Wyoming.

Scientists Use Cutting-Edge Tech To Look Inside Spectacular Wyoming Allosaurus

The Children's Museum of Indianapolis took two big rocks containing a dinosaur skull to the hospital for a CT scan. The cutting-edge technology was used to learn more about a spectacular Allosaurus found at Wyoming’s famed Jurassic Mile fossil site.

Andrew RossiJune 22, 2025

Paramount continues to cash in on the wildly popular “Yellowstone” franchise, announcing another spinoff that will begin filming this summer. “Y: Marshals” continues the story of Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes), the hunky son of Kevin Costner’s John Dutton.

Another ‘Yellowstone’ Spinoff, ‘Y: Marshals’ Continues Story Of Kayce Dutton

The latest spinoff of the hit TV show Yellowstone has been announced and will begin filming in Utah this summer. Utah officials say the filming of Y Marshals -- which continues the story of Kevin Costner's son Kayce Dutton -- will generate 380 jobs and $57.4 million in revenue.

Andrew RossiJune 21, 2025

Miracle Cat With Half A Face Beats The Odds With Full Recovery

When Spalding walked into a Gillette home three months ago, he was near death — hypothermic and half his face had been destroyed by a huge abscess. Three months later, he’s beat the odds to make a full recovery.

Andrew RossiJune 21, 2025

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Jim Tang has been chasing storms for a decade, but said the huge Nebraska tornado he saw on Monday is a “once-in-a-lifetime” encounter. “As a storm chaser, that kind of tornado is your career goal,” he told Cowboy State Daily.

Storm Chaser In Awe After Capturing ‘Once-In-A-Lifetime’ Tornado

Jim Tang has been chasing storms for a decade, but said the huge Nebraska tornado he got up close and personal with Monday is a “once-in-a-lifetime” encounter. “As a storm chaser, that kind of tornado is your career goal,” he told Cowboy State Daily.

Andrew RossiJune 21, 2025

Star Valley Search and Rescue's jet skis returned to shore after the search and recovery of Joyce Balls, who died after falling into the Snake River Canyon on Wednesday afternoon.

Idaho Woman Dies After 100-Foot Fall Into Snake River Near Alpine

An 89-year-old Idaho woman died Wednesday when she fell 100 feet into the Snake River near Alpine, Wyoming. She was picnicking with family when she “lost her footing,” authorities say. A drone located the woman, who was recovered less than a mile away.

Andrew RossiJune 19, 2025

Wyoming's Latest Sunset Of The Year Is Friday — It Just Gets Darker From There

When the sun sets Friday, Wyomingites will have enjoyed more than 15 hours of daylight on what's called the longest day of the year. It just gets darker from there until the shortest day on Dec. 21.

Andrew RossiJune 19, 2025

Wyoming's Wild Weather: Snow And Pushing 100 Degrees This Weekend

Wyoming’s weather will be wild this weekend with near-record highs, including pushing 100 in some areas, then snow and freezing temperatures. Whether it’s brutal heat or summer snow, “everyone’s going to be mad at me,” says meteorologist Don Day.

Andrew RossiJune 19, 2025

A hawk that got caught in a hailstorm in central Montana on Saturday evening June 14, 2025. Haden Wichman, who spotted this hawk, wasn't sure if it survived, but saw multiple other birds that died in the storm that produced golf ball-sized hail.

Supercell Thunderstorms Pummel Wildlife, Bust Windows With Baseball-Sized Hail

June, July and August are “hailstorm season” in Wyoming, Montana and the rest of the Rocky Mountain region. A surge of supercell thunderstorms over the last week have pummeled wildlife and caused widespread destruction with up to baseball-sized hail.

Andrew RossiJune 17, 2025

Joe Stone, co-founder of Dovetail Trail Consulting, on one of the trails near Taggart Lake. Increasing universal accessibility at Taggart Lake and the many trails in the vicinity is one of the primary goals of the $8.5-million Reimagining Taggart Lake Initiative, which is set to be completed by Summer 2027.

Grand Teton’s Popular Taggart Lake Trails To Get $8.5 Million Facelift

The Taggart Lake trail system is a popular Grand Teton National Park destination for hikers and outdoors enthusiasts. It’s about to get more popular with $8.5 million worth of improvements, including better parking.

Andrew RossiJune 15, 2025

Built in 1924-1925, the Hayden Arch Bridge in Park County, Wyoming, is the only open-spandrel concrete bridge of its kind in the state.

Hayden Arch Bridge West Of Cody Is 100 Years Old And One Of A Kind

The Hayden Arch Bridge, built over the Shoshone River west of Cody, is the only arch bridge of its kind ever built in Wyoming for vehicle use. Now 100 years after it opened in 1925, locals plan for its next century.

Andrew RossiJune 14, 2025

Since the death of Grizzly 399 in October 2024, a wooden post along Highway 26/89 in the Snake River Canyon has served as the unofficial memorial for fans of "The Queen of the Tetons."

Makeshift 399 Memorial At Spot She Was Killed Draws Fans, But May Not Be Legal

Since the death of Grizzly 399 last year, a wooden post along Highway 26/89 in the Snake River Canyon has served as the unofficial memorial for fans of the bear. People leave flowers, stuffed animals, and other artifacts. But it's probably not legal.

Andrew RossiJune 14, 2025

A Japanese Black cow with zebra stripes painted onto its body as part of a Japanese study. The cow might look ridiculous, but scientists found that the stripes were a significant deterrent to biting flies, which led to the cows displaying fewer defensive behaviors when painted.

Should Wyoming Ranchers Paint Zebra Stripes On Their Cows? Science Says Yes

A team of scientists has shown that painting zebra stripes on cattle reduces the biting flies landing on them by more than 50%. Should Wyoming ranchers start painting their cows? The science says it would work, but ranchers see it as a last resort.

Andrew RossiJune 13, 2025

The U.S. Air Force so far only has five of its new EA-37B Compass Call electronic warfare planes, making it one of its newest and rarest advanced aircraft. One of them landed at the Casper/Natrona County Airport on Tuesday.

US Air Force’s Newest And Rarest Advanced Warfare Plane Lands In Casper

The U.S. Air Force so far only has five of its new EA-37B Compass Call electronic warfare planes, making it one of America's newest and rarest advanced aircraft. One of them landed at the Casper/Natrona County Airport on Tuesday.

Andrew RossiJune 11, 2025

A bison walks past people who just watched the eruption of Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park.

New Jersey Man Gored By Bison Near Old Faithful In Yellowstone

A New Jersey man on Tuesday became the second person this year to be gored by a bison in Yellowstone National Park. Authorities say the 30-year-old was near Old Faithful and got too close to the animal when it turned and gored him.

Andrew RossiJune 10, 2025

The layers of reinforced infill on Teton Pass next to the detour built three weeks after the catastrophic failure June 8, 2024. The Wyoming Department of Transportation will close Teton Pass at 6 p.m. June 20 to pave and connect the new road to the rest of Wyoming Highway 22, and reopen it at 6 a.m. on June 23. The project is on schedule to be finished by the end of July 2025.

Rebuild Of Mountain Beneath Teton Pass To Be Finished By End Of July

A year after a “catastrophic” failure caused a section of Teton Pass in northwest Wyoming to slide down the mountain, a monumental effort to rebuild it and the pass is underway. It’s expected to be finished by the end of July.

Andrew RossiJune 10, 2025

A full moon hangs low in the sky just above Sheep Mountain, aka the Sleeping Indian, in the Gros Ventre Mountains of Wyoming.

Tuesday’s Full Moon Will Be At Its Lowest In 37-Year Span

When June’s full moon rises Tuesday night, it will be at its lowest spot in a 37-year span, and it won't drop this low again until 2043. It’s also a strawberry moon and could appear just as red as its namesake when it rises.

Andrew RossiJune 10, 2025

A train carrying six Boeing 737 fuselages derailed July 4, 2014, sending three of the huge passenger jet plane bodies into the river below. It wasn't the worst Western derailment, but it was one of the most unusual and costly.

That Time A Load Of 737 Fuselages Ended Up In A Montana River On The Fourth Of July

A train carrying six Boeing 737 fuselages derailed July 4, 2014, sending three of the huge passenger jet plane bodies into the Clark Fork River near Missoula, Montana. It wasn't the worst Western derailment, but it was one of the most unusual and costly.

Andrew RossiJune 08, 2025

The Great Salt Lake Is Swarming With Billions Of Brine Flies

Just in time for tourist season, billions of brine flies are hatching at the Great Salt Lake. Although they've got a bad reputation among humans, they’re an immensely valuable food source for animals. Dozens of birds swoop their beaks into the lake to grab brine flies by the mouthful.

Andrew RossiJune 08, 2025

"Clouds reaching like fingers into clear blue Wyoming skies over the Salt River Range in Star Valley."

Don Day's Wyoming Weather Forecast: Sunday, June 8, 2025

Mostly sunny across much of Wyoming on Sunday with areas of smoke in the east. Highs from the high 60s to mid 70s. Lows from the low 40s to the low 50s.

Andrew RossiJune 07, 2025

Sgt. Phil Johnson with the Park County Sheriff's Office, center, takes a victorious photo with the French tourists outside their broken-down bus in Meeteetse. The Cody Trolley Co. got them to Cody, Bubba's B-B-Que gave them a hot dinner, and CoveredGround Tours got them to Gardiner, Montana, so they could continue their tour of northwest Wyoming.

Cody Rallies To Rescue Bus Load Of French Tourists Stranded Near Meeteetse

Marquis de Lafayette and King Louis XVI of France sent soldiers and ships to help the American Colonies in their revolution. Nearly 250 years later, the generosity of the Cody businesses rallied to rescue 45 French tourists after their bus broke down.

Andrew RossiJune 07, 2025

Front row seat for the greatest show on earth. Schwabacher’s Landing, Grand Teton National Park"

Don Day's Wyoming Weather Forecast: Saturday, June 7, 2025

Sunny and breezy across most of Wyoming on Saturday with chances of afternoon showers in the east. Highs from the low 60s to high 80s. Lows from the low 40s to the low 50s.

Andrew RossiJune 07, 2025