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

Garfield, the cartoon cat, told the world in 1989 that Wyoming doesn't exist, and that "it must be true" because he said it on TV.

Myth That Wyoming Doesn’t Exist Began With A 1989 ‘Garfield’ TV Cartoon

The myth that Wyoming doesn’t exist was started by a 1989 episode of “Garfield and Friends” when the cartoon cat revealed it was just made up to fill a hole in the U.S. map. "Have you ever met anyone from Wyoming?" Garfield asked his audience.

Andrew RossiOctober 10, 2026

Yellowstone Mechanic Stops So He Doesn't Hit Bull Bison, Bison Hits Him Anyway

A seasonal mechanic driving through Yellowstone National Park in darkness Thursday morning stopped so he wouldn't hit a bull bison standing in the road at Mud Volcano. The bison did not return the favor, opting to smash into his truck anyway.

Andrew RossiOctober 09, 2026

A geomagnetic storm hitting Earth's atmosphere Thursday night and Friday morning, giving Wyomingites a last chance to see an aurora in nearly a decade. "You might want to get up and hope for the best," says retired state climatologist Jan Curtis.

Last Chance! Aurora Could Be Visible Over Wyoming For Final Time For A Decade

A geomagnetic storm hitting Earth's atmosphere Thursday night and Friday could give Wyomingites a last chance to see an aurora for nearly a decade. "You might want to get up and hope for the best," says retired state climatologist Jan Curtis.

Andrew RossiOctober 08, 2026

A herd of bison stampede through and over a fence in Grand Teton National Park this week

Stampeding Herd Of Bison Breaks Through Fence In Grand Teton National Park

A Teton County wildlife guide captured dramatic video of a stampeding herd of bison breaking through a fence at Elk Ranch Flats in Grand Teton National Park. “I've never seen so many bison running at that speed for that sustained amount of time,” he said.

Andrew RossiOctober 08, 2026

An incoming significant snowstorm will close the Beartooth Highway for the season at 2:30 p.m. Friday, five days earlier than scheduled.

Incoming Snowstorm To Close Beartooth Highway Friday — 5 Days Early

An expected blast of winter-like weather will close the Beartooth Highway for the season at 2:30 p.m. Friday, five days earlier than scheduled. The snowstorm is “the first salvo” of a seasonal shift, said Cowboy State Daily meteorologist Don Day.

Andrew RossiOctober 07, 2026

A large bull moose was stuck for hours in a Red Lodge, Montana, skate park on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026.

Bull Moose Rescued After Stuck For Hours In Montana Skate Park

A bull moose that got stuck in a skate park in Red Lodge, Montana, prompted an hourslong, multi-agency effort to get it out Wednesday that ended when the tranquilized animal was pulled out. “It’s been an exciting day in Red Lodge,” said one resident.

Andrew RossiOctober 07, 2026

The iconic Wapiti Big Boy, perched along the North Fork Highway between Cody and Yellowstone National Park for 13 years, has been replaced by Seagram's Captain Morgan. Not to worry, says owner James Geier: Big Boy will return after a little rehab.

Mutiny! Wapiti's Iconic Big Boy Replaced By Captain Morgan Along North Fork

The iconic Wapiti Big Boy, perched along the North Fork Highway between Cody and Yellowstone for 13 years, has been replaced by Seagram's Captain Morgan. Not to worry, says owner James Geier: Big Boy will return after a little rehab.

Andrew RossiOctober 07, 2026

Lander resident and ultramarathoner Gabe Joyes with his support team at the finish line of the 2026 Mammoth 200. Joyes finished first, running 220 miles in 51 hours, 35 minutes, and 11 seconds.

Lander Ultramarathoner Runs 220 miles In 51 Hours To Win Mammoth 200 Race

Gabe Joyes, a professional ultramarathoner from Lander, won the Mammoth 200 in California in his first 200-mile-plus race. Joyes finished the 220-mile course in 51 hours, 35 minutes, and 11 seconds, stopping for a few 15-minutes naps along the course.

Andrew RossiOctober 06, 2026

Yellowstone tourists who follow the rules say they’re sick of watching others who won’t walk on thermals and approach wildlife. “My reaction was, ‘Oh my God! They shouldn't be there,’” said Glenn Osborn, who got this photograph last weekend of people at the edge of Grand Prismatic Spring.

Author And Former Longtime Ranger Says Dumb Tourists Think Yellowstone Is Disneyland

Author Bob Richard, who was a longtime ranger, says Yellowstone tourists don't pay attention to rules because they suffer from the "Disney Syndrome." “They think Yellowstone is a park,” he said, and to them it's a safe and controlled environment.

Andrew RossiOctober 04, 2026

The oldest whitebark pine in the world, found in Grand Teton National Park's Paintbrush Canyon. This tree died in 2021 from an infestation of mountain pine beetles, a problem facing old and young whitebark pines throughout North America.

1,289-Year-Old Whitebark Pine — World's Oldest — Found In Grand Teton, But It Was Dead

Two University of Wyoming scientists were excited and dejected after discovering the world's oldest whitebark pine in Grand Teton National Park recently. That's because the 1,289-year-old tree had died in 2021. “Every tree has its limit," said a UW researcher.

Andrew RossiOctober 03, 2026

The Liberty Bell in the courtyard of the Campbell County Courthouse. The bell is made of wood, chicken wire, and papier-mâché on a wooden frame, and nobody knew how it got there until Gillette Main Street admitted that it was a gift for America's 250th anniversary.

Mysterious Liberty Bell Appears Outside Campbell County Courthouse

A Liberty Bell mysteriously appeared next to the Campbell County Courthouse in Gillette, and, for days, no one knew how it got there. "Nobody seemed to know where it came from, but we think it's a delight," said one Campbell County employee.

Andrew RossiOctober 01, 2026

Screenshot of Evie the horse living with bison in Yellowstone

A Horse Is Living With Bison In Yellowstone And Is Not Interested In Coming Home

A 6-year-old horse named Evie has taken up with a herd of bison in Yellowstone since July. The Park Service wants her evicted before winter and her owner wants her back, but the horse has resisted all attempts to wrangle her. "She's not interested in being captured," one photographer said.

Andrew RossiSeptember 30, 2026

Other Authors

Alpine Fire Rescues Man In Mud, Reunites Him With Prosthetic Leg

A Utah man's side-by-side — and prosthetic leg — were rescued from thick mud in Palisades Reservoir on Monday by Alpine firefighters. "He was beached on top of his side-by-side with one leg," said Alpine Fire Chief Mike Vogt.

Andrew RossiSeptember 29, 2026

A rendering of a permanent roundabout at the intersection of the intersection of Greys River Road and U.S. Highway 89 from 2023. A permanent roundabout would be much bigger and more expensive than the temporary demonstration.

'Hate And Discontent': Alpine's Temporary Roundabout Lambasted By Critics

Alpine Mayor Eric Green says he knew he would get pushback over the temporary roundabout demonstration in the community but didn't anticipate the intense wave of vitriol. "I never thought people would show so much negativity towards roundabouts," he said.

Andrew RossiSeptember 29, 2026

A 1,551-pound pumpkin explodes after it's dropped from 200 feet in the air onto an inflatable pool Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, at the Wyoming State Weigh-Off and Pumpkin Drop in Worland.

The Pumpkin Drop Is Back! 1,551-Pound Pumpkin Dropped From 200-Foot Crane Explodes

A tradition unlike any other. A 1,551-pound pumpkin led the way in getting dropped from a 200-foot crane in Worland on Saturday afternoon to the delight of a cheering crowd. More than five tons of pumpkins exploded at the annual Wyoming Pumpkin Drop.

Andrew RossiSeptember 27, 2026

Cliff Linster, the man who found the type specimen of Wyoteuthis linsterorum near Ten Sleep. The new species of Jurassic squid was named in honor of Cliff, who passed away in June 2026, and his family.

Wyoming's Newest Fossils Are Chunky Jurassic Squids And Named After Ten Sleep Man

Wyoming's newest fossils are chunky 160-million-year-old squids found in northern Wyoming and named after Cliff Linster of Ten Sleep, who discovered them, and died in June. "I'm honored to have an extinct giant squid bear our family name," his son said.

Andrew RossiSeptember 26, 2026

The Zuniga family in Lander turns heads everywhere they go when walking their 6-month-old pet fox Scrappy, who’s a hyperactive attention hog that loves to be petted.

Meet Scrappy, Lander Family’s Hyperactive Pet Red Fox Who’s An Attention Hog

Lander resident Adrian Zuniga turns heads everywhere he goes when walking his 6-month-old pet red fox Scrappy, who’s a hyperactive attention hog that loves to be petted. And yes, it’s legal to have a fox as a pet in Wyoming — if your county allows it.

Andrew RossiSeptember 25, 2026

Beartooth Highway To Close For Season Oct. 13 — If Snow Doesn't Shut It First

The Beartooth Highway will close Oct. 13, though snow is likely to shut it down earlier than that, says Cowboy State Daily meteorologist Don Day. The summit would have snow already if it weren't for the Super El Niño.

Andrew RossiSeptember 24, 2026

Visitors in Yellowstone National Park are worried about what’s wrong with “the spinning bison” in Hayden Valley. A wildlife photographer said the massive bull has "either injuries from a fight, near total blindness, neurological damage, or all the above."

Yellowstone Visitors Worried About 'Spinning Bison' As Bull Circles Endlessly In Pond

Visitors in Yellowstone are worried about what’s wrong with “the spinning bison” which is circling endlessly in a pond. A wildlife photographer said the bull has "either injuries from a fight, near total blindness, neurological damage, or all the above."

Andrew RossiSeptember 24, 2026

What's left of the wooden fence around a Cody home's backyard after a hit-and-run driver took it out just after midnight Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026.

Cody Hit-And-Run Driver Demolishes Homeowner’s Fence, Hit With Felony Charge

A hit-and-run driver accused of demolishing a Cody homeowner’s wooden fence just after midnight Wednesday has been hit with a felony charge. “I could not believe the damage and amount of fence that had been destroyed,” said a neighbor.

Andrew RossiSeptember 23, 2026

Pinedale’s Tip Top Search and Rescue rescued an injured horseback rider out of a tight crevice last week using sophisticated short-haul helicopter rescue training.

Pinedale Search And Rescue Pulls Bucked Horseback Rider Out Of Tight Crevice

Pinedale’s Tip Top Search and Rescue rescued an injured horseback rider out of a tight crevice recently using sophisticated short-haul helicopter rescue training. The man became wedged after his horse bucked him near Mount Darby in Sublette County.

Andrew RossiSeptember 22, 2026

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