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

Artist Maurizio Cattelan's "Comedian" — a banana duct-taped to a wall — sold for more than $6 million at a Sotheby's auction Wednesday. As part of the deal, the artist will eat the banana in front of the buyer.

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

MrBeast, the biggest YouTuber with more than 331 million subscribers, had help from Wyoming meteorologist Don Day to lift a T-Mobile store off the ground with helium balloons.

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

Crews have been working 24/7 on a permanent fix for Teton Pass, which had a catastrophic failure this past summer.

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

Powell resident Dave Varkony got this photo of a “ridiculously cool” rope could hovering over Heart Mountain on Sunday, Nov. 17, 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

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. Now, she's one of 50 half-siblings who have embraced each other as an extended family.

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

The annual Stop Sign Snow Challenge is on again. Over the coming months, participants will watch as snow creeps up this stop sign on Togwotee Pass. Left, the sign as of Friday. Right, late in the season during a past contest.

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

Mark and Mary Nelson with their grandchildren and daughters, Maggie Haron and Sadie Howard. Hippie Cow Creamery has become a full-time family business selling raw, unpasteurized milk to families in Cody and northwest Wyoming.

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

A woman in Salt Lake City climbed onto a high-voltage transformer, prompting power to be shut off to more than 800 homes.

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

The new Swinging Bridge over the Snake River near Jackson, Wyoming, is open to traffic nine months early.

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

A supermoon hovers low to the horizon with Devils Tower in the foreground in this file photo.

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

Other Authors

By the time he died in 1917, Col. William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody was actually a general.

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

A model of a saber-toothed cat attacking a giant ground sloth the George C. Page Museum. Both of these Ice Age mammals lived in areas with leafy trees and bushes, which didn't grow in the arid climate that existed in northern Wyoming 30,000 years ago.

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

"The Green Machine" prototype Cody, Wyoming, native Thomas E. Osborne invented in 1964. It became known as the world's first personal computer and led to a line of breakthroughs in bringing computing power to the masses, getting smaller and more powerful with each generation of machines.

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

Even more than a decade after coming across a creepy abandoned complex in the middle of nowhere in Wyoming's Red Desert, Kenneth Driese says he's still creeped out by the almost horror movie-like vibes it exudes.

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

About a month before it was close, Wyoming photographer Tim Doolan hiked to the deck of the Black Mountain Lookout, at 9,400 feet elevation one of the highest points in the Bighorn Range. He captured stunning drone video and photos of the panoramic view. The lookout itself, however, has been shuttered for decades, and now the deck also is closed for repairs.

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

The marquee on the historic Cody Theatre would fall off the face of the building if it weren't wired on. It needs some serious repair, but needs clearance from the city and state to do it.

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

The Orionid meteor shower is one of four that will be visible over Wyoming throughout November.

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

The water in a thermal pool bubbles in Yellowstone National Park, which sits atop a supervolcano.

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

Abyss Pool in the West Thumb Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National Park is getting hotter and changing colors, which scientists say may indicate it's building up to violently erupt. Then again, it may not.

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

Lynnette Turner-Parry sings "What A Wonderful World" during a candlelight vigil for Grizzly 399 on Nov. 2, 2024, in Jackson, Wyoming.

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

Steam rises from the various hydrothermal features at the Fountain Paint Pots geyser basin on July 31, 2024, in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.

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

Work progresses on a massive $118 million project to replace the Yellowstone River Bridge in the national park. The new bridge will be 180 feet tall and 1,285 feet long.

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

An image from a panel discussion with the makers of the "Grizzly 399: Queen of the Tetons" documentary livestreamed by PBS Nature on Oct. 30, 2024. They discussede the life and legacy of the world's most famous bear.

"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

The wet snow that fell overnight Tuesday and into Wednesday was too much for some tree branches around Gillette.

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

These giant skeletons in front of a house on 9th Street don't seem to mind the snow falling in Casper on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 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

Daniel Cantone is a super fan of the blockbuster movie "The Hunt for Red October." He now owns the Red October, the title Soviet attack submarine featured in the movie — at least an 11-foot model used to make the film. He's pictured here with his son, Thomas.

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

Traffic drives through a Wyoming snowstorm on Interstate 80.

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

Greg and Tammy Poley of Cody are selling this historic cabin on their property that may have once been part of Marquette, aka "Wyoming Atlantis," which now is submerged under Buffalo Bill Reservoir.

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

After it was dug up near Shell, Wyoming, in the early 1990s, Ardetosaurus viator, a 74-foot-long dinosaur, survived a fire at a German museum before finally being revealed as a new species.

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

There's another month until Thanksgiving, but a Nevada rancher is giving thanks after totaling a wild Wyoming turkey near Devils Tower. That’s because the bird that got stuck in his grill didn’t cause any serious damage.

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

Could Grizzly 399 be cremated, if that's what's determined to be done with her body? Absolutely, says Paul Davis, owner of Yellowstone Pet Cremations in Powell, Wyoming. He's cremated animals of all sizes, including horses. Above is 399 and a crematorium apparatus at Davis' operation.

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

This huge Quarter Pounder was installed at a McDonald's in Rapid City, South Dakota, in February 2020. It was created by Utah artist Raymond Gibby.

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

Father and son hunters Jason and Ben Koperski, right, saved Phil Bollinger after he became stuck under his motorcycle in a culvert.

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

The auroras over Wyoming this year have been stunning and plentiful. And Pinedale photographer Dave Bell loves it. He said there's not aurora overload for him.

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

After a cold front moved through much of Wyoming near the end of last week, meteorologist Don Day says to expect "roller coaster" weather for the rest of October, and a chilly Halloween. It was near 70 in Cheyenne on Monday, and people were out enjoying the sun at Sloan Lake.

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

A dead pack rat dubbed Packy Le Pew found in Wyoming's Natural Trap Cave in 2015, a year after the rodent corpse was discovered.

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

Paleontologists examine the Allosaurus snout in the fossil preparation lab at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis.

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

Glenn Storrs stands in front of a Triceratops skull in the fossil prep lab at the Cincinnati Museum Center. Fossils of unknown horned dinosaurs have been found by his students doing fieldwork in the Almond Formation in southwest Wyoming and could potentially belong to new species.

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

Veterinarian Ray Acker with Sheldon, a 10-year-old sulcata tortoise, after he rescued the fugitive tortoise and drove him a mile back to his home in Wapiti.

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

The least-used entrance to Yellowstone National Park, the Southwest Entrance (aka Cascde Corner or the Bechler Entrance) is a dirt road that leads to some spectacular waterfalls and a historic Army outpost.

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