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

Kayaking on the Bighorn River makes for a great summer outing.

Wyoming Places: Creating The Bighorn River Blueway

Once established, the Bighorn River Blueway will include the entire 96-mile span of the Bighorn River from the Wedding of the Waters in Thermopolis to the Wyoming/Montana state line in the Bighorn National Recreation Area and possibly beyond.

Andrew RossiAugust 20, 2023

Billings Clinic has been verified as a Level II Trauma Center since 1992 and has spent the last three decades acquiring the infrastructure and expertise to reach Level I, and plans to spend another $30 million to maintain its new status.

Why There Are No Top-Level Trauma Centers In Wyoming

One thing Wyomingites value is wide open spaces and plenty of room to be independent. That also means the state can’t support its own Level 1 trauma center, meaning medical emergencies can often mean transport somewhere else.

Andrew RossiAugust 19, 2023

Keith Susan Wagner shared this dramatic storm hovering over Cheyenne to the Wyoming Through the Lens Facebook page Aug. 4.

With 17+ Inches Of Rain So Far, Cheyenne Is Wetter Than Seattle This Year

The 17.38 inches of rain Cheyenne has received so far in 2023 is the second wettest on record and there's still 4 1/2 months to go. Cheyenne has even received more rain this year than Seattle.

Andrew RossiAugust 17, 2023

Much of the vast stretches of Wyoming grasslands remain relatively green and lush in mid-August.

How Is Wyoming Still This Green In Mid-August?

A winter with record snow, and wetter-than-normal spring and summer has Wyoming weather and agriculture experts marveling at how green it still is, saying it’s “unheard of.”

Andrew RossiAugust 17, 2023

Final Search for Missing Worland Woman Finds Nothing, Sheriff Not Giving Up

Search and Rescue personnel from five Wyoming counties searched a 20-square-mile area of Washakie County for Breanna Mitchell, but "nothing of importance" was found.

Andrew RossiAugust 16, 2023

The Star Plunge hot springs in Hot Springs State Park have been temporarily closed because management let its insurance lapsed.

Popular Hot Springs State Park Pool Closed After Insurance Lapses

The "Star Plunge" -- one of three hot springs in Hot Springs State Park -- has been immediately closed because it allowed required liability coverage to lapse, which means it would have no legal or financial protection if a guest were hurt.

Andrew RossiAugust 15, 2023

At least two people died when a pickup hit head-on with a motorcycle carrying two people Friday on U.S. Highway 85 between Yoder and Torrington.

Motorcycle ‘Completely Disintegrated’ In Head-On With Truck, Killing 2

A witness to a Friday afternoon head-on collision between a pickup and motorcycle said the aftermath “was probably the worst thing I’ve ever witnessed in my entire life.” The motorcycle “completely disintegrated” and both riders were killed.

Andrew RossiAugust 14, 2023

Wyoming Places: White Sulphur Spring An Overlooked Gem At Hot Springs State Park

Anyone who wants a pocket-sized Yellowstone experience can find it at Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis. One of the “local secrets” of Hot Springs State Park is the White Sulphur Spring.

Andrew RossiAugust 13, 2023

Dave Freitag with a collection of uncut and unhammered Wyoming jade. All the Wyoming jade collectors and artisans at the Wyoming Jade Festival find their own pieces, although those as large as these are rare after the collecting boom of the 1930s.

Cowboy State Places: Jeffrey City Hosts Wyoming Jade Festival

Wyoming is home to one of the largest and purest troves of jade in the world. The Wyoming Jade Festival, one of only three such rock shows in the U.S., was held right in the heart of jade country, Jeffrey City, Wyoming.

Andrew RossiAugust 13, 2023

The skull of Tarbosaurus bataar on display in the Library of Congress. The discovery of this skull in Wyoming was part of multiple investigations by Homeland Security in three states, which resulted in the seizure and repatriation of several illegally imported Mongolian fossils.

How Did A Rare Dinosaur Skull From Mongolia End Up In A Wyoming Rock Shop?

A rare skull fossil of a Tyrannosaur relative from Mongolia was discovered in a Wyoming rock shop. Paleontologists called the skull "one of the best-preserved fossils ever found" of the 70 million-year-old dinosaur. It was returned to his home country this week.

Andrew RossiAugust 12, 2023

Dogs, Drones And Deputies To Make Final Search For Missing Worland Woman

Search and rescue teams from three counties will join the Washakie County Sheriff's Office for a final search Friday hoping to find Breanna Mitchell, who's been missing since July 22.

Andrew RossiAugust 09, 2023

Fremont Peak in the Wind River Mountains is already getting into winter form with plenty of snow.

Snowing In August? Welcome to Wyoming

Those in north-central Wyoming have been noticing somewhat of a surprising phenomenon in the mountains for the beginning of August: snow. Meteorologist Don Day says snow in August isn't that unusual but it's a bit early this year.

Andrew RossiAugust 08, 2023

Other Authors

Snowmobile Mag Predicts Huge Snow, Don Day Says 'Not So Fast'

Although a snowmobile social networking site is predicting "an epic snowmobile season" due to massive amounts of expected snow, meteorologist Don Day is very skeptical stating that it's nearly impossible to make accurate forecasts that far in advance.

Andrew RossiAugust 07, 2023

Paleontologist Jason Schein, executive director of Elevation Science Institute, shows off the articulated tail of a 150-million-year-old long-necked sauropod from the Late Jurassic Period. The tail is among thousands of other dinosaur bones found in the Anderson Site on the Montana side of the Bighorn Basin near Bridger, Montana.

Wyoming’s Bighorn Basin A ‘Paleo Paradise’ For Fossil Hunters

Paleontologists know something many Wyomingites don’t — the Bighorn Basin is one of the most significant caches of fossils ever found, a veritable “paleo paradise.”

Andrew RossiAugust 05, 2023

Alleged Drunk Driver Plunges Truck Down Embankment In Yellowstone

Visitors near the East Entrance to Yellowstone may have seen more than they bargained for Thursday when an alleged drunk driver was arrested after crashing his red pickup into another truck and then plummeting down an embankment.

Andrew RossiAugust 04, 2023

Wyoming Whiskey Releases Special ‘Integrity’ Bourbon Inspired By Sen. Al Simpson

Former Wyoming U.S. Sen. Al Simpson has inspired generations of Wyomingites, met heads of state around the globe and is a Medal Freedom recipient. Now his name is on a special batch of Wyoming Whiskey bourbon called “Integrity.”

Andrew RossiAugust 03, 2023

Vincent Fiore in the pilot episode of Black Rock Entertainment's Amazon Prime show “Coast to Coast.” The show highlights popular and lesser-known attractions in communities like Columbus, Georgia. Several Cody locations are on the shooting schedule once it can resume after the SAG-AFTRA writers strike.

TV And Film Writers Strike Shuts Down Small Wyoming Productions

As the SAG-AFTRA writers strike continues without a resolution in sight, productions are shutting all over, including a company that had planned to film episodes of its Amazon Prime shows in Cody.

Andrew RossiAugust 02, 2023

Cadaver Dog, Draining Pond Turn Up No Clues In Search For Missing Worland Woman

Even after bringing in a cadaver dog and draining a pond, there’s still no sign of 28-year-old Breanna Mitchell of Worland, who disappeared July 22.

Andrew RossiAugust 01, 2023

WYDOT Expects To Be Short 60 - 70 Snowplow Workers Come Winter

After a brutal 2022-23 winter that saw extended road closures across much of Wyoming, WYDOT officials say more of the same is in store with the agency shorthanded 60 - 70 snowplow workers.

Andrew RossiAugust 01, 2023

Richards kneels next to his giant pumpkin he's named "Marion Cunningham," on track to become the largest pumpkin he's ever grown. Both pumpkins are further along in their growth at this point on the calender than any others he's grown in the past.

Quest For 2,000: Summer Heat Helps Worland Pumpkins Add 45-50 Pounds A Day

Giant pumpkin grower Jay Richards is on a mission to grow his first 2,000-pound pumpkin. With temperatures reliably in the 90s and 150 gallons of water per day, the 2 pumpkins (named Marion & Joanie Cunningham), have a shot to make it.

Andrew RossiJuly 30, 2023

"Mr. Joe" Arnold has been with the Hot Springs County School District for 40 years, and cleaning Wyoming schools for 60 years. To students and staff, he's much more than a custodian, he's a friend and mentor.

After 60 Years Of Service, Wyoming School Building To Be Renamed After Custodian

When students can’t afford a field trip or lunch, “Mr. Joe” Arnold quietly picks up the tab. For 60 years, he’s also been cleaning up after them. The building he cleans will soon bear his name.

Andrew RossiJuly 29, 2023

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