Clair McFarland
Clair McFarland is a general assignment reporter for Cowboy State Daily and is based in Riverton, Wyoming. She specializes in crime and court reporting and social issues coverage. Clair also writes a twice-monthly column on motherhood and country living.
Previously, Clair wrote for The Ranger, the Lander Journal and the Wind River News. She is an award-winning journalist, columnist and poet, who joined Cowboy State Daily on Valentine's Day, 2022.
Latest from Clair McFarland
Provenza Says State Should Prove Drug Crimes First To Seize Money And Property
A Wyoming legislator wants to make the government prove a drug crime before it can seize an alleged criminal’s money or property. Rep. Karlee Provenza says there needs to be a higher standard for the government to take property from somebody.
Clair McFarlandOctober 06, 2025
In ‘Extremely Rare’ Child Porn Case, Rock Springs Woman Gets 3-5 Years
A Rock Springs woman was sentenced to three to five years in prison for possessing child pornography, says an order filed Thursday. It is "extremely rare" to see female defendants in such cases, investigators say.
Clair McFarlandOctober 03, 2025
Lummis' Letter Urges Trump To Pardon Wyoming Diesel 'Delete' Mechanic
U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis on Tuesday wrote a letter to President Donald Trump, urging him to pardon Wyoming diesel "delete" mechanic Troy Lake. Lake altered emissions systems in ailing diesel trucks, but his prison term is unfair, she says.
Clair McFarlandOctober 02, 2025
Fort Collins Death Makes At Least Four F.E. Warren Airman Gun Incidents
A person fatally shot Tuesday morning in Fort Collins, Colorado, was an airman serving in Cheyenne, the F.E. Warren Air Force Base confirmed to Cowboy State Daily. It’s at least the fourth shooting incident involving local airmen in about 6 months.
Clair McFarlandOctober 02, 2025
Judge Says Ousted UW Dean Can Keep Suing For ‘Retaliation’ Demotion
A former University of Wyoming dean can keep suing the university over his demotion, a judge ruled Tuesday. He claims the demotion was “retaliation” for not funneling money to a school headed by the UW president’s partner.
Clair McFarlandOctober 01, 2025
Star Valley Health Sues, Says Billing Company Shorted It More Than $2.5 Million
Afton-based hospital Star Valley Health on Tuesday sued the company running its billing system, claiming it caused the hospital to lose at least $2.5 million. This follows community outcry in late April about financial shortfalls at the hospital.
Clair McFarlandOctober 01, 2025
Wyoming Supreme Court Reverses Seizure Of $54K From 76-Year-Old Caught With Drugs
The Wyoming Supreme Court on Tuesday reversed a judge's order that the state could take $54,226 from a retired Wamsutter trucker. The state claimed the money was part of a drug conspiracy, but the judge let the state have it too easy in court.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 30, 2025
Five Fined Over Supercar Drag Race In Grand Teton, YouTube Star Still In Court
Five men were fined, and four were banned from Grand Teton National Park for two years, after a supercar drag race in the park in June. A YouTube influencer also arrested for the race is still facing charges, with a hearing in October.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 30, 2025
Weston County Clerk No-Shows Subpoena From Committee Investigating Her
The Weston County clerk accused of botching portions of the 2024 general election in northeast Wyoming and filing a false post-election audit did not show up Monday for a legislative subcommittee meeting for which she was subpoenaed.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 29, 2025
Clair McFarland: Running The Red Desert Thrilled Me - And Made Me Want To Die
Clair McFarland writes, "A toxic gloom invaded my thoughts in July. But then I saw an ad for the Run the Red desert race. Normal runners could sign up for a 30-kilometer (18.6 mile) version of it, and stone-cold psychopaths could do the 50k. How lovely, I thought."
Clair McFarlandSeptember 29, 2025
Wyoming Says Judge's Order Gives Schools More Power Over Money Than Lawmakers Have
In arguing against a judge's order requiring a computer for every student and other upgrades for schools, the Wyoming Attorney General's Office says the judge's order would essentially let schools dictate their own funding, rather than elected lawmakers.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 27, 2025
Wyoming Elk Hunter Tapped For Trump Policy Position
A 26-year-old Wyoming woman who as a teen helped improve access to thousands of acres of public lands for hunters has been tapped for a position in the Trump administration.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 27, 2025
Attorney Says $250,000 Brain Damage Settlement Shows Government Payouts Are Too Limited
The attorney of a Wheatland man who suffered brain damage in the Platte County jail said man's $250,000 settlement is a sign that Wyoming’s limit on government liability payouts is too low. The Wyoming Senate chose not to raise that limit this winter.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 26, 2025
Kansas City Man Arrested In Fiery Semi Crash That Killed Co-Driver
Accused of slamming a semitruck into another parked on the shoulder of Interstate 80 near Arlington, Wyoming, and killing his co-driver in a fiery crash last week, a Kansas City, Missouri, man was arrested Thursday on a charge of aggravated homicide by vehicle.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 26, 2025
One Dead In ATV Collision With Truck Near Encampment
Carbon County Sheriff's deputies and other first responders responded to a fatal collision between an ATV and a commercial truck near Encampment Thursday afternoon. Sheriff Alex Bakken said preliminary reports indicate the ATV was traveling at a high rate of speed.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 25, 2025
Gillette Man Says Stabbing Brother In The Spleen Was Self-Defense
A Gillette man accused of stabbing his brother so that the latter's spleen had to be removed told a judge Thursday that he was defending himself. Aaron Duane Smith could face up to life in prison if convicted of attempted murder.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 25, 2025
RFK Jr. Tells Wyoming, Other States It's Time For Abortion Drug Safety Study
Wyoming Attorney General Keith Kautz said he joined 21 other states in asking the FDA to investigate an abortion-inducing drug because of a noteworthy safety report. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. agrees, saying it's time for a study.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 25, 2025
Rock Springs Man Accused Of Stabbing Landlord's Eye Out With Pliers Headed To Trial
Robert Downum, accused of stabbing his elderly landlord’s eye out with pliers two winters ago in Rock Springs, is set to stand trial in three weeks. Self-defense and mental illness arguments may both be part of his jury trial, court records indicate.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 24, 2025
Wyoming Politician Says He Was Right — Tech Giants Bowed To Government Censorship
When former state lawmaker Scott Clem heard of YouTube's Tuesday announcement that the Biden administration pressured it into censoring content, he wasn't surprised. Four years ago, he was criticized for calling the censorship "the end of free speech."
Clair McFarlandSeptember 24, 2025
FBI Director: It’s Time To Send Drones To Battle Drugs On The Reservation
FBI Director Kash Patel said cartels are dropping drugs onto reservations with drones and it’s time for a federal drone counterattack. The Northern Arapaho Tribal government said it's looking into whether that's happening in Wyoming.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 24, 2025
Mother Of Byron Mom Who Killed Her Kids And Herself Sues Over Ketamine Medication
The mother of the Byron, Wyoming, mom who killed her four kids and herself in a murder-suicide earlier this year has filed a wrongful death lawsuit. She claims Sage Psychiatry and a nurse negligently let her daughter use the medication ketamine at home.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 23, 2025