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Crime and Courts Reporter

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.  

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Latest from Clair McFarland

Rep. Harriet Hageman (left) and Secretary of State Chuck Gray (right)

Opponents Blast Hageman, Gray For Skipping PBS Debates Ahead Of General Election

Opponents of Republicans Harriet Hageman and Chuck Gray in Wyoming’s U.S. Senate and House races are blasting them for skipping PBS debates ahead of the general election. Both Hageman and Gray say they’re taking their messages directly to voters.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 11, 2026

The mail pickup site within a mountain-base resort in remote Jelm, Wyoming, is slated to close by Sept. 30, the U.S. Postal Service confirmed to Cowboy State Daily.

Postal Service Says It Will Close Mail Pickup Site In Remote Albany County On Sept 30

The U.S. Postal Service confirmed to Cowboy State Daily it's closing the mail pickup site in Jelm, Wyoming, on Sept. 30. Without a quick alternative, locals will have to make a 60-mile round trip to Laramie for mail.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 11, 2026

Hilltop bank juarez 9 11 26

Mills Emergency Meeting To Cover Bar Nunn Payroll In Bank Shutdown 'Torpedoed'

The mayor of Mills tried to work with the city council to cover payroll for Bar Nunn employees while Hilltop Bank was shuttered due to a cybersecurity issue. Some council members "torpedoed" the effort, Bar Nunn’s mayor says, but the bank found a way to help.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 11, 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks on stage on the first day of the 2026 Republican National Convention at the American Airlines Center on September 09, 2026 in Dallas, Texas.

Wyoming GOP Leader Says Trump's $5,000 Promise For GOP Sweep Not A Bribe

Wyoming GOP Vice-Chair Bob Ferguson says President Trump's controversial promise to give every American $5,000 if Republicans win both chambers of Congress was taken out of context. “That is an outright lie,” he said of charges that it's a bribe.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 10, 2026

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Hilltop Bank Shutdown Just Confirms Why Wyoming Needs Gold, Lawmaker Says

Sen. Bob Ide didn't want to say "I told you so," because he empathizes with customers and businesses agonizing over Hilltop's cybersecurity shutdown this week. But this is exactly why he's pushed bills to bring gold and silver into Wyoming's economy, he said.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 10, 2026

Fresh off her U.S. House primary loss, Jillian Balow trekked her 5-foot-1-inch frame over fallen trees and into a lodgepole pine basin, rested her compound bow against a tree and waited. There, she had to really learn "what stillness is."

For Post-Election Therapy, Jillian Balow Went Bow Hunting And Bagged An Elk

Fresh off her U.S. House primary loss, Jillian Balow trekked her 5-foot-1-inch frame over fallen trees and into a lodgepole pine basin, rested her compound bow against a tree and waited. There, she had to really learn "what stillness is."

Clair McFarlandSeptember 09, 2026

Hilltop Bank shut down all branches and offices Wednesday after experiencing a "cybersecurity incident" and then disconnected itself from the internet to contain the issue.

Customers Shocked As ‘Cybersecurity Incident’ Shuts Down Hilltop Bank Across Wyoming

Customers were shocked Wednesday to find Hilltop Bank closed across Wyoming and unavailable over the internet. The bank said it had a 'cybersecurity incident' and went offline to contain the issue and has no timetable for reopening.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 09, 2026

The University of Wyoming’s new president urged the school to push toward supremacy in artificial intelligence use, and to prioritize the school’s athletics program, during his Tuesday state of the university address in Laramie.

University Of Wyoming President: School Should Dominate In Artificial Intelligence

University of Wyoming's new president Shane Reeves said in his state of the university speech that it's time to embrace AI and push the school to be a leader in it. "This genie’s not going back in the bottle,” Reeves said. “This isn’t a choice."

Clair McFarlandSeptember 09, 2026

Campbell County Commission Chairman Bob Jordan.

Campbell County Commission Chair Cited For Breach Of Peace In Airport Incident

Details were sparse Tuesday about why the chair of the Campbell County Commission was cited last month for breach of peace after a meeting at the local airport. He has been outspoken about higher costs to secure a fixed-base operator for the airport.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 09, 2026

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Dem Lawmaker Calls Teton County PAC 'Distortive,' Compares It To The Freedom Caucus

Democratic state Sen. Mike Gierau is calling ads by fellow Dem, Rep. Liz Storer's PAC “distortive” and harmful to what he thought was the higher political ground his party held. Gierau compared its tactics to those of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 08, 2026

University of Wyoming President Shane Reeves

West Point Professor Sues UW President, Says He Lost Job Over Global Warming

A West Point professor who claims he was stifled, then had his contract canceled for teaching humans are a major cause of climate change, is suing new University of Wyoming president Shane Reeves, a former dean of the school, and other officials.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 04, 2026

Lindsay Clancy sits at the defense table during her Massachusetts trial on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, as the court addresses a deadlocked jury.

High-Profile Wyoming Moms Condemn Baby-Killing Jokes During Lindsay Clancy Trial

Three high-profile Wyoming moms condemn the dark, baby-hurting jokes surfacing during the Lindsay Clancy murder trial. But they also urge thoughtful reflection on the trial, and some said they're grateful for the spotlight on post-partum conditions.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 04, 2026

Other Authors

Foundations For Nations Pastor Sarah Lucas told Cowboy State Daily harassing and threatening behavior from protest leaders Alice Thomas and Darci Quiver has been pronounced and ongoing.

Reservation Pastor Files For Protection Orders Claiming Threatening Behavior

The Arapahoe-area pastor who made headlines for a controversial sermon describing Northern Arapaho Tribal sundance rituals as idolatry, and urging fidelity to Jesus, has filed petitions for protection against two women who have led protests against her.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 03, 2026

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Wyoming Court System Hacked, Could Have Exposed 10 Years Of Personal Data

The Wyoming Judicial Branch’s former operating system fell prey to a hack that could have lifted personal data about people involved in court cases from 2015-2025.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 02, 2026

Paying with pennies.

Wyoming Lawmakers Push Rules On How To Round Up — Or Down — Without Pennies

Now that pennies are going extinct, Wyoming legislators are considering rules outlining how to round up — or down — to the nearest nickel. Some states have a Wild West approach, letting businesses choose for themselves as long as they’re consistent.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 02, 2026

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Family Of Inmate Who Died In Campbell County Restraint Chair Sues

A lawsuit by the family of a Campbell County inmate who died in custody nearly four years ago says the inmate, Kenneth Durrah, swallowed a baggie of meth, endured two alleged use-of-force incidents and died in a restraint chair after begging and shouting for help.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 01, 2026

A Laramie-based judge on Monday denied 28-year-old transgender activist Rihanna Kelver’s request to dismiss a felony case stemming from Kelver claiming self-defense, after pointing a gun at a man in the street outside the Crowbar & Grill. 

Wyoming Trans Activist Loses Self-Defense Bid, Can Still Claim It At Trial

A judge declined Monday to drop charges against transgender activist Rihanna Kelver, after Kelver claimed self-defense for pointing a pistol at a man last September. Kelver wasn't "in danger of imminent death or serious bodily injury," the judge ruled.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 01, 2026

Hot Springs County had the highest voter turnout of Republicans and Democrats in the Aug. 18 primary election, totaling nearly 74% — compared to a statewide average nearly 20 points lower.

Hot Springs County Republicans, Democrats Have Highest Voter Turnout In State

Wyoming's Hot Springs County had the highest voter turnout of Republicans and Democrats in the primary election, nearly 20 points above the statewide average. Campbell County Democrats and Teton County Republicans were the least motivated groups.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 01, 2026

After a 3-foot bull snake slithered into the frame of a Riverton woman's car at the bank drive-through Monday, she was tempted to just set her car on fire. "Anything that slithers and doesn’t have legs is the devil, in my book,” she said.

Riverton Woman Tempted To Set Her Car On Fire After Snake Climbed Through Frame

After a 3-foot bull snake slithered into the frame of a Riverton woman's car at the bank drive-through Monday, she was tempted to just set her car on fire. "Anything that slithers and doesn’t have legs is the devil, in my book,” she said.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 01, 2026

After Wyoming’s Republican governor called for the state attorney general to investigate legal issues around what he called “aggressive” federal agents monitoring the primary election, Laramie County Clerk Debra Lee praised the governor’s strong response.

Wyoming Clerk Warns Other Red States Of "Aggressive" DOJ Action At Elections

In the wake of reportedly “aggressive” federal agents monitoring Wyoming’s election, Laramie County Clerk Debra Lee warned other red state election officials, “Don’t think this won’t happen to you .” She praised the governor’s move to review the operation.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 01, 2026

Kevin Christensen of Casper says he won't run as a write-in candidate this fall but is looking instead at 2028.

Kevin Christensen No On Write-In Campaign, May Endorse But Not Chuck Gray

Kevin Christensen, who rocketed to third in a crowded U.S. House race while spending at least 50 times less than each top-two finisher, will not wage a write-in campaign but is looking at a 2028 run. He also said he won't endorse Chuck Gray.

Clair McFarlandAugust 31, 2026

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