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
Woman Who Hit Two Elk While Speeding, Killing Friend In Car, Acquitted Of Felony
A 19-year-old Casper woman did not commit a felony when she hit two elk while speeding on a highway, killing a friend in her car, a jury ruled Thursday. She was instead convicted of misdemeanor negligent homicide by vehicle, reckless driving, and speeding.
Clair McFarlandApril 10, 2026
Gubernatorial Candidate Vying For Constitution Party Nomination Suspends Campaign
Joseph Kibler, who first ran for the GOP nomination, then floated a write-in or unaffiliated run, then sought the Constitution Party nomination for the Wyoming governor’s race, announced Friday he’s stepping away from his campaign.
Clair McFarlandApril 10, 2026
Gordon Apologizes For Telling Gray To 'Shut Up,’ Urges More Formality At Meetings
Gov. Mark Gordon apologized to Secretary of State Chuck Gray this week for telling Gray to “shut up” last week, calling for more formality at meetings from now on. It’s the latest in a long-running feud between the governor and secretary of state.
Clair McFarlandApril 10, 2026
Wyoming Freedom Caucus Members Split On Who Should Be Governor
Despite being in the Freedom Caucus together, neither Rep. Pendergraft nor Rep. Haroldson were shocked Thursday to find they're endorsing different candidates in the governor’s race. Pendergraft is behind Brent Bien while Haroldson supports Degenfelder.
Clair McFarlandApril 09, 2026
Man Accused In Green River Bombing To Plead Guilty In Identity Theft Case
A man accused of injuring his wife with a bomb in Green River and then eluding authorities for 44 years is expected to plead guilty in an identify theft case. After the bombing, he allegedly stole the identify of a dead college classmate.
Clair McFarlandApril 09, 2026
Weston County Clerk Quits One Day After Felony Arrest On Election-Related Charges
Weston County Clerk Becky Hadlock resigned Thursday one day after she was charged with two felonies, the chair of the local Republican party, Kari Drost, has confirmed. The resignation averts a civil trial that had been set for Monday.
Clair McFarlandApril 09, 2026
Weston County Clerk Arrested On Felony Election-Related Charges
Weston County Clerk Becky Hadlock was arrested Wednesday morning on two election-related felony charges, then released on her own recognizance roughly two hours later. Each is punishable by up to five years in prison and $10,000 in fines.
Clair McFarlandApril 08, 2026
Cody Roberts, Wolf Abuser, Gets 18 Months Probation, Prison Possible If He Fails It
Cody Roberts, known for torturing a wolf in February 2024 in Daniel, Wyoming, was sentenced Wednesday to 18 months’ probation and fined $1,000, with prison and more fines possible if he fails probation. The judge called the crime disturbing.
Clair McFarlandApril 08, 2026
Here's What Red States That Didn't Hand Voter Data To The Feds Are Saying
While Wyoming was among the first states to hand sensitive voter data to the Dept. of Justice last year, six GOP-led states and 23 Democrat-led states are fighting the initiative in court. "The Radical Left and media will stop at nothing," Chuck Gray said.
Clair McFarlandApril 08, 2026
Wyoming Delegation Stands By Trump After 'Whole Civilization Will Die' Post
Wyoming’s congressional delegation did not condemn President Trump’s Tuesday pre-Iran-ceasefire threat that “a whole civilization will die tonight," while some cast it as a call for genocide. "It’s time for Iran to choose peace," said Sen. Barrasso.
Clair McFarlandApril 08, 2026
Democrat Lisa Kinney Enters House Race, Says Protect Public Lands
Calling for more state sovereignty over key issues, former state lawmaker and attorney Lisa Kinney is running for the Democratic nomination for Wyoming’s only U.S. House seat. She could face whoever survives the huge rumble in the Republican primary.
Clair McFarlandApril 07, 2026
Riverton Man Gets 30-40 Years For Fatally Stabbing 14-Year-Old
A 23-year-old Fremont County man who admitted in court he "stabbed a guy in the back” was sentenced Monday to 30-40 years in prison. He'd pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for stabbing a 14-year-old in a brawl north of Riverton last August.
Clair McFarlandApril 06, 2026
Family Attempts First Major Non-Luxury Housing Development In Teton County In 30 Years
A Teton County family promises to price-cap 70% of the homes in a new 553-house neighborhood south of Jackson. It would be the first major non-luxury development of 100 or more homes in the nation’s wealthiest county in 30 years.
Clair McFarlandApril 06, 2026
Lawyer Sued By Wyoming Transgender Sorority Member Settles Lawsuit
A lawyer who sued a transgender member of a University of Wyoming sorority chapter has settled a lawsuit filed by the member, claiming the lawyer went too far. The terms of the settlement have not been made public.
Clair McFarlandApril 03, 2026
Prosecutor Wants Jury To Hear Evidence Accused Murderer Threw Dog Down Stairs
In the case of an Evanston man who claimed he acted in self-defense when allegedly killing his father last November, the prosecutor is asking to allow extra evidence of murder threats and violence. That includes a claim he threw a dog down the stairs.
Clair McFarlandApril 03, 2026
Incoming University Of Wyoming President Wants To Build Bridges, Dissolve Drama
Incoming U.W. President Brigadier General Shane Reeves told Cowboy State Daily he wants to build bridges and dissolve drama at the university, as well as build trust and connections throughout the state by talking to state legislators and stakeholders.
Clair McFarlandApril 03, 2026
Now Weston County Clerk Becky Hadlock To Be Arrested, Court Docs Say
Weston County Clerk Becky Hadlock may be arrested next week, as prosecutors form a new felony case over her handling of the 2024 election, her lawyer says. That would be in addition to a misdemeanor case, a civil action, and a legislative investigation.
Clair McFarlandApril 03, 2026
Riverton Man Whose Mother’s Home Was Ripped Open During Standoff Gets Plea Deal
After he was accused of thrusting a sword through his bedroom door at police officers and sparking an 11-hour standoff during which law enforcement ripped open his mother’s Riverton home last spring, Ron Allington reached a plea agreement Wednesday.
Clair McFarlandApril 02, 2026
Megan Degenfelder Apologizes For 'Unredacted' Student Info Release
Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder has apologized for her department's release of unredacted student information in a public records request. She said the release was the result of "human error" and those involved have been reprimanded.
Clair McFarlandApril 02, 2026
Conservative Activist Steve Friess, Son Of Foster, Runs For Wyoming U.S. House Seat
Conservative activist Steve Friess, son of former political candidate Foster Friess, is running for Wyoming’s U.S. House seat. He and his family helped Charlie Kirk start Turning Point USA and describes his philosophy as pro-Trump, pro-life, and pro-gun.
Clair McFarlandApril 02, 2026
CheckGate Fallout: Legislature To Get More Ethics Training
The Wyoming Legislature’s Management Council decided Wednesday to add more ethics training for state legislators. The move comes in the wake of the House CheckGate a controversy this past session.
Clair McFarlandApril 01, 2026