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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

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Weston County Clerk Says Legislators Broke Law By Issuing Subpoena

A motion in defense of Weston County Clerk Becky Hadlock filed on Monday says lawmakers, not Hadlock, were the ones who broke the law when issuing a subpoena for her to appear before an investigative committee this fall. 

Clair McFarlandDecember 16, 2025

Dones have been reported flying over the Jim Bridger Power Plant, usually at about 2 or 3 a.m.

Mystery Drones, Or Maybe UFOs, Over Sweetwater County Are 'The New Normal'

Strange flying objects over Sweetwater County’s Red Desert and Jim Bridger Power Plant are so common now they're "the new normal," the sheriff’s office says. But no one is giving any answers about what they are. 

Clair McFarlandDecember 15, 2025

Six years, two judges and multiple failed negotiations have passed since a welder started building his storage shop without a permit from the city of Laramie. The Wyoming Supreme Court on Monday told the newest judge on the case to pick a side — landowner or city.

Supreme Court Tells Judge To Pick A Side In Welder's Six-Year Fight With Laramie

Six years, two judges and multiple failed negotiations have passed since a welder started building his storage shop without a permit from the city of Laramie. The Wyoming Supreme Court on Monday told the newest judge on the case to pick a side — landowner or city.  

Clair McFarlandDecember 15, 2025

Mix Collage 12 Dec 2025 07 39 PM 5949

Interim U.S. Attorney Darin Smith Advances In Scathing Nomination Hearing

The U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary advanced President Donald Trump’s nomination of former state Sen. Darin Smith for Wyoming’s U.S. Attorney seat Thursday, though two Democratic senators cast Smith as unqualified and politically charged.

Clair McFarlandDecember 13, 2025

At an appropriations hearing Friday, Wyoming Adjutant General Greg Porter fielded a question by Senate Committee Chair Tim Salazar about UFOs in Wyoming. Porter said he preferred not to discuss UFOs in open testimony.

Lawmaker Questions Wyoming Adjutant General Over Presence Of UFOs

At an appropriations hearing Friday, Wyoming Adjutant General Greg Porter fielded a question by Senate Committee Chair Tim Salazar about UFOs in Wyoming. Porter said he preferred not to discuss UFOs in open testimony.

Clair McFarlandDecember 13, 2025

Senate Appropriations Chair Tim Salazar, R-Riverton

UW Seeks Extra $54 Million On Top Of Its $440 Million State-Funded Budget

Some members of the legislative Joint Appropriations Committee asked questions about the need for UW to receive an additional $54 million on top of its $440 million state-funded budget. UW leaders countered that extra funding was necessary.

Clair McFarlandDecember 12, 2025

The financial landscape of college athletics is straining the University of Wyoming’s athletics budget as it tries to keep up with exploding NIL deals for Division I recruits. The school is asking the Legislature for an extra $3 million a year.

University Of Wyoming Wants Extra $3 Million From Legislature After NIL Deals

The financial landscape of college athletics is straining the University of Wyoming’s athletics budget as it tries to keep up with exploding NIL deals for Division I recruits. The school is asking the Legislature for an extra $3 million a year.

Clair McFarlandDecember 12, 2025

Mark Anderson

Uinta County Commission Chairman Arrested, Charges Under Review

The Uinta County Commission chairman was arrested last week on suspicion of domestic battery, the Evanston police chief confirmed Thursday to Cowboy State Daily. Possible charges against Mark Anderson are under review by an out-of-county prosecutor.

Clair McFarlandDecember 11, 2025

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Fatal Shooting Of Friend In Sublette County Ruled Self Defense

A special prosecutor ruled Tuesday that a Sublette County man who fatally shot his friend last July used reasonable defensive force as the other man swung an animal trap at him.

Clair McFarlandDecember 11, 2025

Members of the Joint Appropriations Committee are meeting in Cheyenne this week

With Feds Ditching Public Media, Wyoming Public TV Request to State Triples

Wyoming Public Television CEO Joanna Kail asked state lawmakers on Wednesday to fill a $3 million funding gap from federal cuts that Congress made earlier this year. One legislator asked why the outlet's product is worth the backing of government.

Clair McFarlandDecember 10, 2025

The possibility of the death penalty is off the table for both Big Piney teens accused of ambushing and murdering their friend with a bow and arrow. Rowan Littauer, pictured, pleaded not guilty Monday, as did his alleged accomplice Orion Schlesinger on March 20.

Second Man Pleads Guilty In Big Piney Bow And Arrow Murder

A Big Piney man pleaded guilty Wednesday, to killing another man with a bow and arrow in February, then riddling his scalp with BBs. Rowan Littauer could face between 75 years and life in prison if District Court Judge Kate McKay accepts his plea agreement.

Clair McFarlandDecember 10, 2025

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Duo Charged With Kidnapping Teenage Girl Wanted By ICE

The two men the Wyoming Highway Patrol arrested last week for kidnapping a teenage girl are wanted by ICE. The men, 33-year-old Pedro Giron Perez and 22-year-old Alexcer Solis Gomez, remained Monday in the Carbon County Detention Center.

Clair McFarlandDecember 09, 2025

Other Authors

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Pine Bluffs Mayor Chosen To Fill Rep. John Eklund's Seat

Pine Bluffs Mayor Justin Fornstrom is vacating his town seat to fill the House vacancy left by the late Rep. John Eklund. He said balancing a budget, serving his community, backing traditional Wyoming industries and doing things to "make John proud" are his priorities.   

Clair McFarlandDecember 09, 2025

House Appropriations Chair John Bear (left) and Wyo Dept. of Health Director Stefan Johansson (right). FILE PHOTOS

Wyoming Lawmakers Worry 'Bear Care' Is Just More Government In Insurance Market

Wyoming lawmakers on Monday criticized the Wyoming Department of Health’s proposed emergency insurance program, “Bear Care.” Rep. John Bear said, "Government created the problem in the first place. I'm not inclined to want to compete in the private sector."

Clair McFarlandDecember 08, 2025

Her name was Florence, but everyone called her Flo, which had double meaning for a woman who lived life in constant motion. That’s how hundreds of people in Jackson remembered Florence McCall-Phillips on Saturday, June 28, 2025, a week after her sudden death.

Jackson Man Agrees To 10-12 Years In Prison For DUI Crash That Killed Photographer

A Jackson man agreed to plead guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide and DUI for a June 21 crash that killed a photographer riding her bicycle near South Park Loop. Jody Utter faces 10-12 years in prison if the judge accepts the plea deal.

Clair McFarlandDecember 06, 2025

Wyoming Business Council CEO Josh Dorrell, from left, Gov. Mark Gordon, and state Rep. Ken Pendergraft, R-Sheridan.

Legislators Grill Wyoming Business Council, Say It ‘Picks Winners And Losers’

The Wyoming Business Council was grilled by legislators this week over its $111.8 million budget request, while Gov. Mark Gordon recommends it receive about half that. At least one legislator wants to eliminate the agency.

Clair McFarlandDecember 05, 2025

The daughter of the Rock Springs, Wyoming, police chief was sentenced to 42 days in jail and $2,224 restitution Wednesday for poisoning her roommate’s dog, leading to its having to be put down.

Daughter Of Rock Springs Police Chief Gets 42 Days For Poisoning Roommate's Dog

The daughter of the Rock Springs, Wyoming, police chief was sentenced to 42 days in jail and $2,224 restitution Wednesday for poisoning her roommate’s dog, leading to its having to be put down.

Clair McFarlandDecember 05, 2025

Allie Coghan was one of the original seven plaintiffs who sued the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority in 2023, saying it broke faith with its members by admitting a transgender member amid special treatment during the election process the previous autumn. She's pictured here at the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver in May 2024.

UW Graduate In Transgender Sorority Member Lawsuit Speaks At White House 

A former University of Wyoming student who sued her sorority for admitting a transgender member spoke Wednesday at a White House education event. She joined a discussion on political bias in U.S. universities.

Clair McFarlandDecember 05, 2025

Former Laramie mayor and lobbyist Andi Summerville is accused of stealing over $31,000 from a Wyoming mental health nonprofit she led, facing eight felony charges after investigators found unauthorized purchases and self-written checks. She's pictured here in a screenshot from a July 18, 2017, city council meeting.

Former Laramie Mayor, Lobbyist Accused Of Stealing From Mental Health Group  

Former Laramie mayor and lobbyist Andi Summerville is accused of stealing over $31,000 from a Wyoming mental health nonprofit she led, facing eight felony charges after investigators found unauthorized purchases and self-written checks.

Clair McFarlandDecember 04, 2025

The Florida trucker — identified as Rabindran Bunsee — arrested by a Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper near Rawlins could face life in prison on an attempted murder charge during a road rage incident. He’s accused of shooting at a pickup with a toddler in it. 

'Road Rage' Trucker Says Pickup Driver Actually Shot At Him 

A trucker accused of shooting at a pickup with a child inside claims the pickup driver actually fired first in a road rage incident. A judge found probable cause Wednesday to send the case to district court on multiple felony charges.

Clair McFarlandDecember 04, 2025

A Worland man who riddled his own dog with bullets was was sentenced Wednesday to three years' supervised probation and fined $1,000. Donald “Dudley” Wright, 60, says he’s had death threats over the incident and that that the punishment seems harsh for such a “miniscule” crime.

Worland Man Who Riddled His Own Dog With Bullets Gets Probation, Fines

A Worland man who riddled his own dog with bullets was sentenced Wednesday to three years' supervised probation and fined $1,000. He says he’s had death threats over the incident and that that the punishment seems harsh for such a “miniscule” crime.

Clair McFarlandDecember 03, 2025

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